
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
270 Vehicle Care
Caution
Chrome wheels and chrome
wheel trim may be damaged if the
vehicle is not washed after driving
on roads that have been sprayed
with magnesium chloride or
calcium chloride. These are used
on roads for conditions such as
dust and ice. Always wash the
chrome with soap and water after
exposure.
Caution
To avoid surface damage on
wheels and wheel trim, do not
use strong soaps, chemicals,
abrasive polishes, cleaners,
or brushes. Use only GM
approved cleaners. Do not drive
the vehicle through an automatic
car wash that uses silicon carbide
tire/wheel cleaning brushes.(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
Damage could occur and the
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Brake System
Visually inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding,
leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect
disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Inspect drum
brake linings/shoes for wear or
cracks. Inspect all other brake parts.
Steering, Suspension, and
Chassis Components
Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damaged, loose,
or missing parts or signs of wear at
least once a year.
Inspect power steering for proper
attachment, connections, binding,
leaks, cracks, chafing, etc.
Visually check constant velocity joint
boots and axle seals for leaks.
Body Component Lubrication
Lubricate all key lock cylinders,
hood hinges, liftgate hinges, and the
steel fuel door hinges, unless the
components are plastic. Applying
silicone grease on weatherstrips
with a clean cloth will make them
last longer, seal better, and not stick
or squeak.
Underbody Maintenance
At least twice a year, spring and fall,
use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from the
underbody. Take care to thoroughly
clean any areas where mud and
other debris can collect.
Do not directly power wash the
transfer case and/or front/rear axle
output seals. High pressure water
can overcome the seals and
contaminate the fluid. Contaminated
fluid will decrease the life of the
transfer case and/or axles and
should be replaced.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
Service and Maintenance 285
Hoses
Hoses transport fluids and should
be regularly inspected to ensure
that there are no cracks or leaks.
With a multi-point inspection, your
dealer can inspect the hoses and
advise if replacement is needed.
Lamps
Properly working headlamps,
taillamps, and brake lamps are
important to see and be seen on
the road.
.Signs that the headlamps need
attention include dimming, failure
to light, cracking, or damage.
The brake lamps need to be
checked periodically to ensure
that they light when braking.
. With a multi-point inspection,
your dealer can check the lamps
and note any concerns. Shocks and Struts
Shocks and struts help aid in control
for a smoother ride.
.
Signs of wear may include
steering wheel vibration, bounce/
sway while braking, longer
stopping distance, or uneven
tire wear.
. As part of the multi-point
inspection, trained dealer
technicians can visually inspect
the shocks and struts for signs
of leaking, blown seals,
or damage, and can advise
when service is needed.
Tires
Tires need to be properly inflated,
rotated, and balanced. Maintaining
the tires can save money and fuel,
and can reduce the risk of tire
failure. .
Signs that the tires need to be
replaced include three or more
visible treadwear indicators; cord
or fabric showing through the
rubber; cracks or cuts in the
tread or sidewall; or a bulge or
split in the tire.
. Trained dealer technicians can
inspect and recommend the right
tires. Your dealer can also
provide tire/wheel balancing
services to ensure smooth
vehicle operation at all speeds.
Your dealer sells and services
name brand tires.
Vehicle Care
To help keep the vehicle looking like
new, vehicle care products are
available from your dealer. For
information on how to clean and
protect the vehicle’s interior and
exterior, see Interior Care 0271 and
Exterior Care 0266.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
Index 321
FusesEngine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 229
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
G
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
GaugesFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Warning Lights andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
General Information Service and Maintenance . . . . . 276
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . 121
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Headlamps
Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 108
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 120
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 108
Heated
Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Heated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Heater Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 163
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . 184
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Hood Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
How to Wear Seat Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
HVAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
I
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . 170, 172
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Indicator Owner Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Vehicle Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Infants and Young Children,
Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Information Publication Ordering . . . . . . . . . . 303
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Instrument Panel
Storage Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . . . . 5
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 126
J
Jack Auxiliary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
K
Keyless Entry
Remote (RKE) System . . . . . 10, 16
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
Index 325
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . . . 300
Seat Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
How to Wear Seat BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Replacing after a Crash . . . . . . . . 51
Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . 50
Seats Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Heated Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Power Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . 39
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Securing Child Restraints . . . . 80, 82
Security
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Vehicle Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 Service (cont'd)
Climate Control System . . . . . . . 153
Doing Your Own Work . . . . . . . . 204
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . . 289
Maintenance, General
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Parts Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . 300
Vehicle Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Services Special Application . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Servicing the Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Shift Lock Control Function
Check, Automatic
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Spare Tire Compact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Special Application Services . . . . 283
Specifications and Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 StabiliTrak
OFF Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Start Assist, Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Start Vehicle, Remote . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 Heated Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Power, Warning Lights . . . . . . . . 103
Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Storage Load Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Storage Areas
Cargo Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . . . 86
Struts Gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3