Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
Introduction 3
{Danger
Danger indicates a hazard with a
high level of risk which will result
in serious injury or death.
{Warning
Warning indicates a hazard that
could result in injury or death.
Caution
Caution indicates a hazard that
could result in property or vehicle
damage.
A circle with a slash through it is a
safety symbol which means“Do
not,” “Do not do this,” or“Do not let
this happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead of
text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or
information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gauge, or indicator.
M: Shown when the owner ’s
manual has additional instructions
or information.
*: Shown when the service
manual has additional instructions
or information.
0: Shown when there is more
information on another page —
“see page.” Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. See the
features in this manual for
information.
u:
Air Conditioning System
G: Air Conditioning Refrigerant Oil
9:Airbag Readiness Light
!: Antilock Brake System (ABS)
$:Brake System Warning Light
9:Dispose of Used Components
Properly
P: Do Not Apply High Pressure
Water
B: Engine Coolant Temperature
_: Flame/Fire Prohibited
H:Flammable
[:Forward Collision Alert
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
6 Introduction
1.Air Vents 0155.
2. Exterior Lamp Controls 0119.
Instrument Panel Illumination
Control 0123.
3. Turn Signal Lever. See Turn
and Lane-Change Signals
0 121.
4. Instrument Cluster 095.
5. Windshield Wiper/Washer 091.
6. Card Holder. See “Card Holder”
under Instrument Panel
Storage 086.
7. AM-FM Radio 0131.
8. Light Sensor. See Automatic
Headlamp System 0121.
9. Instrument Panel Storage 086.
10. Passenger Sensing System
058.
11. Hazard Warning Flashers
0121.
12. USB Port 0134.
Auxiliary Jack 0137.
13. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission 0180. 14. Trunk Release (Sedan). See
Trunk (Sedan) 024.
Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) 0196 (If Equipped).
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0185.
15. Power Outlets 093.
16. Climate Control Systems
0153.
17. Central Locking Switch. See Door Locks 021.
18. Ignition Switch. See Ignition
Positions (Keyless Access)
0 170 or
Ignition Positions (Key Access)
0 172.
19. Steering Wheel Controls 090.
20. Horn 091.
21. Steering Wheel Adjustment
090 (Out of View).
22. Cruise Control 0187.
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0194 (If Equipped.
Heated Steering Wheel 091 (If
Equipped). 23. Data Link Connector (DLC)
(Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check Engine
Light) 0100.
24. Hood Release. See Hood
0 205.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
8 Keys, Doors, and Windows
{Warning
If the key is unintentionally
rotated while the vehicle is
running, the ignition could be
moved out of the RUN position.
This could be caused by heavy
items hanging from the key ring,
or by large or long items attached
to the key ring that could be
contacted by the driver or
steering wheel. If the ignition
moves out of the RUN position,
the engine will shut off, braking
and steering power assist may be(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
impacted, and airbags may not
deploy. To reduce the risk of
unintentional rotation of the
ignition key, do not change the
way the ignition key and Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter,
if equipped, are connected to the
provided key rings.
The ignition key, key rings, and RKE
transmitter, if equipped, are
designed to work together. As a
system, it reduces the risk of
unintentionally moving the key out
of the RUN position. If replacements
or additions are required, see your
dealer. Limit added items to a few
essential keys or small, light items
no larger than an RKE transmitter.
Interference from radio-frequency
identification (RFID) tags may
prevent the key from starting the
vehicle. Keep RFID tags away from
the key when starting the vehicle.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
Keys, Doors, and Windows 11
PressingQmay also arm the alarm
system. See Vehicle Alarm System
0 27.
K:Press to unlock the driver door
and the trunk/liftgate. Press again to
unlock all doors.
The turn signal indicators may flash
to indicate unlocking has occurred.
See Vehicle Personalization 0115.
Pressing
Kwill disarm the alarm
system. See Vehicle Alarm System
0 27.
X:If equipped, press twice to
release the trunk.
7: Press and release one time to
initiate vehicle locator. The exterior
lamps flash and the horn chirps
three times.
Press and hold
7for at least
three seconds to sound the panic
alarm. The horn sounds and the
turn signals flash for about
30 seconds, or until
7is pressed
again or the ignition is turned on.
/: If equipped, pressQand then
immediately press and hold
/for at
least four seconds or until the turn
signal lamps flash to start the
engine from outside the vehicle
using the RKE transmitter. See
Remote Vehicle Start 020.
Keyless Access Operation
If equipped, the Keyless Access
system lets you lock and unlock the
front doors or access the trunk/
liftgate without removing the RKE
transmitter from your pocket, purse,
briefcase, etc. The RKE transmitter
should be within 1 m (3 ft) of the
trunk/liftgate or door being opened.
If the vehicle has this feature, there
will be buttons on the outside front
door handles.
Keyless Access can be
programmed to unlock both front
doors on the first unlock/lock button
press from the driver door. See
Vehicle Personalization 0115. Keyless Unlocking/Locking from
the Driver Door
When the doors are locked and the
RKE transmitter is within 1 m (3 ft)
of the driver door handle, pressing
the lock/unlock button on the driver
door handle will unlock the driver
door. If the lock/unlock button is
pressed again within five seconds,
the front passenger door will unlock.
Pull the door handle to unlatch
the door.
Driver Side Shown, Passenger
Side Similar
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
Keys, Doors, and Windows 13
Programming Transmitters to
the Vehicle
Only RKE transmitters programmed
to the vehicle will work. If a
transmitter is lost or stolen, a
replacement can be purchased and
programmed through your dealer.
The vehicle can be reprogrammed
so that lost or stolen transmitters no
longer work. Any remaining
transmitters will need to be
reprogrammed. Each vehicle can
have up to eight transmitters
matched to it.
Programming with Recognized
Transmitters
A new transmitter can be
programmed to the vehicle when
there are two recognized
transmitters. To program, the vehicle
must be off and all of the
transmitters, both currently
recognized and new, must be
with you.1. Remove the key from the RKE transmitter. 2. Place the two recognized
transmitters in the front
cupholder.
3. Insert the vehicle key of the new transmitter into the key
lock cylinder on the outside of
the driver door and turn the key
counterclockwise five times
within 10 seconds.
The DIC displays READY FOR
REMOTE #2, 3, 4, or 5.
4. Place the new transmitter into
the front cupholder. 5. Press ENGINE START/STOP.
When the transmitter is
learned, the DIC will show that
it is ready to program the next
transmitter.
6. Remove the transmitter from the front cupholder and
press
K.
To program additional
transmitters, repeat Steps 3–5.
When all additional transmitters
are programmed, press and
hold ENGINE START/STOP for
10 seconds to exit
programming mode.
Programming without Recognized
Transmitters
If two currently recognized
transmitters are not available, follow
this procedure to program up to
eight transmitters. This feature is
not available in Canada. This
procedure will take approximately
30 minutes to complete. The vehicle
must be off and all of the
transmitters to be programmed must
be with you.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
14 Keys, Doors, and Windows
1. Remove the key from the RKEtransmitter.
2. Insert the vehicle key of the transmitter into the key lock
cylinder on the outside of the
driver door and turn the key
counterclockwise five times
within 10 seconds.
The DIC displays REMOTE
LEARN PENDING,
PLEASE WAIT.
3. Wait for 10 minutes until the DIC displays PRESS ENGINE
START BUTTON TO LEARN
and then press ENGINE
START/STOP.
The DIC will again display
REMOTE LEARN PENDING,
PLEASE WAIT.
4. Repeat Step 2 two additional times. After the third time, all
previously known transmitters
will no longer work with the
vehicle. Remaining transmitters
can be relearned during the
next steps.
The DIC should now display
READY FOR REMOTE # 1.
5. Place the new transmitter intothe front cupholder.
6. Press ENGINE START/STOP. When the transmitter is
learned, the DIC will show that
it is ready to program the next
transmitter.
7. Remove the transmitter from the front cupholder and
press
K.
To program additional
transmitters, repeat Steps 4–6. When all additional transmitters
are programmed, press and
hold ENGINE START/STOP for
10 seconds to exit
programming mode.
Starting the Vehicle with a Low
Transmitter Battery
While trying to start the vehicle,
if the transmitter battery is weak, the
DIC may display NO REMOTE
DETECTED. The DIC may display
REPLACE BATTERY IN
REMOTE KEY.
1. Place the transmitter in the
front cupholder.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
Keys, Doors, and Windows 15
2. With the vehicle in P (Park) orN (Neutral), press the brake
pedal and press ENGINE
START/STOP. See Starting the
Engine 0174.
Replace the transmitter battery
as soon as possible.
Battery Replacement
{Warning
Never allow children to play with
the RKE transmitter. The
transmitter contains a small
battery, which can be a choking
hazard. If swallowed, internal
burns can occur, resulting in
severe injury or death. Seek
medical attention immediately if a
battery is swallowed.
{Warning
To avoid personal injury, do not
touch metal surfaces on the RKE
transmitter when it has been
exposed to extreme heat. These
surfaces can be hot to the touch
at temperatures above 59 °C (138
°F).
Caution
When replacing the battery, do
not touch any of the circuitry on
the transmitter. Static from your
body could damage the
transmitter.
Caution
Always replace the battery with
the correct type. Replacing the
battery with an incorrect type
could potentially create a risk of
battery explosion. Dispose of
used batteries according to
instructions and local laws. Do
not attempt to burn, crush, or cut
the used battery, and avoid
exposing the battery to
environments with extremely low
air pressures or high
temperatures.
Replace the battery if the DIC
displays REPLACE BATTERY IN
REMOTE KEY.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
18 Keys, Doors, and Windows
until the turn signal lamps flash to
start the engine from outside the
vehicle using the RKE transmitter.
SeeRemote Vehicle Start 020.
The buttons on the RKE transmitter
are disabled when there is a key in
the ignition.
Programming Keys to the
Vehicle
Only RKE transmitters programmed
to this vehicle will work. If a
transmitter is lost or stolen, a
replacement can be purchased and
programmed through your dealer.
When the replacement transmitter is
programmed to this vehicle, all
remaining transmitters must also be
reprogrammed. Any lost or stolen
transmitters will no longer work
once the new transmitter is
programmed.
Programming with Two
Recognized Keys
To program a new key:
1. Insert the original, already programmed key in the ignition
and turn on the ignition. 2. Turn the ignition off, and
remove the key.
3. Quickly, within five seconds, insert the second original
already programmed key in the
ignition and turn on the ignition.
4. Turn the ignition off, and remove the key.
5. Insert the new key to be programmed and turn the
ignition on within five seconds.
The security light will turn off
once the key has been
programmed.
6. Repeat Steps 1–5 if additional keys are to be programmed.
If a key is lost or damaged, see your
dealer to have a new key made.
Programming without Two
Recognized Keys
Program a new key to the vehicle
when two recognized keys are not
available. Canadian regulations
require that owners see their dealer. If two currently recognized keys are
not available, follow this procedure
to program the first key.
This procedure will take
approximately 30 minutes to
complete for the first key. The
vehicle must be off and all of the
keys you wish to program must be
with you.
1. Insert the new vehicle key into the ignition.
2. Turn the ignition on. The security light will come on.
3. Wait 10 minutes until the security light turns off.
4. Turn the ignition off.
5. Repeat Steps 2–4 two more times. After the third time, turn
the ignition on; the key is
learned and all previously
known keys will no longer work
with the vehicle.
6. To program the second key, turn the ignition off and insert
the second key to be learned
and turn the ignition on.