Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
Seats and Restraints 57
But airbags would not help in many
types of collisions, primarily
because the occupant's motion is
not toward those airbags. SeeWhen
Should an Airbag Inflate? 055.
Airbags should never be regarded
as anything more than a supplement
to seat belts.
What Will You See after
an Airbag Inflates?
After frontal, knee, and
seat-mounted side impact airbags
inflate, they quickly deflate, so
quickly that some people may not
even realize the airbags inflated.
Roof-rail airbags may still be at least
partially inflated for some time after
they inflate. Some components of
the airbag module may be hot for
several minutes. For location of the
airbags, see Where Are the
Airbags? 054.
The parts of the airbag that come
into contact with you may be warm,
but not too hot to touch. There may
be some smoke and dust coming
from the vents in the deflated airbags. Airbag inflation does not
prevent the driver from seeing out of
the windshield or being able to steer
the vehicle, nor does it prevent
people from leaving the vehicle.
{Warning
When an airbag inflates, there
may be dust in the air. This dust
could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of
asthma or other breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as
it is safe to do so. If you have
breathing problems but cannot
get out of the vehicle after an
airbag inflates, then get fresh air
by opening a window or a door.
If you experience breathing
problems following an airbag
deployment, you should seek
medical attention.
The vehicle has a feature that may
automatically unlock the doors, turn
on the interior lamps and hazard
warning flashers, and shut off the fuel system after the airbags inflate.
The feature may also activate,
without airbag inflation, after an
event that exceeds a predetermined
threshold. After turning the ignition
off and then on again, the fuel
system will return to normal
operation; the doors can be locked,
the interior lamps can be turned off,
and the hazard warning flashers can
be turned off using the controls for
those features. If any of these
systems are damaged in the crash
they may not operate as normal.
{Warning
A crash severe enough to inflate
the airbags may have also
damaged important functions in
the vehicle, such as the fuel
system, brake and steering
systems, etc. Even if the vehicle
appears to be drivable after a
moderate crash, there may be
concealed damage that could
make it difficult to safely operate
the vehicle.
(Continued)
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
110 Instruments and Controls
Remaining Oil Life
This menu is not available while the
vehicle is moving. This display
shows an estimate of the oil's
remaining useful life. If 99
:% is
displayed, that means 99% of the
current oil life remains.
When the remaining oil life is low,
the
:% CHANGE message will
appear on the display. The oil
should changed as soon as
possible. See Engine Oil0208. In
addition to the engine oil life system
monitoring the oil life, additional
maintenance is recommended in the
Maintenance Schedule. See
Maintenance Schedule 0278.
Remember, the Oil Life display must
be reset after each oil change. It will
not reset itself. Also, be careful not
to reset the Oil Life display
accidentally at any time other than
when the oil has just been changed.
It cannot be reset accurately until
the next oil change. To reset the
engine oil life system, press SET/
CLR while the Oil Life display is
active. See Engine Oil Life System
0 210. Units
This menu is not available while the
vehicle is moving. Press SET/CLR
while the unit display is active and
move
w/xto change units when
UNIT SET is displayed. Press SET/
CLR to confirm the setting. Select 1,
2, or 3 for the unit display. 1 is
metric units, 2 is Imperial units, and
3 is US units. This will change the
displays on the cluster and DIC to
the type of measurements selected.
Tire Learn
This display allows for matching of
the TPMS sensors. The display will
show a vehicle with the approximate
pressures of all four tires. Tire
pressure is displayed in either
kilopascal (kPa) or pounds per
square inch (psi). See Tire Pressure
Monitor System 0242 and
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation
0 243.
Trip/Fuel Menu Items (Base
Level DIC)
Press MENU until the Trip/Fuel
menu is displayed. Use
w/xto
scroll through the menu items. On
some models, use the trip odometer
reset stem to scroll through the
menu. Not all items are available on
every vehicle. The following is a list
of possible menu items:
. Trip Odometer
. Fuel Range
. Average Vehicle Speed
. Instantaneous Fuel Economy
. Average Fuel Economy
Trip Odometer
This display shows the current
distance traveled, in either
kilometers (km) or miles (mi), since
the last reset for the trip odometer.
The trip odometer can be reset to
zero by pressing SET/CLR or
pressing and holding the trip
odometer reset stem while the trip
odometer display is showing.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
200 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
.Under certain conditions,
fuel fires.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Wait
five seconds after you have finished
pumping before removing the fill
nozzle. Clean fuel from painted
surfaces as soon as possible. See
Exterior Care 0266. Reinstall the
cap by turning it clockwise until it
clicks. Push the fuel door closed.
{Warning
If a fire starts while you are
refueling, do not remove the fill
nozzle. Shut off the flow of fuel by
shutting off the pump or by
notifying the station attendant.
Leave the area immediately.
Caution
If a new fuel cap is needed, get
the right type of cap from your
dealer. The wrong type of fuel cap
may not fit properly, may turn on
the malfunction indicator lamp,
and could damage the fuel
system and emissions system.
See Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) 0100.
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container
{Warning
Never fill a portable fuel container
while it is in the vehicle. Static
electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the fuel
vapor. You or others could be
badly burned and the vehicle
could be damaged. To help avoid
injury to you and others:
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Dispense fuel only into
approved containers.
. Do not fill a container while
it is inside a vehicle, in a
vehicle's trunk, in a pickup
bed, or on any surface other
than the ground.
. Bring the fill nozzle in
contact with the inside of
the fill opening before
operating the nozzle.
Maintain contact until filling
is complete.
. Keep sparks, flames, and
smoking materials away
from fuel.
. Do not use electronic
devices while pumping fuel.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
238 Vehicle Care
(4) Construction Code:A letter
code is used to indicate the type
of ply construction in the tire.
The letter “R”means radial ply
construction; the letter “D”
means diagonal or bias ply
construction.
(5) Rim Diameter
:Diameter of
the wheel in inches.
(6) Service Description
:These
characters represent the load
index and speed rating of the
tire. The load index represents
the load carrying capacity a tire
is certified to carry. The speed
rating is the maximum speed a
tire is certified to carry a load.
Tire Terminology and
Definitions
Air Pressure:The amount of
air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of
the tire. Air pressure is
expressed in kPa (kilopascal)
or psi (pounds per square inch). Accessory Weight
:The
combined weight of optional
accessories. Some examples of
optional accessories are
automatic transmission, power
windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio
:The relationship
of a tire's height to its width.
Belt
:A rubber coated layer of
cords between the plies and the
tread. Cords may be made from
steel or other reinforcing
materials.
Bead
:The tire bead contains
steel wires wrapped by steel
cords that hold the tire onto
the rim.
Bias Ply Tire
:A pneumatic tire
in which the plies are laid at
alternate angles less than
90 degrees to the centerline of
the tread. Cold Tire Pressure
:The
amount of air pressure in a tire,
measured in kPa (kilopascal)
or psi (pounds per square inch)
before a tire has built up heat
from driving. See Tire Pressure
0 240.
Curb Weight
:The weight of a
motor vehicle with standard and
optional equipment including the
maximum capacity of fuel, oil,
and coolant, but without
passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings
:A code molded
into the sidewall of a tire
signifying that the tire is in
compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation
(DOT) Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards. The DOT code
includes the Tire Identification
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric
designator which can also
identify the tire manufacturer,
production plant, brand, and
date of production.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
Vehicle Care 241
Warning (Continued)
.Poor handling.
.Reduced fuel economy.
Overinflated tires, or tires that
have too much air, can
result in:
.Unusual wear.
.Poor handling.
.Rough ride.
.Needless damage from
road hazards.
The Tire and Loading
Information label on the vehicle
indicates the original equipment
tires and the correct cold tire
inflation pressures. The
recommended pressure is the
minimum air pressure needed to
support the vehicle's maximum
load carrying capacity. See
Vehicle Load Limits 0166. How the vehicle is loaded
affects vehicle handling and ride
comfort. Never load the vehicle
with more weight than it was
designed to carry.
When to Check
Check the pressure of the tires
once a month or more. Do not
forget the compact spare, if the
vehicle has one. The cold
compact spare tire pressure
should be at 420 kPa (60 psi).
See
Compact Spare Tire 0259.
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type
gauge to check tire pressure.
Proper tire inflation cannot be
determined by looking at the tire.
Check the tire inflation pressure
when the tires are cold, meaning
the vehicle has not been driven
for at least three hours or no
more than 1.6 km (1 mi). Remove the valve cap from the
tire valve stem. Press the tire
gauge firmly onto the valve to
get a pressure measurement.
If the cold tire inflation pressure
matches the recommended
pressure on the Tire and
Loading Information label, no
further adjustment is necessary.
If the inflation pressure is low,
add air until the recommended
pressure is reached. If the
inflation pressure is high, press
on the metal stem in the center
of the tire valve to release air.
Recheck the tire pressure with
the tire gauge.
Put the valve caps back on the
valve stems to keep out dirt and
moisture and prevent leaks. Use
only valve caps designed for the
vehicle by GM. TPMS sensors
could be damaged and would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
Technical Data 291
Vehicle Data
Capacities and Specifications
The following approximate capacities are given in metric and English conversions. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0287 for more information.
Application Capacities
Metric English
Air Conditioning Refrigerant For the air conditioning system refrigerant type and charge amount, see the refrigerant label under thehood. See your dealer for more information.
Engine Cooling System* 6.5 L 6.9 qt
Engine Oil with Filter 4.0 L 4.2 qt
Fuel Tank 46.0 L 12.1 gal
Wheel Nut Torque 140 Y100 lb ft
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the approximate level, as recommended in this
manual. Recheck fluid level after filling.
*Engine cooling system capacity values are based on the entire cooling system and its components.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
298 Customer Information
GM Mobility
Reimbursement Program
This program is available to
qualified applicants for cost
reimbursement, up to certain limits,
of eligible aftermarket adaptive
equipment required for the vehicle,
such as hand controls or a
wheelchair/scooter lift for the
vehicle.
To learn about the GM Mobility
program, see www.gmmobility.com
or call the GM Mobility Assistance
Center at 1-800-323-9935. Text
Telephone (TTY) users, call
1-800-833-9935.
General Motors of Canada also has
a Mobility program. See www.gm.ca
or call 1-800-GM-DRIVE
(800-463-7483) for details. TTY
users call 1-800-263-3830.
Roadside Assistance
Program
For U.S.-purchased vehicles, call
1-800-243-8872. (Text Telephone
(TTY): 1-888-889-2438.)
For Canadian-purchased vehicles,
call 1-800-268-6800.
Service is available 24 hours a day,
365 days a year.
Calling for Assistance
When calling Roadside Assistance,
have the following information
ready:
.Your name, home address, and
home telephone number
. Telephone number of your
location
. Location of the vehicle
. Model, year, color, and license
plate number of the vehicle
. Odometer reading, Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN), and
delivery date of the vehicle
. Description of the problem
Coverage
Services are provided for the
duration of the vehicle’s powertrain
warranty.
In the U.S., anyone driving the
vehicle is covered. In Canada, a
person driving the vehicle without
permission from the owner is not
covered.
Roadside Assistance is not a part of
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
General Motors North America and
Chevrolet reserve the right to make
any changes or discontinue the
Roadside Assistance program at
any time without notification.
General Motors North America and
Chevrolet reserve the right to limit
services or payment to an owner or
driver if they decide the claims are
made too often, or the same type of
claim is made many times.
Services Provided
.Emergency Fuel Delivery:
Delivery of enough fuel for the
vehicle to get to the nearest
service station.