towing CHEVROLET SONIC 2016 2.G User Guide

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9085902) -
2016 - CRC - 5/27/15
Vehicle Care 291
The vehicle was not designed to be
towed with all four wheels on the
ground. If the vehicle must be
towed, a dolly should be used. See
the information on dolly towing later
in this section.
Dinghy Towing All except RS
Model with Automatic
Transmission
When dinghy towing a vehicle with
an automatic transmission, the
vehicle should be run at the
beginning of each day and at each
RV fuel stop for about five minutes.
This will ensure proper lubrication of
transmission components.
To dinghy tow the vehicle from the
front with all four wheels on the
ground:1. Position the vehicle to tow and then secure it to the towing
vehicle.
2. Shift the automatic transmission to P (Park) or a
manual transmission into
1 (First) gear and turn the
ignition to LOCK/OFF.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. To prevent the battery from draining while the vehicle is
being towed, remove the DLIS
fuse from the instrument panel
fuse block. See Instrument
Panel Fuse Block 0252.
5. Turn the ignition to ACC/ ACCESSORY.
6. Shift an automatic transmission to N (Neutral) or a manual
transmission to Neutral.
7. Release the parking brake.
Reinstall the DLIS fuse once the
destination has been reached.Caution
If 105 km/h (65 mph) is exceeded
while towing the vehicle, it could
be damaged. Never exceed
105 km/h (65 mph) while towing
the vehicle.
Caution
Towing the vehicle from the rear
could damage it. Also, repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Never have the
vehicle towed from the rear.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9085902) -
2016 - CRC - 5/27/15
292 Vehicle Care
Dolly Towing from the Front
The vehicle can be towed from the
front using a dolly. To tow the
vehicle using a dolly:1. Attach the dolly to the tow vehicle following the dolly
manufacturer's instructions.
2. Drive the front wheels onto the dolly.
3. Put an automatic transmission in P (Park) or a manual
transmission into 1 (First) gear.
4. Set the parking brake and remove the key. 5. Clamp the steering wheel in a
straight-ahead position with a
clamping device designed for
towing.
6. Secure the vehicle to the dolly.
7. Release the parking brake.
Dolly Towing from the Rear
Caution
Towing the vehicle from the rear
could damage it. Also, repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Never have the
vehicle towed from the rear.
Appearance Care
Exterior Care
Locks
Locks are lubricated at the factory.
Use a de-icing agent only when
absolutely necessary, and have the
locks greased after using. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0311.
Washing the Vehicle
To preserve the vehicle's finish,
wash it often and out of direct
sunlight.
Caution
Do not use petroleum-based,
acidic, or abrasive cleaning
agents as they can damage the
vehicle's paint, metal, or plastic
parts. If damage occurs, it would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Approved cleaning
products can be obtained from
(Continued)

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9085902) -
2016 - CRC - 5/27/15
302 Service and Maintenance
frequent checks and services. The
Additional Required Services -
Normal are for vehicles that:
.Carry passengers and cargo
within recommended limits on
the Tire and Loading Information
label. See Vehicle Load Limits
0 187.
. Are driven on reasonable road
surfaces within legal driving
limits.
. Use the recommended fuel. See
Fuel 0213.
Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Normal chart.
The Additional Required Services -
Severe are for vehicles that are:
. Mainly driven in heavy city traffic
in hot weather.
. Mainly driven in hilly or
mountainous terrain.
. Frequently towing a trailer. .
Used for high speed or
competitive driving.
. Used for taxi, police, or delivery
service.
Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Severe chart.
{Warning
Performing maintenance work can
be dangerous and can cause
serious injury. Perform
maintenance work only if the
required information, proper tools,
and equipment are available.
If they are not, see your dealer to
have a trained technician do the
work. See Doing Your Own
Service Work 0221.
Maintenance
Schedule
Owner Checks and Services
At Each Fuel Stop
.
Check the engine oil level. See
Engine Oil 0226.
Once a Month
. Check the tire inflation
pressures. See Tire Pressure
0 261.
. Inspect the tires for wear. See
Tire Inspection 0266.
. Check the windshield washer
fluid level. See Washer Fluid
0 237.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9085902) -
2016 - CRC - 5/27/15
Customer Information 323
Services Provided
.Emergency Fuel Delivery:
Delivery of enough fuel for the
vehicle to get to the nearest
service station.
. Lock-Out Service: Service to
unlock the vehicle if you are
locked out. A remote unlock may
be available if you have OnStar.
For security reasons, the driver
must present identification
before this service is given.
. Emergency Tow from a Public
Road or Highway: Tow to the
nearest Chevrolet dealer for
warranty service, or if the vehicle
was in a crash and cannot be
driven. Assistance is not given
when the vehicle is stuck in the
sand, mud, or snow.
. Flat Tire Change: Service to
change a flat tire with the spare
tire. The spare tire, if equipped,
must be in good condition and
properly inflated. It is the owner's
responsibility for the repair or
replacement of the tire if it is not
covered by the warranty. .
Battery Jump Start: Service to
jump start a dead battery.
. Trip Interruption Benefits and
Assistance: If your trip is
interrupted due to a warranty
event, incidental expenses may
be reimbursed within the
Powertrain warranty period.
Items considered are reasonable
and customary hotel, meals,
rental car, or a vehicle being
delivered back to the customer,
up to 805 km (500 mi).
Services Not Included in
Roadside Assistance
. Impound towing caused by
violation of any laws.
. Legal fines.
. Mounting, dismounting,
or changing of snow tires,
chains, or other traction devices.
Service is not provided if a vehicle
is in an area that is not accessible
to the service vehicle or is not a
regularly traveled or maintained
public road, which includes ice and
winter roads. Off-road use is not
covered.
Services Specific to
Canadian-Purchased Vehicles
. Fuel Delivery: Reimbursement
is up to 7 liters. If available,
diesel fuel delivery may be
restricted. Propane and other
fuels are not provided through
this service.
. Lock-Out Service: Vehicle
registration is required.
. Trip Interruption Benefits and
Assistance: Must be over
150 km from where your trip was
started to qualify. General
Motors of Canada Limited
requires pre-authorization,
original detailed receipts, and a
copy of the repair orders. Once
authorization has been received,
the Roadside Assistance advisor
will help to make arrangements
and explain how to receive
payment.
. Alternative Service: If
assistance cannot be provided
right away, the Roadside
Assistance advisor may give
permission to get local
emergency road service. You will

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9085902) -
2016 - CRC - 5/27/15
Customer Information 327
For emergency towing see
Roadside Assistance Program
0322.
Gather the following information:
. Driver name, address, and
telephone number.
. Driver license number.
. Owner name, address, and
telephone number.
. Vehicle license plate number.
. Vehicle make, model, and
model year.
. Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN).
. Insurance company and policy
number.
. General description of the
damage to the other vehicle.
Choose a reputable repair facility
that uses quality replacement parts.
See “Collision Parts” earlier in this
section.
If the airbag has inflated, see What
Will You See after an Airbag
Inflates? 061.Managing the Vehicle Damage
Repair Process
In the event that the vehicle requires
damage repairs, GM recommends
that you take an active role in its
repair. If you have a pre-determined
repair facility of choice, take the
vehicle there, or have it towed there.
Specify to the facility that any
required replacement collision parts
be original equipment parts, either
new Genuine GM parts or recycled
original GM parts. Remember,
recycled parts will not be covered by
the GM vehicle warranty.
Insurance pays the bill for the repair,
but you must live with the repair.
Depending on your policy limits,
your insurance company may
initially value the repair using
aftermarket parts. Discuss this with
the repair professional, and insist on
Genuine GM parts. Remember,
if the vehicle is leased, you may be
obligated to have the vehicle
repaired with Genuine GM parts,
even if your insurance coverage
does not pay the full cost. If another party's insurance
company is paying for the repairs,
you are not obligated to accept a
repair valuation based on that
insurance company's collision policy
repair limits, as you have no
contractual limits with that company.
In such cases, you can have control
of the repair and parts choices as
long as the cost stays within
reasonable limits.
Service Publications
Ordering Information
(US and Canada Only)
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis
and repair information on the
engines, transmission, axle,
suspension, brakes, electrical,
steering, body, etc.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9085902) -
2016 - CRC - 5/27/15
346 Index
General InformationService and Maintenance . . . . . 301
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Hands-Free Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . 122
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Headlamps
Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Daytime RunningLamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) Indicator Light . . . . . . . . 108
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 108
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 121
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 108
Heated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Heater
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193 Heating and Air Conditioning . . . 176
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 185
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . 203
Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
I
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Indicator Owner Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Vehicle Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Infants and Young Children,
Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Instrument Panel Storage Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
J
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
K
Keyless EntryRemote (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . 27
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . . . 256
Lamps Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . 121
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Exterior Lighting BatterySaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
License Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Malfunction Indicator . . . . . . . . . 100
On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Lane Departure Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9085902) -
2016 - CRC - 5/27/15
Index 349
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . 208
Rear Window Washer/Wiper . . . . . 92
Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Recommended Fluids andLubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Records Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . 290
Reduced Engine Power Light . . . 107
Reimbursement Program, GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Replacement Parts
Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Replacing Airbag System . . . . . . . . 67
Replacing LATCH System
Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Replacing Safety Belt System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Reporting Safety Defects Canadian Government . . . . . . . . 329
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329 Reporting Safety Defects (cont'd)
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Restraints Where to Put . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Roads Driving, Wet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Roadside Assistance
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Roof Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Rotation, Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Routing, Engine Drive Belt . . . . . . 317
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
S
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
How to Wear Safety BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Replacing after a Crash . . . . . . . . 55
Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . 54
Safety Defects Reporting
Canadian Government . . . . . . . . 329 Safety Defects Reporting (cont'd)
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Satellite Radio Antenna . . . . . . . . . 142
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . . . 324
Sealant Kit, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Seats
Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Heated Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Securing Child Restraints . . . . 80, 82
Security OnStar®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Vehicle Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Service Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Climate Control System . . . . . . . 176
Doing Your Own Work . . . . . . . . 221
Engine Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . . 313

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9085902) -
2016 - CRC - 5/27/15
Index 351
Tires (cont'd)Terminology and Definitions . . 259
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 272
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Towing General Information . . . . . . . . . . 217
Recreational Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 290
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
®Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Trademarks and License Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Transmission
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Fluid, Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Fluid, Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Transportation Program, Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324 Trip Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Turn Signal Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . 270
Up-Shift Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
USB Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Using This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
V
VehicleAlarm System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Canadian Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Identification Number (VIN) . . . 314
Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Personalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Remote Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Service Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . 104 Vehicle Care
Storing the Tire Sealant
and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . 281
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Ventilation, Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
W
Warning Brake System Light . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Caution and Danger . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Lane Departure (LDW) . . . . . . . 212
Warning Light Forward CollisionAlert (FCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Warnings Hazard Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Wheels Alignment and Tire Balance . . 272
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Where to Put the Restraint . . . . . . 73