tow CHEVROLET SONIC 2017 2.G User Guide

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Instruments and Controls 103
If the ignition is put in OFF while thewipers are performing wipes due towindshield washing, the wiperscontinue to run until they reach thebase of the windshield.
nL:Pull the windshield wiperlever toward you to spray windshieldwasher fluid and activate the wipers.The wipers will continue until thelever is released or the maximumwash time is reached. When thewindshield wiper lever is released,additional wipes may occurdepending on how long thewindshield washer had beenactivated. SeeWasher Fluid0231for information on filling thewindshield washer fluid reservoir.
{Warning
In freezing weather, do not use
the washer until the windshield is
warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the
windshield, blocking your vision.
Clear snow and ice from the wiperblades before using them. If frozento the windshield, carefully loosen orthaw them. Damaged wiper bladesshould be replaced. SeeWiperBlade Replacement0236.
Heavy snow or ice can overload thewiper motor. A circuit breaker willstop the motor until it cools down.
Rear Window Wiper/
Washer
If equipped with the rear wiper/washer, the controls are on the endof the windshield wiper lever.
ON :Press the upper portion of thebutton for continuous rear windowwipes.
OFF :The rear wiper turns off whenthe button is returned to the middleposition.
INT :Press the lower portion of thebutton for a delay between wipes.
a:Push the windshield wiper leverforward to spray washer fluid on therear window. The lever returns to itsstarting position when released.
Rear Wiper Arm AssemblyProtection
When using an automatic car wash,move the rear wiper control to OFFto disable the rear wiper. In somevehicles, if the transmission is inN(Neutral)andthevehiclespeedisvery slow, the rear wiper willautomatically park under the rearspoiler.
The wiper operations return tonormal when the transmission is nolonger in N (Neutral) or the vehiclespeed has increased.
Auto Wipe in Reverse Gear
If the rear wiper control is off, therear wiper will automatically operatecontinuously when the shift lever is

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
114 Instruments and Controls
Service Vehicle Soon
Light
For vehicles with this light, it comeson if a condition exists that mayrequire the vehicle to be taken in forservice.
If the light comes on, take thevehicle to your dealer for service assoon as possible.
Owner Manual Indicator
This symbol is shown when youneed to see the owner manual foradditional instructions orinformation.
Brake System Warning
Light
The vehicle brake system consistsof two hydraulic circuits. If onecircuit is not working, the remainingcircuit can still work to stop thevehicle. For normal brakingperformance, both circuits need tobe working
If the warning light comes on, thereis a brake problem. Have the brakesystem inspected right away.
{Warning
The brake system might not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on.
Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after
the vehicle has been pulled off
the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for
service.
MetricEnglish
This light should come on brieflywhen the engine is started. If it doesnot come on then, have it fixed so itwill be ready to warn you if there isaproblem.
When the ignition is on, the brakesystem warning light will also comeon when the parking brake is set.The light will stay on if the parkingbrake does not fully release. If itstays on after the parking brake isfully released, it means there is abrake problem.
If the light comes on while driving,carefully pull off the road and stop.The pedal may be harder to push ormay go closer to the floor. It maytake longer to stop. If the light is stillon, have the vehicle towed forservice. SeeTo w i n g t h eVehicle0277.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Lighting 135
3:Push the turn signal lever awayfrom you to turn the high beams on.
Push the lever again or pull thelever toward you to return to lowbeams.
This indicator light turns on in theinstrument cluster when thehigh-beam headlamps are on.
Flash-to-Pass
To f l a s h t h e h i g h b e a m s , p u l l t h eturn signal lever all the way towardyou. Then release it.
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
DRL can make it easier for others tosee the front of your vehicle duringthe day. Fully functional DRL arerequired on all vehicles first sold inCanada.
The DRL system makes thelow-beam headlamps come on at areduced brightness when thefollowing conditions are met:
.The ignition is in the ON/RUN mode.
.The exterior lamp control isin AUTO.
.The engine is running.
When the DRL are on, only thelow-beam headlamps, at a reducedlevel of brightness, will be on. Thetaillamps, sidemarker, instrumentpanel, and other lamps will notbe on.
The headlamps automaticallychange from DRL to the regularheadlamps depending on thedarkness of the surroundings. Theother lamps that come on with theheadlamps will also come on.
When it is bright enough outside,the headlamps go off and the DRLcome on.
To t u r n t h e D R L l a m p s o f f o r o nagain, turn the exterior lamp control
toOand then release. For vehicles
first sold in Canada, the DRL canonly be turned off when thetransmission is in P (Park).
Automatic Headlamp
System
When it is dark enough outside andthe exterior lamp control is in theautomatic position, the headlampscome on automatically. SeeExteriorLamp Controls0134.
The vehicle has a light sensor ontop of the instrument panel. Makesure it is not covered, or theheadlamps will be on when they arenot needed.
The system may also turn on theheadlamps when driving through aparking garage or tunnel.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Infotainment System 149
Audio Players
Avoiding Untrusted Media
Devices
When using media devices such asCDs, DVDs, Blu-ray Discs®,SDcards, USB drives, and mobiledevices, consider the source.Untrusted media devices couldcontain files that affect systemoperation or performance. Avoid useif the content or origin cannot betrusted.
USB Port
Using the USB Port
The infotainment system can playmusic by connecting an auxiliarydevice to the USB port.
USB Support
The vehicle is equipped with eitherasingleUSBportordualUSBportslocated in the center stack for dataand charging, and uses theUSB 2.1A standard.
USB Supported Devices
.USB Flash Drives
.iPods/iPhones
.Portable USB Hard Drives
Not all iPods and USB drives arecompatible with the USB port.
Make sure the iPod has the latestfirmware from Apple®for properoperation. iPod firmware can beupdated using the latest iTunes®
application. See www.apple.com/itunes.
For help with identifying your iPod,go to www.apple.com/support.
The USB port can play both lowerand upper case .mp3, .wma, .ogg,and .wav files stored on a USBstorage device.
Supported Apple®Devices
To v i e w s u p p o r t e d d e v i c e s i n t h eU.S., see www.my.chevrolet.com\learned.
To v i e w s u p p o r t e d d e v i c e s i nCanada, seewww.chevroletowner.ca.
To v i e w s u p p o r t e d d e v i c e s i nMexico, see your dealer.
USB Supported File and FolderStructure
The infotainment system supports:
.FAT 1 6 .
.FAT 3 2 .
.exFAT.
Connecting a USB Storage
Device or iPod/iPhone
To c o n n e c t a U S B s t o r a g e d e v i c e ,connect the device to the USB port.
To c o n n e c t a n i P o d / i P h o n e , c o n n e c tone end of the device’scabletotheiPod/iPhone and the other end tothe USB port.
The iPod/iPhone charges while it isconnected to the vehicle if thevehicle is in ACC/ACCESSORY orON/RUN. SeeIgnition Positions(Key Access)0182orIgnitionPositions (Keyless Access)0183.When the vehicle is turned off, theiPod/iPhone automatically powersoff and will not charge or drawpower from the vehicle's battery.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Infotainment System 161
.If the Bluetooth music playbackis not functioning, then check tosee if the Bluetooth device is inthe waiting screen mode.
.Sounds may be cut off duringthe Bluetooth music playback.
.The infotainment system outputsthe audio from the cell phone orBluetooth device as it istransmitted.
Apple CarPlay and
Android Auto
If equipped, Android Auto™and/orApple CarPlay™capability may beavailable through a compatiblesmartphone. If available, aPROJECTION icon will appear asAndroid Auto or Car Play on theHome Page of the infotainmentdisplay.
To u s e A n d r o i d A u t o a n d / o r A p p l eCarPlay:
1. Download the Android Autoapp to your phone from theGoogle™Play store. There is
no app required for AppleCarPlay. Use the latestavailable operation system.
2. Connect your Android phone orApple iPhone by using thecompatible phone USB cableand plugging into a USB dataport. For best performance, usethe device’sfactory-providedUSB cable. Aftermarket orthird-party cables maynot work.
The PROJECTION icon on theHome Page will change to AndroidAuto or Apple CarPlay dependingon the phone. Android Auto and/orApple CarPlay may automaticallylaunch upon USB connection. If not,touch the ANDROID AUTO and/orAPPLE CARPLAY icon on theHome Page to launch.
For further information on how to setup Android Auto and Apple CarPlayin the vehicle, seewww.my.chevrolet.com for the U.S.and www.chevroletowner.ca forCanada only orCustomerAssistance Offices0309.
Android Auto is provided by Googleand is subject to Google’stermsand privacy policy. CarPlay isprovided by Apple and is subject toApple’stermsandprivacypolicy.For Android Auto support seehttps://support.google.com/androidauto or Apple CarPlaysupport at https://www.apple.com/ios/carplay/. Apple or Google maychange or suspend availability atany time. Android Auto is atrademark of Google Inc.; AppleCarPlay is a trademark of Apple Inc.
Hands-Free Phone
General Information
Vehicles with a Hands-Free Phonesystem can use a Bluetooth-capablecell phone with a hands-free profileto make and receive phone calls.The infotainment system and voicecontrol are used to operate thesystem. Not all phones support allfunctions and not all phones workwith the Hands-Free Phone system.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Driving and Operating 171
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 172Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 173Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 174Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 175Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 176Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 178Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 181Ignition Positions (KeyAccess) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182Ignition Positions (KeylessAccess) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 185Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186Retained AccessoryPower (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Shifting Into Park (AutomaticTransmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187Shifting out of Park (AutomaticTransmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189Parking over ThingsThat Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190Running the Vehicle WhileParked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 191Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Manual Transmission
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . . 193
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 197
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/ElectronicStability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Driver Assistance Systems
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . 201Parking Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203Forward Collision Alert (FCA)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204Lane DepartureWarning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207California FuelRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 208Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Trailer Towing
General Towing Information . . . 211
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On ElectricalEquipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
178 Driving and Operating
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin thewheels to free the vehicle whenstuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
If stuck too severely for the tractionsystem to free the vehicle, turn thetraction system off and use therocking method. SeeTr a c t i o nControl/Electronic StabilityControl0197.
{Warning
If the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you
or others could be injured. The
vehicle can overheat, causing an
engine compartment fire or other
damage. Spin the wheels as little
as possible and avoid going
above 56 km/h (35 mph).
Rocking the Vehicle to Get
it Out
Turn the steering wheel left andright to clear the area around thefront wheels. Turn off any tractionsystem. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a lowforward gear, spinning the wheelsas little as possible. To preventtransmission wear, wait until thewheels stop spinning before shiftinggears. Release the acceleratorpedal while shifting, and presslightly on the accelerator pedalwhen the transmission is in gear.Slowly spinning the wheels in theforward and reverse directionscauses a rocking motion that couldfree the vehicle. If that does not getthe vehicle out after a few tries, itmight need to be towed out. If thevehicle does need to be towed out,seeTo w i n g t h e V e h i c l e0277.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how
much weight the vehicle can
carry. This weight is called the
vehicle capacity weight and
includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options.
Two labels on the vehicle may
show how much weight it may
properly carry: the Tire and
Loading Information label and
the Certification label.
{Warning
Do not load the vehicle any
heavier than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the
maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
This can cause systems to
break and change the way the
vehicle handles. This could
cause loss of control and a
crash. Overloading can also
reduce stopping distance,
damage the tires, and shorten
the life of the vehicle.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Driving and Operating 179
Tire and Loading Information
Label
Label Example
Avehicle-specificTireand
Loading Information label is
attached to the vehicle's center
pillar (B-pillar). The Tire and
Loading Information label shows
the number of occupant seating
positions (1), and the maximum
vehicle capacity weight (2) in
kilograms and pounds.
The Tire and Loading
Information label also shows the
tire size of the original
equipment tires (3) and the
recommended cold tire inflation
pressures (4). For more
information on tires and inflation
seeTires0248andTire
Pressure0256.
There is also important loading
information on the Certification
label. It may show the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
and the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) for the front and
rear axle. See“Certification
Label”later in this section.
“Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit–
1.Locate the statement "The
combined weight of
occupants and cargo should
never exceed XXX kg or
XXX lbs." on your vehicle’s
placard.
2.Determine the combined
weight of the driver and
passengers that will be
riding in your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined
weight of the driver and
passengers from XXX kg or
XXX lbs.
4.The resulting figure equals
the available amount of
cargo and luggage load
capacity. For example, if the
"XXX" amount equals
1400 lbs. and there will be
five 150 lb passengers in
your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage
load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400-750 (5 x 150) =
650 lbs.)
5.Determine the combined
weight of luggage and cargo
being loaded on the vehicle.
That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing
atrailer,loadfromyour
trailer will be transferred to

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
180 Driving and Operating
your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how
this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load
capacity of your vehicle.”
This vehicle is neither designed
nor intended to tow a trailer.
Example 1
1.Vehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 1 = 453 kg
(1,000 lbs).
2.Subtract Occupant
Weight @ 68 kg (150 lbs)
◊2=136kg(300lbs).
3.Available Occupant and
Cargo Weight = 317 kg
(700 lbs).
Example 2
1.Vehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 2 = 453 kg
(1,000 lbs).
2.Subtract Occupant
Weight @ 68 kg (150 lbs)
◊5=340kg(750lbs).
3.Available Cargo Weight
=113kg(250lbs).
Example 3
1.Vehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 3 = 453 kg
(1,000 lbs).
2.Subtract Occupant
Weight @ 91 kg
(200 lbs)◊5 = 453 kg
(1,000 lbs).
3.Available Cargo Weight
=0kg(0lbs).
Refer to the vehicle's Tire and
Loading Information label for
specific information about the
vehicle's capacity weight and
seating positions. The combined

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
186 Driving and Operating
2. If the engine does not start,wait about 15 seconds and tryagain. Wait about 15 secondsbetween each try.
When the engine has run about10 seconds to warm up, thevehicle is ready to be driven.Do not run the engine at highspeed when it is cold.
If the weather is below freezing(0 °C or 32 °F), let the enginerun for a few minutes towarm up.
3. If the engine still will not start,or starts but then stops, it couldbe flooded with too muchgasoline. Try pushing theaccelerator pedal all the way tothe floor and holding it there asyou hold the key in START forabout three seconds. If thevehicle starts briefly but thenstops again, do the same thing,but this time keep the pedaldown for five or six seconds.This clears the extra gasolinefrom the engine.
Engine Heater
The engine heater can provideeasier starting and better fueleconomy during engine warm-up incold weather conditions at or below✓18 °C (0 °F). Vehicles with anengine heater should be plugged inat least four hours before starting.
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap theelectrical cord. The cord islocated in the driver side of theengine compartment, near thebattery. It is shipped from thefactory with a tie holding it in
place. Use care in removingthe tie so that the cord is notdamaged.
Check the heater cord fordamage. If it is damaged, donot use it. See your dealer forareplacement.Inspectthecord for damage yearly.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded11 0 - v o l t A C o u t l e t .
{Warning
Improper use of the heater cord
or an extension cord can damage
the cord and may result in
overheating and fire.
.Plug the cord into athree-prong electrical utilityreceptacle that is protectedby a ground fault detectionfunction. An ungroundedoutlet could cause anelectric shock.
.Use a weatherproof,heavy-duty, 15 amp-ratedextension cord if needed.
(Continued)