coolant level CHEVROLET SONIC 2017 2.G Owners Manual

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Introduction 3
Danger, Warning, and
Caution
Warning messages found on vehiclelabels and in this manual describehazards and what to do to avoid orreduce them.
{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.
Acirclewithaslashthroughitisasafety symbol which means“DoNot,”“Do not do this,”or“Do not letthis happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components andlabels that use symbols instead oftext. Symbols are shown along withthe text describing the operation orinformation relating to a specificcomponent, control, message,gauge, or indicator.
M:Shown when the ownermanual has additional instructionsor information.
*:Shown when the servicemanual has additional instructionsor information.
0:Shown when there is moreinformation on another page—“see page.”
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbolsthat may be found on the vehicleand what they mean. For moreinformation on the symbol, refer tothe Index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
%:Audio Steering Wheel Controlsor OnStar®
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
`:Do Not Puncture
^:Do Not Service
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
_:Flame/Fire Prohibited
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gauge
+:Fuses

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
118 Instruments and Controls
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Light
This light comes on briefly whilestarting the vehicle.
If it does not, have the vehicleserviced by your dealer. If thesystem is working normally theindicator light goes off.
Caution
The engine coolant temperature
warning light indicates that the
vehicle has overheated. Driving
with this light on can damage the
engine and it may not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. See
Engine Overheating0230.
The engine coolant temperaturewarning light comes on when theengine has overheated.
If this happens, pull over and turnoff the engine as soon as possible.SeeEngine Overheating0230.
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with the Tire PressureMonitor System (TPMS), this lightcomes on briefly when the engine isstarted. It provides informationabout tire pressures and the TPMS.
When the Light Is On Steady
This indicates that one or more ofthe tires are significantlyunderinflated.
Stop as soon as possible, andinflate the tires to the pressure valueshown on the Tire and LoadingInformation label. SeeTirePressure0256.
When the Light Flashes First andThen Is On Steady
If the light flashes for about a minuteand then stays on, there may be aproblem with the TPMS. If theproblem is not corrected, the lightwill come on at every ignition cycle.SeeTire Pressure MonitorOperation0258.
Engine Oil Pressure Light
Caution
Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. Driving with the engine oil
low can also damage the engine.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Check
the oil level as soon as possible.
Add oil if required, but if the oil
(Continued)

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
220 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter0224.
2. Engine Oil Dipstick. SeeEngine Oil0220.
3. Engine Cooling Fan (Out ofView). SeeCoolingSystem0226.
4. Engine Oil Fill Cap. SeeEngine Oil0220.
5. Engine Coolant Surge Tankand Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System0226.
6. Brake/Clutch Fluid Reservoir.SeeBrake Fluid0233andHydraulic Clutch0224.
7.Battery - North America0234.
8.Engine Compartment FuseBlock0243.
9. Windshield Washer FluidReservoir. SeeWasherFluid0231.
Engine Oil
To e n s u r e p r o p e r e n g i n eperformance and long life, carefulattention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, butimportant steps will help protectyour investment:
.Use engine oil approved to theproper specification and of theproper viscosity grade. See“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”in this section.
.Check the engine oil levelregularly and maintain theproper oil level. See“CheckingEngine Oil”and“When to AddEngine Oil”in this section.
.Change the engine oil at theappropriate time. SeeEngine OilLife System0222.
.Always dispose of engine oilproperly. See“What to Do withUsed Oil”in this section.
If the engine oil pressure lightcomes on, check the engine oil levelright away. The oil pressure light ison the instrument cluster. SeeEngine Oil Pressure Light011 8.Check the engine oil level regularly;this is an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly(every 650 km (400 mi), especiallyprior to a long trip. The engine oildipstick handle is a loop. SeeEngine Compartment Overview0217for the location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
If a low oil Driver Information Center(DIC) message displays, check theoil level.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
228 Vehicle Care
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a levelsurface when checking the coolantlevel.
It is normal to see coolant moving inthe upper coolant hose return linewhen the engine is running.
Check to see if coolant is visible inthe coolant surge tank. If the coolantinside the coolant surge tank isboiling, do not do anything else untilit cools down.
If coolant is visible but the coolantlevel is not at or above the markpointed to, add a 50/50 mixture ofclean drinkable water andDEX-COOL coolant.
Be sure the cooling system is coolbefore this is done.
If no coolant is visible in the coolantsurge tank, add coolant as follows:
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank
Caution
This vehicle has a specific
coolant fill procedure. Failure to
follow this procedure could cause
the engine to overheat and be
severely damaged.
If no problem is found, check to seeif coolant is visible in the coolantsurge tank. If coolant is visible butthe coolant level is not at theindicated level mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable waterand DEX-COOL coolant at thecoolant surge tank, but be sure thecooling system, including thecoolant surge tank pressure cap, iscool before you do it.
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system can blow out
and burn you badly. Never turn
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
the cap when the cooling system,
including the surge tank pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling
system and surge tank pressure
cap to cool.
{Warning
Adding only plain water or some
other liquid to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water
and other liquids, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The coolant warning system is set
for the proper coolant mixture.
With plain water or the wrong
mixture, the engine could get too
hot but you would not get the
overheat warning. The engine
could catch fire and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/
50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Vehicle Care 229
Caution
In cold weather, water can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator,
heater core, and other parts. Use
the recommended coolant and
the proper coolant mixture.
{Warning
Yo u c a n b e b u r n e d i f y o u s p i l l
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
1.4L Engine Shown, 1.8L Engine
Similar
1. Remove the coolant surge tankpressure cap when the coolingsystem, including the coolantsurge tank pressure cap andupper radiator hose, is nolonger hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowlycounterclockwise aboutone-quarter of a turn. If youhear a hiss, wait for that tostop. This will allow anypressure still left to be ventedout the discharge hose.
2. Keep turning the pressure capslowly and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank withthe proper DEX-COOL coolantmixture to the indicatedlevel mark.
4. With the coolant surge tankpressure cap off, start theengine and let it run until youcan feel the upper radiatorhose getting hot. Watch out forthe engine cooling fan.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
230 Vehicle Care
By this time, the coolant levelinside the coolant surge tankmay be lower. If the level islower, add more of the properDEX-COOL coolant mixture tothe coolant surge tank until thelevel reaches the indicatedlevel mark.
5. Replace the pressure captightly.
Check the level in the coolant surgetank when the cooling system hascooled down. If the coolant is not atthe proper level, repeat Steps 1–3andreinstallthepressurecap.If the coolant still is not at the properlevel when the system cools downagain, see your dealer.
Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and
possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has an indicator to warnof the engine overheating.
If the decision is made not to lift thehood when this warning appears,get service help right away. SeeRoadside AssistanceProgram0311.
If the decision is made to lift thehood, make sure the vehicle isparked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the enginecooling fan is running. If the engineis overheating, the fan should berunning. If it is not, do not continueto run the engine. Have the vehicleserviced.
Caution
Running the engine without
coolant may cause damage or a
fire. Vehicle damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
If Steam Is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
{Warning
Steam from an overheated engine
can burn you badly, even if you
just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Just turn it
off and get everyone away from
the vehicle until it cools down.
Wait until there is no sign of
steam or coolant before you open
the hood.
If you keep driving when the
engine is overheated, the liquids
in it can catch fire. You or others
could be badly burned. Stop the
engine if it overheats, and get out
of the vehicle until the engine
is cool.
If No Steam Is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning isdisplayed but no steam can be seenor heard, the problem may not be

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Service and Maintenance 291
the oil life system must be reset.Yo u r t r a i n e d d e a l e r t e c h n i c i a n c a nperform this work. If the engine oillife system is reset accidentally,service the vehicle within 5 000 km/3,000 mi since the last service.Reset the oil life system when theoil is changed. SeeEngine Oil LifeSystem0222.
Tire Rotation and Required
Services Every 12 000 km/
7,500 mi
Rotate the tires, if recommended forthe vehicle, and perform thefollowing services. SeeTireRotation0261.
.Check engine oil level and oillife percentage. If needed,change engine oil and filter, andreset oil life system. SeeEngineOil0220andEngine Oil LifeSystem0222.
.Check engine coolant level. SeeEngine Coolant0227.
.Check windshield washer fluidlevel. SeeWasher Fluid0231.
.Visually inspect windshield wiperblades for wear, cracking,or contamination. SeeExteriorCare0280.Replacewornordamaged wiper blades. SeeWiper BladeReplacement0236.
.Check tire inflation pressures.SeeTire Pressure0256.
.Inspect tire wear. SeeTireInspection0260.
.Visually check for fluid leaks.
.Inspect engine air cleaner filter.SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter0224.
.Inspect brake system. SeeExterior Care0280.
.Visually inspect steering,suspension, and chassiscomponents for damaged, loose,or missing parts or signs ofwear. SeeExterior Care0280.
.Check restraint systemcomponents. SeeSafety SystemCheck064.
.Visually inspect fuel system fordamage or leaks.
.Visually inspect exhaust systemand nearby heat shields forloose or damaged parts.
.Lubricate body components. SeeExterior Care0280.
.Check starter switch. SeeStarterSwitch Check0234.
.Check automatic transmissionshift lock control function. SeeAutomatic Transmission ShiftLock Control FunctionCheck0235.
.Check ignition transmission lock.SeeIgnition Transmission LockCheck0235.
.Check parking brake andautomatic transmission parkmechanism. SeePark Brake andP(Park)MechanismCheck0236.