battery CHEVROLET SONIC 2018 Owner's Guide

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
Driving and Operating 189
Shifting out of Park
(Automatic Transmission)
This vehicle is equipped with a shift
lock control. The shift lock control is
designed to:
.Prevent ignition key removal,
if equipped, unless the shift lever
is in P (Park) with the shift lever
button fully released.
. Prevent movement of the shift
lever out of P (Park) unless the
ignition is on and the brake
pedal is applied.
The shift lock control is always
functional except in the case of an
uncharged or low voltage (less than
9-volt) battery.
If the vehicle has an uncharged
battery or a battery with low voltage,
try charging or jump starting the
battery. See Jump Starting - North
America 0277.
To shift out of P (Park): 1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Turn the ignition on.
3. Press the shift lever button. 4. Move the shift lever to the
desired position.
If still unable to shift out of P (Park): 1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. Hold the brake pedal down and press the shift lever button
again.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still cannot move the shift
lever from P (Park), consult your
dealer or a professional towing
service.
The doors may lock when shifting
from P (Park). See Automatic Door
Locks 040.
Parking
If the vehicle has a manual
transmission, before getting out of
the vehicle, move the shift lever into
R (Reverse) if parking on a downhill
slope. On a level surface or an
uphill slope, use 1 (First) gear.
Firmly apply the parking brake. See
Parking Brake 0196. Turn the wheels toward the curb for a
downhill slope, or away from the
curb for an uphill slope. Once the
shift lever has been placed into gear
with the clutch pedal pressed in,
turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF, and
release the clutch.
Parking over Things
That Burn
{Warning
Things that can burn could touch
hot exhaust parts under the
vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass,
or other things that can burn.
Extended Parking
(Keyless Access)
It is best not to park with the vehicle
running. If the vehicle is left running,
be sure it will not move and there is
adequate ventilation.
See
Shifting Into Park (Automatic
Transmission) 0188 andEngine
Exhaust 0190.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
Driving and Operating 213
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is
used for vehicle service and
Emission Inspection/Maintenance
testing. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine Light) 0113.
A device connected to the DLC —
such as an aftermarket fleet or
driver-behavior tracking device —
may interfere with vehicle
systems. This could affect vehicle
operation and cause a crash.
Such devices may also access
information stored in the vehicle’s
systems.
Caution
Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle or cause
components to not work and
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always check
with your dealer before adding
electrical equipment.
Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle's 12-volt battery, even if the
vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle 077 and Adding Equipment
to the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
0 78.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
214 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 215
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 216
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 224
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Manual Transmission Fluid . . . 226
Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 226
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 231
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234 Battery - North America . . . . . . 235
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 236
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 237
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 237
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 239
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Headlamps and Front Turn Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 243
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 243
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 244
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244 Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 253
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 269
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 270

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
Vehicle Care 215
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 276
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - NorthAmerica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Recreational VehicleTowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
General Information
For service and parts needs, visit
your dealer. You will receive
genuine GM parts and GM-trained
and supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of
these marks:
California Proposition
65 Warning
{Warning
Most motor vehicles, including
this one, as well as many of its
service parts and fluids, contain
and/or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and
systems, many fluids, and some
component wear by-products
contain and/or emit these
chemicals. For more information
go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.
See Battery - North America 0235
and Jump Starting - North America
0 277 and the back cover.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
220 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0226.
2. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0222.
3. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 228.
4. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0222.
5. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Cooling System 0228.
6. Brake/Clutch Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0234 and
Hydraulic Clutch 0226.
7. Battery - North America 0235.
8. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 233.
9. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0244.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
222 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0226.
2. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0222.
3. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 228.
4. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0222.
5. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Cooling System 0228.
6. Brake/Clutch Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0234 and
Hydraulic Clutch 0226.
7. Battery - North America 0235.
8. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0244.
9. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 233.
Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil. Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.
Use engine oil approved to the
proper specification and of the
proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
. Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
. Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System 0224.
. Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.
If the engine oil pressure light
comes on, check the engine oil level
right away. The oil pressure light is
on the instrument cluster. See
Engine Oil Pressure Light 0120.
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), especially
prior to a long trip. The engine oil
dipstick handle is a loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0 219 for 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 the
oil level.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
Vehicle Care 235
when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove fluid, as
necessary, only when work is done
on the brake/clutch hydraulic
system.
{Warning
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake fluid only when work is
done on the brake/clutch
hydraulic system.
When the brake/clutch fluid falls to a
low level, the brake warning light
comes on. See Brake System
Warning Light 0115.
Brake fluid absorbs water over time
which degrades the effectiveness of
the brake fluid. Replace brake fluid
at the specified intervals to prevent
increased stopping distance. See
Maintenance Schedule 0295. What to Add
Use only GM approved DOT 3
brake fluid from a clean, sealed
container. See
Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0304.
{Warning
The wrong or contaminated brake
fluid could result in damage to the
brake system. This could result in
the loss of braking leading to a
possible injury. Always use the
proper GM approved brake fluid.
Caution
If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces, the
paint finish can be damaged.
Immediately wash off any painted
surface.
Battery - North America
The original equipment battery is
maintenance free. Do not remove
the cap and do not add fluid.
Refer to the replacement number
shown on the original battery label
when a new battery is needed. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0219 for battery location.
{Warning
WARNING: Battery posts,
terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Batteries also
contain other chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer. WASH HANDS AFTER
HANDLING. For more information
go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
236 Vehicle Care
SeeCalifornia Proposition
65 Warning 0215 and the back
cover.
Vehicle Storage
{Warning
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful. See Jump Starting -
North America 0277 for tips on
working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: Remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery to keep the battery from
running down.
Extended Storage: Remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery or use a battery trickle
charger.
Starter Switch Check
{Warning
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Apply both the parking brake and the regular brake.
Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it
starts.
3. For automatic transmission vehicles, try to start the engine
in each gear. The vehicle
should start only in P (Park) or
N (Neutral). If the vehicle starts
in any other position, contact
your dealer for service. For manual transmission
vehicles, put the shift lever in
Neutral, push the clutch pedal
down halfway, and try to start
the engine. The vehicle should
start only when the clutch
pedal is pushed down all the
way to the floor. If the vehicle
starts when the clutch pedal is
not pushed all the way down,
contact your dealer for service.
Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control
Function Check
{Warning
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. It should be
parked on a level surface.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
244 Vehicle Care
Headlamp Wiring
An electrical overload may cause
the lamps to go on and off, or in
some cases to remain off. Have the
headlamp wiring checked right away
if the lamps go on and off or
remain off.
Windshield Wipers
If the wiper motor overheats due to
heavy snow or ice, the windshield
wipers will stop until the motor cools
and will then restart.
Although the circuit is protected
from electrical overload, overload
due to heavy snow or ice may
cause wiper linkage damage.
Always clear ice and heavy snow
from the windshield before using the
windshield wipers.
If the overload is caused by an
electrical problem and not snow or
ice, be sure to get it fixed.
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers
The wiring circuits in the vehicle are
protected from short circuits by a
combination of fuses and circuit
breakers. This greatly reduces the
chance of damage caused by
electrical problems.
{Danger
Fuses and circuit breakers are
marked with their ampere rating.
Do not exceed the
specified amperage rating when
replacing fuses and circuit
breakers. Use of an oversized
fuse or circuit breaker can result
in a vehicle fire. You and others
could be seriously injured or
killed.
To check a fuse, look at the
silver-colored band inside the fuse.
If the band is broken or melted,
replace the fuse. Be sure to replace
a bad fuse with a new one of the
identical size and rating. Fuses of the same amperage can
be temporarily borrowed from
another fuse location, if a fuse goes
out. Replace the fuse as soon as
possible.
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block
1.8L Engines
The engine compartment fuse block
is on the driver side of the vehicle,
near the battery.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
Vehicle Care 245
Caution
Spilling liquid on any electrical
component on the vehicle may
damage it. Always keep the
covers on any electrical
component.
To access the fuses, press the clips
together, and lift the cover. To
reinstall the cover, push the cover
until it is secure.
The vehicle may not be equipped
with all of the fuses, relays, and
features shown. Mini Fuses Usage
1 Antilock brake system valve
2 Sunroof
4* Rear fog lamp 5 Exterior rearview mirror/Power
window switch
6 Automatic occupant
sensing/ROS
7 Passive entry/ Passive start
8 Regulated voltage control
10 –/Intelligent battery
sensor
11 Rear window defogger
12 Electric steering column lock
13* –/SAI valve
14 Heated exterior rearview mirror