check engine light CHEVROLET SONIC 2019 User Guide

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
130 Instruments and Controls
Vehicle Messages
Messages displayed on the DIC
indicate the status of the vehicle or
some action that may be needed to
correct a condition. Multiple
messages appear one after another.
All messages should be taken
seriously.
Base Level Cluster
On the base level cluster, vehicle
messages appear as code numbers.
Some of these codes may appear
with the Service Vehicle Soon light
in the DIC display.
2 :No Remote Detected. Press
Clutch to Restart
3 : Coolant Level Low Add Coolant
4 : A/C Off Due to High
Engine Temp
5 : Steering Column Is Locked
6 : Step on Brake to Release Park
Brake
7 : Turn Steering Wheel, Turn Key
Off, Then On 9 :
Turn Steering Wheel, Start
Vehicle Again
10 : Brakes Overheated
11 : Brakes Worn
12 : Vehicle Overloaded
13 : Compressor Overheated
15 : Check High Mounted
Brake Lamp
16 : Check Brake Lamps
17 : Headlamp Leveling Malfunction
18 : Left Low Beam Failure
19 : Check Rear Fog Lamp
20 : Check Right Low Beam Lamp
21 : Check Left Position Lamp
22 : Check Right Position Lamp
23 : Reversing Lamp Failure
24 : License Plate Lamp Failure
25 : Check Left Front Turn
Signal Lamp
26 : Left Rear Turn Indicator Failure
27 : Check Right Front Turn
Signal Lamp 28 :
Check Right Rear Turn
Signal Lamp
35 : Replace Battery In Remote Key
36 : Stabilitrak/Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) Initializing
49 : Lane Departure Warning
Unavailable
52 : Change Timing Belt
53 : Tighten Gas Cap
56 : Pressure Imbalance Front
57 : Pressure Imbalance Rear
59 : Open, Then Close Driver
Window
60 : Open, Then Close Passenger
Window
61 : Open, Then Close Left Rear
Window
62 : Open, Then Close Right Rear
Window
65 : Theft Attempted
66 : Service Theft Alarm
67 : Service Steering Column Lock
68 : Service Power Steering, Drive
with Care

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
204 Driving and Operating
vehicle wheel brakes to assist the
driver in keeping the vehicle on the
intended path.
If cruise control is being used and
TCS or StabiliTrak/ESC begins to
limit wheel spin, cruise control will
disengage. Cruise control may be
turned back on when road
conditions allow.
Both systems come on
automatically when the vehicle is
started and begins to move. The
systems may be heard or felt while
they are operating or while
performing diagnostic checks. This
is normal and does not mean there
is a problem with the vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both
systems on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn TCS off if the vehicle gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
SeeIf the Vehicle Is Stuck 0181
and “Turning the Systems Off and
On” later in this section.
The indicator light for both systems
is in the instrument cluster. This
light will:
.
Flash when TCS is limiting
wheel spin.
. Flash when StabiliTrak/ESC is
activated.
. Turn on and stay on when either
system is not working.
If either system fails to turn on or to
activate, a message displays in the
Driver Information Center (DIC), and
dcomes on and stays on to
indicate that the system is inactive
and is not assisting the driver in
maintaining control. The vehicle is
safe to drive, but driving should be
adjusted accordingly.
If
dcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle. 2. Turn the engine off and wait
15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
Drive the vehicle. If
dcomes on
and stays on, the vehicle may need
more time to diagnose the problem.
If the condition persists, see your
dealer.
Turning the Systems Off
and On

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
218 Driving and Operating
To remove the fuel cap, turn it
slowly counterclockwise. The fuel
cap has a spring in it; if the cap is
released too soon, it will spring back
to the right.
{Warning
Overfilling the fuel tank by more
than three clicks of a standard fill
nozzle may cause:. Vehicle performance issues,
including engine stalling and
damage to the fuel system.
. Fuel spills.
. Potential fuel fires.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Wait a
few seconds after you have finished
pumping before removing the
nozzle. Clean fuel from painted
surfaces as soon as possible. See
Exterior Care 0286.
When replacing the fuel cap, turn it
clockwise until it clicks. Make sure
the cap is fully installed. The
diagnostic system can determine if
the fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed. This would
allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. See
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check Engine
Light) 0116.
{Warning
If a fire starts while you are
refueling, do not remove the
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, be
sure to get the right type of cap
from your dealer. The wrong type
of fuel cap may not fit properly,
may cause the malfunction
indicator lamp to light, and could
damage the fuel tank and
emissions system. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) 0116.
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 can be badly burned
and the vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you
and others:
. Dispense fuel only into
approved containers.
. Do not fill a container while
it is inside a vehicle, in a
vehicle's trunk, 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.
(Continued)

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
Driving and Operating 219
Warning (Continued)
Contact should be
maintained until the filling is
complete.
. Do not smoke while
pumping fuel.
. Avoid using electronic
devices.
Trailer Towing
General Towing
Information
{Warning
Never tow a trailer with your
vehicle. It was not designed or
intended to tow a trailer.
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is
used for vehicle service and
Emission Inspection/Maintenance
testing. See Malfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine Light) 0116.
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.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
Vehicle Care 227
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0231.
2. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0227.
3. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 232.
4. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0227.
5. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Cooling System 0232.
6. Brake/Clutch Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0238 and
Hydraulic Clutch 0231.
7. Battery - North America 0239.
8. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 237.
9. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0249.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 0229.
. 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 0123.
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
0 226 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.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
238 Vehicle Care
be heard all the time when the
vehicle is moving, except when
applying the brake pedal firmly.
{Warning
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
a crash. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.
Caution
Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly
brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect brake pads for wear and
evenly tighten wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to torque
specifications. See
Capacities and
Specifications 0310.
Brake pads should be replaced as
complete sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal
does not return to normal height,
or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign
that brake service may be required.
Replacing Brake System Parts
Always replace brake system parts
with new, approved replacement
parts. If this is not done, the brakes
may not work properly. The braking
performance expected can change
in many other ways if the wrong
replacement brake parts are
installed or if parts are improperly
installed.
Brake Fluid
The brake/clutch master cylinder
reservoir is filled with GM approved
DOT 3 brake fluid as indicated on
the reservoir cap. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0226 for
the location of the reservoir.
Checking Brake Fluid
Place the vehicle in P (Park) or
Neutral with the parking brake
applied if equipped with a manual
transmission. On a level surface,
the brake fluid level should be
between the minimum and
maximum marks on the brake fluid
reservoir.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
Service and Maintenance 303
Additional
Maintenance and Care
Your vehicle is an important
investment and caring for it properly
may help to avoid future costly
repairs. To maintain vehicle
performance, additional
maintenance services may be
required.
It is recommended that your dealer
perform these services—their
trained dealer technicians know
your vehicle best. Your dealer can
also perform a thorough
assessment with a multi-point
inspection to recommend when your
vehicle may need attention.
The following list is intended to
explain the services and conditions
to look for that may indicate
services are required.
Battery
The battery supplies power to start
the engine and operate any
additional electrical accessories. .
To avoid break-down or failure to
start the vehicle, maintain a
battery with full cranking power.
. Trained dealer technicians have
the diagnostic equipment to test
the battery and ensure that the
connections and cables are
corrosion-free.
Belts
. Belts may need replacing if they
squeak or show signs of
cracking or splitting.
. Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the belts and
recommend adjustment or
replacement when necessary.
. A message may indicate when
scheduled maintenance on the
timing belt and other
components is required.
Brakes
Brakes stop the vehicle and are
crucial to safe driving. .
Signs of brake wear may include
chirping, grinding, or squealing
noises, or difficulty stopping.
. Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the brakes and
recommend quality parts
engineered for the vehicle.
Fluids
Proper fluid levels and approved
fluids protect the vehicle’s systems
and components. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0306 for GM approved
fluids.
. Engine oil and windshield
washer fluid levels should be
checked at every fuel fill.
. Instrument cluster lights may
come on to indicate that fluids
may be low and need to be
filled.
Hoses
Hoses transport fluids and should
be regularly inspected to ensure
that there are no cracks or leaks.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
Index 339
IndexA
Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . 219
Additional Information OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Additional Maintenance and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Adjustments
Lumbar, Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Agreements Trademarks and License . . . . . 167
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . . . 231
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Air Filter, Passenger
Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Air Intake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
How Does an AirbagRestrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Passenger Sensing System . . . . 76
What Makes an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
What Will You See after an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Airbag System (cont'd)
When Should an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . . 72
Airbags Adding Equipment to theVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Passenger Status Indicator . . . .115
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Servicing Airbag-Equipped Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Alarm Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Antenna Backglass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Multi-band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . 201 Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Appearance Care Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Armrest Front Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
340 Index
Assistance Program,Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Audio Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Automatic Transmission Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Auxiliary Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Avoiding Untrusted Media Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
B
Backglass Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
BatteryExterior Lighting Battery
Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Battery - North America . . . . 239, 279
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . . . 242
Bluetooth Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156, 157 Bluetooth Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Brake
System Warning Light . . . . . . . . .118
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237 Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 185
Bulb Replacement Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Headlamps and Front TurnSignal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . . . 247
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
California Perchlorate Materials
Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223 California
Proposition
65 Warning . . . . . . . . . .222, 239, 279,
Back Cover
Camera Rear Vision (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . 2
Capacities and
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Carbon Monoxide Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Cargo Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Caution, Danger, and Warning . . . . 3
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . 116
Check Engine Light (Malfunction
Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Ignition Transmission Lock . . . 241
Child Restraints Infants and Young Children . . . . . 84
Lower Anchors and Tethers
for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
342 Index
Driving (cont'd)Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
E
Electrical Equipment,
Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Electrical System Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 248
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Emergency OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Check Light (MalfunctionIndicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 226
Coolant Temperature
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 312 Engine (cont'd)
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Reduced Power Light . . . . . . . . . 124
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 196
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 325
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 135
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
F
Filter,
Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 137
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293 Fluid
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 230
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . 120
Frequency Statement
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Front Seat Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 123
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216