traction control CHEVROLET SONIC 2019 Owner's Guide

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
Vehicle Care 267
Treadwear indicators are one way to
tell when it is time for new tires.
Treadwear indicators appear when
the tires have only 1.6 mm (1/16 in)
or less of tread remaining.
SeeTire Inspection 0265 andTire
Rotation 0265.
The rubber in tires ages over time.
This also applies to the spare tire,
if the vehicle has one, even if it is
never used. Multiple factors
including temperatures, loading
conditions, and inflation pressure
maintenance affect how fast aging
takes place. GM recommends that
tires, including the spare if
equipped, be replaced after six
years, regardless of tread wear. The
tire manufacture date is the last four
digits of the DOT Tire Identification
Number (TIN) which is molded into
one side of the tire sidewall. The
first two digits represent the week
(01–52) and the last two digits, the
year. For example, the third week of
the year 2010 would have a
four-digit DOT date of 0310.Vehicle Storage
Tires age when stored normally
mounted on a parked vehicle. Park
a vehicle that will be stored for at
least a month in a cool, dry, clean
area away from direct sunlight to
slow aging. This area should be free
of grease, gasoline, or other
substances that can deteriorate
rubber.
Parking for an extended period can
cause flat spots on the tires that
may result in vibrations while
driving. When storing a vehicle for
at least a month, remove the tires or
raise the vehicle to reduce the
weight from the tires.
Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched
specific tires for the vehicle. The
original equipment tires installed
were designed to meet General
Motors Tire Performance Criteria
Specification (TPC Spec)
system rating. When
replacement tires are needed, GM strongly recommends
buying tires with the same TPC
Spec rating.
GM's exclusive TPC Spec
system considers over a dozen
critical specifications that impact
the overall performance of the
vehicle, including brake system
performance, ride and handling,
traction control, and tire
pressure monitoring
performance. GM's TPC Spec
number is molded onto the tire's
sidewall near the tire size. If the
tires have an all-season tread
design, the TPC Spec number
will be followed by MS for mud
and snow. See
Tire Sidewall
Labeling 0255.
GM recommends replacing worn
tires in complete sets of four.
Uniform tread depth on all tires
will help to maintain the
performance of the vehicle.
Braking and handling
performance may be adversely

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
Vehicle Care 269
Different Size Tires and
Wheels
If wheels or tires are installed that
are a different size than the original
equipment wheels and tires, vehicle
performance, including its braking,
ride and handling characteristics,
stability, and resistance to rollover
may be affected. If the vehicle has
electronic systems such as antilock
brakes, rollover airbags, traction
control, electronic stability control,
or All-Wheel Drive, the performance
of these systems can also be
affected.
{Warning
If different sized wheels are used,
there may not be an acceptable
level of performance and safety if
tires not recommended for those
wheels are selected. This
increases the chance of a crash
and serious injury. Only use GM
specific wheel and tire systems(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
developed for the vehicle, and
have them properly installed by a
GM certified technician.
See Buying New Tires 0267 and
Accessories and Modifications
0 223.
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading
The following information relates
to the system developed by the
United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA), which grades tires by
treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance. This
applies only to vehicles sold in
the United States. The grades
are molded on the sidewalls of
most passenger car tires. The
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
(UTQG) system does not apply
to deep tread, winter tires, compact spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited-production
tires.
While the tires available on
General Motors passenger cars
and light trucks may vary with
respect to these grades, they
must also conform to federal
safety requirements and
additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC)
standards.
Quality grades can be found
where applicable on the tire
sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
All Passenger Car Tires Must
Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements In Addition To
These Grades.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
270 Vehicle Care
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specified government test
course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and
one-half (1½) times as well on
the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of
their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and
differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from
highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent
the tire's ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under
controlled conditions onspecified government test
surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A
(the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance
to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead
to sudden tire failure. The grade
C corresponds to a level of
performance which all
passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and
A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum
required by law. Warning: The
temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance
The tires and wheels were aligned
and balanced at the factory to
provide the longest tire life and best
overall performance. Adjustments to
wheel alignment and tire balancing
are not necessary on a regular
basis. Consider an alignment check
if there is unusual tire wear or the

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
272 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
tire chains could cause loss of
control and a crash. Use another
type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for
the vehicle's tire size combination
and road conditions. Follow that
manufacturer's instructions. To
avoid vehicle damage, drive slow
and readjust or remove the
traction device if it contacts the
vehicle. Do not spin the wheels. If
traction devices are used, install
them on the front tires.
Caution
If the vehicle is equipped with
195/65R15 or 205/55R16 size
tires, use tire chains only where
legal and only when necessary.
Use low profile chains that add no
more than 10 mm thickness to the
tire tread and inner sidewall. Use(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
chains that are the proper size for
the tires. Install them on the tires
of the front axle. Do not use
chains on the tires of the rear
axle. Tighten them as tightly as
possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow
the chain manufacturer's
instructions. If the chains contact
the vehicle, stop and retighten
them. If the contact continues,
slow down until it stops. Driving
too fast or spinning the wheels
with chains on will damage the
vehicle.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blow out
while driving, especially if the tires
are maintained properly. See Tires
0 253. If air goes out of a tire, it is
much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if there ever is a blowout, here
are a few tips about what to expect
and what to do: If a front tire fails, the flat tire
creates a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel firmly. Steer to
maintain lane position, and then
gently brake to a stop, well off the
road, if possible.
A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and
may require the same correction as
used in a skid. Stop pressing the
accelerator pedal and steer to
straighten the vehicle. It may be
very bumpy and noisy. Gently brake
to a stop, well off the road,
if possible.
{Warning
Driving on a flat tire will cause
permanent damage to the tire.
Re-inflating a tire after it has been
driven on while severely
underinflated or flat may cause a
blowout and a serious crash.
Never attempt to re-inflate a tire
(Continued)

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
Vehicle Care 279
the spare tire, have the standard tire
repaired or replaced as soon as
convenient and return the spare tire
to the storage area.
When using a compact spare tire,
the AWD (if equipped), ABS, and
Traction Control systems may
engage until the spare tire is
recognized by the vehicle,
especially on slippery roads. Adjust
driving to reduce possible
wheel slip.
Caution
When the compact spare is
installed, do not take the vehicle
through an automatic car wash
with guide rails. The compact
spare can get caught on the rails
which can damage the tire, wheel,
and other parts of the vehicle.
Do not use the compact spare on
other vehicles. Do not mix the compact spare tire or
wheel with other wheels or tires.
They will not fit. Keep the spare tire
and its wheel together.
Caution
Tire chains will not fit the compact
spare. Using them can damage
the vehicle and the chains. Do not
use tire chains on the compact
spare.
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North
America
For more information about the
vehicle battery, see
Battery - North
America 0239.
If the battery has run down, try to
use another vehicle and some
jumper cables to start your vehicle.
Be sure to use the following steps to
do it safely.
{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
(Continued)

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
Index 341
Child Restraints (cont'd)Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96, 98
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Cleaning
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 169 Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Clutch, Hydraulic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . 320
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Compartments
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Connected Services Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Connections Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . 336 Control
Traction and Electronic
Stability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Coolant Engine Temperature
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Courtesy Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Courtesy Transportation Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Cover Cargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . 316 Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Text Telephone (TTY)Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Customer Information Publications OrderingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Customer Satisfaction
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . 320
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . 3
Data CollectionOnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . 325
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Diagnostics Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . 338
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . 312
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . 208
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Driving Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
For Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 25
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 179
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 181

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
344 Index
K
Keyless EntryRemote (RKE) System . . . . . 29, 35
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . . . 255
Lamps Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . 136
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Exterior Lighting BatterySaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
License Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Malfunction Indicator
(Check Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Lane Departure Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
LATCH System
Replacing Parts after aCrash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 LATCH, Lower Anchors and
Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Lighting Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Lights Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Antilock Brake System(ABS) Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Brake System Warning . . . . . . . .118
Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Check Engine (Malfunction Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning . . . . . . . 122
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 123
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Front Fog Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
High-Beam On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 136
Hood Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Lane Departure Warning . . . . . . 120
Low Fuel Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Lights (cont'd)
Operate Pedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Reduced Engine Power . . . . . . 124
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . .114
Service Vehicle Soon . . . . . . . . . .118
StabiliTrak OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Traction Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Ultrasonic Parking Sensor . . . . 121
Up-Shift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Warning, Power Steering . . . . . 120
Load Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Locks
Automatic Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . 123
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH
System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
348 Index
Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
SystemForward Collision
Alert (FCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Systems Driver Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
T
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
TaillampsBulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . . 316
Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . . . . . 47 Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 All-Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Compact Spare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 272 Tires (cont'd)
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Pressure Monitor Operation . . 262
Pressure Monitor System . . . . . 261
Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Terminology and Definitions . . 257
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 271
When It Is Time for New
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Towing
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 219
Recreational Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 283
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Traction
Control System(TCS)/StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . 122
Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203 Trademarks and License
Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Transmission Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Fluid, Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Fluid, Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Transportation Program,
Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Turn Signal Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
U
Ultrasonic Parking SensorLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . 269
Up-Shift Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
USB Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Using the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Using This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
V
Vehicle Alarm System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Canadian Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176