maintenance CHEVROLET SONIC 2019 Owner's Manual

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
ContentsIntroduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
In Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Keys, Doors, and Windows . . . . . 26
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Instruments and Controls . . . . . . 105
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . 142
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . . 174
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Service and Maintenance . . . . . 295
Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Customer Information . . . . . . . . . 313
Reporting Safety Defects . . . . . . 323
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
In Brief 5
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Liftgate (Hatchback) . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Trunk Release (Sedan) . . . . . . . . 10
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Second Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . 13
Seat Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Passenger Sensing System . . . 14
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . 15
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . 16
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Vehicle Features
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . . . 20
Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . 20
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . 22
Park Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . . . 24
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . 25
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
In Brief 23
Sunroof
If equipped, the sunroof only
operates when the ignition is on or
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) is
active. SeeRetained Accessory
Power (RAP) 0192.
Express-open : Press and release
eto express-open the sunroof.
Press again to stop the movement. Open/Close (Manual Mode) :
Press and hold
eto open the
sunroof. Release the switch to stop
the movement. Press and hold
g
to close the sunroof. Release the
switch to stop the movement.
Vent : Press and hold
gto vent
the sunroof.
The sunshade opens automatically
with the sunroof, but must be closed
manually.
The sunroof will not operate if the
vehicle has an electrical failure.
See Sunroof 052.
Performance and
Maintenance
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
The Traction Control System (TCS)
limits wheel spin. The system is on
when the vehicle is started.
The StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) system assists with
directional control of the vehicle in
difficult driving conditions. The
system is on when the vehicle is
started.
.
To turn off TCS, press and
release
gon the center console.
iilluminates in the instrument
cluster and the appropriate DIC
message may display.
. Press and release
gagain to
turn TCS back on.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
24 In Brief
.To turn off both TCS and
StabiliTrak/ESC, press and hold
guntiliandgilluminate in the
instrument cluster and the
appropriate DIC may display.
. Press
gagain to turn on both
systems.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0203.
Tire Pressure Monitor
This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The low tire pressure warning light
alerts to a significant loss in
pressure of one of the vehicle's
tires. If the warning light comes on,
stop as soon as possible and inflate
the tires to the recommended
pressure shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See Vehicle Load Limits
0181. The
warning light will remain on until the
tire pressure is corrected.
The low tire pressure warning light
may come on in cool weather when
the vehicle is first started, and then
turn off as the vehicle is driven. This
may be an early indicator that the
tire pressures are getting low and
the tires need to be inflated to the
proper pressure.
The TPMS does not replace normal
monthly tire maintenance. Maintain
the correct tire pressures.
See Tire Pressure Monitor System
0 261.
Fuel
Regular Unleaded Fuel
Use only Regular 87 octane —
(R+M)/2 —or higher unleaded
gasoline in your vehicle. TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline is
recommended. Do not use gasoline
with an octane rating lower as it will
result in reduced performance and
lower fuel economy. See
Recommended Fuel 0216.
E85 or FlexFuel
No E85 or FlexFuel
Gasoline-ethanol fuel blends greater
than E15 (15% ethanol by volume),
such as E85, cannot be used in this
vehicle.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
In Brief 25
Engine Oil Life System
The engine oil life system calculates
engine oil life based on vehicle use
and displays the
:% CHANGE
message on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) when it is necessary to
change the engine oil and filter.
Remember, the oil life display must
be reset after each oil change. It will
not reset itself.
Resetting the Oil Life System
1. Press MENU to show Remaining Oil Life on the
display. This display shows an
estimate of the oil’s remaining
useful life. If 99% is displayed,
that means that 99% of the
current oil life remains.
2. To reset the engine oil life system, press SET/CLR while
the oil life display is active.
Select YES and press and hold
SET/CLR. After a few seconds,
there will be a single chime and
the oil life will be reset
to 100%. Be careful not to reset the oil life
display accidentally at any time
other than when the oil has just
been changed. It cannot be reset
accurately until the next oil change.
See
Engine Oil Life System 0229.
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving tips
to get the best fuel economy
possible:
.
Set the climate controls to the
desired temperature after the
engine is started, or turn them
off when not required.
. Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
. Brake gradually and avoid
abrupt stops.
. Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
. When road and weather
conditions are appropriate, use
cruise control. .
Always follow posted speed
limits or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
. Keep vehicle tires properly
inflated.
. Combine several trips into a
single trip.
. Replace the vehicle's tires with
the same TPC Spec number
molded into the tire's sidewall
near the size.
. Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Roadside Assistance
Program
U.S.: 1-800-243-8872
TTY Users (U.S. Only):
1-888-889-2438
Canada: 1-800-268-6800
New Chevrolet owners are
automatically enrolled in the
Roadside Assistance Program.
See Roadside Assistance Program
0 317.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
Seats and Restraints 81
sensing and diagnostic module, and
airbag wiring along with the proper
replacement procedures.
In addition, the vehicle has a
passenger sensing system for the
front outboard passenger position,
which includes sensors that are part
of the passenger seat. The
passenger sensing system may not
operate properly if the original seat
trim is replaced with non-GM
covers, upholstery, or trim; or with
GM covers, upholstery, or trim
designed for a different vehicle. Any
object, such as an aftermarket seat
heater or a comfort-enhancing pad
or device, installed under or on top
of the seat fabric, could also
interfere with the operation of the
passenger sensing system. This
could either prevent proper
deployment of the passenger
airbag(s) or prevent the passenger
sensing system from properly
turning off the passenger airbag(s).
SeePassenger Sensing System
0 76. If the vehicle has rollover roof-rail
airbags, see
Different Size Tires
and Wheels 0269 for additional
important information.
If the vehicle must be modified
because you have a disability and
have questions about whether the
modifications will affect the vehicle's
airbag system, or if you have
questions about whether the airbag
system will be affected if the vehicle
is modified for any other reason, call
Customer Assistance. See
Customer Assistance Offices 0315.
Airbag System Check
The airbag system does not need
regularly scheduled maintenance or
replacement. Make sure the airbag
readiness light is working. See
Airbag Readiness Light 0114.
Caution
If an airbag covering is damaged,
opened, or broken, the airbag
may not work properly. Do not
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
open or break the airbag
coverings. If there are any
opened or broken airbag
coverings, have the airbag
covering and/or airbag module
replaced. For the location of the
airbags, seeWhere Are the
Airbags? 072. See your dealer
for service.
Replacing Airbag System
Parts after a Crash
{Warning
A crash can damage the airbag
systems in the vehicle.
A damaged airbag system may
not properly protect you and your
passenger(s) in a crash, resulting
in serious injury or even death. To
help make sure the airbag
systems are working properly
after a crash, have them
(Continued)

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
Instruments and Controls 117
Caution (Continued)
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. This could also
affect the vehicle’s ability to pass
an Emissions Inspection/
Maintenance test. See
Accessories and Modifications
0223.
If the light is flashing : A
malfunction has been detected that
could damage the emission control
system and increase vehicle
emissions. Diagnosis and service
may be required.
To help prevent damage, reduce
vehicle speed and avoid hard
accelerations and uphill grades.
If the light continues to flash, find a
safe place to park. Turn the vehicle
off and wait at least 10 seconds
before restarting the engine. If the
light is still flashing, follow the
previous guidelines and see your
dealer for service as soon as
possible. If the light is on steady :
A
malfunction has been detected.
Diagnosis and service may be
required.
Check the following:
. A loose or missing fuel cap may
cause the light to come on. See
Filling the Tank 0217. A few
driving trips with the cap
properly installed may turn the
light off.
. Poor fuel quality can cause
inefficient engine operation and
poor driveability, which may go
away once the engine is warmed
up. If this occurs, change the
fuel brand. It may require at
least one full tank of the proper
fuel to turn the light off. See
Recommended Fuel 0216.
If the light remains on, see your
dealer.
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
If the vehicle requires an Emissions
Inspection/Maintenance test, the
test equipment will likely connect to
the vehicle's Data Link
Connector (DLC).
The DLC is under the instrument
panel to the left of the steering
wheel. Connecting devices that are
not used to perform an Emissions
Inspection/Maintenance test or to
service the vehicle may affect
vehicle operation. See Add-On
Electrical Equipment 0219. See
your dealer if assistance is needed.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
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Instruments and Controls 123
For vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this light
comes on briefly when the engine is
started. It provides information
about tire pressures and the TPMS.
When the Light Is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of
the tires are significantly
underinflated.
Stop as soon as possible, and
inflate the tires to the pressure value
shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label. SeeTire Pressure
0 260.
When the Light Flashes First and
Then Is On Steady
If the light flashes for about a minute
and then stays on, there may be a
problem with the TPMS. If the
problem is not corrected, the light
will come on at every ignition cycle.
See Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation 0262.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
level is within the operating range
and the oil pressure is still low,
have the vehicle serviced. Always
follow the maintenance schedule
for changing engine oil.
This light should come on briefly as
the engine is started. If it does not
come on, have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer. If the light comes on and stays on, it
means that oil is not flowing through
the engine properly. The vehicle
could be low on oil and might have
some other system problem. See
your dealer.
Low Fuel Warning Light
This light is near the fuel gauge and
comes on briefly when the ignition is
turned on as a check to show it is
working.
It also comes on when the fuel tank
is low on fuel. The light turns off
when fuel is added. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
126 Instruments and Controls
Information Displays
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
The DIC displays information about
the vehicle. It also displays warning
messages if a system problem is
detected. SeeVehicle Messages
0 130. All messages appear in the
DIC display in the instrument panel
cluster.
DIC Operation and Displays
On some models, the trip odometer
reset stem is used to operate the
DIC. On other models, the controls
for the DIC are on the turn signal
lever.
DIC Buttons
1. SET/CLR: Press to set or clear
the menu item displayed.
2.
w/x: Turn the band to
scroll through the menus.
3. MENU: Press to display the
Trip/Fuel menu and the Vehicle
Information menu. This button
is also used to return to or exit
the last screen displayed on
the DIC.
Vehicle Information Menu
Items (Base Level DIC)
Press MENU to view the DIC menu.
Some items display in the upper
display area, some in the lower
display area, and others use both
the upper and lower display areas.
Use
w/xto scroll through the
menu items. Not all items are
available on every vehicle. The
following is a list of possible menu
items:
. Remaining Oil Life
. Units
. Tire Learn Remaining Oil Life
This menu is not available while the
vehicle is moving. This display
shows an estimate of the oil's
remaining useful life. If 99
:% is
displayed, that means 99% of the
current oil life remains.
When the remaining oil life is low,
the
:% CHANGE message will
appear on the display. The oil
should changed as soon as
possible. See Engine Oil0227. In
addition to the engine oil life system
monitoring the oil life, additional
maintenance is recommended in the
Maintenance Schedule. See
Maintenance Schedule 0297.
Remember, the Oil Life display must
be reset after each oil change. It will
not reset itself. Also, be careful not
to reset the Oil Life display
accidentally at any time other than
when the oil has just been changed.
It cannot be reset accurately until
the next oil change. To reset the
engine oil life system, press SET/

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
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Instruments and Controls 129
last time this menu item was reset.
This number reflects only the
approximate average fuel economy
that the vehicle has right now, and
will change as driving conditions
change. The fuel economy can be
reset by pressing SET/CLR while
the Average Fuel Economy display
is showing.
Average Vehicle Speed
This display shows the average
speed of the vehicle in kilometers
per hour (km/h) or miles per
hour (mph). This average is
calculated based on the various
vehicle speeds recorded since the
last reset of this value. The average
speed can be reset by pressing
SET/CLR while the Average Vehicle
Speed display is showing.
Vehicle Information Menu
Items (Uplevel DIC)
Press MENU on the turn signal
lever until Vehicle Information menu
is displayed. Use
w/xto scroll
through the following possible menu
items: .
Display Units
. Tire Pressure
. Remaining Oil Life
Display Units
Move
w/xto switch between
metric or US when the Unit display
is active. Press SET/CLR to confirm
the setting. This will change the
displays on the cluster and DIC to
either metric or English (US)
measurements.
Tire Pressure
The display will show a vehicle with
the approximate pressures of all
four tires. Tire pressure is displayed
in either kilopascal (kPa) or pounds
per square inch (psi).
See Tire Pressure Monitor System
0 261 andTire Pressure Monitor
Operation 0262.
Remaining Oil Life
This menu is not available while the
vehicle is moving. This display
shows an estimate of the oil's
remaining useful life. If REMAINING OIL LIFE 99 % is displayed, that
means 99% of the current oil life
remains.
When the remaining oil life is low,
the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message will appear on the display.
The oil should changed as soon as
possible. See
Engine Oil0227. In
addition to the engine oil life system
monitoring the oil life, additional
maintenance is recommended in the
Maintenance Schedule. See
Maintenance Schedule 0297.
Remember, the Oil Life display must
be reset after each oil change. It will
not reset itself. Also, be careful not
to reset the Oil Life display
accidentally at any time other than
when the oil has just been changed.
It cannot be reset accurately until
the next oil change. To reset the
engine oil life system, press SET/
CLR while the Oil Life display is
active. See Engine Oil Life System
0 229.