engine coolant CHEVROLET SONIC 2020 User Guide

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
Vehicle Care 217
Caution
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak in the engine cooling system.
This can cause a loss of all
coolant and can damage the
system and vehicle. Have any
leaks fixed right away.
If Steam Is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system are under
pressure. Turning the pressure
cap, even a little, can cause them
to come out at high speed and
you could be burned. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
pressure cap to cool.
If No Steam Is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
. Stops after high-speed driving.
. Idles for long periods in traffic.
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam: 1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the
highest fan speed. Open the
windows as necessary.
3. When it is safe to do so, pull off the road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral) and let the
engine idle.
If the overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven.
Continue to drive the vehicle slowly
for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe vehicle distance from the vehicle in
front. If the warning does not come
back on, continue to drive normally
and have the cooling system
checked for proper fill and function.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle
right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for three minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it
cools down.
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When the vehicle needs windshield
washer fluid, be sure to read the
manufacturer's instructions before
use. If operating the vehicle in an
area where the temperature may fall
below freezing, use a fluid that has
sufficient protection against
freezing.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
218 Vehicle Care
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer fluid until
the tank is full. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview 0207 for
reservoir location.
Caution
. Do not use washer fluid that
contains any type of water
repellent coating. This can
cause the wiper blades to
chatter or skip.
. Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the
windshield washer. It can
damage the windshield
washer system and paint.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
.Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the
solution to freeze and
damage the washer fluid
tank and other parts of the
washer system.
. When using concentrated
washer fluid, follow the
manufacturer instructions for
adding water.
. Fill the washer fluid tank
only three-quarters full when
it is very cold. This allows
for fluid expansion if
freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is
completely full.
Brakes
Disc brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or can 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,

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
278 Service and Maintenance
Maintenance
Schedule
Owner Checks and Services
At Each Fuel Stop
.Check the engine oil level. See
Engine Oil 0208.
Once a Month
. Check the tire inflation
pressures. See Tire Pressure
0 240.
. Inspect the tires for wear. See
Tire Inspection 0245.
. Check the windshield washer
fluid level. See Washer Fluid
0 217.
Engine Oil Change
When a:% CHANGE message
displays in the DIC, have the engine
oil and filter changed within the next
1 000 km/600 mi. If driven under the
best conditions, the engine oil life
system may not indicate the need
for vehicle service for up to a year.
The engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year and
the oil life system must be reset.
Your trained dealer technician can
perform this work. If the engine oil
life system is reset accidentally,
service the vehicle within 5 000 km/
3,000 mi since the last service.
Reset the oil life system when the
oil is changed. See
Engine Oil Life
System 0210.
Air Conditioning Desiccant
(Replace Every Seven Years)
The air conditioning system requires
maintenance every seven years.
This service requires replacement of
the desiccant to help the longevity
and efficient operation of the air
conditioning system. This service
can be complex. See your dealer.
Tire Rotation and Required
Services Every 12 000 km/
7,500 mi
Rotate the tires, if recommended for
the vehicle, and perform the
following services. See Tire
Rotation 0246. .
Check engine oil level and oil
life percentage. If needed,
change engine oil and filter, and
reset oil life system. See Engine
Oil 0208 and
Engine Oil Life System 0210.
. Inspect the engine air cleaner
filter. See Engine Air Cleaner/
Filter 0212.
. Check engine coolant level. See
Cooling System 0213.
. Check windshield washer fluid
level. See Washer Fluid 0217.
. Check tire inflation pressures.
See Tire Pressure 0240.
. Inspect tire wear. See Tire
Inspection 0245.
. Visually check for fluid leaks.
. Inspect brake system. See
Exterior Care 0266.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
Service and Maintenance 287
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part number, or specification can be obtained from your dealer.Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Automatic Transmission DEXRON-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid. Chassis Lubrication Chassis Lubricant (GM Part No. 12377985, in Canada 88901242) or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL Coolant. SeeCooling System 0213.
Engine Oil Engine oil meeting the dexos1 specification of the proper SAE viscosity grade. ACDelco dexos1 full synthetic is recommended. See Engine Oil
0 208.
Hood Latch Assembly, Secondary Latch, Pivots, Spring Anchor, and Release Pawl Lubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM Part No. 89021668, in Canada 89021674)
or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Hydraulic Brake DOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid (GM Part No. 19353126, in Canada 19353127).
Key Lock Cylinders and Hood and Door Hinges Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Weatherstrip Conditioning Weatherstrip Lubricant (GM Part No. 3634770, in Canada 10953518) or equivalent.
Windshield Washer Automotive windshield washer fluid that meets regional freeze protection requirements.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
Index 319
Child Restraints (cont'd)Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80, 82
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Cleaning Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 153 Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . 301
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Compartments Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Connected Services Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Connections Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . 315
Control
Traction and ElectronicStability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Coolant
Engine TemperatureWarning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Courtesy Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Courtesy Transportation Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Cover
Cargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . 297 Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Text Telephone (TTY)
Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Customer Information Publications OrderingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Cybersecurity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . 301
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . 2 Data Collection
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . 306
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Diagnostics Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . 316
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . 293
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . 190
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Driving Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . 159
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 163
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 165
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 166

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
320 Index
Driving (cont'd)Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
E
Electrical Equipment,
Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Electrical System
Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 229
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Emergency OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Check Light (MalfunctionIndicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 207
Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210 Engine (cont'd)
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Reduced Power Light . . . . . . . . . 107
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 180
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 306
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 119
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
F
Filter,Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 121
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . . . .211
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217 Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . 104
Frequency Statement
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Front Seat Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Front Seats
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Economy, Driving for Better . . . 159
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 107
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Top Tier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
322 Index
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . . . 235
LampsCourtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . 120
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Exterior Lighting BatterySaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
License Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Malfunction Indicator
(Check Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Lane Departure Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
LATCH System
Replacing Parts after aCrash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
LATCH, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Lighting Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Lighting (cont'd)
Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Lights Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Antilock Brake System(ABS) Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Brake System Warning . . . . . . . 102
Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Check Engine (Malfunction
Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning . . . . . . . 106
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 106
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Front Fog Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
High-Beam On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 120
Hood Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Lane Departure Warning . . . . . . 104
Low Fuel Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Operate Pedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Reduced Engine Power . . . . . . 107
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Service Vehicle Soon . . . . . . . . . 102
StabiliTrak OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Lights (cont'd)
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Traction Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Ultrasonic Parking Sensor . . . . 104
Warning, Power Steering . . . . . 103
Load Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Locks Automatic Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . 107
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH
System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
M
MaintenanceRecords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Maintenance and Care Additional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . 278