Chevrolet Sonic 2018 User manual

Sonic Owner’s Manual
84096120 A
2018 Sonic
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
18_CHEV_Sonic_COV_en_US_84096120A_2017MAY25.ai 1 5/18/2017 1:27:08 PM18_CHEV_Sonic_COV_en_US_84096120A_2017MAY25.ai 1 5/18/2017 1:27:08 PM

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 5/15/17
Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
In Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Keys, Doors, and Windows . . . . . 26
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Instruments and Controls . . . . . . 102
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . 139
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . . 170
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Service and Maintenance . . . . . 291
Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Customer Information . . . . . . . . . 309
Reporting Safety Defects . . . . . . 319
OnStar ........................ 323
Index .................... 335

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
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2 Introduction
Introduction
The names, logos, emblems,
slogans, vehicle model names, and
vehicle body designs appearing in
this manual including, but not limited
to, GM, the GM logo, CHEVROLET,
the CHEVROLET Emblem, and
SONIC are trademarks and/or
service marks of General Motors
LLC, its subsidiaries, affiliates,
or licensors.
For vehicles first sold in Canada,
substitute the name “General
Motors of Canada Company”for
Chevrolet Motor Division wherever it
appears in this manual.
This manual describes features that
may or may not be on the vehicle
because of optional equipment that
was not purchased on the vehicle,
model variants, country
specifications, features/applications
that may not be available in your
region, or changes subsequent to
the printing of this owner’s manual.
Refer to the purchase
documentation relating to your
specific vehicle to confirm the
features.
Keep this manual in the vehicle for
quick reference.
Canadian Vehicle Owners
A French language manual can be
obtained from your dealer, at
www.helminc.com, or from:
Propriétaires Canadiens
On peut obtenir un exemplaire de
ce guide en français auprès du
concessionnaire ou à l'adresse
suivante:
Helm, Incorporated
Attention: Customer Service
47911 Halyard Drive
Plymouth, MI 48170
USA
Using this Manual
To quickly locate information about
the vehicle, use the Index in the
back of the manual. It is an
alphabetical list of what is in the
manual and the page number where
it can be found.
Danger, Warning, and
Caution
Warning messages found on vehicle
labels and in this manual describe
hazards and what to do to avoid or
reduce them.
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 84096120 A First Printing ©2017 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
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Introduction 3
{Danger
Danger indicates a hazard with a
high level of risk which will result
in serious injury or death.
{Warning
Warning indicates a hazard that
could result in injury or death.
Caution
Caution indicates a hazard that
could result in property or vehicle
damage.
A circle with a slash through it is a
safety symbol which means “Do
Not,” “Do not do this,”or “Do not let
this happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead of
text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or
information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gauge, or indicator.
M:Shown when the owner’s
manual has additional instructions
or information.
*:Shown when the service
manual has additional instructions
or information.
0:Shown when there is more
information on another page —
“see page.”
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. See the
features in this manual for
information.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
`:Do Not Puncture
^:Do Not Service
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
_:Flame/Fire Prohibited
.:Fuel Gauge
+:Fuses
3:Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j:LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
O:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Seat Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor

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4 Introduction
d:Traction Control/StabiliTrak
a:Under Pressure
M:Windshield Washer Fluid

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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
Parking 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

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6 In Brief
Instrument Panel

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In Brief 7
1. Air Vents 0167.
2. Exterior Lamp Controls 0132.
Instrument Panel Illumination
Control 0135.
3. Turn Signal Lever. See Turn
and Lane-Change Signals
0134.
4. Instrument Cluster 0108.
5. Windshield Wiper/Washer
0104.
6. Card Holder.
7. AM-FM Radio 0144.
8. Light Sensor. See Automatic
Headlamp System 0133.
9. Instrument Panel Storage 099.
10. Passenger Sensing System
073.
11. Hazard Warning Flashers
0134.
12. USB Port 0147 (If Equipped).
Auxiliary Jack 0150 (If
Equipped).
13. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission 0191 (If
Equipped) or Manual
Transmission 0193 (If
Equipped).
14. Trunk Release (Sedan). See
Trunk (Sedan) 041.
Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) 0206 (If Equipped).
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0197.
15. Power Outlets 0106.
16. Climate Control Systems
0165.
17. Central Locking Switch. See
Door Locks 038.
18. Ignition Switch.
See Ignition Positions (Key
Access) 0181 or Ignition
Positions (Keyless Access)
0182.
19. Steering Wheel Controls 0103.
20. Horn 0104.
21. Steering Wheel Adjustment
0103.
22. Cruise Control 0199.
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0205 (If Equipped.
Heated Steering Wheel 0104
(If Equipped).
23. Data Link Connector (DLC)
(Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check Engine
Light) 0113.
24. Hood Release. See Hood
0216.

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8 In Brief
Initial Drive
Information
This section provides a brief
overview about some of the
important features that may or may
not be on your specific vehicle.
For more detailed information, refer
to each of the features which can be
found later in this owner’s manual.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System
The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter may work up to 60 m
(197 ft) away from the vehicle.
Key Access with Remote Start
Shown
Press the key release button to
extend the key blade. The key can
be used for the ignition and all
locks.
Keyless Access with Remote Start
Shown
Press the button to release the key.
The key can be used for all locks.
Press Kto unlock the driver door,
or all doors and the liftgate or trunk.
Press Qto lock all doors, liftgate,
or trunk.
Lock and unlock feedback can be
personalized. See Vehicle
Personalization 0129.
If equipped, press and hold Yfor
Key Access, or press Xtwice for
Keyless Access, to release the
trunk.

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In Brief 9
Press and release 7to initiate
vehicle locator.
Press and hold 7for at least
three seconds to sound the panic
alarm.
Press 7again to cancel the panic
alarm.
See Keys 026 and Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation (Key
Access) 029 or Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation
(Keyless Access) 031.
Remote Vehicle Start
If equipped, the engine can be
started from outside of the vehicle.
Starting the Vehicle
1. Press and release Qon the
RKE transmitter.
2. Immediately press and hold /
for at least four seconds or until
the turn signal lamps flash.
Start the vehicle normally after
entering.
When the vehicle starts, the parking
lamps will turn on.
Remote start can be extended.
Canceling a Remote Start
To cancel a remote start, do one of
the following:
.Press and hold /until the
parking lamps turn off.
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Turn the vehicle on and then off.
See Remote Vehicle Start 037.
Door Locks
To lock or unlock the doors from
outside the vehicle:
.Use the key in the driver door to
lock all doors or unlock the
driver door only.
.Press Qor Kon the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
See Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation (Key
Access) 031 or Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation
(Keyless Access) 031.
To lock the doors from inside the
vehicle:
.Press Qon the central locking
switch or on the driver door
switch.
.Press the lock knob on the driver
door to lock all doors and,
if equipped, the liftgate.
To unlock the doors from inside the
vehicle:
.Press Kon the central locking
switch or on the driver door
switch.
.Pull the door handle. Pulling the
door handle again unlatches
the door.
.Lift the lock knob on the driver
door to unlock the driver door.
See Door Locks 038.
Keyless Access
The RKE transmitter must be within
1 m (3 ft) of the door being opened.

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10 In Brief
Press the button on the door handle
to open. See “Keyless Access
Operation”under Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation (Key
Access) 029 or Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation
(Keyless Access) 031.
Liftgate (Hatchback)
To lock or unlock the liftgate or trunk
from the inside, press Qor Kon
the central locking switch or on the
driver door switch.
The vehicle must be in P (Park) for
automatic transmissions. For
manual transmissions the parking
brake must be engaged.
To open the liftgate from the
outside, press Kon the RKE
transmitter to unlock all doors, then
use the touch pad.
See Liftgate (Hatchback) 043.
Trunk Release (Sedan)
To lock or unlock the trunk from the
inside, press Qor Kon the central
locking switch or on the driver door
switch.
To open the trunk from inside the
vehicle press V.
To lock the trunk from the outside
press Qon the RKE transmitter.

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In Brief 11
To open the trunk from outside of
the vehicle:
.Press Kon the RKE transmitter
to unlock all doors, then use the
touch pad.
.Press and hold Yfor Key
Access, or press Xtwice for
Keyless Access, on the RKE
transmitter.
See Trunk (Sedan) 041 and
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation (Key Access)
029 or Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation (Keyless
Access) 031.
Windows
Manual Windows
If equipped, use the window crank
to open and close each window.
See Manual Windows 049.
Power Windows
{Warning
Children could be seriously
injured or killed if caught in the
path of a closing window. Never
leave the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter or keys in a
vehicle with children. When there
are children in the rear seat, use
the window lockout button to
prevent operation of the windows.
See Keys 026.
Power windows work when the
ignition is on, in ACC/ACCESSORY,
or when Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) is active. See Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) 0187.
Using the window switch, press to
open or pull to close the window.
The windows may be temporarily
disabled if they are used repeatedly
within a short time.

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12 In Brief
Seat Adjustment
Manual Seats
To adjust a manual seat:
1. Pull the handle at the front of
the seat.
2. Slide the seat to the desired
position and release the
handle.
3. Try to move the seat back and
forth to be sure it is locked in
place.
See Seat Adjustment 055.
Power Seats
To adjust a power seat:
.Move the seat forward or
rearward by sliding the control
forward or rearward.
.Raise or lower the front part of
the seat cushion by moving the
front of the control up or down.
.Raise or lower the entire seat by
moving the rear of the control up
or down.
See Power Seat Adjustment 056.
Lumbar Adjustment
If available, press the front or rear of
the switch to increase or decrease
lumbar support. Release the switch
when the desired level of support is
reached.
See Lumbar Adjustment 056.

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In Brief 13
Reclining Seatbacks
Manual Seat Shown, Power Seat
Similar
To recline the seatback:
1. Lift the lever.
If necessary, move the seat
belt out of the way to access
the lever.
2. Move the seatback to the
desired position, then release
the lever to lock the seatback
in place.
3. Push and pull on the seatback
to make sure it is locked.
To return the seatback to an upright
position:
1. Lift the lever fully without
applying pressure to the
seatback, and the seatback
returns to the upright position.
2. Push and pull on the seatback
to make sure it is locked.
See Reclining Seatbacks 057.
Second Row Seats
The rear seatbacks can be folded
down to increase cargo space.
See Rear Seats 059.
Head Restraint
Adjustment
Do not drive until the head restraints
for all occupants are installed and
adjusted properly.
To achieve a comfortable seating
position, change the seatback
recline angle as little as necessary
while keeping the seat and the head
restraint height in the proper
position.
See Head Restraints 054 and Seat
Adjustment 055.
Seat Belts
Refer to the following sections for
important information on how to use
seat belts properly:
.Seat Belts 061.
.How to Wear Seat Belts Properly
062.
.Lap-Shoulder Belt 063.
.Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children (LATCH System) 086.

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14 In Brief
Passenger Sensing
System
United States
Canada
The passenger sensing system
turns off the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag and knee
airbag under certain conditions. No
other airbag is affected by the
passenger sensing system. See
Passenger Sensing System 073.
The passenger airbag status
indicator will be visible on the
instrument panel when the vehicle is
started. See Passenger Airbag
Status Indicator 0112.
Mirror Adjustment
Exterior Mirrors
Manual Outside Mirrors
Move the control up, down, or side
to side to adjust the mirror.
See Manual Mirrors 047.
Power Outside Mirrors
For vehicles with power outside
mirrors:
1. Select the mirror by moving the
selector switch to L for the
driver side or R for the
passenger side.
2. Use the control knob to move
the mirror in the desired
direction.
See Power Mirrors 048.
Interior Mirror
Hold the inside rearview mirror in
the center to move it for a clearer
view behind your vehicle. Adjust the

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In Brief 15
mirror to avoid glare from the
headlamps behind you. Push the
tab forward for daytime use and pull
it for nighttime use.
See Manual Rearview Mirror 048.
Steering Wheel
Adjustment
To adjust the steering wheel:
1. Pull the lever down.
2. Move the steering wheel up,
down, forward, and backward.
3. Pull the lever up to lock the
steering wheel in place.
Do not adjust the steering wheel
while driving.
Interior Lighting
Dome Lamps
The dome lamp controls are in the
headliner above the rear seats.
9:Press to turn the lamps off,
even when a door is open.
H:When the button is returned to
the middle position, the lamps turn
on automatically when a door is
opened.
R:Press to turn on the dome lamps.
Reading Lamps
For vehicles with front reading
lamps, they are in the overhead
console.
#or $:Press to turn each lamp
on or off.
For more information about interior
lighting, see Instrument Panel
Illumination Control 0135 or
Courtesy Lamps 0136.

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16 In Brief
Exterior Lighting
The exterior lamp control is on the
instrument panel to the outboard
side of the steering column.
O:Turns the exterior lamps off and
deactivates the AUTO mode. Turn
to Oagain to reactivate the
AUTO mode.
In Canada, the headlamps will
automatically reactivate when the
vehicle is shifted out of P (Park).
AUTO : Automatically turns the
exterior lamps on and off,
depending on outside lighting.
;:Turns on the parking lamps
including all lamps except the
headlamps.
5:Turns the headlamps on
together with the parking lamps and
instrument panel lights. A warning
chime sounds if the driver door is
opened when the ignition switch is
off and the headlamps are on.
#:For vehicles with fog lamps,
press to turn the lamps on or off.
See:
.Exterior Lamp Controls 0132
.Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
0133
.Fog Lamps 0135
Windshield Wiper/Washer
Sedan
Hatchback
The windshield wiper/washer lever
is on the right side of the steering
column.
Move the lever to one of the
following positions:
HI : Use for fast wipes.
LO : Use for slow wipes.
Hatchback Shown, Sedan Similar
INT : Move the lever up to INT for
intermittent wipes, then turn the x
INT band up for more frequent
wipes or down for less frequent
wipes.
OFF : Use to turn the wipers off.

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In Brief 17
1X : For a single wipe, briefly move
the wiper lever down. For several
wipes, hold the wiper lever down.
nL:Pull the windshield wiper
lever toward you to spray windshield
washer fluid and activate the wipers.
See Windshield Wiper/Washer
0104. For vehicles with a rear
window wiper/washer, see Rear
Window Wiper/Washer 0105.
Climate Controls
If equipped with these climate
control systems, the heating,
cooling, and ventilation can be
controlled for the vehicle.
Climate Control System with
Heater and Air Conditioning
1. Temperature Control
2. Fan Control
3. Air Delivery Mode Control
4. Driver and Passenger Heated
Seats (If Equipped)
5. Recirculation
6. Rear Window Defogger
7. Air Conditioning
Climate Control System with
Heater Only
1. Temperature Control
2. Fan Control
3. Air Delivery Mode Control
4. Rear Window Defogger
See Climate Control Systems 0165.

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18 In Brief
Transmission
Automatic Transmission
Manual Mode
If equipped, this position allows you
to change gears similar to a manual
transmission. To use this feature:
1. Move the shift lever from
D (Drive) rearward to
M (Manual Mode).
2. Press the + (plus) end of the
button on the side of the shift
lever to upshift, or press the −
(minus) end of the button to
downshift.
See Manual Mode 0192.
Manual Transmission
Up-Shift Light
Vehicles equipped with a manual
transmission have an up-shift light.
This light indicates when to shift to
the next higher gear for better fuel
economy.
For the best fuel economy,
accelerate slowly and shift when the
light comes on, if weather, road, and
traffic conditions allow.
It is normal for the light to go on and
off if the accelerator position
changes quickly. Ignore the light
during downshifts.
Reverse Lockout
The manual transmission is
equipped with a reverse lockout
ring. To shift into R (Reverse), press
down the clutch pedal, lift up the
ring on the shift lever, and shift into
R (Reverse). Let up on the clutch
pedal slowly while pressing the
accelerator pedal.
See Manual Transmission 0193.

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In Brief 19
Vehicle Features
Infotainment System
Read the following pages to
become familiar with the features.
{Warning
Taking your eyes off the road for
too long or too often while using
any infotainment feature can
cause a crash. You or others
could be injured or killed. Do not
give extended attention to
infotainment tasks while driving.
Limit your glances at the vehicle
displays and focus your attention
on driving. Use voice commands
whenever possible.
The infotainment system has built-in
features intended to help avoid
distraction by disabling some
functions when driving. These
functions may gray out when they
are unavailable. Many infotainment
features are also available through
the instrument cluster and steering
wheel controls.
Before driving:
.Become familiar with the
operation, center stack controls,
and infotainment display
controls.
.Set up the audio by presetting
favorite stations, setting the
tone, and adjusting the
speakers.
.Set up phone numbers in
advance so they can be called
easily by pressing a single
button or by using a single voice
command if equipped with
Bluetooth phone capability.
See Defensive Driving 0171.
To play the infotainment system with
the ignition off, see Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) 0187.
Radio(s)
O:Press to turn the system on.
Press and hold to turn the system
off. Turn to increase or decrease the
volume.
g:Press and release to go to the
previous station, channel, or track.
Press and hold to fast seek the
previous strongest station.
d:Press and release to go to the
next station, channel, or track.
Press and hold to fast seek the next
strongest station.
Source : Touch to choose between
available sources.
Menu : Touch to choose between
available menus.
Sor T:Touch to view saved
favorite stations or channels.
See Overview 0140.
Satellite Radio
If equipped, a SiriusXM satellite
radio tuner and a valid SiriusXM
satellite radio subscription can
receive SiriusXM programming.