Chevrolet Sonic 2018 User manual

Sonic Owner’s Manual
84096120 A
2018 Sonic
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
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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) -
2018 - crc - 5/15/17
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) -
2018 - crc - 5/15/17
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

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 5/15/17
4 Introduction
d:Traction Control/StabiliTrak
a:Under Pressure
M:Windshield Washer Fluid

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 5/15/17
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

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 5/15/17
6 In Brief
Instrument Panel

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 5/15/17
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.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 5/15/17
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.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 5/15/17
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.