Chevrolet Sonic Owner's Manual: When It Is Time for New Tires
Factors such as maintenance, temperatures, driving speeds, vehicle loading, and road conditions affect the wear rate of the tires.
Treadwear indicators are one way to tell when it is time for new tires. Treadwear indicators appear when the tires have only 1.6mm (1/16 in) or less of tread remaining. See Tire Inspection and Tire Rotation.
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 manufacturer 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.
Tire Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 12 000 km (7,500 mi). See Maintenance Schedule.
Tires are rotated to achieve a uniform wear for all tires. The first rotation
is the most important.
Anytime unusual w ...
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 r ...
Other materials:
StabiliTrak® OFF Light
This light comes on briefly while starting the engine. If it does not, have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
This light comes on when the StabiliTrak system is turned off. If StabiliTrak
is off, the Traction Control System (TCS) is also off.
If the StabiliTrak and TCS are off, the system ...
Radio Settings
Select and the following may display:
Auto Volume
Radio Favorites
Radio Tune Bar
Radio Text
XM Categories
Radio Factory Settings
Auto Volume
This feature adjusts the radio volume to compensate for road and wind noise as
the vehicle speeds up or slows down, so that the volume leve ...
Reverse (Gen 1)
When the gear selector lever is moved to the Reverse (R) position (from the Park
position) the normally-high 35R pressure control solenoid 2 is commanded ON and
the following changes occur in the transmission? hydraulic and electrical systems:
3-5-Reverse Clutch Applies
Manual Valv ...
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