Chevrolet Sonic Owner's Manual: Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through mountains is different than driving on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for driving in these conditions include:
- Keep the vehicle serviced and in good shape.
- Check all fluid levels and brakes, tires, cooling system, and transmission.
- Shift to a lower gear when going down steep or long hills.
Warning
Using the brakes to slow the vehicle on a long downhill slope can cause brake overheating, can reduce brake performance, and could result in a loss of braking. Shift the transmission to a lower gear to let the engine assist the brakes on a steep downhill slope.
Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or with the ignition off is dangerous. This can cause overheating of the brakes and loss of steering. Always have the engine running and the vehicle in gear.
- Stay in your own lane. Do not swing wide or cut across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that let you stay in your own lane.
- Be alert on top of hills; something could be in your lane (stalled car, accident).
- Pay attention to special road signs (falling rocks area, winding roads, long grades, passing or no-passing zones) and take appropriate action.
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to your surroundings while driving. If you
become tired or sleepy, find a safe place to park the vehicle and rest.
Other driving tips include:
Keep the vehicle ...
Winter Driving
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Other materials:
Air Vents
Use the air vents located in the center and on the side of the instrument panel
to direct the airflow. Move the slats on the center air vents to direct airflow.
Turn the knobs on the side air vents counterclockwise or clockwise to open or
close off the airflow.
Operation Tips
Clear away an ...
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 wear is noticed, rotate the tires as soon as possible, check
for proper tire inflation pressure, an ...
Bluetooth (Overview)
For vehicles equipped with Bluetooth capability, the system can interact with
many cell phones, allowing:
Placement and receipt of calls in a hands-free mode.
Sharing of the cell phone’s address book or contact list with the vehicle.
To minimize driver distraction, before driving, and ...
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