Chevrolet Sonic Owner's Manual: Recommended Fuel
Use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating of 87 or higher. If the octane rating is less than 87, an audible knocking noise may be heard. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible. If heavy knocking is heard when using gasoline with a higher octane rating, the engine needs service.
Use of Seasonal Fuels
Use summer and winter fuels in the appropriate season. Driving or starting could be affected if the incorrect fuel is used. Drive the vehicle with the engine running until the fuel is a half tank or less, then refuel with the current seasonal fuel.
Prohibited Fuels
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and ethanol, as well as reformulated gasolines are available in some cities. If these gasolines comply with the previously described specification, then they are acceptable to use. However, E85 and other fuels containing more than 15% ethanol must be used only in FlexFuel vehicles.
Caution
Do not use fuel containing methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel system and also damage plastic and rubber parts. That damage would not be covered under the vehicle warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low emissions can contain an octane-enhancing additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT). Do not use gasolines with MMT as they can reduce spark plug life and affect emission control system performance. The malfunction indicator lamp may turn on. If this occurs, see your dealer for service.
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an important part of the proper maintenance of
this vehicle. When driving in the U.S., to help keep the engine clean and maintain
optimum vehicle performance, we rec ...
Gasoline Specifications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM specification D 4814. Some gasolines
contain an octane-enhancing additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT). We recommend against th ...
Other materials:
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 might not indicate
the need for vehicle service for more than a year. The engine oil and filter must
be changed ...
Radio Frequency Statement
This vehicle has systems that operate on a radio frequency that comply with Part
15 of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and with Industry Canada
Standards RSS‐GEN/210/220/310.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. The device may not cause harmful inter ...
Knock Sensor System Description
Circuit/System Description
The knock sensor system enables the engine control module (ECM) to control
the ignition timing for the best possible performance while protecting the engine
from potentially damaging levels of detonation. The ECM uses the knock sensor
system to test for ...
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