Chevy Sonic: How To Set Clock

If you’re on an extended trip that crosses time zones, you may find the car’s clock time incorrect if it remains in your local time. Additionally, unless the clock is set to update with the cellular signal automatically, you will see a one-hour time difference when switching to and from Daylight Savings Time.

To solve these issues, you can set the clock manually or turn on the automatic setting in your Chevy Sonic. Here’s how.

How to Set Clock on Chevy Sonic 2017-2023

Depending on what additions you picked for your Chevy, your car’s infotainment system can come with or without a touchscreen. This will change how you set the clock as well as many other settings.

For a Sonic without a touchscreen:

1. Press the clock icon on the center dial or select “Clock” in the menu.
2. Go to “Time and Date Settings.”
3. Select “Set Time.”
4. Use the “Tune” dial to set the hour value.
5. Press the tuning dial.
6. Rotate the tuning dial to set the minutes.
7. Hit the tuning dial again to confirm.
8. Return to the previous menu to set the clock.

You can also set the clock to a 12- or 24-hour format:

1. Go to “Clock” then to “Time and Date Settings.”
2. Highlight the “Set Time Format Option” with the navigational buttons.
3. Press the tuning dial to switch between 12-hour and 24-hour display format.

If your Sonic has a touchscreen:

1. Go to “Settings.”
2. Select “System.”
3. Press on “Time/Date.”
4. Select “Set time.”
5. Tap on the arrows next to the hours and minutes to set the time.
6. Press “Return” or “Home” to confirm.

You can also press on the time display itself from the main menu to access these settings.

In the same menu, you’ll also find the “12-24” tab, which you can press and swap between the 12- and 24-hour displays.

Turning On Automatic Clock Settings

In newer Sonics, the car can automatically set the time according to the strongest cellular signal it’s receiving.

In a touchscreen infotainment system, the auto-sync option can be found on the same menu where you set the clock. Simply tap on “Auto-Set” and select “On – Cell Network.”

Here’s how you can access this feature regardless of which infotainment you have:

1. Press the “Home” icon.
2. Select “Time and Date Settings.”
3. Go to “Automatic Clock Sync.”
4. Hit “On.”
5. Press “Home” or “Return” to save.

How to Set Clock on Chevy Sonic 2012-2016

If you have a slightly older model of the Sonic, you probably have the built-in LED radio without a touchscreen. Follow these steps to change the clock:

1. Press the clock icon button on the center dial.
2. With “Set Time” highlighted (it should be the first option), press the “MENU/TUNE” dial.
3. Use the tuning (MENU/TUNE) dial to adjust the hour, then press it to confirm.
4. Repeat the same with the minute value.
5. You can change between “AM” and “PM” the same way.
6. Press the clock icon button again to confirm the changes.
7. You can go back to the Time and Date menu and scroll down to change between 12- and 24-hour clock display.

Older models don’t have automatic time settings based on cellular signals, but some radio stations will transmit their local time. If the car is tuned to a particularly distant station and uses automatic settings, it may display the station’s time, which could be different. This is why it’s better to keep it to manual control.

Chevy Sonic – Can’t Press on Set Time

If you’re using a 2017 and newer Sonic and the time or date settings are blocked (meaning you can’t set the time), you may have an issue with the OnStar subscription.

Peculiarly, this may happen even if you don’t have an OnStar subscription active for the vehicle. Contact your car dealership or Chevy customer support to get a free “Connected Access Plan.” It should keep your clock up to date, and you won’t have to pay for a subscription.

If that’s not an option, report the issue with Chevy support. You might be able to disconnect the car from the monitoring and remote access system and return manual control.

FAQ

Why did my car’s clock reset?

If you don’t use automatic time settings, your car’s clock and date may reset if the battery drains. This may happen if the car is not turned off for a while, especially during winter.