Hidden Features, Settings, Tricks, etc...

[jorgos]

Apparently, as I said I dont have on board computer... Of course I have total kilometers and trip kilometers but nothing else, no average consumption, no km to gas station etc. As you see on the pic, I dont have options button.

 

[Kslider]

the privacy cover in the rear of the hatchback will slide out of the way and store against the back seat.

 

[proneto911]

Transportation Mode

To turn the Transport Mode On/Off:
1. Start the engine
2. Activate the hazard flashers
3. Press the brake pedal
4. Press and hold the Start/Stop button (if equipped) or turn the ignition key to the crank position for 15 seconds

Transport Mode is a relatively new feature that reduces the electrical load on the battery when the vehicle is parked, which prolongs the battery stand time.

 

[AshesToArmor]

Has anyone used the AUX Video input on the MyLink yet? I saw the AUX option on the video display once when I was playing a video off of a flash drive and wondered where the input was.

Later I noticed the 4th pin on what I thought was just an audio input. Some early video cameras used a 4pin 3.5mm plug to connect the cameras to a TV via composite video, but the pinouts were not always the same. Not knowing the pinout I assumed that since it was designed to work with iPods that they may have implemented it in the same pinout as the early iPods.

I went online and found an iPod video out cable meant for for the early generations, before the 4th pin was repurposed as the microphone input. I attached it to a Raspberry Pi computer and I got video! In fact the MyLink automatically switched to the video input rather than the AUX audio you get when you plug a regular audio source into the plug.

This is the cable I bought if anybody else wants one. You could watch TV in your Sonic with a DTV decoder box!

Amazon.com : Macally Audio and Video Cable for iPod classic 4G, 5G, 5.5G (White) : MP3 Players & Accessories

So are you accessing the video part of this on the USB setting or the AUX setting? I'm trying to wire a backup camera using the AUX Movie option but I haven't had any luck so far.

 

[ChromeLlama]

I just read the whole thread. Thanks for everyone's input! I learned a few cool features that I didn't know about.

 

[ChromeLlama]

I'm thinking back and I don't think I saw this mentioned... It's not really a hidden feature, because if you look closely enough you'll see it, but next to the gas icon on the dash there is an arrow pointing to the side of the car the gas tank is on. This is helpful to someone like me who has 3 cars and always forgets what side the tank is on, depending on what I'm driving.

 

[Llia]

BoxWave seems to be selling the cable now on amazon. I checked the link you posted and they were out.

 

[MyLonewolf25]

I wonder if there a way to get rid of the parking brake chime


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[Natesriv]

I wonder if there a way to get rid of the parking brake chime


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Disengage the parking brake?

 

[MyLonewolf25]

Disengage the parking brake?

Yea... dua
But what about my HETIC SKIDS


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[Nibbler2015]

I'm looking for a way to disable the dome lights, no matter how I put the settings in the 'radio' they come on when the doors are opened and there is no way to shut them off manually, any ideas?

 

[Nibbler2015]

I have a 2015 LT HB and that switch only prevent the rear dome from coming on, and has no effect on the front dome lights.

This is what I have found, I want to control the front interior lights (map reading lights?)

 

[JTee2017]

This is what I have found, I want to control the front interior lights (map reading lights?)

Only way is to remove the bulbs in the "map lights" or install a small switch up there.

 

[Nibbler2015]

Only way is to remove the bulbs in the "map lights" or install a small switch up there.

Seems like that is the case, I'll be taking the bulbs out today, kind of annoying because having the ability to turn on the light when needed is nice, but having it on whenever GM decides it should be on sucks.
I seem to remember there being controls for similar lights on other GMs I've had, but not on the Sonic.

 

[JTee2017]

Seems like that is the case, I'll be taking the bulbs out today, kind of annoying because having the ability to turn on the light when needed is nice, but having it on whenever GM decides it should be on sucks.
I seem to remember there being controls for similar lights on other GMs I've had, but not on the Sonic.

Well.. there may be another way if you are inclined to mod. I think the Chevy Cruze has the same sized map/front dome light assembly as the Sonic. It has to be the upgraded one with the switches that show "Door" and light symbol on/off.
So, the map lights are separate from the door operated light . . . . which has it's own "disable" or Off position in the center. This was a new option on the 2016-2017 Cruze. I checked the circuit board layout and it is the same as the Sonic. Bonus. . if the wiring is the same, the Cruze light comes with LED lit switch symbols that should light up when dash lights are on at night.

Here is one on Ebay and a youtube video to give you and idea of ho wi may work. I think you should just be able to swap it out. I think it may even be plug to plug compatible. Order and will know when it gets to me.


SONIC Front Map Lights:

Cruze Front Map Lights

https://www.ebay.com/p/2016-2017-Chevrolet-Cruze-Overhead-Roof-Console-W-onstar-OEM-LKQ/9006528529?iid=362309763811&_trkparms=aid%3D777003%26algo%3DDISCL.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D50544%26meid%3Dd494bea9034e4878b7a159ad2a2621fb%26pid%3D100012%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D173284636560%26itm%3D362309763811&_trksid=p2047675.c100012.m1985

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKzF5-ZJiwM

 

[JTee2017]

I'm looking for a way to disable the dome lights, no matter how I put the settings in the 'radio' they come on when the doors are opened and there is no way to shut them off manually, any ideas?

Here is a thread that shows one way to do this - --

http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/do-yourself-articles/7957-overhead-ambient-light-install-dome-light-modification.html

I compared the 2016 2017 Cruze front map/dome light and it looks like a match for the Sonic. I bought a used one off Ebay. Anyone interested. . . I will get it in a week or so and install it. Also, there are custom LED light kits for about $22 to outfit the interior lights with LED . . . way brighter than stock.

 

[GuyInDogSuit]

I'm thinking back and I don't think I saw this mentioned... It's not really a hidden feature, because if you look closely enough you'll see it, but next to the gas icon on the dash there is an arrow pointing to the side of the car the gas tank is on. This is helpful to someone like me who has 3 cars and always forgets what side the tank is on, depending on what I'm driving.

Indeed. This is actually a little-known fact, but I believe that arrow is present on almost all modern cars. Every vehicle I've owned has/had that arrow.

I'm pretty sure I read this whole thread a couple weeks ago and don't remember any mention of this feature.
Its just a little thing but I've seen vids online showing the chrome rings around the climate control knobs illuminating light blue at night. The chrome rings on those knobs in my 2015 LT do not light up, just the icons on the face of the knobs and the yellow position markers. Were the lighted chrome rings only on certain models or year? Thanks.

I have the 2014 LT Sedan, and it has the blue chrome rings. It could be dependent on whether your vehicle has the "light package" they offer on many cars, sometimes independent of trim.

:banana: i discovered a Hidden test menu in the Standard Stereo (not MyLink)!

Hold the CONFIG button for 6 seconds and "Test Mode Active" should appear.

now press the INFO button and a bunch of writings will appear, mosty Tuner info and settings (you cannot adjust them), and HW/SW Ver and date

now off to discover the Diagnostic Menu

Interesting. That sounds like it may be possible to update the SW version.

I just found another hidden menu in the Stereo called "Diagnostic Menu"

You can access it by Holding the CONFIG + Tune (right knob) while the stereo is on for 6 seconds and BAM, you're in.

There is however some bizarre test which is "Speaker Test"...for young people it's earbleeding :blankface:

I'll be sure to avoid that one, then!

i discovered it on my '14 non-MyLink stereo...i bet there's another one that lets you update the software and alter some options you can't do on normal menu

This is pretty neat. I unfortunately got stuck with a non-MyLink stereo, so it's nice to hear there's hidden menus to play with.

Did you ever find out if there is a way to update the software? There's a USB port, so I imagine there might.

 

[AlphaWhiskeyPapa]

There is an emergency key removal below the ignition. Place a key into the slot under the ignition and turn the key back and forth til it catches and you can press the key out.

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[GuyInDogSuit]

There is an emergency key removal below the ignition. Place a key into the slot under the ignition and turn the key back and forth til it catches and you can press the key out.

I don't see this option on mine. Must be in newer (2015+) models.

 

[LilRedLtz]

In reference to the map/dome lights. On my 2012 and 2014 I had to disconnect a wire in the harness for the front lights because the switch in the center of the car only disables that light, not the front ones. The wire I disconnected disables the door feature but you can still push the light to have it come on. I just taped the end up real good with electrical tape and then taped it to the other wires so it wasn't hanging.