Rear Floor Air Outlet Ducts: Where??

[LorbeerTLC]

Ok, I've got a real mystery! According to my 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Owner's manual, the Sonic is supposed to have rear floor air outlet ducts underneath the left and right front seats.

This is a picture (above) from a service manual showing where they should be located. And yet I got down on my hands and knees and don't see them. I even turned-on the HVAC and directed it to the floor and don't feel any air coming out of the bottom of the front seats.

Does anyone else have theses elusive rear floor air ducts on their Sonics? If so, please write back. I might have them missing on my car (??) or maybe Chevrolet at the last minute removed them (??) Very strange! opcorn:

 

[ScarabEpic22]

I had the whole interior out of my 13 RS a few weeks ago, there are NO ducts like that in it. Only HVAC vents are on the top, front/passenger facing, and bottom of the dash.

 

[LorbeerTLC]

Here's the link to the site that shows the rear floor air outlet duct (right side):

Chevrolet Sonic Repair Manual: Floor Rear Air Outlet Duct Replacement - Right Side - Cooling - HVAC

 

[LorbeerTLC]

Even the GM Parts page shows it:

OEM DUCTS for 2012 Chevrolet Sonic | GMPartsCenter.net

I might ask my local chevy dealer about this.

 

[RMinNJ]

No rear ducts in my 2012 sedan. There is a metal hump under the carpet.

 

[LorbeerTLC]

I know the 2011 and earlier Aveo's had those rear floor air outlet ducts. I wonder if GM had intended to carry it over for the Sonic and then suddenly dropped them? Yet, there are part numbers for them and they're mentioned in later model Sonics too. This is really strange! opcorn:

I'll entertain any ideas to this mystery

 

[RMinNJ]

Can they be added then? I wonder what is on the sides of the center console where they plug in?

 

[Palmaris]

I thought those were air Inlet ducts, I.E. its where the air comes from when you turn on the Interior Recycle mode on the dash.

 

[Chrish051873]

opcorn:interesting.

in for the outcome.

 

[LorbeerTLC]

Appointment Made...

Made an appointment at my Chevrolet dealer for Thursday...
Once the service department verifies that it's missing, we'll go from there. *insert theme from: "The X-FILES" (whistling)* opcorn:

 

[MaD]

LoL... ya it might be a weight savings?? But more likely a cost savings because that plastic is so rare and cost prohibited [emoji13]

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[LorbeerTLC]

"Down the Rabbit Hole!"

I went to my appointment at my local Chevrolet dealer and explained everything and showed them my copied diagrams.

After about an hour, the service rep. came to me and told me that the reason my 2012 Sonic LTZ doesn't have the rear floor air outlet ducts was because that was offered under the RPO code of C35: "Rear Heat Option." My car's RPO code doesn't show a C35 listing on it. That's why those ducts are missing.

I said now wait a minute... when I ordered my car, I went through every, single, RPO Code that was offered for the 2012 Chevy Sonic. I know for a fact that there wasn't a C35 even being offered! I went line-by-line when the car was going to be ordered and the only thing I didn't get was the oil pan heater! Also, being a LTZ (top-of-the-line), wouldn't you think this should be standard?

So I went on-line to GM GlobalConnect and printed ALL the RPO Codes for the Chevrolet Sonic. There is no C35: "Rear Heat Option" listed or being offered. And yet the diagrams clearly show it on the Sonic and they are good parts numbers!

So the next thing I'm going to do is show my evidence back to the dealer and tell them I want to go up the chain of command to find an answer! They have to have a regional divisional manager or 'what-not' to talk to.

If they ask me what do I want out of this, I'll tell them I want the rear heat option installed on my Sonic. And that I'm willing to go half-way and pay for parts if GM/Chevrolet will pay for labor. I'll even send my evidence to GM/Chevrolet and ask to speak to someone who can explain to me why I couldn't order this feature and why it wasn't shown as an option at the time I ordered this car?

 

[laborsmith]

I looked through the 2012 Brochure and found no mention of heat ducts for the rear seats as standard or optional. To me that is more important than the schematic because if in the Brochure it could be argued a sale was made with the promise that it was there.

RPO Codes are generic. Unless that RPO Code is on your build sheet or on the sticker in the spare tire well, than what? It is not so there the case ends.

Laborsmith

 

[LorbeerTLC]

I looked through the 2012 Brochure and found no mention of heat ducts for the rear seats as standard or optional. To me that is more important than the schematic because if in the Brochure it could be argued a sale was made with the promise that it was there.

RPO Codes are generic. Unless that RPO Code is on your build sheet or on the sticker in the spare tire well, than what? It is not so there the case ends.

Laborsmith

In my 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Owner's Manual, On page 166, under 8.2 in "Climate Controls" section as follows:

8-2 Climate Controls

(Floor): Air is directed to the floor outlets, with some air directed to the rear outlets.opcorn:

If you go to the link below, you'll notice it doesn't say, "for vehicles with..." like it does for Air Conditioning. It's pretty clear to me that this seemed to be standard equipment for the Sonic.

https://assets.gm.com/manuals/chevrolet/2012_chevrolet_sonic_owners.pdf

THIS is what started my search in, "Where are those rear floor air outlets?" The diagrams just reinforced my quest.

 

[MORTIS]

I never knew about any rear heat ducts, but then saw this thread and checked. To my surprise I see rear heat ducts in my 2015 LT.

 

[LorbeerTLC]

Mortis: Very Interesting Indeed!
Could you PM me your VIN number? I want my servicing Chevrolet dealer to see if you have an RPO C35 code. Did you order your Sonic or was it already built?
Thank you for telling me this! ��

 

[MORTIS]

Mortis: Very Interesting Indeed!
Could you PM me your VIN number? I want my servicing Chevrolet dealer to see if you have an RPO C35 code. Did you order your Sonic or was it already built?
Thank you for telling me this! ��

Note that I'm in Ontario, Canada so features and options are sometimes different between countries.
I had to search dealers to find a new one equipped the way I wanted. This one was already on the lot.

PM to follow, but some codes for Canadian vehicles might not show on your dealer's database.

 

[LorbeerTLC]

Note that I'm in Ontario, Canada so features and options are sometimes different between countries.
I had to search dealers to find a new one equipped the way I wanted. This one was already on the lot.

PM to follow, but some codes for Canadian vehicles might not show on your dealer's database.

Thank You MORTIS!
I see by your VIN# your Sonic was assembled at Orion, Michigan, USA.
This helps me address why my owner's manual (USA Version) says there are rear air ducts in my LTZ when in fact there isn't. And yet you have them in your LT model.

 

[laborsmith]

All Sonic vehicles destined for the Canadian market are assembled at the Orion Assembly Plant. MORTIS correctly notes there are equipment differences between builds going to Canada and builds destined for the US market.

In the early days of this Forum I posted a link to the Canadian version Brochure to show that there are differences, some to my mind significant differences, where I wondered the why thereof.

Laborsmith

 

[Mad Trapper]

Last couple paragraphs

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