2017 LT RS Hatch

[shoey]

Brand new and really enjoying it so far. Leather wrapped wheel with heated cloth seats is the ultimate combo in my opinion!

It is an automatic, and the shifts aren't very smooth so far, but I am expecting that will improve once it learns my driving style more.

Can't wait to get some miles on it! Very surprised with how solid and competitive it feels considering the platform is 5+ years old at this point.

Pics for clicks...

Looking forward to learning from the forum!

 

[JTee2017]

Brand new and really enjoying it so far. Leather wrapped wheel with heated cloth seats is the ultimate combo in my opinion!

It is an automatic, and the shifts aren't very smooth so far, but I am expecting that will improve once it learns my driving style more.

Can't wait to get some miles on it! Very surprised with how solid and competitive it feels considering the platform is 5+ years old at this point.

Pics for clicks...

Looking forward to learning from the forum!

Welcome. . !

Found a 2017 did you! Nice! Hatchbacks are rare within 150 miles of me on lots.

We found a nice 2017 in Cajun Red with the 1.8L and auto so went with that.
Not doing too many mods, just LED headlights, interior LEDs, bought new tires because the Hankook Optimo H428 is not even close to being an "All Season" tire. Slide right off the road in a 1/2" snow. So bought Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus and rides and grips much better!

* * Watch it in Michigan snow with those factory installed Hankook tires !

Hint - -- GM dealers now have a $100 instant rebate for GM card holders plus $100 rebate form time makers. I sold my Hankooks for $150. So $340 for anew set all balanced, mounted, and road hazzard. Deal is till Dec 31st.

Have a a nice time here. . . . watch your wallet though. . . it can get spendy real fast with mods. . .

 

[shoey]

Welcome. . !

Found a 2017 did you! Nice! Hatchbacks are rare within 150 miles of me on lots.

We found a nice 2017 in Cajun Red with the 1.8L and auto so went with that.
Not doing too many mods, just LED headlights, interior LEDs, bought new tires because the Hankook Optimo H428 is not even close to being an "All Season" tires. Slide right off the road in a 1/2" snow. So bought Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus and rides and grips much better!

* * Watch it in Michigan snow with those factory installed Hankook tires !

Hint - -- GM dealers now have a $100 instant rebate for GM card holders plus $100 rebate form time makers. I sold my Hankooks for $150. So $340 for anew set all balanced, mounted, and road hazzard. Deal is till Dec 31st.

Have a a nice time here. . . . watch your wallet though. . . it can get spendy real fast with mods. . .

Appreciate the heads up on the tires! I don't expect much from all seasons. I'll be getting a second set of wheels to mount some snow tires on eventually (maybe faster than expected if the hankooks are as bad as you say they are!!)

Are there any must do rust-prevention mods/coatings that are recommended around here? SE Michigan roads are salty, bumpy, and just overall brutal on cars.

My plan is to keep it stock for a long while, everything is an upgrade from my old car with 230k miles, so I'm going to try and keep things simple for now. Maybe add some sound deadening in the future since why not.. It's actually much more quiet than expected!

Anyways, thanks for the welcome!

 

[JTee2017]

The 1.8L engine is pretty solid . . . the cooling system has issues on all Sonics.

If I can recall it all. The thermostat and it's housing (2 piece unit ) do not last. Made form plastic and they crack and leak. All metal ones are available on Amazon and Ebay for about $50 to $70. Also, all the small hoses/tubes connected to the manifold-like thermostat housing tend to get brittle and leak at couplings or just crack.

The coolant over flow, or reservoir tank, also gets cracks usually under neath where you can't see. If you notice coolant is disappearing . . check it and all previous things mentioned for leaks, cracks, etc.

The water pump will last quite long usually, but also can leak after only a couple years. Get a good aftermarket one if possible. Then again, maybe GM improved them on +2015.

If you catch these leaks early or just replace these parts by having them on hand for $250 or so, you will not have a problem of low coolant and warping the engine head.

Next. . plan on changing your auto transmission fluid every 35,000 miles or so. Very small tranny and the fluid gets black pretty early. You can do this your self. Just buy 2 cases of Dextron VI rated transmission oil, remove the lower drain bolt, and let it drain. It should be warmed from driving. Let it drain for at least 20 minutes and measure what came out. . . probably about 5.2 quarts. Fill with the 5.2 quarts of new fluid and drive for a few days. . maybe 200 miles. Drain and fill again . . 5.2 quarts. Repeat one more time.
NOTE: after each drain and fill. Set parking brake, foot on brake, start car and let run. Cycle through Drive, Neutral, Reverse pausing in each gear several times. Take it for a drive an check under car for leaks.

Lastly, after the last fill, check the transmission oil level port on rear upper side of transmission. You can see it in YouTube videos for the Chevy Cruze drain/fill. Check that fluid comes out of the port just a bit on a perfectly flat surface.

I know. . too much info. Easier than it sounds.

But do these things and your Sonic will last. There are those with 150,00 to 200,000 miles on them still running. . . If you keep on top of these few things.

Also, maybe do a throttle body clean once a year. Use CRC Throttle Body cleaner sparingly and some cloth scraps to wipe the inside of the TB after spraying. Videos. for this on many cars in YouTube.


Let's see. . . there were a few more nickel and dime items. Others might chime in.

 

[SuperSonic15]

* * watch it in michigan snow with those factory installed hankook tires !

Can I get an Amen!

 

[SuperSonic15]

Brand new and really enjoying it so far. Leather wrapped wheel with heated cloth seats is the ultimate combo in my opinion!

It is an automatic, and the shifts aren't very smooth so far, but I am expecting that will improve once it learns my driving style more.

Can't wait to get some miles on it! Very surprised with how solid and competitive it feels considering the platform is 5+ years old at this point.

Pics for clicks...

Looking forward to learning from the forum!

Welcome and Congrats Shoey!

Nice color opcorn:

Used Great Lakes Chemical for rust proofing/undercoating and such, however seems only in Kazoo tho.


Great Lakes Chemical Auto Detailing West Michigan | GLChemical.com - Great Lakes Chemical Auto Appearance Specialists

 

[shoey]

The 1.8L engine is pretty solid . . . the cooling system has issues on all Sonics.

If I can recall it all. The thermostat and it's housing (2 piece unit ) do not last. Made form plastic and they crack and leak. All metal ones are available on Amazon and Ebay for about $50 to $70. Also, all the small hoses/tubes connected to the manifold-like thermostat housing tend to get brittle and leak at couplings or just crack.

The coolant over flow, or reservoir tank, also gets cracks usually under neath where you can't see. If you notice coolant is disappearing . . check it and all previous things mentioned for leaks, cracks, etc.

The water pump will last quite long usually, but also can leak after only a couple years. Get a good aftermarket one if possible. Then again, maybe GM improved them on +2015.

If you catch these leaks early or just replace these parts by having them on hand for $250 or so, you will not have a problem of low coolant and warping the engine head.

Next. . plan on changing your auto transmission fluid every 35,000 miles or so. Very small tranny and the fluid gets black pretty early. You can do this your self. Just buy 2 cases of Dextron VI rated transmission oil, remove the lower drain bolt, and let it drain. It should be warmed from driving. Let it drain for at least 20 minutes and measure what came out. . . probably about 5.2 quarts. Fill with the 5.2 quarts of new fluid and drive for a few days. . maybe 200 miles. Drain and fill again . . 5.2 quarts. Repeat one more time.
NOTE: after each drain and fill. Set parking brake, foot on brake, start car and let run. Cycle through Drive, Neutral, Reverse pausing in each gear several times. Take it for a drive an check under car for leaks.

Lastly, after the last fill, check the transmission oil level port on rear upper side of transmission. You can see it in YouTube videos for the Chevy Cruze drain/fill. Check that fluid comes out of the port just a bit on a perfectly flat surface.

I know. . too much info. Easier than it sounds.

But do these things and your Sonic will last. There are those with 150,00 to 200,000 miles on them still running. . . If you keep on top of these few things.

Also, maybe do a throttle body clean once a year. Use CRC Throttle Body cleaner sparingly and some cloth scraps to wipe the inside of the TB after spraying. Videos. for this on many cars in YouTube.


Let's see. . . there were a few more nickel and dime items. Others might chime in.

Wow, awesome reply! Thanks! This Sonic will be my first automatic trans, so your wealth of knowledge is appreciated!

I have the 1.4t and it sounds like there are definitely a few unique things to watch out for and good habits to get into (let car warm up briefly and give it a little time if it was driven hard before shutting off). I have a a feather foot, so turbo cool down probably wont be an issue for me!

I think the 1.4t is direct injection. Can you confirm? Are there any concerns of carbon buildup, or need to do Ferrari tune-ups occasionally?

I was spoiled by my old honda accord in terms of maintenance; incredibly inexpensive to own. Hoping this will be similar.

 

[JTee2017]

Wow, awesome reply! Thanks! This Sonic will be my first automatic trans, so your wealth of knowledge is appreciated!

I have the 1.4t and it sounds like there are definitely a few unique things to watch out for and good habits to get into (let car warm up briefly and give it a little time if it was driven hard before shutting off). I have a a feather foot, so turbo cool down probably wont be an issue for me!

I think the 1.4t is direct injection. Can you confirm? Are there any concerns of carbon buildup, or need to do Ferrari tune-ups occasionally?

I was spoiled by my old honda accord in terms of maintenance; incredibly inexpensive to own. Hoping this will be similar.

http://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/gm-engines/luv/

The LUV 1.4L engine is MPFI. . . no DI so no concerns of that. Just the throttle body clean with CRC once a year or every 20K to 25K miles. Some do it every other oil change, or about 6,000 to 7,000 miles. Use the cleaner sparingly. NOt good to get liquid down in the cylinders.

The 1,4L does have a PCV path though, that there are bypass mods for. Otherwise your intake manifold, TB, turbo, etc gets all coated with oil mist from the crankcase. So look those mods up. Maybe something for after 6 months or so , unless not concerned about undoing the factory setup for warranty concerns. The bypass can be undone if needed.