2015 1.8 Timing Belt service interval

[WilliamT1974]

Hello everyone,

My car is a 2015 Sonic LS hatch with a 1.8l engine and 5spd manual transmission. I bought it brand new back in early September 2015. A few days ago, it rolled up 70k miles on the odometer.

With that mileage, I knew some maintenance items would soon be coming due. I was looking at the list in the owner's manual, and verified that the timing belt interval is at 97k miles. I thought to myself that changing it at 90k would probably be a good idea and it would maybe go another two years before I got to that point.

Well, I just happened to notice that there's a footnote in the manual stating that the TB interval is 3 year or 97k miles, whichever comes first. Three years is quite a ways back in the rearview, which makes this sound scary.

Am I currently driving on borrowed time? Based on that footnote, I should have changed the belt and its associated parts twice by now. On top of that, this is starting to look like a hidden maintenance cost. If that job costs at least $1000 each time, it's going to exceed the car's value at some point.

The car has been pretty good to me so far. Thermostat housing cracked and was replaced under warranty. Purge valve failed and was not under warranty. Radio works and the a/c blows nice and cold. That's part of why I bought it. It had better air than pretty well any of the other compacts I looked at. I've done my own oil and filter changes. It still looks pretty good on the outside when it has a good washing. The interior is ok. The carpets and floormats that came with it were pretty weak and I replaced the floor mats with a nice set of CocoMats.

But that potential hidden cost is pretty off-putting. When did most of you have the timing belt and associated parts changed?

Thank you,
-Bill

 

[TurtleOverlord]

There were some typos in the service section footnotes.
It is not a 3 year interval, that would be ridiculous.

Compare from some other years manuals, you can find them online.

 

[Oldyellr]

About a month ago I bought a 2012 Sonic with 175,528 km on it. The only thing that was done to certify it was replace the motor mounts. I know GM's recommended interval to replace the timing belt is 160,000 km. I can't find out if that was done from the CARFAX, but I doubt someone would do that for about $1000 before trading their car. How many people are at or beyond that mileage and are you planning to get it done soon?

 

[Quintana's_Fiero]

I am 75% sure that my sonic is still on the same timing belt that came from factory. I have approx 160xxx miles on the odometer, Will be doing a service soon.

 

[RainingSonics]

About a month ago I bought a 2012 Sonic with 175,528 km on it. The only thing that was done to certify it was replace the motor mounts. I know GM's recommended interval to replace the timing belt is 160,000 km. I can't find out if that was done from the CARFAX, but I doubt someone would do that for about $1000 before trading their car. How many people are at or beyond that mileage and are you planning to get it done soon?

I can't imagine most make it. The transmissions usually go way before then and probably just junk it. Mine isn't even close and the previous owner had the trans go which I replaced myself. It might get there some day or maybe just for age.

Not everyone replaces things based on the guidance. I definitely don't based on age.

But, definitely don't want that belt breaking while driving. Not going to be fun.

 

[Oldyellr]

My question is, how many keep driving well beyond the recommended replacement interval? I would love to see statistics on how many timing belts actually fail and at what mileage. I bought my previous car 10 years ago, also for $5000 with similar mileage and was paranoid, so got the timing belt and water pump, etc. done. $5000 would be about $7000 in today's dollars. I'm retired now and drive very little, but I maybe I should do it for then grandchildren.

 

[RainingSonics]

That sounds like the dealer amount. I would never pay that. Its 1/3 to 1/4 the price of a new cheapest vehicle. Tells me they don't want to fix it so they're charging a hilarious amount. There are still shops that charge sane amounts even today. They're out there but can be difficult to find because of how many there are.

Anyway, I would not want to know if I'm a passenger in a vehicle beyond the timing belt mileage. I would not want that person to tell me lol. Its not something you want to see go while moving.

There's just certain things best to avoid. Timing belt, brake lines and brakes, parts that turn the wheels. All vital to not getting hurt or worse.

 

[Quintana's_Fiero]

My question is, how many keep driving well beyond the recommended replacement interval? I would love to see statistics on how many timing belts actually fail and at what mileage. I bought my previous car 10 years ago, also for $5000 with similar mileage and was paranoid, so got the timing belt and water pump, etc. done. $5000 would be about $7000 in today's dollars. I'm retired now and drive very little, but I maybe I should do it for then grandchildren.

If you are capable of doing the repairs yourself. (i.e. Tools, procedure, free time etc.) I believe that is the best thing you can do. No one knows your car better than you do.
I am planning on servicing the timing belt ever since I read your original post. In addition to the fact that the recommended service interval was 60,000 miles ago. I keep up on my basic maintenance and I've even took on some more in depth tasks like replacing the oil filter housing and gaskets (oil was seeping into the coolant reservoir)
Its a fun and at times frustrating task but the reward from accomplishing it is unmatched. Also it can be a great learning experience for your grandkids if they are ever so inclined.