JTee2017
Well-known member
Just yesterday we did about a 140 mile trip into the city on mostly interstate. So, now that I have over 5,000 miles on the engine (yeah, it's just a weekend road car mostly) I chose to keep up with traffic speed whatever it was. Nice weather about 50F.
So we cruised mostly at 70 MPH and for awhile at 75 or so. We also had two occasions to pass or merge into the left lane to quickly get around a slow semi or other driver. I must say, even with the 1.8L if I kick it down briskly, it goes into passing gear at 70 MPH and merged right into a slot going 80. The engine is somewhat "buzzy" [when passing] as they say, but did not sound like it was complaining. At the 2500 RPM engine speed at 70 MPH the car and engine are smooth and quiet. The engine just hums along.
For the rest of the trip and on the return, I went mostly 70 to 72 MPH and the 1.8L seems to like it just fine. The car drives smoothly, quiet and tracks well. I do have upgraded tires over the stock Hankook Optima tires.
So, after kind of babying the Sonic for it's first 5,000 miles and it's first oil change at 1,500 miles with 5w-30 Full Synthetic the car is a good little runner. It won't run up against a performance car to be sure, but more than adequate power for what it is.
Oh, and since June I've been accustomed to filling the tank with premium 93 ethanol blend or even non ethanol 91 octane. I've a lifetime average of 33.2 MPG and going up a long +1/2 mile 5% grade traveling to and from the city through a steep ravine . . . the Sonic holds 70 MPH with no down shifting and two of us in the car.
1.8L engine , 6 Speed Auto Transmission and 3.47 final drive axle ratio and 205/55 R16 Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus tires.
So we cruised mostly at 70 MPH and for awhile at 75 or so. We also had two occasions to pass or merge into the left lane to quickly get around a slow semi or other driver. I must say, even with the 1.8L if I kick it down briskly, it goes into passing gear at 70 MPH and merged right into a slot going 80. The engine is somewhat "buzzy" [when passing] as they say, but did not sound like it was complaining. At the 2500 RPM engine speed at 70 MPH the car and engine are smooth and quiet. The engine just hums along.
For the rest of the trip and on the return, I went mostly 70 to 72 MPH and the 1.8L seems to like it just fine. The car drives smoothly, quiet and tracks well. I do have upgraded tires over the stock Hankook Optima tires.
So, after kind of babying the Sonic for it's first 5,000 miles and it's first oil change at 1,500 miles with 5w-30 Full Synthetic the car is a good little runner. It won't run up against a performance car to be sure, but more than adequate power for what it is.
Oh, and since June I've been accustomed to filling the tank with premium 93 ethanol blend or even non ethanol 91 octane. I've a lifetime average of 33.2 MPG and going up a long +1/2 mile 5% grade traveling to and from the city through a steep ravine . . . the Sonic holds 70 MPH with no down shifting and two of us in the car.
1.8L engine , 6 Speed Auto Transmission and 3.47 final drive axle ratio and 205/55 R16 Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus tires.
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