Factory Changing Standard Equipment On Sonic

[buldog72]

Straight from GM...

This is to advise that the standard equipment on the Sonic Sedan LT (model code 1JV69) with (LUV) 1.4L ECOTEC 4-cylinder turbocharged engine and (MZ4/MM3) 6-speed manual transmission will change on a running production basis. This change is expected to take effect with cars produced as of January 30, 2012.



Compact spare tire and mechanical jack & tools will be replaced with (KTI) Inflator Kit.
The compact spare tire and mechanical jack and tools will NOT be available as an orderable factory option.
This equipment change does not impact any other Sonic model or driveline combination.
No action is necessary. The change will be made automatically on existing orders.
This equipment change will be reflected on the Monroney sticker. A $100 MSRP credit will be shown on the window label (invoice credit of $85.)
Dealers with sold orders in this combination scheduled for production after January 30, 2012 should contact their customers and alert them to this standard equipment change. Also, you should counsel with all customers appropriately to ensure that they understand the content on their vehicle.

 

[speedog]

Geez, that spare tire and associated equipment sure came in handy this morning when I came out to discover a flat tire.

 

[BrianH]

Very strange ... Although it's only one particular model (LT Sedan, 1.4L Turbo, 6-speed manual), not having a spare tire could be deal killer for many. Hopefully it doesn't affect the other models (LS and LTZ).

 

[oldertech]

One would ask... why? Although it would free up some cargo space.

 

[buldog72]

main thing is if you have one ordered...check to see if your dealer marked it as a "sold retail unit"...if not, you will not get a spare. To me ...not a big deal..lightens car and as a new Chevy, I have 5 years / 100k miles of roadside assistance...but I know some older people don't like the idea of no spare and I am simply wanting to head off your shock when you get your new ride.

 

[laborsmith]

The Sonic Brochure, under important information, said the sedan LT with the 1.4T would not have a spare tire or jack. Could not figure out why back then when the brochure first came out and can not figure out why even now.

Laborsmith

 

[Eric Smit]

That's odd.


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=31.708759,-106.196930
-Eric Smit

 

[oldertech]

What would the inflator kit cost if I wanted to use that instead of the tire that came with the car?



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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=39.060929,-95.650089

 

[Eric Smit]

It's like 6 bucks a can or something cheap. At least, that's what it is near me.


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=31.836694,-106.365402
-Eric Smit

 

[laborsmith]

Plus the little air compressor that is also part of the Chevy kit.

Laborsmith

 

[oldertech]

I meant what's the price of the whole inflator kit? I see two on eBay for $100/ea. Is that ...er.."inflated?"

 

[laborsmith]

I do not believe that price is inflated; some time ago I checked Continental Tires price for a similar kit and I believe it was more than $100.

There should be compressors less expensive, but the one in the Chevy kit was compact as well as efficient, if that makes a difference.

Laborsmith

 

[Eric Smit]

Oh, a compressor too? That's neat.


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=31.708785,-106.196873
-Eric Smit

 

[bryandrews78]

I actually prefer the inflator kit to the spare tire and was very surprised that Chevy made the spear tire standard with the sonic in the first place. I originally wanted to order my LTZ with out the spare but it was not an option then. Like buldog72 said you get 5yr/100,000 miles road side assistance so being stranded with a blow out on radial tires isn't a huge concern of mine. I am much more like to get a puncture then a blow out with the inflator get covers and for anything major I have roadside assistance.

 

[laborsmith]

The decision by Chevy to go for a spare tire etc instead of compressor/sealant puzzled me too. Cars such as the Camaro have the compressor standard and the spare tire etc a $100 option. Maybe Stacy can shed some light on this?

Laborsmith

 

[Papasonic]

Wasn't the switch to the inflator kit initially for weight reduction purposes?

I prefer the spare over the inflator kit because if I were to encounter a cut down tire, I could be on my way again quickly, and not be at the mercy of some service companies schedule.

Papasonic

 

[oldertech]

Slight weight differences that affect the EPA mileage? Is the 1.4 heavier than the 1.8?

 

[laborsmith]

I never found the weight of the 1.8 but did see the two engines side by side and the 1.4 was markedly smaller than the 1.8. Delmar Long reported on Trifecta's fb page that he weighed the 1.4 at 250 lbs.

The HB weighs less than the sedan in every iteration.

Laborsmith

 

[Gimpster]

ME personally.... I do tons of rural and BFE driving. Some inflator kit would not give me the warm and fuzzies. It seems like every time I have a flat the sidewall got owned or I took a huge piece of debris in the tire.

Glad I have my jack and spare