Auto trans shift times

[Inferno1.8]

Dont know if it's just this car but in the morning when I back out of my parking place and go into drive it seems like there is a long gap between the shifter moving and the car actually shifting from reverse to drive. Anyone notice this??

 

[acwdjon]

My reverse seems slow to engage. Mine has been that way since day one.

 

[SonicBoy24]

It might take a little bit longer than is necessary, I don't think its anything to worry about though

 

[lnbcab]

My Sonic (2012 W/ 1200-hundred- miles) Automatic seems to "kick" down when downshifting. It is so bad, that I push the Autostick into nuetral so I don't "feel" that kick down. It also seems to shift gears at "high" rpm under normal excelleration?. This is my first new Chevy and to be honest, these issues with the trans shifting are really making me wish I would have never bought it. I have had at least 15 new cars in as many yrs. (yes I lose alot of money this way... thats another subject) BUT, even with all those new cars, I have only had to take ONE car back to the dealership for repairs (Chrysler 300C). I have never taken a Ford, which was all of my cars except the Chrysler and now this Sonic.... back to the dealership. Anyway... I am not trying to be a Chevy hater, I just don't know how "normal" this is, or if it just might be a model, or make specific "thing"?

If someone knows what I am talking about or thinks they might have the same "issue" I would appreciate some non hater, or lover... feedback.

Thanks,
LB

 

[2FR35H]

My Sonic (2012 W/ 1200-hundred- miles) Automatic seems to "kick" down when downshifting. It is so bad, that I push the Autostick into nuetral so I don't "feel" that kick down. It also seems to shift gears at "high" rpm under normal excelleration?. This is my first new Chevy and to be honest, these issues with the trans shifting are really making me wish I would have never bought it. I have had at least 15 new cars in as many yrs. (yes I lose alot of money this way... thats another subject) BUT, even with all those new cars, I have only had to take ONE car back to the dealership for repairs (Chrysler 300C). I have never taken a Ford, which was all of my cars except the Chrysler and now this Sonic.... back to the dealership. Anyway... I am not trying to be a Chevy hater, I just don't know how "normal" this is, or if it just might be a model, or make specific "thing"?

If someone knows what I am talking about or thinks they might have the same "issue" I would appreciate some non hater, or lover... feedback.

Thanks,
LB

You are not alone i have tried to tell my chevy dealership of the issues twice they didn't do a thing about it. Take it back, trade it in get rid of it and get the manual version if you still want the car.

 

[Orange Inferno]

I've also been experiencing this issue with my sonic. I've had it taken in and they reset the TCM and ECM to see if that would solve the problem. It shifted within a reasonably good RPM range for the first day and a half with no jerks between shifts, then back to higher RPMs and jerky shifting. I took it back a second time for them to figure something else out. And keep in mind I had dropped my car off at the service shop at 7:30am... I didn't get my vehicle back till around 6pm. And all they had to tell me was that they called GM and compared it to another newer vehicle (the Volt or Cruise). And they were told that the Sonic, along side either the Volt or Cruise (I can't remember which one they said), both have six-speed transmissions (which "just came out this year") and that the computer system on those cars are trying to compensate for "your" driving habbits (how much fuel is being injected, how fast you're already going, etc...) and that it is trying to get you the "best fuel ecomony" with your driving, SO... it will naturally hessitate to shift a "little".
I don't know how true that is, since I've never driven any of those other vehicles. But with my experience with having other vehicles, I've never had one that had to run up to, or exceed 3,000 RPMS to shift over. Not in my 2007 Ford Focus, or my 1996 Ford Explorer. And not to dis on Chevy or Ford, but my piece of crap Explorer runs better than my 2012 Sonic... What's wrong with that picture???

 

[TIEfighter]

I personally haven't had any troubles with the shifting. Though, I only have about 200 miles on my odometer. Hopefully this wont happen to my car.

 

[bullitt4204]

I too have had questions concerning the way my car shifts. I get the "it's normal" statement everytime I go to the dealer. They say they scan for codes, and none supposedly show up. GM better offer an extended warranty on my transmission. In my case, it sometimes feels like the transmission slips, or revs high than it should between shifts. Sometimes it wants to stay in a low gear waaaaay too long before shifting. Sometimes it doesn't downshift soon enough. Sometimes it shifts just fine. Frustrating. My car only has 3000 miles on it! If I test drove this as a used car I was thinking of buying, I would walk away from it and look at other cars!

 

[bullitt4204]

So where is the GM representiive that is on this website? I would like to have a discussion about my situation whenever your ready!

 

[Eric Smit]

4 minutes? You really patiently waited. God forbid other people have other things to do than immediately respond to your issue.

It's normal, move on. If you hate it that much, get rid of it or get a transmission tune.


-Eric Smit

 

[bullitt4204]

4 minutes? You really patiently waited. God forbid other people have other things to do than immediately respond to your issue.

It's normal, move on. If you hate it that much, get rid of it or get a transmission tune.


-Eric Smit

I wasn't demanding an answer in 4 minutes, I had the second thought after I posted my earlier post! Is that OK? Do you run this site? Unless you have something productive to add to this subject, I suggest you reply to a post that you have related information about, or experience with!

 

[doreo]

I wasn't demanding an answer in 4 minutes, I had the second thought after I posted my earlier post! Is that OK? Do you run this site? Unless you have something productive to add to this subject, I suggest you reply to a post that you have related information about, or experience with!

quite honestly i doubt there is anything wrong with any of your cars esp if chevy is saying so, you cant expect it to run like a manual with auto car. my car is a auto and i have never had issues with it unless i personally miss-shifted and the car would then correct it which is more then likely what its doing.

as far as trying to get the rep to reply g/l they dont reply often as this is not a huge market for them and usually are here to observe the community and the word with us as we seem to care more then the average owners. if you really want to talk to someone at gm and have a conversation with a knowledgeable person go on the gm website and start emailing people there, preferably not sales or pr individuals which is all the forum people are anyways.

 

[cmoore2004]

I test drove the Sonic auto and didn't like the way it shifted up or down. I figured it was related to the new light six speed transmission so I asked if there were any vehicles with a manual transmission I could drive. I did the same with the motor-they had no Sonic with the 1.4T so I asked if they had another car with it. Both times I ended up in a Cruze. Now I have a Sonic with a 1.4T and manual transmission.

I really think it's designed to shift different than we're used to. Cruze was the same way.

Sent via Tapatalk from my Razr Maxx

 

[sonic1067]

I have been reading all of your posts and my 2012 is sitting at the dealer right now - 3rd trip for the transmission.. my car started the just like some of the posts and a few weeks ago while going to pull out I stepped on the gas and the car did not move, the tach went up and the engine rev'd but no movement until I put the car in park then back in gear .. After the first 2 repairs were done, it now does this while I am driving especially going up steep hills - My dealer is great though - not once did I hear it was my driving

 

[JTSONIC]

Didn't focus have this problem last year... With their new automatic transmission?.. Wasn't a problem.. However the last post seems like a problem.

 

[sonic_bob]

My Sonic (2012 W/ 1200-hundred- miles) Automatic seems to "kick" down when downshifting. It is so bad, that I push the Autostick into nuetral so I don't "feel" that kick down. It also seems to shift gears at "high" rpm under normal excelleration?. This is my first new Chevy and to be honest, these issues with the trans shifting are really making me wish I would have never bought it. I have had at least 15 new cars in as many yrs. (yes I lose alot of money this way... thats another subject) BUT, even with all those new cars, I have only had to take ONE car back to the dealership for repairs (Chrysler 300C). I have never taken a Ford, which was all of my cars except the Chrysler and now this Sonic.... back to the dealership. Anyway... I am not trying to be a Chevy hater, I just don't know how "normal" this is, or if it just might be a model, or make specific "thing"?

If someone knows what I am talking about or thinks they might have the same "issue" I would appreciate some non hater, or lover... feedback.

Thanks,
LB

I've had my 2LT Sonic with1.4L Turbo and 6 spd AT for about a month now; and love it except for the annoying shifting as you describe; especially the double down shift at about 25 mph. This AT in the Sonic has been around and is considered to be a very good transmission; so I'm assuming this must be be something in the computer module. I believe that Chevy has taken great lengths to making the Sonic a quality car. Certainly they test drove the AT version, and surely they can't think that this shifting problem is acceptable. Maybe, there's a newer update available. Any Chevy Techs lurking?

 

[sonic55]

I have only 375 miles on my 2LT Sedan 1.4T, and so far I think the engine trans work together really well. With a light foot, RPMs stay low for high MPG, but get on it and shifts seem just right to take advantage of 1.4 torque curve. Dealer did say that the computer will "learn" as I drive, not sure what I'd want it do different.

 

[Opus51569]

I've had similar experiences with my transmission (hard downshifts), as well as hesitation to shift when slowing and then reaccelerating (e.g. rolling up to a red light that turns green). I'm not concerned at the moment because I'm still breaking in the car (around 200 miles) and trying to be gentle. I figure the car and I are both leaning at this point.

 

[jpierro79]

Transmission shifting fixed!!!

I have the answer but some people may or may not agree. I have fixed the laggy and poor shifting. Tools needed. 10mm wrench 13mm wrench or socket and i believe its a T20 torx bit. There are two causes for this problem. First and foremost your transmission is more than likely overfilled from the factory. There is a procedure to check the proper level. First the vehicle must be completely level in the air not on the ground. Two the vehicle must be running and in park. The transmssion temperature MUST be warm approx 185F to 195F not celcius. In order to achieve the it is recommend to idle your car in park for approximately 5 minutes. This is actual procedure. You can reach the fill level plug if the car is in the air. remove the u shaped splash guard if your car has one. Depends on production date. It is located on the left side of the differential housing looking towards the front of the vehicle. There are two plugs DO NOT REMOVE THE ONE ON THE BOTTOM OF THE TRANSMISSION. There is a plug 10MM facing sideways just behind the axle shaft. This is your fill level plug. Now located under the battery but reachable is the fill hole. There is a black cap made of plastic about the size of a quarter. Now that you have met criteria above while the car is running and perfectly level remove the sideways 10mm fill level plug. It looks EXACTLY like the one on the bottom. Again DO NOT REMOVE THE ONE ON THE BOTTOM. Keep a drain pan under it before you start anything. If fluid runs out as soon as you remove the drain plug and you are level and at correct temp. Your trans was overfilled. It is only supposed to drip and I mean drip not pour in any fashion. Problem number two and GM will probably never admit this. The batch of trans fluid they used is no good. You can remedy this problem without removing the drain plug on the bottom. Get a long funnel for the fill on top of the transmission and add a quart and let it run out the fill level and keeping the vehicle running at temperature. Repeat with 5 to 6 quarts. You dont just drain and fill because it will not work its way through the trans this way. I used a transmission fluid that is DEX-6 approved. This is personal experience ladies and gentlemen. I have been a Automotive technician for 10 years. Of course when done reinstall the fill level plug and filler cap on top of transmission. If you want to know what fluid I used PM me. I am not a rep for any company just somebody looking to help with frustrations. Once again I will not post publically what trans fluid i used due to laws ect ect.

 

[Eric Smit]

Good write up and information.


-Eric Smit