Rockymoutain driver
New member
I drive my 2012 sonic 1.4 with turbo 6 speed manual, 6 days a week. I bought my sonic in late march 2012 and I have 44000 miles on it, as of 9/28/2012. The only problem with it up to last week was a cross threaded nut on strut that caused a knocking sound when taking off from stops, backing up and stopping and low speed sudden turns. Wait let me tell you the good news first. I do all my own mechanic work, except warranty issues like recalls. The first thing i did was change oil to valvoline sim synthetic and I got 5 mph more on the hwy. Then 10 total with full synthetic. Now, last week I wondered what the deal was with my owners manual saying to refer to dealer for manual transmission information. In the maintance schedule it has nothing for a manual just an auto transmission. I checked with local dealer in Grand Junction, Co. and they had no idea of what type of gear oil it took because they didn,t have the info in their computer and no fluid in stock! I checked with a valvoline care center and they said they showed that it required a 70W gear oil. Well, only GM has it but not in stock! So, I call back and talk with the service department and ask them when the fluid is due to be changed and they say 30,000 miles! Thats not very long and they do a rush shipping to get the fluid in. Now, I was surprised to here 30,000 miles for a manual transmission and did some research and find that not only was this transmission from the U.K. but they used 80W gear oil but GM is using 70W. So, oil comes in and I call to get price and am told 33.00 dollars a quart and it takes 2.5 or 2.4 Liters. I talked to chevy customer service and found that it was up to dealer to make the call on when the transmission fluid should be changed and the next dealer in Delta, Co. says no later then 60,000 miles. Thats a big difference and I am now concerned on this large grey area of when the gear oil is do. Note: I don't suggest this but I drained my fluid and measured what came out. Just a little under 2 quarts and the fluid was dark red like auto transmission fluid. Now, I have capture the fluid and will be sending it to a lab to be tested and they will tell me what is the best time to have the fluid changed. Note: I drive 90% hwy miles and mostly at 65 mph but drive it hard in town. This was the thing that bothered me most, that I was not informed by my dealer that 30,000 miles was there suggested gear oil change and it is not in the maintance section of owners manual. Second, why a 70W oil when U.K. was using a 80W? Why this grey area of mileage due period and why did no dealer in Colorado have it in stock?! Get with your dealer and get it changed by 30,000. From the looks of the fluid it may have to be done sooner but I will post lab update, as soon as I get it.
opcorn:
