A few questions from a newbie

[grayback]

so, as i introduced myself on the new members section, here i am again with some of my querries.

before anything else, here are the basic specs of my sonic:

- 1.6L DOHC 4-cylinder MFI with Variable Valve Timing (VVT)
- 6-speed automatic
- 4dr sedan (no HB units here)
- carbon flash black jet color
other specs here AAC :: New Vehicles :: Vehicle Line Up

from the start i was convinced that i'll gonna take the LS model, manual. but unfortunately only 2 units (blue and black color, both base model and auto trans) were left the time i got the money to buy it. so i got the black one.

my concern is, all sonics here have the 1.4T or the 1.8L engine. on the link i provided, all models had the 1.6L engine. I don't know maybe it varies on the region i am in. I didn't have the time to inspect the unit that i will receive this sunday (7 June 2013) coz of the blazing heat here in Saudi. also, it doesn't indicate as well if it is a turbo or not. I had a difficult time talking with the agent (arabic speaking guy) so i don't have that much details, what my aim was to get the sonic.

I will post some pics here as soon as i received the car.

 

[Sailurman]

so, as i introduced myself on the new members section, here i am again with some of my querries.

before anything else, here are the basic specs of my sonic:

- 1.6L DOHC 4-cylinder MFI with Variable Valve Timing (VVT)
- 6-speed automatic
- 4dr sedan (no HB units here)
- carbon flash black jet color
other specs here AAC :: New Vehicles :: Vehicle Line Up

from the start i was convinced that i'll gonna take the LS model, manual. but unfortunately only 2 units (blue and black color, both base model and auto trans) were left the time i got the money to buy it. so i got the black one.

my concern is, all sonics here have the 1.4T or the 1.8L engine. on the link i provided, all models had the 1.6L engine. I don't know maybe it varies on the region i am in. I didn't have the time to inspect the unit that i will receive this sunday (7 June 2013) coz of the blazing heat here in Saudi. also, it doesn't indicate as well if it is a turbo or not. I had a difficult time talking with the agent (arabic speaking guy) so i don't have that much details, what my aim was to get the sonic.

I will post some pics here as soon as i received the car.

Tough times there in the blazing Saudi Sun. Wait wasn't it 118-119 over the weekend here in Phoenix, AZ. But on to your questions.... wait, there weren't any. Hope your unseen car makes you happy.

 

[grayback]

Tough times there in the blazing Saudi Sun. Wait wasn't it 118-119 over the weekend here in Phoenix, AZ. But on to your questions.... wait, there weren't any. Hope your unseen car makes you happy.

45 deg here (113 F)...uhm question is: why do we have here the 1.6L engine? or is it a mistake in the brochure?

ive seen my "unseen car", but not that long =)

 

[Swordsmith]

The Sonic comes with a wide variety of engines. Most of the posts on this forum are from people in the USofA, and here we get two choices, the 1.8NA or the 1.4T. But we have seen members from other parts of the world post with 1.4NA, 1.3Diesel (or is that Turbo Diesel?), and 1.6NA. Rumor has it there's a 1.6T as well, not sure if it's in production or if it's coming next year or even later.

It sounds like you have a 1.6NA, since I'm reasonably sure someone would have tried to get you excited about Turbo if it was available, but then again customs vary and maybe they were more excited about the paint color or the air conditioning or something.

Which leads me to... if you're buying a car in the desert, does Black really seem like the best color choice? I'd be picking up some white Plastidip and doing the roof, at least!

 

[grayback]

The Sonic comes with a wide variety of engines. Most of the posts on this forum are from people in the USofA, and here we get two choices, the 1.8NA or the 1.4T. But we have seen members from other parts of the world post with 1.4NA, 1.3Diesel (or is that Turbo Diesel?), and 1.6NA. Rumor has it there's a 1.6T as well, not sure if it's in production or if it's coming next year or even later.

It sounds like you have a 1.6NA, since I'm reasonably sure someone would have tried to get you excited about Turbo if it was available, but then again customs vary and maybe they were more excited about the paint color or the air conditioning or something.

Which leads me to... if you're buying a car in the desert, does Black really seem like the best color choice? I'd be picking up some white Plastidip and doing the roof, at least!

ive seen the engine when i popped the hood on their stockyard, i didn't notice the "turbo" as also posted on some thread here, or i am not really aware of it.

yeah, i am excited with the airconditioning as to my location it is essential. about the color, i am left with only two choices because of the their stocks (blue and black left) so i chose the black. actually the best choice here in the desert is the one colored like flesh or something like the same color as the sand - because we have a lot of sandstorms, thus making carwash not daily.

 

[grayback]

i finally got my sonic.

it is a base model , anyone here have the same?
-1.6 engine
-automatic transmission

1. why does my instrument cluster is missing the mpg/lkm counter? is it really not there because i only have the base model?

i pressed the knob on the rpm area and it only cycles to odo>trip>units...

2. there is an open port (i guess) like on computers parallel port below the instrument panel fuse block. is that normal?

3. i cannot find any latch to manually open the trunk from inside the car. unless i press the trunk open on the key (and engine off).

4. i will take a pic of the engine, i cannot find any stickers with the description of my engine. on brochures and their website they stated it has a 1.6 engine.

i'm sorry for my noob questions, i had a hard time talking with the arabic salesman regarding my querries. i hope i can find peace of mind here.

 

[sx sonic]

1. There should be a "ring" on the turn signal stalk. If you rotate it forward or backwards it will cycle between Avg MPG/Avg Speed/Drive Hours OR Trip ODO/Odometer OR some gauge options such as Unit selection/ Oil%/etc depending on which section you're in.

Also on the Stalk should be a "menu" button that will cycle thru the MPG, ODO, Vehicle menu displays. When you hit the button the units you can now cycle thru will blink temporarily and then you can further cycle thru that display with the "ring".

At the end of the turn signal stalk should be a "button". This will reset the selected screen or allow access to certain functions


2. If you're talking about the trapezoidal 20 some pin connector under the dash near the drivers door, then that is the OBDII port. It is there for diagnostics of check engine lights (CELs) and various other diagnostic, programming, and communication functions.


3. I have a hatch so yours may vary but I can open the hatch by pulling up on the trunk/hatch and activating a release button that is between the license plate lights (car must be fully unlocked).


Note: this is for a U.S. spec car so yours may vary but I imagine it should be similar.

 

[grayback]

1. There should be a "ring" on the turn signal stalk. If you rotate it forward or backwards it will cycle between Avg MPG/Avg Speed/Drive Hours OR Trip ODO/Odometer OR some gauge options such as Unit selection/ Oil%/etc depending on which section you're in.

Also on the Stalk should be a "menu" button that will cycle thru the MPG, ODO, Vehicle menu displays. When you hit the button the units you can now cycle thru will blink temporarily and then you can further cycle thru that display with the "ring".

At the end of the turn signal stalk should be a "button". This will reset the selected screen or allow access to certain functions
that's the one im searching also, the user manual came with the car has it (the drawings)..i guess since my sonic is a "base" model, it doesn't have that button or ring.

2. If you're talking about the trapezoidal 20 some pin connector under the dash near the drivers door, then that is the OBDII port. It is there for diagnostics of check engine lights (CELs) and various other diagnostic, programming, and communication functions.
yes it is like that, i mean is it normal that it doesn't have any cover at least?

3. I have a hatch so yours may vary but I can open the hatch by pulling up on the trunk/hatch and activating a release button that is between the license plate lights (car must be fully unlocked).
i found the soft button, between the license plate lights. the point is, i cannot open the trunk (while engine is running) even i push the trunk release on the key fob. i thought that there is this manual release from inside. this is important here for check points, that i will not turn off the engine in order for the police to check my trunk.

Note: this is for a U.S. spec car so yours may vary but I imagine it should be similar.

thanks for the inputs..

 

[Luv2xlr8]

3. i cannot find any latch to manually open the trunk from inside the car. unless i press the trunk open on the key (and engine off).

There is no button or latch inside the car, only on the key or on the trunk outside.
Congrates on your new car.

 

[Swordsmith]

3. I have a hatch so yours may vary but I can open the hatch by pulling up on the trunk/hatch and activating a release button that is between the license plate lights (car must be fully unlocked).

i found the soft button, between the license plate lights. the point is, i cannot open the trunk (while engine is running) even i push the trunk release on the key fob. i thought that there is this manual release from inside. this is important here for check points, that i will not turn off the engine in order for the police to check my trunk.

I also have a Hatchback, so this might not be true of the Sedan, but on my car, the hatch will not open while the engine is running unless the parking brake is on; the rest of the doors can be set to unlock, but the hatch must have EBrake on for some reason. Perhaps your trunk works the same way?

 

[ungawd]

I have the 6-speed automatic. If the car is running and in park I can se the trunk release on the key fob. I'm not sure if the doors must be unlocked for this to work or not. From outside the soft button above the license plate will open the trunk if the doors are unlocked. If neither of those function the way mine do I'd try the parking brake as there may be some weird programming requiring it to be engaged overseas.

 

[grayback]

I also have a Hatchback, so this might not be true of the Sedan, but on my car, the hatch will not open while the engine is running unless the parking brake is on; the rest of the doors can be set to unlock, but the hatch must have EBrake on for some reason. Perhaps your trunk works the same way?

i got it, the same way you are doing.. put the trans to "P" then all the doors unlocked, as well as the trunk. BUT, the soft button between plate lights must be pressed. the trunk open button on the key won't work (trunk pops out open) while the engine is running. i think yeah, it is somewhat a safety thing.

 

[grayback]

I have the 6-speed automatic. If the car is running and in park I can se the trunk release on the key fob. I'm not sure if the doors must be unlocked for this to work or not. From outside the soft button above the license plate will open the trunk if the doors are unlocked. If neither of those function the way mine do I'd try the parking brake as there may be some weird programming requiring it to be engaged overseas.

i cannot do this, while the engine is running and all doors unlocked - as on my post above, that the trunk release on the key will not work.

what i did was, in case my trunk will be inspected upon entering say an embassy for example, i unlocked the doors, "P" on the transmission, then go out (as if i am the security person), then push the soft button above the license plate.

 

[grayback]

another thing i noticed last night, this is my routine when turning off the engine:

set to "P", handbrake, turn off radio, turn off AC, turn off lights (night), then the engine.

now, i noticed that the radio (i only have the basic, not the touch screen) when turned off will show the date/time. when i get out of the car, then locked the doors, the courtesy lights dims out and off but the radio is still there (blue LCD, time/date). i waited for about a minute but still not turning off.

since it is very hot outside, i decided to go inside the house and bring my things then go out again. this time the radio was off. is this normal? about maybe 5 mins until it goes off?

 

[Swordsmith]

My radio turns off after ten minutes if the car is not on, it also turns off if I open any door while the car is off. I can turn it back on at any time by pressing the on/volume knob, but again it will turn off in ten minutes.

I frequently end up waiting in the car for anywhere from 30 seconds to 30 minutes, so I've become very familiar with the ten minute timer...

Rereading your post, I see you aren't talking about the sound, but rather just the ready state it has while off. I haven't paid attention to see if it's the same timer; I almost never turn mine off, since it handles itself automatically. Same with your other steps; I don't turn the lights off, they are automatic; I don't turn AC off, it's automatic.

 

[poncho167]

The manual says 10-minutes to off on the radio.

 

[grayback]

My radio turns off after ten minutes if the car is not on, it also turns off if I open any door while the car is off. I can turn it back on at any time by pressing the on/volume knob, but again it will turn off in ten minutes.

I frequently end up waiting in the car for anywhere from 30 seconds to 30 minutes, so I've become very familiar with the ten minute timer...

Rereading your post, I see you aren't talking about the sound, but rather just the ready state it has while off. I haven't paid attention to see if it's the same timer; I almost never turn mine off, since it handles itself automatically. Same with your other steps; I don't turn the lights off, they are automatic; I don't turn AC off, it's automatic.

its ok now, i don't know what really happened last time when i turned the engine off (as well as AC, lights, etc) that the LCD of the radio showing the date and time is still on and turns off after a while (maybe 5 mins or so).

 

[Luv2xlr8]

I think you took out your keys first and than accidentally turned your radio on. You can turn the radio on while you have no keys in the ignition any time but will turn off ten minutes later on its own.