RockTheShazbot
New member
Is there a certain thing we are supposed to do to break in the engine? Specifically the 1.4L Turbo. First time I am buying a brand new car so never had to break in an engine before.
Break in period?
- Thread starter RockTheShazbot
- Start date
atvman29
New member
I asked my dealer about this as well. I have broken in new ATVs but never a car. Apparently breaking cars in is a thing of the past.
I quick browse through the owner's manual revealed nothing either. My salesman also told me there's no recommended initial service either like after 500 miles or so. Seem right?
I quick browse through the owner's manual revealed nothing either. My salesman also told me there's no recommended initial service either like after 500 miles or so. Seem right?
RockTheShazbot
New member
Dunno 
i read online on some sites that it is recommended that you just dont keep the rpms steady for the first 500 miles then do an oil change but i know the newer engines require less to maintain then they used to
i read online on some sites that it is recommended that you just dont keep the rpms steady for the first 500 miles then do an oil change but i know the newer engines require less to maintain then they used to
jlslatton
New member
There is a section in the manual that talks about that. For the first 500 miles DON'T:
- Do any WOT (wide open throttles)
- Drive at a constant speed for extended periods
- Downshift
- Sudden and hard braking
The constant speed thing was difficult for me as I drive mostly highways. Other than that, good to go
- Do any WOT (wide open throttles)
- Drive at a constant speed for extended periods
- Downshift
- Sudden and hard braking
The constant speed thing was difficult for me as I drive mostly highways. Other than that, good to go
TravsSonic
New member
Little off topic here, but since we are talking about what RPMs and how to drive this little engine, i'm gonna throw in my $0.02
I'm assuming the sonic has a shift light.. ignore it. Its an idiot light. Its activated simply by how much throttle you are giving the car. If you do what it says, it will have you in 6th gear at 40mph lugging the shhiiittt out of the engine. You'll be wondering why you car bucks like your at the rodeo and runs crappy.
This is how the shift light is set up (if its like the cruze).. if you are light throttle the shift light will always tell you to shift up until you are in 6th no matter what speed you are going. Which is stupid. If you lift off the throttle, the light will go out.. its assuming your going to downshift. If you go more than about 25% throttle, don't know the exact % but its not much. The shift light goes back out as it assumes you are under a heavy load such as going up hill.
This Dumb dumb dumb light makes people think the car will run down there, and I can promise you.. it won't. The vibration you feel in your steering wheel if you try it is the rods bearings getting the crap beat out of them.
drive the car where it feel natural, 2-3k rpm is where everything happens, and your car will like you so much better and you will be much happier with it. This is of course speaking for the 1.4, I have no experience with the 1.8.
I'm assuming the sonic has a shift light.. ignore it. Its an idiot light. Its activated simply by how much throttle you are giving the car. If you do what it says, it will have you in 6th gear at 40mph lugging the shhiiittt out of the engine. You'll be wondering why you car bucks like your at the rodeo and runs crappy.
This is how the shift light is set up (if its like the cruze).. if you are light throttle the shift light will always tell you to shift up until you are in 6th no matter what speed you are going. Which is stupid. If you lift off the throttle, the light will go out.. its assuming your going to downshift. If you go more than about 25% throttle, don't know the exact % but its not much. The shift light goes back out as it assumes you are under a heavy load such as going up hill.
This Dumb dumb dumb light makes people think the car will run down there, and I can promise you.. it won't. The vibration you feel in your steering wheel if you try it is the rods bearings getting the crap beat out of them.
drive the car where it feel natural, 2-3k rpm is where everything happens, and your car will like you so much better and you will be much happier with it. This is of course speaking for the 1.4, I have no experience with the 1.8.
jlslatton
New member
I would say your experience and advice regarding the shift light is spot-on for the sonic as well. I ignore it as it behaves exactly as you described.
RockTheShazbot
New member
I actually didn't know it has a shift light till now. Good to know. One question though is does the display actually show you what gear you are in?
jlslatton
New member
Negative. However, obviously it will show you whether you're in drive, park, etc with the automatic.
TravsSonic
New member
if someone finds one, let me know.. although i've gotten desensitized to the little light on the dash. i don't even hardly see it anymore but it still catches my eye every once in a while.
