Does the Sonic run hot?

[phillysonic2012]

I have had my Sonic Sedan for four months and I have 1,725 miles on it. When i get out of the car and stand in front I can feel heat and and it almost seems like something is burning. My other cars never did this. I checked the oil and coolant and have no problems. For the past few weeks after about 5-10 minutes of driving I can smell something similar in the car. Could the smell be coming in through the air vents? The smell is never really strong but it is always there. Could the fan be failing? I have never had any of the warning lights come on, so I am not sure if I have a problem or not. Should I just go back to the dealer to have it checked? Thanks

 

[hockey]

I had te smell too for a bit. Haven't had it since then tho. I let it go ha

 

[gsxr1000]

the car runs normal at 218-220F even when cold outside... this helps with effeciency

 

[wingman]

As gsxr stated the computer varies temp to maximize fuel ecomony. As for the smell, its normal for a lot of us who have noticed the same thing, but it'll go away.

 

[DeltaMP]

I've been noticing the same smell, I'm just under 500 miles though so I'm not worried about it. I noticed the same thing anytime I put a new exhaust on a car... Maybe its just part of the new car smell?

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

Hi Phillysonic2012,

Sorry to hear you are experiencing this problem. Several on the forum have had this same issue with Sonic. Hopefully it will go away. I would suggest you contact the dealer and schedule an appointment if the problem continues.

Vanessa, Chevrolet Customer Service

 

[phillysonic2012]

Thanks to everyone for the helpful information.

I will do that Vanessa. Thanks

 

[LS1notFOUND]

Now I'm not going to tell you to beat on your new car but I know after I did a few spirited driving sessions early on in its life that all the "new" burning off did go away

 

[Dalm]

Noticed the same thing when I got my sonic, it was gone after some quick runs through the gears as well and has yet to bother me again 2 months later.

 

[cmoore2004]

Coolant temperature

I had my Bluetooth OBD 2 adapter paired with Torque and noticed the temp got quite a ways up there. Over 220 before it went down and stayed at about 217. Is 217 normal? I'm used to being under 200.

Sent via Tapatalk from my Razr Maxx

 

[SooperSonic]

My Scangauge states anything between 215 and 225.

 

[cmoore2004]

Great. Seems kind of warm but I'll assume Chevy knows what's best. Thanks.

Sent via Tapatalk from my Razr Maxx

 

[DaveH]

My Ultra-gauge shows 194-204 as its normal range. Haven't had any sitting-in-traffic 80+ degree days yet, though.

 

[Kyle1993]

Great. Seems kind of warm but I'll assume Chevy knows what's best. Thanks.

Sent via Tapatalk from my Razr Maxx

I believe when I was watching a video about the 1.4 engine the rep at chevy was stating its an electronically controlled thermostat and it will make the sonic run hotter or cooler to somehow get the best efficiency? I could be wrong but I think I remember hearing something about that.

 

[laborsmith]

My understanding is normal is 210 and over, and is that high to improve mpg. This is based on info I read before I got my Sonic, and I may not be remembering accurately.

That high engine temperature is one of the reasons I wanted an extractor hood.

Laborsmith

 

[DaveH]

My previous car was a 2000 Chevy Venture mini-van with a V6. It had a temp gauge but without numbers, and the red mark was all the way at the end. It would go 3/4 of the way across (in traffic) before the cooling fan kicked in. I hooked up a diagnostic tool to the OBD-II port one day and found the trigger temperature for the fan was 225. I'm guessing the 'red zone' must have started at about 250...