Just bought one

[attrapereves]

Just bought a new 2013 Sonic LT hatch in metallic black. I originally wanted a manual, but they only had one on the lot and it was white. I couldn't find a black hatch with a manual in a 200 mile radius, so I went ahead and bought the auto. I'm pretty pleased. It's a lot better than the 2005 Toyota Corolla I traded it in for.

I do have a few questions...

1) Is there any specific brand of oil GM recommends? What about you guys? I've been using full synthetic in my Corolla with good results. Most likely, I'll stick with that unless someone says otherwise.

2) What's the oil capacity?

3) Since the car is brand new, when is the recommended first oil change? What's the oil change interval using synthetic?

 

[rdss]

1) It's in your owners manual. I ran Mobile 1 as a personal preference.

2) Once again, it's in your owners manual.

3) It's also in your owners manual. You can go until the DIC says change your oil, you can change early on your first oil change (break in change..), you can change it at 3,000 miles. Opinions on oil change intervals are like A holes, everyone has one. With Mobile 1 I would change my oil every 5,000 miles. Why? That's just what I felt comfortable with and my DIC never went below 50%.

 

[sx sonic]

Welcome to the forum and Congrats on the new purchase!

As RDSS stated everything is in the manual but I'll give a quick breakdown of them.

1. GM wants you to run a Dexos certified oil. Which is most of the big full Synthetic brands (Mobil, Penzoil, Castrol, etc) and a fair amount of semi synthetic lines aswell. Just look on the bottle, usually the back, for a "meets Dexos 1" or "Dexos certified" oil.

Full synthetic is more attractive for prolonging the time between oil changes.

2. I believe around 4.2 to 4.8 qts depending if it's a 1.8 or 1.4T, I'd check the owners manual 1st as I'm not positive.

3. 3,000 miles or sooner is often recommended for the 1st oil change according to sticklers on preventative maintenance, I'm one of them haha.

After that GM says your good to go until the "code 82" oil change indicator pops up which could be well over 7,000 miles. I usually go 5-7k miles with a full synthetic.


Here's a DIY for changing oil on the sonic with alot of discussion on oil. some good some bad, read between the lines and go with gives you peace of mind

Link: http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/maintenance-care/860-changing-your-sonics-oil.html

 

[attrapereves]

Thanks for all the replies.

One other last question. Which oil filter do you recommend? I avoid anything FRAM. I used a Purolator Pure One filter on my corolla, but it looks like Purolator only makes a standard filter for the Sonic. How's the stock AC Delco filter?

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

Welcome to the forum attrapereves

They are correct. This information is in your owners manual. To be more specific it's on pages:

Recommended Fluids page 11-12

Maintenance Schedule page 11-2

Breaking In a New Vehicle page 9-13

I hope this is helpful. Congrats on your new Sonic. You can always send me a message if you have any questions.

Jackie
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[Yosemite Sam]

Welcome to the family!! :banana: