Seems to stall easy
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AndrewGS
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laborsmith
New member
I suspect he has a 5-speed. I do not recall any posts about stalling a 5-speed Sonic.
Laborsmith
Laborsmith
THis car is strange i the RPM go below 800 (like you picked to high of a gear on downshift) it with then droped to 500 RPM hover for 1-2 seconds then stall and deos seem like a restart delay.
The little motor has no torque until the turbo spools a little and the car dumps boost (bypass exhasust around turbo) with the clutch in... that is my take on this car... not the small motor w/ turbo for lugging....
My transam you could go to like 500RPM and it would keep chuging even the Geo tracker
I would imagine the non turbo would be much better due to lack of turbo restricting the exhaust
The little motor has no torque until the turbo spools a little and the car dumps boost (bypass exhasust around turbo) with the clutch in... that is my take on this car... not the small motor w/ turbo for lugging....
My transam you could go to like 500RPM and it would keep chuging even the Geo tracker
I would imagine the non turbo would be much better due to lack of turbo restricting the exhaust
RichieRocket
New member
GSXR1000, Yeah! That's what I've seen also, the 500 rpm hover, then dies, and restart lock-out for a second.
The couple dozen other manual cars I've driven, from the 1990 F150 4.9L I-6 5-spd to Mustang GT's to '98 civic 5-spd, would all recover from 500 rpm...
I haven't stalled in a long while, my driving style must have been Sonic-ized
As others have said, you could slowly slip the clutch, even at idle, to lauch. But, on my commute, if you tried that, there would be 10 people honking at you
TurboGrayLZ
New member
Well I was stuck in Dallas traffic last night after the Mavericks tragedy And a double wreck on both sides of 35e stop and go traffic. I haven't had any stalling problems so far. Except when I went right and down for reverse at the dealership . Been driving that S-10 for far too long. It does shift alot different than the truck and if you rev'd the S-10 past 3000 it sounds like it is going too explode I have to get used to being able to rev the sonic up to higher RPM.
. Been driving that S-10 for far too long. It does shift alot different than the truck and if you rev'd the S-10 past 3000 it sounds like it is going too explode I have to get used to being able to rev the sonic up to higher RPM.Nope, 1.4, 6M.
I basically NEVER stall it. Our Pontiac (Toyota) Vibe on the other hand, is super-easy to stall.
Hi
I have a new 1.4l Turbo sonic. ( just 1600 miles )This is not my first manual shift car. I am 50 years old and have always driven stick. The car runs and drives great but is sure easy to stall on take off. or when hitting 2nd at to low of a speed. It doesnt lug it just stall. and has to be restarted with the key. No second chance bump start. Is that normal for these little engines. Do I just need to stay on top of the RPMs. Or do I have a mechanical issue.
I hate taking carrs to the dealership for anything I can fix myself any ideas welcome
THanks
Mike Palmer,Ak
Same here. I stall my Sonic often when pulling out from a stop in 1st. The clutch takes up at the very top of it's travel and I have to 'slip' the clutch to prevent stalling. Makes me worry about premature wear. I have no problem in my Fiat 500 with a much less powerful (non turbo) 1.4L. It's clutch takes up directly in the middle of the pedal's travel, and is very smooth and easy to modulate. I think that it's just something that takes some getting accustomed to, but I haven't, yet (1882 miles) and stall my Sonic often in 1st, but no problems with 2nd gear.
Good point regarding different firmware!
My 1.4 6spd manual was built 03/2012 and is very easy to stall.
I don't think that I've ever stalled my much less powerful Fiat 500 (the clutch is very easy to modulate, with take-up beginning right in the middle portion of pedal travel, instead of right at the top/end of travel, like in my Sonic.)
J T
New member
Compared to my Mazda3 (which I drove for the first time in over a week since I got the Sonic), the shifting is as smooth as butter...and perhaps even too smooth! My Mazda has a tighter shift lever feel and shorter throw, which has made me stall the Sonic a few times (my gf hasn't hesitated to joke about that either. ) And as already stated, I think the quiet nature of the engine is definitely a factor.
) And as already stated, I think the quiet nature of the engine is definitely a factor.
LS1notFOUND
New member
more gas faster clutch relief? it will stall out easy but than again "heavy" car small motor, it'll stop that little motor easy.
Graham
New member
A performance clutch that is more predictable and has stiffer pressure plate has more pedal feel and u know exactly where it bites, give it the gas knowing even if the turbo spools while it's engaging it won't slip it will just bite. I had a stage 3 six puck ceramic clutch in my turbo supra and loved it. It made a little chatter on hills but I thought it was easier to drive aggressively than anything I've ever driven before lol, looking back that got me into trouble ha ha.. Plus it was a 3liter straight 6 that makes torque so on a 1.4 I plan on a bit less aggressive like a stage 2 so it's not stalling too easy
lol, looking back that got me into trouble ha ha.. Plus it was a 3liter straight 6 that makes torque so on a 1.4 I plan on a bit less aggressive like a stage 2 so it's not stalling too easyHmm well I decided a/c is not worth the hassle with how easy this thing stalls. I have to hold it at 2k and SLOWLY pull out the clutch as I give it even more gas to get it going or it instantly dies. I think 0-45 takes 16 seconds its so bad. I know some people said a/c doesn't mess with the power or drive-ability but im gonna get a video to show it. I'm usually not this picky about something so dumb but damn it gets annoying in traffic. I really need a damn tune
Hopefully, I wouldn't think its normal. I'm gonna have a lot of premature clutch wear.
Chevrolet Customer Care
New member
I have taken note and documented everyone's experiences. If these issues cause concern, I would suggest having a dealership take a look at it. Please keep us updated if these issues continues to occur. Hope everyone is having a good week.
Matt
GM Customer Service
Matt
GM Customer Service
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I've had my Sonic LT Turbo for 6 months and I've stalled it a few times. Mostly when I try to launch uphill with the a/c on . The a/c compressor will kick on and off and sometimes it'll kick on right as I try to drive off .
I usually just have to remind myself of how the car is. All the torque from 1500RPM on up kinda fools you. Without the turbo spooled its just a little 1.4L 4-cylinder. Low-end torque, especially at idle, is dependent on displacement and number of cylinders. Just have to remember to give it more throttle, though it s a tough balance. Too much throttle and you spool the turbo while you're still letting the clutch out :banana:
2nd gear is long, in fact the 6-speed in the Sonic has similar gearing to a T-56. You have to be careful not to use 2nd at too low a RPM, lowest I've taken it is about 800-900. If you feather the clutch more you can get it to pull 2nd at lower speeds without it stalling. I've also bump-started in 2nd a few times.
The Fiero has similar gearing, but it has 2x the displacement and 2 more cylinders, it can start out at idle or lower in just about every gear. I've taken it down to 400-500RPM in 4th in traffic sometimes without it stalling.
. The a/c compressor will kick on and off and sometimes it'll kick on right as I try to drive off .I usually just have to remind myself of how the car is. All the torque from 1500RPM on up kinda fools you. Without the turbo spooled its just a little 1.4L 4-cylinder. Low-end torque, especially at idle, is dependent on displacement and number of cylinders. Just have to remember to give it more throttle, though it s a tough balance. Too much throttle and you spool the turbo while you're still letting the clutch out :banana:
2nd gear is long, in fact the 6-speed in the Sonic has similar gearing to a T-56. You have to be careful not to use 2nd at too low a RPM, lowest I've taken it is about 800-900. If you feather the clutch more you can get it to pull 2nd at lower speeds without it stalling. I've also bump-started in 2nd a few times.
The Fiero has similar gearing, but it has 2x the displacement and 2 more cylinders, it can start out at idle or lower in just about every gear. I've taken it down to 400-500RPM in 4th in traffic sometimes without it stalling.
