2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco 6MT - First Impressions
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Originally Posted By: sciphi
Indy, I'm Fluid Filming the underside later this week. I've 7 cans left, that should be enough for a nice thick coat!
The fairings and full wheel well liners on the underside will also go a long way to protecting the body. Glad to see that GM put so many underbody panels on this car, as that makes my job much easier!
Fluid Film is great stuff. I have 2 cans at home.
I am getting my Honda Krown'd but I keep the Fluid Film for the smaller jobs and touch ups (under hood stuff etc)
Between car washes and Krown I don't expect too much corrosion on my car at all over the next few years.
Indy, I'm Fluid Filming the underside later this week. I've 7 cans left, that should be enough for a nice thick coat!
The fairings and full wheel well liners on the underside will also go a long way to protecting the body. Glad to see that GM put so many underbody panels on this car, as that makes my job much easier!
Fluid Film is great stuff. I have 2 cans at home.
I am getting my Honda Krown'd but I keep the Fluid Film for the smaller jobs and touch ups (under hood stuff etc)
Between car washes and Krown I don't expect too much corrosion on my car at all over the next few years.
First tank was 40 mpg, second was 42. Both on 87 octane. I'm now trying 93 octane to see if there's a noticeable improvement in fuel economy. I have 8 gallons of 93 mixed with 4 gallons of 87, so I'm at roughly 90-91 octane. The engine is already pulling harder than it did on 87, and accelerates more readily in 6th gear. If it keeps up with these initial results, 93 might become the new fuel for it just based on the responsiveness. I'll update on fuel economy after a few tanks.
My buddy has a 260-hp Turbo Cobalt SS, and he says the difference is night-and-day between running premium and running regular in it.
It 'will run' on 87, but it looses something like 30-40HP (as per GM) vs. running on 92-94 premium. GM engine management software seems to be pretty in tune with what is in the tank....
It 'will run' on 87, but it looses something like 30-40HP (as per GM) vs. running on 92-94 premium. GM engine management software seems to be pretty in tune with what is in the tank....
Most of the Cruze owners will run only 87 in the tank. 87 is recommended in the manual. I suspect that while the 1.4t "will run" decently on 87 (has run pretty decently for me, no complaints), it'll run much better on 93. The next 2 tanks will prove that or not.
After 1000 miles of driving it, a few more impressions:
1. The radio reception stinks. Even with the giant dead branch antenna, pulling in radio stations is iffy unless the station is right nearby. The same goes for XM reception. I lose XM reception driving underneath trees. There happen to be a lot of trees, so I lose XM a lot. Annoying.
2. The clutch and dead pedal don't like dress shoes very much. My size 9 dress shoes are always getting caught on the backside of the clutch moving from the dead pedal. I don't have this problem in normal shoes. Considering I wear dress shoes for work when I'm driving the car, this is another little annoyance.
3. The fuel mileage is pretty good. I'm averaging 40 mpg over 2 tanks, and this current tank looks to be at or slightly above 40 mpg. The car just feels better running 93 octane, so I'll keep running that.
4. The shifter has nice short throws. Engagement could be a little better and more positive, but it's livable. The throws are mercifully short, so once it's engaged it's engaged. The shift knob is comfy and leather, so it's nice.
5. The engine has enough power at 65 mph to hold speed up fairly steep hills in 6th at 2000 RPM. It also gets up and goes nicely in the first few gears. 60 comes quickly, and there are no issues passing/merging. This engine likes to be revved, and the transmission seems well-suited to the engine. 3rd gear is a very viable option at 60 when passing since it's turning 3500 RPM in 3rd, with 2000 more RPM to go until it runs out of steam at 80 mph.
Aside from that, it's a very nice car that's living up to its billing of being a nice smaller alternative to a large sedan. It's well-suited for being an only car for somebody with a long commute who wants to save a few shekels on gas when their old car bites the dust.
1. The radio reception stinks. Even with the giant dead branch antenna, pulling in radio stations is iffy unless the station is right nearby. The same goes for XM reception. I lose XM reception driving underneath trees. There happen to be a lot of trees, so I lose XM a lot. Annoying.
2. The clutch and dead pedal don't like dress shoes very much. My size 9 dress shoes are always getting caught on the backside of the clutch moving from the dead pedal. I don't have this problem in normal shoes. Considering I wear dress shoes for work when I'm driving the car, this is another little annoyance.
3. The fuel mileage is pretty good. I'm averaging 40 mpg over 2 tanks, and this current tank looks to be at or slightly above 40 mpg. The car just feels better running 93 octane, so I'll keep running that.
4. The shifter has nice short throws. Engagement could be a little better and more positive, but it's livable. The throws are mercifully short, so once it's engaged it's engaged. The shift knob is comfy and leather, so it's nice.
5. The engine has enough power at 65 mph to hold speed up fairly steep hills in 6th at 2000 RPM. It also gets up and goes nicely in the first few gears. 60 comes quickly, and there are no issues passing/merging. This engine likes to be revved, and the transmission seems well-suited to the engine. 3rd gear is a very viable option at 60 when passing since it's turning 3500 RPM in 3rd, with 2000 more RPM to go until it runs out of steam at 80 mph.
Aside from that, it's a very nice car that's living up to its billing of being a nice smaller alternative to a large sedan. It's well-suited for being an only car for somebody with a long commute who wants to save a few shekels on gas when their old car bites the dust.
I have noticed the poor radio reception, but it doesn't bother me much since I rarely use the radio. I use my ipod synced to the car or a cd much more often.
Originally Posted By: Nick R
I have noticed the poor radio reception, but it doesn't bother me much since I rarely use the radio. I use my ipod synced to the car or a cd much more often.
Tell me you don't use an Apple product!
I have noticed the poor radio reception, but it doesn't bother me much since I rarely use the radio. I use my ipod synced to the car or a cd much more often.
Tell me you don't use an Apple product!
Originally Posted By: Nick R
I have noticed the poor radio reception, but it doesn't bother me much since I rarely use the radio. I use my ipod synced to the car or a cd much more often.
My iPod Touch is used much more for a PDA than a music player, so I'm using the radio all the time. I also can't remember the last time I played a CD in a car.
My Rockboxed SanDisk Sansa e280 sounds fantastic through the AUX IN port when I want to listen to my music. Unfortunately I'm in a "find new music" phase where the radio and XM get used much more, so the reception is a bugger.
I have noticed the poor radio reception, but it doesn't bother me much since I rarely use the radio. I use my ipod synced to the car or a cd much more often.
My iPod Touch is used much more for a PDA than a music player, so I'm using the radio all the time. I also can't remember the last time I played a CD in a car.
My Rockboxed SanDisk Sansa e280 sounds fantastic through the AUX IN port when I want to listen to my music. Unfortunately I'm in a "find new music" phase where the radio and XM get used much more, so the reception is a bugger.
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Originally Posted By: Nick R
I have noticed the poor radio reception, but it doesn't bother me much since I rarely use the radio. I use my ipod synced to the car or a cd much more often.
Tell me you don't use an Apple product!
I got it free from a friend, and it sits in my center console. Don't worry! lol the only reason I use it for that is because we have a lot of old itunes music that can only be played from an ipod.
Originally Posted By: Nick R
I have noticed the poor radio reception, but it doesn't bother me much since I rarely use the radio. I use my ipod synced to the car or a cd much more often.
Tell me you don't use an Apple product!
I got it free from a friend, and it sits in my center console. Don't worry! lol the only reason I use it for that is because we have a lot of old itunes music that can only be played from an ipod.
The XM reception in both of our vehicles is spotty as well with full leaves on the trees. The CR-V will also blank out sometimes under wide overpasses.
But I can listen to XM in my garage, with the doors closed. Go figure.
But I can listen to XM in my garage, with the doors closed. Go figure.
Nice car! I for some reason missed the trade in of the Buick, good trade!
That's impressive mileage, to bad they don't offer it with a diesel, you might be flirting with 60mpg if they did.
I wouldn't be surprised if you get a few mpg's more as she breaks in, put 10k on it first.
As far as longevity, I have a ton of experience with turbo's on diesels and as long as you change the oil it should last the life of the motor. USE SYNTHETIC!
That's impressive mileage, to bad they don't offer it with a diesel, you might be flirting with 60mpg if they did.
I wouldn't be surprised if you get a few mpg's more as she breaks in, put 10k on it first.
As far as longevity, I have a ton of experience with turbo's on diesels and as long as you change the oil it should last the life of the motor. USE SYNTHETIC!
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Nice car! I for some reason missed the trade in of the Buick, good trade!
That's impressive mileage, to bad they don't offer it with a diesel, you might be flirting with 60mpg if they did.
I wouldn't be surprised if you get a few mpg's more as she breaks in, put 10k on it first.
As far as longevity, I have a ton of experience with turbo's on diesels and as long as you change the oil it should last the life of the motor. USE SYNTHETIC!
Give it another year, the 2013MY cruze is supposed to get a diesel in the US.
Nice car! I for some reason missed the trade in of the Buick, good trade!
That's impressive mileage, to bad they don't offer it with a diesel, you might be flirting with 60mpg if they did.
I wouldn't be surprised if you get a few mpg's more as she breaks in, put 10k on it first.
As far as longevity, I have a ton of experience with turbo's on diesels and as long as you change the oil it should last the life of the motor. USE SYNTHETIC!
Give it another year, the 2013MY cruze is supposed to get a diesel in the US.
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Good its about time, a diesel would be perfect for that car.
Filled up today, 45.2 MPG. Link to my Fuelly: http://www.fuelly.com/driver/drcruze/cruze
I'm planning on using a dexos1 oil that's at least semi-synthetic.
I'm planning on using a dexos1 oil that's at least semi-synthetic.
Originally Posted By: sciphi
Filled up today, 45.2 MPG. Link to my Fuelly: http://www.fuelly.com/driver/drcruze/cruze
I'm planning on using a dexos1 oil that's at least semi-synthetic.
That is excellent! My cruze really likes the Quaker State, I'd go with that myself.
Filled up today, 45.2 MPG. Link to my Fuelly: http://www.fuelly.com/driver/drcruze/cruze
I'm planning on using a dexos1 oil that's at least semi-synthetic.
That is excellent! My cruze really likes the Quaker State, I'd go with that myself.
What do you think of PP 5w30?? I have a case of it SN rated and want to use however it is not DEXOS rated. Is it okay to use?? Tom
Originally Posted By: daddi
What do you think of PP 5w30?? I have a case of it SN rated and want to use however it is not DEXOS rated. Is it okay to use?? Tom
http://www.gmdexos.com/licensedbrands.html
It lists PP 5w-30 on the okayed list. I'd use it since it's SN.
What do you think of PP 5w30?? I have a case of it SN rated and want to use however it is not DEXOS rated. Is it okay to use?? Tom
http://www.gmdexos.com/licensedbrands.html
It lists PP 5w-30 on the okayed list. I'd use it since it's SN.
Good...thank you for the link!!
Pictures after washing/clay/Duragloss 105.
You get the drift.
You get the drift.
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