Scotty,
I really enjoy your YouTube channel. Your humor is hilarious.
anyways, I have a 2014 Chevy Cruze LT, RS that I was given in January 2022. It has 32K miles and was taken care of. It has the 1.4L Turbo engine
One if your videos indicated that the Cruze was not likely to make it to 100k miles due to transmission issues. Can you elaborate on why that is? Is there preventative maintenance I can do to make it last - aside changing the transmission fluid (which is a pain in the butt to change. They don’t even have a dipstick to check the fluid level. I imagine they do this to make you go to the dealer to get it changed or fixed).
second question- I have an OBDII Bluetooth reader that gives me engine sensor information. One of the sensors is the timing advance. The scale can go from -5 to 40 degrees. What do these ranges mean?
One if your videos indicated that the Cruze was not likely to make it to 100k miles due to transmission issues.
Hi, I'm unsure what Scotty means but as far as the information available on it - The old Cruze had either a GM 6T30 / 6T40 or an Aisin TF-80SC.
The 6T30 and 40 are weaker than average - not catastrophic but definitely weak.
And the TF-80SC is decent, not great but they do seem to last quite a bit.
The REAL transmission issues are with the new ones (CVTs, DCTs, ...)
If you want it to last: drive moderately, keep the transmission fluid CLEAN, Maintain the engine RELIGIOUSLY they are weak - and the PCV system requires additional attention.
Is there any particular way to determine what transmission I have? As far as the PCV, what is the best way to maintain it? I’ve used the driver’s manual recommended gasoline additive. I also change my oil when the OLM gets close to 20% life remaining
I’ll link a video that explains the typical engine in these - the Opel/GM 1.4 turbo
(use the subtitles)
https://youtu.be/-iDUJ3oTs7s
-
As far as what transmission- by the oil you need to use in it.
If your car requires Dextron it’s probably a GM unit, if it’s ATF T-IV that’s probably the Aisin
What gasoline additive are you using and by whom was it recommended?
Fuel System Treatment PLUS, part number 88861013. This fuel treatment was recommended by GM, it’s in the instruction manual:
If TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is
not available, one bottle of Fuel
System Treatment PLUS, part
number 88861013, added to the fuel
tank at every engine oil change, can
help. Fuel System Treatment PLUS
is the only gasoline additive
recommended by General Motors.
It is available at your dealer.
Do you have top tier detergent gasoline available and do you use it?
Yes, generally speaking. Prior to me receiving the car, I was unsure how the previous owner took care of it. I went to the Chevy dealer and the first one told me “yeah, you have a direct injection engine” which I found surprising because my OBD2 plugin was saying the fuel pump was only putting out 50 psi and the GM website said it was a “multiport sequential injection”. The second dealership said it was port injection. By that point I had already purchased the gasoline supplement and added it to the car - thinking it was direct injection and the intake ports might be getting dirty.
Long story short their “top tier gasoline” is just gas companies that have a close relationship with GM (Shell, Exxon, etc). However, these top tier gas stations are usually the most expensive.
If you are using the "top tier" gasoline then why are you using the additive since it is only recommended if you don't have access to this so called "top tier" gasoline? What does the owner's manual say about the octane rating of the fuel you are supposed to use?
Read above. Originally, I thought the engine was a GDI (what the first dealership told me). Not knowing if the previous owner put in detergent gasoline, I added the fuel supplement to make sure. After I found out it was port injection, I have not added any since.
The manual says It is certified for 87 but since it’s a turbo, I add 93 once a month.
Do you have any experience with the Chevrolet Cruze? Maybe something I should keep my eye and on?