Chevy Parts and Accessories

EBC ULTIMAX BRAKE PADS, SEMI-METALLIC, 2-WHEEL SET

Replace your worn out brake pads with new EBC Ultimax Brake Pads. Manufactured according to OE specifications, these long lasting pads completely eliminate brake judder and reduce brake disc wear by up to 50 percent. It's common practice to replace stock discs when replacing pads, but with Ultimax, your discs can last two pad sets. This means that with EBC Ultimax Brake Pads, you get to enjoy big savings and high performance braking over a good period of time.

Features:

• Manufactured from a semi-metallic compound with aramid soft fibers
• With center slots and edge chamfers plus noise reduction shims on the reverse
• EBC red Brake-In surface coating conditions rotors after installation allowing pads to quickly deliver their stopping power
• Hardware and wear leads included where fitted as standard by factory
• Long lasting high friction pad designed for non-sport urban driving on all sedans, SUVs, and light trucks

Install these brake pads with the help of EBC's Instructional Video P/N E35DVD083 (sold separately).

• Series:   EBC Ultimax
• Location:   Rear
• Material:   Semi-metallic
• Product Fit:   OE replacement
• Quantity Sold:   2-wheel set

INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE, PLASTIC, GRAY

This Replacement OE Comparable Interior Door Handle replaces your old or damaged factory unit. It is manufactured from premium quality materials for extended durability. An OE comparable door handle at an affordable price; perfect for your maintenance and restoration projects!

Replacement brand parts are the most affordable solution for your replacement needs!Replacement specializes in a wide range of OE comparable auto parts including body parts, lighting, electrical, brakes, suspension, intake, exhaust, cooling and heating parts. All Replacement brand items are backed by 1-year, unlimited-mileage warranty.

• Location:   Front, Driver Side, Interior
• Material:   Plastic
• Type:   Interior
• Color/Finish:   Gray
• Product Fit:   OE replacement
• EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE, METAL, TEXTURED BLACK
  
  This Replacement OE Comparable Exterior Door Handle replaces your old or damaged factory unit. It is manufactured from premium quality materials for extended durability. An OE comparable door handle at an affordable price; perfect for your maintenance and restoration projects!
  Replacement brand parts are the most affordable solution for your replacement needs!Replacement specializes in a wide range of OE comparable auto parts including body parts, lighting, electrical, brakes, suspension, intake, exhaust, cooling and heating parts. All Replacement brand items are backed by 1-year, unlimited-mileage warranty.
• Location:   Front, Driver Side, Exterior
• Material:   Metal
• Type:   Exterior
• Color/Finish:   Textured black
• Product Fit:   OE replacement
• INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE, PLASTIC, PRIMERED
  This Replacement OE Comparable Interior Door Handle replaces your old or damaged factory unit. It is manufactured from premium quality materials for extended durability. An OE comparable door handle at an affordable price; perfect for your maintenance and restoration projects!
  Replacement brand parts are the most affordable solution for your replacement needs!Replacement specializes in a wide range of OE comparable auto parts including body parts, lighting, electrical, brakes, suspension, intake, exhaust, cooling and heating parts. All Replacement brand items are backed by 1-year, unlimited-mileage warranty.
  • Location:   Rear, Driver Side, Interior
  • Material:   Plastic
  • Type:   Interior
  • Color/Finish:   Primered
  • Product Fit:   OE replacement

Posted on Friday, December 14, 2012 / 0 Comment / Read More

Chevy recalls 2013 Malibu Eco over unintended airbag deployment fears

General Motors has announced the automaker is recalling certain 2013 Chevrolet Malibu models for a potential sensor failure. Under hard braking, the vehicle's sensing and diagnostic module may reset itself, and if that occurs just before an abrupt turn, the vehicle could trick itself into sensing a rollover. In that event, the roof rail airbag could deploy outside of a crash situation. What's more, the seat belt pretensioners could then fail during a severe crash. Needless to say, it could be a dangerous situation.


The recall covers a total of 4,304 units manufactured between October 24, 2011 and March 31, 2012. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, GM will notify owners and reprogram the sensing and diagnostic module free of charge. The campaign is set to get underway on June 1. Check out the full recall notice for yourself.



Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
CHEVROLET / MALIBU 2012


Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS LLC Mfr's Report Date: MAY 17, 2012


NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12V224000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A


Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: SOFTWARE


Potential Number of Units Affected: 4,304


Summary:
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 24, 2011, THROUGH MARCH 31, 2012. AFTER AN EVENT OF HARD BRAKING, THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE (SDM) MAY RESET ITSELF.


Consequence:
IF THIS OCCURS DURING AN AGGRESSIVE TURNING MANEUVER, AND THEN AFTERWARDS A POTENTIAL VEHICLE ROLLOVER EVENT IS SENSED, THE ROOF RAIL AIRBAG MAY UNINTENTIONALLY DEPLOY. ADDITIONALLY, THE AIR BAGS AND/OR SEATBELT PRETENSIONERS MAY NOT DEPLOY DURING A SEVERE CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Posted on Friday, May 25, 2012 / 0 Comment / Read More

Chevrolet Chevy Volt and Opel Ampera named 2012 European Car of the Year

The Chevrolet Volt may not be selling well, but it's one of the most lauded cars in history. Today the plug-in hybrid was named the 2012 European Car of the Year, an award it will share with its European fraternal twin, the Opel Ampera.

The Volt won North American Car of the Year in 2011, while also picking up car of the year accolades from Motor Trend, Automobile, and nabbing Green Car of the Year from Green Car Journal. Britain's What Car?awarded the Vauxhall Ampera – as the Opel model is called in the U.K. – its Green Car of the Year award, as well.

But the Volt has been at the center of one controversy after another, since even before it was launched. ANational Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation into a battery fire showed the car was not defective, but it led to the Ampera being delayed. Recent negative publicity among right-leaning political pundits has contributed to making the Volt something of an enigma for General Motors, which just announced it was suspending production of the slow-selling car.

While Europe was never envisioned as the prime market for the Volt/Ampera, GM says it already has 7,000 orders for the Ampera and that the company expects to hit its target of 10,000 sales this year. Certainly, winning this award, presented at the Geneva Motor Show for the first time this year, should help.

The Volt/Ampera finished significantly ahead of the Volkswagen Up! and Ford Focus in the European Car of the Year voting, which included a field of 35 vehicles.

“This encourages us further to continue our leadership role in the area of e-mobility,” said Karl-Friedrich Stracke, CEO of Opel/Vauxhall.

The Volt is a fine car, one that neatly and impressively bridges internal combustion and electric mobility. If the car has a drawback, it is price — the model we tested cost $44,680 before the $7,500 federal tax credit.

That, of course, makes it a favorite target of critics who like to attack General Motors and the Volt as failed experiment subsidized by federal tax dollars. Such was the case Friday, when GM announced it will suspend Volt production at its factory in Hamtramck, Michigan for five weeks effective March 16. The closure is prompted by slow sales; GM dealers have some 3,600 Volts in inventory.

“Sales for the Volt in February were significantly better than January, and we anticipate that to continue,” said GM spokesman Chris Lee. “We see good things in the future, but right now we had to make this adjustment.”

GM sold 1,063 Volts last month, up from 603 in January, making it unlikely the company will meet its goal of selling 45,000 Volts in 2012.

This is the third time production has been stopped for a month or more since the Volt went on sale in December, 2010. The move will put 1,600 people out of work for the duration of the shutdown.

Posted on Thursday, March 08, 2012 / 0 Comment / Read More

Chevy News

Chevrolet is produced by General Motors Company and one of four core brands remaining after the automaker emerged from Chapter 11 bankrupcty in July 2009. It is the top-selling GM marque with vehicles ranging from subcompact cars to medium-duty commercial trucks. Its number-one seller in the United States is the Silverado pickup and the brand has launched the world's first mass-produced range-extended electric vehicle called the Volt.

Posted on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 / 0 Comment / Read More

2012 Chevy Sonic with 1.4L Turbo Hits 40 MPG on Highway

– The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic with the Ecotec 1.4L turbo delivers an EPA-estimated 40 mpg on the highway with a six-speed manual transmission and city fuel economy of 29 mpg.

The Sonic’s highway fuel economy makes it one of the most fuel-efficient small cars in the market, on par with the 2012 Ford Fiesta SFE and the 2012 Hyundai Accent. Along with getting 40 mpg, the 1.4L turbo Sonic can reach 60 mph in 8.2 seconds.

“Sonic changes the sub-compact stereotype and puts an end to the term ‘econobox,’” said Joaquin Nuño-Whelan, Sonic vehicle line director and vehicle chief engineer. “The 1.4L turbo saves money at the gas pump and is a ridiculously fun car to drive. So, our buyers are getting a safe, exciting and fuel efficient car at a great price with the 1.4L turbo.”

The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic with a 1.4L turbo delivers an EPA-estimated 40 mpg on the highway with a 6-speed manual transmission and city fuel economy of 29 mpg. The Sonic’s highway fuel economy makes it one of the most fuel-efficient small cars in the market, on par with the 2012 Ford Fiesta SFE and the 2012 Hyundai Accent. (Photo by John F. Martin for General Motors)

The Sonic is the only sub-compact car currently built in America. Production began earlier this summer at General Motors Orion Assembly facility in Lake Orion, Mich.

The Sonic’s 1.4L Ecotec turbocharged engine is SAE certified at 138 horsepower (103 kW) – 18 horsepower (14 kW) more than Ford Fiesta and is essentially the same engine used in the Chevrolet Cruze in a smaller, lighter package designed for a greater feeling of performance. The turbo engine is also rated at 148 ft.-lbs. (200 Nm) of torque between 2,500 and 4,900 rpm. The wide rpm range for the maximum torque – a specific trait of turbocharged engines – helps the engine deliver a better driving experience and performance. Premium design elements give the engine smoothness and durability. Features include:

• Low-mass hollow-frame cast iron block
• Dual overhead camshafts with continuously variable valve timing
• Chain-driven cams
• Roller-finger camshaft followers
• Piston-cooling oil jets and integrated oil cooler
• Variable-flow oil pump
• Electronically controlled thermostat.

The 1.4L’s turbocharger is integrated within the exhaust manifold, for reduced weight and greater packaging flexibility. A reinforced crankshaft and stronger connecting rods deliver additional strength to support the engine’s pressurized power and torque over a wide rpm band.

The Sonic’s 1.8L manual gets fuel economy of 26 mpg city and 35 mpg highway and the automatic gets 25 mpg city and 35 mpg highway.

“Our engineers wanted to bring a car with an athletic feel and an excellent ride and handling to a segment not known for excitement,” said Nuño-Whelan. “Combine these driving characteristics with the 40-mpg fuel economy rating and we think we have a winning combination for Sonic drivers.”

The suggested retail price of the Sonic begins at $14,495 including destination but excluding tax, title, license and dealer fees.

Posted on Friday, October 21, 2011 / 0 Comment / Read More

2012 Chevrolet Sonic Review: First Drive

Chevy’s new Sonic sub-compact will come in two flavors when it finally makes it to sale this Fall, and while the sedan is expected to edge out the hatchback as the volume seller, it’s obvious the 5-door is where the marketing punch is. And Chevy isn’t the first, following Ford in pumping up its new sub-compact with the more youthful hatch design.

This fact couldn’t have been more obvious when Chevy called together a select group of auto journalists to bang gears on a few prototype Sonics well ahead of the official “first drive”. As prototypes the team at Chevy was clear that they weren’t looking for impressions on design, or materials or even ride quality. Lead development engineer John Buttermore said he wanted to get feedback on the car’s handling, looking to do away with any perceptions that might be held about Chevy small cars, while hoping to rid any future reviews of comments about how the Sonic isn’t as much fun to drive as its competitors.

“This was designed to be the most fun to drive car that gets 40-mpg,” says small car marketing director Margaret Brooks.

Ignoring the sedan for the moment, Chevy arranged three pre-prod Sonics and a reasonably tight auto-x course on which to throttle the tiny 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, and its tires. And as a sign of the confidence Chevy has in this new product they also brought out what are regarded to be the performance benchmarks in the small car segment: the Ford Fiesta and Honda Fit.

Memories of the Aveo (the Sonic’s predecessor) may at this point be distant, but the car’s lackluster approach to economy motoring is not entirely forgotten. And with low expectations, Chevy’s boasting about the car’s capabilities seemed a bit extreme.

SONIC OVERWHELMS RIVALS WITH TURBOCHARGED TORQUE

The verdict? It impressed. Matching top-trim levels against each other the Sonic has a bit of an upper hand with 17-inch wheels coated in 205/50/17 tires. It also comes with an optional 1.4-liter turbocharged EcoTec 4-cylinder. Expected to be the volume leader, all models we tested came with that engine.

The turbo engine makes a solid increase in power over its rivals with 138-hp, not to mention what for this class of car is a tremendous amount of torque of 148 lb-ft at a low 1850 rpm. By comparison the Honda Fit is down 21-hp and 41 lb-ft, while the lead over the Fiesta is slightly less at 18-hp and 36 lb-ft. Those numbers might not sound significant but as percentages, they’re huge.

The base Sonic engine is a 1.8-liter 4-cylidner with an equal 138-hp but a less robust 125 lb-ft of torque.

FUN TO DRIVE: CAPALE HANDLING, CONNECTED FEEL BEHIND THE WHEEL

Despite the obvious bump in hustle-power, the Sonic’s unanimously victorious performance over its rivals on the auto-x course shouldn’t take away from its handling capabilities. Averaging out lap times, the Sonic was 1.5 to 2.0 seconds faster than either of its rivals.

Like most modern cars the Sonic uses an electric power steering system. With variable ratios it’s light in town and heavy on the highway. On our course it felt nicely weighted and direct.

The rare few who do opt for the stick shift will get a 6-speed with the 1.4T (the base 1.8L gets a 5-speed stick) that also surprised with smooth short throws, absent of the heavy, notchy mechanical feel we’d expect.

Understeer is evident as it is in any front-driver, but the Sonic proved easy to control at the limit. Body roll is quite minimal, especially considering the type of often-jerky maneuvers required of an auto-x.

Overall, Chevy has done an excellent job at creating a lively performer out of a rear torsion-beam suspension setup – a more rudimentary design, but one that is shared with all of its rivals.

THE COMPETITION: FIT AND FIESTA

With a lower driving position the Fiesta gives a much higher impression of speed, although the course numbers proved the opposite. Of note, the Fiesta provided was an automatic dual-clutch transmission.

The Fit, a more comparable vehicle (considering it shares a much larger cargo volume with the Sonic) provided an added level of driving enjoyment thanks to it’s ability to rotate the rear end.

There’s something to be said about the Fit’s throttle feel, especially once you’ve reached higher rpm levels, although down low the lack of torque is noticeable, whereas the Sonic has plenty of torque to squirt out of low speed transitions.

Were the cards stacked in the Chevy’s favor on this test? Sure they were, with a course better suited to the turbocharged engine. Could Honda or Ford do the same and get a similarly favorable outcome? Probably. But that doesn’t mean this is a fruitless exercise. In fact, what it proves is that the Sonic is on the same playing field as the two most fun cars in the sub-compact segment, with the turbocharged engine’s torque then giving it an advantage.

While true that many b-segment buyers aren’t looking for a sports car, the Sonic’s ability to trounce a Fit on the tarmac will help brand the car in a more positive light.

And while its handling capabilities and fun-to-drive factor are important aspects – especially considering target market – it is just one aspect and for the full review you’ll have to wait.

Until then there are some important facts you should know about the new small Chevy. In addition to all that performance the Sonic, says Chevy, will also deliver a 40-mpg highway rating with the 6-speed manual and the 1.4T engine. Other important features include 10 standard airbags, a hill hold control feature for manual transmission models, standard power windows, locks and remote keyless entry and standard aluminum wheels – even on base models.

THE VERDICT

So is it the most fun to drive car that gets 40-mpg? It might just be, although that “fun” word is subjective. Objectively speaking, it was the clear leader in this performance test, making it the fastest.

Look for a more extensive review of the Sonic to follow. Until then we can say the Sonic is at least near the top of its class in driving enjoyment and performance, with plenty more power than the competition to more than make up any difference.

RELATED READING

Posted on Friday, October 21, 2011 / 0 Comment / Read More

Chevy Sonic poised to bungee jump, skydive in marketing rollout

Interior of the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic.

The engine cradle of the all-new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. Nearly 60 percent of the body structure, as well as the four-mount hydro-formed engine cradle, use high-strength steel.

The body structure of the all-new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic sedan. Nearly 60 percent of the body structure, as well as the four-mount hydro-formed engine cradle, use high-strength steel. Ultra-high-strength steel is strategically integrated in the forward portion of the rockers and the center cross bar.

Chevy Sonic poised to bungee jump, skydive in marketing rollout

General Motors Co. Will have Its new subcompact Chevrolet Sonic bungee jump and skydive in an advertising campaign launching on Oct. 15 in an effort to reorient the brand to appeal to younger U.S. buyers.

The Sonic, which goes on sale in the fall, is seen as an important car in the face of high gasoline prices and as GM tries to move away from its reliance on gas-guzzling big SUVs and pickup trucks.

"This vehicle really needs to keep the momentum going as far as GM's small-car offerings," IHS Automotive analyst Rebecca Lindland said. "They have to show Wall Street that they can make money on more than just large trucks."

Sales in the U.S. subcompact segment are expected to more than double by 2016 to 925,000 cars annually from an expected 411,000 this year, according to IHS.

IHS estimated Sonic sales will reach 80,000 annually, and the Ford Motor Co. Fiesta to hit 115,000, IHS said. Ford is credited with leading the way among U.S. automakers in marketing its models using social media.

"The segment is very busy right now with a lot of new entries," said Cristi Landy, director of Chevy marketing. The segment also includes the Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent and Toyota Yaris.

Anything that creates buzz for GM with younger buyers will help the company broaden its brand image, and turning a profit on vehicles it failed to make money on in the past would be welcome too, Lindland said.

"You do have a lot of new product in this class that doesn't scream cheap car like it used to," Edmunds.com analyst Bill Visnic said. "It should be a good battle."

GM began regular production of the Sonic -- with a starting price of $14,495 -- at a Detroit area plant in early August and will reach full production next year.

The start of production is a key accomplishment for GM and the UAW, which agreed to lower worker pay to allow GM to make a profit on the low-cost subcompact.

The Sonic, with fuel efficiency of 40 miles per gallon, replaces the Chevrolet Aveo in North America, while in other markets it retains the Aveo name.

The new car is part of GM's effort to connect with buyers ages 18 to 34 who may not have the negative view of GM that older consumers might, said Kevin Mayer, director of Chevy advertising. That younger group, numbering 80 million, is called the "millenials."

"This group doesn't have the history necessarily or even the baggage you might say that a lot of the more traditional consumers might have," he said, referring to the automaker's struggles and 2009 bankruptcy.

Because the "millenial" generation spends so much time with cell phones and online, the ad campaign -- dubbed "Let's Do This" -- will be skewed toward a digital component, including exclusively the first three months, Mayer said.

GM will have the Sonic bungee jump from a 10-story structure in Long Beach, Calif., based on the number of visitors who click on a button at the campaign's www.letsdothis.com website, he said.

Consumers also will be able to view video clips of the Sonic sky diving in Arizona, filmed using 27 cameras both inside and outside the car, and play an online, social game that will give away 10 Sonic cars, Mayer said.

Starting early next year, more traditional TV ads will air, he said, declining to reveal the campaign's budget.

GM's Chevy brand spent more than $519 million on U.S. advertising through the first six months of this year, slightly below last year's pace when it spent $1.14 billion for the entire year, according to Kantar Media

Posted on Friday, October 21, 2011 / 0 Comment / Read More