Code 82 Chevy Sonic Error: Common Causes and Solutions

Code 82 Chevy Sonic is a common error code for drivers of the Chevrolet Sonic. The Chevy Sonic models that regularly display this error code are the 2012 and 2013 models.

Code 82 usually shows up when you need to change your oil as soon as possible. You’ll find everything you need to fix the error code in this article.

What Are Common Code 82 Chevy Sonic Causes?

The most common code 82 Chevy Sonic causes are low oil in your engine. Another common cause is that you haven’t reset the code after changing your oil. Your vehicle can also display Code 82 if your vehicle has gone beyond the assigned oil mileage limit.

– Low Engine Oil

The major reason why code 82 could appear on your dashboard is that your engine is running out of oil. The error code serves as a reminder that you need to change your motor oil and filter. The code usually appears when the oil life reaches five percent. If not fixed, your vehicle could suffer engine failure.

Oil is needed to lubricate the engine and prevents its parts from grinding against each other. This helps to reduce friction, wear and tear, and overheating, all of which can damage the engine over time. Low lubrication on moving engine parts causes knocks and other mechanical failures.

You might also experience increased fuel consumption as the engine works harder to run your vehicle. In tandem with more fuel costs, the engine also delivers poor performance that is noticeable soon after the oil goes low and before the engine knocks. The engine may also overheat, and its parts may weld together, making it totally inoperable.

Sonic’s monitoring system keeps a tab on your motor oil’s life to prevent those issues. The system considers different factors when calculating the oil’s progress. Some of these factors are the engine’s temperature and operating time.

The fixed threshold for your oil level is five percent. Once the oil goes below the threshold, there will be a drop in the oil pressure, which sends a message to the sensor. The oil pressure sensor then triggers an error code, code 82, which flashes on your dashboard to alert you of the problem.

– Mileage Above Limit

There is a recommended oil mileage limit for your Chevy Sonic, after which it is expected that you should change the oil and filter. Once you have used the oil beyond the mileage interval, the error code 82 could appear as a warning. This is because the system determines if your oil is low by calculating the time since you last changed your oil, the distance you have driven, and how many times you started and stopped your engine.

Your engine can break down if you exceed the recommended mileage. Your motor oil will lack the capacity to lubricate your car’s engine components. It will also become less effective at lubricating the engine components. Exceeded oil mileage can lead to different wear and tear problems in your engine.

Over time, these issues can result in increased oil consumption, reduced engine performance, and even engine failure.

– Failure To Reset the Code

After changing the oil, you may still experience the error code 82 flashing on your dashboard. This indicates that you have yet to reset the code after the oil change. Whether you change the oil yourself or go to the auto shop, you must reset the code. When you reset the Chevy code, it enables the system to begin the countdown effectively.

When you reset code 82, you can be assured that the recommended interval for changing your oil is accurately tracked. This can help prevent engine damage or premature wear caused by dirty or worn-out oil. Most importantly, resetting the code can prevent the code 82 notification from appearing on the dashboard unnecessarily.

Sometimes, however, the warning code may still appear on your dashboard even after resetting it. If this happens, you’re likely experiencing a faulty sensor or the system is malfunctioning.

What are the Two Steps To Fix Code 82 on Chevy Sonic?

The first step to fixing code 82 in your car is to change the oil. Next, you must reset the oil monitor to clear the error code. Once you follow the processes correctly, the code 82 error notification will clear.

– Change the Oil in Your Chevy Sonic

First, you must buy the recommended oil and filter for Chevrolet Sonic. You can change the oil yourself or take the car to an auto shop. Below are the steps to take when changing the oil yourself.

Park your car on a flat surface and turn off the engine. Next, find the oil drain plug and place a container under it to collect the condemned oil. Next, loosen the oil drain plug with a wrench and watch the condemned oil drain out.

Once completely drained, remove the former oil filter and dispose of it. You can remove it with an oil filter wrench. Replace the old oil filter with the new one and apply a little bit of the new oil to the oil filter gasket. When installing the new oil filter, turn it clockwise till it’s tight but not too tight.

Once that’s done, replace the oil drain plug and add an adequate quantity of the new oil. You can use a dipstick to confirm the level. Next, start your engine and monitor the oil drain plug for some minutes in case of any leaks.

– Reset the Code

The next step towards clearing code 82 from your dashboard is to reset the code by following these simple procedures. First, turn off your car engine and turn on the ignition. Next, check the turn signal lever for the menu button. Press until you see the oil life option on the dashboard.

Once the monitor is on display and showing the percentage of the oil, press the set or reset button until it displays 100. Next, release the button and turn off your ignition. Wait a minute and start your engine to confirm the reset of the oil life monitor. Code 82 should be cleared when you start the engine if done correctly.

After resetting code 82, the new percentage will start displaying on your dashboard. Once successful, the system will start monitoring the progress of the new sonic oil, and you wouldn’t have to worry about resetting the code for a while.

It is not advisable to reset the monitor without changing the oil. This is because resetting the Chevy Sonic code may clear the 82 but won’t fix the underlying issue. Once the error code displays on your dashboard, ensure you change your oil to avoid knocking your engine.

Frequently Asked Questions

– What Is the Best Engine Oil for a Chevy Sonic?

The best engine oil for a Chevy Sonic ranges from 0W-30 to 5W-30 synthetic motor oil, depending on the oil viscosity and engine type. A 1.4L turbocharged engine could use a Dexos Gen 2 SAE 5W-30, while a 1.8L engine could use a Dexos Gen 2 SAE 0W-20.

– How Often Should You Change Your Oil in a Chevy?

You should change the oil in your Chevy (including a Chevy Spark) every 5,000-7,500 miles or every six months, depending on the oil level. Note that the accurate frequency of oil changes for your Chevy varies depending on the model and the year. Check the owner’s manual for the recommended frequency.

– Is It Safe to Drive Chevy With Code 82 on the Display?

Yes, it is safe to drive a Chevy with code 82, including a Chevy Spark. Code 82 doesn’t mean an emergency but is rather a warning to drivers. Hence, you can drive a bit further. However, you should change the oil as soon as possible to avoid engine knockouts.

Conclusion

The code 82 notification will appear on your Chevy dashboard when you need to change your oil or reset your code.

Here’s a summary of the key points discussed in this article:

• The most common cause of the code 82 error code is low oil in your engine, which indicates that you need to change it as soon as possible.
• You may notice the code 82 signal when you drive beyond the oil mileage limit.
• You must reset the system whenever you change your oil to clear code 82.

With the information in this article, you should be able to identify why code 82 is showing on your dashboard and how to fix it immediately.