What Kind of Transmission Oil Does a 2013 Chevy Sonic Need?

published on January 12th, 2023 by Searchforparts.com

The Chevy Sonic has a long and storied history.

It first appeared on the market in 2011 as a vehicle that boasted great:

Fuel efficiency
Handling
Tech features

All of these made it one of the most modern cars around at the time. The Sonic quickly became popular among those looking for an affordable but reliable car with plenty of appeal.

In its first few years, the Sonic saw steady updates to its interior and exterior design, while still keeping its sporty look intact. Its powertrain lineup also expanded over time to include a choice between the following engines:

1.4-liter turbocharged ECOTEC engine
1.8-liter naturally aspirated ECOTEC engine
1.6L turbo

Not-so-great news, however, for fans of the Sonic: Chevy recently discontinued production of this vehicle. As of 2020, the Chevy Sonic is no more. It’s believed that a new model—electric this time—will eventually replace the Sonic.

In this article, we’re going to share the transmission oil type for the 2013 Chevy Sonic. We’re also going to explain why synthetic motor oil is beneficial for your Sonic. Finally, we’re going to share some of the history behind synthetic motor oil. It makes for a great read! So let’s jump in and get started.

Transmission Oil for the 2013 Chevy Sonic

We recommend two transmission oils for the 2013 Chevy Sonic. They are both Amsoil products and, as you’ll see, are synthetic oils. We’ll explain later why we believe synthetic is better than conventional.

The two transmission oils for the 2013 Chevy Sonic are:

Signature Series Fuel-Efficient Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid
OE Fuel-Efficient Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid

Upgrade your transmission fluid and keep it running great for many more years! Get tough as nails heavy duty made in USA oil for your 2013 Chevrolet Sonic! Don’t risk mediocre quality for protection since transmission repairs are expensive!

Now, let’s examine why synthetic oils are beneficial for the Chevy Sonic.

The Benefits of Synthetic Oil for Your 2013 Chevy Sonic

If you’re the proud owner of a 2013 Chevy Sonic, you may be wondering if it’s worth it to switch from traditional oil to synthetic oil. That is, that’s only if you’re currently using traditional oil already.

While synthetic oil is more expensive than conventional oil, some significant benefits come with making the switch to synthetic. These benefits include:

Longer protection
Improved fuel
Better performance (especially in cold weather)

Let’s take a closer look at the three of them next.

Longer Lasting Protection Against Wear and Tear

Synthetic oil is made up of components that provide better protection against wear and tear on your engine components. This can help extend the life of your engine by reducing friction between moving parts, which can reduce wear and tear over time.

Additionally, synthetic oils are designed to resist breakdown due to heat or contamination better than conventional oils. This means that your car will get more consistent protection from synthetic oil than from conventional oil.

Improved Fuel Economy

Switching to synthetic oil for your 2013 Chevy Sonic can also improve fuel economy. Because synthetic oils are formulated to resist breakdowns due to heat or contamination better than regular oils, they can help improve fuel efficiency by reducing friction between moving parts in the engine.

And since less energy needs to be expended to move those parts around, you end up using less fuel overall. This translates into improved fuel economy over time—saving you money at the pump! This is important because we all know gas prices have mostly been going up for the past couple of years.

Better Cold-Weather Performance

Finally, switching to synthetic oil for your 2013 Chevy Sonic offers improved cold-weather performance compared with conventional oil. Since synthetic oils are designed not to thicken or become sluggish in cold temperatures, they provide better lubrication when temperatures drop below freezing—helping keep your engine running smoothly even during cold winter months.

In closing, switching from traditional oil to synthetic oil has many benefits for your 2013 Chevy Sonic, including

Improved protection against wear and tear
Improved fuel economy
Better cold-weather performance

If you’re looking for an upgrade that will help keep your car running smoothly, then consider investing in high-quality synthetic motor oil for your vehicle today.

And since we already shared our Amsoil recommendations, you have two to choose from.

Let’s learn about the history of synthetic oil next.

A Brief History of Synthetic Motor Oil

Synthetic motor oil has been around for a long time, and its use has grown rapidly in the past few decades. It’s important to understand the history of synthetic motor oil and how it works. Let’s take a look at three historical facts about this useful product.

Invented in 1929

Synthetic motor oil was invented in 1929 by Ernst Zorn, a German chemist. Zorn was trying to create an engine oil that would be more effective than traditional mineral-based oils. He used diethylene glycol as his base, which he combined with other chemicals such as sulfur and phosphorus. This combination created a new type of lubricant that could withstand extreme temperatures and other harsh conditions.

Synthetic Motor Oil Becomes Popular

In 1936, two chemists from the United States—Edwin Frits and Ettore D’Angelis—developed a variation on synthetic engine oil using polyethylene glycol as the base instead of diethylene glycol. This formula was found to be even more effective than Zorn’s original formula, so it quickly became popular among mechanics and racers alike.

Synthetic Motor Oil Gets Even Better

In the late 1960s, synthetic motor oil made another leap forward thanks to the work of Russell Marrazzo. Marrazzo developed an entirely new kind of synthetic oil using polyalphaolefins (PAOs) as its base instead of either diethylene or polyethylene glycols.

This allowed the motor oils to perform even better under extreme conditions while still providing excellent protection against wear and tear on engine parts. Since then, PAO-based synthetic motor oils have become the industry standard for performance cars and racing vehicles alike.

In closing, synthetic motor oils have come a long way since their invention in 1929 by Ernst Zorn, but their basic principles remain largely unchanged today.

Buy Transmission Oil for Your 2013 Chevy Sonic

Take a look at the transmission oils Amsoil offers for your Sonic. And you might be surprised: They offer even more products for your vehicle as well. You’re one click away from improving your 2013 Sonic, head there next.