Info From GM Engineer Q&A [from International Solstice Meet] - Page 3

MomsSol · 07-19-2006, 02:35 PM

Why is there so much more ad space and commercial time on the SKY than the Solstice? Why is the brochure for the SKY so neat and large and seem like it is better than the brochure for the Solstice?
I will forward these questions to our marketing people and see if I can get an answer.

MomsSol · 07-19-2006, 02:35 PM

Why only a driver's side sun visor mirror? My wife hates that she does not have a mirror.
I do not know, but this has also showed up in owner's comments, and I will forward on to see if there is an answer.

MomsSol · 07-19-2006, 02:35 PM

I don't like the location of the front plate. What happens if I lower the location myself?
If you place the plate in the grille opening where it reduces the open area of the grille, you may experience overheating on hot days, depending on how you use your Solstice. The open area of the grille starts about half-way down the grilles. If you place the plate lower than the grilles, it is possible that you may interrupt the airflow that is necessary to direct air into the radiator. If you decide to do this yourself, keep an eye on your coolant temperature to avoid overheating your engine - this is an example of a modification that, if you damage your engine, may fall under the Magnuson-Moss act and coverage for a powertrain related failure could potentially be denied as a direct result of you modifying the intended design of the air flow.

MomsSol · 07-19-2006, 02:35 PM

On the side of the fender, I want to open these vents up. On the SKY, is it possible to make the fake air vents functional in the hood and fenders?
Opening vents on the fender may have unintended effects with airflow under-hood and around the wheel areas. It is possible that you may increase the temperature of those areas, which contain thermally sensitive components, like the battery or engine control module. The hood vents on the SKY have inner hood structure and a hood blanket underneath the chrome accent vents. If you make them functional, you may get water into the engine compartment and cause changes to under-hood airflow which could affect many things in the engine compartment.

MomsSol · 07-19-2006, 02:35 PM

How important is the chin spoiler for my car? What happens if I remove it?
The chin spoiler, which I assume you mean the flap of rubber under the nose of the car, is very important in cooling. If you remove it, air that is supposed to be directed up into the radiator may pass underneath the car and your cooling flow may be reduced. I would not recommend you remove it.

MomsSol · 07-19-2006, 02:35 PM

Any plans for making an iPod controllable from the steering wheel? Any Bluetooth plans for the Solstice?
I do not know, but I will forward on to see if there is an answer.

MomsSol · 07-19-2006, 02:35 PM

Any plans for E85 capability?
I do not know if the Solstice is on the list of cars to be made E85 compatible. It is currently NOT E85 compatible, so do not fill your car with E85.

MomsSol · 07-19-2006, 10:32 PM

I noticed little foam blocks in the fabric of the top in some triangular shaped pieces when I open my trunk, just below the rear window. What happens if I remove them? What if they appear to be out of place or appear to have loosened?
These foam blocks are important to keep the drainage tubes open so water that seeps through the forward edge of the trunk can get to the drains and out of the car. If these blocks are displaced or loosen, they may block the drain tubes. If these blocks are removed, the drain funnels will not catch water where they should and could cause the trunk to get wet. If they appear to be displaced, have your dealer look at and repair them.

MomsSol · 07-31-2006, 03:23 PM

What is the designed standard operational temp. limit of this carrier? What is the max. temp. that this unit is operating in during the summer months in the deep south / southwest? The same questions would be asked of the lube spec. used within the carrier.

The maximum operating temperature of the differential is not something we generally share. It is dependent on the thermal characteristics of the fluid used, and also depends on how long you operate it at elevated temperatures.

Our validation of all components is very throrough. We account for all operating conditions from the lowest to highest temperature extremes, and evaluate/validate our cars over a large range of altitudes and conditions from normal driving to the road course and even the Nurburgring.

The lube specification can be found by researching the characteristics of the recommended differential fluid. It should be readily available if you contact your dealership for the specifications and do a little bit of research on the fluid.

It is generally bad practice to design a system with components that operate at temperatures in excess of the lubricant used in that component, be it an engine, a transmission, or a differential.

If by some way you are implying we may not have accounted for all of the conditions this car may encounter, I can assure you that we have.

If you can get Mazda to admit their operational envelope for the MX-5 differential thermal performance, and Honda to admit the same information for the S2000, I will take that back to our engineering staff and see if we can provide the same information.