Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
1-4 In Brief
Initial Drive
Information
This section provides a brief
overview about some of the
important features that may
or may not be on your specific
vehicle.
For more detailed information, refer
to each of the features which can be
found later in this owner manual.
Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System
The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter will work up to 60 m
(195 ft) away from the vehicle.
Press the key release button to
extend the key. The key can be
used for all locks.
K:Press once to unlock the driver
door. Press a second time within
five seconds to unlock all doors.
Q: Press to lock all doors.
Lock and unlock feedback can
be personalized. See Vehicle
Personalization on page 5‑53.
7: Press and release to locate
the vehicle. Press and hold for
three seconds to sound the panic
alarm. Press again to cancel the
panic alarm.
B: PressQand then press and
hold
Bwithin five seconds to
start the vehicle's heating or air
conditioning systems and rear
window defogger from outside the
vehicle using the RKE transmitter.
See Remote Start on page 2‑8 for
more information.
A: Press to open the charge
port door. See Plug-In Charging on
page 9‑49 for more information.
See Keys on page 2‑2 andRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 2‑3.
Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-5
Remote Start
This feature starts the heating or
air conditioning systems and rear
window defogger from outside the
vehicle. Normal operation of the
system will return after the vehicle
has been turned on. The engine
may start to support the climate
control operation.
Activating the Remote Start
1. Aim the RKE transmitter at thevehicle.
2. Press
Qon the RKE transmitter;
the doors will lock.
3. Within five seconds, press and hold
Buntil the turn signal
lamps flash or for approximately
four seconds. Pressing
Bagain
during a remote start will turn the
feature off. After entering the vehicle during a
remote start, press the POWER
O
button on the center stack with the
brake pedal applied to operate as
normal.
Canceling Remote Start
To cancel a remote start, do any of
the following:
.Aim the RKE transmitter at the
vehicle and press and hold
B
until the parking lamps turn off.
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Press the POWERObutton on
the center stack, with the brake
pedal applied, then press the
POWER
Obutton again to turn
the vehicle off.
See Remote Start on page 2‑8.
Door Locks
To lock or unlock the door, use
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter or the key from outside
the vehicle. Use the door lock knob
or switch from inside the vehicle.
SeeDoor Locks on page 2‑10.
Power Door Locks
The power door lock switches are
on the center stack.
K:Press to unlock the doors.
Q:Press to lock the doors.
Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-13
Climate Controls
Heating, cooling, and ventilation can be controlled by using the climate
control buttons and the climate touch screen.
Climate Control Buttons
A. Temperature Control
B. Driver and Passenger Heated Seats
C. Defrost D. Climate
E. Auto (Automatic Operation)
F. Rear Window Defogger
G. Manual Fan Control
Black plate (26,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
1-26 In Brief
Climate Setting
Using the heat and air conditioning
systems decreases the energy
available for electric driving.
Optimal energy efficiency is
achieved with the heat, air
conditioning, and fan turned off.
Less energy is used at low fan
speeds. When using the fan:
.Fan Only is the most energy
efficient climate setting as long
as
0is not selected.
.ECO is for moderate air
conditioning and heater
operation and is the next most
energy efficient setting as long
as
0is not selected.
.Comfort provides the most
comfort but is the least energy
efficient.Use the auto heated seat feature
instead of climate settings. Heating
the seat uses less energy than
heating the vehicle interior.
Use remote start to heat or cool
the interior when the vehicle is
plugged in to maximize the electric
range by utilizing electricity from the
electrical outlet.
In hot weather, avoid parking in
direct sunlight or use sunshades
inside the vehicle.
Turn off the front and rear window
defog/defrost when they are no
longer needed.
Avoid driving with the windows open
at highway speeds.Vehicle Charging/Maintenance
Charging
Keep the vehicle plugged in, even
when fully charged, to keep the
battery temperature ready for the
next drive. This is important when
outside temperatures are extremely
hot or cold. Maintenance
Always keep the tires properly
inflated and the vehicle properly
aligned.
The weight of excess cargo in the
vehicle affects efficiency and range.
Avoid carrying more than is needed.
If fuel is not regularly used, consider
keeping the fuel tank only one‐third
full. Excess fuel weight impacts
efficiency and range.
Use premium fuel.
Avoid unnecessary use of electrical
accessories. Power used for
functions other than propelling the
vehicle will reduce EV range.
Using a rooftop carrier will reduce
efficiency due to additional weight
and drag.
Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
2-4 Keys, Doors and Windows
7(Panic Alarm):Press and
release one time to locate the
vehicle. The exterior lamps flash
and the horn chirps three times.
Press and hold for three seconds
to sound the panic alarm. The horn
sounds and the turn signals flash for
30 seconds. Press again to cancel
the panic alarm.
B(Remote Start): PressQand
then press and hold
Bwithin
five seconds to start the vehicle's
heating or air conditioning systems
and rear window defogger from
outside the vehicle using the RKE
transmitter. See Remote Start on
page 2‑8 for more information.
The auto heated seats, if equipped,
can be programmed to come
on when the vehicle is remotely
started. See Vehicle Personalization
on page 5‑53 for more information.
Also see “Auto Heated Seats” under
Heated Front Seats on page 3‑6.
A(Charge Port Door): Press
to open the charge port door.
See Plug-In Charging on page 9‑49
for more information.
Programming Transmitters to
the Vehicle
Only RKE transmitters
programmed to this vehicle
will work. If a transmitter is lost
or stolen, a replacement can be
purchased and programmed through
your dealer. When the replacement
transmitter is programmed to this
vehicle, all remaining transmitters
must also be reprogrammed.
Any lost or stolen transmitters
will no longer work once the
new transmitter is programmed.
Each vehicle can have up to
five transmitters matched to it. Programming with a Recognized
Transmitter
A new transmitter can be
programmed to the vehicle
when there is one recognized
transmitter. For vehicles sold
in Canada, two recognized
transmitters are required to program
a new transmitter. To program,
the vehicle must be off and all
of the transmitters, both currently
recognized and new, must be in
the vehicle.
1. Place the recognized
transmitter(s) in the cupholder.
2. Insert the vehicle key of the new transmitter into the key lock
cylinder on the outside of the
driver door and turn the key to
the unlock position five times
within 10 seconds.
The Driver Information Center
(DIC) displays READY FOR
REMOTE #2, 3, 4 OR 5.
Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
2-8 Keys, Doors and Windows
Remote Start
This feature starts the heating or
air conditioning systems and rear
window defogger from outside the
vehicle. Use remote start to heat or
cool the interior when the vehicle
plugged in to maximize the electric
range by utilizing electricity from the
electrical outlet. Normal operation
of the system will return after the
vehicle has been turned on.
B(Remote Start):This button is
on the RKE transmitter.
During remote start:
.The climate control system
will typically default to the last
climate settings. If Fan Off or
Fan Only were selected, the
air conditioning or heat will turn
on as needed. See Automatic
Climate Control System on
page 8‑1 for more information.
.If the vehicle has heated
seats, and this feature has
been enabled through vehicle
personalization, the heated
seats will turn on during
colder outside temperatures.
See“Remote Start Heated
Seats” underHeated Front
Seats on page 3‑6 andVehicle
Personalization on page 5‑53
for additional information.
.The rear defogger will turn
on during colder outside
temperatures.
.Selecting1during colder
outside temperatures before
shutting the vehicle off will
help windshield clearing.
.Shutting the vehicle off in ECO
Mode without
1selected will
minimize the impact to electric
range. Shutting the vehicle off
in other modes will maximize
heating or air conditioning.
.The engine may start to provide
energy for heating and cooling,
independent of the vehicle being
plugged in or completely
charged.
.Vehicle range may decrease
if the vehicle is not plugged
into an electrical outlet. If the
vehicle is plugged in, much of
the energy needed to support
this feature will be provided from
the utility, not from the high
voltage battery.
Laws in some communities
may restrict the use of features
that remotely start the engine.
For example, some laws may
require a person using the remote
start feature to have the vehicle in
view when doing so. Check local
regulations for any requirements
on remote starting of vehicles.
Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-7
When the vehicle is on, this feature
will automatically activate the
heated seats at the level required
by the vehicle's interior temperature.
The active high, medium, low, or off
heated seat level will be indicated
by the manual heated seat button
lights on the center stack. Use the
touch screen buttons or the manual
heated seat buttons on the center
stack to turn auto heated seats off.
If the passenger seat is unoccupied,
the auto heated seats feature will
not activate that seat.
The auto heated seats feature
can be programmed to always be
enabled when the vehicle is on.
See“Auto Heated Seats” under
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑53 for more information. Remote Start Heated Seats
When it is cold outside, the heated
seats can be programmed to turn
on automatically during a remote
vehicle start. Unless the auto
heated seats feature is available
and enabled, the heated seats will
be canceled when the vehicle is
turned on. If the vehicle has auto
heated seats and the feature is
enabled, the seat heating level will
automatically change to the level
required by the vehicle's interior
temperature when the vehicle is
turned on.
The indicator lights on the heated
seat buttons do not turn on during a
remote start.
The temperature performance of an
unoccupied seat may be reduced.
This is normal.
The heated seats will not turn on
during a remote start unless the
heated seats feature is enabled in
the vehicle personalization menu.
See
“Remote Start Auto Heat Seats”
under Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑53 for more information.
Black plate (27,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-27
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak®Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the vehicle.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the
system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
If the light comes on and stays
on while driving, there could be a
problem with the TCS/StabiliTrak
system and the vehicle might need
service. When this warning light is
on, the TCS/StabiliTrak system is
off and does not limit wheel spin.
The light flashes if the system is
active and is working to assist the
driver with directional control of the
vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Light
The engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on briefly when
the vehicle is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the
system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
If the light comes on and stays
on while driving, the vehicle may
have a problem with the cooling
system. Stop and turn off the
vehicle to avoid damage to the
engine. A warning chime sounds
when this light is on.
SeeEngine Overheating on
page 10‑23 for more information.
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this light
comes on briefly when the vehicle is
in ON/RUN. It provides information
about tire pressures and the TPMS.
When the Light is On Steady
This indicates that one or more
of the tires are significantly
underinflated.
A message in the Driver Information
Center (DIC) may also display.
SeeTire Messages on page 5‑52
for more information. Stop as soon
as possible, and inflate the tires to
the pressure value shown on the
Tire and Loading Information Label.
See Tires on page 10‑48 for more
information.