Black plate (57,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-57
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation
This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The TPMS is designed to warn
the driver when a low tire pressure
condition exists. TPMS sensors
are mounted onto each tire and
wheel assembly. The TPMS sensors
monitor the air pressure in the
tires and transmit the tire pressure
readings to a receiver located in
the vehicle.
When a low tire pressure condition
is detected, the TPMS illuminates
the low tire pressure warning light
located on the instrument cluster.
If the warning light comes on, stop
as soon as possible and inflate the
tires to the recommended pressure
shown on the Tire Loading and
Information label. SeeVehicle
Load Limits on page 9‑14. A message to check the pressure in
a specific tire displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). The low
tire pressure warning light and the
DIC warning message come on
at each drive cycle until the tires
are inflated to the correct inflation
pressure. Using the DIC, tire
pressure levels can be viewed.
For additional information and
details about the DIC operation
and displays see
Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑43.
The low tire pressure warning light
may come on in cool weather when
the vehicle is first started, and then
turn off as the vehicle is driven.
Black plate (58,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
10-58 Vehicle Care
This could be an early indicator that
the air pressure is getting low and
needs to be inflated to the proper
pressure.
A Tire and Loading Information
label shows the size of the original
equipment tires and the correct
inflation pressure for the tires when
they are cold. SeeVehicle Load
Limits on page 9‑14, for an example
of the Tire and Loading Information
label and its location. Also see Tire
Pressure on page 10‑54.
The TPMS can warn about
a low tire pressure condition but
it does not replace normal tire
maintenance. See Tire Inspection
on page 10‑61, Tire Rotation on
page 10‑61, and Tires on
page 10‑48. Notice:
Tire sealant materials are
not all the same. A non-approved
tire sealant could damage the
TPMS sensors. TPMS sensor
damage caused by using
an incorrect tire sealant is
not covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always use only
the GM-approved tire sealant
available through your dealer
or included in the vehicle.
Factory-installed Tire Inflator Kits
use a GM-approved liquid tire
sealant. Using non-approved tire
sealants could damage the TPMS
sensors. See Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit on page 10‑71 for
information regarding the inflator
kit materials and instructions.TPMS Malfunction Light and
Message
The TPMS will not function properly
if one or more of the TPMS sensors
are missing or inoperable. When
the system detects a malfunction,
the low tire pressure warning light
flashes for about one minute and
then stays on for the remainder
of the vehicle on/off cycle. A DIC
warning message also displays.
The malfunction light and DIC
warning message come on at
each vehicle on/off cycle until the
problem is corrected. Some of the
conditions that can cause these to
come on are:
.One of the road tires has
been replaced with the spare
tire, if the vehicle has one.
The spare tire does not
have a TPMS sensor.
Black plate (59,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-59
The malfunction light and DIC
message should go off after
the road tire is replaced and
the sensor matching process
is performed successfully.
See "TPMS Sensor Matching
Process" later in this section.
.The TPMS sensor matching
process was started but not
completed or not completed
successfully after rotating the
tires. The DIC message and
malfunction light should go
off once the TPMS sensor
matching process is performed
successfully. See“TPMS Sensor
Matching Process” later in this
section.
.One or more TPMS sensors are
missing or damaged. The DIC
message and the malfunction
light should go off when the
TPMS sensors are installed and
the sensor matching process
is performed successfully.
See your dealer for service.
.Replacement tires or wheels do
not match the original equipment
tires or wheels. Tires and wheels
other than those recommended
could prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. See Buying
New Tires on page 10‑63.
.Operating electronic devices or
being near facilities using radio
wave frequencies similar to the
TPMS could cause the TPMS
sensors to malfunction.
If the TPMS is not functioning
properly , it cannot detect or signal a
low tire condition. See your dealer
for service if the TPMS malfunction
light and DIC message come on
and stay on.
TPMS Sensor Matching
Process
Each TPMS sensor has a unique
identification code. The identification
code needs to be matched to a
new tire/wheel position after rotating
the vehicle’ s tires or replacing
one or more of the TPMS sensors.
Also, the TPMS sensor matching
process should be performed after
replacing a spare tire with a road
tire containing the TPMS sensor.
The malfunction light and the
DIC message should go off at the
next drive cycle. The sensors are
matched to the tire/wheel positions,
using a TPMS relearn tool, in the
following order: driver side front tire,
passenger side front tire, passenger
side rear tire, and driver side rear.
See your dealer for service or to
purchase a relearn tool.
Black plate (60,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
10-60 Vehicle Care
There are two minutes to match
the first tire/wheel position, and
five minutes overall to match all
four tire/wheel positions. If it takes
longer, the matching process stops
and must be restarted.
Follow the TPMS sensor matching
process:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Put the vehicle in ON/RUN andplace the vehicle in P (Park).
3. If the DIC display is minimized, press the SELECT knob to
maximize it.
4. Use the SELECT knob to scroll to the Tire Pressure display
screen.
5. Press and hold the SELECT knob for five seconds to begin
the sensor matching process.
A message displays confirming
to begin the process. 6. Use the SELECT knob to
select YES with the highlighted
selection, and press the
SELECT knob again to
confirm the selection.
The horn sounds twice to signal
the receiver is in relearn mode
and the TIRE LEARNING
ACTIVE message displays
on the DIC screen.
7. Start with the driver side front tire.
8. Place the relearn tool against the tire sidewall, near the valve
stem. Then press the button
to activate the TPMS sensor.
A horn chirp confirms that the
sensor identification code has
been matched to this tire and
wheel position. 9. Proceed to the passenger
side front tire, and repeat the
procedure in Step 8.
10. Proceed to the passenger side rear tire, and repeat the
procedure in Step 8.
11. Proceed to the driver side rear tire, and repeat the procedure
in Step 8. The horn sounds two
times to indicate the sensor
identification code has been
matched to the driver side
rear tire, and the TPMS sensor
matching process is no longer
active. The TIRE LEARNING
ACTIVE message on the DIC
display screen goes off.
12. Turn the vehicle off.
13. Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure
level as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information label.
Black plate (62,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
10-62 Vehicle Care
Check that all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See“Wheel
Nut Torque” underCapacities
and Specifications on
page 12‑2.
{WARNING
Rust or dirt on a wheel,
or on the parts to which it is
fastened, can make wheel
nuts become loose after a
time. The wheel could come
off and cause a crash. When
changing a wheel, remove
any rust or dirt from places
where the wheel attaches to
the vehicle. In an emergency,
a cloth or a paper towel can
be used, however, use a
scraper or wire brush to
remove all rust or dirt. Lightly coat the center of the
wheel hub with wheel bearing
grease after a wheel change
or tire rotation to prevent
corrosion or rust build-up.
Do not get grease on the flat
wheel mounting surface or
on the wheel nuts or bolts.
When It Is Time for New
Tires
Factors, such as maintenance,
temperatures, driving speeds,
vehicle loading, and road conditions
affect the wear rate of the tires.Treadwear indicators are one way
to tell when it is time for new tires.
Treadwear indicators appear when
the tires have only 1.6 mm (1/16 in)
or less of tread remaining. See
Tire
Inspection on page 10‑61 and
Tire Rotation on page 10‑61
for additional information.
Black plate (63,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-63
The rubber in tires ages over time.
This also applies to the spare tire,
if the vehicle has one, even if it is
never used. Multiple conditions
including temperatures, loading
conditions, and inflation pressure
maintenance affect how fast aging
takes place. Tires will typically
need to be replaced due to wear
before they may need to be
replaced due to age. Consult the tire
manufacturer for more information
on when tires should be replaced.Vehicle Storage
Tires age when stored normally
mounted on a parked vehicle.
Park a vehicle that will be stored
for at least a month in a cool, dry,
clean area away from direct sunlight
to slow aging. This area should be
free of grease, gasoline, or other
substances that can deteriorate
rubber.
Parking for an extended period
can cause flat spots on the tires
that may result in vibrations while
driving. When storing a vehicle for
at least a month, remove the tires
or raise the vehicle to reduce the
weight from the tires.
Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched
specific tires for the vehicle.
The original equipment tires
installed on the vehicle, when
it was new, were designed to meet
General Motors Tire Performance
Criteria Specification (TPC Spec)
system rating. When replacement
tires are needed, GM strongly
recommends buying tires with the
same TPC Spec rating. This way,
the vehicle will continue to have
tires that are designed to give the
same performance and vehicle
safety, during normal use, as the
original tires.
Black plate (66,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
10-66 Vehicle Care
The grades are molded on the
sidewalls of most passenger
car tires. The Uniform Tire
Quality Grading (UTQG)
system does not apply to deep
tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver, or temporary use
spare tires, tires with nominal
rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches
(25 to 30 cm), or to some
limited-production tires.
While the tires available on
General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary
with respect to these grades,
they must also conform to
federal safety requirements and
additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC)
standards.
All Passenger Car Tires Must
Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements In Addition
To These Grades.Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based
on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified
government test course.
For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and a
half (1½) times as well on
the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of
their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in
driving habits, service practices
and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction
–AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from
highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent
the tire's ability to stop on
wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions
on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based
on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
Black plate (74,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
10-74 Vehicle Care
6. Plug the power plug (H) into theaccessory power outlet in the
vehicle. Unplug all items from
other accessory power outlets.
See Power Outlets on page 5‑8.
If the vehicle has an accessory
power outlet, do not use the
cigarette lighter.
If the vehicle only has a cigarette
lighter, use the cigarette lighter.
Do not pinch the power plug
cord in the door or window.
7. Start the vehicle. The vehicle must be running while using the
air compressor.
8. Turn the selector switch (A) counterclockwise to the Sealant
+ Air position. 9. Press the on/off button (B)
to turn the tire sealant and
compressor kit on.
The compressor will inject
sealant and air into the tire.
The pressure gauge (C) will
initially show a high pressure
while the compressor pushes the
sealant into the tire. Once the
sealant is completely dispersed
into the tire, the pressure will
quickly drop and start to rise
again as the tire inflates with
air only.
10. Inflate the tire to the recommended inflation
pressure using the pressure
gauge (C). The recommended
inflation pressure can be
found on the Tire and Loading
Information label. See Tire
Pressure on page 10‑54. The pressure gauge (C) may
read higher than the actual tire
pressure while the compressor
is on. Turn the compressor off
to get an accurate pressure
reading. The compressor
may be turned on/off until the
correct pressure is reached.
Notice: If the recommended
pressure cannot be reached
after approximately 25 minutes,
the vehicle should not be driven
farther. The tire is too severely
damaged and the tire sealant and
compressor kit cannot inflate the
tire. Remove the power plug from
the accessory power outlet and
unscrew the inflating hose from
the tire valve. See Roadside
Assistance Program on
page 13‑6.