2011 CHEVROLET VOLT warning

Black plate (27,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-27
Checking Brake Fluid
Check brake fluid by looking at the
brake fluid reservoir. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑10.
With the vehicle not running for at
least one minute, the maximum fluid
level (A) is at the top of the reservoir
body. With the vehicle running, the
fluid level should be in the proper
operating range (B) between the
MIN and MAX marks. If it is not,
have the brake hydraulic system
checked to see if there is a leak. After work is done on the brake
hydraulic system, make sure the
level, with the vehicle running, is
in the proper operating range (B)
between the MIN and MAX marks.
What to Add
Use only new DOT 3 brake
fluid from a sealed container.
See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑6.
Always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it.
This helps keep dirt from entering
the reservoir.
{WARNING
With the wrong kind of fluid in
the brake hydraulic system,
the brakes might not work well.
This could cause a crash. Always
use the proper brake fluid. Notice
.Using the wrong fluid
can badly damage brake
hydraulic system parts.
For example, just a few
drops of mineral-based oil,
such as engine oil, in the
brake hydraulic system can
damage brake hydraulic
system parts so badly that
they will have to be replaced.
Do not let someone put in
the wrong kind of fluid.
.If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces,
the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not
to spill brake fluid on the
vehicle. If you do, wash
it off immediately.

Black plate (28,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
10-28 Vehicle Care
Battery
This vehicle has a high voltage
battery and a standard 12‐volt
battery.
If the vehicle is in a crash, the
sensing system may shut down
the high voltage system. When this
occurs, the high voltage battery is
disconnected and the vehicle will
not start. The SERVICE VEHICLE
SOON message in the Driver
Information Center (DIC), will be
displayed. Before the vehicle can
be operated again, it must be
serviced at your dealer.
See“If a Crash Occurs” under
Collision Damage Repair on
page 13‑10 for additional
information. If an airbag has
inflated, see What Will You See
after an Airbag Inflates? on
page 3‑31. Only a trained service technician
with the proper knowledge and
tools should inspect, test, or replace
the high voltage battery. See your
dealer if the high voltage battery
needs service. The dealer has
information on how to recycle
the high voltage battery. There
is also information available at
http://www.recyclemybattery.com.
Keep the vehicle plugged in, even
when fully charged, to keep the high
voltage battery temperature ready
for the next drive. This is important
when outside temperatures are
extremely hot or cold.
A vehicle cover, which can reduce
sun loading on the vehicle and
improve high voltage battery life,
is available from your dealer.
Refer to the replacement number
shown on the original battery label
when a new 12‐volt battery is
needed.{DANGER
Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California
to cause cancer and reproductive
harm. Wash hands after handling.
Vehicle Storage
{WARNING
12‐volt batteries have acid that
can burn you and gas that can
explode. You can be badly hurt
if you are not careful. See
Jump
Starting on page 10‑79 for tips on
working around a battery without
getting hurt.

Black plate (29,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-29
Extended Storage
Remove the 12‐volt battery black,
negative (−) cable from the battery
to keep the 12‐volt battery from
running down or use a battery
trickle charger.
In addition, to avoid potential
damage to the high voltage battery,
perform the following recommended
steps:
.Store the high voltage battery
with 1/2 charge or less.
.Always store the vehicle in an
environment between−10°C
(14°F) and 30°C (86°F).
.Vehicle storage at extreme
temperatures can cause damage
to the high voltage battery.
Remember to reconnect the 12‐volt
battery when ready to drive the
vehicle.
Propulsion System Start
Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. 2. Firmly apply both the electric
parking brake and the regular
brake. See Electric Parking
Brake on page 9‑35.
Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn
off the propulsion system
immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the propulsion system in each gear. The vehicle
should start only in P (Park) or
N (Neutral). If the vehicle starts
in any other position, contact
your dealer for service.

Black plate (30,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
10-30 Vehicle Care
Electrical Drive Unit Shift
Lock Control Function
Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. It should
be parked on a level surface. 2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
See Electric Parking Brake on
page 9‑35.
Be ready to apply the regular
brake immediately if the vehicle
begins to move.
3. With the vehicle off and the brake not applied, push the
power button to ON/RUN without
starting the vehicle. See Power
Button on page 9‑18. Without
applying the regular brake, try
to move the shift lever out of
P (Park) with normal effort. If the
shift lever moves out of P (Park),
contact your dealer for service.
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this check,
the vehicle could begin to move.
You or others could be injured
and property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in front
of the vehicle in case it begins to
roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move.

Black plate (34,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
10-34 Vehicle Care
Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement
bulbs, seeReplacement Bulbs on
page 10‑37.
For any bulb‐changing procedure
not listed in this section, contact
your dealer.
Halogen Bulbs
{WARNING
Halogen bulbs have pressurized
gas inside and can burst if you
drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure
to read and follow the instructions
on the bulb package.
Headlamps
Driver Side Headlamps
To replace the high/low‐beam
headlamp:
1. Open the hood. See Hood on
page 10‑9.
2. Remove the cover from the back
of the headlamp assembly by
turning it counterclockwise. 3. Remove the bulb socket from
the headlamp assembly by
turning it counterclockwise.
4. Remove the bulb from the socket.
5. Install the new bulb in the socket.
6. Install the bulb socket by turning it clockwise.
7. Install the cover in the back of the headlamp assembly by
turning it clockwise.

Black plate (37,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-37
6. Reinstall the lamp assembly (C)into the fascia by inserting the
left side first.
7. Push the spring clip side into place.
Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Lamp Bulb
Number
Back-Up Lamps 3157K
High/Low‐Beam
Headlamps HIR2 (9012)
License Plate
Lamps 168LL
(W5W)
For replacement bulbs not listed
here, contact your dealer.
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and
Wiring
{WARNING
Exposure to high voltage
can cause shock, burns, and
even death. The high voltage
components in the vehicle can
only be serviced by technicians
with special training.
High voltage components are
identified by labels. Do not
remove, open, take apart,
or modify these components.
High voltage cable or wiring has
orange covering. Do not probe,
tamper with, cut, or modify high
voltage cable or wiring.
Electrical System
Overload
The vehicle has fuses and circuit
breakers to protect against an
electrical system overload.
When the current electrical load is
too heavy, the circuit breaker opens
and closes, protecting the circuit
until the current load returns to
normal or the problem is fixed.
This greatly reduces the chance
of circuit overload and fire caused
by electrical problems.
Fuses and circuit breakers protect
the following in the vehicle:
.Headlamp Wiring
.Windshield Wiper Motor
.Power Windows and other
Power Accessories
Replace a bad fuse with a new one
of the identical size and rating.

Black plate (48,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
10-48 Vehicle Care
Wheels and Tires
Tires
Every new GM vehicle has
high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer.
See the warranty manual
for information regarding
the tire warranty and where
to get service. For additional
information refer to the tire
manufacturer.
{WARNING
.Poorly maintained and
improperly used tires are
dangerous.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Overloading the tires can
cause overheating as a
result of too much flexing.
There could be a blowout and
a serious crash. See Vehicle
Load Limits on page 9‑14.
.Underinflated tires pose the
same danger as overloaded
tires. The resulting crash
could cause serious injury.
Check all tires frequently to
maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure
should be checked when
the tires are cold.
.Overinflated tires are more
likely to be cut, punctured,
or broken by a sudden
impact —such as when
hitting a pothole. Keep
tires at the recommended
pressure.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Worn or old tires can cause
a crash. If the tread is badly
worn, replace them.
.Replace any tires that have
been damaged by impacts
with potholes, curbs, etc.
.Improperly repaired tires
can cause a crash. Only the
dealer or an authorized tire
service center should repair,
replace, dismount, and mount
the tires.
.Do not spin the tires in
excess of 55 km/h (35 mph)
on slippery surfaces such
as snow, mud, ice, etc.
Excessive spinning may
cause the tires to explode.

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.