2011 CHEVROLET VOLT check oil

Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-21
Engine Coolant
The engine cooling system in the
vehicle is filled with DEX-COOL
engine coolant. This coolant is
designed to remain in the vehicle for
5 years or 240 000 km (150,000 mi),
whichever occurs first.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
seeEngine Overheating on
page 10‑23.
What to Use
{WARNING
Adding only plain water or some
other liquid to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water
and other liquids, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The coolant warning system is
set for the proper coolant mixture.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
With plain water or the wrong
mixture, the engine could get too
hot but you would not get the
overheat warning. The engine
could catch fire and you or
others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. If using this mixture,
nothing else needs to be added.
This mixture:
.Gives freezing protection down
to −37°C (−34°F), outside
temperature.
.Gives boiling protection up
to 129°C (265°F), engine
temperature.
.Protects against rust and
corrosion.
.Will not damage aluminum parts.
.Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Notice: If an improper coolant
mixture is used, the engine could
overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Too much water in the mixture
can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and other
parts.
Never dispose of engine coolant
by putting it in the trash, pouring
it on the ground, or into sewers,
streams, or bodies of water.
Have the coolant changed by an
authorized service center, familiar
with legal requirements regarding
used coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health.

Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
10-22 Vehicle Care
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
Check to see if coolant is visible
in the coolant surge tank. If the
coolant inside the coolant surge
tank is boiling, do not do anything
else until it cools down. If coolant
is visible but the coolant level is not
at or above the cold fill mark, add
a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant at the
coolant surge tank, but be sure the
cooling system is cool before this is
done. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 10‑23 for more information.
The coolant reservoir is located
on the passenger side of the
engine compartment. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑10 for more information
on location. The coolant level should be at
or above the cold fill line on the
coolant surge tank. If it is not,
there could be a leak in the
cooling system.
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank
{WARNING
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
Notice: This vehicle has a
specific coolant fill procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure
could cause the engine to
overheat and be severely
damaged.
{WARNING
The electric cooling fans under
the hood can start up even when
the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands,
clothing, and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.
{WARNING
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system can blow out
and burn you badly. They are
under pressure, and if you
turn the surge tank pressure
cap —even a little —they can
come out at high speed. Never
turn the cap when the cooling
system, including the surge tank
pressure cap, is hot. Wait for the
cooling system and surge tank
pressure cap to cool if you ever
have to turn the pressure cap.

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 (2,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
11-2 Service and Maintenance
{WARNING
Performing maintenance work can
be dangerous. Some jobs can
cause serious injury. Perform
maintenance work only if you
have the required know-how and
the proper tools and equipment.
If in doubt, see your dealer to
have a qualified technician do
the work. SeeDoing Your Own
Service Work on page 10‑8.
At your dealer, you can be
certain that you will receive the
highest level of service available.
Your dealer has specially trained
service technicians, uses genuine
replacement parts, as well as,
up‐to‐date tools and equipment
to ensure fast and accurate
diagnostics. The proper replacement parts,
fluids, and lubricants to use are
listed in
Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11‑6 and
Maintenance Replacement Parts on
page 11‑7. We recommend the use
of genuine parts from your dealer.
Rotation of New Tires
To maintain ride, handling, and
performance of the vehicle, it is
important that the first rotation
service for new tires be performed.
Tires should be rotated every
12 000 km/7,500 mi. See Tire
Rotation on page 10‑61.
Scheduled
Maintenance
Required Services
Every Month
.Engine oil level check.
See Engine Oil on page 10‑12.
.Engine, power electronics,
and high voltage battery
pack coolant level checks.
SeeCooling System (Engine) on
page 10‑18 orCooling System
(High Voltage Battery) on
page 10‑19 orCooling System
(Power Electronics and Charger
Modules) on page 10‑20 for
more information.
.Fluids visual leak check. A leak
in any system must be repaired
and the fluid level checked.

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Service and Maintenance 11-3
.Windshield washer fluid level
check. SeeWasher Fluid on
page 10‑24.
.Tire inflation check. See Tire
Pressure on page 10‑54.
.Tire wear inspection. See Tire
Inspection on page 10‑61.
Every 12 000 km/7,500 mi
.Rotate tires. See Tire Rotation
on page 10‑61.
Every 24 000 km/15,000 mi
.Check the engine oil filter for
corrosion if driving in a corrosive
environment, such as areas of
high humidity, along an ocean
coast, and/or areas that apply
road salt during winter.
Have the engine oil and filter
changed if the filter shows signs
of corrosion. After each oil and
filter change, the oil life system
must be reset. See Engine Oil
Life System on page 10‑15.
.Cooling systems inspection.
Visually inspect the hoses,
pipes, fittings, and clamps.
Replace, if needed.
.Windshield wiper blade
inspection for wear, cracking,
or contamination and windshield
and wiper blade cleaning,
if contaminated. See Exterior
Care on page 10‑89. Worn
or damaged wiper blade
replacement. See Wiper Blade
Replacement on page 10‑31.
.Engine air cleaner filter
inspection. See Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 10‑16.
.Brake system inspection.
See your dealer.
.Steering and suspension
inspection. Visual inspection
for damaged, loose, or missing
parts or signs of wear.
.Body hinges and latches and
key lock cylinders lubrication.
See Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11‑6.
More frequent lubrication may
be required when the vehicle
is exposed to a corrosive
environment, such as areas of
high humidity, along an ocean
coast, and/or areas that apply
road salt during winter. Applying
silicone grease on weatherstrips
with a clean cloth makes them
last longer, seal better, and not
stick or squeak.
.Restraint system component
check. See Safety System
Check on page 3‑23.
.Fuel system inspection for
damage or leaks.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
11-4 Service and Maintenance
.Exhaust system and nearby heat
shields inspection for loose or
damaged components.
.SeePropulsion System Start
Check on page 10‑29.
.See Electrical Drive Unit Shift
Lock Control Function Check on
page 10‑30.
.See Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check on
page 10‑30.
.Cooling systems check.
See Cooling System (Engine) on
page 10‑18 orCooling System
(High Voltage Battery) on
page 10‑19 orCooling System
(Power Electronics and Charger
Modules) on page 10‑20.
.Accelerator pedal check for
damage, high effort, or binding.
Replace if needed.
.Check the sealant expiration
date printed on the instruction
label of the tire sealant and
compressor kit. See Tire
Sealant and Compressor
Kit on page 10‑71.
.Hood/Decklid/Liftgate Support
Gas Strut Service: Visually
inspect gas strut, if equipped, for
signs of wear, cracks, or other
damage. Check the hold open
ability of the gas strut. Contact
your dealer if service is required. Every 24 Months or When the
Change Engine Oil Soon Message
Displays
.Every 24 months or when the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message displays, change the
engine oil and filter as soon
as possible, within the next
1 000 km/600 mi. The engine oil
and filter must be changed at
least once every 24 months.
After each oil and filter change,
the oil life system must be reset.
See
Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑15. More frequent
changes may be required when
the vehicle is exposed to a
corrosive environment, such as
areas of high humidity, along an
ocean coast, and/or areas that
apply road salt during winter.

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Service and Maintenance 11-5
Your dealer has trained service
technicians who will perform
this work and reset the system.
If the engine oil life system is
reset accidentally, service the
vehicle within 5 000 km/3,000 mi
since the last service. Reset the
oil life system whenever the oil is
changed.
Every 80 000 km/50,000 mi
.Engine air cleaner filter
replacement.
.Evaporative control system
inspection. Check all fuel and
vapor lines and hoses for proper
hook‐up, routing, and condition.
Check that the purge valve,
if the vehicle has one, works
properly. Replace as needed. An Emission Control Service.
The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board
has determined that the failure
to perform this maintenance
item will not nullify the emission
warranty or limit recall liability
prior to the completion of
the vehicle's useful life.
We, however, urge that all
recommended maintenance
services be performed at the
indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.
Every 160 000 km/100,000 mi
.Spark plug replacement.
An Emission Control Service. Every 240 000 km/150,000 mi or
every 5 years, whichever occurs
first
.Engine cooling system drain,
flush, and refill (or every five
years, whichever occurs first).
See
Cooling System (Engine) on
page 10‑18 orCooling System
(High Voltage Battery) on
page 10‑19 orCooling System
(Power Electronics and Charger
Modules) on page 10‑20.
An Emission Control Service.
Every 240 000 km/150,000 mi or
every 10 years, whichever occurs
first
.Engine drive belt inspection
for fraying, excessive cracks,
or obvious damage. Replace,
if needed.
Every 10 Years
.Air conditioning system flush
and refill and desiccant
replacement.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
i-4 INDEX
E
Electric Drive Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Electric Drive UnitMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-47
Electric Drive Unit Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Electric Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . 5-25
Electrical Equipment, Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-63
Electrical Requirements for Battery Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-56
Electrical System Engine Compartment
Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . 10-42, 10-43
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Rear Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-45
Electronic Stability Control . . . . . 9-39
Energy Efficiency Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25, 9-2
Energy Information . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-41 Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Check and Service Engine
Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Compartment Overview . . . . . 10-10
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27
Cooling System . . . . . . 10-18, 10-20
Cooling System Messages . . . 5-47
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-3
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 9-31
Engine Oil
Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-48
Engine Unavailable Out of Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . 13-26
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Extended Range Mode . . . . . . . . 9-25
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . 3-23
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 6-1
F
Filter,
Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 6-4
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-69
Floor Console Storage . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-96
Fluid Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-57 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-59
Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-62
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-60
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . 9-58
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . . 9-58
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16