2011 CHEVROLET VOLT engine coolant

Black plate (18,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
10-18 Vehicle Care
Cooling System (Engine)
When it is safe to lift the hood:
A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank andPressure Cap
B. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View)
{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. If the coolant inside the coolant
surge tank is boiling, do not do
anything else until it cools down.
The vehicle should be parked on
a level surface.
The coolant level should be up to
the cold fill line. If it is not, there
might be a leak at the radiator
hoses, heater hoses, radiator,
water pump, or somewhere else
in the cooling system.
{WARNING
Heater and radiator hoses, and
other engine parts, can be very
hot. Do not touch them. If you do,
you can be burned.
Do not run the vehicle if there
is a leak. If you run the engine, it
could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you
could be burned. Get any leak
fixed before you drive the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak,
with the engine on, check to
see if the electric engine cooling
fans are running. If the engine is
overheating, the fans should be
running. If it is not, the vehicle
needs service. Turn off the vehicle.
Notice:
Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL
®can cause premature
engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant could require changing
sooner, at 50 000 km (30,000 mi)
or 24 months, whichever occurs
first. Any repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always use DEX-COOL
(silicate-free) coolant in the
vehicle.

Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-19
Cooling System
(High Voltage Battery)
During vehicle operation and
also during charging, the high
voltage battery cells in the
vehicle are kept within a normal
operating temperature range.
If the temperature rises above this
temperature, the battery cooling
system turns on the air conditioning
compressor and cools the coolant
until the correct temperature is
reached. If the temperature falls
below this temperature, a high
voltage heater, located in the
battery, heats the coolant until the
correct temperature is reached.
What to Use
The high voltage battery coolant
reservoir in the vehicle is filled
with a 50/50 mixture of DEX-COOL
engine coolant and deionized water.
If using this mixture, nothing else
needs to be added.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
The high voltage battery
coolant reservoir is located
on the passenger side of the
engine compartment. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑10 for more information
on location.Check to see if coolant is visible
in the high voltage battery coolant
reservoir. If coolant is visible but the
coolant level is below the cold fill
line, there could be a leak in the
cooling system.
The high voltage battery coolant
should only be serviced by a
qualified technician.

Black plate (20,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
10-20 Vehicle Care
Cooling System
(Power Electronics and
Charger Modules)
The power electronics and charger
modules are cooled using the same
coolant loop.
The power electronics and charger
modules in the vehicle are kept
below a maximum temperature.
If the temperature rises above
this temperature, the electric
engine cooling fans will turn
on and cool the coolant until the
correct temperature is reached.
What to Use
The power electronics and charger
modules coolant reservoir in the
vehicle is filled with a 50/50 mixture
of DEX-COOL engine coolant
and deionized water. If using this
mixture, nothing else needs to
be added.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
The power electronics and
charger modules coolant reservoir
is located on the driver side of the
engine compartment. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑10 for more information
on location.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the power electronics and charger
modules coolant reservoir. If coolant
is visible but the coolant level is
below the cold fill line, there could
be a leak in the cooling system.
The power electronics and charger
modules coolant should only be
serviced by a qualified technician.

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 (23,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-23
If coolant is needed, add the proper
DEX-COOL coolant mixture at the
coolant surge tank.
The coolant surge tank pressure
cap can be removed when the
cooling system, including the
surge tank pressure cap and upper
radiator hose, is no longer hot.
1. Turn the pressure cap slowlycounterclockwise. If a hiss is
heard, wait for that to stop.
A hiss means there is still
some pressure left.
2. Keep turning the cap and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with
the proper mixture to the cold
fill line.
4. Replace the pressure cap. Be sure the pressure cap is
hand‐tight and fully seated.
Notice: If the pressure cap is
not tightly installed, coolant loss
and possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has an indicator to warn
of engine overheating.
If the decision is made not to
lift the hood when this warning
appears, get service help right
away. See Roadside Assistance
Program on page 13‑6.
If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine
cooling fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, the fans
should be running. If they are not,
do not continue to run the vehicle
and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Engine damage from
running the engine without
coolant is not covered by the
warranty.

Black plate (24,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
10-24 Vehicle Care
Power Steering Fluid
The vehicle is equipped with an
electric power steering system.
No fluid or general maintenance
is required.
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When adding windshield washer
fluid to the vehicle, be sure to read
the manufacturer's instructions
before use. If operating the vehicle
in an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use a fluid
that has sufficient protection against
freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
The WASHER FLUID LOW ADD
FLUID message will appear on
the Driver Information Center
(DIC) when the fluid level is low.
SeeDriver Information Center (DIC)
on page 5‑43 for more information.
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer fluid
until the tank is full. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑10 for reservoir location. Notice
.When using concentrated
washer fluid, follow the
manufacturer's instructions
for adding water.
.Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the solution
to freeze and damage the
washer fluid tank and other
parts of the washer system.
Also, water does not clean
as well as washer fluid.
.Fill the washer fluid tank
only three-quarters full
when it is very cold. This
allows for fluid expansion
if freezing occurs, which
could damage the tank if
it is completely full.
.Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the windshield
washer. It can damage the
windshield washer system
and paint.

Black plate (40,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
10-40 Vehicle Care
Mini Fuses Usage15 Traction Power
Inverter Module
and Transmission
Control
Module
–Battery
17 Engine Control
Module
–Battery
22 Left High‐Beam
Headlamp
24 Empty
25 Empty
26 Empty
31 Rechargeable
Energy Storage
System (High
Voltage Battery)
Coolant Pump
32 Sensing Diagnostic
Module
–Run/Crank Mini Fuses Usage
33 Run/Crank for Fuel
System Control
Module/Vehicle
Integration Control
Module
34 Vehicle
Integration Control
Module
–Battery
35 Power Electronics
Coolant Pump
36 Empty
37 Cabin Heater
Control Module
38 Empty
39 Rechargeable
Energy Storage
System (High
Voltage Battery)
Control Module Mini Fuses Usage
40 Front Windshield
Washer
41 Right High‐Beam
Headlamp
46 Empty
47 Empty
49 Empty
50 Rear Vision
Camera
–Run/
Crank (If Equipped)
51 Run/Crank for
ABS/Rechargeable
Energy Storage
System (High
Voltage Battery)/
Charger
52 Engine
Control Module/
Transmission
Control
Module
–Run/Crank