
Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
5-2 Instruments and Controls
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 5-45
Battery and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-45
Brake System Messages . . . . 5-46
Cruise Control Messages . . . . 5-46
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-46
Drive Mode Messages . . . . . . . 5-47
Electric Drive Unit Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-47
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-47
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . 5-48
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . 5-48
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 5-48
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-49
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-49
Propulsion Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-50 Ride Control System
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-50
Airbag System Messages . . . . 5-51
Anti-theft Alarm System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-51
Service Vehicle Messages . . . 5-51
Starting the Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-52
Tire Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-52
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . 5-53
Washer Fluid Messages . . . . . 5-53
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . 5-53
Universal Remote System
Universal Remote System . . . 5-60
Universal Remote System Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-60
Universal Remote System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-63

Black plate (48,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
5-48 Instruments and Controls
Engine Oil Messages
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
This message displays when the
engine oil needs to be changed.
After changing the engine oil,
the Engine Oil Life System must
be reset. SeeEngine Oil Life
System on page 10‑15 and
Driver Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑43 for information on how
to reset the system. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑12 andScheduled
Maintenance on page 11‑2 for
more information.
OIL PRESSURE LOW —TURN
VEHICLE OFF
This message displays if low oil
pressure levels occur. Stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible
and do not operate it until the cause
of the low oil pressure has been
corrected. Check the oil as soon
as possible and have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer.
Fuel System Messages
CLOSE FUEL DOOR
This message displays when the
fuel door is open and the vehicle is
moving.
ENGINE NOT AVAILABLE
ADD FUEL
This message displays when
the engine is not available due to
running out of fuel. The vehicle can
continue to be driven in Electric
Mode until the battery is depleted,
but will have reduced acceleration.
When this message is displayed,
refuel the vehicle. See Out of Fuel/
Engine Unavailable on page 9‑28.
FUEL LEVEL LOW
This message displays when the
vehicle is low on fuel. Refuel as
soon as possible.
READY TO REFUEL
This message displays when the
fuel system is depressurized and
the vehicle can be refueled.
TIGHTEN GAS CAP
This message displays when the
fuel cap is not on tight. Tighten the
fuel cap.
WAIT TO REFUEL
This message displays when the
fuel system is pressurized and you
must to wait to refuel the vehicle.
Key and Lock Messages
When programming new Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitters,
DIC messages display. See Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 2‑3 for more
information.

Black plate (49,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-49
NO REMOTE DETECTED
This message displays when the
RKE transmitter is not detected
while attempting to start the vehicle.
The transmitter battery may be
weak. See“Starting the Vehicle
with a Low Transmitter Battery”
under Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2‑3 for
more information.
NO REMOTE DETECTED,
PRESS BRAKE TO RESTART
This message displays if the RKE
transmitter is no longer detected
in the vehicle. Press the brake
pedal and the POWER
Obutton
to restart the vehicle, or press the
POWER
Obutton without pressing
the brake pedal to turn the vehicle
off. If the vehicle is turned off and
a valid transmitter is not available,
the vehicle will not restart.
REMINDER: KEY LEFT IN
VEHICLE
This message displays when
leaving the vehicle with the RKE
transmitter still inside.
REPLACE BATTERY IN
REMOTE KEY
This message displays when the
battery in the RKE transmitter needs
to be replaced.
SERVICE KEYLESS START
SYSTEM
This message displays when the
keyless start system needs service.
Take the vehicle to your dealer.
Lamp Messages
AUTOMATIC LIGHT CONTROL
ON OR OFF
A message will display when the
automatic light control has been
turned on or off.
CHECK LAMP or LAMP
FAILURE
Depending on the lamp, one of
these messages may display.
See Bulb Replacement on
page 10‑34.
TURN SIGNAL ON
This message displays if the turn
signal has been left on. Turn off the
turn signal.
Object Detection System
Messages
PARK ASSIST OFF
This message displays when the
park assist system has been turned
off. See Ultrasonic Parking Assist
on page 9‑43.
SERVICE PARKING ASSIST
This message displays if there is a
problem with the park assist system.
Take the vehicle to your dealer for
service.

Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
8-8 Climate Controls
Rear Window Defogger
=(Rear Window Defogger):
Press to turn the rear window
defogger on or off.
The rear window defogger
turns off automatically after about
five minutes. If turned on again,
it runs for about five minutes
before turning off. The defogger
can also be turned off by turning
the vehicle off.
For vehicles with heated outside
rearview mirrors, they turn on when
the rear window defogger button
is on and help to clear fog or frost
from the surface of the mirror.
See Heated Mirrors on page 2‑16. Notice:
Do not try to clear frost
or other material from the inside
of the front windshield and rear
window with a razor blade or
anything else that is sharp.
This may damage the rear
window defogger grid and affect
the radio's ability to pick up
stations clearly. The repairs
wouldn't be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Remote Start: For vehicles with
this feature, the climate control
system may be started by using
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter. The climate control
system will default to an appropriate
heating or cooling mode.
See Remote Start on page 2‑8.
The rear window defogger turns on
if it is cold outside.
Compressor
The vehicle has an electric powered
air conditioning compressor.
This allows for continuous air
conditioning and/or high voltage
battery cooling operation, without
running the engine.
The compressor operating speed
is not tied to the engine speed, so
some noise may be heard from the
compressor, especially when air
conditioning use is high and the
engine has turned off. This is
normal.

Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-19
on. The flashing light will eventually
time out. The POWER
Obutton
light is on steady when in ON/RUN
power mode. When the vehicle is
turned off, the POWER
Obutton
light will turn off.
The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter must be in the vehicle
for the system to operate. If the
vehicle will not start, place the RKE
transmitter in the transmitter slot.
See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2‑3.
ON/RUN: This position is for
driving and starting. With the vehicle
off, and the brake pedal applied,
pressing the POWER
Obutton once
will place the vehicle in ON/RUN.
The instrument cluster displays an
active fuel or battery gauge, along
with an audio startup cue, when
the vehicle is ready to be driven.
This could take up to 15 seconds
at extremely cold temperatures. The engine will only start if needed.
If the vehicle did not start, the
instrument cluster will display a
screen with inactive fuel and battery
gauges. See
Starting and Stopping
the Vehicle on page 9‑20.
Service Only Mode
This power mode is available for
service and diagnostics, and to
verify the proper operation of
the MIL as may be required for
emission inspection purposes.
With the vehicle off, and the brake
pedal not applied, pressing and
holding the POWER
Obutton for
more than 5 seconds will place
the vehicle in Service Only Mode.
The instruments and audio systems
will operate as they do in ON/RUN,
but the vehicle will not be able to be
driven. The propulsion system will
not start in Service Only Mode. STOPPING THE VEHICLE/OFF:
To turn the vehicle off, push the
POWER
Obutton with the vehicle
in P (Park). Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) will remain active
until the driver door is opened.
See Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) on page 9‑22. When turning
off the vehicle, if the vehicle is not
in P (Park), the vehicle will go to
ACC/ACCESSORY and display the
message SHIFT TO PARK in the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
See Electric Drive Unit Messages
on page 5‑47.
In an emergency, if the vehicle must
be stopped while driving:
1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the
brakes repeatedly. This may
deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force.

Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-21
The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter must be in the vehicle.
Press the brake pedal and push
and release the POWER
Obutton.
If the RKE transmitter is not in the
vehicle or something is interfering
with the transmitter, a message
displays in the Driver Information
Center (DIC). See Key and Lock
Messages on page 5‑48.
If the vehicle will not start due
to a low RKE transmitter battery,
the vehicle can still be driven.
See “Starting the Vehicle with
a Low Transmitter Battery” in
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2‑3.
A Welcome, Ready, and Good‐bye
audio message will be heard in
the vehicle and animated on the
instrument cluster when opening
the driver door upon entry, when
the vehicle is ready to be driven,
and when the vehicle is turned off. The instrument cluster displays an
active fuel or battery gauge, along
with an audio startup cue, when
the vehicle is ready to be driven.
This could take up to 15 seconds
at extremely cold temperatures.
The engine will only start if needed.
If the vehicle did not start, the
instrument cluster will display
a screen with inactive fuel and
battery gauges. See
Starting and
Stopping the Vehicle on page 9‑20.

Black plate (49,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-49
When the System Does Not
Seem To Work Properly
The RVC system may not work
properly or display a clear image if:
.The RVC is turned off.
See“Turning the Rear Vision
Camera System On or Off”
earlier in this section.
.It is dark.
.The sun or the beam of
headlamps is shining directly
into the camera lens.
.Ice, snow, mud, or anything else
has built up on the camera lens.
Clean the lens, rinse it with
water, and wipe it with a soft
cloth.
.The back of the vehicle was in
an accident. The position and
mounting angle of the camera
can change or the camera can
be affected. Be sure to have
the camera and its position and
mounting angle checked at your
dealer.
Charging
Plug-In Charging
This section explains the process
for charging the vehicle's high
voltage battery. Do not allow the
vehicle to remain in temperature
extremes for long periods without
being driven or plugged in. It is
recommended that the vehicle
be plugged in when temperatures
are below 0°C (32°F) and above
32°C (90°F) to maximize high
voltage battery life.
The charging system may run fans
and pumps that result in sounds
from the vehicle while it is turned
off. Additional unexpected clicking
sounds may be experienced caused
by the electrical devices used while
charging.
Charging
Start Charge
1. The charge port door release button is on the driver door inner
trim panel. With the vehicle in
P (Park), press the button for
one second and release to open
the charge port door. The charge
port door can also be opened
using the RKE transmitter.
See Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation on
page 2‑3.

Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
INDEX i-9
Proposition 65 Warning,California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Propulsion Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-50
Propulsion System Start Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
R
Radio FrequencyIdentification (RFID) . . . . . . . . 13-27
Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-28
Radios AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10
CD/DVD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18
Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17
Satellite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-16
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . 9-46
Rearview Mirror Automatic Dimming . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-6
Records Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8 Recreational Vehicle
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-87
Regenerative Braking . . . . . . . . . . 9-37
Reimbursement Program, GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-5
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Remote Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Replacement Parts Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-40
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-7
Replacing Airbag System . . . . . . 3-40
Replacing LATCH System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . 3-57
Replacing Safety Belt
System Parts after a Crash . . . 3-24
Reporting Safety Defects Canadian Government . . . . . . 13-25
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-25
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . 13-24
Requirements Electrical Battery Charging . . . 9-56
Restraints Where to Put . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-47 Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . . 9-39 Electronic Stability (ESC) . . . . . 9-39
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-50
Roads Driving, Wet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-9
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-6
Rotation, Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-61
Routing, Engine Drive Belt . . . . . 12-3
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-31
S
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24
Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-23
How to Wear Safety BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19
Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18
Replacing after a Crash . . . . . . 3-24
Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . 3-23