2011 CHEVROLET VOLT roof

Black plate (31,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-31
Rollover capable roof‐rail airbags
are designed to help contain the
head and chest of occupants in
the outboard seating positions
in the first and second rows.
The rollover capable roof‐rail
airbags are designed to help
reduce the risk of full or partial
ejection in rollover events, although
no system can prevent all such
ejections.
But airbags would not help in
many types of collisions, primarily
because the occupant's motion
is not toward those airbags. See
When Should an Airbag Inflate? on
page 3‑28for more information.
Airbags should never be regarded
as anything more than a supplement
to safety belts.What Will You See after
an Airbag Inflates?
After the frontal airbags and
seat-mounted side impact airbags
inflate, they quickly deflate, so
quickly that some people may not
even realize an airbag inflated.
Roof-rail airbags may still be at least
partially inflated for some time after
they deploy. Some components of
the airbag module may be hot for
several minutes. For location of the
airbag modules, see What Makes
an Airbag Inflate? on page 3‑30.
The parts of the airbag that come
into contact with you may be warm,
but not too hot to touch. There may
be some smoke and dust coming
from the vents in the deflated
airbags. Airbag inflation does not
prevent the driver from seeing out
of the windshield or being able to
steer the vehicle, nor does it prevent
people from leaving the vehicle.
{WARNING
When an airbag inflates, there
may be dust in the air. This dust
could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of
asthma or other breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon
as it is safe to do so. If you have
breathing problems but cannot
get out of the vehicle after an
airbag inflates, then get fresh air
by opening a window or a door.
If you experience breathing
problems following an airbag
deployment, you should seek
medical attention.
The vehicle has a feature that may
automatically unlock the doors, turn
on the interior lamps and hazard
warning flashers, and shut off the
fuel system after the airbags inflate.

Black plate (33,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-33
Passenger Sensing
System
The vehicle has a passenger
sensing system for the right front
passenger position. The passenger
airbag status indicator will be visible
on the overhead console when the
vehicle is started.
The words ON and OFF are visible
during the system check. When the
system check is complete, either
the word ON or OFF will be visible.
SeePassenger Airbag Status
Indicator on page 5‑20. The passenger sensing system
turns off the right front passenger
frontal airbag and the knee airbag
on the passenger side, under
certain conditions. The driver
airbag, the driver knee airbag, the
seat-mounted side impact airbags,
and the roof-rail airbags are not
affected by the passenger sensing
system.
The passenger sensing system
works with sensors that are part
of the right front passenger seat.
The sensors are designed to detect
the presence of a properly seated
occupant and determine if the right
front passenger frontal airbag and
passenger knee airbag should be
enabled (may inflate) or not.
According to accident statistics,
children are safer when properly
secured in a rear seat in a correct
child restraint for their weight
and size.
We recommend that children be
secured in a rear seat, including:
an infant or a child riding in a
rear-facing child restraint; a child
riding in a forward-facing child seat;
an older child riding in a booster
seat; and children, who are large
enough, using safety belts.
A label on the sun visor says,
“Never put a rear-facing child seat
in the front.”
This is because the risk
to the rear-facing child is so great,
if the airbag deploys.

Black plate (38,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
3-38 Seats and Restraints
Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle
should be serviced. There are
parts of the airbag system in
several places around the vehicle.
Your dealer and the service manual
have information about servicing
the vehicle and the airbag system.
To purchase a service manual,
seeService Publications Ordering
Information on page 13‑12.
{WARNING
For up to 10 seconds after the
vehicle is turned off and the
12‐volt battery is disconnected,
an airbag can still inflate during
improper service. You can be
injured if you are close to an
airbag when it inflates. Avoid
yellow connectors. They are
probably part of the airbag
system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make
sure the person performing work
for you is qualified to do so.
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q: Is there anything I might add
to or change about the vehicle
that could keep the airbags
from working properly?
A: Yes. If you add things that
change the vehicle's frame,
bumper system, height, front end
or side sheet metal, they may
keep the airbag system from
working properly. Changing or
moving any parts of the front
seats, safety belts, the airbag
sensing and diagnostic module,
steering wheel, instrument
panel, roof-rail airbag modules,
ceiling headliner or pillar garnish
trim, overhead console, front
sensors, side impact sensors,
rollover sensor module, or airbag
wiring can affect the operation of
the airbag system.

Black plate (39,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-39
In addition, the vehicle has a
passenger sensing system
for the right front passenger
position, which includes sensors
that are part of the passenger
seat. The passenger sensing
system may not operate properly
if the original seat trim is
replaced with non-GM covers,
upholstery or trim, or with
GM covers, upholstery or
trim designed for a different
vehicle. Any object, such as
an aftermarket seat heater
or a comfort enhancing pad
or device, installed under or on
top of the seat fabric, could also
interfere with the operation of
the passenger sensing system.
This could either prevent proper
deployment of the passengerairbag(s) or prevent the
passenger sensing system
from properly turning off
the passenger airbag(s).
See
Passenger Sensing
System on page 3‑33.
If you have questions,
call Customer Assistance.
The phone numbers and
addresses for Customer
Assistance are in Step Two
of the Customer Satisfaction
Procedure in this manual.
See Customer Satisfaction
Procedure on page 13‑1.
If the vehicle has rollover
roof‐rail airbags, see Different
Size Tires and Wheels on
page 10‑65 for additional
important information. Q: Because I have a disability,
I have to get my vehicle
modified. How can I find out
whether this will affect my
airbag system?
A: If you have questions,
call Customer Assistance.
The phone numbers and
addresses for Customer
Assistance are in Step Two
of the Customer Satisfaction
Procedure in this manual.
See Customer Satisfaction
Procedure on page 13‑1.
In addition, the dealer and the
service manual have information
about the location of the airbag
sensors, sensing and diagnostic
module, and airbag wiring.

Black plate (18,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
7-18 Infotainment System
AM
The range for most AM stations is
greater than for FM, especially at
night. The longer range can cause
station frequencies to interfere with
each other. Static can occur when
things like storms and power lines
interfere with radio reception. When
this happens, try reducing the treble
on the radio.
XM™Satellite Radio Service
XM Satellite Radio Service gives
digital radio reception from coast
to coast in the 48 contiguous
United States, and in Canada.
Just as with FM, tall buildings or
hills can interfere with satellite radio
signals, causing the sound to fade
in and out. In addition, traveling
or standing under heavy foliage,
bridges, garages, or tunnels may
cause loss of the XM signal for a
period of time.
Cellular Phone Usage
Cellular phone usage can cause
interference with the vehicle's radio.
Multi-Band Antenna
The multi-band antenna is on the
roof of the vehicle. The antenna
is used for the AM‐FM radio,
OnStar, the XM Satellite Radio
Service System, and GPS (Global
Positioning System), if the vehicle
has these features. Keep the
antenna clear of obstructions
for clear reception.
Audio Players
CD/DVD Player
The player can be used for CD,
MP3, and DVD audio, and as a
DVD video player.
With the vehicle on, insert a
CD/DVD into the slot, label side
up. The player pulls it in and
begins playing. While playing,
the navigation system is available.
The vehicle must be in P (Park) for
video to display.
The DVD player is only compatible
with DVDs of the appropriate region
code printed on the jacket of
most DVDs.

Black plate (75,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Infotainment System 7-75
When the vehicle is not receiving
signals from the satellites, a symbol
appears on the map screen. See
Navigation Symbols on page 7‑47.
This system might not be available
or interferences can occur if any of
the following is true:
.Signals are obstructed by tall
buildings, trees, large trucks,
or a tunnel.
.Satellites are being repaired or
improved.
For more information if the GPS
is not functioning properly, see
“If the System Needs Service” and
“Problems with Route Guidance.”
Vehicle Positioning
At times, the position of the vehicle
on the map could be inaccurate
due to one or more of the following
reasons:
.The road system has changed.
.The vehicle is driving on slippery
road surfaces such as in sand,
gravel, and/or snow.
.The vehicle is traveling on
winding roads or long straight
roads.
.Approaching a tall building or a
large vehicle.
.The surface streets run parallel
to a freeway.
.The vehicle has been transferred
by a vehicle carrier or a ferry.
.The current position calibration
is set incorrectly.
.The vehicle is traveling at high
speed.
.The vehicle changes directions
more than once, or the vehicle
is turning on a turn table in a
parking lot.
.The vehicle is entering and/or
exiting a parking lot, garage,
or a lot with a roof.
.The GPS signal is not received.
.A roof carrier is installed on the
vehicle.
.Tire chains have been installed.
.The tires are replaced or worn.
.The tire pressure for the tires is
incorrect.
.This is the first navigation use
after the map data is updated.
.The 12-volt battery is
disconnected for several days.
.The vehicle is driving in heavy
traffic where driving is at low
speeds, and the vehicle is
stopped and started repeatedly.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
9-4 Driving and Operating
Maintenance
Always keep the tires properly
inflated and the vehicle properly
aligned.
The weight of excess cargo in the
vehicle affects efficiency and range.
Avoid carrying more than is needed.
If fuel is not regularly used, consider
keeping the fuel tank only one‐third
full. Excess fuel weight impacts
efficiency and range.
Use premium fuel.
Avoid unnecessary use of electrical
accessories. Power used for
functions other than propelling
the vehicle will reduce EV range.
Using a rooftop carrier will reduce
efficiency due to additional weight
and drag.Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means“always
expect the unexpected.” The first
step in driving defensively is to wear
the safety belt. See Safety Belts on
page 3‑10.
{WARNING
Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and other
drivers) are going to be careless
and make mistakes. Anticipate
what they might do and be ready.
In addition:
.Allow enough following
distance between you and
the driver in front of you.
.Focus on the task of driving.
Driver distraction can cause
collisions resulting in injury or
possible death. These simple
defensive driving techniques
could save your life.
Drunk Driving
{WARNING
Drinking and then driving is
very dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by
even a small amount of alcohol.
You can have a serious —or
even fatal —collision if you
drive after drinking.
Do not drink and drive or ride with
a driver who has been drinking.
Ride home in a cab; or if you are
with a group, designate a driver
who will not drink.
Death and injury associated with
drinking and driving is a global
tragedy.