2011 CHEVROLET VOLT service indicator

Black plate (23,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-23
Light On Steady:An emission
control system malfunction has
been detected on the vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be
required.
The following may correct an
emission system malfunction:
.Check that the fuel cap is fully
installed. The diagnostic system
can determine if the fuel cap
has been left off or improperly
installed. A loose or missing fuel
cap allows fuel to evaporate into
the atmosphere. A few driving
trips with the cap properly
installed should turn the light off.
.Check that the electrical system
is not wet. The system could
be wet if the vehicle was
driven through a deep puddle of
water. The condition is usually
corrected when the electrical
system dries out. A few driving
trips should turn the light off.
.Check that good quality fuel
is used. Poor fuel quality
causes the engine not to run
as efficiently as designed and
may cause stalling after start-up
or misfiring. These conditions
might go away once the engine
is warmed up.
If one or more of these
conditions occurs, change the
fuel brand used. It will require at
least one full tank of the proper
fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above have made
the light turn off, your dealer can
check the vehicle. The dealer
has the proper test equipment
and diagnostic tools to fix any
mechanical or electrical problems
that might have developed.Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state and local governments
have or might begin programs
to inspect the emission control
equipment on the vehicle. Failure to
pass this inspection could prevent
getting a vehicle registration.
Here are some things to know to
help the vehicle pass an inspection:
.The vehicle will not pass this
inspection if the malfunction
indicator lamp is on while the
vehicle is in ON/RUN, or if the
vehicle is placed in Service
Only Mode and the malfunction
indicator lamp does not come
on. See your dealer for
assistance in verifying proper
operation of the malfunction
indicator lamp.

Black plate (27,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-27
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak®Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the vehicle.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the
system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
If the light comes on and stays
on while driving, there could be a
problem with the TCS/StabiliTrak
system and the vehicle might need
service. When this warning light is
on, the TCS/StabiliTrak system is
off and does not limit wheel spin.
The light flashes if the system is
active and is working to assist the
driver with directional control of the
vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Light
The engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on briefly when
the vehicle is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the
system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
If the light comes on and stays
on while driving, the vehicle may
have a problem with the cooling
system. Stop and turn off the
vehicle to avoid damage to the
engine. A warning chime sounds
when this light is on.
SeeEngine Overheating on
page 10‑23 for more information.
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this light
comes on briefly when the vehicle is
in ON/RUN. It provides information
about tire pressures and the TPMS.
When the Light is On Steady
This indicates that one or more
of the tires are significantly
underinflated.
A message in the Driver Information
Center (DIC) may also display.
SeeTire Messages on page 5‑52
for more information. Stop as soon
as possible, and inflate the tires to
the pressure value shown on the
Tire and Loading Information Label.
See Tires on page 10‑48 for more
information.

Black plate (50,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
5-50 Instruments and Controls
Propulsion Power
Messages
PROPULSION POWER IS
REDUCED
This message displays when the
propulsion power is reduced and
can affect the ability to accelerate.
If this message is on, but there
is no reduction in performance,
proceed to your destination.
The performance may be reduced
the next time the vehicle is driven.
The vehicle may be driven at a
reduced speed while this message
is on, but maximum acceleration
and speed may be reduced.
If this message stays on when
the malfunction indicator lamp is
on, the vehicle should be taken to
your dealer for service as soon as
possible.This message can display when
driving in mountainous terrain
without using Mountain Mode or by
not entering Mountain Mode soon
enough to build a sufficient battery
charge reserve before climbing
steep grades. This is normal
operation to protect the high
voltage battery. Only if both
the PROPULSION POWER IS
REDUCED message and the
malfunction indicator lamp are
on should the vehicle be taken
to the dealer for service.
While climbing the grade with this
message displayed, the vehicle
speed may be reduced until the
engine can recover the battery
state of charge to a normal level.
See
“Mountain Mode” underDriver
Selected Operating Modes on
page 9‑26.
Ride Control System
Messages
LOW TRACTION
This message displays when the
Antilock Brake System (ABS) is
active and is working to assist the
driver with control of the vehicle in
difficult driving conditions.
SERVICE STABILITRAK
This message displays when
there is a problem detected with
the StabiliTrak system. The vehicle
is safe to drive, but the StabiliTrak
system is not operational.
See Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) on page 9‑39 for information
on resetting the system.

Black plate (50,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
9-50 Driving and Operating
In cold weather conditions, ice
may form around the charge port
door. The charge port door may
not open on the first attempt.
Remove ice from the area and
repeat attempting to open the
charge port door.
2. Open the rear hatch, lift the loadsupport floor covering (A), and
remove the charge cord (D). It is located near the tire sealant
and compressor kit (C). Pull up
on the charge cord handle (D)
to release it from the handle
clip (E). Lift the charge cord up
and rearward to remove it from
the vehicle. The vehicle plug (B)
is stored as shown.
3. Plug the charge cord into the electrical outlet. See Electrical
Requirements for Battery
Charging on page 9‑56.
Verify that the charge cord
status indicators are both green.
See Charge Cord on page 9‑54
for more information.
4. Then plug in the vehicle plug of the charge cord into the
charge port on the vehicle.
Verify that the charging status
indicator illuminates on top of
the instrument panel and a horn
chirp occurs. See Charging
Status Feedback on page 9‑52
for more information.
5. To arm the charge cord theft alert, lock the vehicle with the
RKE transmitter. This feature
can be disabled by a service
technician.

Black plate (54,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
9-54 Driving and Operating
Charging StatusIndicator Sound Action/Reason
None (After Green or Yellow CSI
Indication Observed) None Charge cord connection
should be checked.
See
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 5‑21.
None Repeated horn chirps
This feature can be
disabled by a service
technician.
To stop this alert, do one
of the following:
.Unplug the
charge cord.
.Press Unlock symbol
on the RKE.
.Press and hold the
Panic Alarm symbol
on the RKE, then
press again to stop
the panic alarm.
.Press the horn pad. Electricity was
interrupted before
charging was complete.
Charge Cord
See
Radio Frequency
Statement on page 13‑28 for
information regarding Part 15
of the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) rules and
Industry Canada Standards
RSS-210/220/310.
A. Charge Level Button
B. Charge Level Indicators
C. Charge Cord Status Indicators
D. Vehicle Plug
E. Wall Plug

Black plate (56,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
9-56 Driving and Operating
A flashing red FAULT (B) indicates a
charge cord fault. The charge cord
will attempt to reset automatically.
If the flashing red FAULT (B)
continues for more than
30 seconds, unplug the charge
cord from the wall to reset. If the
fault remains, see your dealer for
service.
Charge Level Button
Two charge levels are available by
pressing the charge level button.
Select reduced or normal level.
The charge level cannot be
changed when the vehicle plug is
plugged into the charge port on the
vehicle. If the charge level button
is pressed while the vehicle plug is
plugged into the charge port on the
vehicle, the charge level indicatorswill flash briefly. To change the
charge level, unplug the vehicle
plug from the charge port on the
vehicle and select the desired
charge level.
Normal Level:
This level is
recommended. All four charge
level indicators will be lit.
Reduced Level: Use when the
electrical current is limited. Two
charge level indicators will be lit.
Vehicle Plug
The vehicle plug attaches to the
charge port on the vehicle. There
is a flashlight built into the vehicle
plug that can be used by squeezing
the vehicle plug lever. The flashlight
will turn off when the connection is
complete and the lever is released.
Electrical Requirements
for Battery Charging
The AC outlet must have a
grounded, dedicated, 15 amp or
greater, three‐prong wall plug.
That means there should be no
other major appliances connected
to the same circuit. If it is not a
dedicated circuit, the current rating
of the outlet circuit breaker could
be exceeded and cause it to trip
or open. The vehicle can be
charged in the reduced level mode.
See “Charge Level Button” in this
section. Reduced level mode allows
a non‐dedicated circuit to be used
but increases the charging time.
This vehicle is capable of being
charged with a variety of standard
vehicle charging equipment.

Black plate (60,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
9-60 Driving and Operating
Some gasolines that are
not reformulated for low
emissions can contain an
octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT);
ask the attendant where you buy
gasoline whether the fuel contains
MMT. We recommend against
the use of such gasolines. Fuels
containing MMT can reduce spark
plug life and affect emission
control system performance.
The malfunction indicator lamp
might turn on. If this occurs,
return to your dealer for service.Filling the Tank
{WARNING
Fuel vapor burns violently and a
fuel fire can cause bad injuries.
To help avoid injuries to you and
others, read and follow all the
instructions on the fuel pump
island. Turn off the vehicle when
refueling. Do not smoke near
fuel or when refueling the vehicle.
Do not use cellular phones.
Keep sparks, flames, and
smoking materials away from
fuel. Do not leave the fuel pump
unattended when refueling the
vehicle. This is against the law
in some places. Do not re-enter
the vehicle while pumping fuel.
Keep children away from the
fuel pump; never let children
pump fuel.The fuel system on this vehicle
requires a refueling process to
control evaporative emissions.
To refuel the vehicle:
1. Press the fuel door button on
the driver door for one second.
A WAIT TO REFUEL message
displays on the Driver
Information Center.

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.