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 (38,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
10-38 Vehicle Care
If there is a problem on the road
and a fuse needs to be replaced,
the same amperage fuse can be
borrowed. Choose some feature of
the vehicle that is not needed to use
and replace it as soon as possible.
Headlamp Wiring
An electrical overload may cause
the lamps to go on and off, or in
some cases to remain off. Have
the headlamp wiring checked right
away if the lamps go on and off or
remain off.
Windshield Wipers
If the wiper motor overheats due to
heavy snow or ice, the windshield
wipers will stop until the motor cools
and the wiper control is turned off.
After removal of the blockage,
the wiper motor will restart when
the control is then moved to the
desired operating position.
Although the circuit is protected
from electrical overload, overload
due to heavy snow or ice, may
cause wiper linkage damage.
Always clear ice and heavy snow
from the windshield before using
the windshield wipers.
If the overload is caused by an
electrical problem and not snow
or ice, be sure to get it fixed.
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block
To open the fuse block cover, press
the clips at the front and back and
rotate the cover up to the side.
Notice:Spilling liquid on any
electrical component on the
vehicle may damage it. Always
keep the covers on any electrical
component.
Black plate (46,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
10-46 Vehicle Care
A fuse puller is located in the engine
compartment fuse block.
The vehicle may not have all of the
fuses, relays, and features shown.Fuses Usage
F1 Empty
F2 Fuel System Control
Module Fuses Usage
F3 Passive Start
Module
F4 Heated Seats
(If Equipped)
F5 Driver Door
Switches (Outside
Rearview Mirror/
Charge Port Door
Release/Refuel
Request/Driver
Window Switch)
F6 Fuel (Diurnal
Valve and Evap.
Leak Check Module)
F7 Accessory Power
Module Cooling Fan
F8 Amplifier
(If Equipped)
F9 Empty
Black plate (83,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-83
4. Locate the positive (+) andnegative (−) terminals on the
vehicle with the run‐down
battery.
5. Locate the positive (+) and
negative (−) battery terminals
on the Volt. The access cover
is under the load floor access
cover in the rear cargo area.
Open the access cover for the
positive (+) terminal cover (A)
and the negative (−) terminal
cover (B). 6. Check that the jumper cables
do not have loose or missing
insulation or a shock could
result and the vehicles could
be damaged.
Before connecting the jumper
cables, here are some basic
things to know. Positive (+)
jumper cable goes to positive (+)
battery terminal or a remote
positive (+) terminal if available.
Negative (−) jumper cable goes
to remote negative (−) terminal if
available, or a heavy, unpainted
metal engine part or a solid
engine ground on the vehicle
with the run‐down battery.
Do not connect positive (+) to
negative (−) or there will be a
short that may damage the
battery or other parts of the
vehicle. Do not connect the
negative (−) cable to the
negative (−) terminal on the
run‐down battery because
this can cause sparks. Notice:
If the jumper cables are
connected or removed in the
wrong order, electrical shorting
may occur and damage the
vehicle. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always connect and
remove the jumper cables in the
correct order, making sure that
the cables do not touch each
other or other metal.
Connecting the Jumper Cables
1. Connect the red positive (+) jumper cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the other vehicle
with the run‐down battery. Use
a remote positive (+) terminal if
available. Do not let the other
end touch metal.
2. Connect the other end of the red positive (+) jumper cable to the
positive (+) battery terminal of
the Volt.
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.