Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-1
Instruments and
Controls
Instrument Panel Overview
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . 5-4
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 5-6
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 5-6
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . 5-7
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16 Battery Gauge (High
Voltage) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Driver Efficiency Gauge . . . . . . 5-17
Total Vehicle Range . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . 5-18
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . 5-19
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
Charging System Light (12-Volt Battery) . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Service Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Sport Mode Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Mountain Mode Light . . . . . . . . 5-26 Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak
®Light . . . . 5-27
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-27
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 5-28
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 5-28
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Door, Hood, or Hatch Open
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-30
Information Displays
Center Stack Display . . . . . . . . 5-31
Power Flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-31
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-33
Energy Information . . . . . . . . . . 5-41
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-42
Driver InformationCenter (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-5
A.Air Vents on page 8‑9.
B. Turn and Lane‐Change Lever. See Turn and Lane-Change
Signals on page 6‑4.
Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 6‑1.
Pedestrian Friendly Alert on
page 6‑2.
C. Instrument Cluster on page 5‑9.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
Display. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑43.
D. Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5‑7.
E. Heated Front Seats on page 3‑6
(If Equipped).
F. Center Stack Display on
page 5‑31.
G. Charging Status Indicator. See Charging Status Feedback
on page 9‑52. H. Light Sensor. See
Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL) on
page 6‑3.
I. Instrument Panel Storage on
page 4‑1.
J. Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8‑1.
K. Driver Information Center (DIC) Controls. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑43.
L. Instrument Panel Illumination
Control on page 6‑5.
M. Data Link Connector (DLC) (Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 5‑21.
N. Cruise Control on page 9‑40.
O. Steering Wheel Adjustment on
page 5‑6.
P. Horn on page 5‑7.
Q. Steering Wheel Controls on
page 5‑6 (If Equipped). R. Leaf Button. See
Center Stack
Display on page 5‑31.
S. DRIVE MODE Button. See Driver Selected Operating
Modes on page 9‑26.
T. Power Button on page 9‑18.
U. Shift Lever. See Electric Drive
Unit on page 9‑32.
V. Infotainment on page 7‑2.
Navigation System. See Using
the Navigation System on
page 7‑39.
W. Electric Parking Brake on
page 9‑35.
X. Power Door Locks on
page 2‑11.
Y. Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 6‑4.
Z. Glove Box on page 4‑1.
Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-9
Remove the cover to access and
replace when not in use.
Certain accessory plugs may
not be compatible with the
accessory power outlet and
could overload vehicle or adapter
fuses. If a problem is experienced,
see your dealer.
When adding electrical equipment,
be sure to follow the installation
instructions included with the
equipment. SeeAdd-On Electrical
Equipment on page 9‑63.
Notice: Hanging heavy
equipment from the power
outlet can cause damage not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
The power outlets are designed
for accessory power plugs only,
such as cell phone charge cords.Warning Lights,
Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning lights and gauges can
signal that something is wrong
before it becomes serious enough
to cause an expensive repair or
replacement. Paying attention to
the warning lights and gauges
could prevent injury.
Warning lights come on when there
could be a problem with a vehicle
function. Some warning lights come
on briefly when the propulsion
system is started to indicate they
are working.
Gauges can indicate when there
could be a problem with a vehicle
function. Often gauges and warning
lights work together to indicate a
problem with the vehicle. When one of the warning lights
comes on and stays on while
driving, or when one of the gauges
shows there may be a problem,
check the section that explains what
to do. Waiting to do repairs can be
costly and even dangerous.
Instrument Cluster
The instrument cluster displays a
preview of information that includes
electric range, charging, odometer,
and battery status. This happens
upon entry when the driver door is
opened, and following the welcome
animation, before starting the
vehicle.
A CHARGING OVERRIDE/
INTERRUPTION OCCURRED
message may display on the lower
left of the screen. This indicates that
an override of the charge settings
by the owner via OnStar has
occurred.
Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-13
A.Brake System Warning Light on
page 5‑24.
B. Battery Gauge (High Voltage)
on page 5‑16.
C. Fuel Gauge on page 5‑16.
D. Service Electric Parking Brake
Light on page 5‑25.
E. Security Light on page 5‑29.
F. Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light on page 5‑27.
G. Charging System Light
(12-Volt Battery) on page 5‑21.
H. Engine Oil Pressure Light on
page 5‑28.
I. High-Beam On Light on
page 5‑29.
J. Second Row Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light. See Safety
Belt Reminders on page 5‑18. K.
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
on page 6‑4.
L. Compass on page 5‑16.
M. Speedometer on page 5‑15.
N. Cruise Control Light on
page 5‑29.
O. Electric Parking Brake Light on
page 5‑25.
P. Door, Hood, or Hatch Open
Light on page 5‑30.
Q. Low Fuel Warning Light on
page 5‑28.
R. Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light on page 5‑26.
S. Electric Drive Unit Positions. See Electric Drive Unit on
page 9‑32.
T. Driver Efficiency Gauge on
page 5‑17. U.
Tire Pressure Light on
page 5‑27.
V. Traction Control System (TCS)/
StabiliTrak
®Light on page 5‑27.
W. Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 5‑21.
X. Odometer on page 5‑15.
Y. Lamps On Reminder on
page 5‑29.
Z. Sport Mode Light on page 5‑26
and Mountain Mode Light on
page 5‑26.
AA. Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 5‑43.
AB. Total Vehicle Range on
page 5‑17.
AC. Airbag Readiness Light on
page 5‑19.
AD. Driver Safety Belt Reminder Light. See Safety Belt
Reminders on page 5‑18.
Black plate (20,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
5-20 Instruments and Controls
A message may also display in the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
SeeAirbag System Messages on
page 5‑51 for more information.
{WARNING
If the airbag readiness light stays
on after the vehicle is started or
comes on while driving, it means
the airbag system might not be
working properly. The airbags in
the vehicle might not inflate in a
crash, or they could even inflate
without a crash. To help avoid
injury, have the vehicle serviced
right away.
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator
The vehicle has a passenger
sensing system. See Passenger
Sensing System on page 3‑33
for important safety information.
The passenger airbag status
indicator is in the overhead console.
When the vehicle is started, the
passenger airbag status indicator
will light ON and OFF for several
seconds as a system check. Then, after several more seconds,
the status indicator will light either
ON or OFF to let you know the
status of the right front passenger
frontal airbag and the passenger
knee airbag.
If the word ON is lit on the
passenger airbag status indicator, it
means that the right front passenger
frontal airbag and the passenger
knee airbag are enabled and may
inflate.
If the word OFF is lit on the airbag
status indicator, it means that the
passenger sensing system has
turned off the right front passenger
frontal airbag and the passenger
knee airbag.
Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-21
If, after several seconds, both
status indicator lights remain on,
or if there are no lights at all, there
may be a problem with the lights
or the passenger sensing system.
See your dealer for service.
{WARNING
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others,
have the vehicle serviced right
away. SeeAirbag Readiness
Light on page 5‑19 for more
information, including important
safety information.
Charging System Light
(12-Volt Battery)
The charging system light comes
on briefly when the vehicle is in
ON/RUN, as a check to show the
light is working.
If the light stays on, or comes on
while driving, there could be a
problem with the electrical charging
system. Have it checked by your
dealer. Driving while this light is
on could drain the 12‐volt battery.
If a short distance must be driven
with the light on, be sure to turn off
all accessories, such as the radio.
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp
A computer system called OBD II
(On-Board Diagnostics-Second
Generation) monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition, and emission
control systems. It ensures that
emissions are at acceptable levels
for the life of the vehicle, helping
to produce a cleaner environment.
This light comes on when the
vehicle is placed in Service Only
Mode, as a check to show it is
working. If it does not, have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
See Power Button on page 9‑18
for more information.
Black plate (24,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
5-24 Instruments and Controls
.The vehicle will not pass
this inspection if the OBD II
(On-Board Diagnostic) system
determines that critical emission
control systems have not been
completely diagnosed by the
system. The vehicle would
be considered not ready for
inspection. This can happen
if the 12‐volt battery has
recently been replaced or
if the 12‐volt battery has run
down. The diagnostic system
is designed to evaluate critical
emission control systems during
normal driving. This can take
several days of routine driving.
If this has been done and the
vehicle still does not pass the
inspection for lack of OBD II
system readiness, your dealer
can prepare the vehicle for
inspection.Brake System Warning
Light
The vehicle brake system
consists of two hydraulic circuits.
If one circuit is not working, the
remaining circuit can still work to
stop the vehicle. For normal braking
performance, both circuits need to
be working.
If the warning light comes on, there
is a brake problem. Have the brake
system inspected right away.
This light comes on briefly when
the vehicle is turned on. If it does
not come on then, have it fixed so
it will be ready to warn if there is a
problem.If the light comes on and stays on,
there is a base brake problem.
{WARNING
The brake system might not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on.
Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after
the vehicle has been pulled off
the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for
service.
Black plate (26,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
5-26 Instruments and Controls
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
This light should come on briefly
when the vehicle is in ON/RUN. If it
does not come on, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer.
If the ABS warning light stays on
longer than a few seconds after the
vehicle is in ON/RUN, or comes
on and stays on while driving, try
resetting the system. To reset the
system:
1. While driving, pull over when it issafe to do so.
2. Place the vehicle in P (Park).
3. Turn the vehicle off.
4. Restart the vehicle. If the ABS warning light remains on
after resetting the system or comes
on again while driving, the vehicle
needs service. If the ABS warning
light is on, but the regular brake
system warning light is not on, the
antilock brakes are not working
properly, but the regular brakes are
still functioning. Have the vehicle
serviced right away. If both brake
lights are on, the vehicle does not
have antilock brakes, and there is
a problem with the regular brakes
as well. Have the vehicle towed for
service. See
Towing the Vehicle on
page 10‑84.
Sport Mode Light
This light comes on when Sport
Mode is selected. See “Sport Mode”
in Driver Selected Operating Modes
on page 9‑26 for more information.
Mountain Mode Light
This light comes on when Mountain
Mode is selected. See “Mountain
Mode” inDriver Selected Operating
Modes on page 9‑26 for more
information.