2011 CHEVROLET VOLT Owner's Manual

Black plate (27,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-27
Sport Mode
Sport Mode provides more
responsive acceleration than
Normal Mode, but can reduce
efficiency. Use Normal Mode
whenever possible.
Press the DRIVE MODE button to
select Sport Mode.
Press the DRIVE MODE button
again to return to Normal Mode
and it becomes active after
three seconds.
The Sport light comes on when
Sport Mode is selected. SeeSport
Mode Light on page 5‑26.
Each time the vehicle is started,
it will return to Normal Mode.
Mountain Mode
Mountain Mode should be selected
at the beginning of a trip before
climbing steep, uphill grades and
when expecting to drive in very
hilly or mountainous terrain.
This mode maintains a reserve
electrical charge of the high voltage
battery to provide better grade
climbing performance. While driving
in Mountain Mode, the vehicle will
have less responsive acceleration. Mountain Mode will not change
normal vehicle braking performance
for steep downhill grades. See
Hill
and Mountain Roads on page 9‑10
and Electric Drive Unit on
page 9‑32.
Press the DRIVE MODE button
to select Mountain Mode. If steep
hill driving is expected, it is
recommended to select Mountain
Mode at least 20 minutes before
driving on steep grades. This will
allow the vehicle time to build a
sufficient battery charge reserve.
The engine may run when Mountain
Mode is selected. If Mountain
Mode is entered before four bars
of battery charge, the engine will
run at a higher speed to build
battery charge reserve. If Mountain
Mode is entered above four bars
of battery charge reserve, the
estimated electric range will
adjust accordingly.

Black plate (28,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
9-28 Driving and Operating
Press the Drive Mode button again
to return to Normal Mode and it
becomes active in three seconds.
If Mountain Mode is not selected
for these conditions, propulsion
power may be reduced and the
engine speed may increase. See
Propulsion Power Messages on
page 5‑50.
The vehicle returns to Normal Mode
at each start to maintain a smaller
battery charge reserve for normal
driving.
Out of Fuel/Engine
Unavailable
If the vehicle runs out of fuel,
or the engine will not start due
to a malfunction, the vehicle can
continue to be driven in Electric
Mode. The vehicle will have
less responsive acceleration.DIC messages indicate reduced
propulsion power, that the engine
is not available, and the need for
fuel or service.
Once the vehicle is refueled, or the
malfunction is corrected, the engine
will start the next time the vehicle is
turned on to perform a self test, and
DIC messages will not be displayed.
Once the engine starts successfully,
normal operation will continue in
either Electric or Extended Range
Mode. The engine will stop running
after the self test is completed,
and based on the current mode
of operation. See
Fuel System
Messages on page 5‑48 and
Service Vehicle Messages on
page 5‑51.
Maintenance Modes
Engine Maintenance Mode (EMM)
Engine Maintenance Mode
(EMM) runs the engine to keep
it in good working condition after
approximately six weeks of no or
very limited engine operation. EMM
will force the engine to run, even
if there is a charge to power the
vehicle. When EMM is needed,
the EMM Request screen appears
on the center stack display at
vehicle start.
If Yes is selected, EMM will begin.
The engine will run for a set
amount of time without turning off.

Black plate (29,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-29
During EMM, a DIC message
displays to show the
EMM percentage complete.
If No is selected, the EMM Request
screen will appear when the vehicle
is next started. The EMM request
can be delayed for only one day.
If the EMM request was delayed
for one day, EMM will automatically
start the engine at the next vehicle
start. An EMM Notification screen
will appear in the center stack
display.
If the vehicle shuts off during EMM,
it will restart the next time the
vehicle is driven. A message
displays to indicate that EMM
is active.
If EMM is required and the fuel level
is low, EMM may eventually empty
the fuel tank if fuel is not added.
This will result in reduced, or no
power. An adequate fuel level must
be maintained in the vehicle to keep
it operational. SeePropulsion Power
Messages on page 5‑50.Fuel Maintenance Mode (FMM)
Fuel Maintenance Mode (FMM)
tracks average fuel age. Old
fuel can cause engine problems.
If low engine usage causes average
fuel age to exceed approximately
one year, FMM will run the engine to
use up the old fuel. The engine will
run until enough fresh fuel is added
to bring the average fuel age into
an acceptable range. Allowing more
old fuel to be used up by FMM and
adding a larger amount of fresh fuel
will maximize the length of time
before another fuel maintenance
mode is needed. During FMM the
engine may turn on and off.

Black plate (30,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
9-30 Driving and Operating
When FMM is needed, the FMM
Request screen appears on the
center stack display at vehicle start.
If Yes is selected, FMM will begin.
FMM will automatically continue at
each vehicle start until fresh fuel is
added.
If No is selected, the FMM Request
screen will appear when the vehicle
is next started. The FMM request
can be delayed for only one day.If the FMM request was delayed for
one day, FMM will start at the next
vehicle start and display the FMM
Notification screen on the center
stack display.
If FMM is required and the fuel level
is low, FMM may eventually empty
the fuel tank if fuel is not added.
This will result in reduced, or no
power. An adequate fuel level must
be maintained in the vehicle to keep
it operational. See
Propulsion Power
Messages on page 5‑50.
Engine Exhaust
{WARNING
Engine exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. Exposure to CO
can cause unconsciousness and
even death.
Exhaust may enter the vehicle if:
.The engine is running in
Extended Range Mode in
areas with poor ventilation
(parking garages, tunnels,
or deep snow that may block
underbody airflow or tail
pipes).
.The exhaust smells or
sounds strange or different.
.The exhaust system leaks
due to corrosion or damage.
.The vehicle exhaust system
has been modified, damaged,
or improperly repaired.
(Continued)

Black plate (31,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-31
WARNING (Continued)
.There are holes or openings
in the vehicle body from
damage or aftermarket
modifications that are not
completely sealed.
If unusual fumes are detected or
if it is suspected that exhaust is
coming into the vehicle:
.Drive it only with the windows
completely down.
.Have the vehicle repaired
immediately.
Never park with the engine
running in Extended Range Mode
in an enclosed area such as a
garage or a building that has no
fresh air ventilation.
Running the Vehicle
While Parked
It is better not to park with the
propulsion system on. But if you
ever have to, here are some things
to know.
{WARNING
Leaving the engine running
in Extended Range Mode
in an enclosed area with poor
ventilation is dangerous. Engine
exhaust may enter the vehicle.
Engine exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even
death. Never run the engine
in an enclosed area that has no
fresh air ventilation. For more
information, see Engine Exhaust
on page 9‑30.
{WARNING
It can be dangerous to get out of
the vehicle if the electric drive unit
shift lever is not fully in P (Park)
with the parking brake firmly set.
The vehicle can roll. Do not leave
the vehicle with the propulsion
system on unless you have to.
If you have left the propulsion
system on, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure the vehicle
will not move, even when you are
on level ground, always set the
parking brake and move the shift
lever to P (Park).
Follow the proper steps to
be sure the vehicle will not move.
See Shifting Into Park on
page 9‑22.

Black plate (32,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
9-32 Driving and Operating
Electric Drive Unit
The vehicle uses an electric drive
unit. The shift lever is on the
console between the seats.
P (Park):This position locks the
front wheels. It is the best position
to use when starting the propulsion
system because the vehicle cannot
move easily.
{WARNING
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when
the propulsion system is running
unless you have to. If you have
left the propulsion system
running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure the vehicle will
not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set the
parking brake and move the shift
lever to P (Park). See Shifting Into
Park on page 9‑22.
Make sure the shift lever is fully
in P (Park) before starting the
propulsion system. The vehicle
has an electric drive unit shift lock
control system. The regular brake must be fully applied first and then
the shift lever button pressed before
shifting from P (Park) when the
vehicle is in ON/RUN. If you cannot
shift out of P (Park), ease pressure
on the shift lever, then push the shift
lever all the way into P (Park) as
you maintain brake application.
Then press the shift lever button
and move the shift lever into
another gear. See
Shifting out
of Park on page 9‑23.
R (Reverse): Use this gear to
back up.
Notice: Shifting to R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving
forward could damage the electric
drive unit. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse)
only after the vehicle is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to
get out of snow, ice, or sand without
damaging the electric drive unit, see
If the Vehicle Is Stuck on page 9‑13.

Black plate (33,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-33
N (Neutral):In this position, the
propulsion system does not connect
with the wheels.
D (Drive): This position is for
normal driving. It provides the
best fuel economy. If more power
is needed for passing, and the
vehicle is:
.Going less than 56 km/h
(35 mph), push the accelerator
pedal about halfway down.
.Going about 56 km/h (35 mph)
or more, push the accelerator
all the way down.
Notice: If the vehicle seems to
accelerate slowly or not respond
when you go faster, and you
continue to drive the vehicle
that way, you could damage
the electric drive unit. Have the
vehicle serviced right away. L (Low):
This position reduces
vehicle speed without using the
brakes. You can use L (Low) on
hills. It can help control vehicle
speed going down steep mountain
roads along with using the brakes
off and on. You can use L (Low)
on very steep hills, in deep snow,
or in mud.
Notice: Spinning the tires or
holding the vehicle in one
place on a hill using only the
accelerator pedal may damage
the electric drive unit. The repair
will not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. If you are stuck, do not
spin the tires. When stopping on
a hill, use the brakes to hold the
vehicle in place.
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has the Antilock
Brake System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that helps
prevent a braking skid.
When propulsion is active and
the vehicle begins to drive away,
ABS checks itself. A momentary
motor or clicking noise might be
heard while this test is going on,
and it might even be noticed that
the brake pedal moves a little.
This is normal.

Black plate (34,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
9-34 Driving and Operating
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
on page 5‑26.
If driving safely on a wet road
and it becomes necessary to
slam on the brakes and continue
braking to avoid a sudden obstacle,
a computer senses that the wheels
are slowing down. If one of the
wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the
brakes at each wheel. ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
the driver steer around the obstacle
while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls
braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to
stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly and let
ABS work. You might hear the ABS
pump or motor operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsate, but this is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
more than even the very best
braking.