2011 CHEVROLET VOLT Owner's Manual

Black plate (11,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-11
A. Engine Coolant Surge Tankand Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant on page 10‑21.
B. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑16.
C. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑12.
D. High Voltage Battery Coolant Reservoir and Pressure Cap.
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. E. Engine Cover.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See
Engine
Oil on page 10‑12.
G. Power Electronics Coolant Reservoir and Pressure Cap.
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.
H. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 10‑25.
I. High Voltage Cables (Orange Color). J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal.
See Jump Starting on
page 10‑79.
K. Power Electronics Module.
L. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid on
page 10‑24.
M. Remote Negative (−) Terminal. See Jump Starting on
page 10‑79.
N. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10‑38.

Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
10-12 Vehicle Care
Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life,
careful attention must be paid
to engine oil. Following these
simple, but important steps will
help protect your investment:
.Always use engine oil approved
to the proper specification and
of the proper viscosity grade.
See“Selecting the Right Engine
Oil” in this section.
.Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
.Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine
Oil Life System on page 10‑15.
.Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the
engine oil level at each fuel fill.
In order to get an accurate reading,
the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle
is a yellow loop. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑10 for the location
of the engine oil dipstick.
Obtaining an accurate oil level
reading is essential:
1. If the engine has been running recently, turn off the propulsion
system and allow several
minutes for the oil to drain back
into the oil pan. Checking the
oil level too soon after engine
shut off will not provide an
accurate oil level reading.
2. Pull the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or cloth, then push
it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and
check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick, add
1 L (1 qt) of the recommended
oil and then recheck the level.
See “Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section for an explanation of
what kind of oil to use. For engine
oil crankcase capacity, see
Capacities and Specifications on
page 12‑2.

Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-13
Notice:Do not add too much
oil. Oil levels above or below
the acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful
to the engine. If you find that
you have an oil level above the
operating range, i.e., the engine
has so much oil that the oil level
gets above the cross-hatched
area that shows the proper
operating range, the engine
could be damaged. You should
drain out the excess oil or limit
driving of the vehicle and seek a
service professional to remove
the excess amount of oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑10 for the location of the
engine oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when through.Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil
depends on both the proper oil
specification and viscosity grade:
Specification
Use and ask for engine oils with
the dexos™ certification mark.
Oils meeting the requirements of
the vehicle should have the dexos
certification mark on the container.
This certification mark indicates that
the oil has been approved to the
dexos specification.
This vehicle was filled at the factory
with dexos‐approved engine oil. Notice:
Use only engine oil
that is approved to the dexos
specification or an equivalent
engine oil of the appropriate
viscosity grade. Engine
oils approved to the dexos
specification will show the
dexos symbol on the container.
Failure to use the recommended
engine oil or equivalent can
result in engine damage not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
If you are unsure whether the
oil is approved to the dexos
specification, ask your service
provider.

Black plate (14,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
10-14 Vehicle Care
Use of Substitute Engine Oils if
dexos is unavailable: In the event
that dexos‐approved engine oil is
not available at an oil change or
for maintaining proper oil level,
you may use substitute engine oil
displaying the API Starburst symbol
and of SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade.
Use of oils that do not meet the
dexos specification, however,
may result in reduced performance
under certain circumstances.
Viscosity Grade
SAE 5W-30 is the best viscosity
grade for the vehicle. Do not
use other viscosity oils such as
SAE 10W‐30, 10W‐40, or 20W-50.Cold Temperature Operation:
In an area of extreme cold,
where the temperature falls
below−29°C (−20°F), an
SAE 0W-30 oil should be used.
An oil of this viscosity grade
will provide easier cold starting
for the engine at extremely low
temperatures. When selecting an oil
of the appropriate viscosity grade,
be sure to always select an oil that
meets the required specification,
dexos. See “Specification” earlier
in this section for more information.

Black plate (15,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-15
Engine Oil Additives/Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil.
The recommended oils with the
dexos specification and displaying
the dexos certification mark are all
that is needed for good performance
and engine protection.
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by
the vehicle warranty.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer's warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your
own oil, be sure to drain all the
oil from the filter before disposal.
Never dispose of oil by putting
it in the trash or pouring it on the
ground, into sewers, or into streams
or bodies of water. Recycle it by
taking it to a place that collects
used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on a combination of factors which
include engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably.
For the oil life system to work
properly, the system must be reset
every time the oil is changed.

Black plate (16,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
10-16 Vehicle Care
When the system has calculated
that oil life has been diminished,
it indicates that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message comes on.
Change the oil as soon as possible
within the next 1 000 km (600 mi).
It is possible that, if driving under
the best conditions, the oil life
system might indicate that an oil
change is not necessary for up
to two years. The engine oil and
filter must be changed at least
once every two years and, at this
time, the system must be reset.
Your dealer has trained service
people who will perform this work
and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly
over the course of an oil drain
interval and keep it at the proper
level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change. To reset the
system:
1. Use the SELECT knob to selectOIL LIFE on the DIC menu.
2. Press SELECT to start the OIL LIFE reset procedure.
3. The DIC menu will display “Are
you sure that you want to reset?”
Use SELECT to choose YES to
reset oil life or NO to exit and
return to the previous menu.
4. If YES is selected, the DIC menu will display RESET OIL LIFE for
a short time and then 100% OIL
LIFE will be displayed when
OIL LIFE is successfully reset.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message comes back on when the
vehicle is started, the engine oil life
system has not reset. Repeat the
procedure.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑10 for the location of the
engine air cleaner/filter.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Filter
Inspect the air filter at the scheduled
maintenance intervals and replace
it at the first oil change after each
80 000 km (50,000 mi) interval.
See Scheduled Maintenance on
page 11‑2 for more information.
If driving in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspect the air filter at each engine
oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Filter
To inspect the air filter, remove it
from the engine air cleaner/filter
assembly and lightly shake to
release loose dust and dirt. If the
air filter remains covered with dirt,
a new air filter is required.

Black plate (17,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-17
To inspect or replace the air filter:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood on
page 10‑9.
2. Locate the engine air cleaner/ filter assembly on the passenger
side of the engine compartment.
See Engine Compartment
Overview on page 10‑10.
A. Retaining Clips
B. Air Duct Clamp
C. Electrical Connector
3. Disconnect the air duct by loosening the air duct clamp (B). 4. Disconnect the electrical
connector (C).
5. Lift the retaining clips (A) from the engine air cleaner/filter
assembly.
6. Turn and tilt the air cleaner cover slightly upward and slide it out.
Remove the air filter.
How to Reinstall the Engine
Air Filter
1. Install the air filter into theengine air cleaner/filter
assembly. The outer air filter
seal must be fitted properly
in the engine air cleaner/filter
assembly.
2. Replace the air cleaner cover by lowering it to meet the bottom
of the engine air cleaner/filter
assembly. Place the retaining
clips (A) on the engine air
cleaner/filter assembly and
secure. The rear tabs must be
secured into the lower portion
of the air cleaner. 3. Reconnect the air duct and
tighten the air duct clamp (B).
4. Reconnect the electrical connector (C).
{WARNING
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/filter off can cause you
or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air;
it helps to stop flames if the
engine backfires. Use caution
when working on the engine
and do not drive with the air
cleaner/filter off.
Notice: If the air cleaner/filter is
off, dirt can easily get into the
engine, which could damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/filter
in place when you are driving.

Black plate (18,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
10-18 Vehicle Care
Cooling System (Engine)
When it is safe to lift the hood:
A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank andPressure Cap
B. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View)
{WARNING
The electric cooling fans under
the hood can start up even when
the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands,
clothing, and tools away from
any underhood electric fan. If the coolant inside the coolant
surge tank is boiling, do not do
anything else until it cools down.
The vehicle should be parked on
a level surface.
The coolant level should be up to
the cold fill line. If it is not, there
might be a leak at the radiator
hoses, heater hoses, radiator,
water pump, or somewhere else
in the cooling system.
{WARNING
Heater and radiator hoses, and
other engine parts, can be very
hot. Do not touch them. If you do,
you can be burned.
Do not run the vehicle if there
is a leak. If you run the engine, it
could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you
could be burned. Get any leak
fixed before you drive the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak,
with the engine on, check to
see if the electric engine cooling
fans are running. If the engine is
overheating, the fans should be
running. If it is not, the vehicle
needs service. Turn off the vehicle.
Notice:
Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL
®can cause premature
engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant could require changing
sooner, at 50 000 km (30,000 mi)
or 24 months, whichever occurs
first. Any repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always use DEX-COOL
(silicate-free) coolant in the
vehicle.