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 (18,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
5-18 Instruments and Controls
Safety Belt Reminders
Driver Safety Belt Reminder
Light
When the vehicle is started, this
light flashes and a chime may come
on to remind the driver to fasten
their safety belt. The light stays
on solid until the belt is buckled.
This cycle may continue several
times if the driver remains or
becomes unbuckled during driving
while the vehicle is moving.
If the driver safety belt is already
buckled, neither the light nor the
chime comes on.
Passenger Safety Belt
Reminder Light
When the vehicle is started, this
light flashes and a chime may come
on to remind the passenger to
fasten their safety belt. The light
stays on solid until the belt is
buckled.
This cycle may continue several
times if the passenger remains
or becomes unbuckled while the
vehicle is moving.If the passenger safety belt is
buckled, neither the chime nor
the light comes on.
The front passenger safety belt
reminder light and chime may turn
on if an object is put on the seat
such as a briefcase, handbag,
grocery bag, laptop, or other
electronic device. To turn off
the reminder light and/or chime,
remove the object from the seat
or buckle the safety belt.
Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-19
Second Row Passenger Safety
Belt Reminder Light
Second row seating positions
monitored for safety belt use
are represented by a colored
symbol indicating safety belt
status. When the vehicle is started,
two safety belt symbols come on
and stay on for several seconds inthe instrument cluster to alert the
driver that passengers may need to
fasten their safety belts. After the
passenger safety belt is buckled,
the corresponding safety belt
symbol in the instrument cluster
turns green. If a safety belt is not
initially buckled, the instrument
cluster displays a red safety belt
symbol. While the vehicle is moving,
if a second row passenger that
was previously buckled becomes
unbuckled, the corresponding safety
belt symbol will change to flashing
red for several seconds and a chime
may sound.
Airbag Readiness Light
This light shows if there is an
electrical problem. The system
check includes the airbag sensor,
the pretensioners, the airbag
modules, the wiring, and the crash
sensing and diagnostic module.
For more information on the airbag
system, see
Airbag System on
page 3‑25.
The airbag readiness light comes on
and stays on for several seconds
when the vehicle is started.
Then the light goes out.
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 (22,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
5-22 Instruments and Controls
If the malfunction indicator lamp
comes on and stays on, while the
vehicle is in ON/RUN, this indicates
that there is an OBD II problem and
service is required.
Malfunctions often are indicated by
the system before any problem is
apparent. Being aware of the light
can prevent more serious damage
to the vehicle. This system assists
the service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If the vehicle is
continually driven with this light
on, the emission controls might
not work as well, the vehicle fuel
economy might not be as good,
and the engine might not run
as smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs that might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Notice:
Modifications made
to the engine, electric drive unit,
exhaust, intake, or fuel system
of the vehicle or the replacement
of the original tires with other
than those of the same Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC)
can affect the vehicle emission
controls and can cause this
light to come on. Modifications
to these systems could lead to
costly repairs not covered by
the vehicle warranty. This could
also result in a failure to
pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance
test. See Accessories and
Modifications on page 10‑4. This light comes on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing:
A misfire condition
has been detected. A misfire
increases vehicle emissions and
could damage the emission control
system on the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.
The following can prevent more
serious damage to the vehicle:
.Reduce vehicle speed.
.Avoid hard accelerations.
.Avoid steep uphill grades.
If the light continues to flash, when
it is safe to do so, stop the vehicle.
Find a safe place to park the
vehicle. Turn the vehicle off, wait at
least 10 seconds, and restart the
vehicle. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps and see
your dealer for service as soon as
possible.
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 (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.