
Black plate (60,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
5-60 Instruments and Controls
Remote Left in Vehicle Reminder
When on, the horn will chirp rapidly
three times if an RKE transmitter is
left in the vehicle.
To turn the remote left in vehicle
reminder feature on or off:
1. Press the Vehicle menu.
2. Select Remote Locking,Unlocking, Starting.
3. Turn the remote left in vehicle reminder feature on or off.
4. Press Back to return to the previous menu.
Return to Factory Settings
This returns all of the vehicle
personalization settings to the
factory settings.
1. Press the Vehicle menu.
2. Select Return to FactorySettings.
3. Select Yes or No.
4. Press Back to return to the previous menu.
Universal Remote
System
See Radio Frequency
Statement on page 13‑28 for
information regarding Part 15
of the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) rules and
Industry Canada Standards
RSS-210/220/310.
Universal Remote System
Programming
If the vehicle has this feature, you
will see these buttons with one
LED indicator next to them in the
overhead console. This system provides a way to
replace up to three remote control
transmitters used to activate
devices such as garage door
openers, security systems, and
home automation devices.
Do not use the Universal Remote
system with any garage door opener
that does not have the stop and
reverse feature. This includes
any garage door opener model
manufactured before April 1,1982.
Read the instructions completely
before attempting to program
the Universal Remote system.
Because of the steps involved, it
may be helpful to have another
person available to assist with
programming the Universal
Remote system.

Black plate (16,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
7-16 Infotainment System
Satellite Radio
XM™Satellite Radio Service
Vehicles with an XM satellite radio
tuner and an XM satellite radio
subscription can receive XM
programming.
XM is a satellite radio service based
in the 48 contiguous United States
and 10 Canadian provinces. XM
satellite radio has a wide variety of
programming and commercial-free
music, coast to coast, and in
digital-quality sound. A service
fee is required to receive the XM
service. For more information,
see www.xmradio.com or call
1-800-929-2100 in the U.S.
In Canada, see www.xmradio.ca
or call 1-877-438-9677.
When XM is active, the channel
name and number, category name,
song title, and artist display on the
screen.
XM Categories
XM stations are organized in
categories.
Removing or Adding Categories
1. Press the CONFIG button.
Turn the TUNE/MENU knob
until Radio displays. Press the
TUNE/MENU knob or press
Radio to display the radio
settings menu.
2. Select the Show/Hide XM Categories screen button.
3. Press the category buttons on the screen to show or hide the
category.
XM Messages
XL (Explicit Language
Channels): These channels, or any
others, can be blocked by request,
by calling 1-800-929-2100 in the
U.S., and 1-877-438-9677 in
Canada. XM Updating:
The encryption code
in the receiver is being updated.
No action is required. This process
should take no longer than
30 seconds.
Loading XM: The audio system
is acquiring and processing audio
and text data. No action is needed.
This message should disappear
shortly.
Channel Off Air: This channel is
not currently in service. Tune in to
another channel.
Channel Unauth: This channel is
blocked or cannot be received with
your XM subscription package.
Channel Unavailable: This
previously assigned channel is
no longer assigned. Tune to
another station.
No Artist Info: The system
is working properly. No artist
information is available at this
time on this channel.

Black plate (17,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Infotainment System 7-17
No Title Info:The system is
working properly. No song title
information is available at this
time on this channel.
No CAT Info: The system is
working properly. No category
information is available at this
time on this channel.
No Information: The system
is working properly. No text or
informational messages are
available at this time on this
channel.
No XM Signal: The system is
working properly. The vehicle may
be in a location where the XM signal
is being blocked. When the vehicle
is moved into an open area, the
signal should return. CAT Not Found:
The system is
working properly. There are no
channels available for the selected
category.
XM Radio ID: If tuned to channel 0,
this message alternates with the
XM radio eight‐digit radio ID label.
This label is needed to activate the
service.
Unknown: If this message is
received when tuned to channel 0,
there could be a receiver fault.
Consult with your dealer.
Check Antenna: If this message
does not clear within a short period
of time, the receiver could have a
fault. Consult with your dealer.
XM Not Available: If this message
does not clear within a short period
of time, the receiver could have a
fault. Consult with your dealer.Radio Reception
Frequency interference and static
can occur during normal radio
reception if items such as cell phone
chargers, vehicle convenience
accessories, and external electronic
devices are plugged into the
accessory power outlet. If there is
interference or static, unplug the
item from the accessory power
outlet.
FM
FM signals only reach about 16 to
65 km (10 to 40 mi). Although the
radio has a built-in electronic circuit
that automatically works to reduce
interference, some static can occur,
especially around tall buildings or
hills, causing the sound to fade in
and out.

Black plate (46,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
7-46 Infotainment System
Map Adjustments
The scale of view on the map can
be adjusted.
Map Scales
There are two methods to change
the map scale:
.Turn the TUNE/MENU knob
clockwise or counterclockwise
to zoom out or in.
.Press the Map Scale button on
the left bottom corner of the map
screen to change the zoom
level.
The map scale bar times out if
the zoom level is not changed
within a few seconds.The scale ranges from 100 m
(150 ft) to 400 km (250 mi).
To change from metric to English,
see
Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 5‑43 for more information.
Scroll Features
.To scroll within the map, touch
anywhere on the map screen
and the scroll symbol displays.
.Tap the map to center that
location on the screen.
.Press the screen in any direction
outside the scroll symbol to
scroll the map in that direction.
.Scroll speed increases when
touching closer to the edge of
the screen.
.Press NAV on the faceplate to
exit map scrolling and return to
the current vehicle location on
the map.
.While scrolling the map, this
symbol can display the distance
to the crosshair area.
For example, this shows that the
map has been scrolled 160 m
(0.1 mi) away from the current
vehicle position.

Black plate (70,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
7-70 Infotainment System
On Route
Press the On Route screen button
to display all events ahead on
the current active route. No traffic
events reported on route displays
if there are none to report.
Name
Press the Name screen button to
display traffic events in alphabetical
order.
Distance
Press the Distance screen button
to display traffic events in order of
distance with the closest event
shown first.Scrolling to Traffic Events on
the Map
While scrolling the map, the traffic
event icons can appear indicating a
traffic event within 125 km (75 mi)
from current position. To receive
information about the traffic event,
place the crosshairs over the
traffic condition icon. Traffic events
beyond 125 km (75 mi) from current
position will not be displayed.
Press the Info. button to display the
type of traffic, the street name, and
a description of the traffic event.
Traffic Event Display Categories
The following are traffic event
categories and symbols that
can appear on the display:
q(Road Closed):
Road and/or
ramps closed.
o(Stopped Traffic): Traffic
stopped, stop-and-go traffic,
delayed and congested traffic.
p(Alert): Object on the roadway,
disabled vehicle, or dangerous road
conditions.
t(Accident): Roadway obstructed
due to accident.
s(Road Work): Delayed traffic
due to construction.
j/r(Road Condition): Delayed
or stopped traffic, lane blocked or
closed due to a road condition.
k(Weather): Heavy rain, snow,
or fog weather condition.
m(Parking): Available
parking area.
l(Information): Special event,
general information, or warning.

Black plate (74,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
7-74 Infotainment System
Display
Press the CONFIG button to
enter the menu options. Turn the
TUNE/MENU knob to scroll through
the available setup features. Press
the TUNE/MENU knob or press the
Display screen button to display
other options within that feature.
Dimming Mode
Auto (Automatic):The screen
background automatically adjusts
depending on exterior lighting
conditions.
Day: The map background
brightens. Night:
The map background
darkens.
To change the overall brightness
setting for the display, use the
vehicle interior lighting dimming
control.
Setting the Clock
To set the time:
1. Press the TP (Time Program)
button to go directly to the
time setting page or press the
CONFIG button and select
Time from the list.
2. Press + or –to decrease or
increase the Hours and Minutes
displayed on the clock.
12/24 HR Format: Press the 12 HR
screen button for standard time;
press the 24 HR screen button for
military time.
Day + or Day –:Press the day + or
day –display buttons to increase or
decrease the day. Display:
Press Display to turn the
display of the time on the screen on
or off.
Global Positioning
System (GPS)
The position of the vehicle is
determined by using satellite
signals, various vehicle signals,
and map data.
At times, other interferences such
as the satellite condition, road
configuration, the condition of the
vehicle, and/or other circumstances
can interfere with the navigation
system's ability to determine the
accurate position of the vehicle.
The GPS shows the current position
of the vehicle using signals sent by
the GPS Satellites of the United
States Department of Defense.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-1
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better EnergyEfficiency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-8
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-8
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . 9-9
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 9-10
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-11
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 9-13
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . 9-14
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . 9-18
Power Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-18
Starting and Stopping the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22 Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Electric Vehicle Operating
Modes
System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Electric Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Extended Range Mode . . . . . . 9-25
Driver Selected OperatingModes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Out of Fuel/Engine Unavailable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28
Maintenance Modes . . . . . . . . . 9-28
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-31
Electric Drive Unit
Electric Drive Unit . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . 9-35
Regenerative Braking . . . . . . . . 9-37
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-37
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-39
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-40
Object Detection Systems
Ultrasonic Parking Assist . . . . 9-43
Rear VisionCamera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-46
Charging
Plug-In Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-49
Delayed ChargingOverride . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-52
Charging Status Feedback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-52
Charge Cord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
Electrical Requirements for Battery Charging . . . . . . . . . . . 9-56

Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-7
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a
reasonable speed.
Traction in a curve depends on the
condition of the tires and the road
surface, the angle at which the
curve is banked, and vehicle speed.
While in a curve, speed is the one
factor that can be controlled.
If there is a need to reduce speed,
do it before entering the curve, while
the front wheels are straight.
Try to adjust the speed so you can
drive through the curve. Maintain a
reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until out of the curve,
and then accelerate gently into the
straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can
be more effective than braking.
For example, you come over a hill
and find a truck stopped in your
lane, or a car suddenly pulls out
from nowhere, or a child darts out
from between parked cars and stops
right in front of you. These problems
can be avoided by braking—if you
can stop in time. But sometimes
you cannot stop in time because
there is no room. That is the time
for evasive action —steering
around the problem.
The vehicle can perform very
well in emergencies like these.
First apply the brakes. See Braking
on page 9‑5. It is better to remove
as much speed as possible from
a collision. Then steer around
the problem, to the left or right
depending on the space available.
An emergency like this requires
close attention and a quick decision.
If holding the steering wheel at
the recommended 9 and 3 o'clock
positions, it can be turned a full
180 degrees very quickly without
removing either hand. But you have
to act fast, steer quickly, and just
as quickly straighten the wheel
once you have avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency
situations are always possible is a
good reason to practice defensive
driving at all times and wear safety
belts properly.