
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.

Black plate (27,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-27
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak®Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the vehicle.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the
system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
If the light comes on and stays
on while driving, there could be a
problem with the TCS/StabiliTrak
system and the vehicle might need
service. When this warning light is
on, the TCS/StabiliTrak system is
off and does not limit wheel spin.
The light flashes if the system is
active and is working to assist the
driver with directional control of the
vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Light
The engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on briefly when
the vehicle is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the
system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
If the light comes on and stays
on while driving, the vehicle may
have a problem with the cooling
system. Stop and turn off the
vehicle to avoid damage to the
engine. A warning chime sounds
when this light is on.
SeeEngine Overheating on
page 10‑23 for more information.
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this light
comes on briefly when the vehicle is
in ON/RUN. It provides information
about tire pressures and the TPMS.
When the Light is On Steady
This indicates that one or more
of the tires are significantly
underinflated.
A message in the Driver Information
Center (DIC) may also display.
SeeTire Messages on page 5‑52
for more information. Stop as soon
as possible, and inflate the tires to
the pressure value shown on the
Tire and Loading Information Label.
See Tires on page 10‑48 for more
information.

Black plate (28,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
5-28 Instruments and Controls
When the Light Flashes First and
Then is On Steady
This indicates that there may be
a problem with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System. The light flashes
for about one minute and stays on
steady until the vehicle is in OFF.
This sequence repeats each time
the vehicle is in ON/RUN. SeeTire
Pressure Monitor System on
page 10‑55 for more information.
Engine Oil Pressure Light
{WARNING
Do not keep driving if the oil
pressure is low. The engine can
become so hot that it catches
fire. Someone could be burned.
Check the oil as soon as possible
and have the vehicle serviced. Notice:
Lack of proper engine
oil maintenance can damage the
engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always follow the maintenance
schedule for changing engine oil.
The oil pressure light should come
on briefly as the vehicle is started.
If it does not come on have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the light comes on and stays on, it
means that oil is not flowing through
the engine properly. The vehicle
could be low on oil and might
have some other system problem.
See your dealer.
Low Fuel Warning Light
The low fuel warning light comes on
briefly when the vehicle is started.
This light also comes on when the
fuel level is low. When fuel is added,
the light should go off. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced.

Black plate (43,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-43
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
The Driver Information Center (DIC)
display is in the instrument cluster.
The DIC displays information about
the vehicle. It also displays warning
messages if a system problem is
detected. SeeVehicle Messages on
page 5‑45 for more information.
DIC Operation and Displays
View the DIC displays by pressing
the DIC buttons located to the
left of the steering wheel. The DIC
displays trip, fuel, and warning
messages if a system problem
is detected. DIC Controls
CONFIG:
Press to select either the
Simple or Enhanced instrument
cluster configuration display.
}BACK: Press to return to the
previous screen, exit a screen,
or return to the main menu.
Press
}BACK to minimize
the DIC menu display.
SELECT: Press the center of the
knob to select the highlighted item.
Turn the knob to scroll through the
menu items.
DIC Menu Items
At the main DIC menu:
1. Turn the SELECT knob to scroll through the possible DIC menus.
2. Press the center of the SELECT knob when a menu item is
highlighted to enter that menu.
3. Continue to turn and press the SELECT knob to scroll through
and select the available menu
items:
}:Trip A
x:Trip B
:: Oil Life
v:Tire Pressure
{:Vehicle Messages
z:Units
y: Tutorial Mode

Black plate (44,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
5-44 Instruments and Controls
Trip A and Trip B
The trip displays show fuel used,
average fuel economy, and distance
traveled since the last trip reset.
Reset the trip data by pressing and
holding the SELECT button when
either Trip A or Trip B is displayed.
Oil Life
This displays the percentage
of remaining oil life. The lower
the percentage, the closer the
vehicle is to needing an oil change.
When the oil life is depleted, the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message displays. Change the oil
as soon as possible. Additional
maintenance is also recommended
in the Maintenance Schedule.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 11‑2 andEngine Oil on
page 10‑12. The oil life must be reset after
each oil change. Avoid accidental
resetting of the Engine Oil Life
System. It cannot be reset
accurately until the next oil change.
To reset the Engine Oil Life System,
see
Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑15. The system is reset
when 100% displays.
Tire Pressure
The display will show a vehicle with
the approximate pressures of all
four tires. Tire pressure is displayed
in either kilopascals (kPa) or in
pounds per square inch (psi).
If a low or high tire pressure is
detected, a message is displayed
advising to check the tire pressure
in the specified tire. See Tire
Pressure on page 10‑54 andTire
Messages on page 5‑52 for more
information.
If the tire pressure display shows
dashes instead of a value, there
may be a problem with the vehicle.
See your dealer for service. Vehicle Messages
Turn the SELECT knob to scroll
through any active warning
messages. Press SELECT
to review the messages.
Units
Turn the SELECT knob to change
the unit display to METRIC or US
when the display is active. Press
SELECT to confirm the setting.
This will change the displays on
the cluster and DIC to either metric
or English (US) measurements.
Tutorial Mode
Select this menu item to view a
screen that explains some of the
unique features of the cluster.
Tutorial mode is only available when
the vehicle is in P (Park).

Black plate (52,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
5-52 Instruments and Controls
SERVICE POWER STEERING
This message displays if there is a
problem with the power steering
system. Take the vehicle to your
dealer for service.
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON
This message displays if there is a
problem with the vehicle. Take the
vehicle to your dealer for service.
Depending on the severity of a
crash, this message may come
on along with the airbag readiness
light.
Starting the Vehicle
Messages
PRESS BRAKE TO START
VEHICLE
This message displays when
attempting to start the vehicle
without first pressing the brake
pedal.
PRESS BUTTON AGAIN TO
TURN OFF
This message displays as a
reminder to press the POWER
O
button to turn the vehicle off when
an attempt is made to turn off the
vehicle while it is in motion.
Tire Messages
SERVICE TIRE MONITOR
SYSTEM
This message displays if there is
a problem with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS). SeeTire
Pressure Monitor Operation on
page 10‑57 for more information.
TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
This message displays when
the system is learning new tires.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor
Operation on page 10‑57 for
more information.
TIRE LOW ADD AIR TO TIRE
This message displays when the
pressure in one or more of the tires
is low.
This message also displays
LEFT FRONT, RIGHT FRONT,
LEFT REAR, or RIGHT REAR to
indicate the location of the low tire.
The low tire pressure warning
light will also come on. See Tire
Pressure Light on page 5‑27.
If a tire pressure message appears
on the DIC, stop as soon as you
can. Inflate the tires by adding air
until the tire pressure is equal to
the values shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See Tires
on page 10‑48, Vehicle Load Limits
on page 9‑14, and Tire Pressure on
page 10‑54.
You can receive more than one
tire pressure message at a time.
The DIC also shows the tire
pressure values. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑43.