Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
2011 Chevrolet Volt Owner ManualM
In Brief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Battery and Efficiency . . . . . . . . 1-18
Performance and
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Keys, Doors and Windows . . . 2-1
Keys and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Exterior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Interior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-25
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-41 Storage
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 4-1
Additional Storage Features . . . 4-2
Instruments and Controls . . . . 5-1
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . 5-4
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . 5-31
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-45
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 5-53
Universal Remote System . . . . 5-60
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Lighting Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18 Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-39
Voice Recognition . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-77
Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-85
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 9-18
Electric Vehicle Operating Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Electric Drive Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-37
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-40
Object Detection Systems . . . . 9-43
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-49
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-57
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-62
Conversions and Add-Ons . . . 9-63
Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Introduction v
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer
to the Index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
bg: Audio Steering Wheel
Controls or OnStar®
I: Brake System Warning
Light
A: Charge Port Door
":Charging System
(12‐Volt Battery)
I: Cruise Control
f: Electric Parking Brake
d:Electronic Stability
Control (ESC)
B: Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
y:Fault
g:First Responder
.: Fuel Gauge
+:Fuses
3: Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
_: High Voltage
j:LATCH System Child
Restraints
[: Leaf
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
O:Power
B:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-1
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Heated Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . 1-9
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Sensing System for Passenger Airbag . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11 Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 1-12
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Vehicle Features
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . 1-15
Bluetooth
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . 1-16
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Navigation System . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Battery and Efficiency
High Voltage Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Fueling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Total Vehicle Range . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Regenerative Braking . . . . . . . . 1-22
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . 1-23
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 1-24
Driving for Better Energy Efficiency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-27
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-27
Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-5
Remote Start
This feature starts the heating or
air conditioning systems and rear
window defogger from outside the
vehicle. Normal operation of the
system will return after the vehicle
has been turned on. The engine
may start to support the climate
control operation.
Activating the Remote Start
1. Aim the RKE transmitter at thevehicle.
2. Press
Qon the RKE transmitter;
the doors will lock.
3. Within five seconds, press and hold
Buntil the turn signal
lamps flash or for approximately
four seconds. Pressing
Bagain
during a remote start will turn the
feature off. After entering the vehicle during a
remote start, press the POWER
O
button on the center stack with the
brake pedal applied to operate as
normal.
Canceling Remote Start
To cancel a remote start, do any of
the following:
.Aim the RKE transmitter at the
vehicle and press and hold
B
until the parking lamps turn off.
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Press the POWERObutton on
the center stack, with the brake
pedal applied, then press the
POWER
Obutton again to turn
the vehicle off.
See Remote Start on page 2‑8.
Door Locks
To lock or unlock the door, use
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter or the key from outside
the vehicle. Use the door lock knob
or switch from inside the vehicle.
SeeDoor Locks on page 2‑10.
Power Door Locks
The power door lock switches are
on the center stack.
K:Press to unlock the doors.
Q:Press to lock the doors.
Black plate (24,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
1-24 In Brief
During cooler conditions, the low tire
pressure warning light may appear
when the vehicle is first started and
then turn off. This may be an early
indicator that the tire pressures are
getting low and the tires need to be
inflated to the proper pressure.
The TPMS does not replace normal
monthly tire maintenance. It is the
driver’s responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressures.
See Tire Pressure Monitor System
on page 10‑55.Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit
This vehicle may have a tire sealant
and compressor kit that can be used
to seal small punctures in the tread
area of the tire. Significant sidewall
damage will require the tire to be
replaced.
See Tire Sealant and Compressor
Kit on page 10‑71 for complete
operating information.
Engine Oil Life System
The engine oil life system calculates
engine oil life based on vehicle use
and displays the CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message when it is time
to change the engine oil and filter.
The oil life system should be reset
to 100% only following an oil
change. Resetting the Oil Life System
1. Use the SELECT knob to select
OIL 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.
See Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑15.
Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
2-8 Keys, Doors and Windows
Remote Start
This feature starts the heating or
air conditioning systems and rear
window defogger from outside the
vehicle. Use remote start to heat or
cool the interior when the vehicle
plugged in to maximize the electric
range by utilizing electricity from the
electrical outlet. Normal operation
of the system will return after the
vehicle has been turned on.
B(Remote Start):This button is
on the RKE transmitter.
During remote start:
.The climate control system
will typically default to the last
climate settings. If Fan Off or
Fan Only were selected, the
air conditioning or heat will turn
on as needed. See Automatic
Climate Control System on
page 8‑1 for more information.
.If the vehicle has heated
seats, and this feature has
been enabled through vehicle
personalization, the heated
seats will turn on during
colder outside temperatures.
See“Remote Start Heated
Seats” underHeated Front
Seats on page 3‑6 andVehicle
Personalization on page 5‑53
for additional information.
.The rear defogger will turn
on during colder outside
temperatures.
.Selecting1during colder
outside temperatures before
shutting the vehicle off will
help windshield clearing.
.Shutting the vehicle off in ECO
Mode without
1selected will
minimize the impact to electric
range. Shutting the vehicle off
in other modes will maximize
heating or air conditioning.
.The engine may start to provide
energy for heating and cooling,
independent of the vehicle being
plugged in or completely
charged.
.Vehicle range may decrease
if the vehicle is not plugged
into an electrical outlet. If the
vehicle is plugged in, much of
the energy needed to support
this feature will be provided from
the utility, not from the high
voltage battery.
Laws in some communities
may restrict the use of features
that remotely start the engine.
For example, some laws may
require a person using the remote
start feature to have the vehicle in
view when doing so. Check local
regulations for any requirements
on remote starting of vehicles.
Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
2-10 Keys, Doors and Windows
Conditions in Which Remote
Start May Not Work
Conditions in which a remote start
may not occur include:
.An open hood.
.Vehicle propulsion system
fault conditions, including an
emission control system
malfunction.
.High voltage battery fault
conditions.
A second remote start or extension
will not occur if the fuel level is low.
During a remote start, conditions
in which a remote start may be
canceled include:
.Vehicle propulsion system
or high voltage battery fault
conditions.
.Low engine oil pressure.
.Engine coolant temperature that
is too high.
Door Locks
{WARNING
Unlocked doors can be
dangerous.
.Passengers, especially
children, can easily open the
doors and fall out of a moving
vehicle. The chance of being
thrown out of the vehicle in
a crash is increased if the
doors are not locked. So, all
passengers should wear
safety belts properly and
the doors should be locked
whenever the vehicle is
driven. (Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Young children who get into
unlocked vehicles may be
unable to get out. A child can
be overcome by extreme heat
and can suffer permanent
injuries or even death from
heat stroke. Always lock the
vehicle whenever leaving it.
.Outsiders can easily enter
through an unlocked door
when slowing or stopping
the vehicle. Lock the doors
to help prevent this from
happening.
To lock or unlock the door, use
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter or the key from outside
the vehicle. Use the door lock knob
or switch from inside the vehicle.
Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
2-12 Keys, Doors and Windows
Safety Locks
The rear door safety locks prevent
passengers from opening the rear
doors from inside the vehicle.
Press
o{to activate the rear door
safety locks. The LED light (A)
comes on when activated.
Press
o {again to deactivate the
safety locks.
Doors
Hatch
{WARNING
Exhaust gases can enter the
vehicle if it is driven in Extended
Range Mode with the hatch
open, or with any objects
that pass through the seal
between the body and the hatch.
Engine exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
If the vehicle must be driven in
Extended Range Mode with the
hatch open:
.Do not operate in Mountain
Mode if driving with the
hatch open.
.Close all of the windows.
.Fully open the air outlets on
the instrument panel.
.Adjust the Climate Control
system to a setting that
brings in only outside air
and set the fan speed
to the highest setting.
SeeAutomatic Climate
Control System on page 8‑1.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9‑30.