Black plate (25,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-25
Driving for Better Energy
Efficiency
Use the following tips to help
maximize energy efficiency and
range.
Driving Style
Efficiency Gauge
(Instrument Cluster)
The ball indicator should be kept
green and in the center of the
gauge.
Inefficient acceleration is indicated
when the ball turns yellow and
travels above the center of the
gauge.
Aggressive braking is indicated
when the ball turns yellow and
travels below the center of the
gauge.Acceleration/Braking/Coasting
Avoid unnecessary rapid
accelerations and decelerations.
Electric range is maximized at
80 km/h (50 mph) and below. Higher
speeds use more energy and can
significantly reduce electric range.
Use cruise control when
appropriate.
Plan ahead for decelerations
and coast whenever possible.
For example, do not rush to traffic
signals.
Do not shift to N (Neutral) to coast.
The vehicle recovers energy while
coasting and braking in D (Drive)
or L (Low).
Drive Mode and PRNDL Selection
Use Normal Mode when possible.
Sport Mode provides more
responsive acceleration than
Normal Mode but can reduce
efficiency.
Use Mountain Mode prior to
climbing long, steep grades in
mountainous areas. Be sure to
engage Mountain Mode before
starting to climb. Mountain Mode
reduces electric range and power
but may be needed to maintain
speeds above 96 km/h (60 mph)
when climbing grades of 5% or
greater.
Use L (Low) in heavy stop‐and‐go
traffic or when traveling downhill.
L (Low) requires less brake
pedal application and provides
a controlled, efficient way to
slow the vehicle down.
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 (4,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
3-4 Seats and Restraints
Front Seats
Seat Adjustment
{WARNING
You can lose control of the
vehicle if you try to adjust a
manual driver seat while the
vehicle is moving. The sudden
movement could startle and
confuse you, or make you push
a pedal when you do not want to.
Adjust the driver seat only when
the vehicle is not moving.To adjust the seat position:
1. Pull the handle at the front of the
seat cushion to unlock it.
2. Move the seat forward or rearward and release the
handle.
3. Try to move the seat back and forth to be sure it is locked in
place.
Seat Height Adjuster
Move the lever up or down to raise
or lower the seat.
Reclining Seatbacks
{WARNING
You can lose control of the
vehicle if you try to adjust a
manual driver seat while the
vehicle is moving. The sudden
movement could startle and
confuse you, or make you push a
pedal when you do not want to.
Adjust the driver seat only when
the vehicle is not moving.
{WARNING
If either seatback is not locked, it
could move forward in a sudden
stop or crash. That could cause
injury to the person sitting there.
Always push and pull on the
seatbacks to be sure they are
locked.
Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
5-8 Instruments and Controls
Clear ice and snow from the wiper
blades before using them. If frozen
to the windshield, carefully loosen or
thaw them. Damaged wiper blades
should be replaced. SeeWiper
Blade Replacement on page 10‑31.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the
wipers. If the wiper motor overheats,
the windshield wipers will stop until
the motor cools and the wiper
control is turned off. See Electrical
System Overload on page 10‑37.
Wipe Parking
If the vehicle is turned off, while the
wipers are on 1, 2, or
G, they will
stop immediately.
If the windshield wiper lever is then
moved to off before the driver door
is opened or within 10 minutes, the
wipers will restart and move to the
base of the windshield.
If the vehicle is turned off during a
windshield wash, the wipers will
stop when they reach the base of
the windshield.
Windshield Washer
Pull the windshield wiper lever
toward you to spray windshield
washer fluid and activate the wipers.
The washer and wipers will continue
until the lever is released or the
maximum wash time is reached.
When the windshield wiper lever
is released, additional wipes may
occur depending on how long
the windshield washer had been
activated. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑24 for information on
filling the windshield washer fluid
reservoir.
{WARNING
In freezing weather, do not use
the washer until the windshield is
warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the
windshield, blocking your vision.
Power Outlets
The accessory power outlets can be
used to plug in electrical equipment,
such as a cell phone or MP3 player.
There are three accessory power
outlets:
.Inside the front of the center
floor console.
.On the rear of the center floor
console.
.Inside the instrument panel
storage area.
The power outlets supply power
while the vehicle is on, or if the
vehicle is in Retained Accessory
Power (RAP). See Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) on
page 9‑22.
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 (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 (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.
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.