
Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
14-2 OnStar
PushQto connect to a live
Advisor to:
.Verify account information or
update contact information.
.Get driving directions. Requires
the available Directions and
Connections service plan.
.Receive On-Demand
Diagnostics for a check on the
vehicle’s key operating systems.
.Receive Roadside Assistance.
Push
]to get a priority connection
to an Emergency Advisor available
24/7 to:
.Get help for an emergency.
.Be a Good Samaritan or
respond to an AMBER Alert.
.Get crisis assistance and
evacuation routes.
OnStar Services
Emergency
With Automatic Crash Response,
the built-in system can automatically
connect to help in a crash even if
you cannot ask for it.
Push
]to connect to an
Emergency Advisor. GPS
technology is used to identify the
vehicle location and can provide
critical information to emergency
personnel. The Advisor is also
trained to offer critical assistance in
emergency situations.
Security
OnStar provides services like Stolen
Vehicle Assistance, Remote Ignition
Block, and Roadside Assistance,
if the vehicle is equipped with these
services. OnStar can unlock the
vehicle doors remotely, if it is
equipped with automatic door locks,
and can help police locate the
vehicle if it is stolen.
Navigation
OnStar navigation requires the
Directions and Connections
service plan.
Push
Qto receive directions or
have them sent to the vehicle
navigation screen. Destinations can
also be forwarded to the vehicle
from Google Maps™ or
MapQuest.com. The OnStar
mapping database is continuously
updated. Visit www.onstar.com for
coverage maps.
Turn‐by‐Turn Navigation
1. PushQto connect to a live
Advisor.
2. Request directions.
3. Directions are downloaded to the vehicle.
4. Follow the voice-guided commands.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
14-4 OnStar
Connections
OnStar Hands-Free Calling allows
calls to be made and received from
the vehicle. The vehicle can also be
controlled from a cell phone through
the OnStar mobile app. See
www.onstar.com for coverage maps.
Hands-Free Calling
1. PushX. System responds:
“OnStar ready.”
2. Say “Dial.”System responds:
“Please say the name or number
to call.”
3. Say the entire number without pausing, including a “1”and the
area code. System responds:
“OK calling.”
Retrieve My Number
1. PushX. System responds:
“OnStar ready.”
2. Say “My Number.” System
responds: “Your OnStar
Hands-Free Calling number is.”
End a Call
PushX. System responds: “Call
ended.”
Store a Name Tag for Speed
Dialing
1. PushX. System responds:
“OnStar ready.”
2. Say “Store.” System responds:
“Please say the number you
would like to store.”
3. Say the entire number without pausing. System responds:
“Please say the name tag.”
4. Pick a name tag. “System
responds:”About to store
sound OK?”
5. Say “Yes”or“No” to try again.
System responds: “OK, storing
Place a Call Using a Stored
Number
1. PushX. System responds:
“OnStar ready.”
2. Say “Call
responds: “OK, calling
Verify Minutes and Expiration
PushXand say “minutes” then
“verify” to check how many minutes
remain and their expiration date.
OnStar Mobile App
With an iPhone®or
Android™-based mobile device, an
OnStar mobile app can be
downloaded. The vehicle can be
remote started, if equipped, or the
doors can be unlocked from
anywhere there is cell phone
service. It can also check the fuel
level, tire pressure, and oil life.
It can connect to an OnStar Advisor
anytime. For OnStar mobile app
compatibility or further information,
see www.onstar.com.

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
OnStar 14-5
Diagnostics
OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics will
perform a vehicle check every
month. It will check the engine,
transmission, antilock brakes, and
major vehicle systems. It also
checks the tire pressures, if the
vehicle is equipped with the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System. If a
diagnostics check is needed
between e-mails, push
Q, and an
Advisor can run a check.
OnStar Additional
Information
Transferring Service
PushQto request account transfer
eligibility information. The Advisor
can assist in canceling or removing
account information. If OnStar
receives information that vehicle
ownership has changed, OnStar
may send a voice message to the
vehicle, requesting updated account
information.
Reactivation for Subsequent
Owners
PushQand follow the prompts to
speak to an Advisor as soon as
possible after acquiring the vehicle.
The Advisor will update vehicle
records and will explain the OnStar
service offers and options available.
How OnStar Service Works
Automatic Crash Response,
Emergency Services, Crisis Assist,
Stolen Vehicle Assistance, Vehicle
Diagnostics, Remote Door Unlock,
Roadside Assistance, Turn-by-Turn
Navigation, and Hands-Free Calling
are available on most vehicles. Not
all OnStar services are available
everywhere or on all vehicles. For
more information, a full description
of OnStar services, system
limitations, and OnStar terms and
conditions, see www.onstar.com
(U.S.) or www.onstar.ca (Canada);
contact OnStar at 1-888-4-ONSTAR
(1‐888‐466‐7827) or TTY
1‐877‐248‐2080; or push
Qto
speak with an Advisor. OnStar
services require a vehicle electrical
system, wireless service, and GPS
satellite technologies to be available
and operating for features to
function properly. These systems
may not operate if the battery is
discharged or disconnected.

Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
OnStar 14-7
OnStar Personal Identification
Number (PIN)
A PIN is needed to access some of
the OnStar services, like Remote
Door Unlock and Stolen Vehicle
Assistance. You will be prompted to
change the PIN the first time when
speaking with an Advisor. To
change the OnStar PIN, call OnStar
and provide the Advisor with the
current number.
Warranty
OnStar equipment may be
warranted as part of the new-vehicle
limited warranty. The manufacturer
of the vehicle furnishes detailed
warranty information.
Languages
The vehicle can be programmed to
respond in French or Spanish. Push
Qand ask an Advisor. Advisors
can speak French or Spanish.
Potential Issues
Some OnStar services are disabled
after five days. OnStar cannot
perform Remote Door Unlock or
Stolen Vehicle Assistance after the
vehicle has been off continuously
for five days. After five days, OnStar
can contact Roadside Assistance
and a locksmith to help gain access
to the vehicle.
Global Positioning
System (GPS)
.Obstruction of the GPS can
occur in a large city with tall
buildings; in parking garages;
around airports; in tunnels,
underpasses, or parking
garages; or in an area with very
dense trees. If GPS signals are
not available, the OnStar system
should still operate to call
OnStar. However, OnStar could
have difficulty identifying the
exact location.
.In emergency situations, OnStar
can use the last stored GPS
location to send to emergency
responders.
.A temporary loss of GPS can
cause loss of the ability to send
a Turn-by-Turn Navigation route.
The Advisor may give a verbal
route or may ask for a call back
after the vehicle is driven into an
open area.
Cellular and GPS Antennas
Avoid placing items over or near the
antenna to prevent blocking cellular
and GPS signal reception. Cellular
reception is required for OnStar to
send remote signals to the vehicle.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
INDEX i-1
A
Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-65
Additional Information,
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-5
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . 10-13
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-32
How Does an AirbagRestrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24
Passenger Sensing
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-23
What Will You See after an
Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24
When Should an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . 3-21 Airbags
Adding Equipment to the
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-31
Passenger Status Indicator . . . 5-18
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Servicing Airbag-Equipped Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-31
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19
Alarm System Anti-theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Antenna
Multi-band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-13
Anti-theft Alarm System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Alarm System Messages . . . . . 5-53
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Appearance Care Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-85
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-89
Assistance Program, Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-6 Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14
CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14
MP3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-16
Audio System Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-13
Theft-Deterrent Feature . . . . . . . . 7-2
Automatic
Climate Control System . . . . . . . . 8-1
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Auxiliary Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18
B
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
High Voltage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-75
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Battery and Charging Messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-47
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . 10-28
Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . 7-22, 7-24, 7-28
Brake Parking, Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-34
System Warning Light . . . . . . . . 5-22

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
i-2 INDEX
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Regenerative Braking . . . . . . . . . 9-36
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-48
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . 9-17
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32 Back-up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . 10-31
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-59
C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14, 5-44
California Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . 9-60
Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Camera, Rear Vision . . . . . . . . . . 9-45
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . iii Capacities and
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Carbon Monoxide Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Hatch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10
Cargo
Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Cautions, Danger, and Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
CD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-65
Charge Cord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-55
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32
Delay Override . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-51
Electrical Requirements . . . . . . 9-58
Plug-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-48
Utility Interruption . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-58
Charging Status Screens . . . . . . 9-52
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . 5-19
Check Engine Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19 Child Restraints
Infants and Young
Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-36
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . 3-42
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-33
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-50, 3-53
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-39
Cleaning Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-85
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-89
Climate Control Systems Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . 13-10
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14, 5-44
Compressor Kit, Tire Sealant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-67
Connections, OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . 14-4
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Coolant Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18
Engine TemperatureWarning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
INDEX i-3
Cooling System . . . . . . . . 10-15–10-17Engine Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-49
Courtesy Transportation Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-9
Cover Cargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-40
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-49
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . 13-4 Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-3
Text Telephone (TTY)
Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-4
Customer Information Service PublicationsOrdering Information . . . . . . 13-13
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-1
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . 13-10
Danger, Warnings, andCautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . 13-16
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2 Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Delayed Charging Override . . . . 9-51
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Devices, Auxiliary . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18
Diagnostics, OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . 14-5
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-49
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . 12-3
Drive Mode Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-49
Drive Unit Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-31
Driver Efficiency Gauge . . . . . . . 5-15
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-45
Driver Selected Operating Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Driving Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-9
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . 9-9 Driving (cont'd)
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 9-12
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 9-12
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-8
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10
Driving for Better Energy Efficiency . . . . . . . 1-28, 9-2
E
Electric Drive Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-31
Electric Drive Unit
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-49
Electric Drive Unit Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Electric Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . 9-34
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . 5-22
Electrical Equipment, Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-65
Electrical Requirements for Battery Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-58

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
i-4 INDEX
Electrical SystemEngine Compartment
Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . 10-38, 10-40
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
Electronic Stability Control . . . . . 9-38
Emergency, OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . 14-2
Energy Efficiency
Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-28, 9-2
Energy Information . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Check and Service EngineSoon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 10-8
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18
Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Cooling System . . . . . . 10-15–10-17
Cooling System Messages . . . 5-49
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-3
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-12 Engine (cont'd)
Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-50
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 9-30
Engine Unavailable Out of Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . 13-16
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Extended Range Mode . . . . . . . . 9-24
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . 3-17
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 6-1
F
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 6-3
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-65
Floor Console Storage . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-92
Fluid Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17 Front Seats
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-59 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-60
Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-64
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-62
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-60
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . . 9-60
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 5-27
Requirements, California . . . . . 9-60
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-50
Function Check Electric Drive Unit Shift
Lock Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Fuses Engine CompartmentFuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Instrument Panel
Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . 10-38, 10-40
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42