2012 CHEVROLET VOLT Owners Manual

Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-13
Instrument Cluster Display
Configurations
There are two instrument cluster
display configurations to choose
from. Press CONFIG to the left of
the steering wheel to change the
configuration. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑45 for more information. Choose either the Simple or
Enhanced Configuration display.
Simple Configuration
in Electric Mode
Simple Configuration in Extended Range Mode The Enhanced Configuration
displays the Driver Efficiency
Gauge.
Enhanced Configuration
in Electric Mode
Enhanced Configuration
in Extended Range Mode

Black plate (14,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
5-14 Instruments and Controls
Speedometer
The speedometer shows the vehicle
speed in both kilometers per hour
(km/h) and miles per hour (mph).
The DIC menu can be used to
change the units.
SeeDriver Information Center (DIC)
on page 5‑45.
Odometer
The odometer shows how far the
vehicle has been driven, in either
kilometers or miles.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer is within the
Driver Information Center. See
Driver Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑45 for more information.
Compass
The vehicle has a compass display
in the instrument cluster above the
speedometer. The compass
receives its heading and other
information from the Global
Positioning System (GPS) antenna
and vehicle speed information.
The compass system has automatic
calibration and zone adjustment
features.
Avoid covering the GPS antenna for
long periods of time with objects
that may interfere with the antenna's
ability to receive a satellite signal.
SeeMulti-Band Antenna on
page 7‑13 for the location of the
vehicle's antenna. The compass
system is designed to operate for a
certain number of miles or degrees
of turn before needing a signal from
the GPS satellites. The compass
system will automatically determine
when a GPS signal is restored and
provide a heading.
Battery Gauge (High
Voltage)
This indicator displays the high
voltage battery charge level.
When this indicator is displayed in
the foreground, the vehicle is
operating in Electric Mode. The
number next to the indicator
displays an estimate of how far the
vehicle can be driven while in
this mode.
See Electric Mode on page 9‑24.

Black plate (15,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-15
Fuel Gauge
This indicator displays the fuel level.
When this indicator is in the
foreground, the vehicle is operating
in Extended Range Mode.
The number next to the indicator
displays an estimate of how far the
vehicle can be driven while in
this mode.
SeeExtended Range Mode on
page 9‑24.
Driver Efficiency Gauge
This gauge is a guide to driving in
an efficient manner by keeping the
ball green and in the center of the
gauge. The leaves stop spinning
when the vehicle stops or when the
ball travels away from the center of
the gauge.
See Driving for Better Energy
Efficiency on page 9‑2.
accel: If the ball turns yellow and
travels above the center of the
gauge, acceleration is too
aggressive to optimize efficiency. brake:
If the ball turns yellow and
travels below the center of the
gauge, braking is too aggressive to
optimize efficiency.
Total Vehicle Range
Total vehicle range is the remaining
distance the vehicle can be driven
combining the electric range and
fuel range.
See Driving for Better Energy
Efficiency on page 9‑2.

Black plate (16,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
5-16 Instruments and Controls
Safety Belt Reminders
Driver Safety Belt Reminder
Light
When the vehicle is started, this
light flashes and a chime may come
on to remind the driver to fasten
their safety belt. The light stays on
solid until the belt is buckled.
This cycle may continue
several times if the driver remains
or becomes unbuckled during
driving while the vehicle is moving.
If the driver safety belt is already
buckled, neither the light nor the
chime comes on.
Passenger Safety Belt
Reminder Light
When the vehicle is started, this
light flashes and a chime may come
on to remind the front passenger to
fasten their safety belt. The light
stays on solid until the belt is
buckled.
This cycle may continue
several times if the front passenger
remains or becomes unbuckled
while the vehicle is moving.
If the front passenger safety belt is
buckled, neither the chime nor the
light comes on.The front passenger safety belt
reminder light and chime may turn
on if an object is put on the seat
such as a briefcase, handbag,
grocery bag, laptop, or other
electronic device. To turn off the
reminder light and/or chime, remove
the object from the seat or buckle
the safety belt.Second Row Passenger Safety
Belt Reminder Light
Second row seating positions
monitored for safety belt use are
represented by a colored symbol
indicating safety belt status. When
the vehicle is started, two safety belt
symbols come on and stay on for
several seconds in the instrument
cluster to alert the driver that
passengers may need to fasten

Black plate (17,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-17
their safety belts. After the
passenger safety belt is buckled,
the corresponding safety belt
symbol in the instrument cluster
turns green. If a safety belt is not
initially buckled, the instrument
cluster displays a gray safety belt
symbol. While the vehicle is moving,
if a second row passenger who was
previously buckled becomes
unbuckled, the corresponding safety
belt symbol will change to flashing
red for several seconds and a chime
may sound.Airbag Readiness Light
This light shows if there is an
electrical problem. The system
check includes the airbag sensor,
passenger sensing system, the
pretensioners, the airbag modules,
the wiring, and the crash sensing
and diagnostic module. For more
information on the airbag system,
seeAirbag System on page 3‑19.
The airbag readiness light comes on
and stays on for several seconds
when the vehicle is started. Then
the light goes out. A message may also display in the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
See
Airbag System Messages on
page 5‑53 for more information.
{WARNING
If the airbag readiness light stays
on after the vehicle is started or
comes on while driving, it means
the airbag system might not be
working properly. The airbags in
the vehicle might not inflate in a
crash, or they could even inflate
without a crash. To help avoid
injury, have the vehicle serviced
right away.

Black plate (18,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
5-18 Instruments and Controls
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator
The vehicle has a passenger
sensing system. SeePassenger
Sensing System on page 3‑26 for
important safety information. The
passenger airbag status indicator is
in the overhead console.
United States
Canada When the vehicle is started, the
passenger airbag status indicator
will light ON and OFF, or the symbol
for on and off for several seconds
as a system check. Then, after
several more seconds, the status
indicator will light either ON or OFF,
or the on or off symbol to let you
know the status of the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag
and knee airbag.
If the word ON or the on symbol is
lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag
and knee airbag are allowed to
inflate.
If the word OFF or the off symbol is
lit on the airbag status indicator, it
means that the passenger sensing
system has turned off the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag
and knee airbag.
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. See
Airbag Readiness
Light on page 5‑17 for more
information, including important
safety information.

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Instruments and Controls 5-19
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 9‑18for more
information.
If the malfunction indicator lamp
comes on and stays on, while the
engine 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 dealer 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.

Black plate (20,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
5-20 Instruments and Controls
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 10‑3.
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.
Light On Steady: An emission
control system malfunction has
been detected on the vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be
required. The following may correct an
emission system malfunction:
.Check that the fuel cap is fully
installed. The diagnostic system
can determine if the fuel cap has
been left off or improperly
installed. A loose or missing fuel
cap allows fuel to evaporate into
the atmosphere. A few driving
trips with the cap properly
installed should turn the light off.
.Check that good quality fuel is
used. Poor fuel quality causes
the engine not to run as
efficiently as designed and may
cause stalling after start-up or
misfiring. These conditions might
go away once the engine is
warmed up.
If one or more of these
conditions occurs, change the
fuel brand used. It will require at
least one full tank of the proper
fuel to turn the light off.