Page 238 of 454

Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
8-8 Climate Controls
Sensors
Solar Sensor
The solar sensor is located on top of
the instrument panel, near the
windshield, where it monitors solar
intensity.
The climate control system uses the
sensor information to adjust the
temperature, fan speed,
recirculation, and air delivery
mode for best comfort.
Do not cover the sensor; otherwise
the automatic climate control system
may not work properly.Humidity Sensor
The humidity sensor is near the
base of the inside rearview mirror.
The climate control system uses the
sensor information to adjust the
temperature and recirculation for
best comfort.
Outside Air Temperature Sensor
The outside air temperature sensor
is located behind the front grille of
the vehicle. The vehicle uses the
sensor information to display
outside air temperature. The climate
control system uses the information
to adjust the climate system
operation.
Air Vents
Use the louvers on the air vents to
change the direction of the airflow.
Use the thumbwheels near each
vent to open and close off the
airflow.
Operation Tips
.Keep all outlets open whenever
possible for best system
performance.
.Keep the path under all seats
clear of objects to help circulate
the air inside the vehicle more
effectively.
.Use of non-GM approved hood
deflectors can adversely affect
the performance of the system.
Page 245 of 454

Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-7
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can drop
off the edge of a road onto the
shoulder while driving. Follow
these tips:
1. Ease off the accelerator andthen, if there is nothing in the
way, steer the vehicle so that it
straddles the edge of the
pavement. 2. Turn the steering wheel about
one-eighth of a turn, until the
right front tire contacts the
pavement edge.
3. Then turn the steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.
Loss of Control
Skidding
There are three types of skids that
correspond to the vehicle's three
control systems:
.Braking Skid —wheels are not
rolling.
.Steering or Cornering
Skid —too much speed or
steering in a curve causes tires
to slip and lose cornering force.
.Acceleration Skid —too much
throttle causes the driving
wheels to spin. Defensive drivers avoid most skids
by taking reasonable care suited to
existing conditions, and by not
overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible.
If the vehicle starts to slide, follow
these suggestions:
.Ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly
steer the way you want the
vehicle to go. The vehicle may
straighten out. Be ready for a
second skid if it occurs.
.Slow down and adjust your
driving according to weather
conditions. Stopping distance
can be longer and vehicle
control can be affected when
traction is reduced by water,
snow, ice, gravel, or other
material on the road. Learn to
recognize warning clues
—such
as enough water, ice, or packed
snow on the road to make a
mirrored surface —and slow
down when you have any doubt.
Page 247 of 454

Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-9
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
.Pass with caution.
.Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
.Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
.Have good tires with proper
tread depth. SeeTires on
page 10‑44.
.Turn off cruise control.
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to
your surroundings while driving.
If you become tired or sleepy, find a
safe place to park the vehicle
and rest. Other driving tips include:
.Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
.Keep the interior
temperature cool.
.Keep your eyes moving
—scan
the road ahead and to the sides.
.Check the rearview mirror and
vehicle instruments often.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. See
“Mountain Mode” underDriver
Selected Operating Modes on
page 9‑25. Tips for driving in these
conditions include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
electric drive unit.
.Keep the vehicle in gear when
going down steep or long hills.
{WARNING
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the vehicle turned off is
dangerous. The brakes will have
to do all the work of slowing down
the vehicle and could become too
hot. Hot brakes may not be able
to slow the vehicle enough to
maintain speed and control. You
could crash. Always have the
vehicle running and in gear
(preferably LOW range) when
going downhill. This will allow the
electric drive unit to assist in
slowing and maintaining speed.
.Stay in your own lane. Do not
swing wide or cut across the
center of the road. Drive at
speeds that let you stay in your
own lane.
.Top of hills: Be
alert —something could be in
your lane (stalled car, accident).
Page 248 of 454

Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
9-10 Driving and Operating
.Pay attention to special road
signs (falling rocks area, winding
roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take
appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow
or ice between the tires and the
road, creating less traction or grip.
Wet ice can occur at about 0°C
(32°F) when freezing rain begins to
fall, resulting in even less traction.
Avoid driving on wet ice or in
freezing rain until roads can be
treated with salt or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the
condition. Accelerate gently so
traction is not lost. Accelerating too
quickly causes the wheels to spin
and makes the surface under the
tires slick, so there is even less
traction.Try not to break the fragile traction.
If you accelerate too fast, the drive
wheels will spin and polish the
surface under the tires even more.
The Antilock Brake System (ABS)
improves vehicle stability during
hard stops on slippery roads, but
apply the brakes sooner than when
on dry pavement.
Allow greater following distance on
any slippery road and watch for
slippery spots. Icy patches can
occur on otherwise clear roads in
shaded areas. The surface of a
curve or an overpass can remain icy
when the surrounding roads are
clear. Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
Turn off cruise control on slippery
surfaces.
Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be a
serious situation. Stay with the
vehicle unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use the Roadside
Assistance Program. To get help
and keep everyone in the
vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
Page 281 of 454

Black plate (43,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-43
{WARNING
The Ultrasonic Front and Rear
Parking Assist (UFRPA) system
does not replace driver vision.
It cannot detect:
.Objects that are below the
bumper, under the vehicle,
or too close or far from the
vehicle.
.Children, pedestrians,
bicyclists, or pets.
If you do not use proper care
before moving forward and while
backing up, vehicle damage,
injury, or death could occur. Even
with UFRPA, always check in
front of the vehicle before moving
forward and behind the vehicle
before backing up. While moving
forward and backing up, be sure
to look for objects and check the
vehicle mirrors.
How the System Works
When the vehicle is shifted into
R (Reverse) the front and rear
sensors are automatically turned on.
After the vehicle is shifted out of
R (Reverse), the rear sensors are
turned off and the front sensors stay
on until the vehicle is above a
speed of 8 km/h (5 mph). For the
front park assist system to be active
again without shifting into
R (Reverse), the park assist button
in the overhead console must be
pressed. See “Turning the System
On and Off” later in this section.
UFRPA operates only at speeds
less than 8 km/h (5 mph).
When the vehicle is in N (Neutral),
the system may be active. If the
vehicle is in a car wash, the sensors
may detect objects in the car wash.
See “Turning the System On and
Off” later in this section to turn the
system off. High-toned beeps from the front
speakers are for objects detected
near the front bumper. Low-toned
beeps from the rear speakers are
for objects detected near the rear
bumper. The interval between the
beeps becomes shorter as the
vehicle gets closer to the obstacle.
When the distance is less than
30 cm (12 in) the beeping is a
continuous tone for five seconds.
To be detected, objects must be at
least 25 cm (10 in) off the ground
and below hatch level. Objects must
also be within 1.2 m (4 ft) in front of
the vehicle and 2.5 m (8 ft) from the
rear bumper. This distance may be
less during warmer or humid
weather.
Page 339 of 454
Black plate (35,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-35
Mini Fuses Usage4 Ignition Coils/
Injectors
5 Not Used
6a Empty
6b Not Used 7 Empty
8 Empty
9 Heated Mirrors
10 Air Conditioning
Control Module
11 Traction Power
Inverter
Module
–Battery
12 Not Used
13 Cabin Heater Pump
and Valve
14 Not Used Mini Fuses Usage
15 Traction Power
Inverter Module and
Transmission
Control
Module
–Battery
17 Engine Control
Module
–Battery
22 Left High‐Beam
Headlamp
24 Empty
25 Empty
26 Not Used
31 Not Used
32 Run/
Crank
–Sensing
Diagnostic Module
(SDM), Instrument
Cluster, Passenger
Airbag Display,
Automatic Dimming
Inside Rearview
Mirror (If Equipped) Mini Fuses Usage
33 Run/Crank for
Vehicle Integration
Control Module
34 Vehicle Integration
Control
Module
–Battery
35 Not Used
36 Power Electronics
Coolant Pump
37 Cabin Heater
Control Module
38 Rechargeable
Energy Storage
System (High
Voltage Battery)
Coolant Pump
Page 341 of 454
Black plate (37,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-37
J‐CaseFuses Usage
28 Empty
29 Empty
30 Antilock Brake
System Motor
42 Cooling Fan –Right
43 Front Wipers
44 Charger
45 Empty
48 Cooling Fan –Left Mini Relays Usage
3 Powertrain
4 Heated Mirrors
7 Empty
9 AIR Pump
(PZEV Only)
11 Empty
12 Empty
13 Empty
14 Run/Crank Micro
Relays Usage
1 Empty
2 AIR Solenoid
(PZEV Only)
6 Empty
8 Empty
10 Empty
Ultra Micro Relays Usage
5 Charge Port Door
Page 347 of 454
Black plate (43,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-43
FusesUsage
F5 Driver Door
Switches (Outside
Rearview Mirror/
Charge Port Door
Release/Refuel
Request/Driver
Window Switch)
F6 Fuel (Diurnal Valve
and Evap. Leak
Check Module)
F7 Accessory Power
Module Cooling Fan
F8 Amplifier
(If Equipped)
F9 Empty
F10 Regulated Voltage
Control/Ultrasonic
Front and Rear
Parking Assist
(If Equipped) Fuses
Usage
F11 Horn
F12 Rear Power
Windows
F13 Electric Parking
Brake
F14 Rear Defog
(Upper Grid)
F15 Empty
F16 Hatch Release
F17 Empty
F18 Empty Relays
Usage
R1 Rear Defog
(Upper Grid)
R2 Hatch Release
R3 Empty
R4 Empty
R5 Empty
R6 Empty
R7/R8 Horn
Diodes Usage DIODE Empty