Page 125 of 454

Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-9
When one of the warning lights
comes on and stays on while
driving, or when one of the gauges
shows there may be a problem,
check the section that explains what
to do. Waiting to do repairs can be
costly and even dangerous.
Instrument Cluster
The instrument cluster displays a
preview of information that includes
electric range, charging, odometer,
and battery status. This happens
upon entry when the driver door is
opened, and following the welcome
animation, before starting the
vehicle.A CHARGING OVERRIDE/
INTERRUPTION OCCURRED
message may display on the lower
left of the screen to indicate that a
charging override or interruption has
occurred due to one or more of the
following events:
.Override of the charge settings
by the owner using OnStar.
.Unintended interruption of AC
power at the vehicle's
charge port.
.Interruption of charging by the
utility company using OnStar as
authorized by vehicle owner.
The following screens may appear,
depending on the status.
This screen indicates that the
charge cord is not connected. Plug
the charge cord in to charge the
vehicle.
Page 129 of 454
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
Page 130 of 454

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.
Page 131 of 454

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.
Page 133 of 454

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.
Page 139 of 454

Black plate (23,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-23
Service Electric Parking
Brake Light
The Service Electric Parking Brake
light should come on briefly when
the vehicle is in ON/RUN. If it does
not come on, have it fixed so it will
be ready to warn if there is a
problem.
If this light stays on, there is a
problem with a system on the
vehicle that is causing the parking
brake system to work at a reduced
level. The vehicle can still be driven,
but should be taken to a dealer as
soon as possible. SeeElectric
Parking Brake on page 9‑34 for
more information. If a message
displays in the Driver Information Center (DIC), see
Brake System
Messages on page 5‑48 for more
information.
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
This light should come on briefly
when the vehicle is in ON/RUN. If it
does not come on, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer.
If the ABS warning light stays on
longer than a few seconds after the
vehicle is in ON/RUN, or comes on
and stays on while driving, try
resetting the system. To reset the
system:
1. While driving, pull over when it is safe to do so.
2. Place the vehicle in P (Park). 3. Turn the vehicle off.
4. Restart the vehicle.
If the ABS warning light remains on
after resetting the system or comes
on again while driving, the vehicle
needs service. If the ABS warning
light is on, but the regular brake
system warning light is not on, the
antilock brakes are not working
properly, but the regular brakes are
still functioning. Have the vehicle
serviced right away. If both brake
lights are on, the vehicle does not
have antilock brakes, and there is a
problem with the regular brakes as
well. Have the vehicle towed for
service. See
Towing the Vehicle on
page 10‑81.
Page 141 of 454

Black plate (25,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-25
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 10‑21 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. See
Tire Messages on page 5‑55 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 10‑44 for more
information.
Page 145 of 454
Black plate (29,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-29
Hood Open
Hatch OpenThe DIC indicates when a door, the
hood, or the hatch is open. The light
displays the open area as shaded.
The DIC and the light both display
when the vehicle is moving. Only
the light displays if the vehicle is
stopped.
Information Displays
Center Stack Display
The center stack screen displays
Charging, Power Flow, and Energy
Information. See the information that
follows.
Climate Control, Infotainment, and
Vehicle Personalization information
also displays in this screen. For
more information on these
systems, see:
.Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8‑1.
.The navigation system manual
and
Infotainment on page 7‑1.
.Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑56.