
Black plate (56,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
9-56 Driving and Operating
{WARNING
An extension cord should not be
used to charge the vehicle. Use
of an extension cord may
increase the risk of electric shock
or other hazards.
If an extension cord is used
because of limited access to
120V AC power, use the following
safeguards:
The 120V AC outlet should be
GFCI protected.
The extension cord should be:
.GFCI protected.
.12 or 14 gage, 3 conductor.
.Rated for outdoor.
{WARNING
Multi‐outlet power strips, surge
protectors, or similar devices
could increase the risk of
electrical shock or other hazards.
Do not use these types of devices
with the charge cord.
Charge Cord Status Indicators
The charge cord status indicators
illuminate green or flashing red to
identify the charge cord status.
When both indicators are green, the
vehicle can be charged. If any
indicators are flashing red, the
charge cord will not permit vehicle
charging.
A flashing red AC PRESENT (A)
indicates the AC voltage is out of
range.
Flashing red AC PRESENT (A) and
FAULT (B) indicate the AC outlet
does not have a proper safety
ground. Charging is not permitted
for safety reasons. The AC outlet
must be repaired or another outlet
source should be used.
A flashing red FAULT (B) indicates a
charge cord fault. The charge cord
will attempt to reset automatically.
If the flashing red FAULT (B)
continues for more than
30 seconds, unplug the charge cord
from the wall to reset. If the fault
remains, see your dealer for
service.

Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
10-12 Vehicle Care
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer's warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your
own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the filter before disposal. Never
dispose of oil by putting it in the
trash or pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or
bodies of water. Recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on a combination of factors which
include engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For
the oil life system to work properly,
the system must be reset every time
the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated
that oil life has been diminished, it
indicates that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message comes on.
Change the oil as soon as possible
within the next 1 000 km (600 mi).It is possible that, if driving under
the best conditions, the oil life
system might indicate that an oil
change is not necessary for up to
two years. The engine oil and filter
must be changed at least once
every two years and, at this time,
the system must be reset. Your
dealer has trained service people
who will perform this work and reset
the system. It is also important to
check the oil regularly over the
course of an oil drain interval and
keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.

Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-13
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change. To reset the
system:
1. Use the SELECT knob to selectOIL LIFE on the DIC menu.
2. Press SELECT to start the OIL LIFE reset procedure.
3. The DIC menu will display “Are
you sure that you want to reset?”
Use SELECT to choose YES to
reset oil life or NO to exit and
return to the previous menu.
4. If YES is selected, the DIC menu will display RESET OIL LIFE for
a short time and then 100% OIL
LIFE will be displayed when OIL
LIFE is successfully reset.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message comes back on when the
vehicle is started, the engine oil life
system has not reset. Repeat the
procedure.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑8 for the location of the
engine air cleaner/filter.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Filter
Inspect the air filter at the scheduled
maintenance intervals and replace it
at the first oil change after each
80 000 km (50,000 mi) interval. See
Maintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3 for more information.
If driving in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspect the air filter at each engine
oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Filter
To inspect the air filter, remove it
from the engine air cleaner/filter
assembly and lightly shake to
release loose dust and dirt. If the air
filter remains covered with dirt, a
new air filter is required.
To inspect or replace the air filter:
1. Open the hood. See Hood on
page 10‑7.
2. Locate the engine air cleaner/ filter assembly on the passenger
side of the engine compartment.
See Engine Compartment
Overview on page 10‑8.

Black plate (28,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
10-28 Vehicle Care
Wiper Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be
inspected for wear and cracking.
SeeMaintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3 for more information.
Replacement blades come in
different types and are removed in
different ways. For proper type and
length, see Maintenance
Replacement Parts on page 11‑13.
Notice: Allowing the wiper arm to
touch the windshield when no
wiper blade is installed could
damage the windshield. Any
damage that occurs would not be
covered by your warranty. Do not
allow the wiper arm to touch the
windshield. To replace the windshield wiper
blade:
1. Pull the windshield wiper
assembly away from the
windshield.
2. Press the button in the middle ofthe wiper arm connector, and
pull the wiper blade away from
the arm connector.
3. Remove the wiper blade.
4. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 for wiper blade replacement.
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp aim has been preset and
should need no further adjustment.
If the vehicle is damaged in a crash,
the headlamp aim may be affected.
If adjustment to the headlamps is
necessary, see your dealer.

Black plate (57,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-57
Tire Inspection
We recommend that the tires,
including the spare tire, if the
vehicle has one, be inspected
for signs of wear or damage at
least once a month.
Replace the tire if:
.The indicators at three or
more places around the tire
can be seen.
.There is cord or fabric
showing through the tire's
rubber.
.The tread or sidewall is
cracked, cut, or snagged
deep enough to show cord or
fabric.
.The tire has a bump, bulge,
or split.
.The tire has a puncture, cut,
or other damage that cannot
be repaired well because of
the size or location of the
damage.
Tire Rotation
Tires should be rotated every
12 000 km (7,500 mi). The first
rotation is the most important.
SeeMaintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3.
Tires are rotated to achieve a
more uniform wear for all tires.
Any time unusual wear is
noticed, rotate the tires as soon
as possible, and check the
wheel alignment. Also check for
damaged tires or wheels. See
When It Is Time for New Tires
on page 10‑58 andWheel
Replacement on page 10‑63.
Use this rotation pattern when
rotating the tires.
Adjust the front and rear tires to
the recommended inflation
pressure on the Tire and
Loading Information label after
the tires have been rotated. See
Tire Pressure on page 10‑50
and Vehicle Load Limits on
page 9‑12.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor
System. See Tire Pressure
Monitor Operation on
page 10‑53.

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Service and Maintenance 11-3
Maintenance
Schedule
Owner Checks and Services
At Each Fuel Stop
.Check the engine oil level. See
Engine Oil on page 10‑9.
Once a Month
.Check the tire inflation
pressures. See Tire Pressure on
page 10‑50.
.Inspect the tires for wear. See
Tire Inspection on page 10‑57.
.Check the windshield washer
fluid level. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑21.
.Engine, power electronics, and
high voltage battery pack
coolant level checks. See
Cooling System (Engine) on
page 10‑15 orCooling System
(High Voltage Battery) on
page 10‑16 orCooling System
(Power Electronics and Charger
Modules) on page 10‑17 for
more information.
Engine Oil Change
Every 24 months or when the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message displays, change the
engine oil and filter as soon as
possible, within the next 1 000 km/
600 mi. The engine oil and filter
must be changed at least once
every 24 months. After each oil and
filter change, the oil life system must
be reset. See Engine Oil Life
System on page 10‑12. More
frequent changes may be required
when the vehicle is exposed to a
corrosive environment, such as
areas of high humidity, along an
ocean coast, and/or areas that
apply road salt during winter. Your trained dealer technician can
perform this work. If the engine oil
life system is reset accidentally,
service the vehicle within 5 000 km/
3,000 mi since the last service.
Reset the oil life system when the
oil is changed.
Tire Rotation and Required
Services Every 12 000 km/
7,500 mi
Rotate the tires, if recommended for
the vehicle, and perform the
following services. See
Tire
Rotation on page 10‑57.
.Check engine oil level and oil
life percentage. If needed,
change engine oil and filter, and
reset oil life system. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑9 andEngine Oil
Life System on page 10‑12.
.Check engine coolant level. See
Engine Coolant on page 10‑18.
.Check windshield washer fluid
level. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑21.