
Black plate (37,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-37
When the vehicle is started and
begins to move, the system
performs several diagnostic checks
to ensure there are no problems.
The system may be heard or felt
while it is working. This is normal
and does not mean there is a
problem with the vehicle. The
system should initialize before the
vehicle reaches 32 km/h (20 mph).
In some cases, it may take
approximately 3.2 km (2 mi) of
driving before the system initializes.
The TCS may activate on dry or
rough roads or under conditions
such as heavy acceleration while
turning or abrupt changes in output
from the electric drive unit. When
this happens, a reduction in
acceleration may be noticed, or a
noise or vibration may be heard.
This is normal.dflashes to indicate that TCS is
active. See Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak
®Light on
page 5‑25 for more information.
If there is a problem detected with
TCS, SERVICE TRACTION
CONTROL is displayed on the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
See Ride Control System Messages
on page 5‑53. When this message
is displayed and
dcomes on and
stays on, the vehicle is safe to drive
but the system is not operational.
Driving should be adjusted
accordingly.
If
dcomes on and stays on, reset
the system:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
If
dstill comes on and stays on, the
vehicle needs service. Notice:
Do not repeatedly brake
or accelerate heavily when TCS is
off. The vehicle's driveline could
be damaged.
TCS can be turned off by pressing
and releasing the TCS/ESC button
located on the overhead console.
When TCS is turned off,
icomes
on, and the appropriate DIC
message also displays. See Ride
Control System Messages on
page 5‑53. With TCS turned off, the
system does not limit wheel spin.

Black plate (38,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
9-38 Driving and Operating
Driving should be adjusted
accordingly. SeeTraction Off Light
on page 5‑24 for more information.
Press and release the TCS/ESC
button again to turn the system
back on.
It may be necessary to turn the
system off if the vehicle gets stuck
in sand, mud, or snow and rocking
the vehicle is required. See If the
Vehicle Is Stuck on page 9‑12 for
more information. See also Winter
Driving on page 9‑10 for information
on using TCS when driving in snowy
or icy conditions.
Adding non‐GM accessories can
affect vehicle performance. See
Accessories and Modifications on
page 10‑3 for more information.Electronic Stability
Control (ESC)
The vehicle has an Electronic
Stability Control system called
StabiliTrak. It is an advanced
computer-controlled system that
assists with directional control of the
vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
StabiliTrak comes on automatically
whenever the vehicle is turned on.
To assist with directional control of
the vehicle, the system should
always be left on.
The system may be heard or felt
while it is working, but this is
normal.
StabiliTrak activates when the
computer senses a difference
between the intended path and the
direction the vehicle is actually
traveling. StabiliTrak selectively
applies braking pressure to the
vehicle brakes to help steer the
vehicle in the intended direction. When the vehicle is started and
begins to move, the system
performs several diagnostic checks
to ensure there are no problems.
The system may be heard or felt
while it is working. This is normal
and does not mean there is a
problem with the vehicle. The
system should initialize before the
vehicle reaches 32 km/h (20 mph).
In some cases, it may take
approximately 3.2 km (2 mi) of
driving before the system initializes.
When StabiliTrak activates,
d
flashes on the instrument cluster.
This also occurs when traction
control is activated. This is normal.
Continue to steer the vehicle in the
intended direction. A noise may be
heard or vibration may be felt in the
brake pedal. This is normal.
Continue to steer the vehicle in the
intended direction. See
Traction
Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
®
Light on page 5‑25 for more
information.

Black plate (40,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
9-40 Driving and Operating
Cruise Control
The cruise control lets the vehicle
maintain a speed of about 40 km/h
(25 mph) or more without keeping
your foot on the accelerator. Cruise
control does not work at speeds
below 40 km/h (25 mph).
With the Traction Control System
(TCS) or Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), the system may begin to
limit wheel spin while you are using
cruise control. If this happens, the
cruise control will automatically
disengage. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 9‑36 or
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) on
page 9‑38.
{WARNING
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. So, do not use
the cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.
1(On/Off): Press to turn the
cruise control system on and off. An
indicator light will turn on or off in
the instrument cluster.
*(Cancel): Press to disengage
cruise control without erasing the
set speed from memory.
RES/+ (Resume/Accel): Move the
thumbwheel up to resume to a
previously set speed or to
accelerate.

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-3
Accessories and
Modifications
Adding non‐dealer accessories or
making modifications to the vehicle
can affect vehicle performance and
safety, including such things as
airbags, braking, stability, ride and
handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and
electronic systems like antilock
brakes, traction control, and stability
control. These accessories or
modifications could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle components
resulting from modifications or the
installation or use of non‐GM
certified parts, including control
module or software modifications, is
not covered under the terms of the
vehicle warranty and may affect
remaining warranty coverage for
affected parts.GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with other
systems on the vehicle. See your
dealer to accessorize the vehicle
using genuine GM Accessories
installed by a dealer technician.
Also, see
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 3‑31.
Lifting the Vehicle
This vehicle can be lifted with a
hoist or a service jack. Do not use
any other type of jack to lift the
vehicle.
Lifting the Vehicle with a Hoist
This vehicle can be lifted with a
hoist at the four locations, as
illustrated.
Notice: Lifting the vehicle
improperly can damage the
vehicle and result in costly
repairs not covered by the
warranty.The front lifting points can be
accessed from either side of the
vehicle, behind the front tires.
The rear lifting points can be
accessed from either side of the
vehicle, in front of the rear tires.

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

Black plate (36,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
10-36 Vehicle Care
Mini Fuses Usage39 Rechargeable
Energy Storage
System (High
Voltage Battery)
Control Module
40 Front Windshield
Washer
41 Right High‐Beam
Headlamp
46 Empty
47 Empty
49 Empty
50 Run/Crank
–Rear
Vision Camera,
Accessory Power
Module Mini Fuses Usage
51 Run/Crank for ABS/
Rechargeable
Energy Storage
System (High
Voltage Battery)
52 Engine Control
Module/
Transmission
Control
Module
–Run/Crank
53 Traction Power
Inverter
Module
–Run/Crank
54 Run/Crank
–Fuel
System Control
Module, Air
Conditioning Control
Module, On Board
Charger J‐Case
Fuses Usage
16 AIR Solenoid
(PZEV Only)
18 Empty
19 Power
Window
–Front
20 Empty
21 Antilock Brake
System Electronic
Control Unit
23 Charge Port Door
27 AIR Pump
(PZEV Only)

Black plate (59,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-59
The rubber in tires ages over time.
This also applies for the spare tire,
if the vehicle has one, even if it is
never used. Multiple conditions
including temperatures, loading
conditions, and inflation pressure
maintenance affect how fast aging
takes place. Tires will typically need
to be replaced due to wear before
they may need to be replaced
due to age. Consult the tire
manufacturer for more information
on when tires should be replaced.
Vehicle Storage
Tires age when stored normally
mounted on a parked vehicle. Park
a vehicle that will be stored for at
least a month in a cool, dry, clean
area away from direct sunlight to
slow aging. This area should be free
of grease, gasoline, or other
substances that can deteriorate
rubber.Parking for an extended period can
cause flat spots on the tires that
may result in vibrations while
driving. When storing a vehicle for
at least a month, remove the tires or
raise the vehicle to reduce the
weight from the tires.
Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched
specific tires for the vehicle. The
original equipment tires installed on
the vehicle, when it was new, were
designed to meet General Motors
Tire Performance Criteria
Specification (TPC Spec) system
rating. When replacement tires are
needed, GM strongly recommends
buying tires with the same TPC
Spec rating. This way, the vehicle
will continue to have tires that are
designed to give the same
performance and vehicle safety,
during normal use, as the original
tires.GM's exclusive TPC Spec system
considers over a dozen critical
specifications that impact the
overall performance of the vehicle,
including brake system
performance, ride and handling,
traction control, and tire pressure
monitoring performance. GM's TPC
Spec number is molded onto the
tire's sidewall near the tire size.
If the tires have an all‐season tread
design, the TPC spec number will
be followed by MS, for mud and
snow. See
Tire Sidewall Labeling on
page 10‑45 for additional
information.

Black plate (61,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-61
Different Size Tires and
Wheels
If wheels or tires are installed that
are a different size than the original
equipment wheels and tires, vehicle
performance, including its braking,
ride and handling characteristics,
stability, and resistance to rollover
may be affected. If the vehicle has
electronic systems such as antilock
brakes, rollover airbags, traction
control, and electronic stability
control, the performance of these
systems can also be affected.
{WARNING
If different sized wheels are used,
there may not be an acceptable
level of performance and safety if
tires not recommended for those
wheels are selected. This
increases the chance of a crash
and serious injury. Only use GM
specific wheel and tire systems
developed for the vehicle, and
have them properly installed by a
GM certified technician.
See Buying New Tires on
page 10‑59 andAccessories and
Modifications on page 10‑3 for
additional information.
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading
Quality grades can be found
where applicable on the tire
sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
The following information relates
to the system developed by the
United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA), which grades tires by
treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance. This
applies only to vehicles sold in
the United States. The grades
are molded on the sidewalls of
most passenger car tires. The
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
(UTQG) system does not apply
to deep tread, winter-type snow
tires, space-saver, or temporary