2012 CHEVROLET VOLT airbag

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.

Black plate (53,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-53
Ride Control System
Messages
LOW TRACTION
This message displays when the
Antilock Brake System (ABS) is
active and is working to assist the
driver with control of the vehicle in
difficult driving conditions.
SERVICE STABILITRAK
This message displays when there
is a problem detected with the
StabiliTrak system. The vehicle is
safe to drive, but the StabiliTrak
system is not operational. See
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) on
page 9‑38for information on
resetting the system.
SERVICE TRACTION
CONTROL
This message displays when there
is a problem detected with the
Traction Control System (TCS). The
vehicle is safe to drive, but the TCS
is not operational. See Traction
Control System (TCS) on page 9‑36
for information on resetting the
system.
STABILITRAK OFF
This message displays when
StabiliTrak is turned off. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
This message displays when the
Traction Control System (TCS) is
turned off. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
TRACTION CONTROL ON
This message displays when the
Traction Control System (TCS) is
turned on.
Airbag System Messages
SERVICE AIRBAG
This message displays if there is a
problem with the airbag system.
Take the vehicle to your dealer for
service.
Anti-theft Alarm System
Messages
SERVICE THEFT ALARM
This message displays if there is a
problem with the alarm. See your
dealer for service.

Black plate (54,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
5-54 Instruments and Controls
SERVICE THEFT DETERRENT
SYSTEM
This message displays if there is a
problem with the theft-deterrent
system. See your dealer for service.
Service Vehicle Messages
ENGINE MAINTENANCE XXX%
COMPLETE
This message displays when the
Engine Maintenance Mode is
running. See“Engine Maintenance
Mode” underMaintenance Modes
on page 9‑28.
ENGINE NOT AVAILABLE
SERVICE SOON
This message displays when the
engine is not available due to a
malfunction that will not allow the
engine to start. The vehicle can
continue to be driven in Electric
Mode until the battery is depleted,
but will have reduced acceleration. When this message is displayed,
the vehicle should be taken to your
dealer for service as soon as
possible. See
Out of Fuel/Engine
Unavailable on page 9‑27.
SERVICE AC SYSTEM
This message displays if there is a
problem with the air conditioning
system. Take the vehicle to your
dealer for service.
SERVICE HEATER SOON
This message displays if there is a
problem with the heater system.
Take the vehicle to your dealer for
service.
SERVICE POWER STEERING
This message displays if there is a
problem with the power steering
system. Take the vehicle to your
dealer for service.
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON
This message displays if there is a
problem with the vehicle. Take the
vehicle to your dealer for service.
Depending on the severity of a
crash, this message may come on
along with the airbag readiness
light.
Starting the Vehicle
Messages
PRESS BRAKE TO START
VEHICLE
This message displays when
attempting to start the vehicle
without first pressing the brake
pedal.

Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-19
STOPPING THE VEHICLE/OFF:
To turn the vehicle off, push the
POWER
Obutton with the vehicle
in P (Park). Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) will remain active until
the driver door is opened. See
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
on page 9‑21. When turning off the
vehicle, if the vehicle is not in
P (Park), the vehicle will go to ACC/
ACCESSORY and display the
message SHIFT TO PARK in the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
See Electric Drive Unit Messages
on page 5‑49. If the vehicle must be shut off in an
emergency:
1. Brake using a firm and steady
pressure. Do not pump the
brakes repeatedly. This may
deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be done while the
vehicle is moving. After shifting
to N (Neutral), firmly apply the
brakes and steer the vehicle to a
safe location.
3. Come to a complete stop, shift to P (Park), and turn the vehicle
off by pushing the POWER
O
button.
4. Set the parking brake. See Electric Parking Brake on
page 9‑34.
{WARNING
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the
propulsion system off in an
emergency.
If the vehicle cannot be pulled over,
and must be shut off while driving,
press and hold the POWER
O
button for longer than two seconds,
or press twice in five seconds.

Black plate (65,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-65
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
Notice:Do not add anything
electrical to the vehicle unless
you check with your dealer first.
Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle and the
damage would not be covered by
the vehicle's warranty. Some
add-on electrical equipment can
keep other components from
working as they should. Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle's 12‐volt battery, even if the
vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 3‑31
andAdding
Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 3‑31.

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
10-2 Vehicle Care
Uniform Tire QualityGrading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-61
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-63
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . 10-63
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-65
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . 10-65
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . 10-67
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . 10-74
Jump Starting
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-75
Towing
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . 10-81
Recreational VehicleTowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-83
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-85
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-89
Cleaning the CenterStack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-91
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-92
General Information
For service and parts needs, visit
your dealer. You will receive
genuine GM parts and GM-trained
and supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of
these marks:
California Proposition
65 Warning
Most motor vehicles, including this
one, contain and/or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and systems,
many fluids, and some component
wear by-products contain and/or
emit these chemicals.
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, safety belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
Remote Keyless Entry transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.

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.