Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-9
A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank andPressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant on page 10‑18.
B. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑13.
C. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑9.
D. High Voltage Battery Coolant Reservoir and Pressure Cap.
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.
E. Engine Cover.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑9.
G. Power Electronics Coolant Reservoir and Pressure Cap.
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.
H. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” underBrakes on
page 10‑22.
I. High Voltage Cables (Orange Color).
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting on
page 10‑75.
K. Power Electronics Module.
L. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid on
page 10‑21.
M. Remote Negative (−) Terminal. See Jump Starting on
page 10‑75.
N. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10‑34.Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.Always use engine oil approved
to the proper specification and of
the proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
.Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
.Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System on page 10‑12.
.Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.
Black plate (76,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
10-76 Vehicle Care
Jump Starting the Volt
If the Volt will not start, the 12‐volt
battery may be run down. To jump
start the Volt use the underhood
remote positive (+) and negative (−)
terminals.
1. The other vehicle used to jumpstart the Volt must have a 12‐volt
battery with a negative ground
system.
Notice: Only use a vehicle that
has a 12-volt system with a
negative ground for jump
starting. If the other vehicle does
not have a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles
can be damaged.
2. Park both vehicles close enough so that the jumper cables can
reach both vehicles' positive (+)
and negative (−) terminals. The
vehicles must not touch each
other. It could cause an
unwanted ground connection
that could damage both vehicles'
electrical systems. Put both vehicles in P (Park) for
an automatic transmission or
electric drive unit. For a manual
transmission, place the vehicle
in Neutral and set the parking
brake.
Notice: If any accessories are left
on or plugged in during the jump
starting procedure, they could be
damaged. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Whenever possible,
turn off or unplug all accessories
on either vehicle when jump
starting the vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on the other vehicle. Turn off the radio, all
lamps, and accessories that are
not needed in both vehicles.
Unplug accessories from the
cigarette lighter or the accessory
power outlets. This avoids
sparks and helps save both
batteries and accessories.
4. Locate the positive (+) and negative (−) terminals on the
other vehicle.
5. Open the hood to locate thepositive (+) and negative (−)
terminals on your Volt. Open the
access cover (A) for the remote
positive (+) terminal. The remote
negative terminal (B) for the Volt
is a stud marked GND (−) on the
driver side of the engine
compartment.
Black plate (77,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-77
6. Check that the jumper cables donot have loose or missing
insulation or a shock could result
and the vehicles could be
damaged.
Before connecting the jumper
cables, here are some basic
things to know. Positive (+)
jumper cable goes to positive (+)
battery terminal or a remote
positive (+) terminal if available.
Negative (−) jumper cable goes
to negative (−) battery terminal
or a remote negative (−) terminal
if available. Do not connect
positive (+) to negative (−) or
there will be a short that may
damage the battery and other
parts of the vehicle. Notice:
If the jumper cables are
connected or removed in the
wrong order, electrical shorting
may occur and damage the
vehicle. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always connect and remove the
jumper cables in the correct
order, making sure that the
cables do not touch each other or
other metal.
Connecting the Jumper Cables
1. Connect the red positive (+) jumper cable to the remote
positive (+) terminal (A) of your
Volt. Do not let the other end of
the cable touch metal.
2. Connect the other end of the red positive (+) jumper cable to the
positive (+) terminal of the other
vehicle. 3. Connect the black negative (−)
jumper cable to the negative (−)
battery terminal of the other
vehicle battery. Do not let the
other end touch anything until
the next step.
4. Connect the other end of the black negative (−) jumper cable
to the remote negative (−)
terminal of your Volt.
5. Push the POWER
Obutton to
start. This will wake up the
electronics on the Volt. After the
instrument cluster initializes, the
Volt will use power from the high
voltage battery to charge the
12‐volt battery. The jumper
cables can then be
disconnected. If the Volt does
not start, call your dealer or
Roadside Assistance. See
Roadside Assistance Program
on page 13‑6.
Black plate (78,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
10-78 Vehicle Care
Disconnecting the Jumper Cables
1. Disconnect the blacknegative (−) jumper cable from
the Volt. Do not let the other end
of the cable touch anything until
after the next step.
2. Disconnect the black negative (−) jumper cable from
the other vehicle with the good
battery.
3. Disconnect the red positive (+) jumper cable from the other
vehicle. Do not let the other end
of the cable touch anything until
after the next step.
4. Disconnect the red positive (+) jumper cable from the Volt.
5. Return the positive (+) and negative (−) terminal covers to
their original positions.Jump Starting Another Vehicle
When using the Volt to jump start
another vehicle with a run‐down
battery, jumper cables are
connected directly to the positive (+)
and negative (−) terminals on the
12‐volt battery in the rear cargo
area. Do not use the remote
terminals under the hood. This
could cause a fuse to overload in
the Volt.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must
have a 12‐volt battery with a
negative ground system.
Notice: Only use a vehicle that
has a 12-volt system with a
negative ground for jump
starting. If the other vehicle does
not have a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles
can be damaged. 2. Park both vehicles close enough
so that the jumper cables can
reach both vehicles' positive (+)
and negative (−) terminals. The
vehicles must not touch each
other. It could cause an
unwanted ground connection
that could damage both vehicles'
electrical systems.
Put both vehicles in P (Park) for
an automatic transmission or
electric drive unit. For a manual
transmission, place the vehicle
in Neutral and set the parking
brake.
Notice: If any accessories are left
on or plugged in during the jump
starting procedure, they could be
damaged. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Whenever possible,
turn off or unplug all accessories
on either vehicle when jump
starting the vehicle.
Black plate (80,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
10-80 Vehicle Care
Notice:If the jumper cables are
connected or removed in the
wrong order, electrical shorting
may occur and damage the
vehicle. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always connect and remove the
jumper cables in the correct
order, making sure that the
cables do not touch each other or
other metal.
Connecting the Jumper Cables
1. Connect the red positive (+) jumper cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the other vehicle with
the run‐down battery. Use a
remote positive (+) terminal if
available. Do not let the other
end touch metal.
2. Connect the other end of the red positive (+) jumper cable to the
positive (+) battery terminal of
the Volt. 3. Connect the black negative (−)
jumper cable to the negative (−)
battery terminal of the Volt. Do
not let the other end touch
anything until the next step.
4. Make the final connection to a heavy, unpainted metal engine
part or to the remote negative (−)
terminal on the other vehicle
with the run‐down battery.
5. Press the POWER
Obutton to
start the Volt. This will wake up
the electronics on the Volt. The
engine will only start if it is
needed.
6. Try to start the other vehicle that had the run‐down battery. If it
will not start after a few tries, it
probably needs service. Disconnecting the Jumper Cables
1. Disconnect the black
negative (−) jumper cable from
the other vehicle that had the
run‐down battery. Do not let the
other end of the cable touch
anything until after the next step.
2. Disconnect the black negative (−) jumper cable from
the Volt.
3. Disconnect the red positive (+) jumper cable from the Volt. Do
not let the other end of the cable
touch anything until after the
next step.
4. Disconnect the red positive (+) jumper cable from the other
vehicle.
5. Return the positive (+) and negative (−) terminal covers to
their original positions.
Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Customer Information 13-7
Chevrolet and General Motors of
Canada Limited reserve the right to
limit services or payment to an
owner or driver if they decide the
claims are made too often, or the
same type of claim is made many
times.
Services Provided
.Emergency Fuel Delivery:
Delivery of enough fuel for the
vehicle to get to the nearest
service station.
.Lock‐Out Service:Service to
unlock the vehicle if you are
locked out. A remote unlock may
be available if you have OnStar.
For security reasons, the driver
must present identification
before this service is given.
.Emergency Tow from a Public
Road or Highway: Tow to the
nearest Chevrolet dealer for
warranty service, or if the vehicle
was in a crash and cannot be
driven. Assistance is also given
when the vehicle is stuck in the
sand, mud, or snow.
.Flat Tire Change: Service to
change a flat tire with the tire
sealant and compressor kit.
If the tire has been separated
from the wheel, has damaged
sidewalls, or has a large
puncture, the tire is too severely
damaged for the tire sealant and
compressor kit to be effective.
It is the owner's responsibility for
the repair or replacement of the
tire if it is not covered by the
warranty.
.Battery Jump Start: Service to
jump start a dead battery.
Services Not Included in
Roadside Assistance
.Impound towing caused by
violation of any laws.
.Legal fines.
.Mounting, dismounting,
or changing of snow tires,
chains, or other traction devices.
.Towing or services for vehicles
driven on a non-public road or
highway.
Services Specific to Canadian
Vehicles
.Fuel Delivery: Reimbursement
is approximately $5 Canadian.
Diesel fuel delivery may be
restricted. Propane and other
fuels are not provided through
this service.
.Lock-Out Service: Vehicle
registration is required.
Black plate (17,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Customer Information 13-17
OnStar®
If the vehicle is equipped with an
active OnStar system, that system
may also record data in crash or
near crash‐like situations. The
OnStar Terms and Conditions
provides information on data
collection and use and is available
at www.onstar.com (U.S.) or
www.onstar.ca (Canada), or by
pressing the
Qbutton and
speaking to an advisor. See OnStar
Overview on page 14‑1 for more
information.
Navigation System
If the vehicle has a navigation
system, use of the system may
result in the storage of destinations,
addresses, telephone numbers, and
other trip information. Refer to the
navigation manual for information on
stored data and for deletion
instructions.
Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID)
RFID technology is used in some
vehicles for functions such as tire
pressure monitoring and ignition
system security, as well as in
connection with conveniences such
as key fobs for remote door locking/
unlocking and starting, and
in-vehicle transmitters for garage
door openers. RFID technology in
GM vehicles does not use or record
personal information or link with any
other GM system containing
personal information.
Radio Frequency
Statement
This vehicle has systems that
operate on a radio frequency that
comply with Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
rules and with Industry Canada
Standards RSS‐GEN/210/220/310.
Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
1. The device may not cause harmful interference.
2. The device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause
undesired operation of the
device.
Changes or modifications to any of
these systems by other than an
authorized service facility could void
authorization to use this equipment.
Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
14-4 OnStar
Connections
OnStar Hands-Free Calling allows
calls to be made and received from
the vehicle. The vehicle can also be
controlled from a cell phone through
the OnStar mobile app. See
www.onstar.com for coverage maps.
Hands-Free Calling
1. PushX. System responds:
“OnStar ready.”
2. Say “Dial.”System responds:
“Please say the name or number
to call.”
3. Say the entire number without pausing, including a “1”and the
area code. System responds:
“OK calling.”
Retrieve My Number
1. PushX. System responds:
“OnStar ready.”
2. Say “My Number.” System
responds: “Your OnStar
Hands-Free Calling number is.”
End a Call
PushX. System responds: “Call
ended.”
Store a Name Tag for Speed
Dialing
1. PushX. System responds:
“OnStar ready.”
2. Say “Store.” System responds:
“Please say the number you
would like to store.”
3. Say the entire number without pausing. System responds:
“Please say the name tag.”
4. Pick a name tag. “System
responds:”About to store
sound OK?”
5. Say “Yes”or“No” to try again.
System responds: “OK, storing
Place a Call Using a Stored
Number
1. PushX. System responds:
“OnStar ready.”
2. Say “Call
responds: “OK, calling
Verify Minutes and Expiration
PushXand say “minutes” then
“verify” to check how many minutes
remain and their expiration date.
OnStar Mobile App
With an iPhone®or
Android™-based mobile device, an
OnStar mobile app can be
downloaded. The vehicle can be
remote started, if equipped, or the
doors can be unlocked from
anywhere there is cell phone
service. It can also check the fuel
level, tire pressure, and oil life.
It can connect to an OnStar Advisor
anytime. For OnStar mobile app
compatibility or further information,
see www.onstar.com.