Page 328 of 454

Black plate (24,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
10-24 Vehicle Care
Do not top off the brake fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid
when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove brake fluid,
as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
{WARNING
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake fluid only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic
system.
When the brake fluid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. See Brake System Warning
Light on page 5‑22. Checking Brake Fluid
Check brake fluid by looking at the
brake fluid reservoir. See
Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑8.
With the vehicle not running for at
least one minute, the maximum fluid
level (A) is at the top of the reservoir
body. With the vehicle running, the
fluid level should be in the proper
operating range (B) between the
MIN and MAX marks. If it is not,
have the brake hydraulic system
checked to see if there is a leak. After work is done on the brake
hydraulic system, make sure the
level, with the vehicle running, is in
the proper operating range (B)
between the MIN and MAX marks.
What to Add
Use only new DOT 3 brake fluid
from a sealed container. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑12.
Always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it. This
helps keep dirt from entering the
reservoir.
Page 329 of 454

Black plate (25,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-25
{WARNING
With the wrong kind of fluid in the
brake hydraulic system, the
brakes might not work well. This
could cause a crash. Always use
the proper brake fluid.
Notice
.Using the wrong fluid can
badly damage brake
hydraulic system parts. For
example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as
engine oil, in the brake
hydraulic system can
damage brake hydraulic
system parts so badly that
they will have to be replaced.
Do not let someone put in
the wrong kind of fluid.
.If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces,
the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to
spill brake fluid on the
vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately.
Battery
This vehicle has a high voltage
battery and a standard 12‐volt
battery.
If the vehicle is in a crash, the
sensing system may shut down the
high voltage system. When this
occurs, the high voltage battery is
disconnected and the vehicle will
not start. The SERVICE VEHICLE
SOON message in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) will be
displayed. Before the vehicle can be
operated again, it must be serviced
at your dealer.
See “If a Crash Occurs” under
Collision Damage Repair on
page 13‑10 for additional
information. If an airbag has inflated, see
What Will You See
after an Airbag Inflates? on
page 3‑24.
Only a trained service technician
with the proper knowledge and tools
should inspect, test, or replace the
high voltage battery. See your
dealer if the high voltage battery
needs service. The dealer has
information on how to recycle the
high voltage battery. There is
also information available at
http://www.recyclemybattery.com.
Keep the vehicle plugged in, even
when fully charged, to keep the high
voltage battery temperature ready
for the next drive. This is important
when outside temperatures are
extremely hot or cold.
A vehicle cover, which can reduce
sun loading on the vehicle and
improve high voltage battery life, is
available from your dealer.
Page 331 of 454

Black plate (27,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-27
Electric Drive Unit Shift
Lock Control Function
Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. It should be
parked on a level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. See Electric Parking Brake on
page 9‑34.
Be ready to apply the regular
brake immediately if the vehicle
begins to move.
3. With the vehicle off and the brake not applied, press and
hold the POWER
Obutton for more than five seconds to place
the vehicle in Service Only
Mode. See
Power Button on
page 9‑18. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the
shift lever out of P (Park) with
normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of P (Park), contact
your dealer for service.
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this check,
the vehicle could begin to move.
You or others could be injured
and property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in front
of the vehicle in case it begins to
roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move. Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping
your foot on the regular brake, set
the electric parking brake.
.To check the electric parking
brake's holding ability: With the
propulsion system active and the
electric drive unit in N (Neutral),
slowly remove foot pressure
from the regular brake pedal. Do
this until the vehicle is held by
the electric parking brake only.
.To check the P (Park)
mechanism's holding ability:
With the propulsion system
active, shift to P (Park). Then
release the electric parking
brake followed by the regular
brake.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.
Page 340 of 454
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)
Page 341 of 454
Black plate (37,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-37
J‐CaseFuses Usage
28 Empty
29 Empty
30 Antilock Brake
System Motor
42 Cooling Fan –Right
43 Front Wipers
44 Charger
45 Empty
48 Cooling Fan –Left Mini Relays Usage
3 Powertrain
4 Heated Mirrors
7 Empty
9 AIR Pump
(PZEV Only)
11 Empty
12 Empty
13 Empty
14 Run/Crank Micro
Relays Usage
1 Empty
2 AIR Solenoid
(PZEV Only)
6 Empty
8 Empty
10 Empty
Ultra Micro Relays Usage
5 Charge Port Door
Page 347 of 454
Black plate (43,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-43
FusesUsage
F5 Driver Door
Switches (Outside
Rearview Mirror/
Charge Port Door
Release/Refuel
Request/Driver
Window Switch)
F6 Fuel (Diurnal Valve
and Evap. Leak
Check Module)
F7 Accessory Power
Module Cooling Fan
F8 Amplifier
(If Equipped)
F9 Empty
F10 Regulated Voltage
Control/Ultrasonic
Front and Rear
Parking Assist
(If Equipped) Fuses
Usage
F11 Horn
F12 Rear Power
Windows
F13 Electric Parking
Brake
F14 Rear Defog
(Upper Grid)
F15 Empty
F16 Hatch Release
F17 Empty
F18 Empty Relays
Usage
R1 Rear Defog
(Upper Grid)
R2 Hatch Release
R3 Empty
R4 Empty
R5 Empty
R6 Empty
R7/R8 Horn
Diodes Usage DIODE Empty
Page 351 of 454

Black plate (47,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-47
(C) Aspect Ratio:A two‐digit
number that indicates the tire
height‐to‐width measurements.
For example, if the tire size
aspect ratio is 60, as shown in
item C of the illustration, it would
mean that the tire's sidewall is
60 percent as high as it is wide.
(D) Construction Code
:A
letter code is used to indicate
the type of ply construction in
the tire. The letter R means
radial ply construction; the
letter D means diagonal or bias
ply construction; and the letter B
means belted‐bias ply
construction.
(E) Rim Diameter
:Diameter of
the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description
:These
characters represent the load
index and speed rating of the
tire. The load index represents
the load carrying capacity a tire is certified to carry. The speed
rating is the maximum speed a
tire is certified to carry a load.
Tire Terminology and
Definitions
Air Pressure:The amount of
air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of
the tire. Air pressure is
expressed in kPa (kilopascal)
or psi (pounds per square inch).
Accessory Weight
:The
combined weight of optional
accessories. Some examples of
optional accessories are, electric
drive unit, power steering, power
brakes, power windows, power
seats, and air conditioning.
Aspect Ratio
:The relationship
of a tire's height to its width. Belt
:A rubber coated layer of
cords that is located between
the plies and the tread. Cords
may be made from steel or other
reinforcing materials.
Bead
:The tire bead contains
steel wires wrapped by steel
cords that hold the tire onto
the rim.
Bias Ply Tire
:A pneumatic tire
in which the plies are laid at
alternate angles less than
90 degrees to the centerline of
the tread.
Cold Tire Pressure
:The
amount of air pressure in a tire,
measured in kPa (kilopascal)
or psi (pounds per square inch)
before a tire has built up heat
from driving. See Tire Pressure
on page 10‑50.
Page 360 of 454

Black plate (56,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
10-56 Vehicle Care
Follow the TPMS sensor matching
process:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Put the vehicle in ON/RUN andplace the vehicle in P (Park).
3. If the DIC display is minimized, press the SELECT knob to
maximize it.
4. Use the SELECT knob to scroll to the Tire Pressure display
screen.
5. Press and hold the SELECT knob for five seconds to begin
the sensor matching process.
A message displays confirming
to begin the process.
6. Use the SELECT knob to select YES with the highlighted
selection, and press the
SELECT knob again to confirm
the selection. The horn sounds twice to signal
the receiver is in relearn mode
and the TIRE LEARNING
ACTIVE message displays on
the DIC screen.
7. Start with the driver side front tire.
8. Place the relearn tool against the tire sidewall, near the valve
stem. Then press the button to
activate the TPMS sensor.
A horn chirp confirms that the
sensor identification code has
been matched to this tire and
wheel position.
9. Proceed to the passenger side front tire, and repeat the
procedure in Step 8.
10. Proceed to the passenger side rear tire, and repeat the
procedure in Step 8. 11. Proceed to the driver side rear
tire, and repeat the procedure
in Step 8. The horn sounds
two times to indicate the
sensor identification code has
been matched to the driver
side rear tire, and the TPMS
sensor matching process is no
longer active. The TIRE
LEARNING ACTIVE message
on the DIC display screen
goes off.
12. Turn the vehicle off.
13. Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure
level as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information label.