2012 CHEVROLET VOLT battery

Black plate (16,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
10-16 Vehicle Care
Cooling System (High
Voltage Battery)
During vehicle operation and also
during charging, the high voltage
battery cells in the vehicle are kept
within a normal operating
temperature range. If the
temperature rises above this
temperature, the battery cooling
system turns on the air conditioning
compressor and cools the coolant
until the correct temperature is
reached. If the temperature falls
below this temperature, a high
voltage heater, located in the
battery, heats the coolant until the
correct temperature is reached.
What to Use
The high voltage battery coolant
reservoir in the vehicle is filled with
a 50/50 mixture of DEX-COOL
engine coolant and deionized water.
If using this mixture, nothing else
needs to be added.
The coolant needs to be replaced
every 5 years or 240 000 km
(150,000 mi), whichever occurs first.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
The high voltage battery coolant
reservoir is located on the
passenger side of the engine
compartment. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑8 for more information on
location.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the high voltage battery coolant
reservoir. If coolant is visible but the
coolant level is below the cold fill
line, there could be a leak in the
cooling system.
The high voltage battery coolant
should only be serviced by a
qualified technician.

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.

Black plate (26,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
10-26 Vehicle Care
Refer to the replacement number
shown on the original battery label
when a new 12‐volt battery is
needed. The vehicle has an
Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) 12‐volt
battery. Installation of a standard
12‐volt battery will result in reduced
12‐volt battery life.
When using a 12‐volt battery
charger on the 12‐volt AGM battery,
some chargers have an AGM
battery setting on the charger.
If available, use the AGM setting on
the charger, to limit charge voltage
to 14.8 volts.
{WARNING
Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and reproductive
harm. Wash hands after handling.
Vehicle Storage
{WARNING
12‐volt batteries have acid that
can burn you and gas that can
explode. You can be badly hurt if
you are not careful. SeeJump
Starting on page 10‑75 for tips on
working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Extended Storage
Remove the 12‐volt battery black,
negative (−) cable from the battery
to keep the 12‐volt battery from
running down or use a battery trickle
charger. In addition, to avoid potential
damage to the high voltage battery,
perform the following recommended
steps:.Store the high voltage battery
with 1/2 charge or less.
.Always store the vehicle in an
environment between
−10°C
(14°F) and 30°C (86°F).
.Vehicle storage at extreme
temperatures can cause damage
to the high voltage battery.
Remember to reconnect the 12‐volt
battery when ready to drive the
vehicle.

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 (75,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-75
Jump Starting
Jump starting is connecting jumper
cables between the two vehicles to
enable vehicle starting. If the Volt or
another vehicle has a run‐down
12‐volt battery, it can be jump
started using good condition jumper
cables. There are different
procedures depending on if the Volt
has a run‐down battery or another
vehicle has a run‐down battery.
Read the appropriate procedures
that follow.
{WARNING
The high voltage battery cannot
be jump started either with
another vehicle or battery
charger. Personal injury, death,
or damage to the vehicle could
result.
{WARNING
Batteries are dangerous and can
cause injury. Batteries contain
acid and can explode or ignite.
They contain electricity that can
burn. Follow the exact steps
provided or injuries could occur.
Using an open flame near a
battery can cause battery gas to
explode; you or others could be
hurt. Battery acid can cause
blindness.
Be sure the battery in the other
vehicle has enough water. Add
water if the level is low. A low
water level could cause explosive
gas to be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that
can burn. If battery fluid gets in
eyes or on skin; flush with water
and get medical help immediately.
{WARNING
Electric fans can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can cause injury. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fans.
Notice: Ignoring these steps
could result in costly damage to
the vehicle that would not be
covered by the warranty.
Trying to start the vehicle by
pushing or pulling it will not
work, and it could damage the
vehicle.

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.