2012 CHEVROLET VOLT coolant reservoir

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 (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 (17,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-17
Cooling System (Power
Electronics and Charger
Modules)
The power electronics and charger
modules are cooled using the same
coolant loop.
The power electronics and charger
modules in the vehicle are kept
below a maximum temperature.
If the temperature rises above this
temperature, the electric cooling
fans will turn on and cool the
coolant until the correct temperature
is reached.
What to Use
The power electronics and charger
modules 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 power electronics and charger
modules coolant reservoir is located
on the driver side of the engine
compartment. See
Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑8 for more information on
location.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the power electronics and charger
modules 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 power electronics and charger
modules coolant should only be
serviced by a qualified technician.

Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-19
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on
the ground, or into sewers, streams,
or bodies of water. Have the coolant
changed by an authorized service
center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used
coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant surge tank. If the coolant
inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until
it cools down. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level is not at or
above the cold fill mark, add a
50/50 mixture of deionized water
and DEX-COOL coolant at the
coolant surge tank, but be sure thecooling system is cool before this is
done. See
Engine Overheating on
page 10‑21 for more information.
The coolant reservoir is located on
the passenger side of the engine
compartment. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑8 for more information on
location.
The coolant level should be at or
above the cold fill line on the
coolant surge tank. If it is not, there
could be a leak in the cooling
system.
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank
{WARNING
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine. Notice:
This vehicle has a
specific coolant fill procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure
could cause the engine to
overheat and be severely
damaged.
{WARNING
The electric fans under the hood
can start up even when the
engine is not running and can
cause injury. Keep hands,
clothing, and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.

Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-21
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has an indicator to warn
of engine overheating.
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when this warning appears,
get service help right away. See
Roadside Assistance Program on
page 13‑6.
If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine
cooling fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, the fans
should be running. If they are not,
do not continue to run the vehicle
and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:Engine damage from
running the engine without
coolant is not covered by the
warranty.
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When adding windshield washer
fluid to the vehicle, be sure to read
the manufacturer's instructions
before use. If operating the vehicle
in an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use a fluid
that has sufficient protection against
freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
The WASHER FLUID LOW ADD
FLUID message will appear on the
Driver Information Center (DIC)
when the fluid level is low. See
Driver Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑45 for more information.
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer fluid until
the tank is full. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑8 for reservoir location.