2012 CHEVROLET VOLT service indicator

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
iv Introduction
Using this Manual
To quickly locate information about
the vehicle, use the Index in the
back of the manual. It is an
alphabetical list of what is in the
manual and the page number where
it can be found.
Danger, Warnings, and
Cautions
Warning messages found on vehicle
labels and in this manual describe
hazards and what to do to avoid or
reduce them.
Dangerindicates a hazard with a
high level of risk which will result in
serious injury or death.
Warning orCaution indicates a
hazard that could result in injury or
death.
{WARNING
These mean there is something
that could hurt you or other
people.
Notice: This means there is
something that could result in
property or vehicle damage. This
would not be covered by the
vehicle's warranty.
A circle with a slash through it is a
safety symbol which means “Do
Not,” “Do not do this,” or“Do not let
this happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead of
text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or
information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gauge, or indicator.
M: This symbol is shown when
you need to see your owner manual
for additional instructions or
information.
*: This symbol is shown when
you need to see a service manual
for additional instructions or
information.

Black plate (28,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
3-28 Seats and Restraints
When the passenger sensing
system has allowed the airbags to
be enabled, the on indicator will light
and stay lit as a reminder that the
airbags are active.
For some children, including
children in child restraints, and for
very small adults, the passenger
sensing system may or may not turn
off the front outboard passenger
frontal airbag and knee airbag,
depending upon the person’s
seating posture and body build.
Everyone in the vehicle who
has outgrown child restraints
should wear a safety belt
properly—whether or not there is
an airbag for that person.{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.
If the On Indicator Is Lit for a
Child Restraint
If a child restraint has been installed
and the on indicator is lit:
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Remove the child restraint from the vehicle.
3. Remove any additional items from the seat such as blankets,
cushions, seat covers, seat
heaters, or seat massagers.
4. Reinstall the child restraint following the directions provided
by the child restraint
manufacturer and refer to
Securing Child Restraints (Rear
Seat) on page 3‑50 orSecuring
Child Restraints (Front
Passenger Seat) on page 3‑53.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-1
Instruments and
Controls
Instrument Panel Overview
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . 5-3
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 5-5
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 5-5
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Pedestrian Friendly Alert . . . . . . 5-6
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . 5-6
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Battery Gauge (High Voltage) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Driver Efficiency Gauge . . . . . . 5-15 Total Vehicle Range . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . 5-16
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . 5-17
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18
Charging System Light (12-Volt Battery) . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Service Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Sport Mode Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Mountain Mode Light . . . . . . . . 5-24
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
StabiliTrak
®OFF Light . . . . . . . 5-24
Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
®Light . . . . 5-25
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 5-26
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 5-27
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27 Vehicle Ready Light . . . . . . . . . 5-27
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . 5-27
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Door, Hood, or Hatch Open
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Information Displays
Center Stack Display . . . . . . . . 5-29
Power Flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-30
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32
Energy Information . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-44
Driver InformationCenter (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-45
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 5-47
Battery and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-47
Brake System Messages . . . . 5-48
Cruise Control Messages . . . . 5-49
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-49
Drive Mode Messages . . . . . . . 5-49
Electric Drive Unit Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-49
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-49
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . 5-50

Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
5-12 Instruments and Controls
A.Battery Gauge (High Voltage)
on page 5‑14.
B. Fuel Gauge on page 5‑15.
C. Service Electric Parking Brake
Light on page 5‑23.
D. Security Light on page 5‑27.
E. Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light on page 5‑25.
F. Charging System Light (12-Volt
Battery) on page 5‑19.
G. Engine Oil Pressure Light on
page 5‑26.
H. High-Beam On Light on
page 5‑27.
I. Second Row Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light. See Safety
Belt Reminders on page 5‑16.
J. Turn and Lane-Change Signals
on page 6‑4.
K. Compass on page 5‑14.
L. Speedometer on page 5‑14. M.
Cruise Control Light on
page 5‑28.
N. Electric Parking Brake Light on
page 5‑22.
O. Door, Hood, or Hatch Open
Light on page 5‑28.
P. Low Fuel Warning Light on
page 5‑27.
Q. Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light on page 5‑23.
R. Electric Drive Unit Positions. See Electric Drive Unit on
page 9‑31.
S. Driver Efficiency Gauge on
page 5‑15.
T. Brake System Warning Light on
page 5‑22.
U. Driver Safety Belt Reminder Light. See Safety Belt
Reminders on page 5‑16.
V. Airbag Readiness Light on
page 5‑17. W.
Total Vehicle Range on
page 5‑15.
X. Vehicle Ready Light on
page 5‑27.
Y. StabiliTrak
®OFF Light on
page 5‑24.
Z. Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 5‑45.
AA. Traction Off Light on page 5‑24.
AB. Sport Mode Light on page 5‑24
and Mountain Mode Light on
page 5‑24.
AC. Lamps On Reminder on
page 5‑28.
AD. Odometer on page 5‑14.
AE. Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 5‑19.
AF. Traction Control System (TCS)/
StabiliTrak
®Light on page 5‑25.
AG. Tire Pressure Light on
page 5‑25.

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 (19,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-19
Charging System Light
(12-Volt Battery)
The charging system light comes on
briefly when the vehicle is in ON/
RUN, as a check to show the light is
working.
If the light stays on, or comes on
while driving, there could be a
problem with the electrical charging
system. Have it checked by your
dealer. Driving while this light is on
could drain the 12‐volt battery.
If a short distance must be driven
with the light on, be sure to turn off
all accessories, such as the radio.
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp
A computer system called OBD II
(On-Board Diagnostics-Second
Generation) monitors operation of
the fuel, ignition, and emission
control systems. It ensures that
emissions are at acceptable levels
for the life of the vehicle, helping to
produce a cleaner environment.
This light comes on when the
vehicle is placed in Service Only
Mode, as a check to show it is
working. If it does not, have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer. See
Power Button on page 9‑18for more
information.
If the malfunction indicator lamp
comes on and stays on, while the
engine is in ON/RUN, this indicates
that there is an OBD II problem and
service is required.
Malfunctions often are indicated by
the system before any problem is
apparent. Being aware of the light
can prevent more serious damage
to the vehicle. This system assists
the dealer technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice: If the vehicle is
continually driven with this light
on, the emission controls might
not work as well, the vehicle fuel
economy might not be as good,
and the engine might not run as
smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs that might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.

Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-21
If none of the above have made the
light turn off, your dealer can check
the vehicle. The dealer has the
proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to fix any
mechanical or electrical problems
that might have developed.
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state and local governments
have or might begin programs to
inspect the emission control
equipment on the vehicle. Failure to
pass this inspection could prevent
getting a vehicle registration.The DLC is under the instrument
panel to the left of the steering
wheel. See your dealer if assistance
is needed.
The vehicle may not pass
inspection if:
.The vehicle may not pass this
inspection if the malfunction
indicator lamp is on while the
vehicle is in ON/RUN, or if the
vehicle is placed in Service Only
Mode and the malfunction
indicator lamp does not come
on. See your dealer for
assistance in verifying proper
operation of the malfunction
indicator lamp.
.The vehicle may not pass this
inspection if the OBD II
(On-Board Diagnostics) system
determines that critical emission
control systems have not been
completely diagnosed by the
system. The vehicle would be
considered not ready for
inspection. This can happen if
the 12‐volt battery has recently
been replaced or if the 12‐volt
battery has run down. The
diagnostic system is designed to
evaluate critical emission control
systems during normal driving.
This can take several days of
routine driving. If this has been
done and the vehicle still does
not pass the inspection for lack
of OBD II system readiness, your
dealer can prepare the vehicle
for inspection.

Black plate (24,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
5-24 Instruments and Controls
Sport Mode Light
This light comes on when Sport
Mode is selected. See“Sport Mode”
in Driver Selected Operating Modes
on page 9‑25 for more information.
Mountain Mode Light
This light comes on when Mountain
Mode is selected. See “Mountain
Mode” inDriver Selected Operating
Modes on page 9‑25 for more
information.
Traction Off Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer. If the system is working
normally, the indicator light then
turns off.
The traction off light comes on when
the Traction Control System (TCS)
has been turned off by pressing and
releasing the TCS/ESC button.
This light and the StabiliTrak Off
light come on when StabiliTrak is
turned off.
If the TCS is off, wheel spin is not
limited. Adjust driving accordingly.
StabiliTrak®OFF Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer.
This light comes on when the
StabiliTrak system is turned off.
If StabiliTrak is off, Traction Control
System (TCS) is also off.
If the TCS is off, the system does
not assist in controlling the vehicle.
Turn on the TCS and the StabiliTrak
systems and the warning light
turns off.