2012 CHEVROLET VOLT tow

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
2012 Chevrolet Volt Owner ManualM
In Brief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Battery and Efficiency . . . . . . . . 1-21
Performance and
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26
Keys, Doors, and Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Keys and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Exterior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Interior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-33 Storage
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 4-1
Additional Storage Features . . . 4-2
Instruments and Controls . . . . 5-1
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . 5-3
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-47
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 5-56
Universal Remote System . . . . 5-65
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Lighting Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14
Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-22
Trademarks and License
Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-34 Climate Controls
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 9-17
Electric Vehicle Operating
Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Electric Drive Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-31
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-36
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-40
Object Detection Systems . . . . 9-42
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-48
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-59
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-64
Conversions and Add-Ons . . . 9-65
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
2012 Chevrolet Volt Owner ManualM
Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-75
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-81
Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . 10-85
Service and Maintenance . . . 11-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . 11-3
Special Application Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8
Additional Maintenance
and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-9
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts . . . . . . 11-12
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . 11-14
Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Identification . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Customer Information . . . . . . . 13-1
Customer Information . . . . . . . . 13-1
Reporting Safety Defects . . . . 13-14
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-15 OnStar
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
OnStar Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
OnStar Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
OnStar Additional
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-5
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i-1

Black plate (11,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-11
Safety Belts
Refer to the following sections for
important information on how to use
safety belts properly:
.Safety Belts on page 3‑10.
.How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly on page 3‑12.
.Lap-Shoulder Belt on page 3‑13.
.Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children (LATCH System) on
page 3‑42.
Passenger Sensing
System
United States
Canada
The passenger sensing system
will turn off the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag and knee
airbag under certain conditions.
No other airbag is affected by the
passenger sensing system. See
Passenger Sensing System on
page 3‑26 for more information. The passenger airbag status
indicator lights on the overhead
console when the vehicle is started.
See
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator on page 5‑18.
Mirror Adjustment
Exterior
Mirrors can be folded inward toward
the vehicle to prevent damage when
going through an automatic car
wash. Push the mirror outward to
return it to the original position.
See Folding Mirrors on page 2‑17.

Black plate (15,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-15
Windshield Wiper/Washer
The windshield wiper lever is on the
side of the steering column. With
the vehicle on, move the windshield
wiper lever to select the wiper
speed.
2:Move the lever up to 2 for fast
wipes.
1: Move the lever up to 1 for slow
wipes.
G: Move the lever up toGfor
adjustable interval wipes, then turn
the band up for more frequent wipes
or down for less frequent wipes.
9: Use to turn the windshield
wipers off.
3: For a single wipe, briefly move
the wiper lever down. For several
wipes, hold the wiper lever down.
Windshield Washer
Pull the windshield wiper lever
toward you to spray windshield
washer fluid and activate the wipers.
See Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5‑6.

Black plate (30,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
1-30 In Brief
Maintenance
Always keep the tires properly
inflated and the vehicle properly
aligned.
The weight of excess cargo in the
vehicle affects efficiency and range.
Avoid carrying more than is needed.
If fuel is not regularly used, consider
keeping the fuel tank only one‐third
full. Excess fuel weight impacts
efficiency and range.
Use premium fuel.
Avoid unnecessary use of electrical
accessories. Power used for
functions other than propelling the
vehicle will reduce EV range.
Using a rooftop carrier will reduce
efficiency due to additional weight
and drag.Roadside Assistance
Program
U.S.:1-888-811-1926
TTY Users: 1-888-889-2438
Canada: 1-800-268-6800
As the owner of a new Chevrolet,
you are automatically enrolled in the
Roadside Assistance program. This
program provides security and
convenience in the event of an
on-road failure or emergency
situation. Service is provided
24 hours a day, 365 days a year for
the 5 year/160 000 km (100,000 mi)
coverage period.
See Roadside Assistance Program
on page 13‑6 for more information.
Roadside Assistance and OnStar
If you have an active OnStar
subscription, press the
Qbutton
and the current GPS location will be
sent to an OnStar advisor who will
assess your problem, contact Roadside Assistance, and relay
your exact location to get the help
you need.
Online Owner Center
The Online Owner Center is a
complimentary service that includes
online service reminders, vehicle
maintenance tips, online owner
manual, special privileges,
and more.
Sign up today at:
U.S.: chevrolet.com
(Click on "Owners," then
"Manage My Chevrolet/Owners
Login")
Canada: chevroletowner.ca
OnStar®
If equipped, this vehicle has a
comprehensive, in-vehicle system
that can connect to a live Advisor
for Emergency, Security, Navigation,
Connection, and Diagnostic
Services. See
OnStar Overview on
page 14‑1 for more information.

Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
2-8 Keys, Doors, and Windows
To start the vehicle:
1. Open the instrument panelstorage and remove the
rubber mat.
2. Extend the key blade and placethe blade into the slot.
3. With the vehicle in P (Park) or N (Neutral), press the brake
pedal and the POWER
Obutton
on the center stack. See Power
Button on page 9‑18 for
additional information. Replace the transmitter battery as
soon as possible.
Battery Replacement
Notice:
When replacing the
battery, do not touch any of the
circuitry on the transmitter. Static
from your body could damage the
transmitter.
To replace the battery:
1. Extend the key blade and open the battery cover on the back of
the unit.
2. Remove the used battery. Avoid touching the circuit board to
other components.
3. Insert the new battery, positive side facing down toward
the base.
4. Reassemble the battery cover.
5. Check the operation of the transmitter with the vehicle.
Remote Start
This feature starts the heating or air
conditioning systems and rear
window defogger from outside the
vehicle. Use remote start to heat or
cool the interior when the vehicle is
plugged in to maximize the electric
range by utilizing electricity from the
electrical outlet. Normal operation of
the system will return after the
vehicle has been turned on.
B(Remote Start): This button is
on the RKE transmitter.
During remote start:
.The climate control system will
typically default to the last
climate settings. If the fan is off
or if Fan Only was selected, the
air conditioning or heat will turn
on as needed. See Automatic
Climate Control System on
page 8‑1 for more information.

Black plate (17,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-17
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors
{WARNING
A convex mirror can make things,
like other vehicles, look farther
away than they really are. If you
cut too sharply into the right lane,
you could hit a vehicle on the
right. Check the inside mirror or
glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
The passenger side mirror is convex
shaped. A convex mirror's surface is
curved so more can be seen from
the driver seat.
Power Mirrors
Controls for the outside power
mirrors are on the driver door.
To adjust a mirror:
1. Move the selector switch to L (Left) or R (Right) to choose
the driver or passenger mirror.
2. Press the arrows on the control pad to move each mirror in the
desired direction.
3. Return the selector switch to the center position.
Folding Mirrors
Manual Foldaway Mirrors
The mirrors can be folded inward
toward the vehicle to prevent
damage when going through an
automatic car wash. Push the mirror
outward to return it to the original
position.
Heated Mirrors
The vehicle may have heated
mirrors.
=(Rear Window Defogger):
Press to heat the outside rearview
mirrors. See “Rear Window
Defogger” underAutomatic Climate
Control System on page 8‑1 for
more information.

Black plate (18,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
2-18 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Interior Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
To adjust the inside rearview mirror,
hold the rearview mirror in the
center and move it to view the area
behind the vehicle.
For vehicles with a manual rearview
mirror, push the tab forward for
daytime use and pull it for nighttime
use to avoid glare from the
headlamps from behind.
Automatic Dimming
Rearview Mirror
To adjust the inside rearview mirror,
hold the rearview mirror in the
center and move it to view the area
behind the vehicle.
For vehicles with an automatic
dimming rearview mirror, the mirror
will automatically reduce the glare
from the headlamps from behind.
The dimming feature comes on
when the vehicle is started.
Cleaning the Mirror
Do not spray glass cleaner directly
on the mirror. Use a soft towel
dampened with water.
Windows
{WARNING
Leaving children, helpless adults,
or pets in a vehicle with the
windows closed is dangerous.
They can be overcome by the
extreme heat and suffer
permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke. Never leave a
child, a helpless adult, or a pet
alone in a vehicle, especially with
the windows closed in warm or
hot weather.