Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7695131) -
2015 - crc - 4/25/14
10-12 Vehicle Care
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your
own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the filter before disposal. Never
dispose of oil by putting it in the
trash or pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or
bodies of water. Recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on a combination of factors which
include engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For
the oil life system to work properly,
the system must be reset every time
the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated
that oil life has been diminished, it
indicates that an oil change isnecessary. A CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message comes on.
Change the oil as soon as possible
within the next 1 000 km (600 mi).
It is possible that, if driving under
the best conditions, the oil life
system might indicate that an oil
change is not necessary for up to
two years. The engine oil and filter
must be changed at least once
every two years and, at this time,
the system must be reset. Your
dealer has trained service people
who will perform this work and reset
the system. It is also important to
check the oil regularly over the
course of an oil drain interval and
keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change. To reset the
system:
1. Select OIL LIFE on the
DIC menu.
2. Press SELECT to start the OIL LIFE reset procedure.
3. The DIC menu will display “Are
you sure that you want to reset?”
Use SELECT to choose YES to
reset oil life or NO to exit and
return to the previous menu.
4. If YES is selected, the DIC menu will display RESET OIL LIFE for
a short time and then 100% OIL
LIFE will be displayed when the
oil life system is successfully
reset.
Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7695131) -
2015 - crc - 4/25/14
Vehicle Care 10-13
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message comes back on when the
vehicle is started, the engine oil life
system has not reset. Repeat the
procedure.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 10-8 for the location of the
engine air cleaner/filter.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Filter
Inspect the air filter at the scheduled
maintenance intervals and replace it
at the first oil change after each
80 000 km (50,000 mi) interval. See
Maintenance Schedule on
page 11-2 for more information.
If driving in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspect the air filter at each engine
oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Filter
To inspect the air filter, remove it
from the engine air cleaner/filter
assembly and lightly shake to release loose dust and dirt. If the air
filter remains covered with dirt, a
new air filter is required.
1. Retaining Clips
2. Air Duct Clamp
3. Electrical Connector
To inspect or replace the air filter:
1. Open the hood. See
Hood on
page 10-6. 2. Locate the engine air cleaner/
filter assembly on the passenger
side of the engine compartment.
See Engine Compartment
Overview on page 10-8.
3. Disconnect the air duct by loosening the air duct clamp (2).
4. Disconnect the electrical connector (3).
5. Lift the retaining clips (1) from the engine air cleaner/filter
assembly.
6. Turn and tilt the air cleaner cover slightly upward and slide it out.
Remove the air filter.
How to Reinstall the Engine
Air Filter
1. Install the air filter into theengine air cleaner/filter
assembly. The outer air filter
seal must be fitted properly in
the engine air cleaner/filter
assembly.
Black plate (14,1)Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7695131) -
2015 - crc - 4/25/14
10-14 Vehicle Care
2. Replace the air cleaner cover bylowering it to meet the bottom of
the engine air cleaner/filter
assembly. Place the retaining
clips (1) on the engine air
cleaner/filter assembly and
secure. The rear tabs must be
secured into the lower portion of
the air cleaner.
3. Reconnect the air duct and tighten the air duct clamp (2).
4. Reconnect the electrical connector (3).
{Warning
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/filter off can cause you or
others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air; it
helps to stop flames if the engine
backfires. Use caution when
working on the engine and do not
drive with the air cleaner/filter off.
{Caution
If the air cleaner/filter is off, dirt
can easily get into the engine,
which could damage it. Always
have the air cleaner/filter in place
when you are driving.
Cooling System (Engine)
1. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
and Pressure Cap
2. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View)
{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.
If the coolant inside the coolant
surge tank is boiling, do not do
anything else until it cools down.
The vehicle should be parked on a
level surface.
The coolant level should be up to
the cold fill line. If it is not, there
might be a leak at the radiator
hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water
pump, or somewhere else in the
cooling system.
Black plate (17,1)Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7695131) -
2015 - crc - 4/25/14
Vehicle Care 10-17
Engine Coolant
The engine cooling system in the
vehicle is filled with DEX-COOL
engine coolant. The coolant needs
to be replaced every 5 years or
240 000 km (150,000 mi), whichever
occurs first.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
seeEngine Overheating on
page 10-19.
What to Use
{Warning
Adding only plain water or some
other liquid to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water
and other liquids, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The coolant warning system is set
for the proper coolant mixture.
With plain water or the wrong
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
mixture, the engine could get too
hot but you would not get the
overheat warning. The engine
could catch fire and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/
50 mixture of deionized water and
DEX-COOL coolant.
Use a 50/50 mixture of deionized
water and DEX-COOL coolant.
If using this mixture, nothing else
needs to be added. This mixture:
.Gives freezing protection down
to −37°C (−34°F), outside
temperature.
.Gives boiling protection up to
129°C (265°F), engine
temperature.
.Protects against rust and
corrosion.
.Will not damage aluminum parts.
.Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
{Caution
If improper coolant mixture,
inhibitors, or additives are used in
the vehicle cooling system, the
engine could overheat and be
damaged. Too much deionized
water or clean drinkable water
can freeze and crack engine
cooling parts. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Use only the proper
mixture of engine coolant for the
cooling system. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11-10.
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.
Black plate (18,1)Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7695131) -
2015 - crc - 4/25/14
10-18 Vehicle Care
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 the cooling
system is cool before this is done.
SeeEngine Overheating on
page 10-19 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.
{Caution
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.
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system can blow out
and burn you badly. They are
under pressure, and if you turn
the surge tank pressure
cap
—even a little —they can
come out at high speed. Never
turn the cap when the cooling
system, including the surge tank
pressure cap, is hot. Wait for the
cooling system and surge tank
pressure cap to cool if you ever
have to turn the pressure cap.
Black plate (23,1)Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7695131) -
2015 - crc - 4/25/14
Vehicle Care 10-23
{Caution
.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 13-9 andHigh Voltage Safety
Information on page 1-18. If an
airbag has inflated, see What Will
You See after an Airbag Inflates? on
page 3-22.
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.
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.
Black plate (32,1)Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7695131) -
2015 - crc - 4/25/14
10-32 Vehicle Care
Engine Compartment Fuse Block
A fuse puller is in the engine
compartment fuse block.
The vehicle may not be equipped
with all of the fuses, relays, and
features shown. Mini Fuses Usage
1 Engine Control Module–Switched
Power
2 Emissions
3 Not Used Mini Fuses Usage
4 Ignition Coils/ Injectors
5 Not Used
6a Empty
6b Empty 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
Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7695131) -
2015 - crc - 4/25/14
11-2 Service and Maintenance
Because of the way people use
vehicles, maintenance needs vary.
There may need to be more
frequent checks and services. The
Additional Required Services -
Normal are for vehicles that:
.Carry passengers and cargo
within recommended limits on
the Tire and Loading Information
label. SeeVehicle Load Limits
on page 9-12.
.Are driven on reasonable road
surfaces within legal driving
limits.
.Use the recommended fuel. See
Fuel on page 9-53.
Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Normal chart.
The Additional Required Services -
Severe are for vehicles that are:
.Mainly driven in heavy city traffic
in hot weather.
.Mainly driven in hilly or
mountainous terrain.
.Frequently towing a trailer.
.Used for high speed or
competitive driving.
.Used for taxi, police, or delivery
service.
Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Severe chart.
{Warning
Performing maintenance work can
be dangerous and can cause
serious injury. Perform
maintenance work only if the
required information, proper tools,
and equipment are available.
If they are not, see your dealer to
have a trained technician do the
work. See Doing Your Own
Service Work on page 10-5.
Maintenance
Schedule
Owner Checks and Services
At Each Fuel Stop
.Check the engine oil level. See
Engine Oil on page 10-9.
Once a Month
.Check the tire inflation
pressures. See Tire Pressure on
page 10-46.
.Inspect the tires for wear. See
Tire Inspection on page 10-52.
.Check the windshield washer
fluid level. See Washer Fluid on
page 10-20.
.Engine, power electronics, and
high voltage battery pack
coolant level checks. See
Cooling System (Engine) on
page 10-14 orCooling System
(High Voltage Battery) on
page 10-15 orCooling System
(Power Electronics and Charger
Modules) on page 10-16.