
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
9159388) - 2016 - crc - 5/20/15
Driving and Operating 161
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 165
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 166
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 168
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 171
Power Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Starting and Stopping theVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Electric Vehicle Operating
Modes
System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Electric Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Extended Range Mode . . . . . . . 176
Driver Selected OperatingModes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Out of Fuel/Engine Unavailable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Maintenance Modes . . . . . . . . . . 180
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Electric Drive Unit
Electric Drive Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . 185
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 186
Regenerative Braking . . . . . . . . 187
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . 190
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 193
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 193
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Front Automatic Braking (FAB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . 201
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . 203
Charging
Plug-In Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Delayed Charging Override . . . 206
Charging Status Feedback . . . 207
Charge Cord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Utility Interruption of Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Electrical Requirements for Battery Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . 218

Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
9159388) - 2016 - crc - 5/20/15
162 Driving and Operating
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
California FuelRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 221
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Trailer Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On ElectricalEquipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Driving Information
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms
and can take your focus from the
task of driving. Exercise good
judgment and do not let other
activities divert your attention away
from the road. Many local
governments have enacted laws
regarding driver distraction. Become
familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, always
keep your eyes on the road, hands
on the wheel, and mind on the drive.
. Do not use a phone in
demanding driving situations.
Use a hands-free method to
place or receive necessary
phone calls.
. Watch the road. Do not read,
take notes, or look up
information on phones or other
electronic devices.
. Designate a front seat
passenger to handle potential
distractions. .
Become familiar with vehicle
features before driving, such as
programming favorite radio
stations and adjusting climate
control and seat settings.
Program all trip information into
any navigation device prior to
driving.
. Wait until the vehicle is parked
to retrieve items that have fallen
to the floor.
. Stop or park the vehicle to tend
to children.
. Keep pets in an appropriate
carrier or restraint.
. Avoid stressful conversations
while driving, whether with a
passenger or on a cell phone.
{Warning
Taking your eyes off the road too
long or too often could cause a
crash resulting in injury or death.
Focus your attention on driving.

Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
9159388) - 2016 - crc - 5/20/15
168 Driving and Operating
To save fuel, start the vehicle for
short periods to warm the vehicle
and then shut the engine off and
partially close the window. Moving
about to keep warm also helps.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
The Traction Control System (TCS)
must be turned off by pressing the
TCS/ESC button. Traction control is
not completely off, but will only
engage if the maneuver can cause
damage to the electric drive unit.
{Warning
If the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you
or others could be injured. The
vehicle can overheat, causing an
engine compartment fire or other
damage. Spin the wheels as little
as possible and avoid going
above 56 km/h (35 mph).
Rocking the Vehicle to Get
it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around the
front wheels. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a forward
gear, spinning the wheels as little as
possible. The Traction Control
System prevents the tires from
spinning at high speeds. To prevent
electric drive unit wear, wait until the
wheels stop spinning before shifting
gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while shifting, and press
lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the electric drive unit is in
gear. Slowly spinning the wheels in
the forward and reverse directions
causes a rocking motion that could
free the vehicle. If that does not get
the vehicle out after a few tries, it
might need to be towed out. If the
vehicle does need to be towed out,
seeTowing the Vehicle 0300.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how
much weight the vehicle can
carry. This weight is called the vehicle capacity weight and
includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options.
Two labels on the vehicle may
show how much weight it may
properly carry: the Tire and
Loading Information label and
the Certification label.
{Warning
Do not load the vehicle any
heavier than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the
maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
This can cause systems to
break and change the way the
vehicle handles. This could
cause loss of control and a
crash. Overloading can also
reduce stopping distance,
damage the tires, and shorten
the life of the vehicle.

Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
9159388) - 2016 - crc - 5/20/15
Driving and Operating 171
weight of the driver, passengers,
and cargo should never exceed
the vehicle's capacity weight.
Certification Label
Label Example
A vehicle-specific Certification
label is attached to the vehicle's
center pillar (B-pillar). The label
may show the gross weight
capacity of the vehicle, called
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR). The GVWR includes
the weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, fuel, and cargo.
{Warning
Things inside the vehicle can
strike and injure people in a
sudden stop or turn, or in a
crash.
.Put things in the cargo
area of the vehicle. In the
cargo area, put them as
far forward as possible.
Try to spread the weight
evenly.
.Never stack heavier
things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above
the tops of the seats.
.Do not leave an
unsecured child restraint
in the vehicle.
.Secure loose items in the
vehicle.
.Do not leave a seat
folded down unless
needed.
Starting and
Operating
New Vehicle Break-In
The vehicle does not require a
break-in period. Vehicle break-in is
performed during manufacturing.
Power Button
The vehicle has an electronic
pushbutton start. The POWER
O
light flashes when the driver door is
open and the vehicle is not on. The
flashing light will eventually time out.
The light is on steady when in ON/

Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
9159388) - 2016 - crc - 5/20/15
172 Driving and Operating
RUN power mode. When the vehicle
is turned off, the POWER
Olight
will turn off.
The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter must be in the vehicle for
the system to operate. If the vehicle
will not start, place the RKE
transmitter in the transmitter pocket.
See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation 029.
ON/RUN : This position is for
starting and driving. With the vehicle
off, and the brake pedal applied,
pressing POWER
Oonce will place
the vehicle in ON/RUN. When the
READY light is on in the instrument
cluster, the vehicle is ready to be
driven. This could take up to
15 seconds at extremely cold
temperatures. See Vehicle Ready
Light 0115. The engine will only
start if needed. If the vehicle did not
start, the instrument cluster will
display a screen with inactive fuel
and battery gauges. See Starting
and Stopping the Vehicle 0173. Service Only Mode
This power mode is available for
service and diagnostics, and to
verify the proper operation of the
malfunction indicator lamp as may
be required for emission inspection
purposes. With the vehicle off, and
the brake pedal not applied,
pressing and holding POWER
Ofor
more than five seconds will place
the vehicle in Service Only Mode.
The instruments and audio systems
will operate as they do in ON/RUN,
but the vehicle will not be able to be
driven. The propulsion system will
not start in Service Only Mode.
Press the button again to turn the
vehicle off.
Caution
Service Only Mode will discharge
the 12-volt battery. Do not use
Service Only Mode for an
extended period, or the vehicle
may not start. STOPPING THE VEHICLE/OFF :
To turn the vehicle off, press
POWER
Owith the vehicle in
P (Park). Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) will remain active until the
driver door is opened. See Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) 0174.
When turning off the vehicle, if the
vehicle is not in P (Park), the vehicle
will go to ACC/ACCESSORY and
display the message SHIFT TO
PARK in the Driver Information
Center (DIC). See Electric Drive
Unit Messages 0131.
If the vehicle must be shut off in an
emergency: 1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the
brakes.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be done while the
vehicle is moving. After shifting
to N (Neutral), firmly apply the
brakes and steer the vehicle to
a safe location.
3. Come to a complete stop, shift to P (Park), and turn the vehicle
off by pressing POWER
O.

Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
9159388) - 2016 - crc - 5/20/15
Driving and Operating 173
4. Set the parking brake. SeeElectric Parking Brake 0185.
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the
propulsion system off in an
emergency.
If the vehicle cannot be pulled over,
and must be shut off while driving,
press and hold POWER
Ofor
longer than two seconds, or press
twice in five seconds.
Starting and Stopping the
Vehicle
Computers determine when the
engine needs to run. The engine
may start, if required, when the
propulsion system is on.
Starting Procedure
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). The propulsion system
will not start in any other position.
Caution
Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving or the electric
drive unit could be damaged.
Shift to P (Park) only when the
vehicle is stopped.
Caution
If you add electrical parts or
accessories, you could change
the way the vehicle operates. Any
resulting damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
See Add-On Electrical Equipment
0 224.
The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter must be in the vehicle.
Press the brake pedal and press
and release POWER
O.
If the RKE transmitter is not in the
vehicle or something is interfering
with the transmitter, a message displays in the Driver Information
Center (DIC). See
Key and Lock
Messages 0133.
If the vehicle will not start due to a
low RKE transmitter battery, the
vehicle can still be driven. See
“Starting the Vehicle with a Low
Transmitter Battery” inRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation 029.
A Welcome, Ready, and Good-bye
audio message will be heard in the
vehicle and animated on the
instrument cluster when opening the
driver door upon entry, when the
vehicle is ready to be driven, and
when the vehicle is turned off.
The instrument cluster displays an
active fuel and/or battery gauge,
along with an audio startup cue,
when the vehicle is ready to be
driven. This could take up to
15 seconds at extremely cold
temperatures. The engine will only
start if needed. If the vehicle did not
start, the instrument cluster will
display a screen with inactive fuel
and battery gauges. See Starting
and Stopping the Vehicle 0173.

Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
9159388) - 2016 - crc - 5/20/15
176 Driving and Operating
Parking over Things
That Burn
{Warning
Things that can burn could touch
hot exhaust parts under the
vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass,
or other things that can burn.
Electric Vehicle
Operating Modes
System Operation
This vehicle is an Extended Range
Electric Vehicle (EREV). It uses an
electric propulsion system to drive
the vehicle at all times. Electricity is
the vehicle's primary source of
energy, while gasoline is the
secondary source.
The vehicle has two modes of
operation: Electric and Extended
Range. In Electric Mode, the vehicle
is propelled by its electric drive unit
only. It converts electrical energy
into mechanical energy to drive the
wheels. In Extended Range mode,
both the battery and the engine
power the vehicle. The vehicle's
performance remains nearly the
same in either mode. SeeDriving
for Better Energy Efficiency 025.
Electric Mode
In Electric Mode, the vehicle does
not use fuel or produce tailpipe
emissions. During this primary mode, the vehicle is powered by
electrical energy stored in the high
voltage battery. The vehicle can
operate in this mode until the
battery has reached a low charge.
There are some conditions when the
battery charge is high enough to
provide Electric Mode operation, but
the engine still runs. They are:
.
Cold ambient temperatures.
. Hot or cold high voltage battery
temperatures.
. The hood being open or not
completely closed and latched.
. Certain high voltage battery fault
conditions.
. Engine Maintenance Mode or
Fuel Maintenance Mode
being run.
Extended Range Mode
When the vehicle reaches the end
of its electric range, it switches to
Extended Range Mode (ERM). In
this secondary mode, electricity is
produced by the fuel-powered
engine. This secondary source of

Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
9159388) - 2016 - crc - 5/20/15
Driving and Operating 179
The engine may run when Mountain
Mode is selected, depending on the
high voltage battery charge, to build
reserve battery charge for uphill
climbs. If Mountain Mode is entered
with a sufficient battery charge
reserve, the battery charge reserve
will appear grayed out and any
battery charge reserve still unused
upon exiting Mountain Mode will
return to normal appearance.
Press Drive Mode again to return to
Normal Mode and it becomes active
after three seconds.
Each time the vehicle is started, it
will return to Normal Mode to
maintain a smaller battery charge
reserve for normal driving.Hold Mode
Use Hold Mode on a trip where it is
expected that all of the electric
charge will be depleted. Use Hold
Mode mainly during highway or high
speed driving to maximize both EV
miles and fuel efficiency.
Hold Mode is only available when
the vehicle is in Electric Mode. This
mode places the remaining battery
charge into a reserve for the driver
to use as desired. Selecting this
mode transitions the vehicle to
Extended Range Mode to maintain
the battery charge reserve.Upon exiting Hold Mode, the
reserved battery charge becomes
available again and the vehicle
returns to Electric Mode. If the
transition is from Hold Mode directly
to Mountain Mode, the electric
range displayed adjusts for the
Mountain Mode charge reserve.
Hold Mode will not change normal
vehicle acceleration or braking
performance.
Press MODE to select Hold Mode.
Press MODE again to return to
Normal Mode and it becomes active
after three seconds.
Each time the vehicle is started, it
will return to Normal Mode.
Out of Fuel/Engine
Unavailable
If the vehicle runs out of fuel, or the
engine will not start due to a
malfunction, the vehicle can
continue to be driven in Electric
Mode until the current charge is
depleted. The vehicle will have less
responsive acceleration. DIC
messages indicate reduced