
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
9159388) - 2016 - crc - 5/20/15
118 Instruments and Controls
Engine and Regen Power Recovery
- Engine is active. Power from the
wheels returns to the battery during
regenerative braking or coasting.
Regen Power Recovery - Power
from the wheels returns to the
battery during regenerative braking
or coasting.
Power Off - No power is flowing to
the wheels.
Programmable Charging
Important Information About
Portable Electric Vehicle Charging
.Charging an electric vehicle can
stress a building’ s electrical
system more than a typical
household appliance.
. Before you plug into any
electrical outlet, have a qualified
electrician inspect and verify the
electrical system (electrical
outlet, wiring, junctions, and
protection devices) for
heavy-duty service at a 12 amp
continuous load. .
Electrical outlets may wear out
with normal usage or be
damaged over time, making
them unsuitable for electric
vehicle charging.
. Check the electrical outlet/plug
while charging and discontinue
use if the electrical outlet/plug is
hot, then have the electrical
outlet serviced by a qualified
electrician.
. When outdoors, plug into an
electrical outlet that is
weatherproof while in use.
. Mount the charging cord to
reduce strain on the electrical
outlet/plug.
{Warning
Improper use of portable electric
vehicle charge cords may cause
a fire, electrical shock, or burns,
and may result in damage to
property, serious injury, or death.
(Continued)

Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
9159388) - 2016 - crc - 5/20/15
Instruments and Controls 135
SERVICE FRONT CAMERA
If this message remains on after
continued driving, see your dealer
for service. Do not use the Lane
Keep Assist (LKA), Lane Departure
Warning (LDW), Front Automatic
Braking (FAB), and Forward
Collision Alert (FCA) features.
SERVICE PARK ASSIST
This message displays if there is a
problem with the Parking Assist
system. Do not use this system to
help you park. See your dealer for
service.
SERVICE SIDE DETECTION
SYSTEM
If this message remains on after
continued driving, the vehicle needs
service. Side Blind Zone Alert
(SBZA), Lane Change Alert (LCA),
and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
features will not work. See your
dealer for service.
SIDE DETECTION SYSTEM
UNAVAILABLE
This message indicates that Side
Blind Zone Alert (SBZA), Lane
Change Alert (LCA), and Rear
Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) are
disabled either because the sensor
is blocked and cannot detect
vehicles in the blind zone, or the
vehicle is passing through an open
area, such as the desert, where
there is insufficient data for
operation. This message may also
activate during heavy rain or due to
road spray. The vehicle does not
need service. For cleaning, see
"Washing the Vehicle" under
Exterior Care0304.
TAKE STEERING
If LKA does not detect active driver
steering, an alert and chime may be
provided. Move the steering wheel
to dismiss. See Lane Keep Assist
(LKA) 0203.
Propulsion Power
Messages
PROPULSION POWER IS
REDUCED
This message displays when the
propulsion power is reduced and
can affect the ability to accelerate.
If this message is on, but there is no
reduction in performance, proceed
to your destination. The
performance may be reduced the
next time the vehicle is driven. The
vehicle may be driven at a reduced
speed while this message is on, but
maximum acceleration and speed
may be reduced. If this message
stays on when the malfunction
indicator lamp is on, the vehicle
should be taken to your dealer for
service as soon as possible.
This message can display when
driving in mountainous terrain
without using Mountain Mode or by
not entering Mountain Mode soon
enough to build a sufficient battery
charge reserve before climbing
steep grades. This is normal
operation to protect the high voltage

Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
9159388) - 2016 - crc - 5/20/15
Instruments and Controls 139
Personalization Menus
The following list of menu items may
be available:
.Time and Date
. Language (Language)
. Valet Mode
. Radio
. Vehicle
. Bluetooth
. Voice
. Display
. Rear Camera
. Return to Factory Settings
. Software Information
Each menu is detailed in the
following information.
Time and Date
Manually set the time and date. See
Clock 097.
Language (Language)
Select Language, then select from
the available language(s).
Valet Mode (If Equipped)
This will lock the infotainment
system and steering wheel controls.
It may also limit access to vehicle
storage locations (if equipped).
To enable valet mode:
1. Enter a four-digit code on the keypad.
2. Select Enter to go to the confirmation screen.
3. Re-enter the four-digit code.
Press LOCK or UNLOCK to lock or
unlock the system. Press Back to go
back to the previous menu.
Radio
Select and the following may
display:
. Manage Favorites
. Number of Favorites Shown
. Auto Volume
. Maximum Startup Volume
. Audio Cue Volume Manage Favorites
This allows favorites to be edited.
See
“Manage Favorites” in
“Settings” under“Radio” in the
infotainment manual.
Number of Favorites Shown
Select to set the number of favorites
to display.
Select the desired number or select
Auto and the infotainment system
will automatically adjust the number
of favorites shown.
Auto Volume
This feature adjusts the volume
based on vehicle speed and
ambient noise.
Select Off, Low, Medium-Low,
Medium, Medium-High, or High.
Maximum Startup Volume
This feature sets the maximum
startup volume. If the vehicle is
started and the volume is greater
than this level, the volume is
adjusted to this level. To set the
maximum startup volume, touch +
or −to increase or decrease.

Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
9159388) - 2016 - crc - 5/20/15
150 Lighting
If after signaling a turn or lane
change, the arrow flashes rapidly or
does not come on, a signal bulb
may be burned out.
Have any burned out bulbs
replaced. If a bulb is not burned out,
check the fuse. SeeInstrument
Panel Fuse Block 0256.Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel
Illumination Control
The brightness of the instrument
panel cluster display, infotainment
display and controls, steering wheel
controls, and all other illuminated
controls, as well as feature status
indicators can be adjusted.
The knob for this feature is on the
instrument panel beside the steering
column.
Turn the knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to brighten or dim
the lights.
Dome Lamps
The dome lamp controls are in the
overhead console.
To operate, press the following
buttons:
jOFF : Press to turn the lamps
off, even when a door is open.
+ ON/OFF : Press to turn the dome
lamps on manually or automatically
when a door is opened.

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
164 Driving and Operating
Steering
Electric Power Steering
The vehicle has electric power
steering. It does not have power
steering fluid. Regular maintenance
is not required.
If power steering assist is lost due
to a system malfunction, the vehicle
can be steered, but may require
increased effort.
See your dealer if there is a
problem.
If the steering wheel is turned until it
reaches the end of its travel and is
held against that position for an
extended period of time, power
steering assist may be reduced.
If the steering assist is used for an
extended period of time, power
assist may be reduced.
Normal use of the power steering
assist should return when the
system cools down.
See specific vehicle steering
messages underService Vehicle
Messages 0136. See your dealer if
there is a problem.
Curve Tips
. Take curves at a reasonable
speed.
. Reduce speed before entering a
curve.
. Maintain a reasonable steady
speed through the curve.
. Wait until the vehicle is out of
the curve before accelerating
gently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
.There are some situations when
steering around a problem may
be more effective than braking.
. Holding both sides of the
steering wheel allows you to turn
180 degrees without removing
a hand.
. The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) allows steering while
braking.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can drop
off the edge of a road onto the
shoulder while driving. Follow
these tips:
1. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the
way, steer the vehicle so that it
straddles the edge of the
pavement.
2. Turn the steering wheel about one-eighth of a turn, until the
right front tire contacts the
pavement edge.

Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 165
3. Turn the steering wheel to gostraight down the roadway.
Loss of Control
Skidding
There are three types of skids that
correspond to the vehicle's three
control systems:
.Braking Skid —wheels are not
rolling.
. Steering or Cornering Skid —
too much speed or steering in a
curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force.
. Acceleration Skid —too much
throttle causes the driving
wheels to spin.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids
by taking reasonable care suited to
existing conditions, and by not
overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible.
If the vehicle starts to slide, follow
these suggestions:
. Ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and steer the
way you want the vehicle to go. The vehicle may straighten out.
Be ready for a second skid if it
occurs.
. Slow down and adjust your
driving according to weather
conditions. Stopping distance
can be longer and vehicle
control can be affected when
traction is reduced by water,
snow, ice, gravel, or other
material on the road. Learn to
recognize warning clues —such
as enough water, ice, or packed
snow on the road to make a
mirrored surface —and slow
down when you have any doubt.
. Try to avoid sudden steering,
acceleration, or braking,
including reducing vehicle speed
by shifting to a low gear or by
using Regen on Demand. Any
sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help
avoid only the braking skid.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce
vehicle traction and affect your
ability to stop and accelerate.
Always drive slower in these types
of driving conditions and avoid
driving through large puddles and
deep-standing or flowing water.
{Warning
Wet brakes can cause crashes.
They might not work as well in a
quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car/vehicle
wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work
normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
flowing water could cause the
vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle (Continued)

Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
9159388) - 2016 - crc - 5/20/15
Driving and Operating 167
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and
the road creates less traction or
grip, so drive carefully. Wet ice can
occur at about 0 °C (32 °F) when
freezing rain begins to fall. Avoid
driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For slippery road driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating
too quickly causes the wheels to
spin and makes the surface
under the tires slick.
. Turn on Traction Control. See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0188.
. The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) improves vehicle stability
during hard stops, but the
brakes should be applied sooner
than when on dry pavement.
See Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 0184.
. Allow greater following distance
and watch for slippery spots. Icy
patches can occur on otherwise clear roads in shaded areas.
The surface of a curve or an
overpass can remain icy when
the surrounding roads are clear.
Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
. Turn off cruise control.
Stay with the vehicle unless there is
help nearby. If possible, use
Roadside Assistance. See Roadside
Assistance Program 0335. To get
help and keep everyone in the
vehicle safe:
. Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
. Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{Warning
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may
cause exhaust gases to get
inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO), which
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
cannot be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and even
death.
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:
. Clear snow from the base of
the vehicle, especially any
blocking the exhaust pipe.
. Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the vehicle side
that is away from the wind,
to bring in fresh air.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Adjust the climate control
system to circulate the air
inside the vehicle and set
the fan speed to the highest
setting. See “Climate
Control Systems.”
For more information about CO,
see Engine Exhaust 0182 in the
index.