Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
9159388) - 2016 - crc - 5/20/15
Introduction 3
Danger, Warning, and
Caution
Warning messages found on vehicle
labels and in this manual describe
hazards and what to do to avoid or
reduce them.
{Danger
Danger indicates a hazard with a
high level of risk which will result
in serious injury or death.
{Warning
Warning indicates a hazard that
could result in injury or death.
Caution
Caution indicates a hazard that
could result in property or vehicle
damage.
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: Shown when the owner
manual has additional instructions
or information.
*: Shown when the service
manual has additional instructions
or information.
0: Shown when there is more
information on another page —
“see page.” Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the Index.
9:
Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
b/g: Audio Steering Wheel
Controls or OnStar®
I: Brake System Warning
Light
": Charging System (12-Volt
Battery)
I: Cruise Control
`:Do Not Puncture
^:Do Not Service
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
9159388) - 2016 - crc - 5/20/15
8 In Brief
Initial Drive
Information
This section provides a brief
overview about some of the
important features that may or may
not be on your specific vehicle.
For more detailed information, refer
to each of the features which can be
found later in this owner manual.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System
The RKE transmitter may work up to
60 m (197 ft) away from the vehicle.
Press the key release button to
release the key. The key can be
used for all locks.
K:Press once to unlock the driver
door. Press a second time within
five seconds to unlock all doors.
Q: Press to lock all doors.
Lock and unlock feedback can be
personalized. See Vehicle
Personalization 0138.
7:Press and release to initiate
vehicle locator. Press and hold for
three seconds to sound the panic
alarm. Press again to cancel the
panic alarm.
/: Press and releaseQand then
immediately press and hold
/for at
least four seconds to start the
vehicle's heating or air conditioning
systems and rear window defogger
from outside the vehicle using the
RKE transmitter. See Remote Start
0 35.
See Keys 028 and Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation 029.
Remote Start
Use remote start to heat or cool the
interior when the vehicle is plugged
in to maximize electric range by
utilizing electricity from the electrical
outlet. The engine may start to
support the climate control
operation. Normal operation of the
system will return after the vehicle
has been turned on.
Starting the Vehicle
1. Press and releaseQon the
RKE transmitter.
2. Immediately press and hold
/
for at least four seconds or until
the turn signal lamps flash.
3. After entering the vehicle during a remote start, press
POWER
Owith the brake
pedal applied to operate as
normal.
When the vehicle starts, the parking
lamps will turn on.
Remote start can be extended.
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
9159388) - 2016 - crc - 5/20/15
26 In Brief
Plan ahead for decelerations and
coast whenever possible. For
example, do not rush to traffic
signals.
Do not shift to N (Neutral) to coast.
The vehicle recovers energy while
coasting and braking in D (Drive)
or L (Low).
Drive Mode and PRNDL Selection
Use Normal Mode when possible.
Sport Mode provides more
responsive acceleration than
Normal Mode but can reduce
efficiency.
Use Mountain Mode prior to
climbing long, steep grades in
mountainous areas. Be sure to
engage Mountain Mode before
starting to climb. Mountain Mode
reduces electric range and power
but may be needed to maintain
speeds or steep grades.
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.Use L (Low) in heavy stop-and-go
traffic or when traveling downhill.
L (Low) requires less brake pedal
application and provides a
controlled, efficient way to slow the
vehicle down.
Climate Setting
Using the heat and air conditioning
systems decreases the energy
available for electric driving.
Optimal energy efficiency is
achieved with the heat, air
conditioning, and fan turned off.
Less energy is used at low fan
speeds. When using the fan:
.
Fan Only is the most energy
efficient climate setting as long
as
0is not selected.
. Use eco is for moderate air
conditioning and heater
operation and is the next most
energy efficient setting as long
as
0is not selected.
. MAX provides the most comfort
but is the least energy efficient. Use the auto heated seat feature
and the heated steering wheel
instead of climate settings. Heating
the seat and steering wheel uses
less energy than heating the vehicle
interior.
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.
Engine Assisted Heating can be
personalized while plugged in. See
“Engine Assisted Heating
Plugged-In”
underVehicle
Personalization 0138.
In hot weather, avoid parking in
direct sunlight or use sunshades
inside the vehicle.
Turn off the front and rear window
defog/defrost when they are no
longer needed.
Avoid driving with the windows open
at highway speeds.
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
9159388) - 2016 - crc - 5/20/15
30 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Other conditions, such as those
previously stated, can impact the
performance of the transmitter.
K:Press once to unlock the driver
door or all doors depending on the
vehicle personalization. Press a
second time within five seconds to
unlock all doors.
See Vehicle Personalization 0138.
The hazard warning lamps will flash
twice each time the button is
pressed and the alarm system will
be disarmed. See Vehicle Alarm
System 042. For remote operating windows,
pressing and holding
Kwill open all
of the vehicle's windows. See Power
Windows 046. This feature can be
enabled through vehicle
personalization. See Vehicle
Personalization 0138.
Q:Press to lock all doors. The
hazard warning lamps will flash
once and the alarm system will be
armed. See Vehicle Alarm System
0 42.
If the driver door is open when
Qis
pressed, all doors lock and then the
driver door will unlock if the feature
is enabled through vehicle
personalization. See Vehicle
Personalization 0138.
7:Press and release to initiate
vehicle locator. The exterior lamps
flash and the horn chirps three
times. Press and hold for
three seconds to sound the panic
alarm. The horn sounds and the
turn signals flash for 30 seconds.
Press again to cancel the panic
alarm.
/: Press and releaseQand then
immediately press and hold
/for at
least four seconds to start the
vehicle's heating or air conditioning
systems and rear window defogger
from outside the vehicle using the
RKE transmitter. See Remote Start
0 35.
Keyless Access Operation
The Keyless Access system lets
you lock and unlock the doors and
access the hatch without removing
the RKE transmitter from your
pocket, purse briefcase etc. The
RKE transmitter should be within
1 m (3 ft) to lock and unlock the
doors and access the hatch.
The Keyless Access can be
programmed to unlock all doors on
the first lock/unlock press from the
driver door. See Vehicle
Personalization 0138.
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
9159388) - 2016 - crc - 5/20/15
Keys, Doors, and Windows 35
2. Separate the two halves of thetransmitter using a flat tool
inserted into the area near the
key slot. Do not use the
key slot.4. Remove the old battery. Do notuse a metal object.
5. Insert the new battery on the back housing, positive side
facing down. Replace with a
CR2032 or equivalent battery.
6. Align the front and back housing and the release button
on the side of the transmitter,
then snap the transmitter
together.
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.
/:
This button is on the RKE
transmitter.
During remote start:
. The climate control system will
typically default to the last
climate setting. If the fan is off or
if eco and MAX are not selected,
the air conditioning or heat will
turn on as needed. See
Automatic Climate Control
System 0154.
. If equipped with heated seats,
and the vehicle personalization
setting is enabled, the remote
start auto heated seats may also
come on. See Heated Front
Seats 053, and Vehicle
Personalization 0138.
. If equipped the heated steering
wheel may also come on. See
Heated Steering Wheel 095.
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
9159388) - 2016 - crc - 5/20/15
36 Keys, Doors, and Windows
.The rear window defogger will
turn on during colder outside
temperatures.
. Selecting
1during colder
outside temperatures before
shutting the vehicle off will help
windshield clearing.
. Shutting the vehicle off in eco
mode without
1selected will
minimize the impact to electric
range. Shutting the vehicle off in
other modes will maximize
heating or air conditioning.
. The engine may start to provide
energy for heating and cooling,
independent of the vehicle being
plugged in or completely
charged. Engine Assisted
Heating operation, if available,
can be personalized. See
“Engine Assisted Heating
Plugged-In” underVehicle
Personalization 0138.
. Vehicle range may decrease if
the vehicle is not plugged into
an electrical outlet. If the vehicle
is plugged in, much of the
energy needed to support this feature will be provided from the
electrical outlet, not from the
high voltage battery.
Laws in some communities may
restrict the use of features that
remotely start the engine. For
example, some laws may require a
person using the remote start
feature to have the vehicle in view
when doing so. Check local
regulations for any requirements on
remote starting of vehicles.
The RKE transmitter range may be
less while the vehicle is running.
Other conditions can affect the
performance of the transmitter. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System 029.
Starting the Vehicle
To heat or cool the passenger
compartment using remote start:
1. Press and release
Qon the
RKE transmitter; the doors
will lock.
2. Immediately press and hold
/
until the turn signal lamps
flash, or for at least four seconds. Pressing
/
again during a remote start will
turn the feature off.
Remote start will automatically shut
off after 10 minutes unless a time
extension is done.
While the remote start is active, the
parking lamps will turn on and
remain on.
After entering the vehicle during a
remote start, press POWER
Oon
the center stack with the brake
pedal applied to operate as normal.
The remote start can be initiated
two separate times between driving.
For each remote start, the
passenger compartment will be
heated or cooled for 10 minutes.
Extending Vehicle Run Time
The vehicle run time can also be
extended by another 10 minutes,
if during the first 10 minutes
Steps 1 and 2 are repeated while
the vehicle is still running. An
extension can be requested,
30 seconds after starting. This
provides a total of 20 minutes.
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
9159388) - 2016 - crc - 5/20/15
Instruments and Controls 137
ENGINE NOT AVAILABLE
SERVICE SOON
This message displays when the
engine is not available due to a
malfunction that will not allow the
engine to start. The vehicle can
continue to be driven in Electric
Mode until the battery is depleted,
but will have reduced acceleration.
When this message is displayed,
the vehicle should be taken to your
dealer for service as soon as
possible. SeeOut of Fuel/Engine
Unavailable 0179.
SERVICE AC SYSTEM
This message displays if there is a
problem with the air conditioning
system. See your dealer for service.
SERVICE HEATER SOON
This message displays if there is a
problem with the heater system.
See your dealer for service.
SERVICE POWER STEERING
This message displays and a chime
may sound when there may be a
problem with the power steering
system. If this message displays
and a reduction in steering
performance or loss of power
steering assistance is noticed, see
your dealer for service.
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON
This message displays if there is a
problem with the vehicle. See your
dealer for service. Depending on the
severity of a crash, this message
may come on along with the airbag
readiness light.
Starting the Vehicle
Messages
PRESS BRAKE TO START
VEHICLE
This message displays when
attempting to start the vehicle
without first pressing the brake
pedal.
PRESS BUTTON AGAIN TO
TURN ENGINE OFF
This message displays as a
reminder to press POWER
Oto turn
the vehicle off when an attempt is
made to turn off the vehicle while it
is in motion.
SERVICE KEYLESS START
SYSTEM
This message is displayed if there is
a problem with the pushbutton start
system. See your dealer for service.
Tire Messages
SERVICE TIRE MONITOR
SYSTEM
This message displays if there is a
problem with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS). See Tire
Pressure Monitor Operation 0270.
TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
This message displays when the
system is learning new tires. See
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation
0270.
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
9159388) - 2016 - crc - 5/20/15
Climate Controls 155
1. Manual Fan Control Knob
2. MAX Defrost
3. Defrost/Defog
4. AUTO (Automatic Operation)
5. Recirculation
6. eco Climate Mode Button
7. Temperature Control Knob
8. Driver and Passenger HeatedSeats (If Equipped)
9. MAX Climate Mode Button
10. Power Button.
11. Air Delivery Mode Controls 12. Rear Window Defogger
Climate Mode Operation
There are three climate mode
settings: Fan Only, eco, and MAX.
These settings adjust the impact the
climate control system has on the
vehicle's electric range or fuel
economy.
To select a climate mode,
press eco.
Fan Only Mode :
To select this
mode, turn off both eco and MAX
mode. The air conditioning and
electric heat are turned off. As long
as
0is not selected, the climate control settings may not have a
noticeable effect on the vehicle
electric range and fuel economy.
When in Fan Only mode, the AUTO
indicator light will be on. When
AUTO is selected in Fan Only
mode, the mode will change to
either eco or MAX.
When in Fan Only mode, the air
conditioning system may turn on
automatically if the high voltage
battery is being cooled. The climate
control system could blow cold air.
This is normal. To prevent cold air
from blowing into the interior, turn off
the fan control and select the vent
mode and manual recirculation
mode, and close the air vents.
When in Fan Only mode, if Auto
Defog is enabled, the air
conditioning and electric heat may
turn on when high humidity
conditions exist. See
“Climate and
Air Quality” underVehicle
Personalization 0138 for more
information on the Auto Defog
selection. The air conditioning may
also run if
0is selected.