Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9807421) - 2017 - CRC - 11/18/15
Instruments and Controls 119
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.
{Danger
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-
9807421) - 2017 - CRC - 11/18/15
134 Instruments and Controls
HOOD OPEN
This message will display along with
a hood open symbol when the hood
is open. Close the hood completely.
TRUNK OPEN
This message will display along with
a symbol when the hatch is open.
Close the hatch completely.
Electric Drive Unit
Messages
SHIFT FROM NEUTRAL
This message displays when the
vehicle should be shifted from
N (Neutral). If the vehicle remains in
electric neutral at low vehicle
speeds, the vehicle will not be able
to charge the high voltage battery.
SHIFT TO PARK
This message displays when the
vehicle should be shifted to
P (Park). This may appear when
attempting to turn off the vehicle
when it is not in P (Park).
Engine Cooling System
Messages
ENGINE OVERHEATED—
REDUCE SPEED
This message displays when the
engine coolant temperature or
engine oil is too hot. Reduce speed
and allow the vehicle to cool down.
ENGINE OVERHEATED —
TURN VEHICLE OFF
This message displays and a
continuous chime sounds if the
engine cooling system reaches
unsafe temperatures for operation.
Stop and turn off the vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so to avoid
severe damage. This message
clears when the engine has cooled
to a safe operating temperature.
ENGINE RUNNING DUE TO
TEMPERATURE
This message displays when the
high voltage battery is charged but
the engine has to come on because
of the outside temperature or high
voltage battery temperature.
Engine Oil Messages
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
This message displays when the
engine oil needs to be changed.
After changing the engine oil, the
Engine Oil Life System must be
reset. See Engine Oil Life System
0 245 andDriver Information Center
(DIC) 0130 for information on how
to reset the system. See Engine Oil
0 243 andMaintenance
Schedule 0326.
OIL PRESSURE LOW —TURN
VEHICLE OFF
This message displays if low oil
pressure levels occur. Stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible
and do not operate it until the cause
of the low oil pressure has been
corrected. Check the oil as soon as
possible and see your dealer for
service.
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9807421) - 2017 - CRC - 11/18/15
180 Driving and Operating
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
electric power extends the vehicle
range. Operation will continue in
ERM until the vehicle can be
plugged in to recharge the high
voltage battery and restore
Electric Mode.
The high voltage battery will
continue to provide some power and
work together with the engine to
provide peak performance when it is
required, such as driving up a steep
incline or for high acceleration
maneuvers. The battery will not be
charged nor will electric vehicle
range be restored by the engine. In either Electric Mode or Extended
Range Mode, when the hood is
open and the vehicle is moving at
low speed or stopped, the engine
will run without turning off if the
vehicle is on, except when the
electric drive unit is in N (Neutral).
The engine will turn off or remain off
at low vehicle speed in N (Neutral).
The high voltage battery is not
charged when this occurs. Under
these conditions, the high voltage
battery can still be discharged
based on the vehicle loads such as
A/C, or 12-volt loads.
In either Electric Mode or Extended
Range Mode, if there is a high
voltage battery fault, the engine may
run without turning off to generate
needed electricity. The malfunction
indicator lamp will turn on. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check
Engine Light)
0109.
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9807421) - 2017 - CRC - 11/18/15
192 Driving and Operating
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and an Electronic
Stability Control system called
StabiliTrak. These systems help
limit wheel slip and assist the driver
in maintaining control, especially on
slippery road conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any
of the drive wheels are slipping or
beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, TCS applies the brakes to
the spinning wheels and reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak activates when the
vehicle senses a difference between
the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak selectively applies
braking pressure to any of the
vehicle wheel brakes to help assist
the driver in keeping the vehicle on
the intended path.If cruise control is being used and
traction control or StabiliTrak begins
to limit wheel spin, cruise control will
disengage. Cruise control may be
turned back on when road
conditions allow.
Both systems come on
automatically when the vehicle is
started and begins to move. The
systems may be heard or felt while
they are operating or while
performing diagnostic checks. This
is normal and does not mean there
is a problem with the vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both
systems on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn TCS off if the vehicle gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
See
If the Vehicle Is Stuck 0171
and “Turning the Systems Off and
On” later in this section.
The indicator light for both systems
is in the instrument cluster. This
light will:
.
Flash when TCS is limiting
wheel spin.
. Flash when StabiliTrak is
activated.
. Turn on and stay on when either
system is not working.
If either system fails to turn on or to
activate, a message displays in the
Driver Information Center (DIC), and
dcomes on and stays on to
indicate that the system is inactive
and is not assisting the driver in
maintaining control. The vehicle is
safe to drive, but driving should be
adjusted accordingly.
If
dcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9807421) - 2017 - CRC - 11/18/15
Driving and Operating 219
Charging StatusIndicator Sound Action/Reason
Short Flashing Green
(Flash rate increases
from one to four as the
battery charges) One audible beep Charging has begun.
Long Flashing Green Two audible beeps Charging is delayed by Programmable Charging or, if the vehicle is equipped
accordingly, by a total utility interruption via
OnStar. Charging will begin later. SeeUtility
Interruption of Charging 0228.
Solid Green None Charging is complete.
Yellow (Upon Plug-in) None Charge cord is OK and the vehicle is not yet charging.
Yellow (For Extended
Time Period after
Plug-in) None Charge cord is OK, but the vehicle is not
charging. This may be due to a total utility
interruption via Onstar and charging will
begin later. This may also occur if the
vehicle has detected a high voltage
charging system fault. SeeUtility
Interruption of Charging 0228 or
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine
Light) 0109.
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9807421) - 2017 - CRC - 11/18/15
220 Driving and Operating
Charging StatusIndicator Sound Action/Reason
Short Flashing Green
(From one to four
flashes depending on
charge level) Two audible beeps Vehicle is charging but will pause/delay at
least once before the charge is complete.
Short Flashing Green
(From one to four
flashes depending on
charge level) or Long
Flashing Green Four audible beeps Insufficient time to fully charge by departure
time due to the selected rate preference.
To increase the battery state of charge at
the departure time perform a delayed
charging override. SeeDelayed Charging
Override 0217.
None (Upon Plug-in) None Charge cord connection should be checked.
None (After Green or
Yellow CSI Indication
Observed) None Charge cord connection should be checked.
If connection is good, this may be due to a
power failure or a total utility interruption via
OnStar and charging will begin later. This
may also occur if the vehicle has detected a
high voltage charging system fault. See
Utility Interruption of Charging0228 or
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine
Light) 0109.
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9807421) - 2017 - CRC - 11/18/15
Driving and Operating 231
vehicle may not pass a smog-check
test. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine Light) 0109.
If this occurs, return to your
authorized dealer for diagnosis. If it
is determined that the condition is
caused by the type of fuel used,
repairs may not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Fuels in Foreign
Countries
The U.S., Canada, and Mexico post
fuel octane ratings in anti-knock
index (AKI). For fuel not to use in a
foreign country, see “Prohibited
Fuels” inFuel 0230.
Fuel Additives
To keep fuel systems clean, TOP
TIER Detergent Gasoline is
recommended. See Fuel0230.
If TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is
not available, one bottle of GM Fuel
System Treatment Cleaner added to
the fuel tank at every engine oil
change, can help. GM Fuel System
Treatment Cleaner is the only gasoline additive recommended by
General Motors. It is available at
your dealer.
Filling the Tank
{Warning
Fuel vapors and fuel fires burn
violently and can cause injury or
death.
. To help avoid injuries to you
and others, read and follow
all the instructions on the
fuel pump island.
. Turn off the engine when
refueling.
. Keep sparks, flames, and
smoking materials away
from fuel.
. Do not leave the fuel pump
unattended.
. Do not use a cell phone
while refueling.
. Do not re-enter the vehicle
while pumping fuel.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Keep children away from
the fuel pump and never let
children pump fuel.
. Fuel can spray out if the fuel
cap is opened too quickly.
This spray can happen if the
tank is nearly full, and is
more likely in hot weather.
Open the fuel cap slowly
and wait for any hiss noise
to stop, then unscrew the
cap all the way.
The fuel system on this vehicle
requires a refueling process to
control evaporative emissions. To
refuel the vehicle:
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9807421) - 2017 - CRC - 11/18/15
Driving and Operating 233
{Warning
If a fire starts while you are
refueling, do not remove the
nozzle. Shut off the flow of fuel by
shutting off the pump or by
notifying the station attendant.
Leave the area immediately.
Caution
If a new fuel cap is needed, be
sure to get the right type of cap
from your dealer. The wrong type
of fuel cap may not fit properly,
may cause the malfunction
indicator lamp to light, and could
damage the fuel tank and
emissions system. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)0109.
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container
{Warning
Filling a portable fuel container
while it is in the vehicle can cause
fuel vapors that can ignite either
by static electricity or other
means. You or others could be
badly burned and the vehicle
could be damaged. Always:
. Use approved fuel
containers.
. Remove the container from
the vehicle, trunk, or pickup
bed before filling.
. Place the container on the
ground.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Place the nozzle inside the
fill opening of the container
before dispensing fuel, and
keep it in contact with the fill
opening until filling is
complete.
. Fill the container no more
than 95% full to allow for
expansion.
. Do not smoke, light
matches, or use lighters
while pumping fuel.
. Avoid using cell phones or
other electronic devices.