Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9807421) - 2017 - CRC - 11/18/15
Vehicle Care 255
The brake master cylinder reservoir
is filled with GM approved DOT 3
brake fluid as indicated on the
reservoir cap. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview 0242 for
the location of the reservoir.
Checking Brake Fluid
With the vehicle in P (Park) on a
level surface, the brake fluid level
should be between the minimum
and maximum marks on the brake
fluid reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir may
go down:
. Normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are installed, the
fluid level goes back up.
. A fluid leak in the brake
hydraulic system. Have the
brake hydraulic system fixed.
With a leak, the brakes will not
work well.
Always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it. Do not top off the brake fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid
when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove fluid, as
necessary, only when work is done
on the brake hydraulic system.
{Warning
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake fluid only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic
system.
When the brake fluid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. See Brake System Warning
Light 0111.
Brake fluid absorbs water over time
which degrades the effectiveness of
the brake fluid. Replace brake fluid at the specified intervals to prevent
increased stopping distance. See
Maintenance Schedule
0326.
What to Add
Use only GM approved DOT 3
brake fluid from a clean, sealed
container. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0334.{Warning
The wrong or contaminated brake
fluid could result in damage to the
brake system. This could result in
the loss of braking leading to a
possible injury. Always use the
proper GM approved brake fluid.
Caution
If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces, the
paint finish can be damaged.
Immediately wash off any painted
surface.
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9807421) - 2017 - CRC - 11/18/15
Vehicle Care 283
TPMS Sensor Matching
Process
Each TPMS sensor has a unique
identification code. The identification
code needs to be matched to a new
tire/wheel position after rotating the
vehicle’s tires or replacing one or
more of the TPMS sensors. The
TPMS sensor matching process
should also be performed after
replacing a spare tire with a road
tire containing the TPMS sensor.
The malfunction light and the DIC
message should go off at the next
ignition cycle. The sensors are
matched to the tire/wheel positions,
using a TPMS relearn tool, in the
following order: driver side front tire,
passenger side front tire, passenger
side rear tire, and driver side rear.
See your dealer for service or to
purchase a relearn tool. A TPMS
relearn tool can also be purchased.
See Tire Pressure Monitor
Sensor Activation Tool at
www.gmtoolsandequipment.com or
call 1-800-GM TOOLS
(1-800-468-6657).There are two minutes to match the
first tire/wheel position, and
five minutes overall to match all four
tire/wheel positions. If it takes
longer, the matching process stops
and must be restarted.
The TPMS sensor matching
process is:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Place the vehicle in ON/RUN. See Power Button 0175.
3. Make sure the Tire Pressure info page option is turned on.
The info pages on the DIC can
be turned on and off through
the Settings menu. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) 0130.
4. Use the DIC controls on the right side of the steering wheel
to scroll to the Tire Pressure
screen under the DIC
info page.
5. Press and hold the
V(Set/
Reset) button located in the
center of the DIC controls. The horn sounds twice to
signal the receiver is in relearn
mode and the TIRE
LEARNING ACTIVE message
displays on the DIC screen.
6. Start with the driver side front tire.
7. Place the relearn tool against the tire sidewall, near the valve
stem. Then press the button to
activate the TPMS sensor.
A horn chirp confirms that the
sensor identification code has
been matched to this tire and
wheel position.
8. Proceed to the passenger side front tire, and repeat the
procedure in Step 7.
9. Proceed to the passenger side rear tire, and repeat the
procedure in Step 7.
10. Proceed to the driver side rear tire, and repeat the procedure
in Step 7. The horn sounds two
times to indicate the sensor
identification code has been
matched to the driver side rear
tire, and the TPMS sensor
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9807421) - 2017 - CRC - 11/18/15
286 Vehicle Care
tire manufacture date is the last four
digits of the DOT Tire Identification
Number (TIN) which is molded into
one side of the tire sidewall. The
first two digits represent the week
(01–52) and the last two digits, the
year. For example, the third week of
the year 2010 would have a
four-digit DOT date of 0310.
Vehicle Storage
Tires age when stored normally
mounted on a parked vehicle. Park
a vehicle that will be stored for at
least a month in a cool, dry, clean
area away from direct sunlight to
slow aging. This area should be free
of grease, gasoline, or other
substances that can deteriorate
rubber.
Parking for an extended period can
cause flat spots on the tires that
may result in vibrations while
driving. When storing a vehicle for
at least a month, remove the tires or
raise the vehicle to reduce the
weight from the tires.
Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched
specific tires for the vehicle. The
original equipment tires installed
were designed to meet General
Motors Tire Performance Criteria
Specification (TPC Spec)
system rating. When
replacement tires are needed,
GM strongly recommends
buying tires with the same TPC
Spec rating.
GM's exclusive TPC Spec
system considers over a dozen
critical specifications that impact
the overall performance of the
vehicle, including brake system
performance, ride and handling,
traction control, and tire
pressure monitoring
performance. GM's TPC Spec
number is molded onto the tire's
sidewall near the tire size. If the
tires have an all-season tread
design, the TPC spec numberwill be followed by MS, for mud
and snow. See
Tire Sidewall
Labeling 0273.
GM recommends replacing worn
tires in complete sets of four.
Uniform tread depth on all tires
will help to maintain the
performance of the vehicle.
Braking and handling
performance may be adversely
affected if all the tires are not
replaced at the same time.
If proper rotation and
maintenance have been done,
all four tires should wear out at
about the same time. See Tire
Rotation 0284. However, if it is
necessary to replace only one
axle set of worn tires, place the
new tires on the rear axle.
Winter tires with the same speed
rating as the original equipment
tires may not be available for H,
V, W, Y, and ZR speed rated
tires. Never exceed the winter
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9807421) - 2017 - CRC - 11/18/15
Vehicle Care 309
2. Park both vehicles closeenough so that the jumper
cables can reach both vehicles'
positive (+) and negative (−)
terminals. The vehicles must
not touch each other. It could
cause an unwanted ground
connection that could damage
both vehicles' electrical
systems.
Put both vehicles in P (Park)
for an automatic transmission
or electric drive unit. For a
manual transmission, place the
vehicle in Neutral and set the
parking brake.
Caution
If any accessories are left on or
plugged in during the jump
starting procedure, they could be
damaged. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Whenever possible, turn
off or unplug all accessories on
either vehicle when jump starting. 3. Turn off both vehicles. Turn off
the radio, all lamps, and
accessories that are not
needed in both vehicles.
Unplug accessories from the
cigarette lighter or the
accessory power outlets. This
avoids sparks and helps save
both batteries and accessories.
4. Locate the positive (+) and negative (−) terminals on the
vehicle with the run-down
battery.
5. Locate the positive (+) and negative (−) battery terminals
on the Volt. The 12-volt battery
is under the load floor in the
rear cargo area. Open the
access covers for the
positive (+) terminal (1) and the
negative (−) terminal (2).
6. Check that the jumper cables do not have loose or missing
insulation or a shock could
result and the vehicles could
be damaged.
Before connecting the jumper
cables, here are some basic
things to know. Positive (+) jumper cable goes to
positive (+) battery terminal or
a remote positive (+) terminal if
available. Negative (−) jumper
cable goes to remote
negative (−) terminal if
available, or a heavy,
unpainted metal engine part or
a solid engine ground on the
vehicle with the run-down
battery.
Do not connect positive (+) to
negative (−) or there will be a
short that may damage the
battery or other parts of the
vehicle. Do not connect the
negative (−) cable to the
negative (−) terminal on the
run-down battery because this
can cause sparks.
Caution
If the jumper cables are
connected or removed in the
wrong order, electrical shorting
may occur and damage the
vehicle. The repairs would not be
(Continued)
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9807421) - 2017 - CRC - 11/18/15
314 Vehicle Care
5. Clamp the steering wheel in astraight-ahead position with a
clamping device designed for
towing.
6. Secure the vehicle to the dolly
with a lash over the tire. Do not
lash though the wheel.
7. Release the parking brake.
8. Check for adequate rear fascia to ground clearance.
Dolly Towing from the Rear
Caution
Towing the vehicle from the rear,
with the front wheels on the
ground, could damage the drive
unit, and front fascia. Do not tow
the vehicle from the rear with the
front wheels on the ground.
Appearance Care
Exterior Care
Locks
Locks are lubricated at the factory.
Use a de-icing agent only when
absolutely necessary, and have the
locks greased after using. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0334.
Washing the Vehicle
To preserve the vehicle's finish,
wash it often and out of direct
sunlight.
Caution
Do not use petroleum-based,
acidic, or abrasive cleaning
agents as they can damage the
vehicle's paint, metal, or plastic
parts. If damage occurs, it would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Approved cleaning
products can be obtained from
(Continued)
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9807421) - 2017 - CRC - 11/18/15
332 Service and Maintenance
The following list is intended to
explain the services and conditions
to look for that may indicate
services are required.
Battery
The 12-volt battery supplies power
to start the engine and operate any
additional electrical accessories.
.To avoid break-down or failure to
start the vehicle, maintain a
battery with full cranking power.
. Trained dealer technicians have
the diagnostic equipment to test
the battery and ensure that the
connections and cables are
corrosion-free.
Belts
. Belts may need replacing if they
squeak or show signs of
cracking or splitting.
. Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the belts and
recommend adjustment or
replacement when necessary. Brakes
Brakes stop the vehicle and are
crucial to safe driving.
.
Signs of brake wear may include
chirping, grinding, or squealing
noises, or difficulty stopping.
. Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the brakes and
recommend quality parts
engineered for the vehicle.
Fluids
Proper fluid levels and approved
fluids protect the vehicle’s systems
and components. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0334 for GM approved
fluids.
. Engine oil and windshield
washer fluid levels should be
checked at every fuel fill.
. Instrument cluster lights may
come on to indicate that fluids
may be low and need to be
filled. Hoses
Hoses transport fluids and should
be regularly inspected to ensure
that there are no cracks or leaks.
With a multi-point inspection, your
dealer can inspect the hoses and
advise if replacement is needed.
Lamps
Properly working headlamps,
taillamps, and brake lamps are
important to see and be seen on
the road.
.
Signs that the headlamps need
attention include dimming, failure
to light, cracking, or damage.
The brake lamps need to be
checked periodically to ensure
that they light when braking.
. With a multi-point inspection,
your dealer can check the lamps
and note any concerns.
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9807421) - 2017 - CRC - 11/18/15
Index 365
IndexA
Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . . . 196
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . 234
Additional Information OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360
Additional Maintenance and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . . . 246
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
How Does an AirbagRestrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Passenger Sensing System . . . . 69
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
What Will You See after an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
When Should an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . . 65 Airbags
Adding Equipment to the
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Passenger Status Indicator . . . 108
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Servicing Airbag-Equipped Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Alarm Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Alert
Lane Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211
Side Blind Zone (SBZA) . . . . . . .211
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . 188 Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Appearance Care Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Assistance Program, Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Assistance Systems for Parking and Backing . . . . . . . . . . 204
Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . 157
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9807421) - 2017 - CRC - 11/18/15
366 Index
Automatic (cont'd)Forward Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
B
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Battery - North America . . . . 256, 305
Battery and Charging Messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Battery Gauge High Voltage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . . . 258
Brake Parking, Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . 111
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254 Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Regenerative Braking . . . . . . . . . 190
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 Automatic Forward . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 175
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . . . 261 Bulb Replacement (cont'd)
Taillamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
California Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
California Proposition
65 Warning . . . . . . . . . .236, 256, 305
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . 2
Capacities and
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Carbon Monoxide Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Hatch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Cargo Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Caution, Danger, and Warning . . . . 3
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . . 94
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Charge Cord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Charging Delay Override . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Electrical Requirements . . . . . . 229 Charging (cont'd)
Plug-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Programmable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Utility Interruption . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Wireless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Charging Status Screens . . . . . . . 217
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . 109
Check Malfunction Indicator
Engine Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Child Restraints Infants and Young Children . . . . . 77
Lower Anchors and Tethersfor Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88, 90
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Cleaning
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Climate Control Systems Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . 348
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Compartments Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93