2017 CHEVROLET VOLT light

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
Driving and Operating 181
Driver Selected Operating
Modes
While driving in Electric or Extended
Range Mode, additional operating
modes can be selected.
Press MODE to display selectable
drive modes in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). Continue
pressing to scroll through the
modes.
Highlight either the Sport, Mountain,
or Hold Mode, then release MODE.
After three seconds, the new drive
mode will become active.
Pressing MODE again will return to
Normal Mode, and it will become
active after three seconds.
During some conditions, certain
drive modes may be unavailable.
The unavailable mode is grayed out
in the DIC menu and cannot be
selected.
If in Sport, Mountain, or Hold Mode,
the mode may become unavailable
and the vehicle will return to NormalMode. The indicator light goes off
and a DIC message displays. See
Propulsion Power Messages
0138.
The vehicle will stay in Normal
Mode at the next restart.
Sport Mode
Sport Mode provides more
responsive acceleration than
Normal Mode, but can reduce
efficiency. Use Normal Mode
whenever possible.
Press MODE to select Sport Mode.
Press MODE again to return to
Normal Mode and it becomes active
after three seconds.

Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9807421) - 2017 - CRC - 11/18/15
188 Driving and Operating
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has ABS, an advanced
electronic braking system that helps
prevent a braking skid.
When propulsion is active and the
vehicle begins to drive away, ABS
checks itself. A momentary motor or
clicking noise might be heard while
this test is going on, and it might
even be noticed that the brake
pedal moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning
Light 0112.
If driving safely on a wet road and it
becomes necessary to slam on the
brakes and continue braking to avoid a sudden obstacle, a
computer senses that the wheels
are slowing down. If one of the
wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the
brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
the driver steer around the obstacle
while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls
braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to
stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly and let
ABS work. You might hear the ABS
pump or motor operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsate, but this is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
more than even the very best
braking.
Electric Parking Brake

Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9807421) - 2017 - CRC - 11/18/15
Driving and Operating 189
The vehicle has an Electric Parking
Brake (EPB). The EPB can always
be activated, even if the vehicle
is off.
The system has a red parking brake
status light and an amber parking
brake warning light. SeeElectric
Parking Brake Light 0111 and
Service Electric Parking Brake Light
0 112. There are also parking
brake-related Driver Information
Center (DIC) messages. See Brake
System Messages 0133. In case of
insufficient electrical power, the EPB
cannot be applied or released.
Before leaving the vehicle, check
the red parking brake status light to
ensure that the parking brake is
applied.
EPB Apply
To apply the EPB:
1. Be sure the vehicle is at a complete stop.
2. Pull the EPB switch momentarily. The red parking brake status light
will flash and then stay on once the
EPB is fully applied. If the red
parking brake status light flashes
continuously, then the EPB is only
partially applied or there is a
problem with the EPB. A DIC
message will display. Release the
EPB and try to apply it again. If the
light does not come on, or keeps
flashing, have the vehicle serviced.
Do not drive the vehicle if the red
parking brake status light is flashing.
See your dealer. See
Electric
Parking Brake Light 0111.
If the amber parking brake warning
light is on, lift up on the EPB switch
and hold it up. Continue to hold the
switch until the red parking brake
status light remains on. If the amber
parking brake warning light is on,
see your dealer.
If the EPB is applied while the
vehicle is moving, the vehicle will
decelerate as long as the switch is
held up. If the switch is held up until
the vehicle comes to a stop, the
EPB will remain applied. The vehicle may automatically apply
the EPB in some situations when
the vehicle is not moving. This is
normal, and is done to periodically
check the correct operation of the
EPB system.
If the EPB fails to apply, the rear
wheels should be blocked to
prevent vehicle movement.
EPB Release
To release the EPB:
1. Place the vehicle in ON/RUN.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Push momentarily on the EPB switch.
The EPB is released when the red
parking brake status light is off.
If the amber parking brake warning
light is on, release the EPB by
pushing down on the EPB switch
and holding it down. Continue to
hold the switch until the red parking
brake status light is off. If either light
stays on after release is attempted,
see your dealer.

Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9807421) - 2017 - CRC - 11/18/15
190 Driving and Operating
Caution
Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system
and cause premature wear or
damage to brake system parts.
Make sure that the parking brake
is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
Automatic EPB Release
The EPB will automatically release if
the vehicle is running, placed into
gear, and an attempt is made to
drive away. Avoid rapid acceleration
when the EPB is applied, to
preserve parking brake lining life.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
The HSA feature will activate when
the vehicle is stopped on a
moderate to steep grade to help
prevent it from rolling in an
unintended direction. After the brake
pedal has been released and before
the accelerator pedal has been
pressed, HSA uses braking
pressure to hold the vehiclestationary. If HSA is holding the
vehicle, a DIC message displays.
HSA will not activate in a forward
drive gear when facing downhill,
or in R (Reverse) when facing uphill.
Extended Hill Start
Assist (EHSA)
Select the duration of the HSA
feature on the center stack
touchscreen by choosing the
submenu for Hill Start Assist or
Extended Hill Start Assist (EHSA).
See
“Extended Hill Start Assist"
under “Comfort and Convenience” in
Vehicle Personalization 0141.
When Standard Hold is selected,
the vehicle is held stationary for up
to two seconds after the brake pedal
is released. When Extended Hold is
selected, the vehicle is held
stationary for up to five minutes
after the brake pedal is released. In
either case, override the hold
feature by pressing the accelerator
pedal and attempting to drive away.
If Hill Start Assist is selected in the
Settings menu, it will hold the
vehicle for two seconds unless the
driver door is opened or the driver safety belt is unbuckled after
releasing the brake pedal.
If Extended Hill Start Assist is
selected, it will hold the vehicle for
five minutes unless the driver door
is opened and the driver safety belt
is unbuckled prior to releasing the
brake pedal. When EHSA is
deactivated after five minutes, or if it
is deactivated when the driver
safety belt is unlatched or the driver
door is opened, the Electric Parking
Brake will engage to prevent vehicle
movement.
Regenerative Braking
Some braking energy from the
moving vehicle is turned back into
electrical energy. This energy is
then stored back into the high
voltage battery system, increasing
energy efficiency.
The hydraulic disc brakes work with
the regenerative braking to ensure
effective braking, such as when a
high braking demand is requested.

Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9807421) - 2017 - CRC - 11/18/15
Driving and Operating 191
The controller interprets the braking
request and uses regenerative
braking, conventional hydraulic
braking, or a combination of both as
necessary.
The brake controller applies the
hydraulic brakes using a pump. The
pump may be heard during some
braking, such as rapid applies. This
is normal.
SeeWarning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators 0101 andDriver
Information Center (DIC) 0130.
If there is a controller problem, the
brake pedal may be harder to push
and the stopping distance may be
longer.Regen on Demand®
Regen on Demand allows increased
deceleration by pressing and
holding the steering wheel paddle.
It works in D (Drive) and L (Low).
The accelerator pedal must be fully
released for it to work. The brake pedal must be applied at
low speed, because Regen on
Demand will not bring the car to a
full stop.
Cruise control will turn off, and the
brake lights may come on, when
this feature is activated.
The brake controller applies the
hydraulic brakes using a pump. You
may hear the pump during some
braking maneuvers, such as rapid
brake applies or while replacing any
regenerative brake torque as the
vehicle comes to a stop. This is
normal operation.

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 193
Drive the vehicle. Ifdcomes on
and stays on, the vehicle may need
more time to diagnose the problem.
If the condition persists, see your
dealer.
Turning the Systems Off
and On
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or
accelerate heavily when TCS is
off. The vehicle driveline could be
damaged. To turn off only TCS, press and
release
g. The Traction Off lighti
displays in the instrument cluster.
The appropriate DIC message is
displayed. See
Ride Control System
Messages 0138. To turn TCS on
again, press and release
g. The
Traction Off light
idisplayed in the
instrument cluster will turn off.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak,
press and hold
guntil the Traction
Off light
iand StabiliTrak Off light
gcome on and stay on in the
instrument cluster. The appropriate
DIC message is displayed. See
Ride Control System Messages
0 138. To turn TCS and StabiliTrak
on again, press and release
g. The
Traction Off light
iand StabiliTrak
Off light
gin the instrument cluster
turn off.
Adding accessories can affect the
vehicle performance. See
Accessories and
Modifications 0237.
Driver Mode Control
There are four operating modes that
can be selected while driving in
Electric or Extended Range Mode.
The four modes are Normal, Sport,
Mountain, and Hold.
Pressing MODE will display the
selectable drive modes in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See
Driver Selected Operating Modes
0181 for information on mode
operation.