
Chevrolet BOLT EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11434431) - 2018 - crc - 2/14/18
Driving and Operating 209
{Warning
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the P (Park) button is
not pressed with the parking
brake set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
propulsion system is running.
If you have left the propulsion
system running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
press the P (Park) button.
The shift lock release button is
designed to prevent inadvertent
shifting out of P (Park) unless the
vehicle has been started, the brake
pedal is applied, and the shift lock
release button is pressed.
When the vehicle is stopped, apply
the brakes and press the button on
top of the shift lever to shift to
P (Park).
The vehicle will not shift into
P (Park) if it is moving too fast. Stop
the vehicle and shift into P (Park).
To shift in and out of P (Park), see
Shifting Into Park and Shifting out
of Park.R :
Use this gear to back up.
If the vehicle is shifted from either
R (Reverse) to D (Drive),
or D (Drive) to R (Reverse) while the
speed is too high, the vehicle will
shift to N (Neutral). Reduce the
vehicle speed and try the shift
again.
To shift into R (Reverse):
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Press the shift lock release button on the side of the shift
lever.
3. From the center position, move the shift lever forward, and
then to the left. R is illuminated
in red.
4. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center
position.
To shift out of R (Reverse): 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear.

Chevrolet BOLT EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11434431) - 2018 - crc - 2/14/18
210 Driving and Operating
3. After releasing the shift lever, itwill return to the center
position.
At low vehicle speeds, R (Reverse)
can be used to rock the vehicle
back and forth to get out of snow,
ice, or sand without damaging the
electric drive unit.
N : In this position, the propulsion
system does not connect with the
wheels. To restart the propulsion
system when the vehicle is already
moving, use N (Neutral) only.
Caution
The vehicle is not designed to
stay in N (Neutral) for extended
periods of time. It will
automatically shift into P (Park).
To shift into N (Neutral): 1. From the center position, move the shift lever forward. If the
vehicle is in P (Park), apply the
brake pedal and press the shift
lock release button while moving the shift lever forward.
The shift lever indicator is
illuminated in red.
2. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center
position.
To shift out of N (Neutral): 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear.
3. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center
position.
Car Wash Mode
This vehicle includes a Car Wash
Mode that allows the vehicle to
remain in N (Neutral) for use in
automatic car washes.
Car Wash Mode (Vehicle
Off) - Driver In Vehicle
To place the vehicle in N (Neutral)
with the vehicle off and occupied:
1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal. 3. Shift to N (Neutral).
4. Turn off the vehicle and release
the brake pedal.
5. The indicator should continue to show N. If it does not, repeat
steps 2–4.
6. The vehicle is now ready for the car wash.
Car Wash Mode (Vehicle
Off) - Driver Out of Vehicle
To place the vehicle in N (Neutral)
with the vehicle off and unoccupied: 1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Open the door.
4. Shift to N (Neutral).
5. Turn off the vehicle and release the brake pedal.
6. The indicator should continue to show N. If it does not, repeat
steps 2–5.
7. Exit the vehicle and close the door. The vehicle is now ready
for the car wash.

Chevrolet BOLT EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11434431) - 2018 - crc - 2/14/18
214 Driving and Operating
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.
There are also parking brake-related
Driver Information Center (DIC)
messages.
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.
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 still
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, block the
rear wheels to prevent vehicle
movement.
EPB Release
To release the EPB:
1. Press POWER
Oto start the
vehicle.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Press 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
pressing 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 BOLT EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11434431) - 2018 - crc - 2/14/18
Driving and Operating 215
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.
Brake Assist
The Brake Assist feature is
designed to assist the driver in
stopping or decreasing vehicle
speed in emergency driving
conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake
control module to supplement the
power brake system underconditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle. The
stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates.
Minor brake pedal pulsation or
pedal movement during this time is
normal and the driver should
continue to apply the brake pedal as
the driving situation dictates. The
Brake Assist feature will
automatically disengage when the
brake pedal is released or brake
pedal pressure is quickly
decreased.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
The Hill Start Assist (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 vehicle
stationary. 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.
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.

Chevrolet BOLT EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11434431) - 2018 - crc - 2/14/18
Driving and Operating 217
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and StabiliTrak®, an
electronic stability control system.
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 spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, TCS applies the brakes to
the spinning wheels and reduces
propulsion system 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 one of the vehicle wheel brakes to assist the
driver in keeping the vehicle on the
intended path.
If cruise control is being used and
TCS 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
“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.

Chevrolet BOLT EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11434431) - 2018 - crc - 2/14/18
218 Driving and Operating
2. Turn the vehicle off and wait15 seconds.
3. Start the vehicle.
Drive the vehicle. If
dcomes 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,
and the appropriate message is
displayed in the DIC.
To turn TCS on again, press and
release
g. The traction off lighti
displayed in the instrument cluster
will turn off.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
g
is pressed, the system will not turn
off until the wheels stop spinning.
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 messages are displayed in the DIC.
StabiliTrak can only be disabled
below 56 km/h (35 mph).
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
0 256.

Chevrolet BOLT EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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232 Driving and Operating
How the System Works
The LCA symbol lights up in the
side mirrors when the system
detects a moving vehicle in the next
lane over that is in the side blind
zone or rapidly approaching that
zone from behind. A lit LCA symbol
indicates it may be unsafe to
change lanes. Before making a lane
change, check the LCA display,
check mirrors, glance over your
shoulder, and use the turn signals.
Left Side MirrorDisplayRight Side Mirror Display
When the vehicle is started, both
outside mirror LCA displays will
briefly come on to indicate the
system is operating. When the
vehicle is in a forward gear, the left
or right side mirror display will light
up if a moving vehicle is detected in
the next lane over in that blind zone or rapidly approaching that zone.
If the turn signal is activated in the
same direction as a detected
vehicle, this display will flash as an
extra warning not to change lanes.
LCA can be disabled through
vehicle personalization. See
“Collision/Detection Systems”
under
Vehicle Personalization 0143.
If LCA is disabled by the driver, the
LCA mirror displays will not light up.
When the System Does Not
Seem to Work Properly
The LCA system requires some
driving for the system to calibrate to
maximum performance. This
calibration may occur more quickly if
the vehicle is driven on a straight
highway road with traffic and
roadside objects (e.g., guardrails,
barriers).
LCA displays may not come on
when passing a vehicle quickly or
for a stopped vehicle. LCA may alert
to objects attached to the vehicle,
such as a bicycle, or object
extending out to either side of the
vehicle. Attached objects may also interfere with the detection of
vehicles. This is normal system
operation; the vehicle does not need
service.
LCA may not always alert the driver
to vehicles in the next lane over,
especially in wet conditions or when
driving on sharp curves. The system
does not need to be serviced. The
system may light up due to
guardrails, signs, trees, shrubs, and
other non-moving objects. This is
normal system operation; the
vehicle does not need service.
LCA may not operate when the LCA
sensors in the left or right corners of
the rear bumper are covered with
mud, dirt, snow, ice, or slush, or in
heavy rainstorms. For cleaning
instructions, see "Washing the
Vehicle" under
Exterior Care0311.
If the DIC still displays the system
unavailable message after cleaning
both sides of the vehicle toward the
rear corners of the vehicle, see your
dealer.
If the LCA displays do not light up
when moving vehicles are in the
side blind zone or rapidly

Chevrolet BOLT EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11434431) - 2018 - crc - 2/14/18
238 Driving and Operating
charge station, the power cable
connected to the vehicle must be
less than 10 m (33 ft) in length.
Follow the steps listed on the
charging station to perform a DC
vehicle charge.
If for any reason DC charging does
not begin or is interrupted, check
the DC charge station display for
messages. Unplug to restart the DC
charge process.
Start Charge1. Make sure the vehicle is parked.
2. Push the rearward edge of the charge port door and release to
open the door.
In cold weather conditions, ice
may form around the charge
port door. The charge port door
may not open on the first
attempt. Remove ice from the
area and repeat attempting to
open the charge port door.
3. Unlatch the DC charging dustcover and lower it fully.
4. Plug in the DC vehicle plug into the DC charge port on the
vehicle. Make sure that the DC
vehicle plug is fully connected
to the DC charge port. If it is
not properly seated then the
charge may not occur. Proper
plug connection can be
checked by information on
the DIC.
5. Follow the steps listed on the charging station to start
charging. The Electric Parking Brake will automatically apply
once the charge process has
been started.
6. Once charging, the DC vehicle plug will be locked to the DC
charge port and cannot be
disconnected while charging is
active.
7. Verify that the Charging Status Indicator illuminates on top of
the instrument panel and an
audible chirp occurs. See
Charging Status Feedback
0240.
Caution
Do not attempt to disconnect the
DC vehicle plug while charging is
active. This action may damage
vehicle or charging station
hardware.
Stop Charge
Controls on the charging station can
be used to stop the charge process
at any time.