Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349113) - 2018 - crc - 10/12/17
Seats and Restraints 57
on followed by the heated steering
wheel, if equipped. If the vehicle has
auto heated seats, the seat heating
level will automatically change to
the level required by the vehicle's
interior temperature when the
vehicle is turned on.
The indicator lights on the heated
seat buttons do not turn on during a
remote start.
The temperature performance of an
unoccupied seat may be reduced.
This is normal.
The heated seats will not turn on
during a remote start unless the
heated seats feature is enabled in
vehicle personalization. SeeVehicle
Personalization 0137.Rear Seats
Folding the Seatback
{Warning
If either seatback is not locked, it
could move forward in a sudden
stop or crash. That could cause
injury to the person sitting there.
Always push and pull on the
seatbacks to be sure they are
locked.
{Warning
A seat belt that is improperly
routed, not properly attached,
or twisted will not provide the
protection needed in a crash. The
person wearing the belt could be
seriously injured. After raising the
rear seatback, always check to be
sure that the seat belts are
properly routed and attached, and
are not twisted. To fold the seatback down:
Caution
Folding a rear seat with the seat
belts still fastened may cause
damage to the seat or the seat
belts. Always unbuckle the seat
belts and return them to their
normal stowed position before
folding a rear seat.
1. Pull the seatback release lever
to unlock the seatback.
A tab near the lever raises
when the seatback is unlocked.
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349113) - 2018 - crc - 10/12/17
Seats and Restraints 65
Airbag System
The vehicle has the following
airbags:
.A frontal airbag for the driver
. A frontal airbag for the front
outboard passenger
. A knee airbag for the driver
. A knee airbag for the front
outboard passenger
. A seat-mounted side impact
airbag for the driver
. A seat-mounted side impact
airbag for the front outboard
passenger
. Seat-mounted side impact
airbags for the second row
outboard passengers
. A roof-rail airbag for the driver
and the passenger seated
directly behind the driver
. A roof-rail airbag for the front
outboard passenger and the
passenger seated directly
behind the front outboard
passenger All vehicle airbags have the word
AIRBAG on the trim or on a label
near the deployment opening.
For frontal airbags, the word
AIRBAG is on the center of the
steering wheel for the driver and on
the instrument panel for the front
outboard passenger.
For knee airbags, the word AIRBAG
is on the lower part of the
instrument panel.
For seat-mounted side impact
airbags, the word AIRBAG is on the
side of the seat closest to the door.
For roof-rail airbags, the word
AIRBAG is on the ceiling or trim.
Airbags are designed to supplement
the protection provided by seat
belts. Even though today's airbags
are also designed to help reduce
the risk of injury from the force of an
inflating bag, all airbags must inflate
very quickly to do their job.
Here are the most important things
to know about the airbag system:
{Warning
You can be severely injured or
killed in a crash if you are not
wearing your seat belt, even with
airbags. Airbags are designed to
work with seat belts, not replace
them. Also, airbags are not
designed to inflate in every crash.
In some crashes seat belts are
the only restraint. See
When
Should an Airbag Inflate? 068.
Wearing your seat belt during a
crash helps reduce your chance
of hitting things inside the vehicle
or being ejected from it. Airbags
are “supplemental restraints” to
the seat belts. Everyone in the
vehicle should wear a seat belt
properly, whether or not there is
an airbag for that person.
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349113) - 2018 - crc - 10/12/17
66 Seats and Restraints
{Warning
Because airbags inflate with great
force and faster than the blink of
an eye, anyone who is up
against, or very close to, any
airbag when it inflates can be
seriously injured or killed. Do not
sit unnecessarily close to any
airbag, as you would be if sitting
on the edge of the seat or leaning
forward. Seat belts help keep you
in position before and during a
crash. Always wear a seat belt,
even with airbags. The driver
should sit as far back as possible
while still maintaining control of
the vehicle. The seat belts and
the front outboard passenger
airbags are most effective when
you are sitting well back and
upright in the seat with both feet
on the floor.(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Occupants should not lean on or
sleep against the door or side
windows in seating positions with
seat-mounted side impact airbags
and/or roof-rail airbags.
{Warning
Children who are up against,
or very close to, any airbag when
it inflates can be seriously injured
or killed. Always secure children
properly in the vehicle. To read
how, seeOlder Children 077 or
Infants and Young Children 079.
There is an airbag readiness light
on the instrument cluster, which
shows the airbag symbol. The
system checks the airbag electrical
system for malfunctions. The light
tells you if there is an electrical
problem. See Airbag Readiness
Light 0113.
Where Are the Airbags?
The driver frontal airbag is in the
center of the steering wheel.
The front outboard passenger
frontal airbag is in the passenger
side instrument panel.
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349113) - 2018 - crc - 10/12/17
68 Seats and Restraints
Rear Seat Driver Side Shown,Passenger Side Similar
On vehicles with second row
seat-mounted side impact airbags,
they are in the sides of the rear
seatback closest to the door.
{Warning
If something is between an
occupant and an airbag, the
airbag might not inflate properly
or it might force the object into
that person causing severe injury
or even death. The path of an (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
inflating airbag must be kept
clear. Do not put anything
between an occupant and an
airbag, and do not attach or put
anything on the steering wheel
hub or on or near any other
airbag covering.
Do not use seat accessories that
block the inflation path of a
seat-mounted side impact airbag.
Never secure anything to the roof
of a vehicle with roof-rail airbags
by routing a rope or tie‐down
through any door or window
opening. If you do, the path of an
inflating roof-rail airbag will be
blocked.
When Should an Airbag
Inflate?
This vehicle is equipped with
airbags. SeeAirbag System 065.
Airbags are designed to inflate if the
impact exceeds the specific airbag system’
s deployment threshold.
Deployment thresholds are used to
predict how severe a crash is likely
to be in time for the airbags to
inflate and help restrain the
occupants. The vehicle has
electronic sensors that help the
airbag system determine the
severity of the impact. Deployment
thresholds can vary with specific
vehicle design.
Frontal airbags are designed to
inflate in moderate to severe frontal
or near frontal crashes to help
reduce the potential for severe
injuries, mainly to the driver's or
front outboard passenger's head
and chest.
Whether the frontal airbags will or
should inflate is not based primarily
on how fast the vehicle is traveling.
It depends on what you hit, the
direction of the impact, and how
quickly the vehicle slows down.
Frontal airbags may inflate at
different crash speeds depending on
whether the vehicle hits an object
straight on or at an angle, and
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349113) - 2018 - crc - 10/12/17
Seats and Restraints 69
whether the object is fixed or
moving, rigid or deformable, narrow
or wide.
Frontal airbags are not intended to
inflate during vehicle rollovers, in
rear impacts, or in many side
impacts.
In addition, the vehicle has
advanced technology frontal
airbags. Advanced technology
frontal airbags adjust the restraint
according to crash severity.
Knee airbags are designed to inflate
in moderate to severe frontal or
near frontal impacts. Knee airbags
are not designed to inflate during
vehicle rollovers, in rear impacts,
or in many side impacts.
Seat-mounted side impact airbags
are designed to inflate in moderate
to severe side crashes depending
on the location of the impact.
Seat-mounted side impact airbags
are not designed to inflate in frontal
impacts, near frontal impacts,
rollovers, or rear impacts.A seat-mounted side impact airbag
is designed to inflate on the side of
the vehicle that is struck.
Roof-rail airbags are designed to
inflate in moderate to severe side
crashes depending on the location
of the impact. In addition, these
roof-rail airbags are designed to
inflate during a rollover or in a
severe frontal impact. Roof-rail
airbags are not designed to inflate in
rear impacts. Both roof-rail airbags
will inflate when either side of the
vehicle is struck or if the sensing
system predicts that the vehicle is
about to roll over on its side, or in a
severe frontal impact.
In any particular crash, no one can
say whether an airbag should have
inflated simply because of the
vehicle damage or repair costs.
What Makes an Airbag
Inflate?
In a deployment event, the sensing
system sends an electrical signal
triggering a release of gas from the
inflator. Gas from the inflator fills theairbag causing the bag to break out
of the cover. The inflator, the airbag,
and related hardware are all part of
the airbag module.
For airbag locations, see
Where Are
the Airbags? 066.
How Does an Airbag
Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or
near frontal collisions, even belted
occupants can contact the steering
wheel or the instrument panel. In
moderate to severe side collisions,
even belted occupants can contact
the inside of the vehicle.
Airbags supplement the protection
provided by seat belts by
distributing the force of the impact
more evenly over the
occupant's body.
Rollover capable roof-rail airbags
are designed to help contain the
head and chest of occupants in the
outboard seating positions in the
first and second rows. The rollover
capable roof-rail airbags are
designed to help reduce the risk of
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349113) - 2018 - crc - 10/12/17
76 Seats and Restraints
Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle
should be serviced. There are parts
of the airbag system in several
places around the vehicle. Your
dealer and the service manual have
information about servicing the
vehicle and the airbag system. To
purchase a service manual, see
Service Publications Ordering
Information0351.
{Warning
For up to 10 seconds after the
vehicle is turned off and the 12‐
volt battery is disconnected, an
airbag can still inflate during
improper service. You can be
injured if you are close to an
airbag when it inflates. Avoid
yellow connectors. They are
probably part of the airbag
system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make
sure the person performing work
for you is qualified to do so.
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Adding accessories that change the
vehicle's frame, bumper system,
height, front end, or side sheet
metal may keep the airbag system
from working properly. The
operation of the airbag system can
also be affected by changing any
parts of the front seats, seat belts,
airbag sensing and diagnostic
module, steering wheel, instrument
panel, inner door seals including the
speakers, any of the airbag
modules, ceiling or pillar garnish
trim, overhead console, front
sensors, side impact sensors,
or airbag wiring.
Your dealer and the service manual
have information about the location
of the airbag sensors, sensing and
diagnostic module, and airbag
wiring.
In addition, the vehicle has a
passenger sensing system for the
front outboard passenger position,
which includes sensors that are part
of the passenger seat. The passenger sensing system may not
operate properly if the original seat
trim is replaced with non-GM
covers, upholstery, or trim; or with
GM covers, upholstery, or trim
designed for a different vehicle. Any
object, such as an aftermarket seat
heater or a comfort-enhancing pad
or device, installed under or on top
of the seat fabric, could also
interfere with the operation of the
passenger sensing system. This
could either prevent proper
deployment of the passenger
airbag(s) or prevent the passenger
sensing system from properly
turning off the passenger airbag(s).
See
Passenger Sensing System
0 71.
If the vehicle has rollover roof-rail
airbags, see Different Size Tires
and Wheels 0287 for additional
important information.
If you have to modify your vehicle
because you have a disability and
have questions about whether the
modifications will affect the vehicle's
airbag system, or if you have
questions about whether the airbag
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349113) - 2018 - crc - 10/12/17
Instruments and Controls 99
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 100
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 100
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 100
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Pedestrian Safety Signal . . . . . 100
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 101
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Battery Gauge (High Voltage) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Driver Efficiency Gauge . . . . . . . 111
Power Indicator Gauge . . . . . . . 112 Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . 112
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 113
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Charging System Light (12-Volt
Battery) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 114
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Service Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Sport Mode Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Mountain Mode Light . . . . . . . . . 118
Hold Mode Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . 119
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . 119
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 120 Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 121
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Vehicle Ready Light . . . . . . . . . . 121
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 122
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 122
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 122
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Information Displays
Power Flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Programmable Charging . . . . . . 123
Energy Information . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Propulsion PowerMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . 137
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 137
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349113) - 2018 - crc - 10/12/17
100 Instruments and Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel
Adjustment
To adjust the steering wheel:1. Pull the lever down.
2. Move the steering wheel up or down.
3. Pull or push the steering wheel closer or away from you.
4. Pull the lever up to lock the steering wheel in place. Do not adjust the steering wheel
while driving.
Steering Wheel Controls
The infotainment system can be
operated by using the steering
wheel controls. See "Steering
Wheel Controls" in the infotainment
manual.
Heated Steering Wheel
(:
If equipped, press to turn on or
off. An indicator light on the button
displays when the feature is
turned on. The steering wheel takes about
three minutes to start heating.
If equipped with an auto heated
steering wheel, the heated steering
wheel will turn on automatically in
remote start along with the heated
seats when it is cold outside. The
heated steering wheel indicator light
may not come on. See
Heated Front
Seats 056.
Horn
Pressaon the steering wheel pad
to sound the horn.
Pedestrian Safety Signal
The vehicle is equipped with
automatic sound generation.
The automatic sound is generated
to indicate the vehicle presence to
pedestrians. The sound changes if
the vehicle is speeding up or
slowing down. It is activated when
the vehicle is shifted into a forward
gear or R (Reverse), up to 30 km/h
(19 mph).