Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163007) - 2019 - CRC - 11/5/18
Vehicle Care 247
{Warning
An underhood electric fan can
start up even when the engine is
not running and can cause injury.
Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood
electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant
surge tank is boiling, do not do
anything else until it cools down.
The vehicle should be parked on a
level surface.
The coolant level should be up to
the cold fill line. If it is not, there
might be a leak at the radiator
hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water
pump, or somewhere else in the
cooling system.
{Warning
Do not touch heater or radiator
hoses, or other engine parts.
They can be very hot and can (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
burn you. Do not run the engine if
there is a leak; all coolant could
leak out. That could cause an
engine fire and can burn you. Fix
any leak before driving the
vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with
the engine on, check to see if the
cooling fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, the fans
should be running. If they are not,
the vehicle needs service. Turn off
the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The engine cooling system in the
vehicle is filled with GM Premix
DEX-COOL engine coolant. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0329. The coolant
requires changing at certain
intervals. See Maintenance
Schedule 0321. The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
see
Engine Overheating 0252.
What to Use
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such
as alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will. With
plain water or the wrong mixture,
the engine could get too hot but
there would not be an overheat
warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be
burned.
Use GM Premix DEX-COOL engine
coolant. This mixture:
. Gives freezing protection down
to−37 °C (−34 °F), outside
temperature.
. Gives boiling protection up to
129 °C (265 °F), engine
temperature.
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163007) - 2019 - CRC - 11/5/18
248 Vehicle Care
.Protects against rust and
corrosion.
. Will not damage aluminum parts.
. Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Caution
Do not use anything other than a
pre-mix of DEX-COOL coolant
that meets GM Standard
GMW3420 and deionized water.
Anything else can cause damage
to the hybrid cooling system
components and the vehicle,
which would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on
the ground, or into sewers, streams,
or bodies of water. Have the coolant
changed by an authorized service
center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used
coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant surge tank. If the coolant
inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until
it cools down. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level is not at or
above the cold fill line, add GM
Premix DEX-COOL engine coolant.
Be sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done. See Engine
Overheating 0252.
The coolant surge tank is on the
driver side of the engine
compartment. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0240.
The coolant level should be at or
above the cold fill line on the
coolant surge tank. If it is not, there
could be a leak in the cooling
system.
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank
{Warning
Spilling coolant on hot engine
parts can burn you. Coolant
contains ethylene glycol and it will
burn if the engine parts are hot
enough.
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163007) - 2019 - CRC - 11/5/18
Service and Maintenance 321
Maintenance
Schedule
Owner Checks and Services
At Each Fuel Stop
.Check the engine oil level. See
Engine Oil 0241.
Once a Month
. Check the tire inflation
pressures. See Tire Pressure
0 279.
. Inspect the tires for wear. See
Tire Inspection 0284.
. Check the windshield washer
fluid level. See Washer Fluid
0 252.
. Engine, power electronics, and
high voltage battery pack
coolant level checks. See
Cooling System (Engine) 0246
or Cooling System (High Voltage
Battery) 0250 orCooling
System (Power Electronics and
Charger Modules) 0251.
Engine Oil Change
Every 24 months or when the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message displays, change the
engine oil and filter as soon as
possible, within the next 1 000 km/
600 mi. The engine oil and filter
must be changed at least once
every 24 months. After each oil and
filter change, the oil life system must
be reset. See Engine Oil Life
System 0243. More frequent
changes may be required when the
vehicle is exposed to a corrosive
environment, such as areas of high
humidity, along an ocean coast,
and/or areas that apply road salt
during winter.
Your trained dealer technician can
perform this work. If the engine oil
life system is reset accidentally,
service the vehicle within 5 000 km/
3,000 mi since the last service.
Reset the oil life system when the
oil is changed.
Air Conditioning Desiccant
(Replace Every Seven Years)
The air conditioning system requires
maintenance every seven years.
This service requires replacement of
the desiccant to help the longevity
and efficient operation of the air
conditioning system. This service
can be complex. See your dealer.
Tire Rotation and Required
Services Every 12 000 km/
7,500 mi
Rotate the tires, if recommended for
the vehicle, and perform the
following services. See Tire
Rotation 0284.
. Check engine oil level and oil
life percentage. If needed,
change engine oil and filter, and
reset oil life system. See Engine
Oil 0241 andEngine Oil Life
System 0243.
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163007) - 2019 - CRC - 11/5/18
Service and Maintenance 323
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required
Services - Normal12 000 km/7,500 mi
24 000 km/15,000 mi
36 000 km/22,500 mi
48 000 km/30,000 mi
60 000 km/37,500 mi
72 000 km/45,000 mi
84 000 km/52,500 mi
96 000 km/60,000 mi
108 000 km/67,500 mi
120 000 km/75,000 mi
132 000 km/82,500 mi
144 000 km/90,000 mi
156 000 km/97,500 mi
168 000 km/105,000 mi 180 000 km/112,500 mi
192 000 km/120,000 mi
204 000 km/127,500 mi
216 000 km/135,000 mi
228 000 km/142,500 mi
240 000 km/150,000 mi
Rotate tires and perform Required Services.
Check engine oil level and oil life percentage.
Change engine oil and filter, if needed.@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Replace passenger compartment air filter. (1)@ @@@@@
Inspect evaporative control system. (2)@ @@
Replace engine air cleaner filter. (3)@@@
Change electric drive unit fluid.@
Replace spark plugs. Inspect spark plug wires.@
Drain and fill engine, power electronics, and high
voltage battery cooling systems. (4)@
Visually inspect accessory drive belts. (5)@
Replace brake fluid. (6)
Replace windshield wiper blades. (7)
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Replace hood and/or body lift support gas struts.@ @
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163007) - 2019 - CRC - 11/5/18
324 Service and Maintenance
Footnotes—Maintenance
Schedule Additional Required
Services - Normal
(1) Or every two years, whichever
comes first. More frequent
passenger compartment air filter
replacement may be needed if
driving in areas with heavy traffic,
poor air quality, high dust levels,
or environmental allergens.
Passenger compartment air filter
replacement may also be needed if
there is reduced airflow, window
fogging, or odors. Your GM dealer
can help determine when to replace
the filter. (2)
Visually check all fuel and vapor
lines and hoses for proper
attachment, connection, routing, and
condition.
(3) Or every four years, whichever
comes first. If driving in dusty
conditions, inspect the filter at each
oil change or more often as needed.
(4) Or every five years, whichever
comes first. See Cooling System
(Engine) 0246 orCooling System
(High Voltage Battery) 0250 or
Cooling System (Power Electronics
and Charger Modules) 0251. (5)
Or every 10 years, whichever
comes first. Inspect for fraying,
excessive cracking, or damage;
replace, if needed.
(6) Replace brake fluid every five
years. See Brake Fluid 0254.
(7) Or every 12 months, whichever
comes first. See Wiper Blade
Replacement 0258.
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163007) - 2019 - CRC - 11/5/18
Service and Maintenance 325
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required
Services - Severe12 000 km/7,500 mi
24 000 km/15,000 mi
36 000 km/22,500 mi
48 000 km/30,000 mi
60 000 km/37,500 mi
72 000 km/45,000 mi
84 000 km/52,500 mi
96 000 km/60,000 mi
108 000 km/67,500 mi
120 000 km/75,000 mi
132 000 km/82,500 mi
144 000 km/90,000 mi
156 000 km/97,500 mi
168 000 km/105,000 mi 180 000 km/112,500 mi
192 000 km/120,000 mi
204 000 km/127,500 mi
216 000 km/135,000 mi
228 000 km/142,500 mi
240 000 km/150,000 mi
Rotate tires and perform Required Services.
Check engine oil level and oil life percentage.
Change engine oil and filter, if needed.@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Replace passenger compartment air filter. (1)@ @@@@@
Inspect evaporative control system. (2)@ @@
Replace engine air cleaner filter. (3)@@@
Change electric drive unit fluid.@@@
Replace spark plugs. Inspect spark plug wires.@
Drain and fill engine, power electronics, and high
voltage battery cooling systems. (4)@
Visually inspect accessory drive belts. (5)@
Replace brake fluid. (6)
Replace windshield wiper blades. (7)
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Replace hood and/or body lift support gas struts.@ @
Footnotes—Maintenance
Schedule Additional Required
Services - Severe
(1) Or every two years, whichever
comes first. More frequent
passenger compartment air filter replacement may be needed if
driving in areas with heavy traffic,
poor air quality, high dust levels,
or environmental allergens.
Passenger compartment air filter
replacement may also be needed if
there is reduced airflow, windowfogging, or odors. Your GM dealer
can help determine when to replace
the filter.
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163007) - 2019 - CRC - 11/5/18
Service and Maintenance 327
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 0329 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-
12163007) - 2019 - CRC - 11/5/18
Technical Data 333
Vehicle Data
Capacities and Specifications
The following approximate capacities are given in metric and English conversions. Refer toRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0329 for more information.
Application Capacities
Metric English
Air Conditioning Refrigerant For the air conditioning system refrigerant charge type and amount, see the refrigerant label underthe hood. See your dealer for more information.
Cooling Systems Engine 7.0 L 7.4 qt
High Voltage Battery 3.8 L 4.0 qt
Power Electronics 4.2 L 4.4 L*4.4 qt
4.6 qt*
* 3.6 kW/7.2 kW Charger
Engine Oil with Filter 4.0 L 4.2 qt
Fuel Tank 33.7 L 8.9 gal
Electric Drive Unit 6.75 L 7.13 qt
Wheel Nut Torque 140 Y100 lb ft
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the approximate level, as recommended in this
manual.