2019 CHEVROLET VOLT Owner's Manual

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
Vehicle Care 249
{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.
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system are under
pressure. Turning the pressure
cap, even a little, can cause them
to come out at high speed and
you could be burned. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
pressure cap to cool.
Caution
Failure to follow the specific
coolant fill procedure could cause
system damage. If coolant is not
visible in the hybrid surge tank(s),
contact your dealer.
If coolant is needed, add the proper
GM Premix DEX-COOL engine
coolant at the coolant surge tank.
The coolant surge tank pressure
cap can be removed when the
cooling system, including the surge
tank pressure cap and upper
radiator hose, is no longer hot. 1. Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise. If a hiss is
heard, wait for that to stop.
A hiss means there is still
some pressure left. 2. Keep turning the cap and
remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank withthe proper mixture to the cold
fill line.
4. Reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure the pressure cap is
hand-tight and fully seated.

Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163007) - 2019 - CRC - 11/5/18
250 Vehicle Care
Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and engine
damage may occur. Be sure the
cap is properly and tightly
secured.
Cooling System (High
Voltage Battery)
During vehicle operation and also
during charging, the high voltage
battery cells in the vehicle are kept
within a normal operating
temperature range. If the high
voltage battery cell temperature
rises above the normal operating
temperature range, the battery
cooling system turns on the air
conditioning compressor and cools
the coolant until the correct battery
cell temperature is reached. If the
high voltage battery cell temperature
falls below the normal operating
temperature range, a high voltage
heater, located in the battery, heats
the coolant until the correct battery
cell temperature is reached.During high voltage battery system
cooling, you may feel temperature
changes at the air vents due to the
extra load on the system.
What to Use
The high voltage battery coolant
reservoir in the vehicle is filled with
GM Premix DEX-COOL engine
coolant. See
Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants 0329. If using this
mixture, nothing else needs to be
added.
The coolant needs to be replaced at
the appropriate interval. See
Maintenance Schedule 0321.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
The high voltage battery coolant
reservoir is located in the engine
compartment. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0240.
1. High Voltage Battery
Coolant Reservoir
2. Power Electronics Coolant Reservoir
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the high voltage battery coolant
reservoir (1). If coolant is visible but
the coolant level is below the cold
fill line on the side of the reservoir,
there could be a leak in the cooling
system.
The high voltage battery cooling
system supports the operation of
sensitive electronics that are critical
to vehicle operation.

Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163007) - 2019 - CRC - 11/5/18
Vehicle Care 251
The high voltage battery cooling
system should only be serviced by a
qualified technician.
Cooling System (Power
Electronics and Charger
Modules)
The power electronics and charger
modules are cooled using the same
coolant loop.
The power electronics and charger
modules in the vehicle are kept
below a maximum temperature
threshold. If the coolant temperature
rises above this temperature
threshold, the electric cooling fans
will turn on and cool the coolant
until the correct temperature is
reached.
What to Use
The power electronics and charger
modules coolant reservoir in the
vehicle is filled with GM Premix
DEX-COOL engine coolant. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants0329. If using this
mixture, nothing else needs to be
added.
The coolant needs to be replaced at
the appropriate interval. See
Maintenance Schedule 0321.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
The power electronics and charger
modules coolant reservoir is located
in the engine compartment. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0240.
1. High Voltage Battery
Coolant Reservoir
2. Power Electronics Coolant Reservoir
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the power electronics coolant
reservoir (2). If coolant is visible but
the coolant level is below the cold
fill line on the side of the reservoir,
there could be a leak in the cooling
system.
The power electronics cooling
system supports the operation of
sensitive electronics.

Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163007) - 2019 - CRC - 11/5/18
252 Vehicle Care
The power electronics cooling
system should only be serviced by a
qualified technician.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has an indicator to warn
of engine overheating.
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when this warning appears,
get service help right away. See
Roadside Assistance Program
0339.
If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine
cooling fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, the fans
should be running. If they are not,
do not continue to run the vehicle,
and have the vehicle serviced.
Caution
Do not run the engine when there
is a leak in the hybrid cooling
system. This can cause a loss of
all coolant and can damage the
system and the vehicle. Have any
leaks fixed right away.
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When adding windshield washer
fluid to the vehicle, be sure to read
the manufacturer's instructions
before use. If operating the vehicle
in an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use a fluid
that has sufficient protection against
freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer fluid until
the tank is full. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0240 for
reservoir location.
Caution
. Do not use washer fluid that
contains any type of water
repellent coating. This can
cause the wiper blades to
chatter or skip.
. Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the
windshield washer. It can
damage the windshield
washer system and paint.
(Continued)

Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163007) - 2019 - CRC - 11/5/18
Vehicle Care 253
Caution (Continued)
.Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the
solution to freeze and
damage the washer fluid
tank and other parts of the
washer system.
. When using concentrated
washer fluid, follow the
manufacturer instructions for
adding water.
. Fill the washer fluid tank
only three-quarters full when
it is very cold. This allows
for fluid expansion if
freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is
completely full.
Brakes
Disc brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or can be heard all the time when the
vehicle is moving, except when
applying the brake pedal firmly.
{Warning
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
a crash. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.
Caution
Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly
brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect brake pads for wear and
evenly tighten wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to torque
specifications. See
Capacities and
Specifications 0333.
Brake pads should be replaced as
complete sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal
does not return to normal height,
or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign
that brake service may be required.
Replacing Brake System Parts
Always replace brake system parts
with new, approved replacement
parts. If this is not done, the brakes
may not work properly. The braking
performance expected can change
in many other ways if the wrong
replacement brake parts are
installed or if parts are improperly
installed.

Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163007) - 2019 - CRC - 11/5/18
254 Vehicle Care
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir
is filled with GM approved DOT 3
brake fluid as indicated on the
reservoir cap. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview 0240 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 0116.
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 0321.
What to Add
Use only GM approved DOT 3
brake fluid from a clean, sealed
container. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0329.
{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.

Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163007) - 2019 - CRC - 11/5/18
Vehicle Care 255
Caution
If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces, the
paint finish can be damaged.
Immediately wash off any painted
surface.
Battery - North America
The original equipment battery is
maintenance free. Do not remove
the cap and do not add fluid.
This vehicle has a high voltage
battery and a standard 12-volt
battery. The 12-volt battery is in the
rear hatch under the load floor.
If the vehicle is in a crash, the
sensing system may shut down the
high voltage system. When this
occurs, the high voltage battery is
disconnected and the vehicle will
not start. The SERVICE VEHICLE
SOON message in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) will be
displayed. Before the vehicle can be
operated again, it must be serviced
at your dealer.See
“If a Crash Occurs” under
Collision Damage Repair 0342 and
High Voltage Safety Information
0 21. If an airbag has inflated, see
What Will You See after an Airbag
Inflates? 072.
Only a trained service technician
with the proper knowledge and tools
should inspect, test, or replace the
high voltage battery. See your
dealer if the high voltage battery or
12-volt battery needs service. The
dealer has information on how to
recycle the high voltage battery.
There is also information available
at http://www.recyclemybattery.com.
Keep the vehicle plugged in, even
when fully charged, to keep the high
voltage battery temperature ready
for the next drive and prolong
battery life. This is important when
outside temperatures are extremely
hot or cold.
A vehicle cover, which can reduce
sun loading on the vehicle and
improve high voltage battery life, is
available from your dealer. Refer to the replacement number
shown on the original battery label
when a new 12-volt battery is
needed. The vehicle has an
Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) 12-volt
battery. Installation of a standard
12-volt battery will result in reduced
12-volt battery life.
When using a 12-volt battery
charger on the 12-volt AGM battery,
some chargers have an AGM
battery setting on the charger.
If available, use the AGM setting on
the charger, to limit charge voltage
to 14.8 volts. Follow the charger
manufacturer's instructions.
{Warning
WARNING:
Battery posts,
terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Batteries also
contain other chemicals known to
(Continued)