Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163007) - 2019 - CRC - 11/5/18
24 In Brief
.Mount the charging cord to
reduce strain on the electrical
outlet/plug.
{Danger
Improper use of portable electric
vehicle charge cords may cause
a fire, electrical shock, or burns,
and may result in damage to
property, serious injury, or death.
. Do not use extension cords,
multi-outlet power strips,
splitters, grounding
adaptors, surge protectors,
or similar devices.
. Do not use an electrical
outlet that is worn or
damaged, or will not hold
the plug firmly in place.
. Do not use an electrical
outlet that is not properly
grounded.
. Do not use an electrical
outlet that is on a circuit with
other electrical loads.
Charge Cord Status Indicators
See Charge Cord 0221.
Charge Level Selection
Charge level selection can be made
using the Portable Cord Limit
Preference screen on the center
stack. See “Portable Cord Limit
Preference” underProgrammable
Charging 0123.
{Warning
Using a charge level that exceeds
the electrical circuit or electrical
outlet capacity may start a fire or
damage the electrical circuit. Use
the lowest charge level until a
qualified electrician inspects the
electrical circuit capacity. Use the
lowest charge level if the
electrical circuit or electrical outlet
capacity is not known.
Fueling
The fuel system on this vehicle
requires a refueling process to
control evaporative emissions. To
refuel the vehicle:
1. Press the fuel door button on
the driver door for one second.
A WAIT TO REFUEL message
displays on the Driver
Information Center.
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163007) - 2019 - CRC - 11/5/18
In Brief 25
2. When the READY TO REFUELmessage displays, the fuel
door on the passenger side will
unlock. To open the fuel door,
push and release the rearward
center edge of the door.
3. Turn the fuel cap counterclockwise to remove.
While refueling, hang the fuel
cap tether from the hook on the
inside of the fuel door.
Complete refueling within
30 minutes of pressing the fuel
door button on the driver door.
If refueling after more than
30 minutes, press the fuel door
button again. 4. After refueling, reinstall the fuel
cap by turning it clockwise until
it clicks. Close the fuel door.
See Filling the Tank 0230.
Regenerative Braking
Regenerative braking takes some of
the energy from the moving vehicle
and turns it back into electrical
energy. This energy is then stored in
the high voltage battery system,
contributing to increased energy
efficiency.
Regen on Demand
This feature will slow the vehicle by
recapturing energy using the
steering wheel paddle.
See Regenerative Braking 0185.
Service
{Warning
Never try to do your own service
on high voltage components. You
can be injured and the vehicle
can be damaged if you try to do
your own service work. Service
and repair of these high voltage
components should only be
performed by a trained service
technician with the proper
knowledge and tools. See Doing
Your Own Service Work 0237.
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163007) - 2019 - CRC - 11/5/18
Instruments and Controls 111
Fuel Gauge
When the power button is on, the
fuel gauge indicates about how
much fuel is left in the tank.
There is an arrow near the fuel
gauge pointing to the side of the
vehicle the fuel door is on.
When the indicator nears empty, the
low fuel light comes on. There still is
a little fuel left, but the vehicle
should be refueled soon.Here are some things that owners
ask about. None of these show a
problem with the fuel gauge:
.
At the service station, the fuel
pump shuts off before the gauge
reads full.
. It takes a little more or less fuel
to fill up than the gauge
indicated. For example, the
gauge may have indicated the
tank was half full, but it actually
took a little more or less than
half the tank's capacity to fill
the tank.
. The gauge takes a few seconds
to stabilize after the vehicle is
turned on, and goes back to
empty when the vehicle is
turned off.
Driver Efficiency Gauge
This gauge appears on the left side
of the display in the Enhanced
layout.
This gauge is a guide for efficient
driving. Keep the ball green and in
the center of the gauge to help
maximize EV range and fuel
economy.
See Driving for Better Energy
Efficiency 027.
Accel : If the ball turns yellow and
travels above the center of the
gauge, acceleration is too
aggressive to optimize efficiency.
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163007) - 2019 - CRC - 11/5/18
Instruments and Controls 115
Caution
If the vehicle is driven continually
with this light on, the emission
control system may not work as
well, the fuel economy may be
lower, and the vehicle may not
run smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs that might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Caution
Modifications to the engine,
electric drive unit, exhaust, intake,
or fuel system, or the use of
replacement tires that do not
meet the original tire
specifications, can cause this light
to come on. This could lead to
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. This could also
affect the vehicle’s ability to pass(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
an Emissions Inspection/
Maintenance test. See
Accessories and Modifications
0237.
If the light is flashing : A
malfunction has been detected that
could damage the emission control
system and increase vehicle
emissions. Diagnosis and service
may be required.
To help prevent damage, reduce
vehicle speed and avoid hard
accelerations and uphill grades.
If the light continues to flash, find a
safe place to park. Turn the vehicle
off and wait at least 10 seconds
before restarting the engine. If the
light is still flashing, follow the
previous guidelines and see your
dealer for service as soon as
possible. If the light is on steady :
A
malfunction has been detected.
Diagnosis and service may be
required.
Check the following:
. A loose or missing fuel cap may
cause the light to come on. See
Filling the Tank 0230. A few
driving trips with the cap
properly installed may turn the
light off.
. Poor fuel quality can cause
inefficient engine operation and
poor driveability, which may go
away once the engine is warmed
up. If this occurs, change the
fuel brand. It may require at
least one full tank of the proper
fuel to turn the light off. See
Recommended Fuel 0229.
If the light remains on, see your
dealer.
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163007) - 2019 - CRC - 11/5/18
150 Climate Controls
Climate Controls
Climate Control Systems
Automatic Climate ControlSystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Air Vents
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Maintenance
Passenger Compartment AirFilter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Climate Control
Systems
Automatic Climate
Control System
The heating, cooling, and ventilation
for the vehicle can be controlled
with this system.
The vehicle may require the use of
an auxiliary heat source under
certain cold conditions. This
provides additional heating and
defrost capability obtained by
running the engine, even if the high voltage battery is adequately
charged. Under these conditions,
the engine will start and use fuel.
Make sure there is fuel in the tank.
Do not allow the vehicle to remain in
extreme temperatures for long
periods without being driven or
plugged in.
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163007) - 2019 - CRC - 11/5/18
164 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
.Adjust the climate control
system to circulate the air
inside the vehicle and set
the fan speed to the highest
setting. See “Climate
Control Systems.”
For more information about CO,
see Engine Exhaust 0180.
To save fuel, start the vehicle for
short periods to warm the vehicle
and then shut the engine off and
partially close the window. Moving
about to keep warm also helps.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
The Traction Control System (TCS)
must be turned off by pressing the
TCS/ESC button. Traction control is
not completely off, but will only
engage if the maneuver can cause
damage to the electric drive unit.
{Warning
If the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you
or others could be injured. The
vehicle can overheat, causing an
engine compartment fire or other
damage. Spin the wheels as little
as possible and avoid going
above 56 km/h (35 mph).
Rocking the Vehicle to Get
it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around the
front wheels. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a forward
gear, spinning the wheels as little as
possible. The Traction Control
System prevents the tires from
spinning at high speeds. To prevent
electric drive unit wear, wait until the
wheels stop spinning before shifting
gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while shifting, and press
lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the electric drive unit is in
gear. Slowly spinning the wheels in the forward and reverse directions
causes a rocking motion that could
free the vehicle. If that does not get
the vehicle out after a few tries, it
might need to be towed out. If the
vehicle does need to be towed out,
see
Towing the Vehicle 0305.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how
much weight the vehicle can
carry. This weight is called the
vehicle capacity weight and
includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options.
Two labels on the vehicle may
show how much weight it may
properly carry: the Tire and
Loading Information label and
the Certification label.
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163007) - 2019 - CRC - 11/5/18
Driving and Operating 167
Example 2
1.Vehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 2 = 453 kg
(1,000 lbs).
2.Subtract Occupant
Weight @ 68 kg (150 lbs)
× 5 = 340 kg (750 lbs).
3.Available Cargo Weight
= 113 kg (250 lbs).
Example 3
1.Vehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 3 = 453 kg
(1,000 lbs).
2.Subtract Occupant
Weight @ 91 kg
(200 lbs) × 5 = 453 kg
(1,000 lbs).
3.Available Cargo Weight
= 0 kg (0 lbs).
Refer to the vehicle's Tire and
Loading Information label for
specific information about the
vehicle's capacity weight and
seating positions. The combined weight of the driver, passengers,
and cargo should never exceed
the vehicle's capacity weight.
Certification Label
Label Example
A vehicle-specific Certification
label is attached to the vehicle's
center pillar (B-pillar). The label
may show the gross weight
capacity of the vehicle, called
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR). The GVWR includes
the weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, fuel, and cargo.
Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12163007) - 2019 - CRC - 11/5/18
Driving and Operating 231
Warning (Continued)
.Keep children away from
the fuel pump and never let
children pump fuel.
. Fuel can spray out if the fuel
cap is opened too quickly.
This spray can happen if the
tank is nearly full, and is
more likely in hot weather.
Open the fuel cap slowly
and wait for any hiss noise
to stop, then unscrew the
cap all the way.
The fuel system on this vehicle
requires a refueling process to
control evaporative emissions. To
refuel the vehicle:
1. Press the fuel door button on the driver door for one second.
A WAIT TO REFUEL message
displays on the Driver
Information Center.2. When the READY TO REFUELmessage displays, the fuel
door on the passenger side will
unlock. To open the fuel door,
push and release the rearward
center edge of the door.
3. Turn the fuel cap counterclockwise to remove.
While refueling, hang the fuel
cap tether from the hook on the
inside of the fuel door.
Complete refueling within
30 minutes of pressing the fuel
door button on the driver door.
If refueling after more than
30 minutes, press the fuel door
button again.