2021 CHEVROLET BOLT EV tires

Chevrolet Bolt EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14637856) - 2021 - CRC - 10/2/20
Driving and Operating 153
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 underhood
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. Turn
off TCS. Shift back and forth between
R (Reverse) and a low forward gear, spinning
the wheels as little as possible. 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 thatdoes not get the vehicle out after a few
tries, it might need to be towed out. See
Towing the Vehicle
0240.
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.
{Warning
Do not load the vehicle any heavier
than the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the maximum
front or rear Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). This can cause
systems to break and change the
way the vehicle handles. This could
cause loss of control and a crash.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Overloading can also reduce stopping
performance, damage the tires, and
shorten the life of the vehicle.
Tire and Loading Information Label
Label Example
A vehicle-specific Tire and Loading
Information label is attached to the
vehicle's center pillar (B-pillar). The Tire
and Loading Information label shows
the number of occupant seating

Chevrolet Bolt EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14637856) - 2021 - CRC - 10/2/20
154 Driving and Operating
positions (1), and the maximum vehicle
capacity weight (2) in kilograms and
pounds.
The Tire and Loading Information label
also shows the tire size of the original
equipment tires (3) and the
recommended cold tire inflation
pressures (4). For more information on
tires and inflation seeTires0216 and
Tire Pressure 0221.
There is also important loading
information on the Certification label.
It may show the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) and the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR) for the front and
rear axle. See “Certification Label” later
in this section.
“Steps for Determining Correct Load
Limit–
1.Locate the statement "The combined
weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed XXX kg or
XXX lbs." on your vehicle’s placard.
2.Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will
be riding in your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the
driver and passengers from XXX kg
or XXX lbs.
4.The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For example,
if the "XXX" amount equals 1400 lbs.
and there will be five 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400-750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.)
5.Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo and
luggage load capacity calculated in
Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult
this manual to determine how this reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your
vehicle.”
This vehicle is neither designed nor
intended to tow a trailer.
Example 1
1.Vehicle Capacity Weight for
Example 1 = 453 kg (1,000 lbs).
2.Subtract Occupant Weight @
68 kg (150 lbs) × 2 = 136 kg
(300 lbs).
3.Available Occupant and Cargo
Weight = 317 kg (700 lbs).

Chevrolet Bolt EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14637856) - 2021 - CRC - 10/2/20
162 Driving and Operating
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.
8. The vehicle may automatically shift into P (Park) upon reentry.
Car Wash Mode (Vehicle On) - Driver In
Vehicle
To place the vehicle in N (Neutral) with the
vehicle on and occupied: 1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Shift to N (Neutral).
4. Release the brake pedal. 5. The vehicle is now ready for the
car wash.
Car Wash Mode (Vehicle On) - Driver Out of
Vehicle
To place the vehicle in N (Neutral) with the
vehicle on 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). Then release the brake pedal.
5. The indicator should continue to show N. If it does not, repeat Steps 2–4.
6. Exit the vehicle and close the door. The vehicle is now ready for the car wash.
7. The vehicle may automatically shift into P (Park) upon reentry.
D : This position is for normal driving.
If more power is needed for passing, press
the accelerator pedal down.
To shift into D (Drive):
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop. 2. From the center position, move the shift
lever back. If the vehicle is in P (Park)
press the shift lock release button on the
side of the shift lever, while moving the
shift lever back. D is illuminated in red.
3. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position.
To shift out of D (Drive): 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.
Caution
Spinning the tires excessively may
damage the electric drive unit. The repair
will not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. If you are stuck, do not spin
the tires.
When stopping on a steep hill, use the
brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
When shifting to P (Park) on a hill, use the
brakes to hold the vehicle then shift to
P (Park).

Chevrolet Bolt EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14637856) - 2021 - CRC - 10/2/20
196 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
California Proposition 65 Warning . . . . . 197
California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . 197
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . 198
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Underhood Compartment Overview . . . 200
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 High Intensity Discharge (HID)
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . 210
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Underhood Compartment Fuse Block . . . 211
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Self-Sealing Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . 219
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . 222
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . 223
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . 227
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . 229
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . 229 Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . 231
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . 232
Storing the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . 238
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250

Chevrolet Bolt EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14637856) - 2021 - CRC - 10/2/20
Vehicle Care 203
{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
linings could result in costly brake
repairs.
Some driving conditions or climates can
cause a brake squeal when the brakes are
first applied, clearing up following several
applications. 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 linings for wear
and evenly tighten wheel nuts in the proper
sequence to torque specifications. See
Capacities and Specifications 0262.
Brake pads should be replaced as complete
axle 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 can
change in many ways if the wrong brake
parts are installed or if parts are improperly
installed.
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir is filled
with GM approved DOT 4 brake fluid as
indicated on the reservoir cap. See
Underhood Compartment Overview 0200
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.
When the brake fluid falls to a low level,
the brake warning light comes on. See Brake
System Warning Light 085.

Chevrolet Bolt EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14637856) - 2021 - CRC - 10/2/20
216 Vehicle Care
FusesUsage
F51 Steering wheel controls
backlighting
F52 -
F53 Auxiliary power outlet
F54 –
F55 Logistic
F56 –
F57 –
F59 –
Relays Usage
F58 Logistics relay
F60 Accessory/Retained
accessory power relay
Wheels and Tires
Tires
Every new GM vehicle has high-quality
tires made by a leading tire
manufacturer. See the warranty manual
for information regarding the tire warranty and where to get service. For
additional information refer to the tire
manufacturer.
{Warning
.Poorly maintained and improperly
used tires are dangerous.
.Overloading the tires can cause
overheating as a result of too
much flexing. There could be a
blowout and a serious crash. See
Vehicle Load Limits
0153.
.Underinflated tires pose the same
danger as overloaded tires. The
resulting crash could cause serious
injury. Check all tires frequently to
maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be
checked when the tires are cold.
.Overinflated tires are more likely
to be cut, punctured, or broken by
a sudden impact —such as when
hitting a pothole. Keep tires at the
recommended pressure.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Worn or old tires can cause a
crash. If the tread is badly worn,
replace them.
.Replace any tires that have been
damaged by impacts with
potholes, curbs, etc.
.Improperly repaired tires can cause
a crash. Only the dealer or an
authorized tire service center
should repair, replace, dismount,
and mount the tires.
.Do not spin the tires in excess of
56 km/h (35 mph) on slippery
surfaces such as snow, mud, ice,
etc. Excessive spinning may cause
the tires to explode.
All-Season Tires
This vehicle may come with all-season tires.
These tires are designed to provide good
overall performance on most road surfaces
and weather conditions. Original equipment
tires designed to GM's specific tire
performance criteria have a TPC specification
code molded onto the sidewall. Original

Chevrolet Bolt EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14637856) - 2021 - CRC - 10/2/20
Vehicle Care 217
equipment all-season tires can be identified
by the last two characters of this TPC code,
which will be“MS.”
Consider installing winter tires on the
vehicle if frequent driving on snow or
ice-covered roads is expected. All-season tires
provide adequate performance for most
winter driving conditions, but they may not
offer the same level of traction or
performance as winter tires on snow or
ice-covered roads. See Winter Tires0217.
Winter Tires
This vehicle was not originally equipped
with winter tires. Winter tires are designed
for increased traction on snow and
ice-covered roads. Consider installing winter
tires on the vehicle if frequent driving on ice
or snow covered roads is expected. See your
dealer for details regarding winter tire
availability and proper tire selection. Also,
see Buying New Tires 0228.
With winter tires, there may be decreased
dry road traction, increased road noise, and
shorter tread life. After changing to winter
tires, be alert for changes in vehicle
handling and braking.
If using winter tires:
.Use tires of the same brand and tread
type on all four wheel positions.
.Use only radial ply tires of the same size,
load range, and speed rating as the
original equipment tires.
Winter tires with the same speed rating as
the original equipment tires may not be
available for H, V, W, Y, and ZR speed rated
tires. If winter tires with a lower speed
rating are chosen, never exceed the tire's
maximum speed capability.
Self-Sealing Tires
This vehicle may have self-sealing tires.
These tires have a material inside that can
seal punctures from common road hazards,
such as nails and screws, in the tread area.
The tire may lose air pressure if the sidewall
is damaged or the tread puncture is too
large. If the Tire Pressure Monitor System
indicates the tire pressure is low, inspect the
tire for damage and inflate it to the
recommended pressure. If the tire is unable
to maintain the recommended pressure,
contact the nearest authorized GM servicing
facility immediately for inspection and repair
or replacement. To locate the nearest GM
servicing facility, call GM Customer
Assistance.
Caution
Do not drive on a deflated self-sealing
tire as this could damage the tire. Make
sure the tire is inflated to the
recommended pressure or have it
immediately repaired or replaced.
When tire replacement is needed replace
with a self-sealing tire, because the vehicle
does not come with a spare tire or tire
changing equipment.
Tire Sidewall Labeling
Useful information about a tire is
molded into its sidewall. The example
shows a typical passenger tire sidewall.

Chevrolet Bolt EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14637856) - 2021 - CRC - 10/2/20
218 Vehicle Care
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire Example
(1) Tire Size:The tire size is a
combination of letters and numbers
used to define a particular tire's width,
height, aspect ratio, construction type,
and service description. See the “Tire
Size” illustration later in this section.
(2) TPC Spec (Tire Performance Criteria
Specification)
:Original equipment tires
designed to GM's specific tire
performance criteria have a TPC
specification code molded onto the
sidewall. GM's TPC specifications meet
or exceed all federal safety guidelines. (3) DOT (Department of
Transportation)
:The Department of
Transportation (DOT) code indicates that
the tire is in compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation Motor
Vehicle Safety Standards.
DOT Tire Date of Manufacture
:The last
four digits of the TIN indicate the tire
manufactured date. The first two digits
represent the week and the last two
digits, the year. For example, the third
week of the year 2020 would have a
4-digit DOT date of 0320. Week 01 is
the first full week (Sunday through
Saturday) of each year.
(4) Tire Identification Number (TIN)
:
The letters and numbers following the
DOT code are the Tire Identification
Number (TIN). The TIN shows the
manufacturer and plant code, tire size,
and date the tire was manufactured.
The TIN is molded onto both sides of
the tire, although only one side may
have the date of manufacture. (5) Tire Ply Material
:The type of cord
and number of plies in the sidewall and
under the tread.
(6) Uniform Tire Quality Grading
(UTQG)
:Tire manufacturers are
required to grade tires based on three
performance factors: treadwear,
traction, and temperature resistance.
For more information see Uniform Tire
Quality Grading 0229.
(7) Maximum Cold Inflation Load
Limit
:Maximum load that can be
carried and the maximum pressure
needed to support that load.
Tire Designations
Tire Size
The example shows a typical passenger
vehicle tire size.
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire