2021 CHEVROLET BOLT EV wheel

Chevrolet Bolt EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14637856) - 2021 - CRC - 10/2/20
150 Driving and Operating
If power steering assist is lost due to a
system malfunction, the vehicle can be
steered, but may require increased effort.
If the steering wheel is turned until it
reaches the end of its travel and is held
against that position for an extended period
of time, power steering assist may be
reduced.
If the steering assist is used for an extended
period of time while the vehicle is not
moving, power assist may be reduced.
Normal use of the power steering assist
should return when the system cools down.
See your dealer if there is a problem.
Curve Tips
.Take curves at a reasonable speed.
.Reduce speed before entering a curve.
.Maintain a reasonable steady speed
through the curve.
.Wait until the vehicle is out of the curve
before accelerating gently into the
straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
.There are some situations when steering
around a problem may be more effective
than braking.
.Holding both sides of the steering wheel
allows you to turn 180 degrees without
removing a hand.
.Antilock Brake System (ABS) allows
steering while braking.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can drop off the
edge of a road onto the shoulder while
driving. Follow these tips:1. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer the
vehicle so that it straddles the edge of
the pavement. 2. Turn the steering wheel about
one-eighth of a turn, until the right front
tire contacts the pavement edge.
3. Turn the steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.
Loss of Control
Skidding
There are three types of skids that
correspond to the vehicle's three control
systems:
.Braking Skid —wheels are not rolling.
.Steering or Cornering Skid —too much
speed or steering in a curve causes tires
to slip and lose cornering force.
.Acceleration Skid —too much throttle
causes the driving wheels to spin.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking
reasonable care suited to existing conditions,
and by not overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible.
If the vehicle starts to slide, follow these
suggestions:
.Ease your foot off the accelerator pedal
and steer the way you want the vehicle
to go. The vehicle may straighten out. Be
ready for a second skid if it occurs.

Chevrolet Bolt EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14637856) - 2021 - CRC - 10/2/20
152 Driving and Operating
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or with
the vehicle turned off is dangerous. The
brakes will have to do all the work of
slowing down the vehicle and could
become too hot. Hot brakes may not be
able to slow the vehicle enough to
maintain speed and control. You could
crash. Always have the vehicle running
and in gear when going downhill. This
will allow the electric drive unit to assist
in slowing and maintaining speed.
.Drive at speeds to keep the vehicle in its
own lane. Do not swing wide or cross the
center line.
.Be alert on top of hills. Something could
be in your lane (e.g., stalled car, crash).
.Pay attention to special road signs (e.g.,
falling rocks area, winding roads, long
grades, passing or no-passing zones) and
take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and the road
creates less traction or grip, so drive
carefully. Wet ice can occur at about 0 °C
(32 °F) when freezing rain begins to fall.
Avoid driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Recommend using D (Drive) in slippery
conditions.
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating too quickly
causes the wheels to spin and makes the
surface under the tires slick.
.Turn on the Traction Control
System (TCS).
.The Antilock Brake System (ABS) improves
vehicle stability during hard stops, but
the brakes should be applied sooner than
when on dry pavement.
.Allow greater following distance and
watch for slippery spots. Icy patches can
occur on otherwise clear roads in shaded
areas. The surface of a curve or an
overpass can remain icy when thesurrounding roads are clear. Avoid sudden
steering maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
.Turn off cruise control.
.Avoid using Regen on Demand paddle.
Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be a serious
situation. Stay with the vehicle unless there
is help nearby. If possible, use Roadside
Assistance. See
Roadside Assistance Program
0 266. To get help and keep everyone in
the vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror.
To save energy, run the vehicle for only
short periods as needed to warm the vehicle
and then shut the vehicle 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.

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
160 Driving and Operating
Press SPORT to select Sport Mode.
Press SPORT again to return to
Normal Mode.
An indicator will display in the instrument
cluster.
Each time the vehicle is started, it will
return to Normal Mode.
Sport Mode may be unavailable if the
battery charge is too low.
Electric Drive Unit
The vehicle uses an electric drive unit. The
shift lever always starts from a center
position. An amber dot is displayed on the
shift pattern. After releasing the shift lever,
it will return to the center position.
P :This position locks the drive wheels. Use
P (Park) when starting the vehicle to ensure
the vehicle does not move.
{Warning
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle
if the P (Park) button is not pressed with
the parking brake set. The vehicle
can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
propulsion system is running. If you have
left the propulsion system running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the vehicle
will not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set the
parking brake and press the P (Park)
button.

Chevrolet Bolt EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14637856) - 2021 - CRC - 10/2/20
Driving and Operating 161
The shift lock release button is designed to
prevent inadvertent shifting out of P (Park)
unless the vehicle has been started, the
brake pedal is applied, and the shift lock
release button is pressed.
When the vehicle is stopped, apply the
brakes and press the button on top of the
shift lever to shift to P (Park).
The vehicle will not shift into P (Park) if it is
moving too fast. Stop the vehicle and shift
into P (Park).
To shift in and out of P (Park), see Shifting
Into Park and Shifting out of Park.
R :Use this gear to back up.
If the vehicle is shifted from either
R (Reverse) to D (Drive), or D (Drive) to
R (Reverse) while the speed is too high, the
vehicle will shift to N (Neutral). Reduce the
vehicle speed and try the shift again.
To shift into R (Reverse): 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. From the center position, move the shift lever forward, and then to the left. R is
illuminated in red.
3. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position. To shift out of R (Reverse):
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.
At low vehicle speeds, R (Reverse) can be
used to rock the vehicle back and forth to
get out of snow, ice, or sand without
damaging the electric drive unit.
N : In this position, the propulsion system
does not connect with the wheels. To restart
the propulsion system when the vehicle is
already moving, use N (Neutral) only.
Caution
The vehicle is not designed to stay in
N (Neutral) for extended periods of time.
It will automatically shift into P (Park).
To shift into N (Neutral): 1. From the center position, move the shift lever forward. If the vehicle is in P (Park),
apply the brake pedal and press the shift
lock release button while moving the
shift lever forward. The shift lever
indicator is illuminated in red.
2. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position. To shift out of N (Neutral):
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.
Car Wash Mode
This vehicle includes a Car Wash Mode that
allows the vehicle to remain in N (Neutral)
for use in automatic car washes.
Car Wash Mode (Vehicle Off) - Driver In
Vehicle
To place the vehicle in N (Neutral) with the
vehicle off and occupied:
1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Shift to N (Neutral).
4. Turn off the vehicle and release the brake pedal.
5. The indicator should continue to show N. If it does not, repeat Steps 2–4.
6. The vehicle is now ready for the car wash.

Chevrolet Bolt EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14637856) - 2021 - CRC - 10/2/20
164 Driving and Operating
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows steering and braking at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can
help even more than braking.
Electric Parking Brake
The vehicle has an Electric Parking Brake
(EPB). The EPB can always be activated, even
if the vehicle is off.
The system has a red parking brake status
light and an amber parking brake warning
light.
There are also parking brake-related Driver
Information Center (DIC) messages.In case of insufficient electrical power, the
EPB cannot be applied or released.
Before leaving the vehicle, check the red
parking brake status light to ensure that the
parking brake is applied.
EPB Apply
To apply the EPB:
1. Be sure the vehicle is at a complete stop.
2. Pull the EPB switch momentarily.
The red parking brake status light will flash
and then stay on once the EPB is fully
applied. If the red parking brake status light
flashes continuously, then the EPB is only
partially applied or there is a problem with
the EPB. A DIC message will display. Release
the EPB and try to apply it again. If the
light does not come on, or keeps flashing,
have the vehicle serviced. Do not drive the
vehicle if the red parking brake status light
is flashing. See your dealer.
If the amber parking brake warning light is
on, lift up on the EPB switch and hold it up.
Continue to hold the switch until the red
parking brake status light remains on. If the
amber parking brake warning light is still
on, see your dealer. If the EPB is applied while the vehicle is
moving, the vehicle will decelerate as long
as the switch is held up. If the switch is held
up until the vehicle comes to a stop, the
EPB will remain applied.
The vehicle may automatically apply the EPB
in some situations when the vehicle is not
moving. This is normal, and is done to
periodically check the correct operation of
the EPB system.
If the EPB fails to apply, block the rear
wheels to prevent vehicle movement.
EPB Release
To release the EPB:
1. Press POWER
Oto start the vehicle.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Press momentarily on the EPB switch.
The EPB is released when the red parking
brake status light is off.
If the amber parking brake warning light is
on, release the EPB by pressing down on the
EPB switch and holding it down. Continue to
hold the switch until the red parking brake
status light is off. If either light stays on
after release is attempted, see your dealer.

Chevrolet Bolt EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14637856) - 2021 - CRC - 10/2/20
Driving and Operating 165
Caution
Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause
premature wear or damage to brake
system parts. Make sure that the parking
brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
Automatic EPB Release
The EPB will automatically release if the
vehicle is running, placed into gear, and an
attempt is made to drive away. Avoid rapid
acceleration when the EPB is applied, to
preserve parking brake lining life.
Brake Assist
Brake Assist detects rapid brake pedal
applications due to emergency braking
situations and provides additional braking to
activate the Antilock Brake System (ABS) if
the brake pedal is not pushed hard enough
to activate ABS normally. Minor noise, brake
pedal pulsation, and/or pedal movement
during this time may occur. Continue to
apply the brake pedal as the driving
situation dictates. Brake Assist disengages
when the brake pedal is released.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
{Warning
Do not rely on the HSA feature. HSA does
not replace the need to pay attention
and drive safely. You may not hear or
feel alerts or warnings provided by this
system. Failure to use proper care when
driving may result in injury, death,
or vehicle damage. SeeDefensive Driving
0 148.
When the vehicle is stopped on a grade, Hill
Start Assist (HSA) prevents the vehicle from
rolling in an unintended direction during the
transition from brake pedal release to
accelerator pedal apply. The brakes release
when the accelerator pedal is applied. If the
accelerator pedal is not applied within a few
minutes, the Electric Parking Brake will
apply. The brakes may also release under
other conditions. Do not rely on HSA to hold
the vehicle.
HSA is available when the vehicle is facing
uphill in a forward gear, or when facing
downhill in R (Reverse). The vehicle must
come to a complete stop on a grade for HSA
to activate.
Regenerative Braking
Some braking energy from the moving
vehicle is turned back into electrical energy.
This energy is then stored back into the
high voltage battery system, increasing
energy efficiency.
Regen on Demand
Regen on Demand allows increased
deceleration by pressing and holding the
steering wheel paddle. It works in D (Drive)
and L (Low). The accelerator pedal can be
used to manage deceleration while using
Regen on Demand.

Chevrolet Bolt EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14637856) - 2021 - CRC - 10/2/20
166 Driving and Operating
Cruise control will turn off and the brake
lamps may come on when this feature is
activated.
If the vehicle is in D (Drive) and is brought
to a complete stop while the Regen on
Demand paddle is held, the vehicle will not
creep forward when the paddle is released.
The accelerator pedal must be pressed to
move the vehicle forward. See“One-Pedal
Driving” underElectric Drive Unit 0160.
If the vehicle is on a steep grade, the brake
pedal must be used to hold the vehicle.
Regenerative power may be limited when
the battery is near full charge or cold. The
regen battery icon will appear gray when
limited. The regen power limit is also
displayed as a horizontal bar on the power
indicator gauge.
Avoid using Regen On Demand under
slippery road conditions. Under Regenerative
Power Limited Condition, the amount of
vehicle deceleration will be limited. Use the
brake pedal as the primary braking device.Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control System
(TCS) and StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability
Control (ESC), an electronic stability control
system. These systems help limit wheel slip
and assist the driver in maintaining control,
especially on slippery road conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any of the
drive wheels are spinning or beginning to
lose traction. When this happens, TCS
applies the brakes to the spinning wheels
and reduces propulsion system power to
limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak/ESC activates when the vehicle
senses a difference between the intended
path and the direction the vehicle is actually
traveling. StabiliTrak/ESC selectively applies
braking pressure to any one of the vehicle
wheel brakes to assist the driver in keeping
the vehicle on the intended path. If cruise control is being used and TCS or
StabiliTrak/ESC begins to limit wheel spin,
cruise control will disengage. Cruise control
may be turned back on when road
conditions allow.
Both systems come on automatically when
the vehicle is started and begins to move.
The systems may be heard or felt while
they are operating or while performing
diagnostic checks. This is normal and does
not mean there is a problem with the
vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both systems on
for normal driving conditions, but it may be
necessary to turn TCS off if the vehicle gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. See
“Turning the Systems Off and On”
later in
this section.
The indicator light for both systems is in the
instrument cluster. This light will:
.Flash when TCS is limiting wheel spin.
.Flash when StabiliTrak/ESC is activated.