2021 CHEVROLET BOLT EV lock

Chevrolet Bolt EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14637856) - 2021 - CRC - 10/2/20
146 Driving and Operating
Driving and Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better Energy Efficiency . . . . 147
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Impaired Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Power Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Starting and Stopping the Vehicle . . . . . 157
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . 158
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Electric Vehicle Operating Modes
Driver Selected Operating Modes . . . . . . 159
Electric Drive Unit
Electric Drive Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
One-Pedal Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Brakes
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Regenerative Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic StabilityControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Assistance Systems for Parking orBacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . 173
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) . . . 175
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Charging
When to Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Plug-In Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Delayed Charging Override . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Charging Status Feedback . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Charge Cord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Utility Interruption of Charging . . . . . . . 194
Electrical Requirements for Battery Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Trailer Towing
General Towing Information . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 195

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
Driving and Operating 151
.Slow down and adjust your driving
according to weather conditions. Stopping
distance can be longer and vehicle control
can be affected when traction is reduced
by water, snow, ice, gravel, or other
material on the road. Learn to recognize
warning clues—such as enough water,
ice, or packed snow on the road to make
a mirrored surface —and slow down
when you have any doubt.
.Try to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle
speed by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause the tires to
slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help avoid only
the braking skid.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle
traction and affect your ability to stop and
accelerate. Always drive slower in these
types of driving conditions and avoid driving
through large puddles and deep-standing or
flowing water.
{Warning
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They
might not work as well in a quick stop
and could cause pulling to one side. You
could lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of
water or a car/vehicle wash, lightly apply
the brake pedal until the brakes work
normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates strong
forces. Driving through flowing water
could cause the vehicle to be carried
away. If this happens, you and other
vehicle occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be very
cautious about trying to drive through
flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can build
up under the vehicle's tires so they actually
ride on the water. This can happen if the
road is wet enough and you are going fast
enough. When the vehicle is hydroplaning, it
has little or no contact with the road. There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to slow
down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet weather
driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
.Pass with caution.
.Keep windshield wiping equipment in
good shape.
.Keep the windshield washer fluid reservoir
filled.
.Have good tires with proper tread depth.
.Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through mountains
is different than driving on flat or rolling
terrain.
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in good
shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes, tires,
cooling system, and electric drive unit.
.Keep the vehicle in gear when going
down steep or long hills.

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 159
Shifting out of Park
To shift out of P (Park), the vehicle must be
on, the brake pedal must be applied, and
the charge cord must be unplugged.
This vehicle is equipped with an electric
drive unit. The shift lock release button is
designed to prevent inadvertent shifting out
of P (Park) unless the ignition is on, the
brake pedal is applied, and the shift lock
release button is pressed.
Parking the vehicle in extreme cold for
several days without the charge cord
connected may cause the vehicle not to
start. The vehicle will need to be plugged in
to allow the high voltage battery to be
warmed sufficiently.The shift lock is always functional except in
the case of an uncharged or low charged
12-volt battery (less than 9 volts).
If the vehicle has an uncharged 12-volt
battery or a 12-volt battery with low
voltage, try charging or jump starting the
12-volt battery.
To shift out of P (Park):
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Press POWER
Oto start the vehicle.
3. Verify that the vehicle is unplugged and the vehicle ready light is on.
4. Press the shift lock release button on the side of the shift lever.
5. Move the shift lever into the desired position.
6. The P indicator will turn white and the gear indicator on the shift lever will turn
red when the vehicle is no longer in
P (Park).
7. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position.
Extended Parking
It is best not to park with the vehicle
running. If the vehicle is left running, be
sure it will not move and there is adequate
ventilation.
See Shifting Into Park 0158.
If the vehicle is left parked and running with
the RKE transmitter outside the vehicle, it
will continue to run for up to an hour.
If the vehicle is left parked and running with
the RKE transmitter inside the vehicle, it will
continue to run for up to two hour.
The timer will reset if the vehicle is taken
out of P (Park) while it is running.
Electric Vehicle Operating
Modes
Driver Selected Operating Modes
Sport Mode
Sport Mode provides more responsive
acceleration than Normal Mode, but can
reduce efficiency. When the SPORT indicator
is not on, the vehicle is in Normal Mode.

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
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).