Chevrolet BOLT EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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254 Vehicle Care
Used Replacement Wheels
{Warning
Replacing a wheel with a used one is
dangerous. How it has been used or how
far it has been driven may be unknown.
It could fail suddenly and cause a crash.
When replacing wheels, use a new GM
original equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
{Warning
Do not use tire chains. There is not
enough clearance. Tire chains used on a
vehicle without the proper amount of
clearance can cause damage to the
brakes, suspension, or other vehicle parts.
The area damaged by the tire chains
could cause loss of control and a crash.
Use another type of traction device only
if its manufacturer recommends it for the
vehicle's tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer's
instructions. To avoid vehicle damage,
drive slow and readjust or remove the(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
traction device if it contacts the vehicle.
Do not spin the wheels. If traction
devices are used, install them on the
front tires.
If a Tire Goes Flat
The vehicle has no spare tire, no tire
changing equipment, and no place to store
a tire.
If the vehicle has self-sealing tires, see
Self-Sealing Tires0239. Tread punctures
typically will not cause tires to lose air.
However, if the vehicle does get a flat tire,
there is no spare tire, tire changing
equipment, or place to store a tire. Contact
Roadside Assistance for help.
It is unusual for a tire to blow out while
driving, especially if the tires are maintained
properly. See Tires0238. If air goes out of
a tire, it is much more likely to leak out
slowly. But if there is ever a blowout, here
are a few tips about what to expect and
what to do.
If a front tire fails, the flat tire creates a
drag that pulls the vehicle toward that side.
Take your foot off the accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly. Steer to
maintain lane position, and then gently
brake to a stop, well off the road,
if possible.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts
much like a skid and may require the same
correction as used in a skid. Stop pressing
the accelerator pedal and steer to straighten
the vehicle. It may be very bumpy and
noisy. Gently brake to a stop, well off the
road, if possible.
{Warning
Driving on a flat tire will cause
permanent damage to the tire.
Re-inflating a tire after it has been driven
on while severely underinflated or flat
may cause a blowout and a serious crash.
Never attempt to re-inflate a tire that has
been driven on while severely
underinflated or flat. Have your dealer or
an authorized tire service center repair or
replace the flat tire as soon as possible.
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and
wheel damage by driving slowly to a level
place, well off the road, if possible. Turn on
the hazard warning flashers. See Hazard
Warning Flashers 0109.
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Vehicle Care 263
Jumper Cable Removal
Reverse the sequence exactly when
removing the jumper cables.
Towing the Vehicle
Caution
Incorrectly transporting a disabled vehicle
may cause damage to the vehicle. Use
proper tire straps to secure the vehicle to
the flatbed tow truck. Do not strap or
hook to any frame, underbody,
or suspension component not specified
below. Do not move vehicles with drive
axle tires on the ground. Damage is not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Caution
The vehicle may be equipped with an
electric parking brake and/or an
electronic shifter. In the event of a loss of
12-volt battery power, the electric parking
brake cannot be released, and the vehicle
cannot be shifted to N (Neutral). Tire
skates or dollies must be used under the
non-rolling tires to prevent damage while
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
loading/unloading the vehicle. Dragging
the vehicle will cause damage not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Caution
The vehicle may be equipped with a tow
eye. Improper use of the tow eye may
cause damage to the vehicle and is not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
If equipped, use the tow eye to load the
vehicle onto a flatbed tow truck from a
flat road surface, or to move the vehicle
a very short distance at a walking pace.
The tow eye is not designed for off-road
recovery. The vehicle must be in
N (Neutral) with the electric parking
brake released when using the tow eye.
Contact a professional towing service if the
disabled vehicle must be transported. GM
recommends a flatbed tow truck to
transport a disabled vehicle. Use ramps to
help reduce approach angles, if necessary.
If equipped, a tow eye may be located near
the spare tire or emergency jack. Do not use
the tow eye to pull the vehicle from the snow, mud, sand, or ditch. Tow eye threads
may have right or left-hand threads. Use
caution when installing or removing the
tow eye.
The vehicle must be in N (Neutral) and the
electric parking brake must be released
when loading the vehicle onto a flatbed tow
truck..If the vehicle is equipped with car wash
mode and has 12-volt battery power, refer
to
“Car Wash Mode” underElectric Drive
Unit 0169 to place the vehicle in
N (Neutral).
.If the 12-volt battery is dead and/or the
engine will not start, the vehicle will not
move. Try to jump start the vehicle. Refer
to Jump Starting - North America 0260
and if the jump start is successful, retry
the “Car Wash Mode” procedure.
.If jump starting is unsuccessful, the
vehicle will not move. Tire skates or
dollies must be used under the non-rolling
tires to prevent vehicle damage.
Chevrolet BOLT EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
15082216) - 2022 - CRC - 6/25/21
264 Vehicle Care
Front Tow Eye Attachment Point
Carefully open the cover in the fascia by
using the small notch that conceals the tow
eye socket.
Install the tow eye into the socket and turn
it until it is fully tightened. When the tow
eye is removed, reinstall the cover with the
notch in the original position.
Rear Tow Eye Attachment Point
Carefully open the cover in the fascia by
using the small notch that conceals the tow
eye socket.
Chevrolet BOLT EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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Vehicle Care 265
Install the tow eye into the socket and turn
it until it is fully tightened. When the tow
eye is removed, reinstall the cover with the
notch in the original position.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing
the vehicle behind another vehicle, such as
behind a motor home. The two most
common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as dinghy towing and
dolly towing. Dinghy towing is towing the
vehicle with all four wheels on the ground.
Dolly towing is towing the vehicle with two
wheels on the ground and two wheels up
on a device known as a dolly.Here are some important things to consider
before recreational vehicle towing:
.Before towing the vehicle, become
familiar with the local laws that apply to
recreational vehicle towing. These laws
may vary by region.
.What is the towing capacity of the
towing vehicle? Be sure to read the tow
vehicle manufacturer's recommendations.
.How far will the vehicle be towed? Some
vehicles have restrictions on how far and
how long they can tow.
.Does the vehicle have the proper towing
equipment? See your dealer or trailering
professional for additional advice and
equipment recommendations.
.Is the vehicle ready to be towed? Just as
preparing the vehicle for a long trip,
make sure the vehicle is prepared to be
towed.
Caution
Use of a shield mounted in front of the
vehicle grille could restrict airflow and
cause damage to the electric drive unit.
The repairs would not be covered by the
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
vehicle warranty. If using a shield, only
use one that attaches to the towing
vehicle.
Dinghy Towing
Caution
If the vehicle is towed with all four
wheels on the ground, the drivetrain
components could be damaged. The
repairs would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Do not tow the vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground.
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266 Vehicle Care
The vehicle was not designed to be towed
with all four wheels on the ground. If the
vehicle must be towed, a dolly should be
used. See“Dolly Towing” following.
Dolly Towing
Tow the vehicle with the two rear wheels
on the ground and the front wheels on a
dolly.
To tow the vehicle from the front with the
rear wheels on the ground:
1. Put the front wheels on the dolly.
2. Shift the vehicle into P (Park). See Shifting Into Park 0167.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Secure the vehicle to the dolly. 5. Follow the dolly manufacturer's
instructions for preparing the vehicle and
dolly for towing.
6. Release the parking brake.
7. Turn the vehicle off.
8. Open the hood.
9. Wait two minutes.
10. Disconnect the negative (-) terminal connector from the 12-volt battery.
11. Close and latch the hood.
Towing the Vehicle from the Rear
Caution
Towing the vehicle from the rear could
damage it. Also, repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Never
have the vehicle towed from the rear.
Appearance Care
Exterior Care
Locks
Locks are lubricated at the factory. Use a
de-icing agent only when absolutely
necessary, and have the locks greased after
using.
Washing the Vehicle
To preserve the vehicle's finish, wash it
often and out of direct sunlight.
Caution
Do not use petroleum-based, acidic,
or abrasive cleaning agents as they can
damage the vehicle's paint, metal,
or plastic parts. If damage occurs, it
would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Approved cleaning products can
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Vehicle Care 267
Caution (Continued)
be obtained from your dealer. Follow all
manufacturer directions regarding correct
product usage, necessary safety
precautions, and appropriate disposal of
any vehicle care product.
Caution
Avoid using high-pressure washes closer
than 30 cm (12 in) to the surface of the
vehicle. Use of power washers exceeding
8 274 kPa (1,200 psi) can result in
damage or removal of paint and decals.
If using an automatic car wash, follow the
car wash instructions. The windshield wiper
and rear window wiper, if equipped, must
be off. Remove any accessories that may be
damaged or interfere with the car wash
equipment.
Rinse the vehicle well, before washing and
after, to remove all cleaning agents
completely. If they are allowed to dry on
the surface, they could stain.
Dry the finish with a soft, clean chamois or
an all-cotton towel to avoid surface
scratches and water spotting. Cleaning Underhood Components
Caution
Do not power wash any component
under the hood that has this
e
symbol.
This could cause damage that would not
be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Solvents or aggressive cleaners may harm
underhood components. The usages of these
chemicals should be avoided.
Recommend water only.
A pressure washer may be used, but care
must be utilized. The following criteria must
be followed:
.Water pressure must be kept below
14 000 KPa (2,000 PSI).
.Water temperature must be below 80 °C
(180 °F).
.Spray nozzle with a 40 degree wide angle
spray pattern or wider must be used.
.Nozzle must be kept at least 30 cm (1 ft)
away from all surfaces.
Finish Care
Application of aftermarket clearcoat sealant/
wax materials is not recommended.
If painted surfaces are damaged, see your
dealer to have the damage assessed and
repaired. Foreign materials such as calcium
chloride and other salts, ice melting agents,
road oil and tar, tree sap, bird droppings,
chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage the vehicle's finish if they remain
on painted surfaces. Wash the vehicle as
soon as possible. If necessary, use
non-abrasive cleaners that are marked safe
for painted surfaces to remove foreign
matter.
Occasional hand waxing or mild polishing
should be done to remove residue from the
paint finish. See your dealer for approved
cleaning products.
Do not apply waxes or polishes to uncoated
plastic, vinyl, rubber, decals, simulated
wood, or flat paint as damage can occur.
Caution
Machine compounding or aggressive
polishing on a basecoat/clearcoat paint
finish may damage it. Use only
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268 Vehicle Care
Caution (Continued)
non-abrasive waxes and polishes that are
made for a basecoat/clearcoat paint finish
on the vehicle.
To keep the paint finish looking new, keep
the vehicle garaged or covered whenever
possible.
Protecting Exterior Bright Metal Moldings
Caution
Failure to clean and protect the bright
metal moldings can result in a hazy
white finish or pitting. This damage
would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
The bright metal moldings on the vehicle
are aluminum or stainless steel. To prevent
damage always follow these cleaning
instructions:
.Be sure the molding is cool to the touch
before applying any cleaning solution.
.Use a cleaning solution approved for
aluminum or stainless steel. Some
cleaners are highly acidic or contain
alkaline substances and can damage the
moldings.
.Always dilute a concentrated cleaner
according to the manufacturer’s
instructions.
.Do not use chrome cleaners.
.Do not use cleaners that are not intended
for automotive use.
.Use a nonabrasive wax on the vehicle
after washing to protect and extend the
molding finish.
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses,
Emblems, Decals, and Stripes
Use only lukewarm or cold water, a soft
cloth, and a car washing soap to clean
exterior lamps, lenses, emblems, decals and
stripes. Follow instructions under "Washing
the Vehicle" previously in this section.
Lamp covers are made of plastic, and some
have a UV protective coating. Do not clean
or wipe them while they are dry.
Do not use any of the following on lamp
covers:
.Abrasive or caustic agents.
.Washer fluids and other cleaning agents
in higher concentrations than suggested
by the manufacturer.
.Solvents, alcohols, fuels, or other harsh
cleaners.
.Ice scrapers or other hard items.
.Aftermarket appearance caps or covers
while the lamps are illuminated, due to
excessive heat generated.
Caution
Failure to clean lamps properly can cause
damage to the lamp cover that would
not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Caution
Using wax on low gloss black finish
stripes can increase the gloss level and
create a non-uniform finish. Clean low
gloss stripes with soap and water only.
Air Intakes
Clear debris from the air intakes, between
the hood and windshield, when washing the
vehicle.
Windshield and Wiper Blades
Clean the outside of the windshield with
glass cleaner.
Clean rubber blades using a lint-free cloth or
paper towel soaked with windshield washer
fluid or a mild detergent. Wash the
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Vehicle Care 269
windshield thoroughly when cleaning the
blades. Bugs, road grime, sap, and a buildup
of vehicle wash/wax treatments may cause
wiper streaking.
Replace the wiper blades if they are worn or
damaged. Damage can be caused by
extreme dusty conditions, sand, salt, heat,
sun, snow, and ice.
Weatherstrips
Apply weatherstrip lubricant on
weatherstrips to make them last longer, seal
better, and not stick or squeak. Lubricate
weatherstrips at least once a year. Hot, dry
climates may require more frequent
application. Black marks from rubber
material on painted surfaces can be removed
by rubbing with a clean cloth.
Tires
Use a stiff brush with tire cleaner to clean
the tires.
Caution
Using petroleum-based tire dressing
products on the vehicle may damage the
paint finish and/or tires. When applying a
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
tire dressing, always wipe off any
overspray from all painted surfaces on
the vehicle.
Wheels and Wheel Trim
Use a soft, clean cloth with mild soap and
water to clean the wheels. After rinsing
thoroughly with clean water, dry with a
soft, clean towel. A wax may then be
applied.
Caution
Chrome wheels and chrome wheel trim
may be damaged if the vehicle is not
washed after driving on roads that have
been sprayed with magnesium chloride or
calcium chloride. These are used on roads
for conditions such as dust and ice.
Always wash the chrome with soap and
water after exposure.
Caution
To avoid surface damage on wheels and
wheel trim, do not use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes, cleaners,
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
or brushes. Use only GM approved
cleaners. Do not drive the vehicle through
an automatic car wash that uses silicon
carbide tire/wheel cleaning brushes.
Damage could occur and the repairs
would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Brake System
Visually inspect brake lines and hoses for
proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear
and rotors for surface condition. Inspect
drum brake linings/shoes for wear or cracks.
Inspect all other brake parts.
Steering, Suspension, and Chassis
Components
Visually inspect steering, suspension, and
chassis components for damaged, loose,
or missing parts or signs of wear at least
once a year.
Inspect power steering for proper
attachment, connections, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc.