2023 CHEVROLET BOLT EV brake

Chevrolet BOLT EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16404388) - 2023 - CRC - 3/7/22
Driving and Operating 155
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 as far as it
can turn and is held with force in that
position for an extended period of time,
power steering assist may be reduced.
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.
.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

Chevrolet BOLT EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16404388) - 2023 - CRC - 3/7/22
156 Driving and Operating
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. (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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-
16404388) - 2023 - CRC - 3/7/22
Driving and Operating 157
{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 IceCaution
To avoid damage to the wheels and
brake components, always clear snow and
ice from inside the wheels and
underneath the vehicle before driving.
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:
.Turn off One-Pedal Driving.
.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 the
surrounding 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
0 281. 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.

Chevrolet BOLT EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16404388) - 2023 - CRC - 3/7/22
Driving and Operating 161
{Warning
Things inside the vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or
turn, or in a crash.
.Put things in the cargo area of the
vehicle. In the cargo area, put
them as far forward as possible.
Try to spread the weight evenly.
.Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so
that some of them are above the
tops of the seats.
.Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in the vehicle.
.Secure loose items in the vehicle.
.Do not leave a seat folded down
unless needed.
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In
Caution
Avoid making hard stops for the first
322 km (200 mi). During this time the
new brake linings are not yet broken in.
Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Following break-in, vehicle speed and load
can be gradually increased.
Power Button
The vehicle has an electronic pushbutton
start.
The remote key must be in the vehicle for
the system to operate. If the vehicle will not
start, place the remote key in the
transmitter pocket, inside the center console.
STOPPING THE VEHICLE/OFF : To turn the
vehicle off, apply the brakes, press the
P (Park) switch on the center console and
press POWER
O.
Alternatively, apply the brakes and press
POWER
O. The electric drive unit will shift
to P (Park) then shut off automatically.

Chevrolet BOLT EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16404388) - 2023 - CRC - 3/7/22
162 Driving and Operating
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) will remain
active until the driver door is opened.
If the vehicle must be shut off in an
emergency:1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brakes repeatedly. This
may deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be done while the vehicle is moving.
After shifting to N (Neutral), firmly apply
the brakes and steer the vehicle to a
safe location.
3. Come to a complete stop, shift to P (Park), and turn the vehicle off by
pressing POWER
O.
4. Set the parking brake.
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while moving may
disable the airbags. While driving, only
shut the propulsion system off in an
emergency.
If the vehicle cannot be pulled over, and
must be shut off while driving, press and
hold POWER
Ofor longer than two seconds,
or press twice in five seconds. ON/RUN :
This position is for starting and
driving. With the vehicle off, and the brake
pedal applied, pressing POWER
Oonce will
place the vehicle in ON/RUN. When the
vehicle ready light is on in the instrument
cluster, the vehicle is ready to be driven.
This could take up to 15 seconds at
extremely cold temperatures.
Service Mode
This power mode is available for service and
diagnostics, and to verify the proper
operation of the service vehicle soon light as
may be required for emission inspection
purposes. With the vehicle off, and the
brake pedal not applied, pressing and
holding POWER
Ofor more than
five seconds will place the vehicle in Service
Mode. The instruments and audio systems
will operate as they do in ON/RUN, but the
vehicle will not be able to be driven. The
propulsion system will not start in Service
Mode. Press POWER
Oagain to turn the
vehicle off.
Caution
Placing the vehicle in Service Mode will
use the 12-volt battery. Do not use
Service Mode for an extended period,
or the vehicle may not start.
Starting and Stopping the Vehicle
Starting Procedure
Shift the vehicle to P (Park) or N (Neutral).
The propulsion system will not start in any
other position.
Caution
Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving or the electric drive unit
could be damaged. Shift to P (Park) only
when the vehicle is stopped.
Caution
If you add electrical parts or accessories,
you could change the way the vehicle
operates. Any resulting damage would
not be covered by the vehicle warranty.

Chevrolet BOLT EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16404388) - 2023 - CRC - 3/7/22
Driving and Operating 163
The remote key must be in the vehicle.
Press the brake pedal, then press and
release POWER
O.
If the remote key is not in the vehicle or
something is interfering with the key, a
message displays in the Driver Information
Center (DIC).
If the vehicle will not start due to a low
remote key battery, the vehicle can still be
driven. See Remote Key Operation 07.
A vehicle ready light displays in the lower
right corner of the instrument cluster when
the vehicle is ready to be driven.
The instrument cluster also displays an
active battery gauge when the vehicle is
ready to be driven. Restarting Procedure
If the vehicle must be restarted while it is
still moving, press the N (Neutral) switch and
press POWER
Otwice without pressing the
brake pedal. The propulsion system will not
restart in any other position.
A chime will sound if the driver door is
opened while the vehicle is on. Always press
POWER
Oto turn the vehicle off before
exiting.
Stopping Procedure
For information on how to turn the vehicle
off, see Power Button 0161.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
The following features will operate for up to
10 minutes or until the driver door is
opened:
.Audio System
.Accessory Power Outlets
.Power Windows
Shifting Into Park
To shift into P (Park):
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking brake. See “Electric Parking
Brake.”
2. Press the P (Park) switch on the center console.
3. Turn the vehicle off.
If the vehicle is shifted into P (Park) on a
hill, the electric parking brake (EPB) may
apply automatically. The driver may not be
able to release the EPB using the EPB
switch. It should automatically release when
the vehicle is shifted out of P (Park).
Leaving the Vehicle with the Propulsion
System On
{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 (Continued)

Chevrolet BOLT EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16404388) - 2023 - CRC - 3/7/22
164 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
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.
If you have to leave the vehicle with the
propulsion system running, the vehicle must
be in P (Park) with the parking brake set
before leaving the vehicle. After pressing the
P (Park) button, hold down the regular brake
pedal. If you cannot see the P (Park)
indicator in the instrument cluster, the
vehicle has not shifted into P (Park).
Shifting out of Park
This vehicle is equipped with an electric
drive unit. To shift out of P (Park), the
vehicle must be on, the brake pedal must be
applied, and the charge cord must be
unplugged.
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.
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 or pull the desired shift switch on the center console. For N (Neutral) press
and hold the N (Neutral) switch until the
N indicator illuminates red.
The P indicator will turn white and the gear
indicator on the selected shift switch will
turn red when the vehicle is no longer in
P (Park).
If the vehicle cannot shift from P (Park), a
Driver Information Center (DIC) message
may be displayed. Check that the vehicle is
on, the vehicle ready light is on, and the
brake pedal is applied when you are
attempting to shift out of P (Park). If all of
these are met but the vehicle will not shift
out of P (Park), see your dealer for service.
Extended Parking
It is best not to park with the vehicle
running. If the vehicle is left on, be sure it
will not move.
See Shifting Into Park 0163.
If the vehicle is left parked and on with the
remote key outside the vehicle, it will
remain on for up to an hour.
If the vehicle is left parked and on with the
remote key inside the vehicle, it will remain
on for up to two hours.
The timer will reset if the vehicle is taken
out of P (Park) while it is on.
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-
16404388) - 2023 - CRC - 3/7/22
Driving and Operating 165
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 shift switches are on the center console.
The selected gear position will illuminate red
on the shift switch, while all others will be
displayed in white. If the shift is not
immediate, as in very cold conditions, the
indicator on the shift switch may flash until
it is fully engaged.
If POWER
Ois pressed twice while at a
relatively high speed, the vehicle will turn
off and automatically shift to N (Neutral).
Once the vehicle is stopped, P (Park) can be
selected. P :
This position locks the drive wheels. Use
P (Park) when starting the vehicle to prevent
the vehicle from moving easily.
{Warning
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle
if the P (Park) switch 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)
switch.
The R (Reverse) and D (Drive) shift switches
are designed to prevent inadvertent shifting
out of P (Park) unless the propulsion system
is on and the brake pedal is applied.
When the vehicle is stopped, press
POWER
Oto turn off the vehicle. The
vehicle will shift into P (Park) automatically
unless the vehicle is in N (Neutral). See “Car
Wash Mode” later in this section.