Chevrolet BOLT EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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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-
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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-
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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-
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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-
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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.
Chevrolet BOLT EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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168 Driving and Operating
.There is a problem with the propulsion
system.
To drive, press the accelerator pedal again
and the electric parking brake will
automatically disengage.
One-Pedal Driving may shift the car into
P (Park) if the vehicle is pushed once it has
been stopped or if a problem with the
propulsion system develops.
Brakes
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) helps
prevent a braking skid and maintain steering
while braking hard.
ABS performs a system check when the
vehicle is first driven. A momentary motor
or clicking noise may be heard while this
test is going on, and the brake pedal may
move slightly. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this warning
light stays on. See Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light 086.
ABS does not change the time needed to
get a foot on the brake pedal and does not
always decrease stopping distance. If you
get too close to the vehicle ahead, there will
not be enough time to apply the brakes if
that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room ahead to stop, even
with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake
pedal down firmly. Hearing or feeling ABS
operate is normal.
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 Electric Parking Brake (EPB) can always
be applied, even if the vehicle is off. In case
of insufficient electrical power, the EPB
cannot be applied or released. To prevent
draining the battery, avoid unnecessary
repeated cycles of the EPB.
The system has a red parking brake status
light and an amber service parking brake
warning light. See Electric Parking Brake
Light 085 and
Service Electric Parking Brake Light 085.
There are also parking brake-related Driver
Information Center (DIC) messages.
Chevrolet BOLT EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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Driving and Operating 169
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, 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 service parking brake warning
light is on, pull the EPB switch. Continue to
hold the switch until the red parking brake
status light remains on. If the amber service
parking brake warning light is on, see your
dealer. If the EPB is applied while the vehicle is
moving, the vehicle will decelerate as long
as the switch is pulled. If the switch is
pulled 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, or at the request of other
safety functions that utilize the EPB.
If the EPB fails to apply, block the rear
wheels to prevent vehicle movement.
EPB Release
To release the EPB:
1. Turn the vehicle on.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Press the EPB switch momentarily.
The EPB is released when the red parking
brake status light is off.
If the amber service parking brake warning
light is on, release the EPB by pressing and
holding the EPB switch. 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.
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.
Chevrolet BOLT EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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170 Driving and Operating
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
0 153.
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
Regenerative braking takes some of the
energy from the moving vehicle and turns it
back into electrical energy. This energy is
then stored back into the high voltage
battery system, contributing to increased
energy efficiency.
The brake system uses regenerative braking,
conventional hydraulic braking, or a
combination of both as appropriate.
The brake controller applies the hydraulic
brakes using a pump. The pump may be
heard during some braking, such as rapid
applies. This is normal.
Regen on Demand
Regen on Demand allows increased
deceleration by pressing and holding the
steering wheel paddle. It works in D (Drive).
Regen on Demand can add additional
regenerative braking when One-Pedal Drive
mode is enabled. The accelerator pedal can
be used to manage deceleration while using
Regen on Demand. See “One-Pedal Driving”
under Electric Drive Unit 0165.
If the vehicle 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.
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.
Cruise control will turn off and the brake
lamps may come on when this feature is
activated.