engine CHEVROLET VOLT 2011 Owner's Guide

Black plate (50,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
5-50 Instruments and Controls
Propulsion Power
Messages
PROPULSION POWER IS
REDUCED
This message displays when the
propulsion power is reduced and
can affect the ability to accelerate.
If this message is on, but there
is no reduction in performance,
proceed to your destination.
The performance may be reduced
the next time the vehicle is driven.
The vehicle may be driven at a
reduced speed while this message
is on, but maximum acceleration
and speed may be reduced.
If this message stays on when
the malfunction indicator lamp is
on, the vehicle should be taken to
your dealer for service as soon as
possible.This message can display when
driving in mountainous terrain
without using Mountain Mode or by
not entering Mountain Mode soon
enough to build a sufficient battery
charge reserve before climbing
steep grades. This is normal
operation to protect the high
voltage battery. Only if both
the PROPULSION POWER IS
REDUCED message and the
malfunction indicator lamp are
on should the vehicle be taken
to the dealer for service.
While climbing the grade with this
message displayed, the vehicle
speed may be reduced until the
engine can recover the battery
state of charge to a normal level.
See
“Mountain Mode” underDriver
Selected Operating Modes on
page 9‑26.
Ride Control System
Messages
LOW TRACTION
This message displays when the
Antilock Brake System (ABS) is
active and is working to assist the
driver with control of the vehicle in
difficult driving conditions.
SERVICE STABILITRAK
This message displays when
there is a problem detected with
the StabiliTrak system. The vehicle
is safe to drive, but the StabiliTrak
system is not operational.
See Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) on page 9‑39 for information
on resetting the system.

Black plate (51,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-51
SERVICE TRACTION
CONTROL
This message displays when there
is a problem detected with the
Traction Control System (TCS).
The vehicle is safe to drive, but the
TCS is not operational. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 9‑37
for information on resetting the
system.
Airbag System Messages
SERVICE AIRBAG
This message displays if there is
a problem with the airbag system.
Take the vehicle to your dealer for
service.
Anti-theft Alarm System
Messages
SERVICE THEFT ALARM
This message displays if there is a
problem with the alarm. See your
dealer for service.
SERVICE THEFT DETERRENT
SYSTEM
This message displays if there is
a problem with the theft-deterrent
system. See your dealer for service.
Service Vehicle Messages
ENGINE MAINTENANCE XXX%
COMPLETE
This message displays when
the Engine Maintenance Mode is
running. See “Engine Maintenance
Mode” underMaintenance Modes
on page 9‑28.
ENGINE NOT AVAILABLE
SERVICE SOON
This message displays when the
engine is not available due to a
malfunction that will not allow the
engine to start. The vehicle can
continue to be driven in Electric
Mode until the battery is depleted,
but will have reduced acceleration.
When this message is displayed,
the vehicle should be taken to
your dealer for service as soon as
possible. See Out of Fuel/Engine
Unavailable on page 9‑28.
SERVICE AC SYSTEM
This message displays if there is a
problem with the air conditioning
system. Take the vehicle to your
dealer for service.
SERVICE HEATER SOON
This message displays if there is
a problem with the heater system.
Take the vehicle to your dealer for
service.

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
7-2 Infotainment System
Introduction
Infotainment
The vehicle has a navigation system
with an AM-FM radio. Read the
following pages to become familiar
with its features.
{WARNING
Taking your eyes off the road
for extended periods could
cause a crash resulting in
injury or death to you or others.
Do not give extended attention to
entertainment tasks while driving.This system provides access to
many audio and non‐audio listings.
To minimize taking your eyes off the
road while driving, do the following
while the vehicle is parked:
.Become familiar with the
operation and controls of
the audio system.
.Set up the tone, speaker
adjustments, and preset
radio stations.
For more information, see Defensive
Driving on page 9‑4. Notice:
Contact your dealer
before adding any equipment.
Adding audio or communication
equipment could interfere with
the operation of the engine,
radio, or other systems, and
could damage them. Follow
federal rules covering mobile
radio and telephone equipment.
The vehicle has Retained
Accessory Power (RAP). With RAP,
the audio system can be played
even after the vehicle is turned off.
See Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) on page 9‑22 for more
information.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Climate Controls 8-1
Climate Controls
Climate Control Systems
Automatic Climate ControlSystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Air Vents
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
Climate Control
Systems
Automatic Climate
Control System
The climate control buttons and the
touch screen are used to adjust the
heating, cooling, and ventilation.
The vehicle may require the
use of an auxiliary heat source
under certain cold conditions. This provides additional heating
and defrost capability obtained
by running the engine, even if the
high voltage battery is adequately
charged. Under these conditions,
the engine will start and use fuel.
Make sure there is fuel in the tank.
Do not allow the vehicle to remain
in extreme temperatures for long
periods without being driven or
being plugged in.

Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
8-8 Climate Controls
Rear Window Defogger
=(Rear Window Defogger):
Press to turn the rear window
defogger on or off.
The rear window defogger
turns off automatically after about
five minutes. If turned on again,
it runs for about five minutes
before turning off. The defogger
can also be turned off by turning
the vehicle off.
For vehicles with heated outside
rearview mirrors, they turn on when
the rear window defogger button
is on and help to clear fog or frost
from the surface of the mirror.
See Heated Mirrors on page 2‑16. Notice:
Do not try to clear frost
or other material from the inside
of the front windshield and rear
window with a razor blade or
anything else that is sharp.
This may damage the rear
window defogger grid and affect
the radio's ability to pick up
stations clearly. The repairs
wouldn't be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Remote Start: For vehicles with
this feature, the climate control
system may be started by using
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter. The climate control
system will default to an appropriate
heating or cooling mode.
See Remote Start on page 2‑8.
The rear window defogger turns on
if it is cold outside.
Compressor
The vehicle has an electric powered
air conditioning compressor.
This allows for continuous air
conditioning and/or high voltage
battery cooling operation, without
running the engine.
The compressor operating speed
is not tied to the engine speed, so
some noise may be heard from the
compressor, especially when air
conditioning use is high and the
engine has turned off. This is
normal.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-1
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better EnergyEfficiency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-8
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-8
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . 9-9
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 9-10
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-11
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 9-13
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . 9-14
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . 9-18
Power Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-18
Starting and Stopping the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22 Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Electric Vehicle Operating
Modes
System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Electric Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Extended Range Mode . . . . . . 9-25
Driver Selected OperatingModes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Out of Fuel/Engine Unavailable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28
Maintenance Modes . . . . . . . . . 9-28
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-31
Electric Drive Unit
Electric Drive Unit . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . 9-35
Regenerative Braking . . . . . . . . 9-37
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-37
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-39
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-40
Object Detection Systems
Ultrasonic Parking Assist . . . . 9-43
Rear VisionCamera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-46
Charging
Plug-In Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-49
Delayed ChargingOverride . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-52
Charging Status Feedback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-52
Charge Cord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
Electrical Requirements for Battery Charging . . . . . . . . . . . 9-56

Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
9-12 Driving and Operating
Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be
a serious situation. Stay with
the vehicle unless there is help
nearby. If possible, use the
Roadside Assistance Program.
To get help and keep everyone
in the vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{WARNING
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may
cause exhaust gases to get
inside. Engine exhaust contains
Carbon Monoxide (CO) which
cannot be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and even
death.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
If the vehicle is stuck in the snow:
.Clear away snow from
around the base of the
vehicle, especially any that
is blocking the exhaust pipe.
.Check again from time to
time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
.Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the side of the
vehicle that is away from
the wind to bring in fresh air.
.Fully open the air outlets
on or under the instrument
panel.
.Adjust the climate control
system to a setting that
circulates the air inside
the vehicle and set the fan
speed to the highest setting.
See Climate Control Systems
in the Index.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9‑30.
To conserve energy, run the
vehicle for only short periods as
needed to warm the vehicle and
then shut the vehicle off and close
the window most of the way to
save heat. Repeat this until help
arrives but only when you feel really
uncomfortable from the cold. Moving
about to keep warm also helps.
If it takes some time for help to
arrive, start the vehicle. The engine
may start to charge the 12‐volt
battery. Turn off unnecessary
accessories to conserve energy.

Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-13
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
Shifting the vehicle into L will allow
the driver to achieve more wheel
spin. The wheel spin will still be
limited by the traction control
system to prevent any driveline
damage. The increase in allowable
wheel spin is only active at low
speeds.{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 engine compartment
fire or other damage. Spin the
wheels as little as possible and
avoid going above 55 km/h
(35 mph).
For information about using tire
chains on the vehicle, see Tire
Chains on page 10‑69.
Rocking the Vehicle to Get
it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around the
front wheels. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a forward
gear, spinning the wheels as little
as possible. The Traction Control
System prevents the tires from
spinning at high speeds. 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 that does not get
the vehicle out after a few tries, it
might need to be towed out. If the
vehicle does need to be towed out,
see Towing the Vehicle on
page 10‑84.

Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-19
on. The flashing light will eventually
time out. The POWER
Obutton
light is on steady when in ON/RUN
power mode. When the vehicle is
turned off, the POWER
Obutton
light will turn off.
The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter must be in the vehicle
for the system to operate. If the
vehicle will not start, place the RKE
transmitter in the transmitter slot.
See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2‑3.
ON/RUN: This position is for
driving and starting. With the vehicle
off, and the brake pedal applied,
pressing the POWER
Obutton once
will place the vehicle in ON/RUN.
The instrument cluster displays an
active fuel or battery gauge, along
with an audio startup cue, when
the vehicle is ready to be driven.
This could take up to 15 seconds
at extremely cold temperatures. The engine will only start if needed.
If the vehicle did not start, the
instrument cluster will display a
screen with inactive fuel and battery
gauges. See
Starting and Stopping
the Vehicle on page 9‑20.
Service Only Mode
This power mode is available for
service and diagnostics, and to
verify the proper operation of
the MIL as may be required for
emission inspection purposes.
With the vehicle off, and the brake
pedal not applied, pressing and
holding the POWER
Obutton for
more than 5 seconds will place
the vehicle in Service Only 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 Only Mode. STOPPING THE VEHICLE/OFF:
To turn the vehicle off, push the
POWER
Obutton with the vehicle
in P (Park). Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) will remain active
until the driver door is opened.
See Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) on page 9‑22. When turning
off the vehicle, if the vehicle is not
in P (Park), the vehicle will go to
ACC/ACCESSORY and display the
message SHIFT TO PARK in the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
See Electric Drive Unit Messages
on page 5‑47.
In an emergency, if the vehicle must
be stopped while driving:
1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the
brakes repeatedly. This may
deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force.

Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-21
The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter must be in the vehicle.
Press the brake pedal and push
and release the POWER
Obutton.
If the RKE transmitter is not in the
vehicle or something is interfering
with the transmitter, a message
displays in the Driver Information
Center (DIC). See Key and Lock
Messages on page 5‑48.
If the vehicle will not start due
to a low RKE transmitter battery,
the vehicle can still be driven.
See “Starting the Vehicle with
a Low Transmitter Battery” in
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2‑3.
A Welcome, Ready, and Good‐bye
audio message will be heard in
the vehicle and animated on the
instrument cluster when opening
the driver door upon entry, when
the vehicle is ready to be driven,
and when the vehicle is turned off. The instrument cluster displays an
active fuel or battery gauge, along
with an audio startup cue, when
the vehicle is ready to be driven.
This could take up to 15 seconds
at extremely cold temperatures.
The engine will only start if needed.
If the vehicle did not start, the
instrument cluster will display
a screen with inactive fuel and
battery gauges. See
Starting and
Stopping the Vehicle on page 9‑20.