driving CHEVROLET BOLT EV 2020 Service Manual

Chevrolet BOLT EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13556250) - 2020 - CRC - 2/11/20
Driving and Operating 185
Shifting Into Park
To shift into P (Park):1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking brake. See
Electric Parking Brake 0192.
2. Press the button on top of the shift lever to shift into P (Park).
See Electric Drive Unit 0187.
3. The P indicator on the shift lever will turn red when the
vehicle is in P (Park).
4. Turn the vehicle off.
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 (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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.
If the vehicle must be left with the
propulsion system on, be sure that
the vehicle is 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
instrument cluster, it means that the
vehicle has not shifted to P (Park).
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.

Chevrolet BOLT EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13556250) - 2020 - CRC - 2/11/20
186 Driving and Operating
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 0185.
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.
Press SPORT to select Sport Mode.

Chevrolet BOLT EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13556250) - 2020 - CRC - 2/11/20
Driving and Operating 187
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/Mexico-
13556250) - 2020 - CRC - 2/11/20
188 Driving and Operating
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.

Chevrolet BOLT EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13556250) - 2020 - CRC - 2/11/20
Driving and Operating 189
2. After releasing the shift lever, itwill 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.
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.

Chevrolet BOLT EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13556250) - 2020 - CRC - 2/11/20
190 Driving and Operating
6. Exit the vehicle and close thedoor. 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).
L : This position reduces vehicle
speed without using the brakes. Use
L (Low) on very steep hills and in
stop-and-go traffic.
One-Pedal Driving
With One-Pedal Driving, the
accelerator pedal can be used to
control the deceleration of the
vehicle down to a complete stop.
Completely lifting off the accelerator
pedal will result in aggressive
deceleration. Partially lifting off the
accelerator pedal will allow the
deceleration of the vehicle to be
adjusted as desired.
The amount of deceleration may
vary under Regenerative Power
Limited condition. See Power
Indicator Gauge 099.
Use the brake pedal if emergency
braking is required.
To use One-Pedal Driving, place the
vehicle in L (Low). Press the
accelerator pedal to the desired
speed. The deceleration provided by
One-Pedal Driving provides full
regenerative braking and helps
increase energy efficiency. The
brake lamps may come on when the
accelerator pedal is released or
during substantial deceleration from
regenerative braking.

Chevrolet BOLT EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13556250) - 2020 - CRC - 2/11/20
Driving and Operating 191
While operating in One-Pedal
Driving, the electric parking brake
may apply in some circumstances.
This can occur when:
.Driving on slopes.
. The driver ’s door is open.
. The vehicle has remained
stationary for 5 minutes.
. There is a problem with the
propulsion system.
To drive again, depress the
accelerator pedal, 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
0 103. 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.

Chevrolet BOLT EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13556250) - 2020 - CRC - 2/11/20
192 Driving and Operating
Electric Parking Brake
The vehicle has an Electric Parking
Brake (EPB). The EPB can always
be activated, even if the vehicle
is off.
The system has a red parking brake
status light and an amber parking
brake warning light.
There are also parking brake-related
Driver Information Center (DIC)
messages.
In case of insufficient electrical
power, the EPB cannot be applied
or released.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, then 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 parking brake warning
light is on, lift up on the EPB switch
and hold it up. Continue to hold the switch until the red parking brake
status light remains on. If the amber
parking brake warning light is still
on, see your dealer.
If the EPB is applied while the
vehicle is moving, the vehicle will
decelerate as long as the switch is
held up. If the switch is held up 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.
If the EPB fails to apply, block the
rear wheels to prevent vehicle
movement.
EPB Release
To release the EPB:
1. Press POWER
Oto start the
vehicle.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.

Chevrolet BOLT EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13556250) - 2020 - CRC - 2/11/20
Driving and Operating 193
3. Press momentarily on the EPBswitch.
The EPB is released when the red
parking brake status light is off.
If the amber parking brake warning
light is on, release the EPB by
pressing down on the EPB switch
and holding it down. 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.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
{Warning
Do not rely on the HSA feature.
HSA does not replace the need to
pay attention and drive safely.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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. See
Defensive Driving0173.
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.

Chevrolet BOLT EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13556250) - 2020 - CRC - 2/11/20
194 Driving and Operating
Regenerative Braking
Some braking energy from the
moving vehicle is turned back into
electrical energy. This energy is
then stored back into the high
voltage battery system, increasing
energy efficiency.
Regen on Demand
Regen on Demand allows increased
deceleration by pressing and
holding the steering wheel paddle.
It works in D (Drive) and L (Low).
The accelerator pedal can be used
to manage deceleration while using
Regen on Demand.Cruise control will turn off and the
brake lamps may come on when
this feature is activated.
If the vehicle is in D (Drive) and 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. See
“One-Pedal Driving”
underElectric
Drive Unit 0187.
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. The regen battery icon will
appear gray when limited. The
regen power limit is also displayed
as a horizontal bar on the power
indicator gauge.
Avoid using Regen On Demand
under slippery road conditions.
Under Regenerative Power Limited
Condition, the amount of vehicle
deceleration will be limited. Use the
brake pedal as the primary braking
device.
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
an electronic stability control
system. These systems help limit
wheel slip and assist the driver in
maintaining control, especially on
slippery road conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any
of the drive wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, TCS applies the brakes to
the spinning wheels and reduces
propulsion system power to limit
wheel spin.
StabiliTrak/ESC activates when the
vehicle senses a difference between
the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak/ESC selectively applies
braking pressure to any one of the