climate control CHEVROLET BOLT EV 2021 User Guide

Chevrolet Bolt EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14637856) - 2021 - CRC - 10/2/20
Climate Controls 141
A selection can then be made on the climate
settings page.
Automatic Operation
The system automatically controls the fan
speed, air delivery, air conditioning, electric
heating, and recirculation to heat or cool the
vehicle to the selected temperature.
When AUTO is lit, all five functions operate
automatically. Each function can also be
manually set and the selected setting is
displayed or the indicator is lit. Functions
not manually set will continue to be
automatically controlled, even if the AUTO
indicator is not lit.
For automatic operation:1. Press AUTO.
2. Set the temperature. An initial setting of 22 °C (72 °F) is recommended. Allow the
system time to stabilize. Adjust the
temperature as needed.
Manual Operation
ON : Touch to turn the climate control
system on and off. The climate control system will turn on
when any climate control button is pressed
on the center stack or touched on the
climate control display. To turn the system
off, touch ON again.
DorC:
Press the buttons to increase or
decrease the fan speed. The fan speed
setting appears on the climate control
display. Manually adjusting the fan speed
cancels automatic fan control. Press AUTO to
return to automatic operation. Touch ON to
turn off the fan and the climate control
system.
Temperature Control : Turn the knob
clockwise or counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the temperature setting.
Air Delivery Mode Control : Press
c,
d, or0on the center stack to change
the direction of airflow. Any combination of
the three buttons can be selected. The
selected air delivery mode button indicator
is lit.
Pressing any button cancels automatic air
delivery control and the direction of the
airflow can be controlled manually. Press
AUTO to return to automatic operation.
0: Air is directed to the windshield.
d:Air is directed to the instrument panel
outlets.
c: Air is directed to the floor outlets.
0MAX : Air is directed to the windshield
and the fan runs at a higher speed. Fog or
frost is cleared from the windshield more
quickly. When the button is pressed again,
the system returns to the previous mode
setting.
For best results, clear all snow and ice from
the windshield before defrosting.
L: Touch to turn on recirculation.
An indicator light comes on. Air is
recirculated to quickly cool the inside of the
vehicle or to reduce the entry of outside air
and odors. Using the recirculation mode for
extended periods may cause the windows to
fog. If this happens, select the defrost mode.
Using air conditioning and recirculation
together for long periods of time may cause
the air inside the vehicle to become too dry.
To prevent this from happening, after the
air in the vehicle has cooled, turn the
recirculation mode off.

Chevrolet Bolt EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14637856) - 2021 - CRC - 10/2/20
142 Climate Controls
Touching this button cancels automatic
recirculation. Press AUTO to return to
automatic operation; recirculation runs
automatically as needed.
vHEAT :Touch to turn the heater on when
the fan is on.
A/C : Touch to turn the air conditioning on
when the fan is on.
Auto Defog : The system will monitor high
humidity inside the vehicle. When high
humidity is detected, the climate control
system may adjust to outside air supply and
turn on the air conditioner or the heater.
The fan speed may slightly increase to help
prevent fogging. When high humidity is no
longer detected, the system will return to
its prior operation. To turn Auto Defog off
or on, see “Climate and Air Quality” under
Vehicle Personalization 0101.
Auto Heated Seats : If equipped, when the
vehicle is on, this feature will automatically
activate the heated seats at the level
required by the vehicle’s interior
temperature. In auto mode, the indicators
automatically show the level setting
required. Use the manual heated seat buttons on the
infotainment display to turn auto heated
seats off. Once this feature is turned off, the
auto heated seats will be activated the next
time the vehicle is turned on.
In manual mode, the controls can be
accessed while the vehicle is on by touching
(orMwith three level indicators high,
medium, low or off on the climate control
display. If the passenger seat is unoccupied,
the auto heated seats feature will not
activate that seat. See Heated Front Seats
0 29 and
Vehicle Personalization 0101.
Rear Window Defogger
K:Press to turn the rear window defogger
on or off. An indicator light on the button
comes on to show that the rear window
defogger is on.
The defogger only works when the vehicle is
on. The defogger will turn off if the vehicle
is turned off.
Caution
Do not try to clear frost or other material
from the inside of the front windshield
and rear window with a razor blade or
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
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 would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Remote Start : 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
0 13.
The rear window defogger turns on if it is
cold outside.
Mobile Application Feature
If equipped, this feature allows a
smartphone to set the start-up climate
control settings. The following features can
be set:
.Temperature
.Fan Speed
.Air Delivery Mode
.Climate Mode
.Recirculation

Chevrolet Bolt EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14637856) - 2021 - CRC - 10/2/20
Climate Controls 143
Once the settings are saved through the
application, the vehicle will use these
settings when turned on. After the vehicle is
turned on, use the climate controls if
additional adjustments are desired.
Sensors
Indicator Light and Solar Sensor (ILSS)
The ILSS is on top of the instrument panel,
near the windshield, where it monitors solar
intensity.
The climate control system uses the sensor
information to adjust the temperature, fan
speed, recirculation, and air delivery mode
for best comfort.
Do not cover the sensor; otherwise the
automatic climate control system may not
work properly.
Humidity Sensor
The humidity sensor is near the base of the
inside rearview mirror. The climate control
system uses the sensor information to
adjust the temperature and recirculation for
best comfort.Outside Air Temperature Sensor
The outside air temperature sensor is behind
the front grille of the vehicle. The vehicle
uses the sensor information to display
outside air temperature. The climate control
system uses the information to adjust the
climate system operation.
Air Vents
Adjustable air vents are in the center and on
the side of the instrument panel.
Move the slats to change the direction of
the airflow. The center air vent does not
close completely.
Move the slats to change the direction of
the airflow.
Additional air vents are located beneath the
windshield and the driver and passenger
side door windows, and in the footwells.
These are fixed and cannot be adjusted.
Operation Tips
.Keep all outlets open whenever possible
for best system performance.
.Clear snow off the hood to improve
visibility and help decrease moisture
drawn into the vehicle.
.Keep the path under all seats clear of
objects to help circulate the air inside the
vehicle more effectively.

Chevrolet Bolt EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14637856) - 2021 - CRC - 10/2/20
144 Climate Controls
.Use of non-GM approved hood deflectors
can adversely affect the performance of
the system.
.Do not attach any devices to the air vent
slats. This restricts airflow and may cause
damage to the air vents.
Maintenance
Air Intake
The air intake at the base of the windshield
under the hood must be kept clear to allow
the flow of air into the vehicle. Clear away
any ice, snow, or leaves.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
The filter reduces the dust, pollen, and other
airborne irritants from outside air that is
pulled into the vehicle.
Replace the filter as part of routine
scheduled maintenance.
1. Open the glove box.
2. Pull the damper and push the side wallto unlock the stopper.
3. Lower the glove box completely.

Chevrolet Bolt EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14637856) - 2021 - CRC - 10/2/20
Climate Controls 145
4. Hold the right side of the filter cover,and then pull and remove it.
5. Install the new air filter.
6. Reinstall the filter cover.
7. Reconnect the glove box damper.
8. Reinstall the glove box.
See your dealer if additional assistance is
needed.
Air Conditioning Regular
Operation
To ensure continuous efficient performance,
operate the air conditioning for a few
minutes once a month. The air conditioning
will not operate if the outside temperature
is too low.
Caution
Damage caused by improper refrigerant
usage could lead to costly repairs and
may not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Refrigerant systems should
only be serviced by qualified personnel.
Always use the correct refrigerant.
{Warning
Performing service work to the climate
control system could cause personal
injury or damage to the vehicle. Climate
control systems are serviced by qualified
personnel only.
Service
All vehicles have a label underhood that
identifies the refrigerant used in the vehicle.
The refrigerant system should only be
serviced by trained and certified technicians.
The air conditioning evaporator should never
be repaired or replaced by one from a
salvage vehicle. It should only be replaced
by a new evaporator to ensure proper and
safe operation.
During service, all refrigerants should be
reclaimed with proper equipment. Venting
refrigerants directly to the atmosphere is
harmful to the environment and may
also create unsafe conditions based on
inhalation, combustion, frostbite, or other
health-based concerns.
The air conditioning system requires periodic
maintenance. See Maintenance Schedule
0 253.

Chevrolet Bolt EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14637856) - 2021 - CRC - 10/2/20
Driving and Operating 147
Driving Information
Driving for Better Energy
Efficiency
Use the following tips to help maximize
energy efficiency and range.
In colder temperatures, while these
efficiency tips will help, the electric vehicle
driving range will be lower due to higher
energy usage including energy spent
heating the cabin.
The Range Impacts screen estimates the
influence of the main factors impacting
vehicle range. After charging is complete,
this information is reset. See“Range
Impacts” under. See Energy Information
0 97.
Acceleration/Braking/Coasting
Avoid rapid accelerations and decelerations.
Electric range is maximized at 89 km/h
(55 mph) and less.
Use cruise control when appropriate.
Plan ahead for decelerations and coast
whenever possible. Do not rush to traffic
signals, and do not shift to N (Neutral) to
coast. The vehicle recovers more energy while
coasting and braking in L (Low) than in D
(Drive) mode.
Using the steering wheel paddle during
deceleration recovers more energy. See
Regenerative Braking
0165.
Terrain and Vehicle Speed
Higher speeds and grade changes use more
energy and can significantly reduce electric
range.
Climate Setting
Using the heat and air conditioning systems
decreases the energy available for electric
driving.
Optimal energy efficiency is achieved when
the heat, air conditioning, and fan are
turned off.
Use the heated seat feature instead of
climate control system. Heating the seat
uses less energy than heating the vehicle
interior.
Use remote start to heat or cool the interior
when the vehicle is plugged in to maximize
the electric range by utilizing electricity
from the electrical outlet. In hot weather, avoid parking in direct
sunlight or use sunshades inside the vehicle.
Keep the inside of the windows clean to
reduce fogging, and turn off the front
defroster and rear defogger when they are
not needed.
Avoid driving with the windows open at
highway speeds.
Use the Enhanced Battery Gauge on the
Instrument Cluster to view the effect of
climate control settings on your estimated
range. See
Battery Gauge (High Voltage)
0 82.
Outside Temperature
On colder days, it is best to plug in the
vehicle overnight, and then remote start the
vehicle.
Allow the vehicle to warm up for
20 minutes before driving.
If possible, use a level 2 (240 volt) high
power charge station for best results. This
allows the interior of the vehicle and high
voltage battery to warm to optimal
temperature.

Chevrolet Bolt EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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148 Driving and Operating
Vehicle Charging/Maintenance
Charging
Keep the vehicle plugged in, even when fully
charged, to keep the battery temperature
ready for the next drive. This is important
when outside temperatures are extremely
hot or cold.
Maintenance
Always keep the tires properly inflated and
the vehicle properly aligned.
The weight of excess cargo in the vehicle
affects efficiency and range. Avoid carrying
more than is needed.
Avoid unnecessary use of electrical
accessories. Power used for functions other
than propelling the vehicle will reduce EV
range.
Using a rooftop carrier will reduce efficiency
due to additional weight and drag.
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms and can
take your focus from the task of driving.
Exercise good judgment and do not let other
activities divert your attention away from
the road. Many local governments haveenacted laws regarding driver distraction.
Become familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, keep your eyes
on the road, keep your hands on the
steering wheel, and focus your attention on
driving.
.Do not use a mobile phone in demanding
driving situations. Use a hands-free
method to place or receive necessary
phone calls.
.Watch the road. Do not read, take notes,
or look up information on mobile phones
or other electronic devices.
.Designate a front seat passenger to
handle potential distractions.
.Become familiar with vehicle features
before driving, such as programming
favorite radio stations and adjusting
climate control and seat settings. Program
all trip information into any navigation
device prior to driving.
.Wait until the vehicle is parked to
retrieve items that have fallen to the
floor.
.Stop or park the vehicle to tend to
children.
.Keep pets in an appropriate carrier or
restraint.
.Avoid stressful conversations while
driving, whether with a passenger or on a
mobile phone.
{Warning
Taking your eyes off the road too long or
too often could cause a crash resulting in
injury or death. Focus your attention on
driving.
Refer to the Infotainment section for more
information on using that system, including
pairing and using a mobile phone.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always expect the
unexpected.” The first step in driving
defensively is to wear the seat belt.
.Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers)
are going to be careless and make
mistakes. Anticipate what they might do
and be ready.
.Allow enough following distance between
you and the driver in front of you.
.Focus on the task of driving.

Chevrolet Bolt EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14637856) - 2021 - CRC - 10/2/20
Vehicle Care 201
1. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. SeeWasher Fluid 0202.
2. Cabin Heating Coolant Reservoir. See Cooling System 0201.
3. High Voltage Battery Coolant Reservoir. See Cooling System 0201.
4. HPDM (High Power Distribution Module).
5. APM (Accessory Power Module), OBCM (On-Board Charging Module).
6. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid
0 203.
7. SPIM, APM, and Charger Module Coolant Reservoir. See Cooling System 0201.
8. Battery. See Battery - North America
0 204.
9. Underhood Compartment Fuse Block. Underhood Compartment Fuse Block
0211.
Cooling System
It is not necessary to regularly check coolant
unless a leak is suspected or an unusual
noise is heard. A coolant loss could indicate
a problem. Have it inspected and repaired
by your dealer.
The following explains the cooling systems
and how to check coolant levels.
.High Voltage Battery
.Single Power Inverter Module (SPIM),
Accessory Power Module (APM), and
Charger Module
.Cabin Heating
High Voltage Battery
During vehicle operation and also during
charging, the high voltage battery cells in
the vehicle are kept within a normal
operating temperature range. If the
temperature rises above this temperature,
the battery cooling system turns on the air
conditioning compressor and cools the
coolant until the correct temperature is
reached. If the temperature falls below this
temperature, a high voltage heater, located
outside the battery on a cradle, heats the
coolant until the correct temperature is
reached.
Single Power Inverter Module (SPIM),
Accessory Power Module (APM), and
Charger Module
The SPIM, APM, and charger module are
cooled using a separate coolant loop. These
modules are kept below a maximum
temperature. If the temperature rises above
this temperature, the electric cooling fan will
turn on to cool the coolant.
Cabin Heating
Cabin heating is maintained by coolant
heated by the Coolant Heater Control
Module (CHCM), separate from the power
electronics and battery coolant loops. This
module heats the coolant based on
temperature inputs from the cabin climate
control systems.
Hybrid Cooling System Pressure Caps
The hybrid cooling system reservoirs have
tamper resistant pressure caps. The coolant
should only be serviced by a qualified
technician.
Checking Coolant
The coolant needs to be replaced at the
appropriate interval. See Maintenance
Schedule 0253.
The coolant reservoirs are in the underhood
compartment. See Underhood Compartment
Overview 0200.

Chevrolet Bolt EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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230 Vehicle Care
tires with nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm), or to some
limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General
Motors passenger cars and light trucks
may vary with respect to these grades,
they must also conform to federal
safety requirements and additional
General Motors Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) standards.
Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section
width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
All Passenger Car Tires Must Conform to
Federal Safety Requirements In Addition
To These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the
tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government
test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1½)times as well on the government course
as a tire graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those
grades represent the tire's ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance. Warning:
The traction grade assigned to this tire
is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning,
or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test
wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance
on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law. Warning:
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure.

Chevrolet Bolt EV Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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282 Index
IndexA
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Additional InformationOnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Additional Maintenance and Care . . . . . . . . 255
Agreements Trademarks and License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Air Conditioning Regular Operation . . . . . . .145
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment . . . . . . . 144
Air Intake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143
Airbag System
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
How Does an Airbag Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . 42
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . 42
What Will You See after an AirbagInflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
When Should an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . 41
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Airbags
Adding Equipment to the Vehicle . . . . . . . 47
Passenger Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Servicing Airbag-Equipped Vehicles . . . . . . 47 Airbags (cont'd)
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Alarm Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Alert Lane Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Side Blind Zone (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Antenna Multi-band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Appearance Care Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto . . . . . . . . . 129
Armrest Rear Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Assistance Program, Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Assistance Systems for Parking and Backing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Audio Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Theft-Deterrent Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140