start the car CHEVROLET VOLT 2011 Owner's Guide

Black plate (16,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
10-16 Vehicle Care
When the system has calculated
that oil life has been diminished,
it indicates that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message comes on.
Change the oil as soon as possible
within the next 1 000 km (600 mi).
It is possible that, if driving under
the best conditions, the oil life
system might indicate that an oil
change is not necessary for up
to two years. The engine oil and
filter must be changed at least
once every two years and, at this
time, the system must be reset.
Your dealer has trained service
people who will perform this work
and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly
over the course of an oil drain
interval and keep it at the proper
level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change. To reset the
system:
1. Use the SELECT knob to selectOIL LIFE on the DIC menu.
2. Press SELECT to start the OIL LIFE reset procedure.
3. The DIC menu will display “Are
you sure that you want to reset?”
Use SELECT to choose YES to
reset oil life or NO to exit and
return to the previous menu.
4. If YES is selected, the DIC menu will display RESET OIL LIFE for
a short time and then 100% OIL
LIFE will be displayed when
OIL LIFE is successfully reset.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message comes back on when the
vehicle is started, the engine oil life
system has not reset. Repeat the
procedure.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑10 for the location of the
engine air cleaner/filter.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Filter
Inspect the air filter at the scheduled
maintenance intervals and replace
it at the first oil change after each
80 000 km (50,000 mi) interval.
See Scheduled Maintenance on
page 11‑2 for more information.
If driving in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspect the air filter at each engine
oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Filter
To inspect the air filter, remove it
from the engine air cleaner/filter
assembly and lightly shake to
release loose dust and dirt. If the
air filter remains covered with dirt,
a new air filter is required.

Black plate (18,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
10-18 Vehicle Care
Cooling System (Engine)
When it is safe to lift the hood:
A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank andPressure Cap
B. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View)
{WARNING
The electric cooling fans under
the hood can start up even when
the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands,
clothing, and tools away from
any underhood electric fan. If the coolant inside the coolant
surge tank is boiling, do not do
anything else until it cools down.
The vehicle should be parked on
a level surface.
The coolant level should be up to
the cold fill line. If it is not, there
might be a leak at the radiator
hoses, heater hoses, radiator,
water pump, or somewhere else
in the cooling system.
{WARNING
Heater and radiator hoses, and
other engine parts, can be very
hot. Do not touch them. If you do,
you can be burned.
Do not run the vehicle if there
is a leak. If you run the engine, it
could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you
could be burned. Get any leak
fixed before you drive the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak,
with the engine on, check to
see if the electric engine cooling
fans are running. If the engine is
overheating, the fans should be
running. If it is not, the vehicle
needs service. Turn off the vehicle.
Notice:
Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL
®can cause premature
engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant could require changing
sooner, at 50 000 km (30,000 mi)
or 24 months, whichever occurs
first. Any repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always use DEX-COOL
(silicate-free) coolant in the
vehicle.

Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
10-22 Vehicle Care
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
Check to see if coolant is visible
in the coolant surge tank. If the
coolant inside the coolant surge
tank is boiling, do not do anything
else until it cools down. If coolant
is visible but the coolant level is not
at or above the cold fill mark, add
a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant at the
coolant surge tank, but be sure the
cooling system is cool before this is
done. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 10‑23 for more information.
The coolant reservoir is located
on the passenger side of the
engine compartment. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑10 for more information
on location. The coolant level should be at
or above the cold fill line on the
coolant surge tank. If it is not,
there could be a leak in the
cooling system.
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank
{WARNING
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
Notice: This vehicle has a
specific coolant fill procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure
could cause the engine to
overheat and be severely
damaged.
{WARNING
The electric cooling fans under
the hood can start up even when
the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands,
clothing, and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.
{WARNING
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system can blow out
and burn you badly. They are
under pressure, and if you
turn the surge tank pressure
cap —even a little —they can
come out at high speed. Never
turn the cap when the cooling
system, including the surge tank
pressure cap, is hot. Wait for the
cooling system and surge tank
pressure cap to cool if you ever
have to turn the pressure cap.

Black plate (28,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
10-28 Vehicle Care
Battery
This vehicle has a high voltage
battery and a standard 12‐volt
battery.
If the vehicle is in a crash, the
sensing system may shut down
the high voltage system. When this
occurs, the high voltage battery is
disconnected and the vehicle will
not start. The SERVICE VEHICLE
SOON message in the Driver
Information Center (DIC), will be
displayed. Before the vehicle can
be operated again, it must be
serviced at your dealer.
See“If a Crash Occurs” under
Collision Damage Repair on
page 13‑10 for additional
information. If an airbag has
inflated, see What Will You See
after an Airbag Inflates? on
page 3‑31. Only a trained service technician
with the proper knowledge and
tools should inspect, test, or replace
the high voltage battery. See your
dealer if the high voltage battery
needs service. The dealer has
information on how to recycle
the high voltage battery. There
is also information available at
http://www.recyclemybattery.com.
Keep the vehicle plugged in, even
when fully charged, to keep the high
voltage battery temperature ready
for the next drive. This is important
when outside temperatures are
extremely hot or cold.
A vehicle cover, which can reduce
sun loading on the vehicle and
improve high voltage battery life,
is available from your dealer.
Refer to the replacement number
shown on the original battery label
when a new 12‐volt battery is
needed.{DANGER
Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California
to cause cancer and reproductive
harm. Wash hands after handling.
Vehicle Storage
{WARNING
12‐volt batteries have acid that
can burn you and gas that can
explode. You can be badly hurt
if you are not careful. See
Jump
Starting on page 10‑79 for tips on
working around a battery without
getting hurt.

Black plate (29,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-29
Extended Storage
Remove the 12‐volt battery black,
negative (−) cable from the battery
to keep the 12‐volt battery from
running down or use a battery
trickle charger.
In addition, to avoid potential
damage to the high voltage battery,
perform the following recommended
steps:
.Store the high voltage battery
with 1/2 charge or less.
.Always store the vehicle in an
environment between−10°C
(14°F) and 30°C (86°F).
.Vehicle storage at extreme
temperatures can cause damage
to the high voltage battery.
Remember to reconnect the 12‐volt
battery when ready to drive the
vehicle.
Propulsion System Start
Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. 2. Firmly apply both the electric
parking brake and the regular
brake. See Electric Parking
Brake on page 9‑35.
Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn
off the propulsion system
immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the propulsion system in each gear. The vehicle
should start only in P (Park) or
N (Neutral). If the vehicle starts
in any other position, contact
your dealer for service.

Black plate (30,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
10-30 Vehicle Care
Electrical Drive Unit Shift
Lock Control Function
Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. It should
be parked on a level surface. 2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
See Electric Parking Brake on
page 9‑35.
Be ready to apply the regular
brake immediately if the vehicle
begins to move.
3. With the vehicle off and the brake not applied, push the
power button to ON/RUN without
starting the vehicle. See Power
Button on page 9‑18. Without
applying the regular brake, try
to move the shift lever out of
P (Park) with normal effort. If the
shift lever moves out of P (Park),
contact your dealer for service.
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this check,
the vehicle could begin to move.
You or others could be injured
and property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in front
of the vehicle in case it begins to
roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move.

Black plate (38,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
10-38 Vehicle Care
If there is a problem on the road
and a fuse needs to be replaced,
the same amperage fuse can be
borrowed. Choose some feature of
the vehicle that is not needed to use
and replace it as soon as possible.
Headlamp Wiring
An electrical overload may cause
the lamps to go on and off, or in
some cases to remain off. Have
the headlamp wiring checked right
away if the lamps go on and off or
remain off.
Windshield Wipers
If the wiper motor overheats due to
heavy snow or ice, the windshield
wipers will stop until the motor cools
and the wiper control is turned off.
After removal of the blockage,
the wiper motor will restart when
the control is then moved to the
desired operating position.
Although the circuit is protected
from electrical overload, overload
due to heavy snow or ice, may
cause wiper linkage damage.
Always clear ice and heavy snow
from the windshield before using
the windshield wipers.
If the overload is caused by an
electrical problem and not snow
or ice, be sure to get it fixed.
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block
To open the fuse block cover, press
the clips at the front and back and
rotate the cover up to the side.
Notice:Spilling liquid on any
electrical component on the
vehicle may damage it. Always
keep the covers on any electrical
component.

Black plate (46,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
10-46 Vehicle Care
A fuse puller is located in the engine
compartment fuse block.
The vehicle may not have all of the
fuses, relays, and features shown.Fuses Usage
F1 Empty
F2 Fuel System Control
Module Fuses Usage
F3 Passive Start
Module
F4 Heated Seats
(If Equipped)
F5 Driver Door
Switches (Outside
Rearview Mirror/
Charge Port Door
Release/Refuel
Request/Driver
Window Switch)
F6 Fuel (Diurnal
Valve and Evap.
Leak Check Module)
F7 Accessory Power
Module Cooling Fan
F8 Amplifier
(If Equipped)
F9 Empty

Black plate (56,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
10-56 Vehicle Care
As an added safety feature, your
vehicle has been equipped with a
tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) that illuminates a low
tire pressure telltale when one or
more of your tires is significantly
under‐inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them
to the proper pressure. Driving on
a significantly under‐inflated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can
lead to tire failure. Under‐inflation
also reduces fuel efficiency and
tire tread life, and may affect the
vehicle's handling and stopping
ability.
Please note that the TPMS is
not a substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver's
responsibility to maintain correct
tire pressure, even if under‐inflationhas not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire
pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been
equipped with a TPMS malfunction
indicator to indicate when the
system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure
telltale. When the system detects a
malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then
remain continuously illuminated.
This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start‐ups as
long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator
is illuminated, the system may
not be able to detect or signal low
tire pressure as intended. TPMS
malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation
of replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent
the TPMS from functioning properly.Always check the TPMS malfunction
telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to
ensure that the replacement or
alternate tires and wheels allow
the TPMS to continue to function
properly.
See
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation on page 10‑57 for
additional information.
Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) and
Industry Canada
See Radio Frequency
Statement on page 13‑28 for
information regarding Part 15
of the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) rules and
Industry Canada Standards
RSS-210/220/310.

Black plate (57,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-57
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation
This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The TPMS is designed to warn
the driver when a low tire pressure
condition exists. TPMS sensors
are mounted onto each tire and
wheel assembly. The TPMS sensors
monitor the air pressure in the
tires and transmit the tire pressure
readings to a receiver located in
the vehicle.
When a low tire pressure condition
is detected, the TPMS illuminates
the low tire pressure warning light
located on the instrument cluster.
If the warning light comes on, stop
as soon as possible and inflate the
tires to the recommended pressure
shown on the Tire Loading and
Information label. SeeVehicle
Load Limits on page 9‑14. A message to check the pressure in
a specific tire displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). The low
tire pressure warning light and the
DIC warning message come on
at each drive cycle until the tires
are inflated to the correct inflation
pressure. Using the DIC, tire
pressure levels can be viewed.
For additional information and
details about the DIC operation
and displays see
Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑43.
The low tire pressure warning light
may come on in cool weather when
the vehicle is first started, and then
turn off as the vehicle is driven.