steering wheel CHEVROLET VOLT 2011 Owner's Guide

Black plate (77,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Infotainment System 7-77
Database Coverage
Explanations
Coverage areas vary with respect to
the level of map detail available for
any given area. Some areas feature
greater levels of detail than others.
If this happens, it does not mean
there is a problem with the system.
As the map data is updated, more
detail can become available for
areas which previously had limited
detail. SeeOrdering Map DVDs on
page 7‑76 for more information.
Voice Recognition
The navigation system's voice
recognition allows for hands-free
operation of the navigation system
and the audio system features.
Voice recognition only works if the
map database is installed in the
system.
If the radio is off, the only
commands would be Hands
Free and Help.
Navigation voice commands are not
available until the I Agree button
has been selected.
Voice recognition can be used when
the vehicle is on or when Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) is active.
SeeRetained Accessory Power
(RAP) on page 9‑22 for more
information.
Using Voice Recognition
1. Press and release theb g
steering wheel button. The audio
system mutes, and a beep is
heard. A voice prompt stating,
“Please start speaking after the
beep” might be heard.
If there is no beep, make sure
that the voice volume setting is
not turned down. See Configure
Menu on page 7‑66 for more
information.
While voice recognition is active,
the system displays a
gsymbol.
2. Clearly speak one of the commands listed later in this
section.

Black plate (78,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
7-78 Infotainment System
Canceling Voice Recognition
1. Press and release the$i
steering wheel button to cancel
a command, or if the system
response does not match the
verbal command.
2. The system replies, “Voice
recognition canceled.”
Pressing any other radio or
steering wheel control, other
than the volume knob or the
volume steering wheel button
cancels the session.
3. Press and release the
b g
steering wheel button to restart
the voice recognition session.
Helpful Hints for Speaking
Commands
.When multiple commands are
available, choose the command
that best works for you.
.Words that are in brackets are
optional. For example, for the
command “Radio (band) FM,”
saying “Radio FM” or“Radio
Band FM” are both valid
commands.
.Words separated by a ( / ) mean
there is a choice of using a
word on either side of the slash.
For example, for the command
(CD/DVD/Disc) (help), you can
say “CD (help)” or“DVD (help)”
or “Disc (help).”
.When the system recognizes the
command, the system will either
perform the function or ask to
confirm the choice by clearly
saying “yes”or“no.”
.When the system does not
recognize the command,
the system issues an error
message such as “pardon”
or “command not recognized.”
The system could also say,
“voice recognition canceled.”
.If experiencing difficulty with the
system recognizing a command,
confirm that the command is
correct. Try saying the command
clearly or wait for a brief moment
after the beep.
.Background noise such as a
climate control fan positioned
on high, open windows, and
very loud outside noises, even
if the windows are closed, can
cause voice commands to be
misunderstood.

Black plate (79,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Infotainment System 7-79
.This system is able to recognize
commands in different
languages, such as English,
French Canadian, and Spanish.
The system only recognizes
commands based on the
language selected.
.To increase or decrease the
voice volume during a voice
recognition session, turn
the volume knob of the radio,
or press the volume steering
wheel buttons. If the volume
is adjusted during a voice
recognition session, a Voice
Volume bar appears on the
screen showing the voice
volume level as it is being
adjusted. This also changes
the volume of the guidance
prompts.
Voice Recognition Help
To enter the help playback session,
clearly speak one of the help
commands.
Help:The system plays back
more specific help commands
(such as Radio Help, Display Help,
Navigation Help) for the user to
choose from.
Radio (help): The system plays
back helpful advice about radio
commands, and some common
radio commands which are
available. Use this command
to learn about how to select a
band (AM, FM, or XM), and how
to change radio stations (by
speaking frequency numbers).
(CD/DVD/Disc) (help): The system
plays back helpful advice about
disc commands, and some common
disc commands which are available.
Use this command to learn about
how to select Disc mode playback,
and how to change track numbers. Display (help):
The system plays
back helpful advice about display
commands, and some common
display commands which are
available to adjust the display
setting.
Navigation (help): The system
plays back helpful advice about
navigation commands, and some
common navigation commands
which are available.
Voice Recognition Commands
The following list shows the
voice commands available for
the navigation system with a brief
description of each. The commands
are listed with the optional words
in brackets. To use the voice
commands, see the instructions
listed previously.

Black plate (82,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
7-82 Infotainment System
Destination and Guidance
Commands
Navigation (go to) preset
destination (number) (one, two,
three, four, five, or six):These
commands instruct the system to
set one of the preset destinations
one through six as the new
destination.
Navigation delete: This command
instructs the system to delete the
destination, route, or next waypoint.
The system requests a confirmation
of which item should be deleted
(destination, route, or next
waypoint).
Destination (available for English
language only): This command
instructs the system that the
user wants to enter a destination
using voice recognition. After this
command is stated, the system
displays a state abbreviation
(such as NY for New York). If the destination to be entered is in
the displayed state, then say the
desired city name. Otherwise, say
“Change State”
and say the state
name the search should take place
in. Then, say the desired city name
when prompted, and say the desired
street name and house number
when prompted.
To set a destination using voice
recognition:
1. Press and release the
b g
steering wheel control.
The audio system mutes,
and a beep is heard.
2. Say the command “Destination.”
The system replies with “Please
say city name or change state,”
and the system shows a pop-up
banner of an abbreviated state
name, such as NY for New York.
If the state is correct, then go to
Step 4. Otherwise, say “Change
State.”
For example, if the desired
destination is in Ohio, but the
system shows New York (NY)
in the pop-up banner, say
“Change State.”
3. After saying “Change State,” the
system replies with “Please say
state name.” Say the correct
state.

Black plate (86,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
7-86 Infotainment System
Using Voice Recognition
To use voice recognition, press thebgbutton on the steering wheel.
The system responds with a tone.
After the tone say “Hands Free”to
use the Bluetooth voice recognition
system. The system then responds
with “Ready,” followed by a tone.
After the tone, say a command.
For additional information say
“Help” while you are in a voice
recognition menu.
Pairing a Phone
1. Press
b g. Say “Hands Free”
after the tone.
2. Say “Bluetooth.”
3. Say “Pair.”The system responds
with instructions and a four‐digit
Personal Identification Number
(PIN). The PIN is used in Step 5. 4. Start the pairing process on the
cell phone that you want to pair.
For help with this process, see
your cell phone manufacturer's
user guide.
5. Locate the device named “Your
Vehicle” in the list on the cell
phone. Follow the instructions
on the cell phone to enter the
PIN that was provided in Step 3.
After the PIN is successfully
entered, the system prompts you
to provide a name for the paired
cell phone. This name will be
used to indicate which phones
are paired and connected to the
vehicle. See “Listing All Paired
and Connected Phones” later in
this section for more information.
6. Repeat Steps 1 through 5 to pair additional phones. Listing All Paired and Connected
Phones
The system can list all cell phones
paired to it. If a paired cell phone is
also connected to the vehicle, the
system responds with
“is connected”
after that phone name.
1. Press
b g. Say “Hands Free”
after the tone.
2. Say “Bluetooth.”
3. Say “List.”
Deleting a Paired Phone
If the phone name you want to
delete is unknown, see “Listing All
Paired and Connected Phones.”
1. Press
b g. Say “Hands Free”
after the tone.
2. Say “Bluetooth.”
3. Say “Delete.” The system asks
for which phone to delete.
4. Say the name of the phone you want to delete.

Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-7
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a
reasonable speed.
Traction in a curve depends on the
condition of the tires and the road
surface, the angle at which the
curve is banked, and vehicle speed.
While in a curve, speed is the one
factor that can be controlled.
If there is a need to reduce speed,
do it before entering the curve, while
the front wheels are straight.
Try to adjust the speed so you can
drive through the curve. Maintain a
reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until out of the curve,
and then accelerate gently into the
straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can
be more effective than braking.
For example, you come over a hill
and find a truck stopped in your
lane, or a car suddenly pulls out
from nowhere, or a child darts out
from between parked cars and stops
right in front of you. These problems
can be avoided by braking—if you
can stop in time. But sometimes
you cannot stop in time because
there is no room. That is the time
for evasive action —steering
around the problem.
The vehicle can perform very
well in emergencies like these.
First apply the brakes. See Braking
on page 9‑5. It is better to remove
as much speed as possible from
a collision. Then steer around
the problem, to the left or right
depending on the space available.
An emergency like this requires
close attention and a quick decision.
If holding the steering wheel at
the recommended 9 and 3 o'clock
positions, it can be turned a full
180 degrees very quickly without
removing either hand. But you have
to act fast, steer quickly, and just
as quickly straighten the wheel
once you have avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency
situations are always possible is a
good reason to practice defensive
driving at all times and wear safety
belts properly.

Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
9-8 Driving and Operating
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can drop
off the edge of a road onto the
shoulder while driving.
If the level of the shoulder is
only slightly below the pavement,
recovery should be fairly easy.
Ease off the accelerator and
then, if there is nothing in the way,
steer so that the vehicle straddles
the edge of the pavement.Turn the steering wheel 8 to 13 cm
(3 to 5 in), about one-eighth turn,
until the right front tire contacts
the pavement edge. Then turn the
steering wheel to go straight down
the roadway.
Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts
say about what happens when the
three control systems
—brakes,
steering, and acceleration —do not
have enough friction where the tires
meet the road to do what the driver
has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up.
Keep trying to steer and constantly
seek an escape route or area of
less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of
the vehicle. Defensive drivers avoid
most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions,
and by not overdriving those
conditions. But skids are always
possible.
The three types of skids correspond
to the vehicle's three control
systems. In the braking skid,
the wheels are not rolling. In the
steering or cornering skid, too much
speed or steering in a curve causes
tires to slip and lose cornering force.
And in the acceleration skid, too
much throttle causes the driving
wheels to spin.
If the vehicle starts to slide, ease
your foot off the accelerator pedal
and quickly steer the way you
want the vehicle to go. If you start
steering quickly enough, the vehicle
may straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.

Black plate (11,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-11
WARNING (Continued)
to slow the vehicle enough to
maintain speed and control.
You could crash. Always have
the vehicle running and in gear
(preferably LOW range) when
going downhill. This will allow
the electric drive unit to assist in
slowing and maintaining speed.
.Stay in your own lane. Do not
swing wide or cut across the
center of the road. Drive at
speeds that let you stay in
your own lane.
.Top of hills: Be
alert—something could
be in your lane (stalled car,
accident).
.Pay attention to special road
signs (falling rocks area, winding
roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take
appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is
snow or ice between the tires
and the road, creating less traction
or grip. Wet ice can occur at about
0°C (32°F) when freezing rain
begins to fall, resulting in even less
traction. Avoid driving on wet ice or
in freezing rain until roads can be
treated with salt or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the
condition. Accelerate gently so
traction is not lost. Accelerating
too quickly causes the wheels to
spin and makes the surface under
the tires slick, so there is even less
traction.
Try not to break the fragile traction.
If you accelerate too fast, the drive
wheels will spin and polish the
surface under the tires even more. The Antilock Brake System (ABS)
improves vehicle stability during
hard stops on slippery roads, but
apply the brakes sooner than when
on dry pavement.
Allow greater following distance
on any slippery road and watch
for slippery spots. Icy patches can
occur on otherwise clear roads in
shaded areas. The surface of a
curve or an overpass can remain
icy when the surrounding roads
are clear. Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
Turn off cruise control on slippery
surfaces.

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 (34,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
9-34 Driving and Operating
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
on page 5‑26.
If driving safely on a wet road
and it becomes necessary to
slam on the brakes and continue
braking to avoid a sudden obstacle,
a computer senses that the wheels
are slowing down. If one of the
wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the
brakes at each wheel. ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
the driver steer around the obstacle
while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls
braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to
stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly and let
ABS work. You might hear the ABS
pump or motor operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsate, but this is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
more than even the very best
braking.