wheel CHEVROLET VOLT 2011 Service Manual

Black plate (33,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-33
N (Neutral):In this position, the
propulsion system does not connect
with the wheels.
D (Drive): This position is for
normal driving. It provides the
best fuel economy. If more power
is needed for passing, and the
vehicle is:
.Going less than 56 km/h
(35 mph), push the accelerator
pedal about halfway down.
.Going about 56 km/h (35 mph)
or more, push the accelerator
all the way down.
Notice: If the vehicle seems to
accelerate slowly or not respond
when you go faster, and you
continue to drive the vehicle
that way, you could damage
the electric drive unit. Have the
vehicle serviced right away. L (Low):
This position reduces
vehicle speed without using the
brakes. You can use L (Low) on
hills. It can help control vehicle
speed going down steep mountain
roads along with using the brakes
off and on. You can use L (Low)
on very steep hills, in deep snow,
or in mud.
Notice: Spinning the tires or
holding the vehicle in one
place on a hill using only the
accelerator pedal 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 hill, use the brakes to hold the
vehicle in place.
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has the Antilock
Brake System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that helps
prevent a braking skid.
When propulsion is active and
the vehicle begins to drive away,
ABS checks itself. A momentary
motor or clicking noise might be
heard while this test is going on,
and it might even be noticed that
the brake pedal moves a little.
This is normal.

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.

Black plate (36,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
9-36 Driving and Operating
To apply the EPB when this
light is on, lift up on the
Yswitch
and hold it in the up position.
Full application of the parking brake
by the EPB system may take a
longer period of time than normal
when this light is on. Continue to
hold the
Yswitch until the Electric
Parking Brake Light remains on.
If the Service Electric Parking
Brake Light is on, see your dealer.
If the EPB fails to apply, the rear
wheels should be blocked to
prevent vehicle movement.
For maximum EPB force when
parking on a hill, pull the EPB
switch twice.
EPB Release
To release the EPB, place the
vehicle in ON/RUN, apply and hold
the brake pedal, and push down
momentarily on the
Yswitch.
If attempting to release the EPB
without the brake pedal applied,
a chime will sound, and the DIC
message STEP ON BRAKE TO
RELEASE PARK BRAKE will be
displayed. The EPB is released
when the Electric Parking Brake
Light is off.
If the Service Electric Parking
Brake Light is on, the EPB has
detected a system problem, and is
operating with reduced functionality.
To release the EPB when this light
is on, push down on the
Yswitch
and hold it in the down position.
EPB release may take a longer
period of time than normal when
this light is on. Continue to hold
the
Yswitch until the Electric
Parking Brake Light is off. If the
light is on, see your dealer. Notice:
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
Electric Parking Brake 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.
See Electric Parking Brake Light on
page 5‑25, Service Electric Parking
Brake Light on page 5‑25, and
Brake System Messages on
page 5‑46.

Black plate (37,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-37
Regenerative Braking
Regenerative braking takes some of
the energy from the moving vehicle
and turns it back into electrical
energy. This energy is then stored
back into the high voltage battery
system, contributing to increased
energy efficiency.
The hydraulic disc brakes work with
the regenerative braking to ensure
effective braking, such as when a
high braking demand is requested.
The braking system is
computer controlled and
blends the regenerative braking
with the conventional hydraulic disc
brakes to meet any requirements
for deceleration. The controllerinterprets the braking request
and uses regenerative braking,
conventional hydraulic braking, or a
combination of both as necessary.
Because the controller applies the
hydraulic brakes through its high
pressure accumulator, you may
occasionally hear the motor‐driven
pump when it recharges the system.
This is normal.
See
Warning Lights, Gauges,
and Indicators on page 5‑9 and
Driver Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑43. In the event of a
controller problem, the brake pedal
may be harder to push and the
stopping distance may be longer.
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control
System (TCS)
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) that limits wheel
spin. The system operates if it
senses that one or both of the drive
wheels are spinning or beginning to
lose traction. When this happens,
the system brakes the spinning
wheel(s) and/or reduces power
to limit wheel spin.
The system may be heard or felt
while it is working, but this is
normal.
To assist with directional control
of the vehicle, TCS comes on
automatically whenever the vehicle
is started and cannot be turned off.

Black plate (40,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
9-40 Driving and Operating
Ifdcomes on and stays on, reset
the system:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Turn the vehicle off and wait 15 seconds.
3. Start the vehicle.
If
dstill comes on and stays on,
the vehicle needs service.
If cruise control is being used when
StabiliTrak activates, the cruise
control will automatically disengage.
Press the cruise control button to
reengage when road conditions
allow. See Cruise Control on
page 9‑40 for more information.
Cruise Control
The cruise control lets the vehicle
maintain a speed of about 40 km/h
(25 mph) or more without keeping
your foot on the accelerator. Cruise
control does not work at speeds
below 40 km/h (25 mph).
With the Traction Control
System (TCS) or Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), the system
may begin to limit wheel spin
while you are using cruise control.
If this happens, the cruise control
will automatically disengage.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 9‑37 orElectronic Stability
Control (ESC) on page 9‑39.
{WARNING
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. So, do not use
the cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.

Black plate (41,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-41
The cruise control buttons are on
the steering wheel.
1(On/Off):Press to turn the
cruise control system on and off.
An indicator light will turn on or
off in the instrument cluster.
*(Cancel): Press to disengage
cruise control without erasing the
set speed from memory. RES/+ (Resume/Accel):
Move
the thumbwheel up to resume
to a previously set speed or to
accelerate.
SET/− (Set/Coast): Move the
thumbwheel down to set a speed
and activate cruise control or to
make the vehicle decelerate.
Setting Cruise Control
If the cruise button is on when not in
use, it could get bumped and go into
cruise when not desired. Keep the
cruise control button off when cruise
is not being used.
To set a speed:
1. Press
1to turn cruise
control on.
2. Get up to the speed desired. 3. Move the thumbwheel down
toward SET/− and release it.
The desired set speed briefly
appears in the instrument
cluster.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
When the brakes are applied, the
cruise control shuts off.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a
desired speed and then the
brakes are applied, the cruise
control is disengaged without
erasing the set speed from memory.
Once the vehicle speed is about
40 km/h (25 mph) or greater,
move the thumbwheel up toward
RES/+ briefly and then release it.
The vehicle returns to the previously
set speed and stays there.

Black plate (42,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
9-42 Driving and Operating
Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is
already activated:
.Move the thumbwheel up
toward RES/+ and hold it until
the vehicle accelerates to the
desired speed, then release it.
.To increase the speed in small
amounts, move the thumbwheel
up toward RES/+ briefly and
then release it. Each time this
is done, the vehicle goes about
1.6 km/h (1 mph) faster.Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is
already activated:
.Move the thumbwheel toward
SET/−
and hold until the desired
lower speed is reached, then
release it.
.To slow down in very small
amounts, move the thumbwheel
toward SET/− briefly. Each time
this is done, the vehicle goes
about 1.6 km/h (1 mph) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While
Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to
increase vehicle speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal,
the vehicle will slow down to the
previously set cruise control speed. Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control works
on hills depends upon the vehicle
speed, load, and the steepness
of the hills. When going up steep
hills, you might have to step on
the accelerator pedal to maintain
the vehicle speed. When going
downhill, you might have to brake
or shift to a lower gear to maintain
the vehicle speed. When the brakes
are applied the cruise control is
disengaged.

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
10-2 Vehicle Care
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-49
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . 10-49
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-51
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-54
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-55
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-57
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-61
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-61
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-62 Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-63
Different Size Tires and
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-65
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-65
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-67
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . 10-67
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-69
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . 10-69
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . 10-71
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . 10-78
Jump Starting
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-79
Towing
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . 10-84
Recreational VehicleTowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-87
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-89
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-93
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-96

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-5
Lifting the Vehicle
This vehicle can be lifted with a
hoist or a service jack. Do not use
any other type of jack to lift the
vehicle.
Lifting the Vehicle with a Hoist
This vehicle can be lifted with
a hoist at the four locations,
as illustrated.
Notice:Lifting the vehicle
improperly can damage the
vehicle and result in costly
repairs not covered by the
warranty.
The front lifting points can be
accessed from either side of the
vehicle, behind the front tires.
The rear lifting points can be
accessed from either side of the
vehicle, in front of the rear tires. Lifting the Vehicle with a
Service Jack
{WARNING
Lifting a vehicle can cause
an injury. The vehicle can slip
off the jack and roll over you or
other people. You and they could
be badly injured. Find a level
place to lift your vehicle. To help
prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put the shift lever in P (Park).
3. Turn off the vehicle.
To be even more certain the
vehicle will not move, put blocks
in front of and behind the wheels.

Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-9
Keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date
of any service work performed.
SeeMaintenance Records on
page 11‑8.
Hood
To open the hood:
1. Turn the vehicle off before opening the hood. If the
vehicle is on, the engine will
start when the hood is opened.
See Electric Mode on page 9‑25
and Extended Range Mode on
page 9‑25.
2. Pull the release handle with this symbol. It is below the
instrument panel to the left
of the steering wheel.
3. Go to the front of the vehicle andlocate the secondary release
lever under the front center of
the hood. Push the secondary
hood release lever to the right
to disengage.
4. Lift the hood and release the hood prop rod from its retainer
above the radiator support.
Place the prop rod securely into
the slotted retainer in the hood. To close the hood:
1. Before closing the hood, check
that all filler caps are properly
installed. Then, lift the hood
to relieve pressure on the
hood prop.
2. Remove the hood prop from the slotted retainer in the hood
and return it to its retainer above
the radiator support. The prop
rod must lock into place when
returning it to the retainer to
prevent hood damage.
3. Lower the hood 20 cm (8 in) above the vehicle and release
it so it fully latches. Check to
make sure the hood is firmly
closed. Repeat the process if
necessary.