ECU CHEVROLET VOLT 2011 Owner's Manual

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
2011 Chevrolet Volt Owner ManualM
In Brief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Battery and Efficiency . . . . . . . . 1-18
Performance and
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Keys, Doors and Windows . . . 2-1
Keys and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Exterior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Interior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-25
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-41 Storage
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 4-1
Additional Storage Features . . . 4-2
Instruments and Controls . . . . 5-1
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . 5-4
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . 5-31
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-45
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 5-53
Universal Remote System . . . . 5-60
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Lighting Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18 Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-39
Voice Recognition . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-77
Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-85
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 9-18
Electric Vehicle Operating Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Electric Drive Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-37
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-40
Object Detection Systems . . . . 9-43
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-49
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-57
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-62
Conversions and Add-Ons . . . 9-63

Black plate (27,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-27
Roadside Assistance
Program
U.S.:1-888-811-1926
TTY Users: 1-888-889-2438
Canada: 1-800-268-6800
As the owner of a new Chevrolet,
you are automatically enrolled in
the Roadside Assistance program.
This program provides security
and convenience in the event of
an on-road failure or emergency
situation. Service is provided
24 hours a day, 365 days a year for
the 5 year/160 000 km (100,000 mi)
coverage period.
See Roadside Assistance Program
on page 13‑6 for more information. Roadside Assistance and OnStar
If you have an active OnStar
subscription, press theQbutton
and the current GPS location will
be sent to an OnStar advisor who
will assess your problem, contact
Roadside Assistance, and relay
your exact location to get the help
you need.
Online Owner Center
The Online Owner Center is a
complimentary service that includes
online service reminders, vehicle
maintenance tips, online owner
manual, special privileges,
and more.
Sign up today at:
www.chevyownercenter.com
(U.S.) or www.gm.ca (Canada).
OnStar®
For vehicles with an active OnStar
subscription, OnStar uses several
innovative technologies and live
Advisors to provide a wide range
of safety, security, navigation,
diagnostics, and calling services.
Automatic Crash Response
In a crash, built‐in sensors
automatically alert an OnStar
Advisor who is immediately
connected to the vehicle to
see if you need help.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-1
Keys, Doors and
Windows
Keys and Locks
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Remote Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . 2-11
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Doors
Hatch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Vehicle Security
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Anti-theft Alarm System . . . . . . 2-13
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Immobilizer Operation . . . . . . . 2-14
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Power Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Interior Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Windows
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Power Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19

Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-13
To open the hatch, with all doors
unlocked, press the button on the
underside of the hatch and lift up.Use the inside pull handle to lower
and close the hatch.
Always close the hatch before
driving. Do not press the button
while closing the hatch; it will unlock
again.
Vehicle Security
This vehicle has theft-deterrent
features; however, they do not make
it impossible to steal.
Anti-theft Alarm System
This vehicle has an anti-theft alarm
system.
Arming the System
To arm the system, close all of the
windows and doors and then:
.PressQon the RKE transmitter.
.Or, lock the vehicle using the
power door lock switch in the
center stack if Unlocked Door
Anti Lock Out is turned off. See
“Unlocked Door Anti Lock Out”
underVehicle Personalization on
page 5‑53 for more information.
The alarm automatically arms after
about 30 seconds.

Black plate (15,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-15
The security light in the instrument
cluster comes on if there is a
problem with arming or disarming
the theft-deterrent system.
When trying to start the vehicle, the
security light comes on briefly when
the vehicle is turned on.
If the vehicle does not start and the
security light stays on, there is a
problem with the system. Attempt to
turn the vehicle off and try it again.
Do not leave the RKE transmitter in
the vehicle.
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors
{WARNING
A convex mirror can make things,
like other vehicles, look farther
away than they really are. If you
cut too sharply into the right lane,
you could hit a vehicle on the
right. Check the inside mirror or
glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
The passenger side mirror is convex
shaped. A convex mirror's surface is
curved so more can be seen from
the driver seat.
Power Mirrors
Controls for the outside power
mirrors are on the driver door.
To adjust a mirror:
1. Move the selector switch to L (left) or R (right) to choose
the driver or passenger mirror.
2. Press the arrows on the control pad to move each mirror in the
desired direction.
3. Return the selector switch to the center position.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-1
Seats and
Restraints
Head Restraints
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Heated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Rear Seats
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Safety Belts
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
How to Wear Safety BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-23
Safety Belt Extender . . . . . . . . . 3-23
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . 3-23
Safety Belt Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24
Replacing Safety Belt System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-24
Airbag System
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-25
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . 3-27
When Should an AirbagInflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-28
What Makes an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-30
How Does an Airbag Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-30
What Will You See after an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-31
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-33
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-38
Adding Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . 3-38
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . 3-40
Replacing Airbag System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-40
Child Restraints
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-41
Infants and YoungChildren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-43
Child Restraint Systems . . . . . 3-45
Where to Put the Restraint . . . 3-47
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH
System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-49
Replacing LATCH System Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-57
Securing Child Restraints (Rear Seat) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-57
Securing Child Restraints (Front Passenger Seat) . . . . 3-60

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-3
Pull and push on the head restraint
after the button is released to make
sure that it is locked in place.
The front seat outboard head
restraints are not designed to be
removed.
Rear Seats
The vehicle's rear seats have
adjustable head restraints in the
outboard seating positions.
The height of the head restraint can
be adjusted. Pull the head restraint
up to raise it. Try to move the head
restraint to make sure that it is
locked in place.To lower the head restraint, press
the button, located on the top of
the seatback, and push the head
restraint down. Try to move the
head restraint after the button is
released to make sure that it is
locked in place.
If you are installing a child restraint
in the rear seat, see
“Securing a
Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System” underLower
Anchors and Tethers for Children
(LATCH System) on page 3‑49.

Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-19
{WARNING
You can be seriously injured by a
twisted belt. In a crash, you would
not have the full width of the belt
to spread impact forces. If a belt
is twisted, make it straight so it
can work properly, or ask your
dealer to fix it.
Lap-Shoulder Belt
All seating positions in the vehicle
have a lap-shoulder belt.
The following instructions explain
how to wear a lap-shoulder belt
properly.
1. If the seat has a safety beltguide, and the safety belt is not
routed through the guide, slide
the edge of the belt webbing
through the opening on the
guide. Be sure the belt is not
twisted. 2. Adjust the seat, if the seat is
adjustable, so you can sit up
straight. To see how, see “Seats”
in the Index.
3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Do not let it
get twisted.
The lap-shoulder belt may lock if
you pull the belt across you very
quickly. If this happens, let the
belt go back slightly to unlock it.
Then pull the belt across you
more slowly.
If the shoulder portion of a
passenger belt is pulled out
all the way, the child restraint
locking feature may be engaged.
If this happens, let the belt go
back all the way and start again.4. Push the latch plate into the
buckle until it clicks.
Pull up on the latch plate to
make sure it is secure. If the belt
is not long enough, see Safety
Belt Extender on page 3‑23.
Position the release button on
the buckle so that the safety belt
could be quickly unbuckled if
necessary.

Black plate (23,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-23
Safety Belt Use During
Pregnancy
Safety belts work for everyone,
including pregnant women. Like all
occupants, they are more likely to
be seriously injured if they do not
wear safety belts.
A pregnant woman should wear
a lap-shoulder belt, and the lap
portion should be worn as low as
possible, below the rounding,
throughout the pregnancy.The best way to protect the fetus is
to protect the mother. When a safety
belt is worn properly, it is more likely
that the fetus will not be hurt in a
crash. For pregnant women, as for
anyone, the key to making safety
belts effective is wearing them
properly.
Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle's safety belt will fasten
around you, you should use it.
But if a safety belt is not long
enough, your dealer will order you
an extender. When you go in to
order it, take the heaviest coat you
will wear, so the extender will be
long enough for you. To help avoid
personal injury, do not let someone
else use it, and use it only for the
seat it is made to fit. The extender
has been designed for adults.
Never use it for securing child seats.
To wear it, attach it to the regular
safety belt. For more information,
see the instruction sheet that comes
with the extender.
Safety System Check
Now and then, check that the
safety belt reminder light, safety
belts, buckles, latch plates,
retractors, and anchorages are
working properly. Look for any
other loose or damaged safety belt
system parts that might keep a
safety belt system from doing its
job. See your dealer to have it
repaired. Torn or frayed safety belts
may not protect you in a crash.
They can rip apart under impact
forces. If a belt is torn or frayed,
get a new one right away.
Make sure the safety belt reminder
light is working. See
Safety Belt
Reminders on page 5‑18 for more
information.
Keep safety belts clean and dry.
See Safety Belt Care on page 3‑24.

Black plate (26,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2011
3-26 Seats and Restraints
{WARNING
Airbags inflate with great force,
faster than the blink of an eye.
Anyone who is up against, or
very close to, any airbag when it
inflates can be seriously injured
or killed. Do not sit unnecessarily
close to any airbag, as you would
be if you were sitting on the edge
of the seat or leaning forward.
Safety belts help keep you in
position before and during a
crash. Always wear a safety belt,
even with airbags. The driver
should sit as far back as possible
while still maintaining control of
the vehicle.
Occupants should not lean on or
sleep against the door or side
windows in seating positions with
seat-mounted side impact airbags
and/or roof-rail airbags.
{WARNING
Children who are up against,
or very close to, any airbag
when it inflates can be seriously
injured or killed. Airbags plus
lap-shoulder belts offer protection
for adults and older children, but
not for young children and infants.
Neither the vehicle's safety belt
system nor its airbag system
is designed for them. Young
children and infants need the
protection that a child restraint
system can provide. Always
secure children properly in
the vehicle. To read how, see
Older Children on page 3‑41or
Infants and Young Children on
page 3‑43.
There is an airbag readiness
light on the instrument cluster,
which shows the airbag symbol.
The system checks the airbag
electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an
electrical problem. See Airbag
Readiness Light on page 5‑19
for more information.