charging CHEVROLET VOLT 2012 1.G User Guide

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
5-4 Instruments and Controls
A.Air Vents on page 8‑8.
B. Turn and Lane‐Change Lever. See Turn and Lane-Change
Signals on page 6‑4.
Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 6‑1.
Pedestrian Friendly Alert on
page 5‑6.
C. Instrument Cluster on page 5‑9.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
Display. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑45.
D. Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5‑6.
E. Heated Front Seats on page 3‑6
(If Equipped).
F. Center Stack Display on
page 5‑29.
G. Charging Status Indicator. See Charging Status Feedback on
page 9‑52. H. Light Sensor. See
Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL) on
page 6‑2.
I. Instrument Panel Storage on
page 4‑1.
J. Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8‑1.
K. Driver Information Center (DIC) Controls. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑45.
L. Instrument Panel Illumination
Control on page 6‑4.
M. Data Link Connector (DLC) (Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 5‑19.
N. Cruise Control on page 9‑40.
O. Steering Wheel Adjustment on
page 5‑5.
P. Horn on page 5‑6. Q.
Steering Wheel Controls on
page 5‑5 (If Equipped).
R. Leaf Button. See Center Stack
Display on page 5‑29.
S. DRIVE MODE Button. See Driver Selected Operating
Modes on page 9‑25.
T. Power Button on page 9‑18.
U. Shift Lever. See Electric Drive
Unit on page 9‑31.
V. Infotainment on page 7‑1.
Navigation System. See the
separate navigation system
manual.
W. Electric Parking Brake on
page 9‑34.
X. Power Door Locks on
page 2‑12.
Y. Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 6‑3.

Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-9
When one of the warning lights
comes on and stays on while
driving, or when one of the gauges
shows there may be a problem,
check the section that explains what
to do. Waiting to do repairs can be
costly and even dangerous.
Instrument Cluster
The instrument cluster displays a
preview of information that includes
electric range, charging, odometer,
and battery status. This happens
upon entry when the driver door is
opened, and following the welcome
animation, before starting the
vehicle.A CHARGING OVERRIDE/
INTERRUPTION OCCURRED
message may display on the lower
left of the screen to indicate that a
charging override or interruption has
occurred due to one or more of the
following events:
.Override of the charge settings
by the owner using OnStar.
.Unintended interruption of AC
power at the vehicle's
charge port.
.Interruption of charging by the
utility company using OnStar as
authorized by vehicle owner.
The following screens may appear,
depending on the status.
This screen indicates that the
charge cord is not connected. Plug
the charge cord in to charge the
vehicle.

Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
5-10 Instruments and Controls
This screen indicates that the
charge cord is connected and
charging is complete.
This screen indicates that charging
is active and the estimated charge
completion time is 10:00 a.m.
This screen indicates that charging
is programmed to be delayed with
an estimated completion time of
7:00 a.m.
This screen indicates that the
vehicle is fully charged and the
charge cord is not connected.
This screen indicates that the
charge cord is connected, but the
vehicle cannot be charged.

Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
5-12 Instruments and Controls
A.Battery Gauge (High Voltage)
on page 5‑14.
B. Fuel Gauge on page 5‑15.
C. Service Electric Parking Brake
Light on page 5‑23.
D. Security Light on page 5‑27.
E. Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light on page 5‑25.
F. Charging System Light (12-Volt
Battery) on page 5‑19.
G. Engine Oil Pressure Light on
page 5‑26.
H. High-Beam On Light on
page 5‑27.
I. Second Row Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light. See Safety
Belt Reminders on page 5‑16.
J. Turn and Lane-Change Signals
on page 6‑4.
K. Compass on page 5‑14.
L. Speedometer on page 5‑14. M.
Cruise Control Light on
page 5‑28.
N. Electric Parking Brake Light on
page 5‑22.
O. Door, Hood, or Hatch Open
Light on page 5‑28.
P. Low Fuel Warning Light on
page 5‑27.
Q. Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light on page 5‑23.
R. Electric Drive Unit Positions. See Electric Drive Unit on
page 9‑31.
S. Driver Efficiency Gauge on
page 5‑15.
T. Brake System Warning Light on
page 5‑22.
U. Driver Safety Belt Reminder Light. See Safety Belt
Reminders on page 5‑16.
V. Airbag Readiness Light on
page 5‑17. W.
Total Vehicle Range on
page 5‑15.
X. Vehicle Ready Light on
page 5‑27.
Y. StabiliTrak
®OFF Light on
page 5‑24.
Z. Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 5‑45.
AA. Traction Off Light on page 5‑24.
AB. Sport Mode Light on page 5‑24
and Mountain Mode Light on
page 5‑24.
AC. Lamps On Reminder on
page 5‑28.
AD. Odometer on page 5‑14.
AE. Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 5‑19.
AF. Traction Control System (TCS)/
StabiliTrak
®Light on page 5‑25.
AG. Tire Pressure Light on
page 5‑25.

Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-19
Charging System Light
(12-Volt Battery)
The charging system light comes on
briefly when the vehicle is in ON/
RUN, as a check to show the light is
working.
If the light stays on, or comes on
while driving, there could be a
problem with the electrical charging
system. Have it checked by your
dealer. Driving while this light is on
could drain the 12‐volt battery.
If a short distance must be driven
with the light on, be sure to turn off
all accessories, such as the radio.
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp
A computer system called OBD II
(On-Board Diagnostics-Second
Generation) monitors operation of
the fuel, ignition, and emission
control systems. It ensures that
emissions are at acceptable levels
for the life of the vehicle, helping to
produce a cleaner environment.
This light comes on when the
vehicle is placed in Service Only
Mode, as a check to show it is
working. If it does not, have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer. See
Power Button on page 9‑18for more
information.
If the malfunction indicator lamp
comes on and stays on, while the
engine is in ON/RUN, this indicates
that there is an OBD II problem and
service is required.
Malfunctions often are indicated by
the system before any problem is
apparent. Being aware of the light
can prevent more serious damage
to the vehicle. This system assists
the dealer technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice: If the vehicle is
continually driven with this light
on, the emission controls might
not work as well, the vehicle fuel
economy might not be as good,
and the engine might not run as
smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs that might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.

Black plate (29,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-29
Hood Open
Hatch OpenThe DIC indicates when a door, the
hood, or the hatch is open. The light
displays the open area as shaded.
The DIC and the light both display
when the vehicle is moving. Only
the light displays if the vehicle is
stopped.
Information Displays
Center Stack Display
The center stack screen displays
Charging, Power Flow, and Energy
Information. See the information that
follows.
Climate Control, Infotainment, and
Vehicle Personalization information
also displays in this screen. For
more information on these
systems, see:
.Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8‑1.
.The navigation system manual
and
Infotainment on page 7‑1.
.Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑56.

Black plate (30,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
5-30 Instruments and Controls
The center stack controls only need
a light touch to operate and work
best with bare hands. The controls
will work with most gloves although
they may take longer to respond.
Use the finger pad rather than the
finger tip to minimize response time.
If the controls are not responding,
remove the gloves.
To view the Power Flow, Charging,
and Energy Information, press the
[button on the center stack.
Power Flows
To view the Power Flow screens,
press the
[button on the center
stack and then press the Power
Flow button at the top of the touch
screen. The Power Flow screens
indicate the current system
operating condition. The screens
show the energy flow between the
engine, electric drive unit, and high
voltage battery. These components
will be highlighted when they are
active.
Battery Power ‐Battery is active
with energy flowing to the wheels.
Battery Power ‐Vehicle is stationary
in electric mode and no power is
flowing to the wheels.
Engine Power ‐Engine is active
with energy flowing to the wheels.

Black plate (32,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
5-32 Instruments and Controls
Charging
Programmable Charging
This vehicle has three
programmable charge modes. To
view the current charge mode status
in the center stack display, press the
[button on the center stack and
then press the Charging button at
the top of the touch screen.
The current charge mode status can
also be viewed in a temporary
pop-up in the center stack display
by pressing the charge port door
release button on the driver door.
The Charge Start and Charge
Complete time estimations are also
displayed on the screen. These
estimations are most accurate when
the vehicle is plugged in and in
moderate temperature conditions.
Also, to get an accurate time
estimate, the vehicle uses an
internal clock for programmable
charging, not the clock in the center
stack. Charge Mode Status
Immediately:
The vehicle starts
charging as soon as it is connected
to an electrical outlet. See Plug-In
Charging on page 9‑48.
Delayed Departure Time: The
vehicle estimates the charging start
time considering the programmed
departure time for the current day of
the week. Charging begins at the
start time and is complete by the
departure time only if sufficient time
is allowed after the charge cord is
plugged in.

Black plate (33,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-33
Delayed Rate and Departure
Time:The vehicle estimates the
charging start time based on the
utility rate schedule, utility rate
preference, and the programmed
departure time for the current day of
the week. The vehicle will charge
during the least expensive rate
periods to achieve a full battery charge by the departure time.
Electrical rate information from the
utility company for the charging
location is required for this mode.
Also, if the selected electric rate
settings result in a very long charge
completion time, the vehicle will
start charging immediately upon
plug-in. For example, if the electric
rate table is set up with all
“Peak”
rates and the rate preference is to
charge during “Off-Peak”rates only,
then the vehicle will start charging
immediately upon plug-in.
Charge Level Selection
This feature is available on some
models. The Charge Level
Preference setting allows the
customer to select their vehicle’s
charge level so it matches the
capability of their charging location.
If the vehicle consistently stops
charging after plugging in, or if a
circuit breaker continues to trip,
reducing to a lower Charge Level
Preference may resolve the issue.
The Charge Level Preference
should be configured to match the
electrical current rating for the AC
outlet that the charge cord is
connected to. The Charge Level
Preference settings are:
.Maximum: Limits AC current to
12 Amps
.Reduced: Limits AC current to
8 Amps
The Charge Level Preference
settings are not directly related to
the Charge Level Button on the
charge cord. The vehicle will adhere
to the setting that minimizes the AC
current used to charge the vehicle.

Black plate (35,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-35
Charge Rate Selection
From the Delayed Rate and
Departure Time Charge Mode
Status screen, press Edit.
Select one of the following:
.Edit Electric Rate Schedule.
.Edit Departure Time Schedule.
See“Departure Time Entry.”
.Select Charge Rate Preference. Charge Rate Preference Selection
From the Departure Time & Rate
Information screen, press Select
Charge Rate Preference.
Press one of the following options to
select the Charge Rate Preference:
.Charge during Peak, Mid‐Peak,
and Off‐Peak Rates: The vehicle
can charge during any rate
period to satisfy the next
planned departure time.
However, it will select when to
charge to minimize the total cost
of the charge.
.Charge during Mid‐Peak and
Off‐Peak Rates: The vehicle will
charge during Off-Peak and/or
Mid-Peak rate periods only and
will select when to charge to
minimize the total cost of the
charge.
.Charge during Off
‐Peak Rates:
The vehicle will only charge
during Off-Peak rate periods.
Charging begins at the start time
and is complete by the departure
time only if sufficient time is allowed
after the charge cord is plugged in.
For example, if the vehicle is
plugged in for only one hour prior to
the departure time, and the battery
is completely discharged, the
vehicle will not be fully charged by
the departure time regardless of the
rate selection.