service CHEVROLET VOLT 2012 1.G Owner's Manual

Black plate (20,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
5-20 Instruments and Controls
Notice:Modifications made to
the engine, electric drive unit,
exhaust, intake, or fuel system of
the vehicle or the replacement of
the original tires with other
than those of the same Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) can
affect the vehicle emission
controls and can cause this light
to come on. Modifications to
these systems could lead to
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. This could also
result in a failure to pass a
required Emission Inspection/
Maintenance test. See
Accessories and Modifications on
page 10‑3.
This light comes on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing: A misfire condition
has been detected. A misfire
increases vehicle emissions and
could damage the emission control
system on the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required. The following can prevent more
serious damage to the vehicle:
.Reduce vehicle speed.
.Avoid hard accelerations.
.Avoid steep uphill grades.
If the light continues to flash, when
it is safe to do so, stop the vehicle.
Find a safe place to park the
vehicle. Turn the vehicle off, wait at
least 10 seconds, and restart the
vehicle. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps and see
your dealer for service as soon as
possible.
Light On Steady: An emission
control system malfunction has
been detected on the vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be
required. The following may correct an
emission system malfunction:
.Check that the fuel cap is fully
installed. The diagnostic system
can determine if the fuel cap has
been left off or improperly
installed. A loose or missing fuel
cap allows fuel to evaporate into
the atmosphere. A few driving
trips with the cap properly
installed should turn the light off.
.Check that good quality fuel is
used. Poor fuel quality causes
the engine not to run as
efficiently as designed and may
cause stalling after start-up or
misfiring. These conditions might
go away once the engine is
warmed up.
If one or more of these
conditions occurs, change the
fuel brand used. It will require at
least one full tank of the proper
fuel to turn the light off.

Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-21
If none of the above have made the
light turn off, your dealer can check
the vehicle. The dealer has the
proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to fix any
mechanical or electrical problems
that might have developed.
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state and local governments
have or might begin programs to
inspect the emission control
equipment on the vehicle. Failure to
pass this inspection could prevent
getting a vehicle registration.The DLC is under the instrument
panel to the left of the steering
wheel. See your dealer if assistance
is needed.
The vehicle may not pass
inspection if:
.The vehicle may not pass this
inspection if the malfunction
indicator lamp is on while the
vehicle is in ON/RUN, or if the
vehicle is placed in Service Only
Mode and the malfunction
indicator lamp does not come
on. See your dealer for
assistance in verifying proper
operation of the malfunction
indicator lamp.
.The vehicle may not pass this
inspection if the OBD II
(On-Board Diagnostics) system
determines that critical emission
control systems have not been
completely diagnosed by the
system. The vehicle would be
considered not ready for
inspection. This can happen if
the 12‐volt battery has recently
been replaced or if the 12‐volt
battery has run down. The
diagnostic system is designed to
evaluate critical emission control
systems during normal driving.
This can take several days of
routine driving. If this has been
done and the vehicle still does
not pass the inspection for lack
of OBD II system readiness, your
dealer can prepare the vehicle
for inspection.

Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
5-22 Instruments and Controls
Brake System Warning
Light
The vehicle brake system consists
of two hydraulic circuits. If one
circuit is not working, the remaining
circuit can still work to stop the
vehicle. For normal braking
performance, both circuits need to
be working.
If the warning light comes on, there
is a brake problem. Have the brake
system inspected right away.
MetricEnglish
This light comes on briefly when the
vehicle is turned on. If it does not
come on then, have it fixed so it will
be ready to warn if there is a
problem. If the light comes on and stays on,
there is a base brake problem.
{WARNING
The brake system might not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on.
Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after
the vehicle has been pulled off
the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for
service.
Electric Parking Brake
Light
This status light comes on when the
parking brake is applied. If the light
flashes and stays on after the
parking brake is released, or while
driving, there is a problem with the
electric parking brake system.
If the light does not come on,
or remains flashing, see your dealer.
See
Electric Parking Brake on
page 9‑34 for more information.

Black plate (23,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-23
Service Electric Parking
Brake Light
The Service Electric Parking Brake
light should come on briefly when
the vehicle is in ON/RUN. If it does
not come on, have it fixed so it will
be ready to warn if there is a
problem.
If this light stays on, there is a
problem with a system on the
vehicle that is causing the parking
brake system to work at a reduced
level. The vehicle can still be driven,
but should be taken to a dealer as
soon as possible. SeeElectric
Parking Brake on page 9‑34 for
more information. If a message
displays in the Driver Information Center (DIC), see
Brake System
Messages on page 5‑48 for more
information.
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
This light should come on briefly
when the vehicle is in ON/RUN. If it
does not come on, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer.
If the ABS warning light stays on
longer than a few seconds after the
vehicle is in ON/RUN, or comes on
and stays on while driving, try
resetting the system. To reset the
system:
1. While driving, pull over when it is safe to do so.
2. Place the vehicle in P (Park). 3. Turn the vehicle off.
4. Restart the vehicle.
If the ABS warning light remains on
after resetting the system or comes
on again while driving, the vehicle
needs service. If the ABS warning
light is on, but the regular brake
system warning light is not on, the
antilock brakes are not working
properly, but the regular brakes are
still functioning. Have the vehicle
serviced right away. If both brake
lights are on, the vehicle does not
have antilock brakes, and there is a
problem with the regular brakes as
well. Have the vehicle towed for
service. See
Towing the Vehicle on
page 10‑81.

Black plate (24,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
5-24 Instruments and Controls
Sport Mode Light
This light comes on when Sport
Mode is selected. See“Sport Mode”
in Driver Selected Operating Modes
on page 9‑25 for more information.
Mountain Mode Light
This light comes on when Mountain
Mode is selected. See “Mountain
Mode” inDriver Selected Operating
Modes on page 9‑25 for more
information.
Traction Off Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer. If the system is working
normally, the indicator light then
turns off.
The traction off light comes on when
the Traction Control System (TCS)
has been turned off by pressing and
releasing the TCS/ESC button.
This light and the StabiliTrak Off
light come on when StabiliTrak is
turned off.
If the TCS is off, wheel spin is not
limited. Adjust driving accordingly.
StabiliTrak®OFF Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer.
This light comes on when the
StabiliTrak system is turned off.
If StabiliTrak is off, Traction Control
System (TCS) is also off.
If the TCS is off, the system does
not assist in controlling the vehicle.
Turn on the TCS and the StabiliTrak
systems and the warning light
turns off.

Black plate (25,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-25
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak®Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the vehicle.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the
system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
If the light comes on and stays on
while driving, there could be a
problem with the TCS/StabiliTrak
system and the vehicle might need
service. When this warning light is
on, the TCS/StabiliTrak system is off
and does not limit wheel spin.
The light flashes if the system is
active and is working to assist the
driver with directional control of the
vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Light
The engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on briefly when
the vehicle is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the
system is working normally, the
indicator light then goes off.
If the light comes on and stays on
while driving, the vehicle may have
a problem with the cooling system.
Stop and turn off the vehicle to
avoid damage to the engine.
A warning chime sounds when this
light is on.
SeeEngine Overheating on
page 10‑21 for more information.
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this light
comes on briefly when the vehicle is
in ON/RUN. It provides information
about tire pressures and the TPMS.
When the Light is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of
the tires are significantly
underinflated.
A message in the Driver Information
Center (DIC) may also display. See
Tire Messages on page 5‑55 for
more information. Stop as soon as
possible, and inflate the tires to the
pressure value shown on the Tire
and Loading Information Label. See
Tires on page 10‑44 for more
information.

Black plate (26,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
5-26 Instruments and Controls
When the Light Flashes First and
Then is On Steady
This indicates that there may be a
problem with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System. The light flashes
for about one minute and stays on
steady until the vehicle is in OFF.
This sequence repeats each time
the vehicle is in ON/RUN. SeeTire
Pressure Monitor System on
page 10‑51 for more information.Engine Oil Pressure Light
{WARNING
Do not keep driving if the oil
pressure is low. The engine can
become so hot that it catches fire.
Someone could be burned. Check
the oil as soon as possible and
have the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always follow the maintenance
schedule for changing engine oil.
The oil pressure light should come
on briefly as the vehicle is started.
If it does not come on have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the light comes on and stays on, it
means that oil is not flowing through
the engine properly. The vehicle
could be low on oil and might have
some other system problem. See
your dealer.

Black plate (27,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-27
Low Fuel Warning Light
The low fuel warning light comes on
briefly when the vehicle is started.
This light also comes on when the
fuel level is low. When fuel is added,
the light should go off. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced.
Security Light
The immobilizer light should come
on briefly as the engine is started.
If it does not come on, have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally,
the indicator light turns off.
If the light stays on and the engine
does not start, there could be a
problem with the theft-deterrent
system. SeeImmobilizer Operation
on page 2‑16 for more information.
Vehicle Ready Light
The vehicle ready light comes on
whenever the vehicle is ready to be
driven.
High-Beam On Light
The high-beam on light comes on
when the high-beam headlamps are
in use.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer on page 6‑2 for more
information.

Black plate (46,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
5-46 Instruments and Controls
Trip A and Trip B
The trip displays show fuel used,
average fuel economy, and distance
traveled since the last trip reset.
Reset the trip data by pressing and
holding the SELECT button when
either Trip A or Trip B is displayed.
Oil Life
This displays the percentage of
remaining oil life. The lower
the percentage, the closer the
vehicle is to needing an oil change.
When the oil life is depleted, the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message displays. Change the oil
as soon as possible. Additional
maintenance is also recommended
in the Maintenance Schedule. See
Maintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3andEngine Oil on
page 10‑9. The oil life must be reset after each
oil change. Avoid accidental
resetting of the Engine Oil Life
System. It cannot be reset
accurately until the next oil change.
To reset the Engine Oil Life System,
see
Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑12. The system is reset
when 100% displays.
Tire Pressure
The display will show a vehicle with
the approximate pressures of all
four tires. Tire pressure is displayed
in either kilopascals (kPa) or in
pounds per square inch (psi).
If a low or high tire pressure is
detected, a message is displayed
advising to check the tire pressure
in the specified tire. See Tire
Pressure on page 10‑50 andTire
Messages on page 5‑55 for more
information. If the tire pressure display shows
dashes instead of a value, there
may be a problem with the vehicle.
See your dealer for service.
Vehicle Messages
Turn the SELECT knob to scroll
through any active warning
messages. Press SELECT to review
the messages.
Units
Turn the SELECT knob to change
the unit display to METRIC or US
when the display is active. Press
SELECT to confirm the setting. This
will change the displays on the
cluster and DIC to either metric or
English (US) measurements.

Black plate (48,1)Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual - 2012
5-48 Instruments and Controls
CHARGE CORD CONNECTED
This message displays when the
charge cord is connected to the
vehicle. The vehicle cannot be
shifted out of P (Park) with the
charge cord connected.
CHARGE DOOR OPEN
This message displays when the
charge door is open and the vehicle
is shifted out of P (Park).
LOW BATTERY
This message displays when the
12-volt battery voltage is low. See
Battery on page 10‑25for more
information.
SERVICE BATTERY
CHARGING SYSTEM
This message displays when there
is a fault in the 12-volt battery
charging system. Take the vehicle to
your dealer for service.
SERVICE HIGH VOLTAGE
CHARGING SYSTEM
This message displays when there
is a problem with the high voltage
charging system. See your dealer
for service.
Brake System Messages
BRAKE FLUID LOW
This message displays when the
brake fluid level is low. See Brake
Fluid on page 10‑23.
RELEASE PARKING BRAKE
This message displays if the electric
parking brake is on while the vehicle
is in motion. Release it before
attempting to drive. See Electric
Parking Brake on page 9‑34 for
more information.
SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST
This message displays when there
is a problem with the brake boost
assist system. When this message
displays, the brake boost assist
motor might be heard operating and
a pulsation may be felt in the brake
pedal. Take the vehicle to your
dealer for service.
SERVICE PARKING BRAKE
This message displays when there
is a problem with the parking brake.
Take the vehicle to your dealer for
service.
STEP ON BRAKE TO
RELEASE PARK BRAKE
This message displays when
attempting to release the electric
parking brake without the brake
pedal applied. See Electric Parking
Brake on page 9‑34 for more
information.