tow CHEVROLET VOLT 2014 1.G Owner's Manual

(20,1)Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6014139) -
2014 - CRC - 9/16/13
9-20 Driving and Operating
2. Move the shift lever into P (Park)by pushing the lever all the way
toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the vehicle off.
Leaving the Vehicle with the
Propulsion System On
{Warning
It can be dangerous to leave the
vehicle with the propulsion
system running. It could overheat
and catch fire.
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
propulsion system is running.
If you have left the propulsion
system running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park).
SeeShifting Into Park on
page 9-19.
If you have to leave the vehicle with
the propulsion system on, be sure
the vehicle is in P (Park) and the
parking brake is firmly set before
you leave it. After you have moved
the shift lever into P (Park), hold
down the regular brake pedal. See if
you can move the shift lever away
from P (Park) without first pulling it
toward you. If you can, it means that
the shift lever was not fully locked
into P (Park).
Torque Lock
Torque lock is when the weight of
the vehicle puts too much force on
the parking pawl in the electric drive
unit. This happens when parking on
a hill and shifting the electric drive unit into P (Park) is not done
properly and then it is difficult to
shift out of P (Park). To prevent
torque lock, set the parking brake
and then shift into P (Park).
If torque lock does occur, your
vehicle may need to be pushed
uphill by another vehicle to relieve
the parking pawl pressure, so you
can shift out of P (Park).
Shifting out of Park
To shift out of P (Park), the vehicle
must be in ON/RUN, the brake
pedal must be applied, and the
charge cord must be unplugged.
The vehicle has an electronic shift
lock release system. The shift lock
release is designed to:
.Prevent the vehicle from turning
off unless the shift lever is in
P (Park).

(21,1)Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6014139) -
2014 - CRC - 9/16/13
Driving and Operating 9-21
.Prevent moving the shift lever
out of P (Park), unless the
vehicle is in ON/RUN, the brake
pedal is applied, and the charge
cord is unplugged.
Parking the vehicle in extreme cold
for several days without the charge
cord connected may cause the
electric drive unit to be locked in
P (Park) until the propulsion system
has warmed sufficiently.
The shift lock is always functional
except in the case of an uncharged
or low charged 12-volt battery (less
than 9 volts).
If the vehicle has an uncharged
12-volt battery or a 12-volt battery
with low voltage, try charging or
jump starting the 12-volt battery.
See Battery on page 10-23 orJump
Starting on page 10-69.
If the console shift lever cannot be
moved out of P (Park):
1. Apply and maintain the regular brakes. 2. Turn the vehicle on using the
POWER
Obutton. See Power
Button on page 9-16.
3. Let up on the shift lever and make sure the shift lever is
pushed all the way into P (Park).
4. Press the shift lever button.
5. Move the shift lever into the desired gear.
If you still cannot move the shift
lever from P (Park), see your dealer
or a professional towing service.
Parking over Things
That Burn
{Warning
Things that can burn could touch
hot exhaust parts under the
vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass,
or other things that can burn.
Electric Vehicle
Operating Modes
System Operation
This vehicle is an Extended Range
Electric Vehicle (EREV). It uses an
electric propulsion system to drive
the vehicle at all times. Electricity is
the vehicle's primary source of
energy, while gasoline is the
secondary source.
The vehicle has two modes of
operation: Electric and Extended
Range. In both modes, the vehicle
is propelled by its electric drive unit.
It converts electrical energy into
mechanical energy to drive the
wheels. The vehicle's performance
remains the same in either mode.
See Driving for Better Energy
Efficiency on page 9-2.

(36,1)Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6014139) -
2014 - CRC - 9/16/13
9-36 Driving and Operating
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 briefly to make the
vehicle resume to a previously set
speed or hold upwards to
accelerate. If cruise control is
already active, use to increase
vehicle speed. SET/−
(Set/Coast): Move the
thumbwheel down briefly to set the
speed and activate cruise control.
If cruise control is already active,
use to decrease speed.
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 the
1button to turn the
cruise system on.
2. Get up to the speed desired.
3. Move the thumbwheel toward SET/− and release it. The
desired set speed briefly
appears in the instrument
cluster.
4. Remove foot from the accelerator pedal. 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. The vehicle returns to the
previously set speed.
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
increments, move the
thumbwheel up toward RES/+
briefly and then release it. Each
time this is done, the vehicle
goes about 1 km/h (1 mph)
faster.

(37,1)Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6014139) -
2014 - CRC - 9/16/13
Driving and Operating 9-37
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 small
increments, move the
thumbwheel toward SET/−
briefly. Each time this is done,
the vehicle goes about 1 km/h
(1 mph) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While
Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to
increase the vehicle speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, the
vehicle slows down to the previously set cruise control speed. While
pressing the accelerator pedal or
shortly following the release to
override cruise control, briefly
moving the thumbwheel toward
SET–
will result in cruise control set
to the current vehicle 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. Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to end cruise
control:
.Step lightly on the brake pedal;
when cruise control disengages,
the indicator light will not be lit.
.Press*.
.Press1to turn the cruise
control system off completely.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is
erased from memory if
1is pressed
or if the vehicle is turned off.

(59,1)Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6014139) -
2014 - CRC - 9/16/13
Driving and Operating 9-59
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container
{Warning
Filling a portable fuel container
while it is in the vehicle can cause
fuel vapors that can ignite either
by static electricity or other
means. You or others could be
badly burned and the vehicle
could be damaged. Always:
.Use approved fuel
containers.
.Remove the container from
the vehicle, trunk, or pickup
bed before filling.
.Place the container on the
ground.(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Place the nozzle inside the fill
opening of the container
before dispensing fuel, and
keep it in contact with the fill
opening until filling is
complete.
.Fill the container no more
than 95% full to allow for
expansion.
.Do not smoke, light matches,
or use lighters while
pumping fuel.
.Avoid using cell phones or
other electronic devices.
Trailer Towing
General Towing
Information
The vehicle is neither designed nor
intended to tow a trailer or another
vehicle.
For information on towing a disabled
vehicle, seeTowing the Vehicle on
page 10-75. For information on
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle such as a motor home, see
Recreational Vehicle Towing on
page 10-78.

(2,1)Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6014139) -
2014 - CRC - 9/16/13
10-2 Vehicle Care
Different Size Tires andWheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-57
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-57
Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-59
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . 10-59
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-60
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . 10-61
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . 10-62
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . 10-69
Jump Starting
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-69
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . 10-75
Recreational VehicleTowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-78
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-80
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-85
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-88
General Information
For service and parts needs, visit
your dealer. You will receive
genuine GM parts and GM-trained
and supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of
these marks:
California Proposition
65 Warning
Most motor vehicles, including this
one, contain and/or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and systems,
many fluids, and some component
wear by-products contain and/or
emit these chemicals.
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, safety belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
Remote Keyless Entry transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Accessories and
Modifications
Adding non‐dealer accessories or
making modifications to the vehicle
can affect vehicle performance and
safety, including such things as
airbags, braking, stability, ride and

(10,1)Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6014139) -
2014 - CRC - 9/16/13
10-10 Vehicle Care
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine
oil level at each fuel fill. In order to
get an accurate reading, the vehicle
must be on level ground. The
engine oil dipstick handle is a loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 10-8 for the location of the
engine oil dipstick.
Obtaining an accurate oil level
reading is essential:
1. If the engine has been running recently, turn off the engine and
allow several minutes for the oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
Checking the oil level too soon
after engine shutoff will not
provide an accurate oil level
reading.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle. 2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it
with a paper towel or cloth, then
push it back in all the way.
Remove it again, keeping the tip
down, and check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick, add
1 L (1 qt) of the recommended oil
and then recheck the level. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil” in
this section for an explanation of
what kind of oil to use. For engine
oil crankcase capacity, see
Capacities and Specifications on
page 12-2.
{Caution
Do not add too much oil. Oil
levels above or below the
acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful
to the engine. If you find that you
have an oil level above the
operating range, i.e., the engine
has so much oil that the oil level
gets above the cross-hatched
area that shows the proper
operating range, the engine could
be damaged. You should drain
out the excess oil or limit driving
of the vehicle and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess amount of oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10-8 for the location of the
engine oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when through.

(54,1)Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6014139) -
2014 - CRC - 9/16/13
10-54 Vehicle Care
Check that all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See“Wheel
Nut Torque” underCapacities
and Specifications on
page 12-2.
{Warning
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on
the parts to which it is
fastened, can make wheel
nuts become loose after a
time. The wheel could come
off and cause a crash. When
changing a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where
the wheel attaches to the
vehicle. In an emergency, a
cloth or a paper towel can be
used, however, use a scraper
or wire brush to remove all
rust or dirt. Lightly coat the center of the
wheel hub with wheel bearing
grease after a wheel change or
tire rotation to prevent corrosion
or rust build-up. Do not get
grease on the flat wheel
mounting surface or on the
wheel nuts or bolts.
When It Is Time for New
Tires
Factors such as maintenance,
temperatures, driving speeds,
vehicle loading, and road conditions
affect the wear rate of the tires.Treadwear indicators are one way to
tell when it is time for new tires.
Treadwear indicators appear when
the tires have only 1.6 mm (1/16 in)
or less of tread remaining. See
Tire
Inspection on page 10-52 andTire
Rotation on page 10-53.

(61,1)Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6014139) -
2014 - CRC - 9/16/13
Vehicle Care 10-61
If a Tire Goes Flat
This vehicle has a tire sealant and
compressor kit. SeeTire Sealant
and Compressor Kit on page 10-62.
There is no spare tire, no tire
changing equipment, and no place
to store a tire.
To properly lift this vehicle, see
Lifting the Vehicle on page 10-3.
It is unusual for a tire to blowout
while driving, especially if the tires
are maintained properly. See Tires
on page 10-40. If air goes out of a
tire, it is much more likely to leak
out slowly. But if there ever is a
blowout, here are a few tips about
what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will
create a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel firmly. Steer to
maintain lane position, and then
gently brake to a stop, well off the
road, if possible. A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and
may require the same correction as
used in a skid. Stop pressing the
accelerator pedal and steer to
straighten the vehicle. It may be
very bumpy and noisy. Gently brake
to a stop, well off the road,
if possible.
{Warning
Driving on a flat tire will cause
permanent damage to the tire.
Re-inflating a tire after it has been
driven on while severely
underinflated or flat may cause a
blowout and a serious crash.
Never attempt to re-inflate a tire
that has been driven on while
severely underinflated or flat.
Have your dealer or an authorized
tire service center repair or
replace the flat tire as soon as
possible.
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly
to a level place and stopping, well
off the road, if possible.
1. Turn on the hazard warning
flashers. See Hazard Warning
Flashers on page 6-3.
2. Set the parking brake firmly.
3. Put the shift lever in P (Park). See Shifting Into Park on
page 9-19.
4. Turn off the engine.
5. Inspect the flat tire.
If the tire has been separated from
the wheel, has damaged sidewalls,
or has a puncture larger than
6 mm (0.25 in), the tire is too
severely damaged for the tire
sealant and compressor kit to be
effective. See Roadside Assistance
Program on page 13-5.
If the tire has a puncture less than
6 mm (0.25 in) in the tread area of
the tire, see Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit on page 10-62.

(75,1)Chevrolet VOLT Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6014139) -
2014 - CRC - 9/16/13
Vehicle Care 10-75
5. Press the POWERObutton to
start the Volt. This will wake up
the electronics on the Volt. The
engine will only start if it is
needed.
6. Try to start the other vehicle that had the run-down battery. If it
will not start after a few tries, it
probably needs service.
Disconnecting the Jumper Cables
1. Disconnect the black negative (−) jumper cable from
the other vehicle that had the
run-down battery. Do not let the
other end of the cable touch
anything until after the next step. 2. Disconnect the black
negative (−) jumper cable from
the Volt.
3. Disconnect the red positive (+) jumper cable from the Volt. Do
not let the other end of the cable
touch anything until after the
next step.
4. Disconnect the red positive (+) jumper cable from the other
vehicle.
5. Return the positive (+) and negative (−) terminal covers to
their original positions.Towing the Vehicle
{Caution
Incorrectly towing a disabled
vehicle may cause damage to the
vehicle. The disabled vehicle
should be towed on a flatbed car
carrier. Use care when there is
low ground clearance and/or
special equipment. Attempting to
pull the vehicle onto a flatbed
without following the proper steps
could damage the vehicle.
Consult your dealer or a
professional towing service if the
disabled vehicle must be towed.
To load a vehicle onto a flatbed
carrier:
1. The vehicle must be on a flat surface.
2. The front tires must be properly inflated. If necessary, move a
rear tire to the front to replace a
flat or damaged tire.