Chevrolet VOLT 2012 Owner's manual

Congratulations on your new Chevrolet Volt.
It’s an amazing vehicle, and we’re sure you’re eager to get behind the wheel and see what it can do.
For a quick introduction to the Volt, review this guide. It provides the basic information needed to charge
it, start it, and hit the road. Complete details can be found in your Owner Manual.
For additional information, please visit www.chevrolet.com/volt. To speak with a Volt Customer
Advisor, call 1-877-4-VOLT-INFO.

2
Driver
Information
Center Controls
Instrument Panel
Illumination
Control
Turn Signal Lever/
Pedestrian Friendly
Alert Button/Exterior
Lamps Control
Audio
Steering
Wheel
Controls
Cruise
Control
Fuel Door
Release
INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTROLS
Brake System
Safety Belt Reminder
REAR Seat Safety
Belt Reminder
Airbag Readiness
High Beam Headlamps
Engine Oil Pressure
12V Charging System
Engine Coolant
Temperature
Security
Service Electric Parking
Brake
Electric Parking Brake Set
Cruise Control
Door, Hood or Hatch Open
PARK
Low Fuel
Antilock Brake System
Lights On Reminder
Low Tire Pressure
StabiliTrak/Traction Control
Traction Control Off
StabiliTrak Off
Check Engine
Instrument
Cluster/Driver
Information
Center
Windshield
Wipers
Lever
Power Mirror
Controls/Power
Window/Rear Door
Safety Lock
Charge
Port Door
Release
Tilt/
Telescopic
Steering
Wheel Lever
Vehicle Ready
READ
Y

3
Note: Refer to your Owner Manual to learn about the information being relayed by the lights, gauges
and indicators of the instrument cluster, as well as what to do to ensure safety and prevent damage
to your vehicle.
See Instruments and Controls in your Owner Manual.
Climate
Control
Screen
Climate/
Fan
Controls
Leaf/Drive
Mode
Power Infotainment
System
Passenger’s
Heated Seat
Charging
Status
Indicator
Driver’s
Heated
Seat
Hazard
Warning
Flashers
Electric
Parking Brake
Light
Sensor
Power Door
Lock/Unlock
CD/DVD
Eject

4
GETTING STARTED
See More
To get started driving your Volt, review the basic information in this guide along
with your Owner Manual. To view informative online videos about Volt operations,
scan the QR code in this guide with your smartphone. To scan a code:
1. Use the QR Code Reader on your smartphone or download a free reader to
your smartphone from your phone’s app store.
2. Start the reader.
3. Hold the phone over the code and shoot. Some phones will recognize the code
automatically.
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
The RKE transmitter performs several remote functions and must be in the vehicle to
operate the Volt.
Keyless Access
With the RKE transmitter within 3 ft. (1 m)
of the door, press the chrome button on
the door handle to unlock the door. Press
it again within 5 seconds to unlock all
doors.
Key Release
Press the top button to
extend the key, which
can be used to unlock
the driver’s door.
Unlock
Press to unlock the
driver’s door or
all doors. Press and hold to open all
windows from outside the vehicle.
Lock
Press to lock all doors.
Charge Port Door
Press to open the charge port door.
Remote Start
Press the Lock button and then press
and hold the button to start the vehicle
and condition the passenger cabin
temperature from outside. The heating or
air conditioning system and rear window
defogger (if needed) will turn on. Depend-
ing on conditions and vehicle personaliza-
tion settings, the engine may start.
After entering the vehicle, press the brake
pedal and then press the POWER
button before driving.
Note:
• Press and hold the Remote Start
button again to cancel a remote start.
• Only two remote starts are allowed
between ignition cycles.
• It’s RECOMMENDED to use this
feature when the vehicle is plugged in
to allow energy from the wall outlet to
assist in getting the cabin to a comfort-
able temperature and to leave more
battery energy for driving.
Panic Alarm
Press and release to locate the vehicle.
Press and hold for three seconds to sound
the panic alarm.
See Keys, Doors and Windows in your Owner Manual.
Getting
Started
Basics
Sample

5
GETTING STARTED
POWER Button
The Volt features an electronic push-button start. The POWER button flashes when the
driver’s door is opened upon entry. Once the vehicle is ON, the button illuminates.
Note: The air conditioning compressor, pumps and fan may run at any time, even when the vehicle is
OFF, to cool or warm the propulsion battery.
Conditions for the Engine Starting
When vehicle power is ON, the engine may start independent of the vehicle being plugged
in or completely charged. Conditions that may cause the engine to start include:
Starting the Vehicle/ON
With the vehicle in Park or Neutral, press the
brake pedal and then press the POWER
button. A power ON audio cue will sound.
The vehicle will not shift out of Park and will
display a Charge Cord Connected message
if the vehicle is still plugged in.
When ON, the instrument cluster will display an
active battery or fuel gauge. The engine will only
start if needed.
Stopping the Vehicle/OFF
Shift to Park and then press the POWER
button. A power OFF audio cue will sound.
• Propulsion battery charge is low
• Propulsion battery temperature is hot or cold
• Cold ambient temperatures (depending on
engine-assisted heating options; see Vehicle
Personalization on page 11)
• Hood is open
• Engine and Fuel Maintenance
Modes (occur only if the engine has
had very limited operation over a
long period)
See Driving and Operating in your Owner Manual.
Seat and Steering Wheel Adjustment
Before driving, adjust the seat and steering wheel to a comfortable position.
Pull down the lever (A) to unlock the steering
wheel and adjust its position.
Lift the handle (B) under the right-front side of
the seat to slide the seat forward or rearward.
Ratchet the side lever (C) up or down to raise
or lower the seat.
Lift the rear lever (D) to adjust the seatback.
See Seats and Restraints in your Owner Manual.
A
C
D
B

6
ELECTRIC AND EXTENDED-RANGE MODES
Volt is an electric vehicle with extended range capability. Plug it in, let it charge overnight,
and it's ready to run on a pure electric charge — gas- and tailpipe emissions-free. After
that, Volt keeps going, even if you can’t plug it in. Volt uses a range-extending gas engine
that produces enough energy to power it for hundreds of miles on a single tank of gas.
Electric Mode
In Electric Mode, the Volt will not use gasoline or produce tailpipe emissions. During this
primary mode, the Volt is powered by electrical energy stored in its propulsion battery.
It can operate in this mode until the battery is depleted to a predetermined level.
Extended-Range Mode
Once the initial electric charge is depleted, the range-extending gas engine will start to
generate enough power to continue driving the vehicle. The engine ensures that you will
not be stranded by a depleted battery. The vehicle determines when the engine needs to
run. Engine speed will vary, depending on driving conditions, to optimize efficiency. The
engine will not fully charge the propulsion battery. The vehicle must be plugged in to
recharge.
Total Vehicle Range
The Total Range indicator displays the
total distance that can be driven, based on
the combined electric and extended range,
before recharging or refueling the vehicle.
The displayed electric and fuel ranges
are projections based on past vehicle
performance and charge/fuel level. The
displayed ranges will change based on
current driving style and climate settings.
See Driving and Operating in your Owner Manual

7
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
The instrument cluster features a reconfigurable 7-inch LCD screen that displays a variety
of operating information.
The Simple Configuration displays basic information for Electric Mode and Extended-
Range Mode operation.
The Enhanced Configuration displays an additional driver efficiency gauge.
Driver Information Center
Use the Driver Information Center controls on the left side of the instrument panel to
change the instrument cluster display and access the menus.
CONFIG
Press to select the Simple or Enhanced
instrument cluster display configuration.
SELECT
Turn the knob to scroll through the menus.
Press it to select a highlighted item.
BACK
Press to move back or exit a menu.
See Instruments and Controls in your Owner Manual.
Simple Configuration shown

8
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
Electric Mode Display
The propulsion battery gauge and electric
range estimate are in color and displayed
in the foreground when the vehicle is
operating in Electric Mode. The fuel gauge
is grayed out.
Enhanced Configuration shown
The fuel gauge and fuel range estimate
are in color and displayed in the fore-
ground when the vehicle is operating in
Extended-Range Mode. The propulsion
battery gauge is grayed out.
Enhanced Configuration shown
Extended-Range Mode Display
To view a tutorial about the unique
features of the instrument cluster, with
the vehicle in Park, turn the SELECT
knob until Tutorial Mode is high-
lighted. Press the knob to select it.
See Instruments and Controls in your Owner Manual.
Enhanced Configuration shown
Cluster Tutorial
Configurable
Cluster
Display
Driver
Information
Center

9
EFFICIENCY
Driving Style
Your driving style plays a large role in the efficiency of the vehicle. Avoid rapid acceleration
or deceleration to help maximize energy efficiency and range. Electric range is maximized at
50 mph and below; higher speeds use more energy and significantly reduce range.
Press the CONFIG button to select
the Enhanced Configuration of the
instrument cluster to display the
efficiency gauge.
While driving, try to keep the spinning ball
in the Efficiency Gauge green and in the
center of the gauge. The ball will turn yel-
low and move up or down during inefficient
acceleration or aggressive braking. The
ball stops spinning when the vehicle stops.
Efficiency Gauge
Driver-Selected Operating Modes
Press the DRIVE MODE button on the center stack to scroll through a menu of operating
modes when more performance is needed. After three seconds, the highlighted mode will
become active. At the next start, the vehicle will default to Normal mode.
Normal (Default)
Use when possible in normal driving
conditions for efficient operation; is active
each time the vehicle is started.
Sport
Use when more responsive acceleration is
desired; may reduce efficiency.
Mountain
Engage prior to entering mountainous
terrain (long grades of 5% or higher);
reduces efficiency but provides power to
maintain higher speeds on steep grades.
Climate Settings
Optimal efficiency is achieved with the heat, air conditioning and fan turned off.
If using the climate mode settings, the most efficient operation is in the following order:
• FAN ONLY – electric cabin heating/cooling is off
• ECO – limits cabin heating/cooling to balance comfort with energy use
• COMFORT – provides the most cabin heating/cooling but uses the most energy
Use the heated seats (if equipped) to reduce the demand on the cabin heating system.
Heating the seats uses less energy than heating the vehicle interior.
See Driving and Operating in your Owner Manual.

10
EFFICIENCY
Center Stack Information Displays
The center stack touch screen displays Power Flow, Charging and Energy Information.
Press the Leaf button on the center
stack and then touch the desired tab at
the top of the screen to display the
desired information.
Power Flow
The Power Flow screens show the power
flow between the propulsion battery, elec-
tric drive unit and engine. Each component
is highlighted when it is active.
Charging
The Charging screens show the charge
mode status. The vehicle has three
programmable charge modes:
• Immediately upon plug-in
• Delayed based on departure time
• Delayed based on electric rates and
departure time
The charge level can be programmed
using the Change Charge Level screen
button (late availability). Charge Complete
times are estimates and most accurate at
moderate temperatures.
Energy Information
The Energy Info screens show the energy
use (Electric Mode and Extended-Range
Mode) since the last time the vehicle was
fully recharged, energy efficiency over the
last drive cycle, and efficiency tips to
improve energy use.
See Instruments and Controls in your Owner Manual.
Power Flow screen
Charging screen
Energy Info screens
Leaf
Button