Pets make great travel companions and the Chevrolet Volt makes it is even easier for you to bring your furry friend along for the ride. With its rear hatch and fold-down seats, the Volt is good for both your pet and the environment. Whether you are taking an afternoon joy ride, or packing your bags for the next vacation, the extended range Volt is your pet-friendly vehicle for both daily driving and long trips. But, before you embark, keep in mind the following tips from the Humane Society of the United States: 

• Put your pets in the back seat or cargo area during car trips. Do not place pets in the front passenger seat.
• To avoid potential injuries to both you and your pet as well as to reduce in-vehicle distractions, place you pet in a carrier and place the carrier in the cargo area or secure the carrier using a safety belt. For dogs, an alternative to a carrier is to use a restraining harness -- found in most pet stores.
• Just like humans, pets need to stop every couple of hours to exercise and take a bathroom break.
• Avoid leaving pets unattended in cars. On warm days, temperatures can rise inside a car within minutes, even with the windows opened slightly.
• Make sure to pack for your pet, just like you would pack for yourself. Bring food, bowls for food and water, bedding, leashes, treats and toys, and always carry a current picture. 

What is YOUR favorite Chevrolet Volt feature? Unlike your basketball bracket, you can vote your favorite to the top this month during Volt Favorite Feature Madness. Today's matchup: The Volt's efficiency ball versus sport mode. Here's a rundown of each:

Efficiency Ball
There are three things that impact range on the Volt: temperature, terrain and driver technique. The Chevrolet Volt’s green efficiency ball helps drivers’ technique and allows them to determine if they are braking too hard or accelerating too quickly. The goal of the ball is provide drivers some assistance to have better fuel economy. One owner once said the efficiency ball makes him feel like his Volt is a video game!

Spring is upon us – at least according to the calendar – and it’s time to start thinking about spring cleaning. When it comes to cars, many of us opt for automatic car washes. However, every once in a while, it’s a good practice to hand wash your car. So, to get ready, we visited the folks who detail vehicles like the Volt for a living and they ran through the process of how to wash your car like a pro.

With this post, we’ll focus on the exterior. Here’s what you’ll need: 

• Soft mitt
• Microfiber cloths
• Hose
• Bucket
• Car soap
• Degreaser
• Wheel and tire cleaner
• Squeegee (optional)

First, since you have the hose out, it’s a good idea to check under the hood to see if there is anything that needs cleaning. If so, spray degreaser on those parts, let it sit a few minutes, and then hose them off with water. If you want to clean the hood insulator just take a wet towel and wipe it down. Never spray water on it directly from the hose as this could cause the insulator to rip.