Chevrolet VoltAge - Winter Driving Tips Web Chat Today!

The Chevrolet Volt's electric range varies with the temperature and many owners have questions on what they can do to get the most range out of their Volt during the winter. That’s why we'd like to invite you to join us for a web chat today at noon (EST) with Volt's Product Marketing Manager, Darin Gesse. Darin will be able to answer those cold weather questions you have and how they relate to the Volt. This chat is open to everyone. We hope you can join us!

Below are some tips to help you maximize your electric range:
1.        Precondition your car’s cabin while plugged in – Before you leave, take advantage of the energy from the grid to warm the vehicle’s cabin. This will allow you to reserve the stored battery energy for once you get out on the road.
2.        Keeping warm on the road – As always, setting the climate mode setting to Eco instead of Comfort will help reduce the energy used to heat the cabin. Also, if equipped, use the automatic heated seats to keep warm. It actually requires less energy to heat your body through the heated seats than through heating the entire cabin!
3.        Check your tire pressure – When the outside temperature drops, the air pressure in the tires will drop as well. Make sure your tires are inflated at the recommended level to improve your electric range and fuel economy.

Comments (11) Add Comment

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written by Matt P, January 25, 2013

Why can i not turn off the ac when the heat is on? When i drove an i.c.e vehicle i rarely ever turned on the ac in the winter.

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written by Scott Baczkiewicz, January 25, 2013

I have a lower temperature setting on my Volt and was wondering if there is a concern about degrading the battery faster if I set the engine to kick in at the lower temperature. 15 degrees instead of 35 degrees?

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written by Gareth Williams, January 25, 2013

I would like to know if a software update will be made available to give early 2012 models the option to disable Engine Assisted Heating while plugged in, as described in our Owner's Manual. As others I have concerns about CO poisoning, not to mention idling your vehicle's engine for more than 30 seconds is illegal in my municipality. I bought the Volt to save gas not to waste it heating while it is plugged into 240V! It is very frustrating that 2012 Volts delivered mere days or weeks after mine have this option available but mine does not.

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written by VFanRJ, January 25, 2013

What would help me get the most out of my 2012 Volt is a software upgrade to adjust the temperature of when the engine kicks on.I hear on the newer cars you can adjust between 25F and 15F. GM needs to provide that same feature to all the Volts.

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written by Ken Wedeen, January 24, 2013

Why does the ICE run less when heater is set to comfort mode?

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written by Ross Harrison, January 24, 2013

My Volt seems to be struggling with the cold weather. It is currently at the dealer's to see if they can sort out the problem. It is minus 12 today and when I unplugged and started my Volt the engine ran and there was reduced propulsion power message and it didn't show any /KMS and there was check engine light. After running for over 1/2 hour on gas and driving around the block and letting it sit for 45 minutes the EV KMS came back - the reduced propulsion power message disappeared and I was able to drive to the dealer's on EV miles. On Star was quite helpful in getting my service technician at the dealers on line and providing all the error codes. A Mystery yet to be solved..

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written by martin beam, January 24, 2013

when I use the remote start to preheat the cabin it says "cabin temp being set.." but I am pretty sure it will only turn on the climate controls to where it was left before the car was stopped. i would like to see a function to adjust the climate controls from the phone or onstar app.

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written by Francois Boucher, January 23, 2013

Today, it was extremely cold (-20F) in Montreal. I usually park my Volt 2011 in my garage, that is less cold, but was still colder that 25F. Before leaving, I used my FOB remote to precondition my Volt. (press the lock then press and hold the start button for 5 secs.)
The result is that the gas engine did start! the Volt was IN the garage, plugged on a 240V EVSE.
I am concerned about CO poisonning because of the engine running in the garage, which is part of the house.
Is there a way to avoid engine running while preconditionning?

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written by Deb Steeves, January 23, 2013

Today - 20s my car went back and forth- electric- gas- electric..while running- Thought it would just do that at the start. I did not have any heat on - just the seats. HOme- showed still 21 miles on charge

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written by Jim Thomas, January 23, 2013

Check to make sure your kids did not crank the temp setting up into the 80s. Doing so drastically reduces mileage, even when on Eco at the lowest fan setting.