Agero Vehicle Training - Chevy Volt

The Volt is a unique vehicle because it has two sources of energy: the electric battery that allows drivers to go gas free, and also the gas generator which supplements the battery. These, among other features, make for a very distinctive driving experience for motorists – as well as a very new experience for Service Providers working with these vehicles. Please keep the best practices below in mind when servicing the Chevy Volt.

Please adhere to the following safety guidelines when servicing the Chevy Volt:

• Do not allow customers to ride in the disabled vehicle while in transit
• Do not allow customer to assist in any servicing of the vehicle
• Do not leave the customer stranded
• Make sure to bring the proper equipment to perform the service

Under the Hood

Under the hood, Volt looks a little different. There is an engine, but it doesn’t drive the wheels. It serves as a range-extending generator. Volt propulsion is driven by electricity 100 percent of the time. On the driver’s side, there is a power electronics module and orange high voltage cables you don’t see on traditional cars.

Volt has two batteries, a high-voltage Lithium Ion battery for propulsion and a 12V battery for various other vehicle systems. The T-shaped propulsion battery runs lengthwise within the center tunnel of the Volt with the T-shape under the rear seats.

The 12V battery is located under the load floor in the hatch area, but it is equipped with remote terminals located under the hood. They provide easy access when you need to jumpstart the vehicle.

Jump Starting

To jump-start the Volt, open the hood to locate the POSITIVE (+) and NEGATIVE (−) terminals. Open the access cover for the remote POSITIVE (+) terminal. The remote NEGATIVE terminal for the Volt is a stud marked GND (−) on the driver side of the engine compartment.

IMPORTANT: Only use a vehicle that has a 12-volt system with a negative ground for jump-starting. If the other vehicle does not have a 12-volt system with a negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.

After the jumper cables are connected…

Push the POWER button to start and wake up the electronics on the Volt. After the instrument cluster initializes, the Volt will use power from the high voltage battery to charge the 12-volt battery. The jumper cables can then be disconnected.

Towing Best Practices

The Chevy Volt sits about 2" lower to the ground than many other vehicles, requiring a special approach to correctly towing.

Loading the Volt of a Flatbed Carrier:  

1.  Ensure the vehicle is on a flat surface. If the vehicle is not on a flat surface, use the front torque box openings to pull the vehicle onto a flat surface. Do not use the torque box openings to pull the vehicle out of a ditch.

2.  The front tires must be properly inflated. If a front tire is low, inflate to the recommended pressure. If a front tire is damaged, replace with a rear tire.

3.  Place the tow chain hooks into one of the reinforced front torque box openings located just behind the front wheels.

4.  Place a 4" x 4" wood beam under the front cradle crossmember and on top of both tow chains to ensure the tow chains do not come in contact with the front fascia.

IMPORTANT: Do not attempt to tow a Volt using sling or wheel lift tow equipment. These types of equipment can damage the vehicle’s body panels and/or drive unit.

5.  Ramps are required for the front fascia to clear the flatbed. Ramp height should be approximately 4".

6.  When the front fascia has enough clearance to clear the flatbed, lower the flatbed and finish pulling the vehicle onto the flatbed.

7.  Secure the vehicle using nonabrasive straps through all four wheel openings and secure the straps to the flatbed.

Recovery from Off-Shoulder

• Front – Attach chains to the front torque box 
• Rear – Wrap a tow strap through one or both rear trailing arms, between the bushing on the torque tube, and pull the vehicle onto a flat surface. DO NOT wrap the tow strap around the rear torque tube.

IMPORTANT: When using tow straps to move the vehicle, damage may occur if the tow straps contact the rear fascia. Do not let the tow straps contact the rear fascia.

REMEMBER: Failure to comply with the above towing requirements may result in non-payment.

Volt Shift Interlock Override
When working with a Volt with a discharged or disconnected 12-volt battery (the vehicle will not start), the shifter cannot be placed into neutral without first bypassing the shift interlock. Here’s how:

1. Remove the right trim panel from the lower portion of the center console (see figure 1 below). The panel is held on with spring clips. Grip from the bottom, and pull out to release the lower portion of the panel, then carefully work your way around.

2. With the panel removed, locate the release lever just below the center stack, above and slightly behind two wiring harness connectors (see circled area in Figure 2 below).

3. Place your figure in front of the lever and push to your left, toward the rear of the vehicle (see arrow in Figure 3 below). The lever will move about a quarter of an inch. Hold the lever in this position.

4. Press the button on the front of the shift lever and move the shift lever to the neutral position. Vehicle will now roll freely, and can safely be loaded on to a flatbed platform. 

Volt Transmission

Removing the shifter linkage of the Chevrolet volt.

• Remove the Manual Service Disconnect in the console
• Disconnect the 12 V battery
• Always remember to block the wheels so the vehicle does not roll once in neutral.
• Open the hood
• Looking at the engine compartment the transmission is on the right side of the vehicle, the linkage is on the top of the transmission as shown.
• Once the linkage is located put constant pressure on the cable connection to the transmission. No tools are needed to pry. This piece is a plastic ball and socket type connection so take caution.
• Now that you have the two pieces apart you can now move the transmission into neutral. Move the metal bar on the top of the transmission counterclockwise (push back towards the fire wall) two (2) "clicks" the vehicle is now in neutral.
• Repeat the steps above backwards of to place the vehicle in park and re-connect the cable to the transmission.

We appreciate your concern on the procedures for the Chevy Volt taken to not cause damage to the vehicle. This will ensure that we give every volt owner the best of service and the White Glove treatment they expect.

Access additional information on servicing the Chevy Volt in the Resource Library at AgeroTicket.com.