Chevy Volt Tour

Is this an EV? Will it leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere if it runs out of juice? How safe is it? These are the sorts of questions we'll answer. Check out Chevrolet's Extended Range Electric Vehicle, achieving awards in both innovation and safety, and leading America another step away from its dependence on petroleum.

[@ceez1]

This review was excellent. I have been looking for someone to go over all of these points. Thanks!!

[@letstakealook1373]

Glad to be of some assistance =)

[@ceez1]

I just got a 2014 Volt. I love it.

[@loctite222ms]

Nice concise summary of what the car is all about.

[@jennifercarson2123]

love that car! nice comparison with the leaf. so true about the volt having less headroom in the back but since only lug around our kids we're probably gonna go with the volt since we like it overall. can't wait!

[@letstakealook1373]

Best of luck in your search. Just curious, which one did you end up with?

[@danwat1234]

4:22, Bad News Racing and also Wait4me performance can hack the Volt so the speed limit is more like 120MPH 7:37, the battery is not that limited in cold weather, as long as it is heated with wall power before your trip. Yes if it's something like 0F or colder and the pack is also that cold it might not work well and will need the engine, but otherwise if heated with wall power before your trip, engine is not necessarily needed. The engine being on in cold weather is known as ERDTT (Engine Running Due To Temperature). For 2011 and 2012 Volts it comes on at 25 F or colder. 2013 and newer Volt you can configure it for either 35F or 15F. The purpose of the engine coming on is NOT to heat the battery, since it can't, engine coolant does not heat the battery. Rather the engine comes on to heat the cabin, which is annoying if you want to save gas by just having the seat warmers on but leaving the vent heat off. You can bypass ERDTT by replacing the climate control ambient air temperature sensor with a fixed resistor, by the front grille. This tricks the car into thinking it is warmer than it really is. If it's super cold out, below -10F for instance and it hasn't been plugged in so it can't keep the battery warm from shore power, you may really need the engine as there just isn't enough energy / low enough resistance in the pack to provide adequate acceleration and self-heating, but it may be able to do it. I don't know.

[@KTPurdy]

Exceptional video. Lots of good relevant information. Ya gotta love that shinny black. Looks great!

[@letstakealook1373]

Thank you, sir! Indeed, the black model seems to a do a clever job at concealing the necessary-but-somewhat-odd-artifacts of the aerodynamic design (namely the back and bottom panels) but I'm a huge fan of the how the maroon model looks even with those in site.

[@jalberstone]

What year is your volt? I test drove one today and there was no guidance system in the backup camera? I really wish there was though.

[@letstakealook1373]

This is the 2012 model. I checked into it further, and unfortunately you're right. It looks like the guidance lines were removed from the backup camera in 2013 and later models. The reason being patent royalty costs. The following post in the GM Volt forums has more info @ gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?8862-2012-backup-camera-no-grid-lines&p=227623

[@InSaN3ViSioN]

I never use the back up camera in my Volt. It's literally useless to me. I see better simply turning my head around, although the beeps sometimes help.

[@sparewheel]

+jalberstone Did you check in the config menu if it was selected?

[@InSaN3ViSioN]

Tons of things should be improved on the Volt. I love mine but it can be so much better.