My Mighty Chevy Volt 5 Month Ownership Update!

[@usclaca1]

Hey Dave, great review. I drive a 2013 Chevy Volt with 105,000 miles. Zero problems with the car. I still get 40 miles battery range and do not clearly understand why GM dropped this amazing car.

[@ChargingtheRoad]

I was talking about the Volt with a Chevy Bolt owner the other day and we both agree that Chevy should have kept the Volt going. It was ahead of it's time that makes even more sense today. Love the video Dave!

[@DouglasMcLaughlin-kq7hk]

As I've said before, a car you can swear by and not at!

[@aljones3391]

I like your content, your wife's a sweet heart. My wife was telling me about the plug-in hybrid volt and I told her their's no such thing. I was wrong, she was right. keep up the good work!

[@nagromnewo]

Yes, the Volt does start the engine if you open the hood while the car is on. It's safety feature to prevent the engine from starting unexpectedly with your hands deep in the engine compartment. It also allows you to deliberately run the engine to warm it up for an oil change. And you probably pressed the power button more than once to try to get to the mode you wanted. Getting from normal to Hold is four presses of the driving mode button. There are files out there to 3D print a cover for the power button. I'm so used to it that it doesn't bother me. Love my almost new 2013 with only 137000 miles.

[@nickrct]

It's also called service mode. Useful when you need to force the engine on for things like emission tests.

[@trevorb5557]

Great drone Dave. Definitely look into getting your part 107 drone license if you plan on using the drone in your channel. At a minimum get your TRUST certificate for recreational flying. Good stuff!

[@07babbe]

Love your videos Dave. Just a note that if you use a drone for any purpose that will make you money ,(ie: KZbin) you are required to have a 107 license or you will be subject to a hefty fine. Keep those videos coming!

[@charliebrockway166]

Your part 107 drone license not an option, you must get it. You should have had it before posting this. If you don’t have it, consider deleting the drone footage from this video. The FAA can be very strict on this.

[@danielaclement5266]

I had a 2017 Gen 2 Volt Premier. The big difference was that I was getting (even after 5 years) 110 km of range in the summer (68 miles) and living in Shawinigan, Quebec, during the cold winter months I had at least 60 km (37 miles). The other big difference, it was a five-seater. Loved that car and would have bought another one if GM was still making it. I purchased a Tesla M3 RWD LFP in March of 2023 and am very happy I did.

[@gabrielle9227]

I got a 2013 with 51k miles as my first car in January. I've been loving it so far :)

[@Christina-sl264]

Really looking forward to more drone videos from you and Kathy. Continue to love all the content you post!❤ Keep practicing your flying skills!!!

[@johnpoldo8817]

I rented a Chevy Bolt EUV at Hertz in Florida and really liked it as a commuting car. We need a low cost BEV like the Bolt to lease for $199/mo.

[@ThomasNemat]

Dave, you can turn the car back on while driving without having to come to a full stop, even at high speeds. Once you power it off, you have to shift into Neutral (this does not work in D, only N) then without pressing the brake (I suppose you could be pressing it if you had to slow down, but it isn't strictly required to power it back on in this manner) press the power button twice. That will turn the car back on and you should see READY on the instrument cluster as you normally would, then you can shift into D/L and resume driving normally. It's not necessary to come to a stop and shift into P; though a lot of people think it's necessary, because if you try turning the car back on in D it tells you that you have to shift to Park to power on. But the trick is to be in N, and to press the power button twice, not just once (once will turn on the instrument cluster but not put the car into READY/shiftable mode, the second press is required for that). In cars with a turn key or push button start, it's important to know how to power the car off in an emergency e.g. stuck accelerator pedal or smoking engine, and how to get it going again. Good to practice it in a parking lot first :)

[@BigDaddyInKS]

Congratulations on the new drone Dave, I loved the drone shots flying around your Chevy Volt and aerial view of the area you were filming in. I'm excited to see how the drone will enhance your already great video content. Keep up the great work, and I look forward to your future videos.

[@urbo42]

I had a pearl white 2012 with tan leather. Dumbest thing I ever did was sell that car. EVERY time I see one, I strain to see if it is my old car. I kept it perfect - had two cooling system flushes done properly (needs to be done every 5 years) and yearly oil changes. Still could give almost 80 Km on a charge after 10 years. Absolutely trouble free motoring and it made many long trips to Florida from Toronto. I am still reluctant to buy a Lyriq due to GM's incompetent rollout but I would buy another Volt in a heartbeat. A complicated system, but IT WORKED!

[@nicholasmuni7995]

You should have not sold the car, too bad!

[@audio_tron]

My 2014 Volt Premier with 87k miles has been through everything. Rough roads. El Niño flash floods. Dozens of stop/starts per day. Reliable as ever. Only use gas on heavy driving days or road trips.Such a nicely tuned ride and road feel too. Excellent car. And can be had for a bargain today.

[@krisend5251]

Here’s a little something for you to get snacks on your next road trip, I like your new drone footage!

[@outofspecdave1554]

Thank you so much!

[@Weezedog]

You really should try a 2nd Gen Volt, it was really improved in the drivetrain and the interior is much better.

[@wpelfeta]

I drive a 2013 Volt and I love it. I always wondered what would happen if I accidentally pressed the power button while driving, but I was never brave enough to try it. lol. Good to know I have to be extra careful when changing modes.

[@0xDanielCamarillo]

I have been driving my 2011 Volt every day since I bought it in 2012 and just this year started with problems, I think it might have contracted gremlins cause it malfunctions sometimes 😂😢 but it is a pretty solid little car, comfortable and I love the look of the people that its their first time seeing one plus mine it is customized with rims and full paint, best car I have ever owned.

[@jamesrea329]

For some reason I’ve been seeing Volts all over the place recently, never noticed them before. Guess I’m just more EV aware now. I’ve wanted to learn more about them so this video was perfect for me. You’ll have lots of fun with your drone, I’ve got the same model.

[@laffydaffy5133]

Either today or tomorrow I am meeting up with someone to check out a 2012 volt with about 94,000 mi on it. I think it's super convenient to be able to charge a car from home for short trips without using any gas but still having it available for longer drives. I've been going back and forth in my head stressing myself out over if it's a good idea. The car is around $6,000 which sounds awesome, but my fears lie in random unfortunate complications with electronic components. Shouldn't repairs in these cars are definitely expensive and in 2013 Chevy had mid-cycle update for the first gens that changed a few things and upgraded the battery slightly. One issue I've been seeing with the some of the early versions is stator bearings failing because of the use of plastic instead of brass. This is a expensive repair and there is a video of how to do it online which doesn't look hard but It requires exclusive parts and looks to be a few hours of work. Taking it to the dealership would be highway robbery. I was excited to make this purchase but now I'm nervous and could potentially back out out of this deal. I'm thinking ahead, paranoid myself before issues even come up, but I don't want to buy a car that could potentially cost me more in the long run when the main reason I'm buying this vehicle is to save money. I guess that could be said with any vehicle :)

[@DouglasMcLaughlin-kq7hk]

Bought mine used with 120k mi, but in loaded, premium pristine condition otherwise. I was afraid of getting in over my head, but took the plunge. I have now put 19k on it over last 4 yrs and it is just as it was, no degradation in any aspect. Car was designed by futurist engineers and thought out by real world mechanics. Love having a future Classic now.

[@DouglasMcLaughlin-kq7hk]

PS: paid $7700 then, dealer asking over $11k, plus tax, etc. Keep track of the gas money saved over a 320 mile month of battery use: $1.50 charge for 40 mi vs. $5 /gal. for same mi.= $ 30+ saved.

[@DucanSeven]

I enjoy reminising with you about the Volt. I owned a 2014 Volt and drove it for 8 years before selling it and buying a 2023 MYLR. I had very little trouble with the Volt except for the AC compressor. It started leaking in year 7 and needed to be replaced. The problem with replacing the AC compressor was the cost. The compressor was pricy (I don't recall now) but the big cost was the labour. In order to replace the compressor, the entire front end, bumber ect, has to be removed therby increasing the time and cost of the labour. In the end, as I was planning to sell the car, I purchased a reconditioned compressor. When I researched the Volt service issues, I found that the AC compressor was a common issue with the car.

[@ronniemullis8717]

I just saw that the Chevrolet Equinox EV is being delivered to dealers. I hope you will be reviewing one soon, thanks.

[@c79101]

That power button issue is really interesting. I had a Volt for a while and never knew it would do that, but I could totally see someone trying to toggle through drive modes pressing that button twice in quick succession.

[@6trailtiger9]

I also once turned the car off when trying to switch modes on the highway. Lol

[@Geckogold]

Hi Dave, the engine turns on when you open the hood mostly for emissions testing purposes since the engine normally isn't running all the time like a gas car would.

[@bobbylyle960]

I have turned my Volt off while driving too, only once. I learned to place my hand in such a way so as to use my thumb to press for a particular mode.

[@chrisstoddard1144]

This. Several people on the GM Volt forum did this by accident and it was determined that a hand position technique is the remedy.

[@coorbin]

Best channel in the Out of Spec family!

[@jrwme7448]

This is the best channel? The other most be totally useless.

[@EspoElectrified]

Dave! Great drone choice, DJI Mini 4 Pro is amazing. Thanks for sharing the volt update.

[@davethevicar88]

On 163k and just got a fault on battery isolation.. Going in Monday but I love it cheap as a bag of chips to run 2014 model

[@Sarcasticone1]

My 2017 Chevy Volt was honestly the best value car I have ever owned being that I bought it for only $18,000 with 23k miles just before Covid. I loved that car up until a valet driver totaled it.....

[@6trailtiger9]

Please also review a 2nd Gen Volt. Nearly improved in every way ...except aggressive cornering ;)

[@beautyofgrace3915]

You may want to do a comparison with the 2nd Volt Generation. Just bought a 2018 Chevy Volt, such an underrated car, I got one because it was much cheaper than buying a full ev, I get 53 ev miles so far and it is great on gas for traveling. I bought this car 3 weeks ago and have not gone to the gas station yet. Chevy was ahead of their time, I heard they were bringing back plug in hybrids.

[@georgepelton5645]

The Volt will start its engine when you open the hood and the car is "on." This is for safety of service techs, to insure that the engine doesn't start due to low battery or to run its "maintenance mode" while they are servicing it. Having the engine start immediately reminds them to shut off the car before working on it.

[@FthePump]

I have always heard good things about Volts

[@2012mpe]

GM drops out this amazing technology, now BYD coming with very similar technology they have got massive success on that.

[@nickrct]

GM never stopped in China with this technology. The Buick Velite has been continuing the Voltec system after this was discontinued.

[@325xitgrocgetter]

The gas engine will start and run if the hood is open and the car is on. That is a service mode. The gas engine will run in maintenance mode after a period of time if it hasn't been run. This essentially is a test to burn older fuel and allows the gas engine to run. I've owned two Volts over 9 years and currently am driving a 2015 with 60,000 miles on it.

[@Thingswithwheels1]

You talk about that car the same way I do of my e-Golf. It's funny, we have a Lightning which is a better ev in nearly every way but there is something about that e-Golf that is just SO GOOD! There are some really fantastic hybrid/ev choices out there that don't cost a lot of money!

[@railstuff5433]

Dave, if you use drone footage on a monetized YT channel, you will need a Part 107 Certification from the FAA.

[@robertoliphant8396]

Hey Dave. Just add a switch protector like the Apollo capsule had.

[@gmv0553]

This is the first video from you that I have watched in a while. Just sick of too much Tesla content lately on several channels!

[@stanmisiak5634]

Will the Model Y lose some charge while it sits in Florida waiting for Kathy to come down?

[@LetsGoBrandonOne]

Get that neck goiter checked too!!

[@DrDave_63395]

Dave, with 35 miles range, do you religiously charge every day to maximise the EV range. And typically what is your total daily drive? I’m interested in how users treat PHEVs. With good EV home charging plan there is a strong incentive to charge at home as much as possible. Byw I’m in the UK where EV tariffs are 7.5p per kW and petrol is £1.50 per litre.

[@edmundhayes1840]

Nice drone work. You have permission to buzz the tower

[@nicholasmuni7995]

You are crazy to sell the Volt , you should start a collection like Kyle.

[@RT-zg9qi]

Gas engine should not come on at all if you have it in Hold mode. Something is wrong.

[@CottageGarage]

The Volt will always turn on the engine if the car is on and the hood is open. Shutting the hood will turn it back off.

[@normt430]

My CT6 2.0E plug-in will start the engine when the hood us opened. So will our Pacifica hybrid.

[@chrisstoddard1144]

I think you worded that wrong--Hold mode is what would force the engine to run. It came on because he opened the hood. Handy for running the engine after an oil change.

[@DouglasMcLaughlin-kq7hk]

Hold saves the charge while gas motor is on. All OK.

[@agoogleuser6902]

I think I saw this guy on Chris Hansen's, "To catch a predator."

[@fleecystheking]

Hey Dave, I think I know why your non-Tesla videos are scoring so much lower than the others. I decided to stop watching any video that promotes or features Tesla products some time ago, maybe 4 months (and I know I’m not alone doing this). Not using any of the ‘don’t recommend’ features, I’m just not watching. Turns out KZbin has completely stopped recommending any OOS Dave content to me since then. I have to actively search for it to come up. I’m subscribed but that doesn’t make a difference. Your ratio of Tesla content has become so high, it’s dwarfing everything else. You may want to consider a separate channel for Tesla content vs other videos.

[@chrisstoddard1144]

Spare me the FSD content. I consider it an overpriced, dangerous party trick.

[@doomsday9973]

Overpriced maybe but the latest version is not a party trick.