[ChuckR]

If anyone that has had the upgrade and can post something positive about how the vehicle performs after the upgrade compared to before the upgrade please post your comments.

I used some heat on my drive home this evening for the first time since getting the software update, and with a 71 deg temperature setting on ECO I actually felt some warm air coming from the vents.

 

[Slapshot28]

Just got my call from the Volt Advisor offering the update......SHOULD I DO IT OR NOT???

I'm leery because I've seen nothing but problems on this site about that upgrade.

Yes, do it. The changes all are subtle, mostly tweaks to various control algorithms. Some changes are safety-related, and that's one reason that GM encourages the upgrade. Plus, surely they prefer all 2011 Volts to operate with the same software.

Any reported problems either were unconfirmed, or were related to improper procedures at the dealership (resulting in some lost presets). At worst you might have to reprogram some "favorites" (e.g. radio stations and Audio Cue volume).

 

[sgc]

I'll post later if anything significant comes up. It will be interesting to see how much estimated range I have tomorrow morning after level 2 charging.

Any updates on your software upgrade?

 

[sgc]

Should I do the 2011 Software Upgrade??

I've seen many complaints about it, at least as a result of the initial release.
For those who did it, but after the re-release, please advise!
Any problems, issues, or concerns? Did your VOLT run just as well as before. I really don't want to upset the apple cart.
Thanks!

 

[Steverino]

I am not aware of any issues, other than many many months ago when they started and then temporarily stopped. Had mine done over a month ago. Painless.

 

[Solar EV]

I had the upgrade done yesterday no problems - you will need to reset the time and redo some presets

One area GM could improve - retain your presets and reset the time!

 

[ctdeng0]

Did both of my 2011 Volts with no issues, except having to reset the radio presets.

 

[Steverino]

Radio and my "Open All Doors" preset. No big deal as I wrote down all my radio presets before the update.

 

[PenguinEV]

Yeah my Volt advisor keeps sending me reminders to go in for the upgrade. Do I need to leave the car overnight or can I go in and out in a couple hours?

Debating if I take it to the dealership where I live (which not that happy with) or take it to another dealership that is closer to my work.

Thanks!

 

[ronhip]

Is it possible to get a service bulliten that details the exact updates that are performed? I won't update my computer without this kind of data, why should I update my car? My Volt advisor says that she does not have access to update data, but that I'd have to contact my dealer. Unfortunately, dealers are used to servicing PARTS, and give you a blank stare about software updates. Not in their realm...

 

[WopOnTour]

Is it possible to get a service bulliten that details the exact updates that are performed? I won't update my computer without this kind of data, why should I update my car? My Volt advisor says that she does not have access to update data, but that I'd have to contact my dealer. Unfortunately, dealers are used to servicing PARTS, and give you a blank stare about software updates. Not in their realm...

Excuse me? Ummm no.
Actually your GM dealer is VERY familiar to performing these types of software updates as they have been doing it since the early 90s and probably do as many as 2-10 daily. (depending on the size of the dealer)

There IS an internal notice as to these updates but no external paperwork as all of the affected 2011 Volt owners are being contacted personally via telephone/Onstar.

This "Customer Satisfaction/Product Enhancement" update (aka Campaign 11137B) will perform specific operating system and calibration updates on the following modules (in programming sequence):

-Radio Module
-HVAC Module
-On-Board Charging Module
-Battery Energy Control Module
-Hybrid Powertrain Control Module 2
-Engine Control Module
-Power Inverter Control Module
-Body Control Module

*As part of the campaign they will also install a new fuse panel label under the LH rear compartment hatch to remedy a printing error.

About the only negative is that ALL of your current statistical baselines for EV and fuel range will be "reset". So assuming you are getting better than average EV/CD range estimates for a full charge they MAY appear to temporarily decrease until a new baseline can be established over 3-10 EV drive-charge cycles. Certain "personalizations" and radio presets will be lost as part of the procedure as well, but easily readjusted after the update.

These update will both improve vehicle operation as well as correct certain self-diagnostic routines making it less likely certain DTCs will set falsely. It is highly recommended that ALL 2011 Volts that are being contacted receive the updates.

If any 2011 owners haven’t been contacted and are uncertain if your Volt is affected, please call your dealer with your VIN and they can quickly determine if your Volt is slated for "Required Field Actions". Alternatively you could contact your Volt advisor and they should be able to tell you.

HTH
WopOnTour

 

[MichaelH]

I had the recall 11137 update done a little over a month ago. As with most people, EV baseline changed and radio presets were lost. No problem. However, I also lost the heated seats icons from the Climate Control screen. I went back last week for the dealer to run recall 11264, which was supposed to fix that. It did not. Went back this week to have them repeat 11264. It still didn't work. They were on the phone with GM engineering team, who were reported to have responded with, "huh!" (I asked the service manager was was the technical term for that. )

Waiting for another call this coming week when GM has a better idea. In case you are wondering, yes, I do have heated seats. Any ideas WOT?

 

[Big Moe]

My battery mileage per charge has dropped since my computer update

Hello Fellow Volt Owners:

I noticed that my mileage per charge has dropped considerably since my last computer update. I was able to easily crack 48 to 50 miles per charge now I am 38 avg. it is colder now here in NJ. This is the first October I have had my car. I purchased it in April of 2011. Could the cold eat up 10 miles per charge. I am not utilizing the heater. I am conditioning my battery 15 minutes before I use it every morning. I have a 240 charge system that is working properly. It is garage kept. I have 3000 miles on my vehicle, all electric.

Has anyone experienced ths phenonomen?

 

[dandet]

From what I understand, 10 miles of charge lost is pretty reasonable, especially considering you were getting such great numbers earlier. We are just entering the time of year where a lot of energy is eaten up keeping the battery, as well as ourselves, warm.

Dan

 

[BlackVolt]

If you feel its software related you could always ask the dealership to roll back the software. The thing about that is new software is released for a reason such as improvements to old software etc. I believe what Dandet has said is correct. Its more likely a weather related issue.

 

[Bob_Livonia]

I had the software upgrade done in August and did not notice the difference in range, or any other significant changes. As they say, "your mileage will vary", it it depends on quite a number of factors, including ambient temperature.

 

[Daveinnj]

Big Moe...I am experiencing the exact same issue since the update 4 weeks ago, and I am in NJ as well. My drop is more severe. I was getting a constant 40 miles until the update, and now I am getting around 26-27. It is extremely frustrating. While the weather is cooler, it was about the same as when I took delivery of the car in April...and was getting 39-40 miles then. I thought it just might be a calibration issue on the miles meter, but I have let it run down at least 5 times now, and these are the actual miles I am getting. If anyone has any ideas or had the same experience...would love to hear about it.

 

[Daveinnj]

Personally, I would hold off. I had it done a month ago, and my electric range has dropped by a third. I did a longer post in another software updater thread...

 

[bonaire]

We should be seeing a certain # of kWh used during a recharge. I wonder if the software upgrade cut into the "width" of the charge capacity somewhat? If it was using say 30% through 85% and after software upgrade, could it be 33% to 83% or some such "trimming"? Software changes could do that by adjusting the cut-off points of the charging cycle. Do any of you have a "Kill-a-Watt" device to look at how many kWh are used by the 120V charger during a recharge? It would be nice to know if the # of kWh going in has dropped and it is not using as many kWh to recharge.

Definitely contact the dealer and Volt Advisor to go over this. It sounds like if weather conditions are the same - it may be software releated.

 

[Kup]

I'm in the DC area and haven't yet received the software update. I was in the high 40's in range for most of the summer and am now down about 10 miles due to the recent weather. My one piece of data would suggest that it may be a temperature issue and not a software update issue. I'm scheduling the software update this week and will also get the tires rotated. I may have more information on range issues later this week.