[BlueStar]

I apologize if this has been discussed elsewhere. I could not find anything using the search engine.

My Volt is at 99,500 miles. The drivetrain warranty is about to expire. I plan to keep the car until it becomes too costly to maintain anymore.

My question is: what service should be performed now and how much of it can a mechanically minded owner do himself. I have had ICE cars with 400,000 miles and typically run them 250,000 miles.

Thanks,

Nels

 

[lagagnon]

Read page 11-6 of your manual here:
https://cdn.dealereprocess.net/cdn/servicemanuals/chevrolet/2013-volt.pdf

At 90,000 miles there are a few things you should have done. Much of it any amateur mechanic could probably accomplish himself.

 

[jbakerjonathan]

If you have a reputable service department in your dealership, I would strongly advise you to have the servicing done there. Why? There are complicated procedures relating to the servicing the transmission and the three coolant systems that the average shade tree mechanic cannot accomplish. Think of the cost as an insurance premium. Changing out the spark plugs a shade tree mechanic can do easily, if he is careful not to fracture or break the insulation of heat deteriorated wiring and plastic. Getting the last of the old fluids out of the systems and replacing them without the inclusion of captured air requires special equipment that the shade tree mechanic won't normally have. Note also that the use of Dexron fluids is a must because of the electronics being bathed by the fluids.

 

[Guest]

Some service items are "slightly/some what" different than regular servicing we are used to. I wonder how much "must be done by knowledgeable service person" is Chevy trying to direct servicing towards their dealerships to help pay for the training of service personal so they could sell the Volt/Bolt and how much is it to protect the reputation of the reliability of the car. Some of both I suspect. Time will tell. With YouTube and forums you should be able to get enough info to do most of it. It's a brave new world (or maybe just an updating of knowledge/skills needed). The big item now is the replacement of coolant (X3). If you were in California (other CARB States?) you would have 3 years and 50,000 miles left on the Voltec warranty and should get it done at the dealer. If not you could do it yourself as mentioned in this form with the right equipment (which pays for itself first time used) and a few YouTube videos (Weber Auto).

 

[JetSpeed]

There are no maintenance at around 100K miles that can't be accomplished by a person with just basic mechanical skills.
The maintenance schedule calls for new spark plugs which don't need to be replaced in most cases unless the gas engine has actually accumulated 100k+ miles, the other item is to change the transmission fluid which is actually very easy since the filter (screen) is not serviceable, it's in essence drain the fluid and refill a proper amount, I did my Volt and it was a cinch.

 

[Barry]

At 97,500 miles, the items due are changing the spark plugs and automatic transmission fluid. I haven't done either on a Volt, but they sound simple.