[voltnw]

Hi folks,

Just bought a 2013 Volt today, and have some initial questions:

- WASHER FLUID. I see the filler cap on the right hand side next to the front grille on opening the hood. QUESTION: how can I tell if it's full, or how empty it is? Mine appears to have a filler neck that disappears, with no visible reservoir whose level I can check.

- OUTER DOOR LOCK BUTTON ON DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE. The switch on the driver's side door handle seems to do nothing, as does the button on the rear passenger door. I don't care much about the passenger door, as few passengers need to lock/unlock their doors from outside, but I do care about the driver's door. QUESTION: any hints on what might be wrong? Could this be a configuration issue, fixable in the DIC, or is it a hardware issue in the button?

Many thanks!

 

[TSquare]

There is no easy way to check the level and I don't believe there is a 'low fluid warning' sensor on your 2013. You might try to find a long clear flexible tube that you can use as a dip stick. Push it in, put your finger over the end and pull it out. The reservoir is mounted low on the chassis so you would need an extremely long tube. The reservoir is large and holds at least 1 gallon of fluid.

For the lock button, several members here have had to get theirs replaced due to mechanical failure of the button itself. The only setting in the config menu is for the action of the driver's door button to unlock the driver only or all doors on the first push.

 

[hellsop]

Hi folks,

Just bought a 2013 Volt today, and have some initial questions:

- WASHER FLUID. I see the filler cap on the right hand side next to the front grille on opening the hood. QUESTION: how can I tell if it's full, or how empty it is? Mine appears to have a filler neck that disappears, with no visible reservoir whose level I can check.

There's no checking. You just pour some in until it sounds like it's coming up the neck. It's a BIG reservoir so if you get it to the point of running out, it'll take an entire gallon bottle and more.

- OUTER DOOR LOCK BUTTON ON DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE. The switch on the driver's side door handle seems to do nothing, as does the button on the rear passenger door. I don't care much about the passenger door, as few passengers need to lock/unlock their doors from outside, but I do care about the driver's door. QUESTION: any hints on what might be wrong? Could this be a configuration issue, fixable in the DIC, or is it a hardware issue in the button?

Many thanks!

Either a physical problem with the button or a problem detecting the fob wherever you've got it when you're pressing the button. Try holding the ring in one hand and pressing the button with the other. (That is, not having the fob in a pocket.) Try replacing the battery. Now is about when I'd expect the SECOND battery in the fob to be dying or almost dead. (They last two years, and die shortly into the third year, for most people.) Physical problem is gonna be a repair job.

 

[voltnw]

Thanks for the quick replies!

1. Turned out it was already full! I started pouring and immediately it was full to the brim. RELATED QUESTION: how easy is it to drain the current fluid? I know it didn't work last night in 10F and would like to be certain it's now full of freeze-protected fluid.

2. @hellsop: great advice! Could have sworn I tried this already, but I did it again following your advice, with fob in-hand and touching the ring, and the door unlocked (sluggishly). Next stop: new batteries!

 

[TSquare]

Thanks for the quick replies!

1. Turned out it was already full! I started pouring and immediately it was full to the brim. RELATED QUESTION: how easy is it to drain the current fluid? I know it didn't work last night in 10F and would like to be certain it's now full of freeze-protected fluid.

Maybe with one of these?

 

[Cord]

I would guess a ANTI FREEZE TESTER TOOL might work on wiper fluid ?

 

[colchiro]

My experience with the door lock buttons is you'll have to replace them occasionally and they're expensive. A local premium car wash was responsible for ruining 3 of mine a few winters ago. It was subzero for several days and I wanted a clean vehicle, 'cause in cold weather it can stay clean longer. Toward the end of the wash where the attendants are wiping down the outside, they used compressed air to blow out the lock buttons, after which only one worked (passenger side) and I stupidly assumed it was due to being frozen. But when they still didn't work a few weeks later I took it to the dealership, which had to replace those 3. Due to the time passed, I felt it was too late to complain at the wash. Needless to say I've not used that car wash since.