[KJV]

Hello,
I am going to be leaving my 2017 Volt outside for 3 summer months in Miami (Daytime highs mid 90's, night time lows mid 80's.....). I have searched the forum posts on this subject, but they are a little confusing. For one, my owners manual has no information on long term storage, it only says to leave car plugged in when not using so battery is maintained at correct temperature. Many posts mention information that is in the owners manual...so I am out of luck.

My question is, did they change the software/hardware in the car so it is now correct to leave it plugged in? What is the proper way to leave it when it is hot outside? At this point I am thinking of leaving the battery at half charge and attaching a trickle charger to the battery terminals under the hood (which I assume is the other 12V system).

Thank you for any good answers....

 

[TSquare]

This is from page 257 of my 2017 Owners Manual:

Vehicle Storage - Four weeks to 12 months
. Discharge the high voltage battery until two or three bars remain on the battery range indicator (Battery symbol) on the instrument cluster.
. Do not plug in the high voltage battery charge cord.
. Remove the black negative (−) cable from the 12-volt battery. Attach a trickle charger to the battery terminals or keep the 12-volt battery cables connected and trickle charge from the underhood remote positive (+) and negative (−) terminals. See Jump Starting - North America for the location of these terminals.

I would also put some kind of car cover on it.

 

[fotomoto1]

In Miami, I'd be more concerned about hurricane force winds and flooding. I'd try to find a parking garage (2nd floor and above) and using a solar panel trickle charger on the 12v.

 

[KJV]

Yes, I am worried about Hurricanes and flooding....but if the car gets flooded next to my house I have bigger problems....

It is interesting that in my 2017 owners manual it has taken out all the information about long term storage. That is why I was wondering if they figured out some change in the software or hardware to make that obsolete...if I remember right from where someone else quoted an earlier owners manual, it also said to leave it at a temperature less than 85F...which isn't going to happen unfortunately (if it did I wouldn't be leaving....)...this is why I wondered if they changed anything..or had other advice for hot climates. Last summer I could tell my son just to drive it when he wanted...but unfortunately he has moved to the other coast.

At this point I will run the battery down to the two or three bars, put a cover on it, and attach a trickle charger to the terminals under the hood. I would play with the transport mode, but my wife may come home for a day or two in the summer and need to drive it...this routine seems pretty easy for her to undo and then redo....

But if someone knows about some change, or difference in hot weather please tell me....

thank you
Ken

 

[edk-austin]

Park it in the shade or parking garage, use a 12V trickle charger/maintainer. The big lithium battery will be fine. Don't leave it in an enclosed garage that might get crazy hot.

 

[jcanoe]

Hello,
I am going to be leaving my 2017 Volt outside for 3 summer months in Miami (Daytime highs mid 90's, night time lows mid 80's.....). I have searched the forum posts on this subject, but they are a little confusing. For one, my owners manual has no information on long term storage, it only says to leave car plugged in when not using so battery is maintained at correct temperature. Many posts mention information that is in the owners manual...so I am out of luck.

My question is, did they change the software/hardware in the car so it is now correct to leave it plugged in? What is the proper way to leave it when it is hot outside? At this point I am thinking of leaving the battery at half charge and attaching a trickle charger to the battery terminals under the hood (which I assume is the other 12V system).

Thank you for any good answers....

Not withstanding the special needs of the Volt when storing the car for several months, Florida is a hostile environment for all types of vehicles. If you park outside ants and other insects may colonize your car (they are looking for food and someplace that is dry.) Another problem is mildew. Trapped moisture and heat are a perfect combination for growing mold and mildew. I really don't have any suggestions except to drive the car regularly or find a climate controlled parking garage.

 

[Barry]

1) If you use a trickle charger, be sure to use one compatible with AGM batteries.
2) Transport mode will not interfere with your wife driving the car in any way and she won't have to disable or re-enable the mode. The only thing she will notice is a message on the display notifying her it is turned on (try it yourself for a few days). I personally would use it as an extra margin of safety and a backup to the trickle charger in case it gets disconnected by accident, or your wife forgets to connect it or plug it in or connects it wrong.
3) There are a lot of people in South Florida that need seasonal storing of cars, and there are commercial services available to store and maintain your car for you. And some of them will even detail it and deliver it to you whenever you need it.