[9G-man]

Winter is coming (its here for some) and If this is your first winter with the Volt, or have been disappointed with heater performance thus far, here are some pointers.

Your climate control has 3 operating levels; ECO, fan-only, MAX. (fan-only is neither ECO or MAX selected)
If you desire any semblance of "normal" heat while you're driving around in EV mode, use MAX, and set the temp. to about 80 degs.
That will get the cabin heated up right quick and when your comfort level is reached decrease the temp to 79>78>77,
whatever keeps it comfy without getting cold again.
Of course heated seats and steering are perfect additions.
Forget about ECO or fan system levels, the cabin will never heat up or will get cold again if you return back to them.

All that being said, this recommendation will use Battery range. If your goal is to preserve as much range as possible, by being cold, ECO may be for you.

Too often people think they have to accept being cold because it's electric or its a Volt, Or they criticize the Volt for having a feeble heater. Simply not true!
Hope this helps!

Of course, keeping her plugging in will help the battery provide better range and remote (fob or app) pre-conditioning will make a big difference. Again to get anything out of preconditioning, the climate control needs to be left in MAX and the temp about 80 deg.

 

[dannycamps]

I'm pretty sure that when neither Eco or Max is selected, the car is in 'fan-only' mode where it doesn't use the HVAC system but essentially just blows air.

Other tips include (if your car is equipped): use heated seats and steering wheel. They actually do make a difference in the cold. Regarding climate control settings, I pretty much leave mine on Eco 74 degrees all year (Northeast USA so pretty cold winters). If I am really cold (or driving with my wife who hates being cold ), I will put it on Max and up to 77 or so until the cabin gets hot.

I will say the heat is significantly better with the range extender running than without but that makes sense as the engine provides added heat.

Pre-conditioning is key in the morning and can make a huge difference. If you have an L2 charger, it won't even cost you much in the way of range to get the car reasonably warm prior to getting in.

 

[manddarran]

Pre-conditioning is key in the morning and can make a huge difference. If you have an L2 charger, it won't even cost you much in the way of range to get the car reasonably warm prior to getting in.

+1 on this. I do this all the time.

 

[sosmerc]

Heated seats and steering wheel are awesome and allow driving in "fan-only" mode for most of our Fall weather here in the Pacific Northwest.

 

[jcanoe]

Heated seats and steering wheel are awesome and allow driving in "fan-only" mode for most of our Fall weather here in the Pacific Northwest.

How do you prevent the windshield from fogging?

 

[VoltAP1]

The humidity is generally low in the PNW. I use fan only most the time for ~7-8 months out of the year, and could probably stretch that another few months if I were really concerned with range etc.

 

[jcanoe]

The humidity is generally low in the PNW. I use fan only most the time for ~7-8 months out of the year, and could probably stretch that another few months if I were really concerned with range etc.

I find that my breath causes the windshield to fog.

 

[sosmerc]

How do you prevent the windshield from fogging?

I generally have the air directed at the windshield (defrost mode) and adjust fan speed a little higher when needed. This usually is enough, but if there is considerable moisture in the air and it's cool out, I sometimes have to resort to ECO .......

 

[JRRF]

All that being said, this recommendation will use Battery range. If your goal is to preserve as much range as possible, by being cold, ECO may be for you.

Except on the coldest of days, I find no problem getting the cabin reasonably warm on ECO.

 

[MikeyCVolt]

Where I am, it generally doesn't get much lower than low 40's at night in the winter but when you are used to heat, that feels COLD. I've never had any luck with the auto climate control in my Volt in that situation. It can be 40 outside, 50 in the cabin, and even if I put it on Max, the heat doesn't run at all at my preferred HVAC setting of 74F. I have to crank it up over 80 and then it comes on. Don't think it should be that way: if I set 74, I want 74 especially if I'm in Max mode. But I've learned to live with it: just crank up the temp.

P.S. I do use the seat heat instead of the heater in many situations since it doesn't get bitter cold.

Mike

 

[barich]

My problem with the Volt's climate control is that, even on Max, the temperature doesn't seem to match reality. My previous car was a Mazda, and I'd set the heat to 68-70 in the winter, and the AC to 72-74 in the summer, which is the same temperature range I keep my house.

The Volt, on the other hand, was running the AC through the dash vents this morning when I had it set to 68, even though it was probably 40 in the car. I had to set it to 74 to get a comfortable temperature. I have no problem getting hot or cold air, but it requires settings outside what I would expect.

 

[jcanoe]

My problem with the Volt's climate control is that, even on Max, the temperature doesn't seem to match reality. My previous car was a Mazda, and I'd set the heat to 68-70 in the winter, and the AC to 72-74 in the summer, which is the same temperature range I keep my house.

The Volt, on the other hand, was running the AC through the dash vents this morning when I had it set to 68, even though it was probably 40 in the car. I had to set it to 74 to get a comfortable temperature. I have no problem getting hot or cold air, but it requires settings outside what I would expect.

I concur. In the Gen 2 Volt if you want heat then set the temperature control to 73 or 74, otherwise the Volt does not get the message that you want heat now.

 

[hellsop]

How do you prevent the windshield from fogging?

defog buttons still do defogging, overriding "fan only". So does auto-defog.

 

[dannycamps]

defog buttons still do defogging, overriding "fan only". So does auto-defog.

In addition, in warmer weather the car will override "fan only" to kick on the AC to cool the battery I believe.

 

[Saint]

How do you prevent the windshield from fogging?

Wipe windshield with vinegar+water solution. It makes fogging more manageable. (Vinegar may damage tint if you have one)

 

[Cord]

Wait-wait
As an old SCUBA I can tell you the secret is to cut a raw spud in half and rub that on the glass

 

[FI Spyder]

Wipe windshield with vinegar+water solution. It makes fogging more manageable. (Vinegar may damage tint if you have one)

That just cleans your window, I sometimes use it on auto and house windows as a cheap cleaner. I say "just" but clean windows will fog less and clear easier. Nothing scientific here just anecdotal.

 

[Wayne Y]

Thanks for the timely post on cold weather operation. At first I thought steering wheel heater and butt heater were out of place on a mostly electric car. But, it's getting cold in So Cal. (I know . . . ) So I tried the butt heater and the wheel warmer this morning -- and I appreciate them.

The heater in the Volt **has** to be not as efficient as a gasoline only car: Take a look at the coolant temp some day. I noticed my coolant is often "room temperature"

2018 LT bought new in Sept - great deal . . .

 

[Wayne Y]

Manual says wash the windshield with water for the first few weeks. Something like that.

 

[Battery Boy]

Of course, keeping her plugging in will help the battery provide better range and remote (fob or app) pre-conditioning will make a big difference. Again to get anything out of preconditioning, the climate control needs to be left in MAX and the temp about 80 deg.

I keep mine plugged in when not in use, but I do not know how to pre-condition, I gather this is to keep it warm when not in use?