[JuneBug]

This may seem like a stupid question, but when the Volt is in D or L, does it creep forward even uphill? Living here in the flatlands, we don't have many hills. But I was on a upward sloping driveway the other day that surely would have held my ICE vehicle stationary in D, but the Volt continued to creep uphill at its normal 3mph. I know the Volt transaxle is designed to imitate "normal" cars, but after watching the professor's video I realized it's totally different.

 

[emartin00]

It will still creep uphill, but only to a certain extent. Once the hill is steep enough, it will stop, or start to roll backwards.

 

[jcanoe]

It will still creep uphill, but only to a certain extent. Once the hill is steep enough, it will stop, or start to roll backwards.

On the Gen 2 Volt there is a Hill Start Assist setting under the Volt's Comfort and Convenience settings; it is on page 190 of the 2017 Volt Owner's Manual. With Hill Start Assist the Volt will hold position for 2 seconds when you release the brake pedal (when facing up hill, with the Volt in D or L.)There is also an Extended Hill Start Assist setting that will cause the Volt to hold its position for up to 5 minutes after the brake pedal is released.

 

[srmarti]

Depends on how steep the hill is. Don't think that's any different than what I expect in any automatic transmission car.

jcanoe,

OP is asking about a Gen 1

 

[emartin00]

Depends on how steep the hill is. Don't think that's any different than what I expect in any automatic transmission car.

jcanoe,

OP is asking about a Gen 1

The Gen I also has hill start assist that will hold the brakes.

 

[JuneBug]

The Gen I also has hill start assist that will hold the brakes.

I didn't see anything about this in the owner's manual. How do I use it?

 

[El Dobro]

Stop on a hill and then take your foot off the brake, it will hold long enough for you to switch your foot to the go pedal.

 

[tacman7]

I live in rolling hills not mountains. I've had to learn to use the parking brake instead of park.

The parking brake on the Volt is great for jumping out to get the mail etc.

Nice because when you're back in the car and ready to go you just hold you foot lightly on the gas and it releases the brake.

Been really nice when I stop on a steeper grade.

 

[JuneBug]

I live in rolling hills not mountains. I've had to learn to use the parking brake instead of park.

The parking brake on the Volt is great for jumping out to get the mail etc.

Nice because when you're back in the car and ready to go you just hold you foot lightly on the gas and it releases the brake.

Been really nice when I stop on a steeper grade.

That's a great tip for those who complain about the triple honk when picking something or someone up!

 

[jcanoe]

I live in rolling hills not mountains. I've had to learn to use the parking brake instead of park.

The parking brake on the Volt is great for jumping out to get the mail etc.

Nice because when you're back in the car and ready to go you just hold you foot lightly on the gas and it releases the brake.

Been really nice when I stop on a steeper grade.

This is unsafe. If your foot slipped and tapped the accelerator pedal while getting in or out of the driver's seat the parking brake would release while the Volt was in still in D or L. Also, if the parking brake were to fail, the Volt would start moving forward under power. A safer approach would be to slip the shift lever into Neutral with your foot on the brake pedal, then set the parking brake. Then two actions would be required for the Volt to start moving. To resume driving just slip the shift lever back into D or L and press the accelerator to release the parking brake.

 

[Cheburashka]

Now you've got me wondering about something my Gen 1 does. When I stop the car in a parking space, then let off the brake, the car rolls. Not much, but enough to get a dirty look from my wife, who usually has one foot on the ground and the other in the car when the movement happens. This is on maybe 3% grades, or even less. I've never measured, but it feels like the car moves at least 2". Is this normal behavior for Volts?

I live in rolling hills not mountains. I've had to learn to use the parking brake instead of park.

What am I missing here? Why would rolling hills make it necessary for you to not shift into park?

 

[tacman7]

When I put the Volt in park on a grade it rolls a little then hits the transmission with a bump, so there's slack in the line and I don't like how it bangs against the drive train when you take your foot off the brake. The parking brake holds it still.
It stays on level ground at night and park works fine there.

 

[Jimbo62]

My 2015 rolls backwards immediately on my slightly inclined driveway in D when brake is released.