[DZD]

Going on 3 months in my new (to me) 2013 Volt. Love the car and have had no real issues but some odd things happened today:

First item, I noticed one of my tires was lower than the other on the TPMS on the drive to work. All tires were about 39 or 40, one was 35. Went by Discount Tire on the way to work and had them all filled to 40. At lunch I noticed the TPMS shows the right rear was down to 25. Glad to have a TPMS that shows individual tire air pressure. The tire didn't look flat but it was definitely low. Filled it up and made an appt for to take it to the dealer to fix/replace tomorrow morning since I have a warranty.

Second item, while driving home tonight, I typically use my steering wheel controls to change audio source or adjust volume. Today, after pressing the leaf button to view energy usage, I tried to turn up the radio via the steering wheel. Nothing happened. I then tried to turn the volume knob itself, still nothing happened. I then realized the energy flow graph stuck too. I'm accelerating and it still shows I'm Regenerating.

The car is running fine otherwise, so I just push the volume knob to turn off the radio - the center stack screen goes completely blank, then I get that old fashion black and white "snow" screen for a brief moment then the screen starts up again complete with the start up noise, swoosh and leaves. All this occurred while driving in rush hour traffic. Gotta admit, it scared me a bit; but everything was fine after that.

I've never had that happen before with the center stack. It may be slow to respond when I first start the car, but I know to just wait for all the warning dash lights to go out before I do anything. A few times when I shut off the car, it briefly gives me a message along the lines of "Climate Control not available" before going blank/turning off.

One thing to note - last night, before all this happened, I swapped out the interior dome lights with LED ones. I'm pretty sure it's not related but wanted to ask to see if others had any insight. I only did the dome lights; I haven't done the vanity mirrors or front map lights yet - surely, this couldn't cause an issue, could it? I do have LED bulbs in the rear license plate but the headlights, front turn signals and the reverse light are stock (for now).

So - my first trip to the dealer tomorrow morning - it's only to fix the flat but I'll ask about other items I've noticed, experienced, and learned about on this forum:

- Software Update to correct the bluetooth issue where the other end hears noise PIC5768A
- Wind Buffeting issue PI0642C - not sure if I really need this but seems like a good idea - I do like driving al fresco when I can.
- Check to see the cause of the CEL I got a few times. When it occurred, I called OnStar who gave me a code saying the battery is having a minor issue - don't have the code but OnStar says it stays "on file" for 90 days and the CEL goes away at next start.
- I also found a note about PIC5451A for charge door sticking issue. I've noticed this only occurs after a heavy rain - my car charges outside overnight - then after a few days, it's fine again so I may not need it.

Is there such a thing as a general software update for the car? Are there any other updates you can recommend?

Thanks.

 

[voganni]

You may try disconnecting the 12v battery (negative) for a few minutes, see if that resets things. They will probably want to do the "auto off after 10 minutes" update. I refuse to have that done, because I like to leave my car on sometimes if I'm just getting out to mail a letter or run into a store for a few minutes. The "upgrade" will give the dreaded "triple honk" if you get out with the car on. Not sure if they'll let you decline the upgrade or not.

 

[jbakerjonathan]

I'm not sure about this, but I have read that in some cars the filament resistance is measured and things can happen when that resistance is not there. I would replace the LEDs with the bulbs to experiment.

 

[Joe67]

First item: Are you having the dealer replace a tire or the TPMS sensor?
If tire, use a tire shop. If the sensor and it would be covered underwarranty, then use the dealer.

One thing to note - last night, before all this happened, I swapped out the interior dome lights with LED ones. I'm pretty sure it's not related but wanted to ask to see if others had any insight. I only did the dome lights; I haven't done the vanity mirrors or front map lights yet - surely, this couldn't cause an issue, could it? I do have LED bulbs in the rear license plate but the headlights, front turn signals and the reverse light are stock (for now).
Did you switch back to the original bulbs to see if that corrected your issues?

Wind Buffeting issue PI0642C - DO IT!

 

[mpmoore1979]

Note: the dealership will not have access to the code that on-star has on file, call them and get the code prior to dropping off your car. Write the code(s) down, its easy to get the numbers mixed up.

 

[Paulacton84]

wind buffeting- DON't Bother- all it takes to make the buffet go away is to open one of the back windows about an inch- poof! its gone. and out of warranty it would cost you a handful of dollars...

 

[turboguy327]

wind buffeting- DON't Bother- all it takes to make the buffet go away is to open one of the back windows about an inch- poof! its gone. and out of warranty it would cost you a handful of dollars...

Not for everyone. That didn't fix mine. Nor did the rain guards. If he can get most/all of it covered for some reason or even $100 it's well worth it.

 

[DZD]

Tires are covered by the CPO Extended Warranty - they repaired it - it was a nail in the middle of the thread.

I didn't want to leave it for a day or two so I did the tire only. It was fixed, washed and I was my way in an hour @ no cost.

I left the LED's in place - that issue hasn't happened again. Although, I was impressed that my daughter noticed them tonight. I picked her up after band practice, we pulled into the garage, turned the car off and she looked at the (now LED) dome light and said - Have you always had that light? She had never noticed it before - I explained that it was an LED bulb and she gave me that classic teenage whatever eyeroll, muttered cool and got out of the car. Inside - I was happy she noticed.

I'll setup an appt for the other stuff and let you know the outcome. I'd love to find someone in the Dallas area to help me swap out the backup light and the headlights for LED's. Looks funny when I turn the car off to see the LED license plate lights and the now old fashion looking backup light.

 

[Joe67]

Note: the dealership will not have access to the code that on-star has on file, call them and get the code prior to dropping off your car. Write the code(s) down, its easy to get the numbers mixed up.

What? You are saying Onstar has better diagnostics available than the Chevy dealer?
Where do you get this bit of information from?

Calling Onstart to get a code to take to the dealer is similar as searching WebMD and taking your findings to the doctor.

 

[Joe67]

Not for everyone. That didn't fix mine. Nor did the rain guards. If he can get most/all of it covered for some reason or even $100 it's well worth it.

Rain guards look flat out ridiculous. The wind kit is a great addition to anyone who enjoys driving with the windows down.

 

[turboguy327]

Rain guards look flat out ridiculous. The wind kit is a great addition to anyone who enjoys driving with the windows down.

No, no they don't actually. Lol. The stick on ones, maybe. But the in channel ones from weather tech look just fine and serve a purpose. I'm not a smoker either.