[jcanoe]

Yesterday, after preconditioning my 2017 Volt Premier for 20 minutes while plugged into a Level 2 EVSE, I started the Volt but was not satisfied with the amount of heat coming from the vents. My climate control had been set to Automatic, Recirculate, Max with the cabin temperature control set to HI. The temperature in my garage was 22F/-5C, The outside air temperature was 17F/-8C and falling.

After starting the Volt I switched from Automatic to manual climate control settings and pressed the Defrost (not Max Defrost), the center dashboard vents (the button with the graphic of the seated passenger) and the floor vents. I immediately noticed a significant increase in the amount of warm air and air temperature. Within a minute or so I had to lower the fan speed from maximum to just below half speed and change the cabin temperature setting to 76F. Who knew the Volt could put out that much heat using only the electric heater?

I only had to travel a few miles, later that night (just after the start of New Year), when I used the MyChevrolet App to precondition the Volt (not plugged in this time) the ICE immediately started as the outside air temperature had fallen to 15F/-9C. I repeated my earlier experiment, changing from Automatic to manual climate settings and was immediately rewarded with much warmer air blowing from the vents and had to moderate the fan speed down from maximum and the cabin temperature setting from HI to 76F.

Of course your mileage may vary but if you are unsatisfied with the output of your Volt's cabin heater I suggest you experiment with manually setting the Volt's climate controls.

 

[sosmerc]

Yesterday, after preconditioning my 2017 Volt Premier for 20 minutes while plugged into a Level 2 EVSE, I started the Volt but was not satisfied with the amount of heat coming from the vents. My climate control had been set to Automatic, Recirculate, Max with the cabin temperature control set to HI. The temperature in my garage was 22F/-5C, The outside air temperature was 17F/-8C and falling.

After starting the Volt I switched from Automatic to manual climate control settings and pressed the Defrost (not Max Defrost), the center dashboard vents (the button with the graphic of the seated passenger) and the floor vents. I immediately noticed a significant increase in the amount of warm air and air temperature. Within a minute or so I had to lower the fan speed from maximum to just below half speed and change the cabin temperature setting to 76F. Who knew the Volt could put out that much heat using only the electric heater?

I only had to travel a few miles, later that night (just after the start of New Year), when I used the MyChevrolet App to precondition the Volt (not plugged in this time) the ICE immediately started as the outside air temperature had fallen to 15F/-9C. I repeated my earlier experiment, changing from Automatic to manual climate settings and was immediately rewarded with much warmer air blowing from the vents and had to moderate the fan speed down from maximum and the cabin temperature setting from MAX to 76F.

Of course your mileage may vary but if you are unsatisfied with the output of your Volt's cabin heater I suggest you experiment with manually setting the Volt's climate controls.

When you switched off Automatic did you still have the MAX button on? Also curious as to what EV range was shown before you started out and unplugged. I am interested in trying out your settings as I am not totally satisfied with my 2017 Volt heating performance in the cold...but I am not sure that I fully understand how it works.

 

[Tj1376]

Sounds like you found out that in Auto mode there is a setting that controls max fan speed. I think the default is low. Change the setting to high and try your experiment again. See if you have different results.

TJ


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jcanoe]

When you switched off Automatic did you still have the MAX button on? Also curious as to what EV range was shown before you started out and unplugged. I am interested in trying out your settings as I am not totally satisfied with my 2017 Volt heating performance in the cold...but I am not sure that I fully understand how it works.

Yes, I had the button for Max (electric) heat pressed.

The (estimated) EV range when plugged has been dropping (I believe it most recently read 47) when unplugged the EV ranged had dropped but I did not note the range, I will have to test it again.

 

[jcanoe]

Sounds like you found out that in Auto mode there is a setting that controls max fan speed. I think the default is low. Change the setting to high and try your experiment again. See if you have different results.

TJ


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks. I always have the Max Fan Speed when climate control is set on Automatic set to High.

 

[sosmerc]

Yes, I had the button for Max (electric) heat pressed.

The (estimated) EV range when plugged has been dropping (I believe it most recently read 47) when unplugged the EV ranged had dropped but I did not note the range, I will have to test it again.

Thanks. It has been my understanding that either MAX or ECO has to be selected to get any heat...all the other buttoms just direct where the air goes and fan speed (auto, or manual adjustment of fan speed with the dial). The temperature select dial is only in play if you are in ECO or MAX mode. This is my understanding, but I may be wrong. Normal for EV range to drop while preconditioning...even when plugged in because the electric heat takes more juice than the 110 wall outlet puts out. Not sure about being plugged into 240.

 

[Tj1376]

Thanks. It has been my understanding that either MAX or ECO has to be selected to get any heat...all the other buttoms just direct where the air goes and fan speed (auto, or manual adjustment of fan speed with the dial). The temperature select dial is only in play if you are in ECO or MAX mode. This is my understanding, but I may be wrong. Normal for EV range to drop while preconditioning...even when plugged in because the electric heat takes more juice than the 110 wall outlet puts out. Not sure about being plugged into 240.

Electric heat can take up to 9kwh. The most you can put into the car is 3.3kwh (or 3.6kwh, can’t remember off the top of my head.) Moral of the story: even with L2 you will lose range if preconditioning while plugged in.

TJ


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sosmerc]

Thanks for that info...just what I was looking for. I won't pre-condition anymore unless it is freezing cold outside. I like to start with as much EV range as possible. I don't mind running the ICE to get the cabin up to temp using the climate control.....I can use heated steering wheel and heated seats to get comfy until the ICE is up to temp and making real cabin heat.
I wonder how much EV range Bolt owners are losing when they precondition on 240?

 

[jcanoe]

Electric heat can take up to 9kwh. The most you can put into the car is 3.3kwh (or 3.6kwh, can’t remember off the top of my head.) Moral of the story: even with L2 you will lose range if preconditioning while plugged in.

TJ


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have never seen the electric heat on Max register more than 7 - 8 kWh on the Volt's Driver Information Center, that includes the nominal 0.5kWh that is always being consumed whenever the Volt is powered on.

 

[jcanoe]

Thanks for that info...just what I was looking for. I won't pre-condition anymore unless it is freezing cold outside. I like to start with as much EV range as possible. I don't mind running the ICE to get the cabin up to temp using the climate control.....I can use heated steering wheel and heated seats to get comfy until the ICE is up to temp and making real cabin heat.
I wonder how much EV range Bolt owners are losing when they precondition on 240?

Here is some updated data:

Preconditioned for 20 minutes while plugged in Level 2, garage was 27F, outside temp was 21F and falling. After preconditioning the estimated EV range was 44 miles, the kWh deficit reading on the Energy screen was 0.6kWh (maybe only 2 miles of EV range was lost). Drove 2.2 miles, again changed climate control from Automatic to manual with fan at medium high, then just below halfway, Heat was set to Max, recirculate the Defrost, Dashboard and Floor vent buttons all turned on. Cabin temperature was set to 76F then I soon dropped temp setting to 75 along with lowering the fan speed as it too warm (I was wearing a winter parka.) After parking for 1 hour, again preconditioned (not plugged in for 8 minutes) the estimated EV range was 38. Drove the same route home (2.2 miles) the estimated EV range when I arrived home was 34 miles. Total kWh consumed was 3.5kWh. Outside temperature had fallen to 19F. The MPGe number for the completed trip was 34.1. I estimate that I reduced my effective EV range by half but it was worth it as i was toasty warm the entire time I was inside my Volt.

 

[Tj1376]

I have never seen the electric heat on Max register more than 7 - 8 kWh on the Volt's Driver Information Center, that includes the nominal 0.5kWh that is always being consumed whenever the Volt is powered on.

I dunno what to tell you. It’s minus four degrees F outside. I can get to 9kwh with the heater running in max, on hi.

I love getting about 2 miles per kWh in this weather. Nothing like using 14 kWh in less than 30 miles.

TJ


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jcanoe]

I dunno what to tell you. It’s minus four degrees F outside. I can get to 9kwh with the heater running in max, on hi.

I love getting about 2 miles per kWh in this weather. Nothing like using 14 kWh in less than 30 miles.

TJ


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I had my Volt serviced at the end of October 2017 after the check engine light came on. The dealer service department determined there was an intermittent internal short in the heater (I am not sure if this was the battery heater or the cabin heater.) The part that was replaced was 22816851 HEATER 8.845 so it is possible that the electric cabin heater module was what needed to be replaced. Maybe the new heater is programmed for a maximum of 8kWh.

 

[somms]

I had my Volt serviced at the end of October 2017 after the check engine light came on. The dealer service department determined there was an intermittent internal short in the heater (I am not sure if this was the battery heater or the cabin heater.) The part that was replaced was 22816851 HEATER 8.845 so it is possible that the electric cabin heater module was what needed to be replaced. Maybe the new heater is programmed for a maximum of 8kWh.

Bolt EV - a resistive element or heat pump?

FWIW: That GM part# 22816851 is the PTC cabin heater manufactured by Eberspaecher same form factor as the heater equipped in the Chevy Bolt...

 

[CatsAreGods]

I'm no expert but that doesn't look like it could be anything more complex than a resistance element.

 

[JRRF]

I love getting about 2 miles per kWh in this weather. Nothing like using 14 kWh in less than 30 miles.

My sentiments exactly. Out ans about this weekend after dark and even on the delayed setting there is no getting around having the engine come on for heat. And if I do say so, the engine in ERDTT mode is VERY buzzy.

 

[Shivetya]

I love getting about 2 miles per kWh in this weather. Nothing like using 14 kWh in less than 30 miles.

TJ

One of the very reasons a pure EV is not in my future. Always fun to have had to listen to a coworker with his i3 (sold now) talking how in real cold days of taking the car instead because he wasn't sure if we would get home and was 100% sure he could not deviate from his home to work to home only route.

I would love to see some numbers from our fellow Bolt owners about range / efficiency changes in this weather

 

[sosmerc]

One of the very reasons a pure EV is not in my future. Always fun to have had to listen to a coworker with his i3 (sold now) talking how in real cold days of taking the car instead because he wasn't sure if we would get home and was 100% sure he could not deviate from his home to work to home only route.

I would love to see some numbers from our fellow Bolt owners about range / efficiency changes in this weather

Me too. Let's see how the Bolt is doing in cold weather.

 

[hellsop]

One of the very reasons a pure EV is not in my future.

well, not a 14kwh pure ev anyway. Even the i3 you talk about came in a 22kwh and a 33kwh version, and if the former is good enough in summer, the latter will be good enough in winter too. It's always possible to have a commute too far for even that, or a Bolt or 100D, but that's getting into vanishingly small chucks of the population. (But frankly, if you've got a 90+ mile commute to work, I'd say *that* is the problem, not that you can't affordably buy an EV to meet it. Who the heck wants to spend three hours a day driving just to GET to work?)

 

[DarrenHD]

Me too. Let's see how the Bolt is doing in cold weather.

I think you can expect up to 50% decrease in range in a Bolt or even a Tesla. There are youtube videos showing this.

BTW, does anyone else get cold feet in their Gen2 Volt? I do have hot air blowing where my feet are but I don't think the vent is big enough. My feet recently seem cold even with warm/hot air directed down there....even with high fan and high tempuratures set...again I think it's just not blowing enough air because it's a fairly small (single I think) vent.

 

[2VoltFamily]

Yesterday, after preconditioning my 2017 Volt Premier for 20 minutes while plugged into a Level 2 EVSE, I started the Volt but was not satisfied with the amount of heat coming from the vents. My climate control had been set to Automatic, Recirculate, Max with the cabin temperature control set to HI. The temperature in my garage was 22F/-5C, The outside air temperature was 17F/-8C and falling.

After starting the Volt I switched from Automatic to manual climate control settings and pressed the Defrost (not Max Defrost), the center dashboard vents (the button with the graphic of the seated passenger) and the floor vents. I immediately noticed a significant increase in the amount of warm air and air temperature. Within a minute or so I had to lower the fan speed from maximum to just below half speed and change the cabin temperature setting to 76F. Who knew the Volt could put out that much heat using only the electric heater?

I only had to travel a few miles, later that night (just after the start of New Year), when I used the MyChevrolet App to precondition the Volt (not plugged in this time) the ICE immediately started as the outside air temperature had fallen to 15F/-9C. I repeated my earlier experiment, changing from Automatic to manual climate settings and was immediately rewarded with much warmer air blowing from the vents and had to moderate the fan speed down from maximum and the cabin temperature setting from HI to 76F.

Of course your mileage may vary but if you are unsatisfied with the output of your Volt's cabin heater I suggest you experiment with manually setting the Volt's climate controls.

On my Gen 1 I always get better heat out of the face vents than floor or defrost. Just seems warmer and quickly heats up the cabin.