[Honhme]

My current Volt (2013) has 3 buttons along the roof line that can be programmed for opening garage doors or similar electronic gates. In looking at the new 2017 Volt, I noticed that those buttons have been removed. As a result, I would have to have two openers attached to the visor to access my garage at work as well as my secured parking lot at work.

Anyone know why these were removed from the newer Volt?

Thanks, Honhme

 

[jcanoe]

GM dropped HomeLink from many of their vehicles including the 2016/2017 Volt. This has been covered in multiple forum threads. Some Volt owners have installed their own HomeLink visor in the Gen II Volt.

 

[jbakerjonathan]

Here's a thought: can't you program one of the openers to open the second door/gate? Then you would need only one opener and have to only remember which button actives which door/gate. I do that now in my 2014 as I have two garage doors.

 

[Bacardi]

Many of us, myself included, found an used Gentex mirror on ebay an had it shipped for under $40 (just make sure it includes a pigtail)...If you're not handy then car stereo shops including best buy can install it on the cheap...

GM dropped HomeLink from many of their vehicles including the 2016/2017 Volt. This has been covered in multiple forum threads. Some Volt owners have installed their own HomeLink visor in the Gen II Volt.

GM dropped it from small Chevys only, subcompacts (like the Bolt) and compacts (like the Volt) it remains at least optional on all other passenger vehicle Chevys...Caddy has it standard across their entire line, Buick/GMC at least optional on all models...

Another interesting tidbit, it's been reported many times that if you ask GM Chat about why the Volt doesn't have a "homelink" they'll tell you to check out the Malibu Hybrid...

 

[emartin00]

you can also buy a homelink module and install it in any vehicle.

 

[turboguy327]

You could also put smart modules on the garage door openers to use your phone to open them.

 

[Bacardi]

You could also put smart modules on the garage door openers to use your phone to open them.

Home is easy, he states "work" so unless he owns the building may not have a choice...I'm younger than most on here, a lot of friends live in complex's within walking distance to the beach so their complex's are gated to prevent random folks from parking and walking to the beach...They'll give each residents clickers; very convenient to just load the signal into a home link device when why I ended up getting the homelink mirror...

 

[emartin00]

You could also put smart modules on the garage door openers to use your phone to open them.

Having to pull a phone out of my pocket, open the app and open the door is a lot less convenient than reaching up and pressing a button. Not to mention using your phone while driving is also illegal in many states.

 

[turboguy327]

Having to pull a phone out of my pocket, open the app and open the door is a lot less convenient than reaching up and pressing a button. Not to mention using your phone while driving is also illegal in many states.

My phone goes in a cradle and it's 2 screen touches to operate my garage door. You can operate it in your driveway if it's that scary.

It's easier than ducking around with installing a opener or new mirror. And your opener can't get stolen or fall off the visor.

 

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

My phone goes in a cradle and it's 2 screen touches to operate my garage door. You can operate it in your driveway if it's that scary.

It's easier than ducking around with installing a opener or new mirror. And your opener can't get stolen or fall off the visor.

The OP has said that he uses it for work and home. His workplace might not allow cell/network access for opening the work gate.

Your smartphone can't be stolen?

 

[turboguy327]

The OP has said that he uses it for work and home. His workplace might not allow cell/network access for opening the work gate.

Your smartphone can't be stolen?

I've never had one stolen and it's always with me. In general they can be. I guess. An opener on the visor is more likely to be stolen.

 

[good2go]

**sigh**

I can recall numerous times where people I know have reported the theft of, or the loss of, their cell phone, but for the life of me, I can't recall a single instance where ANYONE, not just a friend, has EVER reported losing the rear view mirror from their car.

 

[Bacardi]

**sigh**

I can recall numerous times where people I know have reported the theft of, or the loss of, their cell phone, but for the life of me, I can't recall a single instance where ANYONE, not just a friend, has EVER reported losing the rear view mirror from their car.

Endless possibilities...
Lost phone...
Stolen phone...
Inoperable phone due to, catching on fire (Note 7), dropping it and it breaking, it not being waterproof and it gets wet, downloading the latest operational software and it bricking your phone, etc...
Unreliable wifi (mine tends to go out at least twice a month when I'm home; who knows when I'm asleep or not home)...
Even reports of charging cables failing and particularly on some droids, the micro-USB port breaking...

$40 ebay mirror solves all, you gain auto-dimming if LT and could probably sell it for $40 -shipping if and when you decide to move onto another vehicle...

 

[turboguy327]

**sigh**

I can recall numerous times where people I know have reported the theft of, or the loss of, their cell phone, but for the life of me, I can't recall a single instance where ANYONE, not just a friend, has EVER reported losing the rear view mirror from their car.

I brought up the phone app because not everyone wants to install a rear view mirror and the associated wiring for a car they just paid $40,000+ for..... And it's easier. I have home link but usually use my phone as it's more reliable. If I ever need to let anyone in my house I don't need to share a code. And you can control lighting and other stuff from the app so I can make it look like I'm home when I'm away. Instead of trying to make me look stupid maybe you could think about something for more than .4 seconds.....

 

[Sheldon]

I stuck on one of these compact keychain universal remotes with 3M mounting tape. Only problem was in the heat, it wouldn't stay stuck on the plastic overhead, so I instead I stuck it next to the cup-holder. It can program two garage doors. There are also three button versions, that are only a little bit bigger, as well as 3 button standard visor garage door remotes.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Liftmast...9833&wl11=online&wl12=123725334&wl13=&veh=sem

https://www.amazon.com/Chamberlain-...rd_wg=rTFas&psc=1&refRID=23ARNNBVH4FMNTGQ5MF8

 

[good2go]

... Instead of trying to make me look stupid maybe you could think about something for more than .4 seconds.....

So you can resort to supposition and personal insults, but I'm the bad guy? !! Whatever.

 

[Blastphemy]

Anyone know why these were removed from the newer Volt?

I have yet to hear a good explanation from anyone why GM stopped putting those convenient HomeLink buttons in the Volt (and Bolt). It doesn't make the car better (quite the opposite), and it's the reason I didn't but a new Volt/Bolt this year.

Sometimes little things can be the deciding factor why someone does or doesn't make a purchase, and this decision was so stupid that it was enough to make me look elsewhere.

 

[jcanoe]

I have yet to hear a good explanation from anyone why GM stopped putting those convenient HomeLink buttons in the Volt (and Bolt). It doesn't make the car better (quite the opposite), and it's the reason I didn't but a new Volt/Bolt this year.

Sometimes little things can be the deciding factor why someone does or doesn't make a purchase, and this decision was so stupid that it was enough to make me look elsewhere.

My speculation, primarily to reduce cost. GM's customer surveys found that the Homelink remote control feature was used by a small percentage of GM customers. Homelink technology is dated, lacking in security features. New technologies such as CarPlay and Android Auto will enable GM customers to communicate with Smart Home technologies that can use phone apps with voice control and geofencing technology to open gates, open garage doors, turn on exterior and interior lights, adjust the heating and air conditioning, arm/disarm the home security system, optionally release the hounds. You can retrofit Smart Home technology to many existing electric garage doors.

 

[Guest]

I have two garage doors were it would have been very convenient to open one or the other when not parking in the garage (currently two cars I'm restoring are in there but that's where I gain access to the house 99% of the time. There are work arounds but how much would it really cost them to continue to put them in gen 2's?

 

[bentbiker]

If the sole reason for removing HomeLink was for cost reduction, GM could have easily made it an option for the base model or added the feature to an existing optional package. The fact that they made it totally unavailable makes me suspicious that it was to punish the manufacturer. It was very common in the past for Detroit to send notices to all their suppliers saying something similar to this: "For GM (or pick another Big 3 company) to meet our target vehicle selling prices for the upcoming year, we will need the cooperation of all our suppliers. We need a 7% price reduction on all parts. Failure to provide such reductions will require us to reconsider our purchasing options." Or, perhaps it was retaliation for HomeLink having the audacity to try to raise their price. It has always been very dangerous for a company to become so dependent upon sales to the Big 3 that they couldn't exist without the sales. Detroit is ruthless.

Nor can I buy into the idea that GM determined a high percentage of Gen1 Volt owners don't use the buttons. This car in particular begs for easy garage access for the EVSE. It is possibly the only feature that I use every day without exception.