[notaguru]

Does the Gen 2 have interior convenience/panic handles above the driver and pass side windows? If not, has anyone come up with a simple means for adding one, at least on the pass side?

Thanks!

 

[Mister Dave]

No and no.

 

[mikeg3]

I just don't understand why.

At least some GM executives must be old enough to appreciate the handle when leaving a vehicle. I haven't even seen a good theory on this board as to why the Volt lacks a passenger-side courtesy handle.

 

[bentbiker]

Have you guys thought about trying one of the standing assist pieces like this? As for a reason GM might not offer it, do you think that deployment of the side curtain airbag might severely injure the arm/shoulder of somebody holding on to a grab handle?

 

[DonM]

Using door as an exit handle

It took a couple of days to figure it out, but I'm 6'4" so with the seat back, & leaned back, I'm literally trying to get out of a hole. The solution was to open the door, swing left leg out, reach out to the top front edge of the door with my long right arm, and pull myself out. I think the same procedure will work on passenger side.

 

[TheBlueFlash]

It took a couple of days to figure it out, but I'm 6'4" so with the seat back, & leaned back, I'm literally trying to get out of a hole. The solution was to open the door, swing left leg out, reach out to the top front edge of the door with my long right arm, and pull myself out. I think the same procedure will work on passenger side.

I'm 6', 2" and right there with ya brother. I love the Volt and my family will always have one because my wife is 5,4 and has plenty of room in her 2016, but I'm trading my 2013 in the moment GM gives us a Voltec CUV/SUV.

 

[El Dobro]

https://jet.com/product/detail/af2e...s_Equipment:Mobility_Aids_Equipment:dur:22005

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/st...s_mid=F609&feedonomics_channel=shoppingdotcom

 

[notaguru]

There are many cars with side curtain air bags *AND* grab handles, so (obviously) it can be done.

My wife really wants one on our new 2017 (shopping now), and after 45 years of marriage that's a mandate: I must fabricate something. It's just 2-4 holes, but I need to know where things are behind that fabric - hopefully that can be determined without pulling the headliner. If a structurally-sound location can be found, perhaps a correct-color handle (from pick 'n pull) can be added without interfering with the air bag.

Anyone else willing to contribute to the knowledge base? How (on this forum) does this become a project?

 

[Mister Dave]

Pull the headliner. Make sure you're not interfering with the operation of the air bag. Otherwise you may be asking for big trouble. Air bags that don't deploy as designed will find another route. It's important to realize that some airbags kill people they're supposed to be saving. I wouldn't want to complicate that.

A better place to look for a mounting spot is the a-pillar. There is no air bag there, only a mounting strap for it. This you could do without pulling the headliner. Plan on using some sort of a standoff so you don't collapse the pillar cover.

Gen 1 Volt:

 

[notaguru]

I have someone checking with junkyards. If we find a 2016-2017 I'll pull THAT headliner, take photos, etc.

 

[Steverino]

I have someone checking with junkyards. If we find a 2016-2017 I'll pull THAT headliner, take photos, etc.

I thought grab handles were anchored to the car, not the headliner.

 

[El Dobro]

I thought grab handles were anchored to the car, not the headliner.

Yep, they're attached to the sheet metal of the car and have a designed in anchor.

 

[Tomt]

The lack of them is one of my wife's biggest complaints! I believe that the location of the airbags there precludes them...

Does the Gen 2 have interior convenience/panic handles above the driver and pass side windows? If not, has anyone come up with a simple means for adding one, at least on the pass side?

 

[Steverino]

Yep, they're attached to the sheet metal of the car and have a designed in anchor.

In which case, pull down the liner, get out your welder and get ready for a lot of custom body and paint work.

 

[Mister Dave]

Lag bolts could work in the pillars. I've done it before on limos. It was standard on Cadillacs. Not sure what they use now.

Machine screws can work too depending on the gauge of the steel. But it could be iffy.

 

[mikeg3]

There are many cars with side curtain air bags *AND* grab handles, so (obviously) it can be done.

For that matter, the driver side of my 2011 has a grab handle and a side curtain air bag, so it was done, just not on the passenger side.

Why?