[Markjn]

Been looking forward to getting a Volt for a while now. Finally got mine Monday and am mostly pleased. Only getting 31 miles electric range so far. It has been near freezing in Michigan this week, so that has a lot to do with it.

Getting to know the user manual after downloading it.

Mark
Farmington Hills, MI

 

[wizard_of-ahs]

Welcome Markjn

Once the weather breaks in spring, you'll be up in the 40s electric range

 

[TheBlueFlash]

If you're using the heater and heated seats constantly and driving a lot over 65mph then 31 sounds about right. Remember though, what it says is just an estimate. You may be getting more or less than that. It is possible the prior owner drove it like a maniac and that is reflected in the estimated range. If you drive conservatively, the estimated range will creep up as the computer learns and adapts to your driving style.

 

[btown]

Welcome to the forum. Unfortunately your range will drop a little more as the temperature drops but that is to be expected. I've had my 2012 for 5 1/2 years and still enjoy driving it as much as the day I brought it home.

 

[hellsop]

If you're using the heater and heated seats constantly and driving a lot over 65mph then 31 sounds about right. Remember though, what it says is just an estimate. You may be getting more or less than that. It is possible the prior owner drove it like a maniac and that is reflected in the estimated range. If you drive conservatively, the estimated range will creep up as the computer learns and adapts to your driving style.

Doesn't even have to be that fast and I seldom drive faster than low 50s MPH on my normal wanderings. I'm gettin 31-33 estimates as well, and they're pretty accurate. I end getting about 3 miles per kwh in the 25-45F temperatures. Below that, ERDTT picks up and the range gets back to 34,35, above that and I'll get 34-35 just because it's warmer. Soon, though, it'll be time for the winter tires and it'll drop down to about 30 miles.

 

[jcanoe]

Doesn't even have to be that fast and I seldom drive faster than low 50s MPH on my normal wanderings. I'm gettin 31-33 estimates as well, and they're pretty accurate. I end getting about 3 miles per kwh in the 25-45F temperatures. Below that, ERDTT picks up and the range gets back to 34,35, above that and I'll get 34-35 just because it's warmer. Soon, though, it'll be time for the winter tires and it'll drop down to about 30 miles.

I have not had to deal with swapping summer tires for winter tires in many years, this when I was living in NY. Then it was just the rear tires that got the snow tread. Where do you store 4 sets of tires and rims off season? How do you avoid flat spots and dry rot on the rubber?

 

[Markjn]

I only hit about 55 on my commute and I don't get on the highway. My one way is just over 16 miles, so Tuesday the IC engine came on 3 miles from home (bummer). I don't use the heating much, just Eco mode set to 73 deg. It doesn't seem to come on at all if set to below that. It kicks out more fan and heat when I turn on the defrost - luckily. I use the seat heater on low for less than 5 minutes. I can't use the remote start pre-warmer since I have a check engine light on already. Grrr.

Thanks for all the responses, this looks like a good forum with a lot of good active members. I have been reading the info, FAQ's, and everything else I can find. Lots of good info here.

 

[Markjn]

btown, good to hear you still enjoy driving it as much now as you did when you first got it.

 

[Markjn]

Welcome Markjn

Once the weather breaks in spring, you'll be up in the 40s electric range

I sure hope so. In the mean time I'm going to ask if I can get an outdoor outlet installed at work.

 

[jcanoe]

I only hit about 55 on my commute and I don't get on the highway. My one way is just over 16 miles, so Tuesday the IC engine came on 3 miles from home (bummer). I don't use the heating much, just Eco mode set to 73 deg. It doesn't seem to come on at all if set to below that. It kicks out more fan and heat when I turn on the defrost - luckily. I use the seat heater on low for less than 5 minutes. I can't use the remote start pre-warmer since I have a check engine light on already. Grrr.

Thanks for all the responses, this looks like a good forum with a lot of good active members. I have been reading the info, FAQ's, and everything else I can find. Lots of good info here.

Feel free to use the seat heater on medium and high settings. The seat heaters run on the Volt's 12V system. The power used is insignificant compared to running the electric cabin heat or air conditioning.

 

[Markjn]

Fail to complete charge last night

This morning, the battery was only at 11 mi range, less than half charged. I didn't see any messages so I don't know what caused it. I have been using the same 120V outlet to charge every day (so far - 4 days) and it has given me 29-31 miles indicated range until today. I am using the cable that came with the car. The outlet is not switched. Does the MyChevrolet or MyVolt app alert me if the charge is interrupted? My Onstar had an issue getting started (Onstar engineer at second level IT is working on it), so I can't use Onstar yet.

Thanks!
Mark

 

[Markjn]

Feel free to use the seat heater on medium and high settings. The seat heaters run on the Volt's 12V system. The power used is insignificant compared to running the electric cabin heat or air conditioning.

Thanks, good to know that! I don't like the seat heater on much - it is my hands and feet that feel the cold since I wear dress shoes and socks and don't like gloves until it is very cold out. I don't even wear an insulated coat all winter unless I'm going to be outside for a long time. But my wife will be happy to roast herself to her heart's content when she's in it.

 

[firehawk72]

Been looking forward to getting a Volt for a while now. Finally got mine Monday and am mostly pleased. Only getting 31 miles electric range so far. It has been near freezing in Michigan this week, so that has a lot to do with it.

Getting to know the user manual after downloading it.

Mark
Farmington Hills, MI

On REALLY cold days, blasting the heater at full power, don't be surprised to see low 20s of range. My 2012 Volt could get high 40s of range in the summer, but could also get low 20s in the winter. The heater is a major draw. Just letting you know just in case you might not have expected such a drop.

 

[Eagleco]

Congrats on the nice 2012 Volt purchase! It's great to hear about older Volts still being loved and desirable as we plan on keeping our new one a long time .

I plan on getting a snow tire/wheel package this week from Tire rack for our 2018 Volt. I have stored the wheels on their sides stacked on top of each other in my basement or garden shed with no problem. I currently hang the set for my Cruze on large padded lag screws attached to studs in the garage. I've been storing them these ways for over 25 years on various cars with no tire rot or flat spotting.

My only caution is if you have any steel rims make sure they are not stored in a humid place unless every inevitable paint chip has been fixed. They will rust faster. I made that mistake myself when I used to store a set on the floor in a damp corner of the garage. Probably best to keep any rim off a concrete floor and on a wooden platform. That's what I do in the basement .

 

[Guest]

For storing winter tires I bought a tire stand, it stores the wheels on the side with supports on the pole to keep them separate. The stand has 4 coasters so you can roll it around if you need to move it for any reason. I treat the tires once or twice a year with tire dressing which basically puts silicone back into the tire as well as cleans them up. Can't remember what I paid but it wasn't much, it would have been on sale, probably from Canadian Tire.