[MinnVolt]

I bought the Volt 3 mos ago - great car! Electric range before ICE start of 44 - 49 miles, but winter is coming. Still getting used to the handling, as it seems a bit tail heavy on tight corners compared to previous gas FWD. Does anyone know the weight distribution?

I ran a few errands yesterday - no commute, the beauty of retirement! - 13 miles, 2.9KW used, 33 miles estimated remaining. I pulled the car into the garage and turned it off normally, but did not plug it in. Garage is not heated, but was probably about 55 degrees.

Last evening I had to go into the garage and noted a low "whirring" sort of sound. It appeared to be coming from the car, but I couldn't really localize it. I looked in the driver's window to make sure it was off - the center stack was dark, but it looked like the backlight was on in the driver's display. I got a remote, turned the car on, waited a couple of minutes and turned it off, then exited and waited for all the interior lights to shut down. The noise continued and the display still looked backlit.

I left it and this morning it was back to normal - no noise, no backlight, no change in the energy stats.

Was this the battery heating system running? I plan to keep it plugged in when it gets colder, but it surely doesn't have to be plugged in at 50 - 55 degrees?

 

[telveer]

One of our mods compiled a list of sounds. Maybe that will help
http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread...ime-Horn.-A-guide-to-what-your-Volt-is-saying.

 

[Off Oil]

The battery will cool itself when needed to maintain longevity, regardless if on or off . The manual states it should be left plugged in if possible when the ambient temperature is 90 +

 

[canehdian]

At that temp is was likely just the coolant pump.
It has to be really hot for AC to kick in when unplugged.
You'll likely want to be plugged in when below freezing or above room temp (25C/75F)

 

[Steverino]

The car was not plugged in?

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread...ent-system-temperature-band&p=45948#post45948
http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread...ent-system-temperature-band&p=48601#post48601

 

[Mister Dave]

Okay, here's the simple non-technical answer:

Yes it's normal.

 

[ClarksonCote]

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned it yet, but there's a fuel tank pressurization system test that happens when on or off that makes a strange noise. It's actually near the back of the car. You may have been hearing that.

Also, the backlight of the screen will sometimes come on when you?re nearby with the FOB. I've seen it from time to time.

Short answer, nothing you've described is out of the ordinary.

 

[TSquare]

Does anyone know the weight distribution?

According to Edmunds for a 2011:
Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%) 61.4/38.6

https://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/volt/2011/road-test-specs/

 

[canehdian]

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned it yet, but there's a fuel tank pressurization system test that happens when on or off that makes a strange noise. It's actually near the back of the car. You may have been hearing that.

That's more of a ticking than a whirring, though.

 

[I'mElectric]

When I weighed my car with me in it and 9 gallons of gas it was 60/40 toward the front.