I've been so used to averaging 60-64 miles of range, and then this week it got really cold and sure enough I'm back down to the rated range of 53 miles in mixed driving. I also monitor the +/- gauge to see how good/bad things are, and I am consistently in the negative. I'm wondering if anyone has actually correlated their score to range achieved.
It's Cold Outside
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Can't say I've ever really paid too much attention to the "score", but I'd imagine it's not great now.
I need to figure out a good way to prevent the windows from fogging up so I don't have to turn on the defroster (even for the limited time I let it run), but I did swap to the winter setup (1.6 lbs lighter per corner), so hopefully that helps a little with range.
I need to figure out a good way to prevent the windows from fogging up so I don't have to turn on the defroster (even for the limited time I let it run), but I did swap to the winter setup (1.6 lbs lighter per corner), so hopefully that helps a little with range.
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AC and comfort mode work for me. Dehumidify and blow warm air. Econo mode won't cut it.
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Just get used to having a really low score. Mine was maximum minus on outside temp and climate settings today. It was set at auto and 73 deg.
Not sure why they added that screen as when it's cold there is no real way to change the scores. Would be better if they showed the score as how much it was reducing range. Either as a % or as a number of miles.
Not sure why they added that screen as when it's cold there is no real way to change the scores. Would be better if they showed the score as how much it was reducing range. Either as a % or as a number of miles.
Last winter, my first with my 2017 Volt, I made extensive use of preconditioning and otherwise limited my use of the Volt's electric heat. I relied on my coat, gloves and hat and the Volt's heated seats and steering wheel to stay warm. This winter I am going to also experiment with Engine Assist Heat at the default temperature (35F.)
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I'm getting a bad feeling about this "score" stuff. Could GM get in trouble for discouraging drivers from turning on the defroster?
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This RainX interior anti-fog is working very well for me so far.
http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?303897-Window-Anti-fog-solution
I had seen that thread - was going to look into possibly purchasing that. No glare issues at night with headlights?
I've just been using fan-only (at high speed) - works well and clears the window quickly. But I can (at least while it's in the 20s or 30s out) drive without heat for my 30-40 min drive to/from work (aside from the heated seats and steering wheel).
When I do use it, I do use the Eco mode, and then cycle it at that.
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No glare issues as long as you don't use too much and you buff it off.
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Yup. Same here in southeast Michigan. Ch-ch-chilly!
I'm glad the Big 3 has today off - so I didn't have to see what kind of range hit I'll take driving to work in 19 degree weather.
Well...yet.
Feel free to use the electric heated seats and steering wheel as much as you want without negatively affecting the climate control dashboard score. Anytime you have the climate control turned on to more than just the lower fan speed settings the score will be -5.
Seat heaters/steering wheel warmer are 12V systems (and surface-level heat)...they won't draw much power. Coolant heater is an 8kW HV system, and affects the entire air volume of the cabin...that'll obviously draw much more power.
My wife commented yesterday after work that the Volt seemed much noisier since I had the winter Blizzaks installed on Monday. After we discussed it a bit we both realized that with the cold weather arriving here in Wisconsin that it was the ICE warming up the car. Doh !
Note: her favorite feature of the car is the heated steering wheel
Note: her favorite feature of the car is the heated steering wheel
I can play with the temperature gauge and keep the climate score well above -5. It's just a matter of finding the sweet spot.
Tonight it was in the low 30s. Before an hour long drive, the car was fully charged and plugged in, and I preconditioned it for about 15 minutes. Shortly after taking off, I got the notice that the engine was on due to temperature. The engine cycled on and off the entire trip, even when the climate control system was turned off. I thought this function was to heat the cabin. Is it also to keep the engine and battery warm? And what's the benefit of setting the "engine on" temp to the lower setting? Do you otherwise never get to enjoy pure EV driving in the winter?
As for keeping me warm, in Eco mode there simply is no "ramp up" to the set point temperature. It blows on low, with minimal heat, and I don't think it cares if you never reach the set point. In Max mode it works like any other car you may be used to.
As for keeping me warm, in Eco mode there simply is no "ramp up" to the set point temperature. It blows on low, with minimal heat, and I don't think it cares if you never reach the set point. In Max mode it works like any other car you may be used to.
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Correct.
ERDTT is only for cabin heat, but it doesn't check or ask if you want the heat. Setting the engine on temp to the lower setting will keep the engine off when the outside temp is below 35F but still start it (for heat) at 15F. I guess the engineers decided that if it is cold outside, the driver will want lots of heat available, not matter how far you are driving.
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