Just picked up 2012 Volt

I leased a 2012 for three years and drove a total of 33,063 miles., 17,186 miles on battery power. I computed my average usage over the three years: 21.53 kWh/100 miles (this figure does not include charging losses). Using that figure and assuming getting 9.8 kWh from a fully depleted battery obtains 45.5 miles of range. Of course, on any given day that figure will be different because range is dependent upon the 5 Ts: Terrain, Temperature, Technique, Traffic and Tire Pressure. I drove/drive like a grandpa. If you drive more “spiritedly”, your range will be diminished.

The depletion cross-over varies. I saw it go as high as 10.2 and 10.5 on a number of occasions and as low as 8.6 on a long trip in winter time. Mainly, I was seeing in the range of 9.8 at cross-over.

I'm OC about my Volt data and kept/keep a daily log. I referred back to my logs t find the answers for you.

Enjoy your new-to-you Volt. I love my 2014 Volt!

CCIE said:

My 2012 shows anywhere from 9-10kwh used before the ICE starts. Keep in mind that that readout is just an estimate by the car.

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I'm not sure what you mean. The display shows how much energy the car has used. That's not an estimate. Perhaps what you are referring to is the estimate of range left before the battery is drained. Yes, that is a prediction of future range and will be affected by future events: rain, hills, temperature drop, etc.

TheBlueFlash mentions the cabin air filter. The Volts aren't shipped with cabin air filters, although many owners - including myself - have installed one in the location behind the glove box where a space is conveniently designed to receive one. 8^)

My personal theory as to why the Volts don't ship with cabin air filters is two-fold: cost and efficiency. Cost: every penny saved is added to the profit line. Efficiency: the fan has to run at a higher speed, consuming more electricity, to get air through the filter with the same volume compared to without one. Again, small potatoes, but it all adds up.

tacman7 said:

With a 64 mile round trip and charging at both ends you should be all battery or almost right?

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Yes. You should be able to do it all on battery, if you charge at work.

babelfish2001 said:

Thanks for the welcome!

I've been wanting a volt for a long time and my commute finally made it feasible. Thanks for the info, from what I can tell, the car has been well cared for. With routine maintenance done by a local dealership in Montana. I replaced the cabin air filter (it had one in it) and I need to replace the ICE filter. It's had a recent oil change, but I need to go to a chevy dealer and have them pull the service history (I have the carfax showing dealing maintenance).

So far extremely happy Volt owner!

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Replacing the engine air filter is not a hard job. I just changed my a month ago. You have to loosen the pipe clamp holding the rubber plenum to the plastic tube that connects to the air filter housing and unsnap the wire connector located there, then unsnap the housing cover, lift up from the front and pull slightly forward and up to release the cover. Voila...you have uncovered the air filter. Replace the filter and then rinse and repeat in reverse order and you are good to go for another 45,000 miles.

TheBlueFlash said:

Thanks for the correction. Mine had one installed by the previous owner so I assumed they came with it from the factory. Alas, looks like it is personal preference on if you want to install one or not. I live in the mountains of NC surrounded by the Smoky Mountain NP and the Pisgah Nat'l Forest, so pollen levels around here make a cabin filter a necessity.

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The western part of North Carolina is beautiful. My aunt and uncle used to live in Burnsville and I would hitchhike from Salisbury on weekends away from college. Many fine memories from those times. 8^)

VoltenRock said:

Babelfish, may not hurt to have the car sit on "empty" (EV = 0 miles remaining) for a few hours, for a few times, to have the computer calculate the appropriate SOC for CS mode. Some forum members have luck recalibrating the energy usage to an appropriate amount after doing so, especially after a series of partial charges and an unknown charging history.

The jury is still out whether this works, but it seems to make a slight difference in my car and it certainly won't hurt.

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Here is a good source to explain in greater depth what happens:

http://gm-volt.com/2013/02/26/a-tale-of-two-volts-the-summary/

babelfish2001 said:

Today, on the drive home I ran the climate control on Fan only and with mixed driving (I have a section of 65mph of about 6.5 miles) I managed 39.5 miles and 9.9kWh used.

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If you run your tires at ~5 psi below the maximum cold pressure figure embossed on the side of your tires, you may see more miles 'till you experience CS mode (charge sustaining). There may be negatives associated with doing so: longer stopping distances, less resistance to punctures, harsher ride. With 51 psi maximum cold pressure, I have inflated my tires to 45 psi. You can experiment. 8^)