Got a 2017 Volt last week and noticed that the terrain factor is constantly negative in the region of MINUS 2 but as low as MINUS 2.5, after considerable driving. I know the terrain factor is affected by weather (rain, snow, wind) but excluding these conditions and considering that the terrain is mostly flat why would the factor be this much in the negative territory? Checked the brakes but they are cool to the touch. The terrain factor should not be that bad as it affects the miles/Kw. Does anyone have a technical answer to this question? I tried to get answers from dealership and GM but nothing so far.
Negative terrain factor on Gen 2 Volt
1 - 20 of 36 Posts
when the road isn't smooth, like plenty of potholes and undulations, the terrain becomes negative. If you drove it over super smooth newly paved asphalt road, and downhill, then the terrain can go as high as 5. I did that on a downhill slope and achieved a 5.
That must be the opposite route my parents took to school - uphill both ways!
I wish the explanation had something to do with the terrain condition but it does not (for most part). Another 2017 Volt which drives approx the same route reaches far better Terrain factors than I do. I was looking for a technical answer here.
Joined
·
2,737 Posts
Thanks Tsquare. Yeah, the 2016 Gen2 does not have that display.![]()
It is a "factor" in the sense that it is part of the algorithm which calculates the "Score" in the 2017 Volt. Manual page 129 says "Terrain includes road conditions, such as hills,rain, and snow and may be affected by wind and tire pressure" In my case no matter what, I cannot get it below minus 2 and do not know why.
Joined
·
5,595 Posts
What is your tire pressure set to?
Do you have access to high bridge that you can go over, or a hill that you can go up and down? Try going through that and watch your Terrain score change. It is good if it has a long climb up and long climb down. You'll be able to see it change. And if it didn't maybe a reboot should be done. Check if your car needs a recall by going to the my.chevrolet.com site.
Right after a full charge, the Terrain score should start with a zero. If it isn't, then it has a software bug.
Tire pressure 37 psi. Manual says that it takes about 10 miles for terrain (factor) to be accurate. I am only reporting the drives that are longer than 10 miles and yes it does start at zero but it always ends at minus 2 or more. Yes I can go down for a few miles but that does not seem to make a lot of a difference. That is why I am puzzled. No recall on the app. Reboot? You mean reset all settings to factory in the settings section?
Joined
·
747 Posts
I drive on mostly flat roads in Delaware and I can never get a positive terrain number. The closest I have gotten in -0.5 but I am usually in the -2.5 to -3.5 range. I am convinced that you have to literally be driving down the side of a mountain to get a positive score.
I have a 2017 But I'm 99% sure the 2016 also has that screen.
Good thing you left the 1% chance option that you may be wrong because the 2016 does NOT have that screen. I'm aware of no upgrade to get us that screen.
1%er here I guess. That screen is nowhere to be found on my '16
Damn shame, Its a pretty cool breakdown of info there
Select the Energy screen option, then display the Efficiency screen. Use the right arrow to toggle between the default efficiency screen and two additional Efficiency screens: one displays a series of bar charts, the other displays a pie chart of your energy usage.
Let's try this question another way. Does anyone get consistent Terrain numbers under normal driving conditions, say going to work and back on the same route?. The difference in altitude going one way would be annulled by going back the same route. Let's assume same dry weather conditions. What is left is wind and tire/vehicle mechanical friction which should push the numbers into a somewhat low negative territory, say -0.5. Am I missing a major element that puts the Terrain factor so much into red? Maybe wheels misalignment or bent chassis? Where is the GM engineer who created the Terrain factor and can give us an answer so that we can put this matter to rest?
1 - 20 of 36 Posts
