[dmatt13]

Hey everyone. Just purchased a 2017 Volt Premier and I'm still learning everything. This weekend we took it up to the mountains so I switched to "mountain" mode to save some juice. There was approximately 1/4 charge left when I did this.
There is a hill section on my commute so today I switched to mountain. At the time I switched modes, I had almost a full charge, but the indicator line for saving the charge went to the amount from the last time I used that mode, thus continuing to drain the battery until it reached that line.
So, my question is......how do I reset the limit on the mountain mode, or did I just do something incorrectly? Thanks

 

[TSquare]

In Mountain Mode, the State of Charge when the engine will start is hard set to 2 bars on the range meter (20%) you can't change it. If you want to save your battery range while driving up a hill, switch to "Hold" mode. Hold mode works the same as Mountain Mode except you control how much battery to hold onto and it will start the engine right away.

 

[electricdiver]

You can't 'reset' the limit. You continue to use the battery until the SOC is at the preset level, then the ICE kicks in automatically. I think the the SOC is around 40-50% (Gen 1, not sure for the Gen 2 but it is likely the same or a bit lower). This allows for a larger bottom end buffer in the battery to ensure you have enough power to get over the top of a long steep grade. Grade meaning MOUNTAIN, not hill. If you've been able to get to the top of your commute hill section without issue then you're not gaining any advantage by switching to mountain mode.

 

[dmatt13]

Ahhhh, well that makes sense then. Thanks you both. Still lots to learn about this car, but lovin it!!

 

[DonC]

One difference between Mountain and Hold is that if you forget to set Mountain, let's say after you stopped for gas (don't ask how I came by this example), if you set the mode to Mountain the car will generate extra energy to fill the battery to the normal Mountain Mode level. For obvious reasons you can't do this when using Hold.

Normally you only need Mountain on a long steep climb where the engine won't be able to keep up with the power demand. Won't need it for most driving.

 

[dannycamps]

FWIW, I have yet to use Mountain Mode. When I go on long trips, I always use Hold mode when I enter the highway and switch back to EV mode when getting off the highway.

 

[gjm3]

There is a fundamental difference between Mountain Mode and Hold Mode. Mountain Mode can be used to charge the battery, up to about 2 bars in the gen 2 Volt, with the engine, if you switch to it with a battery charge below that level. Hold Mode will never use the engine to charge the battery beyond the level it has when this mode is engaged.

 

[dmatt13]

Good info, thanks for explaining the differences.

 

[wws]

As an aside, be sure to install the PlugShare app in your phone to find charging sites. The MyChevrolet app can also find them.

 

[alfon]

With our 2016 Volt we normally use hold mode when we go to Portland Oregon from our home at the coast. With 20 miles of electric saved we can run on that in city, and at times, stop and go traffic, on the highway we place in hold for the trip home. Once over the mountain passes on Highway 26, we switch over to normal and use the remaining electric range left for the 10 miles or so to home.

By using this method my wife and I normally get 45-55 miles on electric and 47 + mpg just on gas. Its really nice with the push of a button to have the option of pure 100% electric or the gas engine, which by itself is quite a fuel efficient engine....