[smasher2969]

I have 2013 Volt. I have been trying to figure out how the climate control system works. One thing I have noticed that I can't figure out and hoping someone here can shed some light on is inconsistent climate energy percentages. If I set my system to fan only and turn it on to the lowest setting it generally says I am drawing about 4% power. Occasionally when I do it, it will show anywhere from upper 70's to upper 90's. I turn the fan off and it drops back to 0%. If I turn it back onto the lowest setting, it will jump back to a high number. Is this a glitch or am I not understanding how it all works?

 

[Loboc]

Volt has way too much exposed and undocumented data.

Did your last car indicate all energy useage? Did it matter?

Volt uses energy to maintain the battery. This is not broken out from other data like cabin temp maintenance. Even somewhat straightforward calculations like gasoline usage are convoluted.

It would be better not to display these data points. It makes Volt too weird.

 

[GSP]

My 2014 Volt does this sometimes. I think it is a software bug, since it happens when the battery is not using heat or A/C. You can tell when the battery is using A/C since the cabin vents will blow cold air even when in fan only mode. The energy % does go up when this happens, but it is accurate, and usually not as high as 70-90%.

My 2011 Volt did not do this. When I first got my 2014, I pulled the fuse for the center console and replaced it to reboot the system. I still have the problem, but only 1-2 times per year instead of every other day.

Good Luck,

GSP

 

[Norton]

Buddy,
The title of this thread sounds like another VW story.
You are talking about the cabin climate controls.

 

[frith01]

This has been discussed before. : http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread...ate-control...I-think-I-ve-got-it-figured-out.

Short answer, it varies depending on outside temperature, battery conditioning, and the previously selected setting too. You will get higher usage % when using defrost, even on fan setting. The % will adjust as the heater coils get warm = higher resistance = higher load. shutting fan off, then on again will typically re-set the control.

I definitely need the % usage to get back & forth to work in Michigan on electric only, so it is NOT too much info.

 

[Barry]

Not sure if this is causing your issue, but the auto defog setting, if set to on in the climate menu, can turn on both your heat and AC at the same time regardless of your climate settings, which would boost your energy consumption. I do not know how that displays on the percentage display, though. I don't pay much attention to that.

 

[caskConditionedAle]

Volt has way too much exposed and undocumented data.

Did your last car indicate all energy useage? Did it matter?

Volt uses energy to maintain the battery. This is not broken out from other data like cabin temp maintenance. Even somewhat straightforward calculations like gasoline usage are convoluted.

It would be better not to display these data points. It makes Volt too weird.

Heed this person's advice, he speaks the truth.

 

[deekster_caddy]

Not sure if this is causing your issue, but the auto defog setting, if set to on in the climate menu, can turn on both your heat and AC at the same time regardless of your climate settings, which would boost your energy consumption. I do not know how that displays on the percentage display, though. I don't pay much attention to that.

X2 - check your settings for Auto Defog. That will spike your climate energy usage like you described.

 

[canehdian]

That % climate (in gen1 at least) is basically a useless number - ignore it entirely.
It isn't a real number that you can base any situation off of except the exact situation at the time of running it.
It will read 100% in the summer with AC on max (2500W)
But also 100% in the winter with heat on max (7000W)
If you see 50% at one point and 100% at another, if that 100% was 7000W, you'd assume 50% is 3500W.. it's probably something different yet again.
If you don't read the actual value of it, then you're fine. Just look at the relative change - oh, hitting comfort makes it go from 30% to 100% - no, read it as hitting comfort makes it go up. Hitting eco makes it go down.

The best way to drive the volt is put it in auto and drive away. The single largest setting for energy use is eco/comfort/fan only.
Pick one of those and keep the rest in auto and hit the road.