[mitrals]

I just bought a 2012 Volt and wanted to see how can I precondition the car. I used to have a Cmax Energi where I would setup a go time either on the ford app, online or by the car. I would setup the time I would leave and Ford had a few temperature options. The Cmax would either be warm or cool based on the season drawing power from the plug. I looked around the volt's manual and the mychevy app and couldnt find anything similar. Do you guys know how to pre condition besides manually doing a remote start? Lots to learn!

 

[turboguy327]

Remote start with the app or key fob are the only ways to do it.

 

[ClarksonCote]

You should be able to get a 3 month free-trial of OnStar, which should convert to OnStar basic for 5 years after that (you can ask the rep, or do your homework in advance to ensure they give you what they're supposed to).

Both the free trial and the free "Basic" service give you use of your phone as a virtual key fob, letting you remote start even when you're far away from your car. There's a myvolt.com website to do similar operations, which also requires OnStar. So there's no timer but the phone-based access makes it easy to get your car nice and warm (or cool) without needing to be anywhere near it.

 

[slipnslider]

What does onstar basic end up costing?

 

[wizard_of-ahs]

What does onstar basic end up costing?

Both the free trial and the free "Basic"

 

[ampera_jed]

Remote start with the app or key fob are the only ways to do it.

You can also simply turn the car 'on' while plugged in, and it will run 'normally' while drawing from the mains. Obviously, if you set it to MAX and FULL temp then the HVAC will pull more than the supply can give, so it will also draw down the battery then. You have to pick a climate setting that will end up drawing less than the power your charge point can supply.