Congratulations on your new Volt. Here are the manuals that GM offers:
http://www.chevrolet.com/owners/chevy-manuals.html

The owners manual and navigation manual each touch briefly on phone and audio features, in addition to navigation. Not a great deal of detail, though.

 

IIRC, MyLink was only available (and only as an option) on the very last of the 2012's (late spring builds and on).

 

Oh no -- I think this may be the problem. Old youtube videos show the 2011 radio looks like my 2012's -- so I guess I don't have one of the new MyLink versions

Dumb question but are they upgradeable to MyLink capabilities with software updates or do you have to replace hardware? Or just plain impossible?

Let me guess -- it's so impractical and expensive as to render it essentially impossible....

Bummed out.

 

How many miles are on your 2012? The software updates I think should be covered under the powertrain (or safety) warranty not the 3/36 warranty. What exactly did they want to do for 2000+ dollars?

 

2012 with 94k (was a GE fleet vehicle) waaaay out of warranty...
1.) Replaced left front hub bearing because of sheared off bolt (somehow) making clicking noises (*GM covered 50% of cost)
2.) Replaced left front ABS wheel sensor because found to be loose (*GM covered 50% of cost)
3.) Fuel filler door housing assembly cracked and loose (*GM covered 50% of cost)
4.) Software update because battery meter unexpectedly turned to 'grey/greyed-out'. Could not replicate/diagnose
($70 labor)
5.) Driver's seatbelt fraying, replaced. (*GM covered 50% of cost)
6.) Left axle nut had come loose and needed to be retorqued, was making clicking noises, axle loose. ($140)
7.) Intake/throttle body covered in varnish, air filter totally clogged. Full intake system cleaning needed, ($159.95)
8.) Waste disposal ($30.00)
9.) GM Goodwill "deductible" $600.39
Total labor: $330
Parts: 39.95
Coupon -$15.00
Waste: $30
Tax: 3.70

Grand Total: $989.04

Still, kudos to GM for helping me by covering some of the failed parts.

And remarkably, the original Chevy dealer I paid to inspect the car before I bought it missed all of this. I screamed at them and now they are going to credit me the inspection cost, give me tires at cost without labor, change the transmission fluid, and detail the car. Not enough given the error, but less painful than having to sue them....

 

what did you pay for the Volt?

 

$14,200 - $1,000 trade. So not terrible. Not amazing, given the problems, but not horrible. Still need $500 in tires. That was what the first dealer said was the only thing needing to be done. Crossing fingers it will stay good for a long while....

 

Wow! Looks like you saved $20k
"Clogged air filter" doesn't say much about the previous owner.
GE gives free gas cards to their fleet drivers. What is your lifetime mpg or has it been reset?

 

For 3K more you could have bought this one with 34K miles and full warranty

http://www.offleaseonly.com/used-car/Chevrolet-Volt-Hybrid-Hatchback-1G1RC6E47BU102042.htm

 

Like rental property, I suspect some fleet drivers just don't give a $#^+. It sounds like the car was driven hard and not as well maintained as it could have been. But now that you've had it serviced, you should be good. I suspect most of the miles are gas miles? We've heard stories of GE employees never plugging in.

 

What are the current software versions?

What are your software versions? Most of mine are C.9.6. HMI is C.45.14 and the three J3 apps are C.9.13. I've searched but can't find any specific information about what are the currently available versions. I wish Chevrolet posted the info on their website and would let us do the updates ourselves. If anyone knows where I can find more information about the software versions I would greatly appreciate it.

 

One of the things that they charged me extra for was $70 to update the software on the car, which the mechanic said was recommended. I asked, specifically, if they could also update the radio as part of the update process. My Volt has the base radio, and I have found the menu option to update the radio using a USB stick. The new Malibu loaner they gave me had a lot of extra features on MyLink, including weather updates, Stitcher, etc. Little extra apps that were not present in my Volt.

The service person said whatever could be updated would be updated.

So I get the car back and the radio is just the same as before Is the radio not able to be updated and add the new apps? Do you need the Nav Radio to update it? Otherwise, I can't understand what the USB update menu thing is even for

If you have a MyLink radio (NAV was not Mylink in 2012) the firmware can be updated via USB. I highly doubt they included that as part of the $70 as it alone takes at least an hour to complete on its own (although admittedly most of that time is waiting for the download to the USB thumb drive and upload to car to complete) After updating the MyLink firmware, then you STILL must update the calibration files via the DLC method and SPS and reset the radio to finish the job.

But you should still have Stitcher and Pandora (however Pandora is not available in Canada)
Maybe see if someone has removed them from the home screen in radio personalizations.
The easiest way is probably just to set the menus back to factory
Press Menu>Press Restore Home Page Defaults.

If the Stitcher or Pandora buttons are present but "greyed out"
Try installing Stitcher and/or Pandora apps on your phone first, connect via USB or Bluetooth then use the voice command "Tune Pandora" or "Tune Stitcher"

As far as the MyLink updates, they are pretty critical for optimum radio and Bluetooth phone operation IMO. My advice would be to ask if the MyLink was in fact updated last session (your copy of the repair order would indicate that I would think) and if not get an estimate to have it done. Probably minimum 1hr labor maybe 1.5. For anyone still under warranty just visit your dealership with almost any Bluetooth complaint, (dropped connection, sound quality, pairing issue) and the Mylink radio firmware and software update is sure to be Step 1.

WOT

 

I just took delivery on my 2012 Volt with Nav. It dosen't look like I have MyLink. Will I still have Bluetooth connectivity with my smartphone?

Car just arrived today and there are no manuals.

Bruce

 

PDF manuals are here. http://www.chevrolet.com/owners/chevy-manuals.html