[Glenerd]

Why does Volt idle and need the brake applied when stopped and in D? Seems to me as if when in EV mode it would be completely off when stopped as opposed to an ICE vehicle which, in most cases, continues to idle at low rpm so it is ready to move without restarting the engine.

 

[kns]

Creep is intentional to simulate behaviour of an ICE vehicle and make transition from ICE to EV easier for drivers.

KNS

 

[DBMoore]

I agree with kns for the reason for the creep, but it's worth mentioning that the Volt isn't actually powered when the brake is applied at a stop, even though it might feel like it, so you aren't wasting energy as with an ICE car. The engineers at Chevrolet are a clever bunch and designed the system to apply power only as you let off the brake.

 

[BAZINGA]

Re the CREEP mode, GM opted to leave that in place to help folks that have driven cars like that for 50 years or more transition to the EV experience. I know Tesla allows you to turn CREEP ON/OFF as desired. I think GM could easily do that.

I don't know what's wrong with your Volt but all three of my Volt's (2012, 2013 and 2017) operate off the battery when stopped or creeping slowly like say in a parking lot. Even when my battery is exhausted and I come to a stop the ICE shuts off.

Suggest you schedule an appointment with your dealer, something is wrong.

 

[Neromanceres]

Good responses. Also of note even with zero power applied to the motors the brake would still need to be applied or the car will roll. So to hold a vehicle without brakes applied would require a small amount of power applied to the motor.

The Bolt EV for example will continue to have the creep in Drive. But when operated in Low there will be no creep. However when lifting off the brake in Low in the Bolt EV power will need to be applied to the motor to hold the car in place.

Also the Bolt EV will be able to stop the car in Low without using the friction brakes. However at low speeds (below 4mph) there isn't much regen available and the Bolt will have to apply power in reverse to stop the car.

 

[Glenerd]

Good answers, thank you.

 

[Jmaj]

Requiring the driver to apply some brake may prevent a stopped car from being pushed forward if hit from the rear.

 

[SharkVolt]

Normally, once the electric range of the Volt has run out, it will shut of the gas engine when stopped.

It normally keeps a small buffer of charge so it can do this for several minutes at a stop.

However, if you have run down the buffer, or if the engine needs to run due to cold weather, it could stay on at a stop.

 

[Bacardi]

Interesting enough, Hondas/Acuras actually do the exact opposite for their ICE cars, they added a "brake hold"...

Yet the argument in addition to above, over half of EVs are sold in Cali...Cali is the most populous state which can mean extreme traffic in most urban areas...The creep is welcomed in stop and go traffic because you can revert to one pedal driving by using the brake only...

 

[Norton]

And imagine parallel parking with no 'creep'.

 

[DA\Volt]

And imagine parallel parking with no 'creep'.

Don't need creep with Parking Assistant.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[BeachBoy]

Requiring the driver to apply some brake may prevent a stopped car from being pushed forward if hit from the rear.

Never thought of that but that's true.

Although with manual cars it obviously doesn't work...

 

[hellsop]

Y'all live some pretty flat places that if you could put the car in neutral and it just stays there on more than half the corners...

 

[quirkySquirt]

And imagine parallel parking with no 'creep'.

I actually do this, but haven't realized until you pointed it out. I'm astonished I never noticed this before.

 

[Arcanox]

Interesting enough, Hondas/Acuras actually do the exact opposite for their ICE cars, they added a "brake hold"...

The Malibu loaner I got while my Volt was in for service on Tuesday had this. It had that "auto-stop" feature where the ICE would shut off at a stop even though it wasn't a hybrid. I was a little nervous about that happening on a huge incline near the Fox River because I was afraid I would roll back, but it kept the brake applied even after I took my foot off the pedal until the ICE started and I tapped the accelerator.

Yet the argument in addition to above, over half of EVs are sold in Cali...Cali is the most populous state which can mean extreme traffic in most urban areas...The creep is welcomed in stop and go traffic because you can revert to one pedal driving by using the brake only...

Sounds like the Northwest Chicago Suburbs...

 

[ChrisW6ATV]

The automatic-transmission-like "creeping" is the first thing I noticed with I took a Volt for a test drive. I think it is a great feature. Yes, it helps a lot in stop-and-go Bay Area traffic.