Chevrolet’s 2020 Bolt EV is a sleek and modern electric vehicle that promises a comfortable and environmentally friendly driving experience. As more and more people become interested in electric cars, the Bolt EV is a noteworthy addition to the market. However, as with any new car, it’s important to understand the ins and outs of driving and operating the Bolt EV to ensure that you get the most out of your investment. In this article, we’ll explore some key features of the Bolt EV and provide tips on how to get the most out of this exciting electric vehicle.
Driving Information
Driving for Better Energy Efficiency
Use the following tips to help maximize energy efficiency and range. In colder temperatures, while these efficiency tips will help, the electric vehicle driving range will be lower due to higher energy usage including energy spent heating the cabin.
The Range Impacts screen estimates the influence of the main factors impacting vehicle range. After charging is complete, this information is reset.
Acceleration/Braking/Coasting
Avoid rapid accelerations and decelerations. Electric range is maximized at 89 km/h (55 mph) and less. Use cruise control when appropriate.
Plan ahead for decelerations and coast whenever possible. Do not rush to traffic signals, and do not shift to N (Neutral) to coast. The vehicle recovers more energy while coasting and braking in L (Low) than in D (Drive) mode. Using the steering wheel paddle during deceleration recovers more energy.
Terrain and Vehicle Speed
Higher speeds and grade changes use more energy and can significantly reduce electric range.
Climate Setting
Using the heat and air conditioning systems decreases the energy available for electric driving. Optimal energy efficiency is achieved when the heat, air conditioning, and fan are turned off.
Use the heated seat feature instead of climate control system. Heating the seat uses less energy than heating the vehicle interior. Use remote start to heat or cool the interior when the vehicle is plugged in to maximize the electric range by utilizing electricity from the electrical outlet.
In hot weather, avoid parking in direct sunlight or use sunshades inside the vehicle. Keep the inside of the windows clean to reduce fogging, and turn off the front defroster and rear defogger when they are not needed. Avoid driving with the windows open at highway speeds. Use the Enhanced Battery Gauge on the Instrument Cluster to view the effect of climate control settings on your estimated range.
Outside Temperature
On colder days, it is best to plug in the vehicle overnight, and then remote start the vehicle. Allow the vehicle to warm up for 20 minutes before driving. If possible, use a level 2 (32 amp) high power charge station for best results. This allows the interior of the vehicle and high voltage battery to warm to optimal temperature.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always expect the unexpected.” The first step in driving defensively is to wear the seat belt.
- Assume that other road users (pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers) are going to be careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what they might do and be ready.
- Allow enough following distance between you and the driver in front of you.
- Focus on the task of driving.
Drunk Driving
Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is a global tragedy.
⚠ Warning
Drinking and then driving is very dangerous. Your reflexes, perceptions, attentiveness, and judgment can be affected by even a small amount of alcohol. You can have a serious — or even fatal — collision if you drive after drinking. Do not drink and drive or ride with a driver who has been drinking. Ride home in a cab; or if you are with a group, designate a driver who will not drink.
Control of a Vehicle
Braking, steering, and accelerating are important factors in helping to control a vehicle while driving.
Braking
Braking action involves perception time and reaction time. Deciding to push the brake pedal is perception
time. Actually doing it is reaction time. Average driver reaction time is about three-quarters of a second. In that time, a vehicle moving at 100 km/h (60 mph) travels 20 m (66 ft), which could be a lot of distance in an emergency. Helpful braking tips to keep in mind include:
- Keep enough distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
- Avoid needless heavy braking.
- Keep pace with traffic.
Steering
⚠ Caution
To avoid damage to the steering system, do not drive over curbs, parking barriers, or similar objects at speeds greater than 3 km/h (1 mph). Use care when driving over other objects such as lane dividers and speed bumps. Damage caused by misuse of the vehicle is not covered by the vehicle warranty.
Variable Effort Steering
The vehicle has a steering system that varies the amount of effort required to steer the vehicle in relation to the speed of the vehicle. The amount of steering effort required is less at slower speeds to make the vehicle more maneuverable and easier to park. At faster speeds, the steering effort increases to provide a sport-like feel to the steering. This provides maximum control and stability.
Electric Power Steering
The vehicle has electric power steering. It does not have power steering fluid. Regular maintenance is not required. If power steering assist is lost due to a system malfunction, the vehicle can be steered, but may require increased effort.
If the steering wheel is turned until it reaches the end of its travel and is held against that position for an extended period of time, power steering assist may be reduced.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle’s right wheels can drop off the edge of a road onto the shoulder while driving. Follow these tips:
- Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer the vehicle so that it straddles the edge of the pavement.
- Turn the steering wheel about one-eighth of a turn, until the right front tire contacts the pavement edge.
- Turn the steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.
Loss of Control
Skidding
There are three types of skids that correspond to the vehicle’s three control systems:
- Braking Skid — wheels are not rolling.
- Steering or Cornering Skid — too much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose cornering force.
- Acceleration Skid — too much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle traction and affect your ability to stop and accelerate. Always drive slower in these types of driving conditions and avoid driving through large puddles and deep-standing or flowing water.
⚠ Warning
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They might not work as well in a quick stop and could cause pulling to one side. You could lose control of the vehicle. After driving through a large puddle of water or a car/vehicle wash, lightly apply the brake pedal until the brakes work normally.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can build up under the vehicle’s tires so they actually ride on the water. This can happen if the road is wet enough and you are going fast enough. When the vehicle is hydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road. There is no hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The best advice is to slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet weather driving tips include:
- Allow extra following distance.
- Pass with caution.
- Keep windshield wiping equipment in good shape.
- Keep the windshield washer fluid reservoir filled.
- Have good tires with proper tread depth.
- Turn off cruise control
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through mountains is different than driving on flat or rolling terrain.
- Keep the vehicle serviced and in good shape.
- Check all fluid levels and brakes, tires, cooling system, and electric drive unit.
- Keep the vehicle in gear when going down steep or long hills.
⚠ Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or with the vehicle turned off is dangerous. The brakes will have to do all the work of slowing down the vehicle and could become too hot. Hot brakes may not be able to slow the vehicle enough to maintain speed and control. You could crash. Always have the vehicle running and in gear when going downhill. This will allow the electric drive unit to assist in slowing and maintaining speed.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and the road creates less traction or grip, so drive carefully. Wet ice can
occur at about 0 °C (32 °F) when freezing rain begins to fall. Avoid driving on wet ice or in freezing rain until roads can be treated.
Tire and Loading Information Label
Label Example
A vehicle-specific Tire and Loading Information label is attached to the vehicle’s center pillar (B-pillar). The Tire and Loading Information label shows the number of occupant seating positions (1), and the maximum vehicle capacity weight (2) in kilograms and pounds. The Tire and Loading Information label also shows the tire size of the original equipment tires (3) and the recommended cold tire inflation pressures (4).
There is also important loading information on the Certification label. It may show the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the front and rear axle. See “Certification Label” later in this section.
Certification Label
Label Example
A vehicle-specific Certification label is attached to the vehicle’s center pillar (B-pillar). The label may show the gross weight capacity of the vehicle, called the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The GVWR includes the weight of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel, and cargo.
⚠ Warning
Things inside the vehicle can strike and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or in a crash.
- Put things in the cargo area of the vehicle. In the cargo area, put them as far forward as possible. Try to spread the weight evenly.
- Never stack heavier things, like suitcases, inside the vehicle so that some of them are above the tops of the seats.
- Do not leave an unsecured child restraint in the vehicle.
- Secure loose items in the vehicle.
- Do not leave a seat folded down unless needed.
Power Button
The vehicle has an electronic pushbutton start. The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter must be in the vehicle for the system to operate. If the vehicle will not start, place the RKE transmitter in the transmitter pocket, inside the center console.
ON/RUN : This position is for starting and driving. With the vehicle off, and the brake pedal applied, pressing POWER O once will place the vehicle in ON/RUN. When the vehicle ready light is on in the instrument cluster, the vehicle is ready to be driven. This could take up to 15 seconds at extremely cold temperatures.
Service Mode
This power mode is available for service and diagnostics, and to verify the proper operation of the
service vehicle soon light as may be required for emission inspection purposes. With the vehicle off, and the brake pedal not applied, pressing and holding POWER O for more than five seconds will place the vehicle in Service Mode.
The instruments and audio systems will operate as they do in ON/RUN, but the vehicle will not be able to be
driven. The propulsion system will not start in Service Mode. Press POWER O again to turn the ehicle off.
⚠ Caution
Placing the vehicle in Service Mode will use the 12-volt battery. Do not use Service Mode for an extended period, or the vehicle may not start.
Shifting out of Park
To shift out of P (Park), the vehicle must be on, the brake pedal must be applied, and the charge cord must be unplugged.
This vehicle is equipped with an electric drive unit. The shift lock release button is designed to prevent inadvertent shifting out of P (Park) unless the ignition is on, the brake pedal is applied, and the shift lock release button is pressed.
Parking the vehicle in extreme cold for several days without the charge cord connected may cause the
vehicle not to start. The vehicle will need to be plugged in to allow the high voltage battery to be warmed
sufficiently.
The shift lock is always functional except in the case of an uncharged or low charged 12-volt battery (less
than 9 volts). If the vehicle has an uncharged 12-volt battery or a 12-volt battery with low voltage, try charging or jump starting the 12-volt battery. To shift out of P (Park):
- Apply the brake pedal.
- Press POWER O to start the vehicle.
- Verify that the vehicle is unplugged and the vehicle ready light is on.
- Press the shift lock release button on the side of the shift lever.
- Move the shift lever into the desired position.
- The P indicator will turn white and the gear indicator on the shift lever will turn red when
the vehicle is no longer in P (Park). - After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position.
Extended Parking
It is best not to park with the vehicle running. If the vehicle is left running, be sure it will not move and there is adequate ventilation. If the vehicle is left parked and running with the RKE transmitter outside the vehicle, it will continue to run for up to an hour.
If the vehicle is left parked and running with the RKE transmitter inside the vehicle, it will continue to
run for up to two hour. The timer will reset if the vehicle is taken out of P (Park) while it is running.
Electric Vehicle Operating Modes
Driver Selected Operating Modes
Sport Mode
Sport Mode provides more responsive acceleration than Normal Mode, but can reduce efficiency. When the SPORT indicator is not on, the vehicle is in Normal Mode.
Press SPORT to select Sport Mode.
Press SPORT again to return to Normal Mode. An indicator will display in the instrument cluster. Each time the vehicle is started, it will return to Normal Mode. Sport Mode may be unavailable if the battery charge is too low.
Electric Drive Unit
The vehicle uses an electric drive unit. The shift lever always starts from a center position. An amber
dot is displayed on the shift pattern. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position.
P : This position locks the drive wheels. Use P (Park) when starting the vehicle to ensure the vehicle does not move.
⚠ Warning
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the P (Park) button is not pressed with the parking brake set. The vehicle can roll. Do not leave the vehicle when the propulsion system is running. If you have left the propulsion system running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be sure the vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly level ground, always set the parking brake and press the P (Park) button.
The shift lock release button is designed to prevent inadvertent shifting out of P (Park) unless the vehicle has been started, the brake pedal is applied, and the shift lock release button is pressed. When the vehicle is stopped, apply the brakes and press the button on top of the shift lever to shift to P (Park).
The vehicle will not shift into P (Park) if it is moving too fast. Stop the vehicle and shift into P (Park). To shift in and out of P (Park), see Shifting Into Park and Shifting out of Park.
R : Use this gear to back up. If the vehicle is shifted from either R (Reverse) to D (Drive), or D (Drive) to R (Reverse) while the speed is too high, the vehicle will shift to N (Neutral). Reduce the
vehicle speed and try the shift again. To shift into R (Reverse):
- Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
- From the center position, move the shift lever forward, and then to the left. R is illuminated in red.
- After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position.
To shift out of R (Reverse):
- Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
- Shift to the desired gear.
- After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center position.
At low vehicle speeds, R (Reverse) can be used to rock the vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice, or sand without damaging the electric drive unit.
N : In this position, the propulsion system does not connect with the wheels. To restart the propulsion system when the vehicle is already moving, use N (Neutral) only.
⚠ Caution
The vehicle is not designed to stay in N (Neutral) for extended periods of time. It will automatically shift into P (Park).
Electric Parking Brake
The vehicle has an Electric Parking Brake (EPB). The EPB can always be activated, even if the vehicle is off. The system has a red parking brake status light and an amber parking brake warning light. There are also parking brake-related Driver Information Center (DIC) messages. In case of insufficient electrical
power, the EPB cannot be applied or released.
Before leaving the vehicle, check the red parking brake status light to ensure that the parking brake is
applied.
EPB Apply
To apply the EPB:
- Be sure the vehicle is at a complete stop.
- Pull the EPB switch momentarily.
The red parking brake status light will flash and then stay on once the EPB is fully applied. If the red parking brake status light flashes continuously, then the EPB is only partially applied or there is a problem with the EPB. A DIC message will display. Release the EPB and try to apply it again. If the light does not come on, or keeps flashing, have the vehicle serviced.