While my Volt was at the dealer for the charge cord replacement they did the software update. From reading the forum I thought one of the fixes was to allow function such as navigation to operate with the radio off. If I turn my radio off every thing is off. I never thought this was a big deal, just curious.

This is one of the most discussed topics at GM-Volt (along with Remote Start).

The recent Volt solftware upgrade makes no change to Radio On-Off a best I can tell. The easiest solutions are: 1) spin the volume down, and pretend you hear a "click," 2) press the Pause button on the console, or 3) press the Mute button on the steering wheel. These solutions each have slightly different functional nuances, so choose the one that suits you best.

The software on the 2012 models still have this "feature" so I wouldn't expect it to be fixed on the 2011s any time soon.

Looks like the software update is on hold again...

9/15/11

Thank you for your return email concerning the software upgrade. I will happy to set up an appointment for you but we have just been informed that the upgrade program has been put on hold for further revisions. I do apologize for this and I will contact you as soon as they inform us that it is available.

Again, I do apologize for this and hopefully I will be in contact with you very soon.

You can reach me directly by email at voltda120@gmexpert.com and I can also be reached by calling 1-866-790-5700 ext. 40546.

Thank you again and I do appreciate your patience.


Sincerely,

Brenda
The Chevrolet Volt Advisor Team
Morley Companies

I still don't see the big deal about being able to turn the radio "off" but being able to use the navigation. For the 0.1% of the time that I don't want the radio playing, I simply hit the convenient mute button on the steering wheel, or turn the volume all the way down. As I understand it, the sound system is used for FMVSS functions such as turn signal clicking and various warning chimes, so the high-efficiency Bose system would still be drawing power. They could turn the "on-off" switch into yet another glorified and redundant mute button, but I don't see what that will accomplish. Plus if you did that, you couldn't turn off the climate control, nav, radio and other stuff with the "off" button, like I do when I leave my Volt for service or with a parking valet - the one switch saves a bit of battery power, and the valet doesn't need to be turning on his rap music to full volume anyway.