GM-Volt: Chevy Volt Forum http://gm-volt.com/forum/ Chevy Volt Forum en Fri, 24 May 2013 01:00:13 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.gm-volt.com/forum/images/misc/rss.png GM-Volt: Chevy Volt Forum http://gm-volt.com/forum/ The One Mile Feeling http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?46801-The-One-Mile-Feeling&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 23:46:26 GMT We have all been there I am sure, and even though we all love the extended range I think that we all strive to see how long we can go without using... We have all been there I am sure, and even though we all love the extended range I think that we all strive to see how long we can go without using gas. So today I get home from work with about 7 EV miles, and instead of charging a bit at home I said lets push this and see how far I can go and I had to drive to my daughters soccer practice which I knew was not to far from home.

When I got to my daughters practice I was at 4 EV miles, what I had going against me was today in Michigan we had temps of 40 degrees after 80 plus the past few days. As I am pulling away I see my EV getting lower I pull into my subdivision and I am at 1, driving about 25 I pull into my house with one mile to spare!

Whew that was a close one, but ended the day going another day not using gas! What a feeling :) ]]> Volt Ownership Forum bluevoltjay http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?46801-The-One-Mile-Feeling Pulled over in the HOV lane http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?46793-Pulled-over-in-the-HOV-lane&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 23:16:11 GMT Here in Ontario we Volt owners are issued a "Green Vehicle" license plate that allows access as single drivers to the HOV lanes. I've been stopped and waved on a few times in HOV police spot checks but this morning I was pulled over, made to hand over my license, registration, and insurance certificate while the officer verified my green vehicle "story". After about seven minutes of humiliation being gawked at by the occupants of passing multi-passenger vehicles as an "HOV cheat", the officer returned my documents and apologized for the inconvenience, telling me that he had "learned something new".

It is a sad commentary that the Ontario Provincial Police aren't better trained with regard to green vehicles (especially when the signs on the HOV lane clearly shows the special license plate as a criterion) and that Volts are such a novelty that the officer had "never seen one before"! ]]> Volt Ownership Forum Electrodan http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?46793-Pulled-over-in-the-HOV-lane Why does my local utility ask to be informed if I install a 220V charger? http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?46785-Why-does-my-local-utility-ask-to-be-informed-if-I-install-a-220V-charger&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 22:35:03 GMT As I continue my research before jumping in this pool, I found out a few things. Looks like the electricity to generate a charge is "dirtier" than the comparable gas burned here in Wisconsin. The state offers squat to incentivize ownership and when I dug into the local electric company's website, the only thing they offer was very Orwellian. They want to be notified if I install a high voltage charger into my home. They pass it off as an informative measure, but man, feels very Big Brother to me. Just looking for another reason to raise rates? ]]> Volt Ownership Forum blastersix http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?46785-Why-does-my-local-utility-ask-to-be-informed-if-I-install-a-220V-charger VoltStats - 1 Year Driving Without Gas http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?46777-VoltStats-1-Year-Driving-Without-Gas&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 20:31:15 GMT Well, I was able to make it a whole year without using any gasoline for driving. My streak really goes back to 2/11/12 but this did not show up on... Well, I was able to make it a whole year without using any gasoline for driving. My streak really goes back to 2/11/12 but this did not show up on VoltStats due to the battery enhancement fix and the tech driving my Volt beyond its range. In my book, that doesn't count as I was not driving :). Anyway, here are the 1 year stats.

EV Miles: 18,549
Total Miles: 18,549
Gallons Used: 0.43
EMMs: 9
Satisfaction: Priceless

I am able to go beyond a year as my first FMM was back in November 2012 and I had burned most of my gasoline in Dec 2011, so I had just under a 1/2 tank when FMM #1 came around. I will not be so lucky this coming November.

Before any one asks, no I do not use another vehicle to pad my stats. I simply use public charging stations. I plan accordingly. If I go into DC, I make sure there is a charging station near where I am going. Actually, I find the nearest one, and simply walk a bit.

My commute is 40 miles r/t and there is no place to charge at my office. However, there is a free charger on my route and an alternate one a mile out of my way. If temperatures drop to the upper 20s, it is almost impossible to make the 40 miles, without having to "cheat" and use a charger for 20 min or so. Colder than 26, I really cheat and use remote desktop from home as I am trying to avoid the dreaded ERDTLT. I only had to do this 4 days or so last winter. Only problem with the warmer temperatures is that there isn't a challenge anymore on my commute. I liked trying to milk every last 0.1 kWh out of the battery trying to make it home 100% EV.

I do have a challenge this Memorial Day with the 2013 Electric Sociability Run. My r/t will be almost 70 miles, so I will need to be creative with charging to make it 100% EV

I know I should just drive the Volt like a car, but honestly I am having way too much fun with this. If I am going to drive, mine as well make it enjoyable. I have to say, the Volt is more fun to drive than my '95 RX-7 with its twin turbos and 18 mpg :(.

]]> Volt Ownership Forum ari_c http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?46777-VoltStats-1-Year-Driving-Without-Gas List/comparison of currently available level 2 chargers? http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?46769-List-comparison-of-currently-available-level-2-chargers&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 19:55:05 GMT I'm considering getting a level 2 charger for my Volt plus future BEV/PHEV. I recall that there was a list of available L2 chargers plus possibly a comparison chart in some other thread. I've tried every search I can think of without success. Can anyone please direct me to the earlier thread(s) or tell me if I'm just not remembering correctly?

Thanks,

Dan ]]> Volt Ownership Forum dgruber http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?46769-List-comparison-of-currently-available-level-2-chargers Easy Way To Conceptualize Electric vs. Gasoline? http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?46761-Easy-Way-To-Conceptualize-Electric-vs.-Gasoline&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 17:44:17 GMT Loving my Volt--had it almost 2 weeks. I charge for free at work and occasionally at home (weekends, unusual trips, etc.). Thinking through the... Loving my Volt--had it almost 2 weeks. I charge for free at work and occasionally at home (weekends, unusual trips, etc.).

Thinking through the whole charging cost, gas cost thing, it occurred to me that a full charge gets most of us around 40 miles, give or take, which is about what a good mileage ICE car gets for a gallon of gas, give or take. So it's pretty easy to figure out and compare the cost of a full charge to the cost of a gallon of gas--apples to apples.

So does this fly, or am I missing something? It could be an easy way to try to explain the finances to my friends.

(PS, apologies if there are already threads on this--I searched but came up dry.) ]]> Newcomers Stromfahrer http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?46761-Easy-Way-To-Conceptualize-Electric-vs.-Gasoline Onstar app Unable to determine status error http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?46753-Onstar-app-Unable-to-determine-status-error&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 16:46:16 GMT Hey, I have been having more and more issues with Onstar lately. I am using the app with an iPhone, and whenever I try to do anything, I get a... Hey,

I have been having more and more issues with Onstar lately. I am using the app with an iPhone, and whenever I try to do anything, I get a message that says "Unable to determine the status of the "whatever I was trying to do" command. Nothing is working I cant refresh info, start the car or send a destination to my nav. Also, when I log onto myvolt.com it can not refresh the information either. Anyone else having the same issue? ]]> Volt Ownership Forum voltpilot http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?46753-Onstar-app-Unable-to-determine-status-error SPX Charger phone number http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?46745-SPX-Charger-phone-number&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 16:28:53 GMT Now that SPX has gotten married to Bosch, here is the phone number for tech support/warranty info. 877-805-3873, option #4.

Now, you won't have to go through five different operators to be connected. (like I did) ]]> Volt Ownership Forum USe-car http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?46745-SPX-Charger-phone-number Very odd indeed! http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?46737-Very-odd-indeed!&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 16:17:04 GMT Jumped in my car yesterday after work and battery charge indicator showed 37 miles which is about right for less than a full charge at work and... Jumped in my car yesterday after work and battery charge indicator showed 37 miles which is about right for less than a full charge at work and temps. Pushed start button and put Volt in gear and heard a couple of clicks and pops that I had not heard before. Drove out of parking garage and battery charge indicator went to 50 miles and I had no low regen. Called OnStar for diagnostics and nothing came up. Low regen recovered after about 10 miles and at the end of the drive home I had gotten 44+ miles on wall power, something I have never seen due to my commute that includes significant long and high grade changes.

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]]> Software/programming/code Boris http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?46737-Very-odd-indeed! Body Panel Alignment http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?46729-Body-Panel-Alignment&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 15:01:45 GMT I noticed today (for the first time) that my front bumper is misaligned at the edge, where it meets the body panel covering the front tire. It's only a small gap (less than 1/8 inch), but still, I don't remember if it was there when I first leased the car or developed over time. It's certainly not the result of damage. Has anyone else noticed this? Do you think it's worth getting it inspected? ]]> Volt Ownership Forum ESanders2 http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?46729-Body-Panel-Alignment So I pulled a Lyle http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?46721-So-I-pulled-a-Lyle&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 15:01:07 GMT I went from the Volt to a C-Max hybrid (not the Energi). Why? Short answer: room for a growing family. (Are you listening GM?)

We still don't need 5 seats but overall room (rear leg room primarily) on trips and a larger, more accessible hatch design were very high on my list for the replacement. Both of our kids are hitting their growth spurts and along with the backpacks and band instruments, the Volt design behind the front seats quickly got smaller and smaller and smaller.

One important reason for buying the Volt was US made with local dealer support unlike my other hybrids. Then after purchase when I had a minor warranty issue (quirky tire pressure sensor), I find out my local dealer no longer supports the Volt and I'll have to go out of town for service (two 100 mile trips). That really began to gnaw on me.

Well the C-Max fits the bill in terms of vehicle specs we needed and has good local dealer support. It's an SEL with a lot of options (leather, nav, premium sound, handsfree lift gate, etc). It's more of a crossover style so you sit higher and more comfortably along with more room (EPA classified as a large car). It's more powerful than the Prius line but not as torquey or silent as the sweet Voltec design. Fuel economy is improving with ICE break in and warmer weather (car doesn't like cold). Current tank is up to 45mpg overall. Yeah, I know, that's laughable compared to Volt standards as I had 165mpg lifetime and 80% EV.

My wife who was an initial skeptic never really said much about the Volt during our ownership and only drove it a handful of times but during a recent discussion she said that when our son begins to drive and she passes her car on to him she wants to get another Volt! :D

I'm not going anywhere as I'm keenly interested in what Voltec 2.0 will be. ]]> Volt Ownership Forum fotomoto http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?46721-So-I-pulled-a-Lyle <![CDATA[Selling my Volt "Dusty" (maybe)]]> http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?46713-Selling-my-Volt-quot-Dusty-quot-(maybe)&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 14:43:58 GMT 2012 Volt, Black in color, deep tinted windows. 15,000 miles. Bose radio, back up camera, Radar gizmos front and rear bumpers, leather. This has been... 2012 Volt, Black in color, deep tinted windows. 15,000 miles. Bose radio, back up camera, Radar gizmos front and rear bumpers, leather. This has been a "no issues" Volt.

I'm in the Abilene, Texas area if interested, PM me and I can arrange for a showing/test drive.

You can see the info about my Volt on voltstats.com under the name Dusty. Don't have a price yet. ]]> Volt Ownership Forum Sterling Silver http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?46713-Selling-my-Volt-quot-Dusty-quot-(maybe) SirusXM Radio http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?46705-SirusXM-Radio&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 13:56:04 GMT I got a letter from SirusXM Radio the other day. They said they are having a promotion for special pricing and as part of the event are offering free... I got a letter from SirusXM Radio the other day. They said they are having a promotion for special pricing and as part of the event are offering free reception beginning May 21st for 1 or 2 weeks, I can't remember which right now. In any case, I turned on the radio, switched to XM and it was only the radio ID and advertising channel for about 30-45 seconds, then I was able to get to the other channels. Just thought I would pass it along. ]]> Volt Ownership Forum FrankIII http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?46705-SirusXM-Radio Free EV Charging Station never pay for electric - is there an EV term for these folks http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?46697-Free-EV-Charging-Station-never-pay-for-electric-is-there-an-EV-term-for-these-folks&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 13:32:51 GMT Here is the situation. We installed a Charging Station at my Daughter's store - free use - to promote business and support the whole EV following. Recently there is a vehicle that shows up late in the day, connects to the charging station, and disappears for hours. With the physical location, there is no question that the charging station is being provided by the store. Sometimes there is another car they use to drive away and come back hours later. This is happening more and more with this one vehicle - in the last 5 days about $8 of electric was consumed - now becoming a burden for a small business. So maybe the next step is to charge for usage. The person never shops at the store. I guess free is free but this person goes out of their way to get a free charge, never visits the business, and uses a gas car to shuttle back and forth! ]]> Chevy Volt News and Events Solar EV http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?46697-Free-EV-Charging-Station-never-pay-for-electric-is-there-an-EV-term-for-these-folks fisker maybe saved http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?46681-fisker-maybe-saved&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 08:32:47 GMT :cool:http://www.chargedevs.com/content/news-wire/post/bob-lutz-and-wanxiang-team-make-offer-fisker :cool:http://www.chargedevs.com/content/ne...e-offer-fisker ]]> Electric Car Competitors 007martin http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?46681-fisker-maybe-saved