The absolute biggest problem with the Volt

[Ron C]

It just doesn't take long enough to fill the tank to get all the windows cleaned. Combine that with not having to stop for gas but once a month and you get a problem.

You California people won't really understand, but winter in Chicago means filthy windows. Filthy windows means it's even harder to see out that A pillar. I wash the car about once a week in the winter, mostly because of the bad timing of weather around here these days. Now ifind myself stopping at gas stations, parking at the pump, using their washer fluid/sponge/squeegee combo so I can see a little bit, but that has its own set of issues: drips of salty runoff, extra time, ....

I'm thinking of requesting a buy back

[tboult]

It just doesn't take long enough to fill the tank to get all the windows cleaned. Combine that with not having to stop for gas but once a month and you get a problem.

You California people won't really understand, but winter in Chicago means filthy windows. Filthy windows means it's even harder to see out that A pillar. I wash the car about once a week in the winter, mostly because of the bad timing of weather around here these days. Now ifind myself stopping at gas stations, parking at the pump, using their washer fluid/sponge/squeegee combo so I can see a little bit, but that has its own set of issues: drips of salty runoff, extra time, ....

I'm thinking of requesting a buy back

Funny, I had had the same problem. Found a better solution.. I gave in and bought our own squeegee for the home fuel station (i.e. garage). Its also nice that then we can have rag to catch the drips.

[Top_Speed1]

I know the reasons why we can't but it sure would be nice to have an ICE button to heat the cab up first then use electric for the main drive.

[DCFusor]

But, Top, we can! You just pop the hood and turn on the car. I might even set up a circuit to fake that out (make the hood switch think it's popped when it's not). When I tried this at under full charge on a cold day, it also gave me a little charge. I've not yet tried it with a full charge already - not knowing if maintenance mode is "that smart" to not overcharge the battery - and I didn't have time to sit and watch it that time to be sure I didn't hurt the car.

You get the car warm, and there's enough thermal mass in the coolant loop to give you another most of an hour's worth of cabin heat on recirculate after that.

[Top_Speed1]

Sweet DC! When you come up with the open-loop switch, post up the procedure as I'm sure a few of us cold weather nutsies would jump on board this mod!

[tboult]

Sweet DC! When you come up with the open-loop switch, post up the procedure as I'm sure a few of us cold weather nutsies would jump on board this mod!

Funny.. I want the switch to make it not start due to cold temps.. Most of my engine use since october has been that annoying ERDTT. I just did nto want to hack the car since there were rumors from WOT about a upgrade that would make the engine start temp user controllable

[Top_Speed1]

Anybody with more on those engine start temp rumors? ...I can wait for the real deal if one is coming.

[tboult]

Anybody with more on those engine start temp rumors? ...I can wait for the real deal if one is coming.

Let me guess. you want to crank it up to 40F.. to get it to start earlier..

[Top_Speed1]

A software update on the Climate screen, maybe a simple "Use ICE to achieve desired temp?" ; Y/N button would suffice and N as default.

[DCFusor]

Yeah, an official GM mod for this would be much nicer, to be sure - and it has to be possible. Forcing the engine to not run when they want it to should violate warranty if it doesn't already - I'm with GM on that one, annoying as it might be. You might not realize how much that helps it have a long life, and save your electric range from the heater monster. Not to mention the battery life. All very costly for GM to service under warranty.

You don't want this thing to be as hard to start as a lawmower after a winter - or a chainsaw. It might be real hard on things to have to extended-crank it (clutches come to mind, as well as time delay when the battery is flat and it matters a lot).

Anybody know where the hood switch even is? It's been pretty cold here so I've not had time and energy to fish around much in the snow and mud in the driveway.