New Owner in Virginia and a simple question on the radio/climate control

[Trakehner]

Got my Volt last Wednesday, traded in a 2008 BMW 328i bright red convertible. As I stood there as they were taking the tags off my little cute car and installing them on the Volt...I did wonder if I was nuts.

Well, I've had the car a week now, and I haven't missed the BMW at all. So, that's a great sign.

Got a red version (I like red cars) and I've been very impressed with it.

One annoying thing (and it may just be from not reading the manual enough...but someone had stolen the manual from the car at the dealer's and I just got it's replacement yesterday). When I turn on the climate control, the radio comes on. That's annoying. If I turn off the radio, off goes the climate control screen. Is this a piece of bad engineering or am I just a bad owner? Sure seems odd in practice.

[solar_dave]

The radio power does control the center stack. Most just turn down the volume or hit the mute.

[tboult]

Or you can do what I do.. see
http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread....dio-off./page3



I cut of the head of an old (free) headset from an airline trip and put it in the Aux jack in the arm-rest. Now "aux" is my radio off button. Works like a charm. Radio goes "off", rest of display is on. Hit the actual radio band button and radio is back on at same old volume.

[vdiv]

Congratulations on your new Volt!

You will miss the BMW (I do miss my E53, look at used ones once in a while), but then you will remember that you made an important decision and the right choice and got an EV.

Is this a piece of bad engineering...?

Bad engineering^.

I cut of the head of an old (free) headset from an airline trip and put it in the Aux jack in the arm-rest. Now "aux" is my radio off button. Works like a charm. Radio goes "off", rest of display is on. Hit the actual radio band button and radio is back on at same old volume.

Good engineering^.

The important parts of the Volt are not just good, but ground-breaking engineering. IMHO it is what restored the reputation of GM and made it a leader again. Almost two years after the release there is nothing like it on the market. The car is superb and folks are slowly beginning to realize this. You will enjoy every minute in it.

[scottf200]

Congrats. Glad you are liking it so far. Looking forward to your impression afr a little more more time behind the wheel. Be sure to try SPORTs mode. Hit the MODE button twice. After trying that out then drive the car in L(ow) to see how you like that.

One annoying thing (and it may just be from not reading the manual enough...but someone had stolen the manual from the car at the dealer's and I just got it's replacement yesterday).

Manual located here: http://www.chevrolet.com/owners/chevy-manuals/

[ShannonVolt]

From one Virginian to another, welcome. Folks are very nice and helpful on this forum, you'll enjoy it here. Congratulations!

[Jean-Charles Jacquemin]

Or you can do what I do.. see
http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread....dio-off./page3



I cut of the head of an old (free) headset from an airline trip and put it in the Aux jack in the arm-rest. Now "aux" is my radio off button. Works like a charm. Radio goes "off", rest of display is on. Hit the actual radio band button and radio is back on at same old volume.

Great tboult, I did it with the USB port and a old hub connection but it takes place, yours is more elegant.

JC
Ampera 1GOR86E49CU114636 Sovereign Grey Loving each instant of it.

[Jean-Charles Jacquemin]

Hi Scott, usually I drive in NORMAL mode in L because it seems to me the best compromise to drive with a single pedal in urban traffic but ... ok I'll try tomorrow the SPORT mode but alone, when I'll have left my wife at her workplace ...

[DonC]

Congrats on the car and welcome to the forum. The Volt is a fun car to drive. We have our fair share of ex or current BMW drivers who'll attest to that. I don't think you'll miss your former car. As Scott says, try "Sport" and "L". Sport just makes the accelerator pedal a bit more responsive and "L" just gives you more regen so you slow down faster.

No other way to say it but the Nav/Radio things is ridiculous. The good thing is that GM says that they are fixing this. The bad thing is that it hasn't happened yet, and may never happen for those of us who have the car. Many of us were amazed at the design for a car otherwise so well thought out. I liken it to having the water come on when you flick the light switch! LOL

[dax777]

Hello and welcome aboard the forum, its crazy how a car this advanced missed the radio thing. I don't have a problem with the design because I always have the Spa channel on XM Radio on low volume...I've driven numerous high end vehicles but I like my Volt the best of all...the more you drive this car, the better you'll like it...miles of smiles to ya...