Driver Informtion Center Status / Warning Messages

[WopOnTour]

PART 1 of 2 (in no particular order)

NO REMOTE DETECTED--This message displays when the RKE transmitter is not detected while attempting to start the vehicle. The transmitter battery may be weak. See "Starting the Vehicle with a Low Transmitter Battery" under Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation for more information.

NO REMOTE DETECTED, PRESS BRAKE TO RESTART--This message displays if the RKE transmitter is no longer detected in the vehicle. Press the brake pedal and the POWER button to restart the vehicle, or press the POWER button without pressing the brake pedal to turn the vehicle off. If the vehicle is turned off and a valid transmitter is not available, the vehicle will not restart.

REMINDER: KEY LEFT IN VEHICLE--This message displays when leaving the vehicle with the RKE transmitter still inside.

REPLACE BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY--This message displays when the battery in the RKE transmitter needs to be replaced.

SERVICE KEYLESS START SYSTEM--This message displays when the keyless start system needs service. Take the vehicle to your dealer.

AUTOMATIC LIGHT CONTROL ON OR OFF--A message will display when the automatic light control has been turned on or off.

CHECK LAMP or LAMP FAILURE--Depending on the lamp, one of these messages may display. See Bulb Replacement.

TURN SIGNAL ON--This message displays if the turn signal has been left on. Turn off the turn signal.

SERVICE THEFT ALARM--This message displays if there is a problem with the alarm. See your dealer for service.

SERVICE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM--This message displays if there is a problem with the theft-deterrent system. See your dealer for service.

ENGINE MAINTENANCE XXX% COMPLETE--This message displays when the Engine Maintenance Mode is running. See "Engine Maintenance Mode" under Maintenance Modes.

ENGINE NOT AVAILABLE SERVICE SOON--This message displays when the engine is not available due to a malfunction that will not allow the engine to start. The vehicle can continue to be driven in Electric Mode until the battery is depleted, but will have reduced acceleration. When this message is displayed, the vehicle should be taken to your dealer for service as soon as possible. See Out of Fuel/Engine Unavailable.

SERVICE AC SYSTEM--This message displays if there is a problem with the air conditioning system. Take the vehicle to your dealer for service.

SERVICE HEATER SOON--This message displays if there is a problem with the heater system. Take the vehicle to your dealer for service.

SERVICE POWER STEERING--This message displays if there is a problem with the power steering system. Take the vehicle to your dealer for service.

SERVICE VEHICLE SOON--This message displays if there is a problem with the vehicle. Take the vehicle to your dealer for service. Depending on the severity of a crash, this message may come on along with the airbag readiness light.

PRESS BRAKE TO START VEHICLE--This message displays when attempting to start the vehicle without first pressing the brake pedal.

PRESS BUTTON AGAIN TO TURN OFF--This message displays as a reminder to press the POWER button to turn the vehicle off when an attempt is made to turn off the vehicle while it is in motion.

MOUNTAIN MODE NOT AVAILABLE--This message displays when in Mountain Mode and the mode becomes unavailable. See "Mountain Mode" under Driver Selected Operating Modes.

SPORT MODE NOT AVAILABLE--This message displays when in Sport Mode and the mode becomes unavailable. See "Sport Mode" under Driver Selected Operating Modes.

SHIFT TO PARK--This message displays when the vehicle should be shifted to P (Park).

PROPULSION POWER IS REDUCED--This message displays when the propulsion power is reduced and can affect the ability to accelerate. If this message is on, but there is no reduction in performance, proceed to your destination. The performance may be reduced the next time the vehicle is driven. The vehicle may be driven at a reduced speed while this message is on, but maximum acceleration and speed may be reduced. If this message stays on when the malfunction indicator lamp is on, the vehicle should be taken to your dealer for service as soon as possible.

SPEED LIMITED TO XXX--This message displays when the vehicle speed is limited.

BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE--This message displays when the vehicle has detected that the 12-volt battery voltage has dropped and vehicle features are being disabled. The 12-volt battery saver system starts reducing certain features trying to save the charge of the 12-volt battery. Turn off unnecessary features to allow the battery to recharge.

BATTERY TOO COLD, PLUG IN TO WARM--This message displays during extremely cold temperatures, when the vehicle will not start until the high voltage battery is warm enough.
Plug the vehicle in to allow the charging system to warm the high voltage battery, then the vehicle can be started.

CHARGE CORD CONNECTED--This message displays when the charge cord is connected to the vehicle. The vehicle cannot be shifted out of P (Park) with the charge cord connected.

CHARGE DOOR OPEN--This message displays when the charge door is open and the vehicle is shifted out of P (Park).

LOW BATTERY--This message displays when the 12-volt battery voltage is low. See Battery for more information.

SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM--This message displays when there is a fault in the 12-volt battery charging system. Take the vehicle to your dealer for service.

SERVICE HIGH VOLTAGE CHARGING SYSTEM--This message displays when there is a problem with the high voltage charging system. See your dealer for service.

[WopOnTour]

Part 2 of 2

SERVICE AIRBAG--This message displays if there is a problem with the airbag system. Take the vehicle to your dealer for service.

SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM--This message displays if there is a problem with the Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS). See Tire Pressure Monitor Operation for more information.

TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE--This message displays when the system is learning new tires. See Tire Pressure Monitor Operation for more information.

TIRE LOW ADD AIR TO TIRE--This message displays when the pressure in one or more of the tires is low.
This message also displays LEFT FRONT, RIGHT FRONT, LEFT REAR, or RIGHT REAR to indicate the location of the low tire.
The low tire pressure warning light will also come on. See Tire Pressure Light.
If a tire pressure message appears on the DIC, stop as soon as you can. Inflate the tires by adding air until the tire pressure is equal to the values shown on the Tire and Loading Information label. See Tires , Vehicle Load Limits , and Tire Pressure.
You can receive more than one tire pressure message at a time. The DIC also shows the tire pressure values. See Driver Information Center (DIC).

LOW TRACTION--This message displays when the Antilock Brake System (ABS) is active and is working to assist the driver with control of the vehicle in difficult driving conditions.

SERVICE STABILITRAK--This message displays when there is a problem detected with the StabiliTrak system. The vehicle is safe to drive, but the StabiliTrak system is not operational. See Electronic Stability Control (ESC) for information on resetting the system.

SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL--This message displays when there is a problem detected with the Traction Control System (TCS). The vehicle is safe to drive, but the TCS is not operational. See Traction Control System (TCS) for information on resetting the system.

WASHER FLUID LOW ADD FLUID--This message displays when the washer fluid level is low. For information on filling the washer fluid, see Washer Fluid.

BRAKE FLUID LOW--This message displays when the brake fluid level is low. See Brake Fluid.

RELEASE PARKING BRAKE--This message displays if the electric parking brake is on while the vehicle is in motion. Release it before attempting to drive. See Electric Parking Brake for more information.

SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST--This message displays when there is a problem with the brake boost assist system. When this message displays, the brake boost assist motor might be heard operating and a pulsation may be felt in the brake pedal. Take the vehicle to your dealer for service.

SERVICE PARKING BRAKE--This message displays when there is a problem with the parking brake. Take the vehicle to your dealer for service.

STEP ON BRAKE TO RELEASE PARK BRAKE--This message displays when attempting to release the electric parking brake without the brake pedal applied. See Electric Parking Brake for more information.

DOOR(S) OPEN, HOOD OPEN, HATCH OPEN--A symbol will appear on the display showing the area that is open. See Door, Hood, or Hatch Open Light.

ENGINE OVERHEATED -- REDUCE SPEED--This message displays when the engine coolant temperature or engine oil is too hot. Reduce speed and allow the vehicle to cool down.

ENGINE OVERHEATED -- TURN VEHICLE OFF--This message displays and a continuous chime sounds if the engine cooling system reaches unsafe temperatures for operation. Stop and turn off the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so to avoid severe damage. This message clears when the engine has cooled to a safe operating temperature.

ENGINE RUNNING DUE TO TEMPERATURE--This message displays when the high voltage battery is charged but the engine has to come on because of the outside temperature or high voltage battery temperature.

CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON--This message displays when the engine oil needs to be changed. After changing the engine oil, the Engine Oil Life System must be reset. See Engine Oil Life System and Driver Information Center (DIC) for information on how to reset the system. See Engine Oil and Scheduled Maintenance for more information.

OIL PRESSURE LOW -- TURN VEHICLE OFF--This message displays if low oil pressure levels occur. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible and do not operate it until the cause of the low oil pressure has been corrected. Check the oil as soon as possible and have the vehicle serviced by your dealer.

CLOSE FUEL DOOR--This message displays when the fuel door is open and the vehicle is moving.

ENGINE NOT AVAILABLE ADD FUEL--This message displays when the engine is not available due to running out of fuel. The vehicle can continue to be driven in Electric Mode until the battery is depleted, but will have reduced acceleration. When this message is displayed, refuel the vehicle. See Out of Fuel/Engine Unavailable.

FUEL LEVEL LOW--This message displays when the vehicle is low on fuel. Refuel as soon as possible.

READY TO REFUEL--This message displays when the fuel system is depressurized and the vehicle can be refueled.

SERVICE REFUELING SYSTEM--This message displays when there is a problem with the vehicle refueling system. See your dealer for service.

TIGHTEN GAS CAP--This message displays when the fuel cap is not on tight. Tighten the fuel cap.

WAIT TO REFUEL--This message displays when the fuel system is pressurized and you must to wait to refuel the vehicle.

[Shaft]

"BATTERY TOO COLD, PLUG IN TO WARM--This message displays during extremely cold temperatures, when the vehicle will not start until the high voltage battery is warm enough.
Plug the vehicle in to allow the charging system to warm the high voltage battery, then the vehicle can be started."

I wonder at what temperature will this come on?
What if there is not a receptacle available?

This is really bizarre. I thought that under these circumstances, the ICE will come on to warm the battery. You would think that with an ICE available, more intelligent action can be taken ... even if the driver has to sit for a while during the warmup period.

I just do not understand why such a message would be required. Maybe in the Leaf ... but why the Volt?

Perhaps the message would only become active if the ICE fails to start. Then we are back to the Leaf situation, where stranding the driver is OK if required to protect the battery.

[Rusty]

"BATTERY TOO COLD, PLUG IN TO WARM"

This is really bizarre. I thought that under these circumstances, the ICE will come on to warm the battery. You would think that with an ICE available, more intelligent action can be taken ... even if the driver has to sit for a while during the warmup period.

Is that one of the things the "ENGINE RUNNING DUE TO TEMPERATURE" message is for?

[cheifsfan]

I hope GM makes it clear what temperature's this is supposed to occur at. If it anything below 0 or 10 below then this may not be the right car for me being in the northern part of the states.... I was planning on placing my order tomorrow.

[Xzlon]

Repeat of history? I lived in Nebraska a couple of winters in the early '70s. A fellow I worked with had a Mercedes 190 diesel. He would let it idle all day in the parking lot because he had trouble starting it when it was below zero. At that time it cost him about 25 cents to let it run all day.

[WopOnTour]

I believe this might occur ONLY if you are already in charge sustaining mode with a very low battery SOC and experience a VERY cold ambient soak. If you recall last winter they reported testing the Volt at GM's Cold Weather test facility in Kapuskasing Ontario Canada and reported that the Volt delivered admirably even at -30C/-22F. People up in those Northern climes are already used to having to plug-in their vehicles (block heater) so having to plug something in at -40 is not so unusual.

Also- technically there is no "connection" between the ICE and the Li-Ion battery coolants. So there's no way just running the ICE would warm the HV battery. The battery has it's own 360V electric circulating heater to warm ITSELF! So about the only thing it COULD do (assuming it can deliver enough current to start ICE) would be to generate the energy needed to operate that 360V battery heater! Maybe...

WopOnTour

[Shaft]

WopOnTour wrote:
"Also- technically there is no "connection" between the ICE and the Li-Ion battery coolants. So there's no way just running the ICE would warm the HV battery. The battery has it's own 360V electric circulating heater to warm ITSELF!"

Then couldn't the ICE (which, all the controversy aside, is there primarily to generate electricity in most modes of operation) warm the battery electrically if the battery was deemed too low to do it by itself?

Here's the scenario I imagine: The battery is very cold at ambient, so cold that it would be detrimental to pull any charge from it. The battery is well below the normal low CS state of charge because of some heavy driving and heating just before it was parked. When the driver presses the start button, the ICE comes on and supplies electricity to warm the battery. The control system prevents the driver from driving away until the battery is at a point where it is safe to do so. The driver gets a message, something like: "Battery warming in progress. Driving disabled." (Yet again, the flexibility provided by the ICE kills the all electric option.)

Given that this seems possible (and better than being stranded without a plug!), I ask again, why would such a message ("BATTERY TOO COLD, PLUG IN TO WARM"), along with complete motive failure(!), be needed?

Possible answer: Only if you are out of fuel or for some other reason the ICE fails to start.

I think GM should provide a complete description of why this message is required.

[WopOnTour]

Well since the ICE is started using MGA then you will still need to draw significant current from the Li-Ion battery. Then even once started the temperature of the cells is prohibitive to charging without possible cell damage.
It's a catch-22 scenarion that is easily solved by plugging in.
WOT

[ChuckR]

From the Feb. 23 post Chevy Volt Cold Weather Testing Update:

"An advantage the Volt has over pure EVs is that when its very cold, the batteries can be heated using the gas generator. If the car is plugged in it will condition the battery using grid energy, if it is not, and its very cold, 30 degrees below 0, the generator will go on at the outset. Cabin temperature can be pre-programmed or set via mobile phone app to warm the car using grid energy as well.

Farah stated he learned that if that cars were soaked in the cold temperatures outside overnight, the batteries did not drop fully to the outdoor temperature."

Are we saying this is not true?