Will the ICE (internal combustion engine) start when the volt is plugged in!

[Big Moe]

This issue of weather or not the Volt can be started when it is plugged in needs to be squared away. GM needs to issue a "Life Hazard" warning ASAP. I spoke with a GM Volt representative last week and had her follow up with an E mail. She told me emphatically, that the Chevrolet Volt's ICE will not start when it is plugged in. She made no mention or differentiation between 220 and 110 volt chargers. If these cars have the ability to start, while plugged in, in our garage we must know about it. I want to utilize the climate control in my garage, with complete confidence that the ICE will not be starting. I do not want Carbon Monoxide in my garage!

[Stilgar99]

This issue of weather or not the Volt can be started when it is plugged in needs to be squared away. GM needs to issue a "Life Hazard" warning ASAP. I spoke with a GM Volt representative last week and had her follow up with an E mail. She told me emphatically, that the Chevrolet Volt's ICE will not start when it is plugged in. She made no mention or differentiation between 220 and 110 volt chargers. If these cars have the ability to start, while plugged in, in our garage we must know about it. I want to utilize the climate control in my garage, with complete confidence that the ICE will not be starting. I do not want Carbon Monoxide in my garage!

Why do you think GM has to issue something? It states that the ICE may start in the manual...

Stilgar

[Big Moe]

Hello: Does the manual say that the auto may start the (ICE) when it is plugged in? If this car can start the Internal Combustion Engine when someone tries to warm up the cabin with the climate control, from a phone, it will be extremely dangerous if the car is in a closed garage.

[bboaze]

If there's a power failure will it know that it is plugged in?

[mizzou]

My car definitely started the ICE while plugged in to the 110V while trying to prewarm the cabin. I do not have a 220V charger yet, so can't answer that question.

[Big Moe]

Thank you for that information. I have the ladies number at GM who sent me the Email stating that the ICE will not start while the vehicle is plugged in. I will call her so she does not spread misinformation that could be dangerous. I wouldn't want to see anyone have a running automobile in a closed area.

Thanks, again! Big Moe

[Mark Z]

This is a must read for everyone:

http://www.extension.iastate.edu/pag...co/co_car.html

Note the warnings in this fact sheet:

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/consumer/09939.html

Please read the prevention list that the EPA has published:

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/coftsht.html

[Slapshot28]

Yes, the ICE started this morning when I used the key fob to remote start. The Volt still was plugged into the 120V charger; however, the battery was fully charged. It's cold here right now. (Several sodas in my garage refrigerator had exploded during the night.)

There has been some discussion regarding how modern catalytic converters all-but-eliminate carbon monoxide and other products of incomplete combustion. Nevertheless, I opened my garage about one foot as soon as the Volt ICE started up. I noticed that the ICE turned itself off after only a minute or so. Likely there is not much health threat if all is working well (catalytic converter, temperature sensors, ICE control, etc).

Still, posted warnings present or not, enabling any potential source of combustion always should involve common sense!

Chris

[Big Moe]

Dear Mark: Thank you for the very informative articles. GM should have a setting, that can be activated in our OnStar iPhone program, that asks us if the vehicle is in an enclosed area. That setting should prevent us from activating the cabin heaters by mistake and thus stop the ICE from starting. I guarantee that there may be some Carbon Monoxide issues related to people trying to warm up the cabin, in a garage by mistake. Better to be safe than sorry!

[Mybatcar]

Remote start will only run for 10 minutes then automatically shut off. It can be started again one more time for an additional 10 minutes. During a remote start the ICE may or may not run, so, with a ten minute maximum cycle, exposure to noxious fumes would be limited. That is good or bad depending how you look at it......

Steve in Boca Raton. VIN 313