2011 Chevrolet Volt Owner's Manual - Page 32

1-26 In Brief Use the auto heated seat feature instead of climate settings. Heating the seat uses less energy than heating the vehicle interior. Use remote start to heat or cool the interior when the vehicle is plugged in to maximize the electric range by utilizing electricity from the electrical outlet. In hot weather, avoid parking in direct sunlight or use sunshades inside the vehicle. Turn off the front and rear window defog/defrost when they are no longer needed. Avoid driving with the windows open at highway speeds. Maintenance Always keep the tires properly inflated and the vehicle properly aligned. The weight of excess cargo in the vehicle affects efficiency and range. Avoid carrying more than is needed. If fuel is not regularly used, consider keeping the fuel tank only one‐third full. Excess fuel weight impacts efficiency and range. Use premium fuel. Avoid unnecessary use of electrical accessories. Power used for functions other than propelling the vehicle will reduce EV range. Using a rooftop carrier will reduce efficiency due to additional weight and drag. Climate Setting Using the heat and air conditioning systems decreases the energy available for electric driving. Optimal energy efficiency is achieved with the heat, air conditioning, and fan turned off. Less energy is used at low fan speeds. When using the fan: . Fan Only is the most energy efficient climate setting as long as 0 is not selected. ECO is for moderate air conditioning and heater operation and is the next most energy efficient setting as long as 0 is not selected. Comfort provides the most comfort but is the least energy efficient. . . Vehicle Charging/Maintenance Charging Keep the vehicle plugged in, even when fully charged, to keep the battery temperature ready for the next drive. This is important when outside temperatures are extremely hot or cold.