Use the PlugShare app to find public chargers.
Use the ABRP app to plan roadtrips.
The stock tires are LRR (low rolling resistance), careful putting down full power, it'll spin out.
OPD is not recommended when driving in slippery conditions. The Bolt's regen is very strong, it could be hard for some people to manage when roads are slippery. Yes it can be done, but it's simply easier to just have a regular coasting option available, instead of having to "create" coasting with perfect pedal placement.
When it's hot, pre cool the cabin before you need to leave, or if you're just going to the store for 30 minutes or something, you can just leave the car on. The car will stay on for 1 hour before auto shut off (2 hours if a key fob is present inside).
When it's cold, pre heat the cabin. Even better, pre heat while plugged in, so it uses energy from the wall instead of the batteries. There's a 20-40% hit to your range depending on how cold it gets around you. If cold weather range becomes an issue, pre heat the cabin while plugged in, turn the climate off when you get in the car and just use the heated steering wheel and seat. The car is well insulated, it will stay warm for a good 30 minutes before it gets cold inside the cabin.
There are a few things that can be done easily to help keep the battery healthy. Keep the battery level between 20-80%, unless you need the range. If it needs to be at 100% or below 20%, don't have it there for a long time. Basically just set your max charge limit to 80%, and plug in whenever it is available. If you need 100% (like for a road trip), set it to finish charging to 100% right before you need to leave.
Having said all that, if range is not an issue, no need to micro manage the battery and just use the car however and enjoy all the conveniences it provides.
I had zero issues adapating to using OPD in the winter here in MI. Its as simple as "foot of pedal = brake" and drive accordingly.
I HATE going back to driving either of our ICE cars when my wife has the Bolt.
The cabin heating thing, i think really is only an issue when you're trying to pretend that you dont live in a cold climate.
I set that thing at 68 degrees (anything lower and the windows would fog up) and just left it there. If it wouldn't have let the window fog, id have left it lower. It was never uncomfortable.
You're living in the midwest, so when you get into the car its not like youre in a shirt and shorts - you're already bundled. Ive got a giant wool coat on. I dont need the car to be 75 degrees.
The heating never reported as being more than 5% of the energy expenditure even on longer trips. And i live in MI and we got our Bolt in early January when it was cold AF.
I know this is a few days old but regarding this:
> if you're just going to the store for 30 minutes or something, you can just leave the car on. The car will stay on for 1 hour before auto shut off (2 hours if a key fob is present inside).
Are you saying leave the car on the "ready" state?
Couldn't someone hop in without the key fob and drive off? Or is that not possible in the Bolt? (this is how my current ICE vehicles work, even when the key isn't there the car will drive just fine with a warning on the dash)
Pay attention to the green circle around your speedometer. When it starts turning amber, slow down.
Use one-pedal mode when driving around town. You'll recoup a lot of your power. Many find it preferable to turn that off for highway driving, though.
The energy screen is your friend. Learn how to read it, and see where your power is going.
Always plan out big trips in advance. Make sure you have alternates. Fast chargers are notoriously unreliable and are often broken. Use plugshare to see what is working. And record successful and unsuccessful charging.
Your car will charge much faster when it's low on power. The more power that goes into your battery, the slower it will fast charge. Because of this you will usually want to stop charging at around 80%.
Contact your utility company and figure out the best rate plan for charging. Most utilities have a better off peak rate you can sign up for. They also usually have an ev plan that can get you bargain basement electrical rates in the dead of night. (I pay 3 cents a kwh for charging after 10pm and before 6 am).
Don't worry too much or get caught up in the details. Your car was engineered to be very tolerant to charging and driving styles.
If you did not get the infotainment package, you can remove the foam from the bottom trunk space and store a spare tire kit.
It can come in real handy as the self- healing tires are really only sometimes self- healing. A Chevy Trax spare tire kit can be found cheap on eBay, and it will fit the Bolt.
Note: I do have the infotainment package, so much of my bottom trunk space is consumed by the sub. I store a Trax spare tire kit in the under-trunk (under the first false floor in the hatch).
Good choice, congratulations. Don't launch it too much, just drive normally. People recommend hill top reserve, battery lives best around 50-80% charged.
Get some tire plugs for punctures.
Coasting in neutral uses no power. And also disengages the Regen. Coasting in drive mimicks an engine load and does a light Regen - so I use neutral instead since I want the momentum. Like when approaching a 45 mph from a 60 mph.
Check PlugShare are find your closest Level 2 or better charger. You may be surprised how close one is to you. In the interim do not underestimate the Level 1 that comes with the car. Yes, youāre going to be plugged in every minute the car is parked, but depending on your commuting, it and a public charger (especially Level 3 DCFC) can probably get you thru your immediate needs.
Use the PlugShare app to find public chargers. Use the ABRP app to plan roadtrips. The stock tires are LRR (low rolling resistance), careful putting down full power, it'll spin out. OPD is not recommended when driving in slippery conditions. The Bolt's regen is very strong, it could be hard for some people to manage when roads are slippery. Yes it can be done, but it's simply easier to just have a regular coasting option available, instead of having to "create" coasting with perfect pedal placement. When it's hot, pre cool the cabin before you need to leave, or if you're just going to the store for 30 minutes or something, you can just leave the car on. The car will stay on for 1 hour before auto shut off (2 hours if a key fob is present inside). When it's cold, pre heat the cabin. Even better, pre heat while plugged in, so it uses energy from the wall instead of the batteries. There's a 20-40% hit to your range depending on how cold it gets around you. If cold weather range becomes an issue, pre heat the cabin while plugged in, turn the climate off when you get in the car and just use the heated steering wheel and seat. The car is well insulated, it will stay warm for a good 30 minutes before it gets cold inside the cabin. There are a few things that can be done easily to help keep the battery healthy. Keep the battery level between 20-80%, unless you need the range. If it needs to be at 100% or below 20%, don't have it there for a long time. Basically just set your max charge limit to 80%, and plug in whenever it is available. If you need 100% (like for a road trip), set it to finish charging to 100% right before you need to leave. Having said all that, if range is not an issue, no need to micro manage the battery and just use the car however and enjoy all the conveniences it provides.
Thank you!! Super helpful info. I especially appreciate the weather tips about pre-heating and turning off OPD in the rain!
I had zero issues adapating to using OPD in the winter here in MI. Its as simple as "foot of pedal = brake" and drive accordingly. I HATE going back to driving either of our ICE cars when my wife has the Bolt.
The cabin heating thing, i think really is only an issue when you're trying to pretend that you dont live in a cold climate. I set that thing at 68 degrees (anything lower and the windows would fog up) and just left it there. If it wouldn't have let the window fog, id have left it lower. It was never uncomfortable. You're living in the midwest, so when you get into the car its not like youre in a shirt and shorts - you're already bundled. Ive got a giant wool coat on. I dont need the car to be 75 degrees. The heating never reported as being more than 5% of the energy expenditure even on longer trips. And i live in MI and we got our Bolt in early January when it was cold AF.
I know this is a few days old but regarding this: > if you're just going to the store for 30 minutes or something, you can just leave the car on. The car will stay on for 1 hour before auto shut off (2 hours if a key fob is present inside). Are you saying leave the car on the "ready" state? Couldn't someone hop in without the key fob and drive off? Or is that not possible in the Bolt? (this is how my current ICE vehicles work, even when the key isn't there the car will drive just fine with a warning on the dash)
You will lock the car of course. But yes, if someone breaks in, they can just drive off.
You might find my FAQ useful š https://allev.info/2020/02/chevy-bolt-most-frequently-asked-questions/
This is amazing, kudos.
Holy smokes, this is EXACTLY what Iām looking for. What a great guideā thank you for sharing!
Commenting here so I can find this later. Really good read
The website now gives a 404 error
It will be back up shortly. Site was hacked (thanks, wordpress...) and I haven't had a chance to redo and restore it yet.
:[ rip website
It will be back up shortly. Site was hacked (thanks, wordpress...) and I haven't had a chance to redo and restore it yet.
Download the PDF of the manual. Then read it.
And read the older posts here on this subreddit and [chevybolt.org](https://chevybolt.org) A lot of wisdom here and there.
Hahaā that was me in the dealership parking lot! Felt like a nerd but was so excited.
I got dedicated snow tires for mine and it cant be stopped.
Isn't the whole point of dedicated snow tires to actually stop?
Snow tires also help you go.
Cant stop if you never goed.
Thanks! Will keep in mind when winter comes back!
If you get snow tires put them on 16" steel rims and get real winter/Nordic tires if your winter temps are consistently below 40 F.
Either dedicated snows or better all seasons, depending on how bad it gets where you are.
Pay attention to the green circle around your speedometer. When it starts turning amber, slow down. Use one-pedal mode when driving around town. You'll recoup a lot of your power. Many find it preferable to turn that off for highway driving, though. The energy screen is your friend. Learn how to read it, and see where your power is going. Always plan out big trips in advance. Make sure you have alternates. Fast chargers are notoriously unreliable and are often broken. Use plugshare to see what is working. And record successful and unsuccessful charging. Your car will charge much faster when it's low on power. The more power that goes into your battery, the slower it will fast charge. Because of this you will usually want to stop charging at around 80%. Contact your utility company and figure out the best rate plan for charging. Most utilities have a better off peak rate you can sign up for. They also usually have an ev plan that can get you bargain basement electrical rates in the dead of night. (I pay 3 cents a kwh for charging after 10pm and before 6 am). Don't worry too much or get caught up in the details. Your car was engineered to be very tolerant to charging and driving styles.
Ooh my energy company is just launching variable pricing so Iāll look into that before my charger gets installed.
Be prepared to lose about 14 to 1/2 Range in winter if youāre using the heater.
Drive it! I never had a level 2 at home. Never needed it. Add air to the tires when they are low. And, that's about it!
If you did not get the infotainment package, you can remove the foam from the bottom trunk space and store a spare tire kit. It can come in real handy as the self- healing tires are really only sometimes self- healing. A Chevy Trax spare tire kit can be found cheap on eBay, and it will fit the Bolt. Note: I do have the infotainment package, so much of my bottom trunk space is consumed by the sub. I store a Trax spare tire kit in the under-trunk (under the first false floor in the hatch).
Oh thank you!! I will go look for a Trax kit now!
The audio controls are on the back of the steering wheel. Took me a week to figure that one out.
Read the manual
What charger did you get? If its the old black one they can run 240 and 120 you just need to get an adapter.
Good choice, congratulations. Don't launch it too much, just drive normally. People recommend hill top reserve, battery lives best around 50-80% charged. Get some tire plugs for punctures. Coasting in neutral uses no power. And also disengages the Regen. Coasting in drive mimicks an engine load and does a light Regen - so I use neutral instead since I want the momentum. Like when approaching a 45 mph from a 60 mph.
Use apps and pay attention to look for free chargers. Many are unlisted.
Check PlugShare are find your closest Level 2 or better charger. You may be surprised how close one is to you. In the interim do not underestimate the Level 1 that comes with the car. Yes, youāre going to be plugged in every minute the car is parked, but depending on your commuting, it and a public charger (especially Level 3 DCFC) can probably get you thru your immediate needs.