Interactive Review: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

[daves87rs]

This would be perfect for the wife and her short trips.

[Drew Dowdell]

Interesting you should mention preheating the car because Inside Line just posted about heating draining the battery but it appears they, or at least this certain writer, don't know how to preheat the cabin.

Trying to heat the car from freezing will drain your battery pretty quick. The Volt user manual even says to use the heated seats because it takes less energy than fully heating the whole cabin. However, because you can pre-heat the car while still plugged in, you can get the cabin to a comfortable temperature while still on the grid and then the car can maintain that temperature much more efficiently when on the road.

[aaaantoine]

Trying to heat the car from freezing will drain your battery pretty quick. The Volt user manual even says to use the heated seats because it takes less energy than fully heating the whole cabin. However, because you can pre-heat the car while still plugged in, you can get the cabin to a comfortable temperature while still on the grid and then the car can maintain that temperature much more efficiently when on the road.

That is cool. How long does it take to heat up while on the 120v plug?

Edited February 23, 2011 by aaaantoine

[Drew Dowdell]

It doesn't matter which plug. It heats up at the same rate regardless.

It's ready to go in about 5 minutes.