Does a Chevy Volt have coolant?
The Chevrolet Volt uses coolant. It relies on liquid coolant for both its engine cooling loop and a dedicated battery thermal management loop, using GM’s Dex-Cool ethylene glycol-based coolant.
The Volt’s cooling system is more complex than a typical gasoline-powered car because it must manage temperatures for the internal combustion engine, the electric drive components, and the high-voltage battery. In practice, this means two linked but separate coolant circuits share a common goal: prevent overheating and keep the battery within its optimal range for performance and longevity.
What coolant does the Chevy Volt use?
GM specifies Dex-Cool as the coolant for Volt models. Dex-Cool is an ethylene glycol-based, extended-life coolant used across many GM vehicles. It is typically orange in color and requires proper mixing and flushing practices to avoid coolant contamination or improper cooling performance.
To help you understand the basics, here are the key points about the Volt’s coolant and how it’s used in the vehicle’s thermal management.
- Dex-Cool ethylene glycol-based coolant is the standard in GM vehicles, including the Volt.
- Always use the recommended GM-approved coolant and do not mix Dex-Cool with non-GM coolants unless explicitly advised by GM instructions.
- The Volt uses two cooling paths: one for the engine and powertrain, and a separate battery thermal management loop that exchanges heat with the system through a dedicated heat exchanger.
In short, you should maintain the coolant level and condition, using the recommended Dex-Cool formulation and following GM service guidance to ensure both the engine and battery cooling systems operate correctly.
How the cooling system works in the Volt
Two linked cooling circuits
The Volt employs two main cooling loops: a primary engine/powertrain loop and a battery thermal management loop. The two loops are designed to keep the gasoline engine and the high-voltage battery within safe temperature ranges, especially during charging, sustained driving, and when the vehicle operates in electric-only mode.
Core components and flow
Common components include a radiator, a coolant reservoir, a water pump, thermostats, and a heat exchanger that helps transfer heat between the coolant and the battery pack as needed. The battery loop is controlled by the vehicle’s thermal management system to either actively cool or warm the battery, depending on ambient conditions and battery state of charge.
- Radiator and intercooling hardware to dissipate heat from both loops
- Coolant reservoir to monitor and replenish fluid, and to purge air from the system
- Water pump(s) to circulate coolant through the loops
- Thermostats to regulate flow based on temperature
- Battery thermal management heat exchanger connected to the battery pack
These elements work together to maintain optimum operating temperatures for the Volt’s powertrain and battery, contributing to efficiency, performance, and longevity.
Maintenance and signs of trouble
Regular maintenance and vigilance can prevent cooling-system issues in Volt models. Here are the key considerations and steps to take:
- Check the coolant level in the expansion reservoir when the engine is cool, and top up with the correct Dex-Cool formulation if needed.
- Look for signs of leaks under the vehicle, a sweet smell near the engine, or visible coolant puddles, which can indicate a hose, fitting, or reservoir issue.
- Monitor for overheating warnings or temperature gauge fluctuations, which may indicate a cooling loop problem or air in the system.
- Follow GM service intervals for coolant replacement or flushing to maintain proper chemical composition and corrosion protection.
If you notice persistent overheating, a sweet-smelling leak, or a noticeable drop in coolant level, consult a technician with experience in GM hybrid platforms. The Volt’s cooling system is essential to both propulsion and battery health, and proper maintenance is important for reliability.
Summary
Yes—like most modern GM vehicles, the Chevy Volt relies on liquid coolant for multiple thermal management needs. It uses Dex-Cool for both the engine cooling loop and the battery thermal management loop, which are managed by a combination of radiators, pumps, thermostats, and heat exchangers. Regular checks of coolant level and condition, adherence to GM-recommended fluids, and timely service are key to keeping the Volt’s cooling systems functioning properly.
