Strictly TweetBot 1.1.1
by Geoff on Jan.23, 2012, under Blogging
I have been looking for a TweetBot that actually worked. Thank you Strictly Software!
NHTSA Closes Volt Investigation
by Geoff on Jan.23, 2012, under Volt
[this was emailed to me this morning. I thought I should pass it along to all of you.]
Sent: Mon, January 23, 2012 9:05:09 AM
Subject: NHTSA Closes Volt Investigation
Today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has decided to close their investigation into the Volt post-crash test battery fires.
This is a statement of confidence in our solution, as GM?s engineering enhancements have satisfied NHTSA?s concerns.
Detailed GM Statement:
NHTSA’s decision to close their investigation is consistent with the results of our internal testing and assessment. The engineering enhancements that GM announced January 5, 2012 will provide additional protection for the battery minimizing the risk of a post-crash fire in the days and weeks after a severe crash and rollover.
The voluntary action that GM is taking is intended to make a safe vehicle even safer. In fact, the Volt has earned top safety ratings from key 3rd party organizations and is a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
GM is proud of the technological innovation the Volt represents. We appreciate the confidence our Volt customers continued to provide during the investigation. Our overriding commitment will always be to provide our customers with the best ownership experience and peace of mind in the industry and we?re focused on delivering that every day.
Final QA
Note: first question is new, the others were provided in previous QA:
Q1. What is GM?s reaction to NHTSA closing its investigation?
- The closing of the investigation is consistent with the results of our internal testing and assessment. The engineering enhancements GM announced on January 5 should substantially reduce the chance of a post-crash fire in the days and weeks after a crash.
- Volt has always been a safe vehicle. These enhancements will make it safer. The Volt has earned top safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (Top Safety Pick) and a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Safety rating in the New Car Assessment Program that NHTSA oversees.
Q2. Why were the issues that led to the NHTSA investigation missed during testing?
- They were not “missed.? NHTSA?s testing protocol — a crashed vehicle, which was rotated after the test, sitting for weeks, substantially powered, with a coolant leak — was unique.
- This condition does not pose any safety risk to a driver or occupant. We tested the Volt?s battery system for more than 285,000 hours, or 25 years of operation before it went on sale.
Q3. Why did GM stay quiet for so many months after the initial fire in Wisconsin?
- We did not and still don?t consider this test issue an unsafe situation for Volt owners. We have not stayed quiet about this but instead have been in regular dialogue with the NHTSA since we were informed about the June 6 incident. We are taking the actions we are announcing today to safe guard the peace of mind of our customers.
Q4. How will current Volt owners get their cars fixed? Who can customers call to get more information? What is the process?
- Volt owners will be notified by General Motors of the Customer Satisfaction Program. They can call their Volt Advisor or their dealer for more information. All modifications will be made at no charge to the customer because they are covered under new vehicle warranty.
- Customers unaware of their specific Volt Advisors can call 877-4-VOLT-INFO (877-486-5846) or email: Voltda101@gmexpert.com.
- Chevy dealers will have parts available starting in February. Owners will be individually notified when modifications are available for their vehicle. The work could take a day or more depending on a given Chevrolet dealer?s service department work load.
Q5. What are the proposed changes to the vehicle structure?
- The vehicle safety structure that protects the battery pack will be reinforced with additional metal structure integrated into the underbody to help prevent intrusions into the pack in a severe side collision. These modifications will be made on Volts in the field at Chevrolet dealerships; and,
- When operations resume at Detroit Hamtramck at the end of the month we?re integrating similar structural enhancements into the body to help prevent similar intrusions.
Q6. Why are you making changes to the coolant system?
- These enhancements will provide our customers with added peace of mind. The system will provide advanced notification of any breach to the coolant system and advise the customer to bring the vehicle in for service.
- We will install a sensor to the battery cooling reservoir bottle to monitor coolant levels. If the coolant falls below the recommended level, the customer will be alerted to have the battery system serviced.
- We will also add a tamper-resistant bracket to the top of the battery coolant reservoir to help prevent coolant overfills.
For more information:
- Mary Barra statement / video clip on ChevroletVoltage.com
- NHTSA Media Statement:
[in short, the Chevy Volt is safe; the method in which they found the Volt to catch fire is suspect. Enjoy your petroleum free days!]
Chevy Volt blue bar days
by Geoff on Jan.16, 2012, under Volt
It is a strange term – blue bar day. For those driving petroleum vehicles, it means so very little. But, to us Chevy Volt drivers, the blue bar is the bane of our driving habits. It means quite frankly that the Volt is using petroleum, gasoline, to power the systems.
the dreaded blue bar
The Volt with all its lines of code is really one of the coolest cars I have ever driven. When the temperature falls below 25 degrees, the car will turn on the ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) to warm up the engine compartment. It will turn it on only so long as it takes to get the compartment up to a minimal temperature. If it is really cold out you will find your Volt changing back and forth between battery and petroleum. The really slick part is that it does this automatically.
As you can see above, this trip meter represents the current fill up. It also tells us how the gas mileage average is affected by the blue bar. So if you follow me on twitter, you will find me talking about blue bar days.
Indy Charging Stations!
by Geoff on Jan.09, 2012, under Volt
We were in downtown Indy recently and decided to take advantage of the charging stations.
Chevy Volt in Denison Garage at Charging Station
I had always charged up the Volt at home. Now we can charge the Volt while downtown shopping, at dinner, a Colts game or Pacers game.
Three Months of Chevy Volt-ness!
by Geoff on Dec.19, 2011, under Volt
Three months and 4,800 miles later, our Chevy Volt is doing very well. We are holding at about 102 miles per gallon over its lifetime with about 1,100 miles of gasoline miles. So we should easily hit 10,000 electric miles next summer.
I do have a few things to note.
- The rubber floor mats are invaluable. I recommend them to every Volt owner. You will thank me later. Winter and late fall in Indianapolis are rainy. Enough said.
- The out-of-state tag costs and time frame are crazy. Be patient. Remind those lovely people who sold you the Volt that they are awesome – it will make it easier.
- Always be mindful of charge override. If you open the charge door before you exit the car, you can set up an immediate charge. Do it often to stay off gasoline.
Special thanks to Stephanie Miller and Nicole Lee of Country Chevrolet. Those ladies make it all go!
Merry Christmas!
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