Volt Thermal Optimization in Cold Temperature
A tested suggestion is to highly reduce the air intake underneath the front bumper. For less than $2, it is easy to cut 2 pieces of 3 feet 1/2” pipe insulation available at every good hardware store. It doesn’t take much time to custom-fit and accomplish a near perfect insulation.
Visually, there is no impact on the beautiful Volt’s aesthetics. No worries either if you lose an insulation piece, only one dollar!
There is plenty of air intake around the aluminium grille. As long as the temperature is under 0°C, overheating is no concern.
The pipe insulation helps by reducing the amount of time the gas-powered generator will run to assist heating. Therefore, less gas is consumed. There is also less heat loss. Another interesting fact is the added radiator protection against tiny rocks when closely following other cars on the road.
P.S. Remove the insulation above +4°C !!!
Yes it works! 🙂 from 30% to 50% less gas consumption for me!
For me, I changed the sensor for a modified sensor with a cable and a switch on it. At late autumn I switch to “ON” and the temperature reading are modified. The gas motor doesn’t start until -35c (when car is set for -10c). I use the remote starter to have the car warming while still connected. Works well and no gaz consumption at all in winter 🙂 I always do less than 35km per day.