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+--- Thread: UPDATE: got stuck in the mud. Call AAA or any easy DIY (/showthread.php?tid=213775)
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UPDATE: got stuck in the mud. Call AAA or any easy DIY - space-time - 02-17-2018
I went to work, called AAA, they said 90 min. I went inside and worked on something due for Monday, so time well spent. 90 min later I call back, they said another 15-min min. Indeed 20 min later tow truck was there. He asked me to show him how the car is stuck, I tried to get it out and went back as far as I could, then it was stuck. he said I should put parking brake on. he got under the car, he could not easily find a place to put his hook, eventually he hooked it only on the driver's side, somewhere under driver's seat. he pulled at a 30 degree angle (this is how he parked his tow truck even though he had enough space as the parking lot was empty. He asked me to go in, release the brake, and be ready to press the brake pedal once I was out of mud. he pulled about 4-5 feet and I was out of mud. All good.
gave him a tip ($30 for those curious, he was very happy). I started the car to drive out of parking lot, the gas engine started even though the battery was full. It said 0 miles but showed the battery full. Didn't make sense. I drove to parking lot, shut off the car and restarted several times, something. I went to the front of the building where I usually charge, I tried to plug in and it said not able to charge. I went into settings and reset back to factory settings. I shut off the car, restarted, and eventually it started to charge.
Went home with the Mazda, wife took me back to work and I drive the Volt to a car wash. The check Engine light was ON, although it was only the outline, the middle of that symbol was not lit, I am not sure how it is supposed to look like. I checked vehicles message, nothing. Last time I had an issue with the traction control cable eaten by a squirrel there was a message. I drove to car wash, when I came back home the check engine light was OFF. Now the car seems to behave normal. I have an older ODB II scanner tool, but I don't know it if works with electric cars. I tried it, first time it said there was a code but I don't recall what it was, I think I erased it before I read the code. now the tool says there are 6 codes, but they are not specific enough: P0000, P0001, and so on. I erased again, same 6 codes come back. Dashboard does not show any trouble, car drives fine, charged fine. I am planning to ignore those 6 codes, since it may be an issue with my OBD reader, I don't know if i can handle a car like Volt.
Re: UPDATE: got stuck in the mud. Call AAA or any easy DIY - mattkime - 02-17-2018
Sounds like you need to find a Volt forum to get some advice.
Re: UPDATE: got stuck in the mud. Call AAA or any easy DIY - OWC Jamie - 02-17-2018
http://forums.macresource.com/read.php?1,2222424,2222456#msg-2222456
Re: UPDATE: got stuck in the mud. Call AAA or any easy DIY - Winston - 02-17-2018
I don't know about the Volt, but a lot of cars come with a towing hook which screws into a covered hole in the bumper. Check the owner's manual.
Today's unibody cars have limited "friendly" spots for a towing hook. Combine that with low front bumpers and it's easy to damage them.
An AAA towing guy should know about such things, but I think they often just want to do what's quick. I've had trouble with guys who want to use a lifter on a car which needs a flatbed, and, in one case with a car which needed a lifter (due to damage from running off the road) and the tow operator wanted to use a flatbed.
Good luck.
- Winston
Re: UPDATE: got stuck in the mud. Call AAA or any easy DIY - graylocks - 02-18-2018
i'm almost certain the Volt has a tow hook. i'll have to locate my manual.
as for the engine starting with the battery full - is there any chance the hood was open/loose? if you need to check the ICE engine when you still have battery the trick is to open the hood. that forces the engine to kick in. (keep that in mind, btw, if you have emissions inspection in your state.)
i suggest you post this on the gmvolt forum, btw.
Re: UPDATE: got stuck in the mud. Call AAA or any easy DIY - Speedy - 02-18-2018
Towing guide:
http://gm-volt.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8128&d=1353702382
From:
http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?18935-Chevy-Volt-Tow-Truck-Guide
Re: UPDATE: got stuck in the mud. Call AAA or any easy DIY - graylocks - 02-18-2018
Speedy wrote:
Towing guide:
http://gm-volt.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8128&d=1353702382
From:
http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?18935-Chevy-Volt-Tow-Truck-Guide
ahh, the forum's discussion shows where i got the idea of a tow hook being available. european volts only!
Re: UPDATE: got stuck in the mud. Call AAA or any easy DIY - Speedy - 02-18-2018
graylocks wrote:
[quote=Speedy]
Towing guide:
http://gm-volt.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8128&d=1353702382
From:
http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?18935-Chevy-Volt-Tow-Truck-Guide
ahh, the forum's discussion shows where i got the idea of a tow hook being available. european volts only!
The discussion also suggests printing out the towing instructions or putting the PDF on your phone which is a very good idea given how seldom the tow operator will see a Volt since they rarely break down and, except for space-time, have superlative drivers! :wink:
Re: UPDATE: got stuck in the mud. Call AAA or any easy DIY - space-time - 02-18-2018
LOL!
Re: UPDATE: got stuck in the mud. Call AAA or any easy DIY - saintyohann - 02-18-2018
I have a gen 2 Volt in the US and it came with a tow eye loop that you thread into a hole in the front bumper.
If the car was on while the tow truck was pulling you out, you’d get a Check engine light because the speed sensors would read weird data. If it went away after a few restarts or disconnecting the 12v battery, you’re probably fine.