How to get dead Bolt into neutral for tow?

[TedMichon]

I understand Car Wash Mode, which can get a working Bolt into neutral long enough to be pulled through a car wash.

But what about a Bolt with a dead 12 volt battery that won't jump start because it's gone bad (meaning that as soon as the jumper cables are removed that the vehicle shuts down)? GM 24 hour roadside assistance told their tow driver to drag my Bolt onto the flatbed tow truck working against both the PARK setting and the parking brake!

 

[SeanNelson]

...what about a Bolt with a dead 12 volt battery that won't jump start because it's gone bad (meaning that as soon as the jumper cables are removed that the vehicle shuts down)?

I carry one of those Li-Ion jump start battery packs. I have absolutely no idea if this would work or not, but I'm wondering if you disconnected the battery and clamped the Li-Ion jump start leads onto the battery cables instead whether it would work long enough to get you to the dealer...

It could be risky, though. Li-Ion batteries don't take kindly to being charged improperly.

 

[Campfamily]

A competent tow truck driver will have little "dollies" that he will wedge under the wheels that allow the vehicle to slide when the wheels are locked. They use them all the time when hooking up vehicles that are parked illegally. They can also use them to move the vehicle sideways.

 

[TedMichon]

I mentioned I also had an LiOn battery jump start pack with me. The first (of three) AAA drivers suggested I try it. I have only ever recharged our phones with this, but this would be a good half-way to full blown test. I had depleted this pack by one phone recharge (it's always been good for a least three), but when i hooked it up, nothing hapoened. The driver's full sized unit worked fine.

 

[SeanNelson]

I mentioned I also had an LiOn battery jump start pack with me. The first (of three) AAA drivers suggested I try it. I have only ever recharged our phones with this, but this would be a good half-way to full blown test. I had depleted this pack by one phone recharge (it's always been good for a least three), but when i hooked it up, nothing hapoened. The driver's full sized unit worked fine.

I make a practice of taking my unit out of the car every few months, charging my tablet with it to make sure it's still working, and then recharging it back up to full again. It's my observation that it looses a fair bit of charge over time.

 

[paulgipe]

I mentioned I also had an LiOn battery jump start pack with me. The first (of three) AAA drivers suggested I try it. I have only ever recharged our phones with this, but this would be a good half-way to full blown test. I had depleted this pack by one phone recharge (it's always been good for a least three), but when i hooked it up, nothing hapoened. The driver's full sized unit worked fine.

I make a practice of taking my unit out of the car every few months, charging my tablet with it to make sure it's still working, and then recharging it back up to full again. It's my observation that it looses a fair bit of charge over time.

Whoa Sean. That's a good suggestion. I completely forgot about keeping that jump pack charged. Seven months into the Bolt and completely forgot!

Thanks.

Paul

 

[SparkE]

I have a number of Li-Ion 'external power bricks' to recharge my cell phone (one small & light that is also a LED flashlight and fits in the pocket; one that is 4000 mAh, and the size of a deck of cards; one that is 8000 mAh). I try to *never* charge them to full (well, maybe once or twice a year to make sure the cells balance) - I charge them to about 75%. I also never fully discharge them. I have had them for over 4 years now, and there seems to be very little degradation.

I don't have a Li-Ion jump starter, but if I did get one (and I am thinking about it) I would get one that had both an indication of how full it is when charging, and USB ports to charge my mobile devices - since I could probably do 50 or more full charges of a phone on it.