The technology inside Chevy vehicles is constantly improving. If you compare recent models and those from years past, you’ll see significant differences, including large infotainment centers, better quality audio speakers, and advanced safety features. One new feature to make its debut relatively recently is a wireless charging pad. Considering how much we rely on our mobile devices these days, a wireless charging pad is a welcome addition. Below, we’ll outline everything you need to know about this new tech feature, including which vehicles you can find it in.
What is Wireless Charging?
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Wireless charging is a feature that can keep your mobile devices charged without the need for additional wires. In vehicles without this feature, you need to have a separate wire that plugs in from your phone to a USB port in the car. For older vehicles, you may not even have this option. In either event, wireless charging is a simpler solution that helps to remove some of the clutter from your vehicle. In addition, you don’t have to worry about forgetting your charging cable, as everything you need is built into the vehicle.
How Does Wireless Charging Work?
Wireless charging works by generating a small electromagnetic field. When your vehicle creates this field, it can interact with the electromagnetic field generated by the battery in your smartphone. This creates an electrical charge, which charges the battery in your phone. All you need to do is place your phone in the correct position on the charging plate and it will begin to absorb the electricity it needs from the vehicle. However, this technology only works on certain compatible devices, so be sure to check if your device is capable of wireless charging before you try to use this feature.
Which Chevy Vehicles Have Wireless Charge Pads?
Charging pads are a somewhat new feature for Chevrolet vehicles. However, since their addition a few years ago, they are now available in practically every type of Chevrolet vehicle. Some of the Chevrolet vehicles that can come with charging pads include:
- The Chevrolet Silverado LD from 2019 on
- The Chevrolet Bolt from 2019 on
- The Chevrolet Suburban from 2019 on
- The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD
- The Chevrolet Cruze from 2019 on
- The Chevrolet Tahoe from 2019 on
It’s also important to note that not all trims come with a wireless charging pad. In many cases, the charging pad is an optional upgrade or a feature that’s only available on some trims. When browsing through your options, you should ensure that the wireless charging pad comes with the specific trim you’re considering.
What Cell Phones Can Be Used on Chevy Charge Pads?
The reason that charging pads are a relatively new feature in Chevrolet vehicles is that this technology is also fairly new for smartphones. It’s only been a few years since this ability was added to newer smartphones, and some models still do not come with this feature. If you want to use this feature while you’re driving, you not only need a Chevrolet vehicle with a charging pad, but also you need a device that’s capable of being charged this way.
There are two reasons why a phone may not be compatible with your charging plate. First, the phone may be too large to fit properly onto the plate. In addition, phones need what is known as either a PMA 1.0, WPC 1.0 or WPC 1.1 charging standard built into its hardware. Below are some of the models that currently offer this technology:
- Apple iPhone 8-10 (select models)
- LG G6-G8
- LG Nexus 4/5
- LG Spectrum 2
- Motorola Droid Maxx
- Motorola Droid Mini
- Nokia Lumia 920-950 (select models)
- Samsung Galaxy S6-S10 (select models)
- Samsung Note 5 and 7-10
If you don’t see your phone listed here, double-check with the manufacturer to see if your phone is compatible with the Chevrolet charging plate. You may be able to find this information on their website or in your user’s manual. Your other option is to upgrade to one of the phones above before purchasing your Chevrolet vehicle. The good news is that this feature is likely to continue being in vehicles for the foreseeable future, so if you get a phone with this feature, you’ll probably be able to use it for a long time. Here’s our list of car gadgets you should have in your Chevy to make daily commuting easier!
How to Use the Chevrolet Charging Pad
It’s fairly simple to use the Chevrolet charging pad, assuming you have a compatible device. You’ll find the charging pad on the center console armrest. All you need to do is place your device directly on this plate, with the screen facing up. If your device begins charging, you should see a red lightning bolt symbol beside the phone icon within your in-car display.
If the phone doesn’t start charging right away, try flipping the phone around to face the other direction. This can happen if your battery is located more towards the bottom of your phone. Rotating the phone can help align the battery with the charging plate mechanism. Finally, make sure there is nothing metal on the charging plate that could be causing interference, such as coins or paperclips.
Learn More About Chevy Charge Pads from Huffines Chevrolet in Plano
Does the wireless charging station sound like something you want in your next vehicle? If so, then Chevrolet has plenty of options for you to choose from. To get started in the search for your next vehicle, contact Huffines Chevrolet in Plano today. We can answer any questions you may have about current Chevrolet models, including which options come with the wireless charging plate. We’d also be happy to set up a time for you to visit our dealership so that you can test out the vehicle, and this feature, for yourself.
Wireless charging is likely one of those features we’ll look back on and wonder why we did it any other way. If you have a compatible device, you can help keep it charged and your car free of clutter by getting a Chevrolet vehicle with a wireless charging station from Huffines Chevrolet in Plano.