2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX Owners Manual

Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
The rear window defogger will only work when the
ignition is in RUN.
<(Rear):Press this button to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. An indicator light on the button
will come on to let you know that the rear window
defogger is activated.
The rear window defogger will only work when the
ignition is in RUN. The rear window defogger will stay
on for approximately 15 minutes after the button is
pressed, unless the ignition is turned to ACC or LOCK.
If turned on again, the defogger will only run for
approximately ve minutes before turning off. The
defogger can also be turned off by pressing the button
again or by turning off the engine.
Notice:Do not use anything sharp on the inside of
the rear window. If you do, you could cut or
damage the warming grid, and the repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Do not attach a
temporary vehicle license, tape, a decal or anything
similar to the defogger grid.
Outlet Adjustment
Use the louvers located on the air outlets to change the
direction of the airow.
Operation Tips

Clear away any ice, snow, or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the vehicle that may block
the ow of air into your vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood deectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside of your vehicle more
effectively.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
The passenger compartment outside air is routed
through a passenger compartment lter. The lter
removes certain particles from the air, including pollen
and dust particles. Reductions in airow, which may
occur more quickly in dusty areas, indicate that the lter
needs to be replaced early.
The lter should be replaced as part of routine
scheduled maintenance. SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 6-4for when to replace the lter.
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To change the passenger compartment air lter, use the
following steps:
1. Remove the push pins from the rear of the
passenger’s side air inlet panel. It is located in the
rear of the engine compartment on the passenger
side of the vehicle.
2. Open the hood.
3. Remove the push pins from the top and forward
edge of the passenger’s side air inlet panel.
4. Remove the air inlet panel.5. Remove the lter from the lter housing by pressing
the release tab at the inboard edge of the lter
housing.
6. Remove the lter from the vehicle.
7. Install a new passenger compartment air lter.
For the type of lter to use seeNormal Maintenance
Replacement Parts on page 6-13.
8. Reverse Steps 1 through 5.
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Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you
or others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you will
see in the details on the next few pages, some warning
lights come on briey when you start the engine just to let
you know they’re working. If you are familiar with this
section, you should not be alarmed when this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together to let you know when
there’s a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual’s advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly — and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They’re a big help.
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Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You will know how fast
you are going, how much fuel you are using, and many other things you will need to drive safely and economically.
United States version shown, Canada similar
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Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both
miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h).
Your odometer shows how far your vehicle has
been driven, in either miles (used in the United States)
or kilometers (used in Canada).
Your vehicle has a tamper resistant odometer. The
digital odometer will read 999,999 if someone tries to
turn it back.
The ERROR message is displayed on the odometer
indicating that the speedometer reading is approximately
10 percent above the actual speed. Press the trip
odometer button to return to the odometer/trip mode.
This message will appear every 10 minutes. If this
occurs, see your dealer for service.
You may wonder what happens if your vehicle needs a
new odometer installed. If the new one can be set to
the mileage total of the old odometer, then it must
be. But if it can’t, then it’s set at zero and a label must
be put on the driver’s door to show the old mileage
reading when the new odometer was installed.
Trip Odometer
Your trip odometer is located on the instrument panel
and shows how far your vehicle has been driven
since the trip odometer was last reset. To reset the trip
odometer to zero, press and hold the trip/reset button
on the speedometer for about two seconds.
Tachometer
The tachometer shows your engine speed in revolutions
per minute (rpm).
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Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime will
come on for several seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts, unless the driver’s safety belt is
already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay on
for several seconds, then it
will ash for several more.
If the driver’s belt is already buckled, neither the chime
nor the light will come on.
Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the airbag symbol. The system
checks the airbag’s electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem.
The system check includes the airbag sensor, the airbag
modules, the wiring and the crash sensing and
diagnostic module.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash for
a few seconds. Then the
light should go out. This
means the system is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your airbag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
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{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the airbag system
may not be working properly. The airbags in
your vehicle may not inate in a crash, or they
could even inate without a crash. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle serviced right away if the airbag
readiness light stays on after you start your
vehicle.
The airbag readiness light should ash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light does not come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Battery Warning Light
The battery warning light
will come on briey as a
check, when you turn
on the ignition. Then it
should go out when
the engine is started.
If the light does not come on when you start your
vehicle, have your vehicle serviced right away. This
condition may indicate your battery warning light is not
functioning properly. If this light comes on while you
are driving, be sure to turn off accessories such as the
radio and climate control system. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
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Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can still
work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the brake system warning light comes on, there is a
brake problem. Have your brake system inspected
right away.
The brake light is located in the instrument panel cluster.
This light should come on briey when you turn the
ignition key to RUN. If it doesn’t come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a
problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake light will come on
when you set your parking brake. The light will stay on
if your parking brake doesn’t release fully.A chime will also sound if the parking brake is not fully
released and the vehicle is moving. If it stays on after
your parking brake is fully released, it means you have a
brake problem.
The brake light will also come on to indicate a low brake
uid level. SeeBrakes on page 5-32for more information.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the oor. It
may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle on
page 4-36.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light is
on. Driving with the brake system warning light
on can lead to an accident. If the light is still
on after you have pulled off the road and
stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed
for service. United StatesCanada
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