2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX warning

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Power Mirror Control. SeeOutside Power Mirrors on
page 2-31.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
C. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-24.
D. Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever. SeeWindshield
Wipers on page 3-8.
E. Traction Control System Button. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-10.
F. Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-21.
G. Hazard Warning Flashers. SeeHazard Warning
Flashers on page 3-6.
H. Fog Lamps Button. SeeFog Lamps on page 3-15.
I. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-38.J. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-34.
K. Cruise Control System Buttons and Audio Steering
Wheel Controls (If Equipped). SeeCruise Control on
page 3-10andAudio Steering Wheel Controls on
page 3-81.
L. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-11.
M. Tilt Wheel. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-6.
N. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
O. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-16.
P. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System on page 3-18.
Q. Heated Seat Buttons (If Equipped). SeeHeated
Seats on page 1-4.
R. Shift Lever. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-23.
3-5

Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning ashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front
and rear turn signal lamps will ash on and off.
The hazard warning
asher button is located in
the center of the
instrument panel.
Your hazard warning ashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even if the key is not in
the ignition switch.
Press the button to make the front and rear turn signal
lamps ash on and off. Press the button again to
turn the ashers off.
When the hazard warning ashers are on, your turn
signals will not work.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reective triangles, you can set them up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Horn
Press near or on the horn symbols on your steering
wheel pad to sound the horn.
Tilt Wheel
Your vehicle has a tilt wheel that allows you to adjust
the steering wheel.
The lever to tilt the steering wheel is located on the left
side of the steering column.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and push
the lever down. Then, move the steering wheel
to a comfortable position and pull the lever up rmly to
lock the column in place.
3-6

Headlamps on Reminder
If you open the driver’s door with the ignition off and the
lamps on, you will hear a warning chime.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short
periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional
daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles
rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make your low-beam headlamps
come on at a reduced brightness in daylight when
the following conditions are met:
The ignition is on,
the exterior lamp band is in the automatic position,
the transaxle is not in PARK (P),
the light sensor determines it is daytime, and
the parking brake is released.
When the DRL are on, the low-beam headlamps will be
on at a reduced brightness. The taillamps, sidemarker
and other lamps will not be on. The instrument panel will
not be lit up either.When you turn the exterior lamp band to the headlamp
position, your low-beam headlamps will come on.
The other lamps that come on with your headlamps will
also come on.
When you turn off the headlamps, the regular lamps will
go off, and your low-beam headlamps will come on to
the reduced brightness.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, move the shift
lever to PARK (P). The DRL will stay off until you move
the shift lever out of PARK (P).
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside and the exterior lamps
control is in the automatic position, the headlamps
will come on automatically. SeeHeadlamps on
page 3-13.
Your vehicle has a light sensor located on top of the
instrument panel. Make sure it is not covered, or
the headlamps will be on when you don’t need them.
The system may also turn on the headlamps when
driving through a parking garage or tunnel.
3-14

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.
3-23

{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.
3-27

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
3-28

Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, the light will come
on when your engine is
started and may stay on for
several seconds.
That is normal.
If the ABS warning light comes on and stays on, there
may be a problem with the anti-lock portion of the brake
system. If the red BRAKE light is not on, you still
have brakes, but you do not have anti-lock brakes.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-28.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. If the light
comes on when you are driving, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the light still stays on,
or comes on again while you are driving, your vehicle
needs service. If the regular brake system warning light
is not on, you still have brakes, but you do not have
anti-lock brakes. If the regular brake system warning
light is also on, you do not have anti-lock brakes
and there is a problem with your regular brakes.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-28.The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briey when you turn the ignition key to ON. If
the light does not come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
Your vehicle may have a
traction control system
warning light. The traction
control system warning
light may come on for the
following reasons:
For vehicles equipped with the traction control
system and front-wheel drive, this light will come on
and stay on if you turn the system off by pressing
the traction control button located on the instrument
panel above the audio system. To turn the system
back on, press the button again. The warning
light should go off. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 4-10for more information.
3-29

For vehicles equipped with all-wheel-drive, this light
will come on and stay on when the all-wheel-drive
system is unable to protect for overheating under
extended heavy all-wheel-drive usage.
If there is an engine-related and brake system
problem that is specically related to traction control,
the traction control system will turn off and the
warning light will come on.
If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
Low Traction Light
If your vehicle has
the Traction Control
System (TCS) and has
front-wheel-drive, this light
will come on when the
system is limiting
wheel spin.
If your vehicle has all-wheel-drive, this light will come on
when the all-wheel-drive system is protecting itself from
overheating due to extended heavy all wheel drive usage.You may feel or hear the system working, but this is
normal. The roads may be slippery if this light comes on.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
The light will stay on for a few seconds after the system
stops limiting wheel spin. This light should also come
on for a few seconds when you start your vehicle.
If it does not, have your vehicle serviced.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
The engine coolant
temperature warning light
will come on when the
engine has overheated.
If this happens you should pull over and turn off the
engine as soon as possible. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-24for more information.
Notice:Driving with the engine coolant temperature
warning light on could cause your vehicle to
overheat. SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-24.
Your vehicle could be damaged, and it might not be
covered by your warranty. Never drive with the
engine coolant temperature warning light on.
3-30