2007 CHEVROLET EQUINOX engine overheat

If the engine does not start and the key is held
in START for many seconds, cranking will be
stopped after 15 seconds to prevent cranking
motor damage. To prevent gear damage, this
system also prevents cranking if the engine is
already running. Engine cranking can be
stopped by turning the ignition switch to
the ACC or LOCK position.
Notice:Cranking the engine for long periods
of time, by returning the key to the START
position immediately after cranking has ended,
can overheat and damage the cranking motor,
and drain the battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to allow the cranking motor
to cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after 5-10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather (below 0°F
or−18°C), it could be ooded with too
much gasoline. Try pushing the accelerator
pedal all the way to the oor and holding
it there as you hold the key in START
for up to a maximum of 15 seconds.Wait at least 15 seconds between each try,
to allow the cranking motor to cool down.
When the engine starts, let go of the key
and accelerator. If the vehicle starts briey
but then stops again, do the same thing.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.
Do not race the engine immediately after
starting it. Operate the engine and transaxle
gently until the oil warms up and lubricates
all moving parts.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with
the electronics in your vehicle. If you add
electrical parts or accessories, you could
change the way the engine operates. Before
adding electrical equipment, check with your
dealer. If you do not, your engine might not
perform properly. Any resulting damage would
not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty.
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Engine Coolant Heater
If your vehicle has this feature, in very cold
weather 0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine coolant
heater can help. You will get easier starting
and better fuel economy during engine warm-up.
Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged
in a minimum of four hours prior to starting your
vehicle. At temperatures above 32°F (0°C),
use of the coolant heater is not required. Your
vehicle may also have an internal thermostat
in the plug end of the cord. This will prevent
operation of the engine coolant heater when
the temperature is at or above 0°F (−18°C)
as noted on the cord.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical
cord. The cord is located on the passenger’s
side of the engine compartment, near the
radiator.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC
outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded
outlet could cause an electrical shock.
Also, the wrong kind of extension cord
could overheat and cause a re. You
could be seriously injured. Plug the cord
into a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will not
reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug
and store the cord as it was before to keep it
away from moving engine parts. If you do
not, it could be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater
plugged in? The answer depends on the outside
temperature, the kind of oil you have, and some
other things. Instead of trying to list everything here,
we ask that you contact your dealer in the area
where you will be parking your vehicle. The dealer
can give you the best advice for that particular area.
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Transaxle Overheating
If the transaxle uid temperature rises above
284°F (140°C) or rises rapidly, the Engine
Coolant Temperature Warning Light will ash. See
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light on
page 181for more information. When the transaxle
overheats it will go into a protection mode and
will default shift into fth gear if in the DRIVE (D)
position, or second gear if in the LOW (L)
position. Continue driving the vehicle in either
position depending on the required vehicle speed
and load. Once the uid temperature lowers to
the normal temperature range, the transaxle
will return to the normal shift patterns. Towing or
driving on long hills can cause the transaxle
uid temperature to be higher than normal. If the
transaxle uid temperature will not cool, you
may need to pull over and check the transaxle
uid level. You should also check the engine
coolant temperature. If it is hot, seeEngine
Overheating on page 355.
Parking Brake
The parking brake lever is located to the right of
the driver’s seat.
To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down and pull up on the parking brake lever.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will come on.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down. Pull the parking brake lever up until you can
press the release button. Hold the release button in
as you move the brake lever all the way down.
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Make sure to release the parking brake before
driving the vehicle.
If the parking brake is applied and the vehicle is
moving at least 4 mph (6 km/h), a chime will
activate to remind you to release the parking brake.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system and cause
premature wear or damage to brake system
parts. Verify that the parking brake is fully
released and the brake warning light is
off before driving.
Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Your vehicle can roll. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, use
the steps that follow. If you are pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 322.
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the
parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into the PARK (P)
position by holding in the button on the
shift lever and pushing it all the way
toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you.
If you can leave your vehicle with the
ignition key in your hand, your vehicle
is in PARK (P).
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Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle
with the engine running. Your vehicle
could move suddenly if the shift lever is
not fully in PARK (P) with the parking
brake rmly set. And, if you leave the
vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch re. You or
others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P)
and your parking brake is rmly set before you
leave it. After you have moved the shift lever into
PARK (P), hold the regular brake pedal down.
Then, see if you can move the shift lever
away from PARK (P) without rst pushing the
button. If you can, it means that the shift lever
was not fully locked into PARK (P).
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Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
Your vehicle has
a Traction Control
System (TCS)
and StabiliTrak
®
warning light.
This light will come on when the TCS is limiting
wheel spin or when the StabiliTrak
®system
is active. You may feel or hear the system working,
but this is normal.
If the TCS warning light comes on and stays on
for an extended period of time when the system
is turned on, your vehicle needs service. See
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 291
andStabiliTrak
®System on page 292for more
information.
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 355for more information.
Notice:Driving with the engine coolant
temperature warning light on could cause your
vehicle to overheat. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 355. Your vehicle could be damaged,
and it might not be covered by your warranty.
Never drive with the engine coolant
temperature warning light on.
This light will also come on when starting your
vehicle. If it does not, have your vehicle serviced.
181

All-Wheel Drive Disabled Light
This light will come on
when the rear drive
system is overheating.
An ALL WHEEL DRIVE OFF message will appear
in the Driver Information Center (DIC) too. This
light will turn off when the rear drive system
cools down. If this light stays on for a while, you
need to reset the light. To reset the light, turn
the ignition off and then back on again. If the
light stays on, see your dealer right away.
SeeAll-Wheel Drive on page 374and
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 198
for more information.
Gate Ajar Light
If this light comes on,
your liftgate is not
completely closed.
Driving with the liftgate
open can cause
carbon monoxide (CO)
to enter the vehicle.
SeeEngine Exhaust on page 127for more
information.
Door Ajar Light
This light will come on
when a door is ajar.
Do not drive with a door ajar.
190

DIC Warnings and Messages
Messages are displayed on the DIC to notify the
driver that the status of the vehicle has changed
and that some action may be needed by the driver
to correct the condition. Multiple messages may
appear one after another.
Some messages may not require immediate
action, but you can press the set/reset button to
acknowledge that you received the messages and
to clear them from the display. Pressing any of
the DIC buttons also acknowledge and clear
any messages.
Some messages cannot be cleared from the
DIC display because they are more urgent. These
messages require action before they can be
cleared. You should take any messages that
appear on the display seriously and remember
that clearing the messages will only make
the messages disappear, not correct the problem.
The following are the possible messages
that can be displayed and some information
about them.
ALL WHEEL DRIVE OFF
If your vehicle has the All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
system, this message displays along with the
All-Wheel Drive Disabled light when the rear drive
system is overheating. This message turns off when
the rear drive system cools down. If the warning
message stays on for a while, you need to reset the
warning message. To reset the warning message,
turn the ignition off and then back on again. If the
message stays on, see your dealer right away. See
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System on page 293and
All-Wheel Drive Disabled Light on page 190for
more information.
BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE
This message displays when the charging system
detects that the battery is being drained. You
may notice that the vehicle attempts to reduce the
drain for you by turning off accessories, such
as interior fans, rear defogger, and heated seats.
Turn off all accessories. If the vehicle is not
running, start and run the engine for at least
10 minutes to allow the battery to recharge. If the
engine is running and the condition persists,
see your dealer immediately.
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