2007 CHEVROLET EQUINOX wiper blades

Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use your high-beam
headlamps to signal a driver in front of you
that you want to pass.
To ash the high beams from low beam, pull
the turn signal/multifunction lever all the way
towards you. Then release it.
Windshield Wipers
Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper
blades before using them. If the wiper blades
are frozen to the windshield, gently loosen or thaw
them. If the blades do become damaged, install
new blades or blade inserts. SeeWindshield Wiper
Blade Replacement on page 380.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the wiper motor.
A circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools
down. Clear away snow or ice to prevent an
overload.Use the lever on the right side of the steering
column to operate the windshield wipers.
1(High Speed):Move the lever to this position
for steady wiping at high speed.
6(Low Speed):Move the lever to this
position for steady wiping at low speed.
153

Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a
wet road, you cannot stop, accelerate, or turn as
well because your tire-to-road traction is not as
good as on dry roads. And, if your tires do not have
much tread left, you will get even less traction.It is always wise to go slower and be cautious if
rain starts to fall while you are driving. The surface
may get wet suddenly when your reexes are tuned
for driving on dry pavement.
The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see.
Even if your windshield wiper blades are in good
shape, a heavy rain can make it harder to see
road signs and traffic signals, pavement markings,
the edge of the road, and even people walking.
It is wise to keep your windshield wiper and
washer system in good shape and keep your
windshield washer uid reservoir lled with washer
uid. Replace your windshield wiper inserts
when they show signs of streaking or missing
areas on the windshield, or when strips of rubber
start to separate from the inserts.
302

When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well in advance. If you miss your exit,
do not, under any circumstances, stop and back up.
Drive on to the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite
sharply. The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your speedometer,
not to your sense of motion. After driving for any
distance at higher speeds, you may tend to think you
are going slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you are ready. Try to be well rested. If
you must start when you are not fresh — such as
after a day’s work — do not plan to make too many
miles that rst part of the journey. Wear comfortable
clothing and shoes you can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it is ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you will nd experienced and able service experts
in GM dealerships all across North America.
They will be ready and willing to help if you need it.Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir
full? Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you
checked all levels?
Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses
clean?
Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough
for long-distance driving? Are the tires
all inated to the recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:What is the weather
outlook along your route? Should you
delay your trip a short time to avoid a major
storm system?
Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
307

Tire Inspection and Rotation...................... 396
When It Is Time for New Tires.................. 397
Buying New Tires...................................... 398
Different Size Tires and Wheels................ 400
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..................... 400
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance............ 402
Wheel Replacement.................................. 402
Tire Chains............................................... 403
If a Tire Goes Flat.................................... 404
Changing a Flat Tire................................. 404
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools.......... 406
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire....................................... 407
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...... 414
Compact Spare Tire.................................. 416
Appearance Care........................................ 417
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle.......... 417
Fabric/Carpet............................................. 418
Leather...................................................... 420
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces..................................... 421
Care of Safety Belts.................................. 421
Weatherstrips............................................ 421Washing Your Vehicle............................... 422
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses................ 422
Finish Care............................................... 422
Windshield and Wiper Blades.................... 423
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels......... 424
Tires......................................................... 425
Sheet Metal Damage................................. 425
Finish Damage.......................................... 425
Underbody Maintenance............................ 425
Chemical Paint Spotting............................ 426
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials............ 426
Vehicle Identication.................................. 427
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)........... 427
Service Parts Identication Label............... 428
Electrical System........................................ 428
Add-On Electrical Equipment..................... 428
Windshield Wiper Fuses............................ 429
Fuses and Circuit Breakers....................... 429
Instrument Panel Fuse Block..................... 429
Engine Compartment Fuse Block............... 431
Capacities and Specications.................... 434
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
332

License Plate Lamp
To replace one of these bulbs, do the following:
1. Remove the two screws holding each of the
license plate lamps to the liftgate handle.
2. Turn and pull the license plate lamp down
through the liftgate opening.
3. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and
pull the bulb straight out of the socket.
4. Install the new bulb.
5. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 to reinstall the
license plate lamp.
Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Lamp Bulb Number
Back-Up Lamp 921
Front Parking Lamp 194 N/A
Front Sidemarker Lamp 168
Front Turn Signal Lamp 1156 N/A
License Plate Lamp 9421330
Low/High-Beam Lamp 9007
Rear Sidemarker Lamp W5W
Rear Turn Signal Lamp/Taillamp 1157
Stoplamp/Taillamp 1157
For replacement bulbs not listed here, contact
your dealer.
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected for
wear or cracking. SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 439for more information.
Replacement blades come in different types and
are removed in different ways. For proper type and
length, seeNormal Maintenance Replacement
Parts on page 449.
380

Here’s how to replace the windshield wiper blades:
1. Make sure the front wipers are turned off.
2. Pull the windshield wiper arm away from the
windshield.
3. Pull up the release clip, located at the
connecting point of the blade and the
arm. Then, pull the blade assembly down
toward the glass to remove it from the
wiper arm.4. Push the new wiper blade securely on the
wiper arm until you hear the release clip
“click” into place.
5. Push the release clip, from Step 3, down to
secure the wiper blade into place.
Rear Window Wiper Blade Replacement
To replace the rear window wiper blade, do the
following:
1. Make sure that the rear wiper is off.
2. Pull the wiper away from the rear window.
3. Pull up the release clip, located at the
connecting point of the blade and the arm.
Then, pull the blade assembly down toward the
glass to remove it from the wiper arm.
4. Push the new wiper blade securely on the
wiper arm until you hear the release clip
“click” into place.
5. Push the release clip, from Step 3, down to
secure the wiper blade into place.
381

The vehicle has a basecoat/clearcoat paint nish.
The clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to
the colored basecoat. Always use waxes
and polishes that are non-abrasive and made for a
basecoat/clearcoat paint nish.
Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and
other salts, ice melting agents, road oil and
tar, tree sap, bird droppings, chemicals from
industrial chimneys, etc., can damage the vehicle’s
nish if they remain on painted surfaces. Wash
the vehicle as soon as possible. If necessary, use
non-abrasive cleaners that are marked safe for
painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging,
weather, and chemical fallout that can take their
toll over a period of years. To help keep the
paint nish looking new, keep the vehicle in a
garage or covered whenever possible.Windshield and Wiper Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using the
windshield washer, or if the wiper blade chatters
when running, wax, sap, or other material may
be on the blade or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with a glass
cleaning liquid or powder and water solution.
The windshield is clean if beads do not form when
it is rinsed with water.
Grime from the windshield will stick to the wiper
blades and affect their performance. Clean
the blade by wiping vigorously with a cloth soaked
in full-strength windshield washer solvent. Then
rinse the blade with water.
Check the wiper blades and clean them as
necessary; replace blades that look worn.
423

Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and lter. SeeEngine Oil on page 344. Reset oil life
system. SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 347.An Emission Control
Service.••
Visually check for any leaks or damage.See footnote (k).••
Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary, replace lter. SeeEngine
Air Cleaner/Filter on page 349.See footnote (l).•
Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 396and “Tire Wear Inspection” inAt Least Once a
Month on page 445.••
Inspect brake system.See footnote (a).••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid levels and add uid
as needed.••
Perform any needed additional services. See “Additional Required Services”
in this section.••
Inspect suspension and steering components.See footnote (b).•
Inspect engine cooling system.See footnote (c).•
Inspect wiper blades.See footnote (d).•
Inspect restraint system components.See footnote (e).•
Lubricate body components.See footnote (f).•
Replace passenger compartment air lter.See footnote (g).•
Inspect throttle system.See footnote (j).•
441