2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX maintenance

Online Owner Center
(United States only)
The Owner Center is a resource for your GM ownership
needs. Specic vehicle information can be found in
one place.
The Online Owner Center allows you to:
Get e-mail service reminders.
Access information about your specic vehicle,
including tips and videos and an electronic
version of this owner manual.
Keep track of your vehicle’s service history and
maintenance schedule.
Find GM dealers/retailers for service nationwide.
Receive special promotions and privileges only
available to members.
Refer to www.MyGMLink.com on the web for updated
information and to register your vehicle.
My GM Canada (Canada only)
My GM Canada is a password-protected section of
gmcanada.com where you can save information on GM
vehicles, get personalized offers, and use handy tools
and forms with greater ease.
Here are a few of the valuable tools and services you
will have access to:
My Showroom: Find and save information on
vehicles and current offers in your area.
My Dealers/Retailers: Save details such as
address and phone number for each of your
preferred GM Dealers or Retailers.
My Driveway: Receive service reminders and
helpful advice on owning and maintaining
your vehicle.
My Preferences: Manage your prole, subscribe to
E-News and use tools and forms with
greater ease.
To sign up to My GM Canada, visit the My GM Canada
section within www.gmcanada.com.
7-4

Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, notify Transport Canada
immediately, in addition to notifying General Motors of
Canada Limited. Call them at 1-800-333-0510 or write to:
Transport Canada
Road Safety Branch
2780 Sheffield Road
Ottawa, Ontario K1B 3V9
Reporting Safety Defects to General
Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, please notify General Motors.
Call 1-800-222-1020, or write:
Chevrolet Motor Division
Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33170
Detroit, MI 48232-5170
In Canada, call 1-800-263-3777 (English) or
1-800-263-7854 (French), or write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, CA1-163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins’ give additional technical service
information needed to knowledgeably service General
Motors cars and trucks. Each bulletin contains
instructions to assist in the diagnosis and service of
your vehicle.
Owner Information
Owner publications are written specically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner manual includes the
Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner Manual, and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Without Portfolio: Owner Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
7-15

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-3
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-70
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-7
Add-On Electrical Equipment...........................5-100
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-19
Air Conditioning..............................................3-19
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-28
Readiness Light..........................................3-27
Airbag System................................................1-56
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-64
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-61
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-59
Airbag Systems
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-70
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-63
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-65
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-70
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-63
All-Wheel Drive...............................................5-42
All-Wheel Drive Disabled Light..........................3-40
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) System........................... 4-8
All-Wheel-Drive Service Light............................3-39Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 4-5
Antilock Brake, System Warning Light................3-32
Appearance Care
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..............5-96
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-93
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-97
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-94
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-90
Finish Care.................................................5-95
Finish Damage............................................5-97
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-93
Interior Cleaning..........................................5-89
Leather......................................................5-92
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-97
Tires..........................................................5-97
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-97
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-98
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-94
Weatherstrips..............................................5-93
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-95
Appointments, Scheduling Service....................... 7-9
Ashtray.........................................................3-18
Audio System.................................................3-64
Audio Steering Wheel Controls....................3-108
Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation
Manual...................................................3-98
1

Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-37
Infants and Young Children...........................1-34
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-42
Older Children.............................................1-31
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat
Position..................................................1-50
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-52
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-40
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-18
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..............5-96
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-94
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-90
Finish Care.................................................5-95
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-93
Interior.......................................................5-89
Leather......................................................5-92
Tires..........................................................5-97
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-97
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-94
Weatherstrips..............................................5-93
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-95Climate Control System...................................3-19
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-22
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-22
Clock............................................................3-65
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-11
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-88
Compass.......................................................3-46
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-17
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-3
Convenience Net............................................2-49
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-33
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-33
Heater, Engine............................................2-23
Cooling System..............................................5-26
Cruise Control................................................3-10
Cruise Control Light........................................3-38
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-42
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-9
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY)
Users....................................................... 7-5
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-5
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program............... 7-6
3

Lights............................................................3-13
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
On Reminder..............................................3-13
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-22
Lockout Protection..........................................2-12
Locks
Delayed Locking..........................................2-11
Door..........................................................2-10
Lockout Protection.......................................2-12
Power Door................................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-11
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-12
Loss of Control...............................................4-13
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-42
Luggage Carrier..............................................2-43
Lumbar
Manual Controls............................................ 1-4
M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-9
At Least Once a Month.................................. 6-9
At Least Once a Year..................................6-10Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-7
Maintenance Record....................................6-16
Maintenance Replacement Parts....................6-14
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-8
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-12
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using.......................................................... 6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-34
Manual Lumbar Controls.................................... 1-4
Manual Reclining Seatbacks............................... 1-5
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Manual, Using.................................................... iii
Map Lamps....................................................3-16
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-49
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
®.....2-37
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-37
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®.............2-37
Outside Convex Mirrors................................2-38
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-38
MP3 .....................................................3-87, 3-92
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-4
8

Privacy..........................................................7-16
Event Data Recorders..................................7-17
Navigation System.......................................7-18
OnStar.......................................................7-18
Radio Frequency Identication.......................7-18
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................2-11
R
Radio Frequency Identication (RFID), Privacy....7-18
Radios..........................................................3-64
Radio(s)........................................................3-68
Radios
Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation
Manual...................................................3-98
Reception.................................................3-110
Setting the Time..........................................3-65
Theft-Deterrent..........................................3-108
Rear Compartment Storage Panel/Cover............2-45
Rear Door Security Locks................................2-12
Rear Seat Armrest..........................................2-47
Rear Seat Entertainment System.......................3-99
Rear Windshield Washer/Wiper.........................3-10
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
OnStar
®.....................................................2-37
Rearview Mirror with OnStar®...........................2-37Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-37
Reclining Seatbacks, Manual.............................. 1-5
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-12
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-28
Reduced Engine Power Light............................3-39
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System.................. 2-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System, Operation . . . 2-5
Remote Vehicle Start........................................ 2-8
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-79
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-77
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-50
Replacement Parts, Maintenance......................6-14
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-15
General Motors...........................................7-15
United States Government............................7-14
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems....................1-72
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a
Crash.....................................................1-73
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-21
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-7
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out....................4-22
Routing, Engine Drive Belt...............................6-15
Running the Engine While Parked.....................2-36
10

S
Safety Belt
Reminder Light............................................3-27
Safety Belts
Care of......................................................5-93
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-17
Lap-Shoulder Belt........................................1-25
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-30
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-30
Safety Belts Are for Everyone.......................1-12
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-4
Seatback, Folding Passenger............................. 1-8
Seats
Driver Seat Height Adjuster............................. 1-3
Head Restraints............................................ 1-7
Heated Seats............................................... 1-4
Manual Lumbar............................................. 1-4
Manual Reclining Seatbacks........................... 1-5
Passenger Folding Seatback........................... 1-8
Power Seat.................................................. 1-3
Split Folding Rear Seat................................1-10
Securing a Child Restraint
Rear Seat Position......................................1-50
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-52Security Light.................................................3-38
Service........................................................... 5-3
Accessories and Modications......................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle..................................................... 5-5
All-Wheel-Drive Light....................................3-39
California Pershlorate Materials Requirements . . . 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning.................... 5-3
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-4
Engine Soon Light.......................................3-34
Publications Ordering Information...................7-15
Vehicle Soon Light.......................................3-41
Service, Scheduling Appointments....................... 7-9
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..............1-70
Sheet Metal Damage.......................................5-97
Shifting Into Park (P).......................................2-32
Shifting Out of Park (P)...................................2-34
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change.......................... 3-8
Spare Tire
Compact....................................................5-88
Installing....................................................5-79
Removing...................................................5-77
Storing.......................................................5-86
Specications, Capacities...............................5-107
Speedometer..................................................3-26
Split Folding Rear Seat....................................1-10
11