2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX hood release

To change the passenger compartment air lter,
use the following steps:
1. The passenger’s side air inlet panel is located below
the center of the passenger’s side wiper blade.
Remove the push pin retaining the air inlet panel.
Pry the center of the push pin out 0.5 in (13 mm)
for removal.
2. Open the hood.
3. Remove the three push pins from the top and
forward edge of the passenger’s side air inlet panel.
4. Remove the air inlet panel to access the lter.
5. Press the release tab on the driver’s side of the
lter and pull out the edge of the lter.6. Remove the lter from the vehicle.
7. Install a new passenger compartment air lter.
For the type of lter to use seeMaintenance
Replacement Parts on page 6-14.
8. Reverse Steps 1 through 5.
3-23

ENGINE OVRHEATD (Overheated)
STOP ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine
is overheating, severe engine damage may occur.
If an overheat warning appears on the instrument
panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the vehicle as soon as
possible. SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-24
for more information.
This message displays along with a continuous chime
when the engine has overheated. Stop and turn the
engine off immediately to avoid severe engine damage.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-24.
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message displays when the vehicle’s engine power
is reduced. Reduced engine power can affect the
vehicle’s ability to accelerate. If this message is on,
but there is no reduction in performance, proceed
to your destination. The performance may be reduced
the next time the vehicle is driven. The vehicle may
be driven at a reduced speed while this message is on,
but acceleration and speed may be reduced. Anytime
this message stays on, the vehicle should be taken
to your dealer/retailer for service as soon as possible.
FUEL LEVEL LOW
This message displays and the Low Fuel Warning
Light in the instrument panel cluster comes on when
your vehicle is low on fuel. Rell the fuel tank as
soon as possible. SeeFuel Gage on page 3-41,
Low Fuel Warning Light on page 3-42, andFilling
the Tank on page 5-8for more information.
HOOD OPEN
This message displays on some vehicles when the
hood is not closed properly. Close the hood completely.
SeeHood Release on page 5-11.
ICE POSSIBLE DRIVE WITH CARE
This message displays when the outside air temperature
is cold enough to create icy road conditions.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
LIFTGATE OPEN
This message displays when the liftgate is not closed
completely. Close the liftgate completely. SeeLiftgate
on page 2-13.
3-52

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-3
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under
the Hood....................................................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-15
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-19Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-21
Engine Coolant.............................................5-22
Engine Overheating.......................................5-24
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . .5-26
Cooling System............................................5-26
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-31
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-32
Brakes........................................................5-33
Battery........................................................5-35
Jump Starting...............................................5-36
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-42
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-44
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-44
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-44
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps....................................5-45
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps.........................................5-48
License Plate Lamp......................................5-49
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-50
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-50
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the handle with
this symbol on it. It is
located inside the
vehicle, to the left of
the brake pedal.
2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and lift up on the
secondary hood release lever.
3. Lift the hood, release the hood prop from its
retainer and put the hood prop into the slot in
the hood.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the ller caps are
on properly. Then lift the hood to relieve pressure on the
hood prop. Remove the hood prop from the slot in the
hood and return the prop to its retainer. Then just let the
hood down and close it rmly.
5-11

Headlamps, Front Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps
To replace one of these bulbs:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on page 5-11
for more information.
2. Carefully pry out the center of the push pins from
the top of the radiator cover.3. Gently pull the radiator
cover/front grill toward
you and pull the front
grill trim bar away from
the headlamp lens.
The front grill bar is attached to the headlamp lens
with a hidden clip.
5-45

Maintenance Footnotes
(a)Visually inspect brake lines and hoses for proper
hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect
disc brake pads for wear and rotors for surface
condition. Inspect other brake parts, including calipers,
parking brake, etc. Check parking brake adjustment.
(b)Visually inspect front and rear suspension and
steering system for damaged, loose, or missing parts or
signs of wear. Visually check constant velocity joints,
rubber boots, and axle seals for leaks. With 3.4L
V6 engine: Inspect electric power steering cables for
proper hook-up, binding, cracks, chafing, etc. With 3.6L
V6 engine: Inspect hydraulic power steering lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc.
(c)Visually inspect hoses and have them replaced if
they are cracked, swollen, or deteriorated. Inspect
all pipes, fittings and clamps; replace with genuine parts
as needed. To help ensure proper operation, a pressure
test of the cooling system and pressure cap and cleaning
the outside of the radiator and air conditioning condenser
is recommended at least once a year.(d)Inspect wiper blades for wear, cracking, or
contamination. Clean the windshield and wiper blades, if
contaminated. Replace wiper blades that are worn or
damaged. See Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement on
page 5-50andWindshield and Wiper Blades on
page 5-95for more information.
(e)Make sure the safety belt reminder light and safety
belt assemblies are working properly. Look for any
other loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you
see anything that might keep a safety belt system
from doing its job, have it repaired. Have any torn or
frayed safety belts replaced. Also see Checking the
Restraint Systems on page 1-72.
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders, hood latch
assemblies, secondary latches, pivots, spring anchor
and release pawl, hood and door hinges, rear folding
seats, and liftgate hinges. More frequent lubrication may
be required when exposed to a corrosive environment.
Applying silicone grease on weatherstrips with a clean
cloth will make them last longer, seal better, and not stick
or squeak.
(g)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, the
filter may require replacement more often.
6-7

Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Carrier
Assembly —
Differential
(Rear Drive
Module)Axle Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021677,
in Canada 89021678).
Transfer Case
(Power
Transfer Unit)With 3.4L V6 engine: VERSATRAK
®
Fluid (GM Part No. U.S. 12378514,
in Canada 88901045).
With 3.6L V6 engine: SAE 75W-90
Synthetic Axle Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021677, in
Canada 89021678) meeting
GM Specication 9986115.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Secondary
Latch, Pivots,
Spring Anchor,
and
Release PawlLubriplate Lubricant Aerosol
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346293, in
Canada 992723) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Hood and Door
Hinges, Rear
Folding SeatMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Weatherstrip
ConditioningWeatherstrip Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 3634770, in
Canada 10953518) or
Dielectric Silicone Grease
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345579, in
Canada 992887).
6-13

G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-33
Fuel..........................................................3-41
Speedometer..............................................3-26
Tachometer.................................................3-26
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-6
Gate Ajar Light...............................................3-40
Glove Box.....................................................2-42
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-6
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-7
Headlamp
Aiming.......................................................5-44
Headlamps....................................................3-13
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-44
Daytime Running Lamps...............................3-14
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-44Headlamps (cont.)
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps..................................5-45
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
On Reminder..............................................3-13
Heated Seats................................................... 1-4
Heater...........................................................3-19
Height Adjuster, Driver Seat............................... 1-3
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-39
High-Speed Operation, Tires.............................5-61
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-16
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-16
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn............................................................... 3-6
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-17
I
Ignition Positions.............................................2-20
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-34
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-59
Instrument Panel
Overview..................................................... 3-4
6