2009 CHEVROLET EQUINOX check engine light

Scheduled Maintenance
When the change engine oil light and/or CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message displays, service is
required for the vehicle. Have the vehicle serviced as
soon as possible within the next 600 miles (1 000 km).
It is possible that, if driving under the best conditions,
the engine oil life system may not indicate that vehicle
service is necessary for over a year. However, the engine
oil and lter must be changed at least once a year and at
this time the system must be reset. Your dealer/retailer
has trained service technicians who will perform this work
using genuine parts and reset the system.
If the engine oil life system is ever reset accidentally,
service the vehicle within 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since
the last service. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed. SeeEngine Oil Life System
on page 5-18for information on the Engine Oil Life
System and resetting the system.When the change engine oil light and/or CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message appears, certain services,
checks, and inspections are required. Required services
are described in the following for “MaintenanceI” and
“MaintenanceII.” Generally, it is recommended that the
rst service be MaintenanceI, the second service be
MaintenanceII, and then alternate MaintenanceIand
MaintenanceIIthereafter. However, in some cases,
MaintenanceIImay be required more often.
MaintenanceI— Use MaintenanceIif the light/
message displays within 10 months since the vehicle
was purchased or MaintenanceIIwas performed.
MaintenanceII— Use MaintenanceIIif the previous
service performed was MaintenanceI. Always use
MaintenanceIIwhenever the light/message displays
10 months or more since the last service or if the
light/message has not come on at all for one year.
6-4

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 5-51 and Windshield and Wiper Blades on
page 5-93 for 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 1-74.
(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 driving regularly under dusty conditions, the filter
may require replacement more often.
6-7

Audio System(s).............................................3-67
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-14
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-22
Operation...........................................2-24, 2-27
B
Battery..........................................................5-36
Electric Power Management..........................3-16
Run-Down Protection...................................3-16
Bluetooth
®.....................................................3-97
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-6
Brake Fluid....................................................5-33
Brakes..........................................................5-33
System Warning Light..................................3-29
Braking........................................................... 4-4
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-6
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-19
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-45
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-45
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-44
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps..................................5-45Bulb Replacement (cont.)
License Plate Lamps....................................5-50
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-50
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps........................................5-48
Buying New Tires...........................................5-68
C
Calibration.....................................................3-47
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements....... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-104
Carbon Monoxide...................................2-34, 4-17
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-91
Cargo Lamp...................................................3-15
Cargo Tie Downs............................................2-47
CD, MP3 ...............................................3-86, 3-91
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-41
Chains, Tire...................................................5-74
Charging System Light....................................3-29
Check
Engine Lamp..............................................3-33
2

Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-95
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-39
Infants and Young Children...........................1-35
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-45
Older Children.............................................1-32
Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Seat Position...................................1-51
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position..........................1-54
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-42
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-17
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..............5-94
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-92
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-89
Finish Care.................................................5-93
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-91
Interior.......................................................5-88
Leather......................................................5-90
Tires..........................................................5-94
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-95
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-92
Weatherstrips..............................................5-91
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-93Climate Control System...................................3-18
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-22
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-21
Clock, Setting.................................................3-64
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-11
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-87
Compass.......................................................3-47
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-17
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-3
Convenience Net............................................2-47
Coolant
Engine.......................................................5-23
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-32
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-31
Cooling System..............................................5-22
Cruise Control................................................3-10
Cruise Control Light........................................3-37
Cupholders....................................................2-41
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation................................7-10
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users............................... 7-6
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-6
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program............... 7-7
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors.......7-15
3

Electronic Immobilizer
PASS-Key®III+...........................................2-17
Electronic Immobilizer Operation
PASS-Key
®III+...........................................2-18
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-20
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-36
Check and Service Engine Soon Lamp...........3-33
Coolant......................................................5-23
Coolant Heater............................................2-23
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-32
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-31
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-14
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-34
Oil .............................................................5-15
Oil Life System...........................................5-18
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-30
Overheating................................................5-28
Reduced Power Light...................................3-38
Starting......................................................2-21
Entry Lighting.................................................3-15
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-17
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-32
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-20
Finish Damage...............................................5-95
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-75
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-76
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-85
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-22
Power Steering...........................................5-31
Windshield Washer......................................5-32
Fog Lamp
Fog ...........................................................3-14
Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-37
Folding Rear Seat...........................................1-10
Folding Seatback, Passenger............................. 1-8
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Driving for Better Economy............................. 4-2
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling the Tank............................................. 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
5

Fuel (cont.)
Gage .........................................................3-40
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-6
Low Warning Light.......................................3-41
Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse Block.................5-100
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-97
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-98
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-97
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-32
Fuel..........................................................3-40
Speedometer..............................................3-25
Tachometer.................................................3-25
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-6
Gate Ajar Light...............................................3-40
Glove Box.....................................................2-41
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-7
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-7
Headlamp
Aiming .......................................................5-44
Headlamps....................................................3-13
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-45
Daytime Running Lamp................................3-13
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-45
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...........................................................3-18
Engine Coolant...........................................2-23
Height Adjuster, Driver Seat............................... 1-3
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-38
High-Speed Operation, Tires.............................5-60
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-15
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
6

Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Map Lamps ....................................................3-15
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-49
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview........................2-36
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-36
Outside Convex Mirrors................................2-37
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-36
MP3 .....................................................3-86, 3-91
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-5
N
Navigation System, Privacy..............................7-18
Navigation/Radio System,
see Navigation Manual.................................3-97
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-19
O
Odometer......................................................3-25
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-25
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-11Oil
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-36
Engine.......................................................5-15
Pressure Light.............................................3-36
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-18
Older Children, Restraints................................1-32
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-5
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-18
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-37
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-21
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-17
Outside
Convex Mirrors............................................2-37
Power Mirrors.............................................2-36
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode.....5-30
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-8
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage...............................................5-95
Park
Shifting Into................................................2-32
Shifting Out of............................................2-33
Park Brake....................................................2-31
9

Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-78
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-77
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-50
Replacement Parts, Maintenance......................6-13
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-15
General Motors...........................................7-15
United States Government............................7-14
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems....................1-74
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash..........................................1-75
Retained Accessory Power...............................2-21
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-7
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out....................4-20
Routing, Engine Drive Belt...............................6-14
Running the Vehicle While Parked.....................2-35
S
Safety Belt Reminders.....................................3-26
Safety Belts
Care of ......................................................5-91
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-17
Lap-Shoulder Belt........................................1-26Safety Belts (cont.)
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-32
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-31
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......................................1-51
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-54
Security Light.................................................3-37
Service........................................................... 5-3
Accessories and Modications......................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of the
Vehicle..................................................... 5-5
All-Wheel-Drive Light....................................3-39
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements..... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning.................... 5-4
11