2009 CHEVROLET EQUINOX display

Press and holdLfor more than two seconds to
activate the panic alarm. The turn signal lamps ash
and the horn sounds repeatedly for 30 seconds.
The alarm turns off when the ignition is moved to
ON/RUN or
Lis pressed again. The ignition must be
in LOCK/OFF for the panic alarm to work.
The RKE transmitter is used to arm/disarm the content
theft-deterrent system. The theft-deterrent system
can be programmed to three different modes.
SeeContent Theft-Deterrent on page 2-17.
If you accidentally set off the alarm when entering or
exiting the vehicle, press
QorKonce orLtwice
to turn it off.
Programming Transmitters to the
Vehicle
Only RKE transmitters programmed to the vehicle
will work. If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement
can be purchased and programmed through your
dealer/retailer. When the replacement transmitter is
programmed to the vehicle, all remaining transmitters
must also be programmed. Any lost or stolen transmitters
no longer work once the new transmitter is programmed.
Each vehicle can have up to four transmitters
programmed to it. See “Learn Remote Key” underDIC
Operation and Displays on page 3-42.
Battery Replacement
Notice:When replacing the battery, do not touch
any of the circuitry on the transmitter. Static
from your body could damage the transmitter.
To replace the battery:
1. Separate the transmitter with a at, thin object
inserted into the notch on the side.
2. Remove the old battery. Do not use a metal object.
3. Insert the new battery, positive side facing down.
Replace with a CR2032 or equivalent battery.
4. Snap the transmitter back together.
2-6

ACC (ACC/ACCESSORY):This is the position in
which you can operate some electrical accessories.
R(ON/RUN):This position can be used to operate
the electrical accessories and to display some
instrument panel cluster warning and indicator
lights. The switch stays in this position when the
engine is running. If you leave the key in the
ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN position with the
engine off, the battery could be drained. You may not
be able to start the vehicle if the battery is allowed
to drain for an extended period of time.
/(START):This is the position that starts the engine.
When the engine starts, release the key. The ignition
switch returns to ON/RUN for driving.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories can be used for up to
10 minutes after the engine is turned off:
Audio System
Power Windows
Sunroof (if equipped)
Power to these accessories will continue to operate for
up to 10 minutes or until the driver door is opened.
All these features will work when the key is in ON/RUN
or ACC/ACCESSORY.
Starting the Engine
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or N (Neutral).
The engine will not start in any other position.
To restart the engine when the vehicle is already
moving, use N (Neutral) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage
the transmission. Shift to P (Park) only when the
vehicle is stopped.
2-21

Automatic Transmission Operation
(3.4L V6 with 5-Speed)
The shift lever is located on the center console. When
you change gears, the different shift positions will display
on the instrument panel cluster.
There are several different positions for the automatic
transmission.
P (Park):This position locks the front wheels. It is
the best position to use when you start the engine
because the vehicle cannot move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift
lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake
rmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly
level ground, always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park). SeeShifting Into
Park on page 2-32. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-32.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in P (Park) before
starting the engine. The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system. You must fully
apply the brake pedal and then press the shift lever
button before you can shift from P (Park) when the
ignition key is in ON/RUN. If you cannot shift out of
P (Park), ease pressure on the shift lever and push the
shift lever all the way into P (Park) as you maintain brake
application. Then press the shift lever button and move
the shift lever into another gear. SeeShifting Out of Park
on page 2-33.
2-24

Automatic Transmission Operation
(3.6L V6 with 6-Speed)
The shift lever for the automatic transmission is located
on the console between the seats.
Maximum engine speed is limited when the vehicle is in
P (Park) or N (Neutral) to protect driveline components
from improper operation.
There are several different positions for the shift lever.
When using the MSM (Manual Shift Mode), a number
indicating the gear selected will appear on the instrument
cluster below the shift position display. For more
information on the manual shift option see “Manual
Shift Mode” in this section.
P (Park):This position locks the front wheels. It is the
best position to use when the engine is started
because the vehicle cannot move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift
lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake
rmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly
level ground, always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park). SeeShifting Into
Park on page 2-32. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-32.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in P (Park) before
starting the engine. The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system. You must fully
apply the brake pedal and then press the shift lever
button, before you can shift from P (Park) when the
ignition is in ON/RUN. If you cannot shift out of P (Park),
ease pressure on the shift lever and push the shift lever
all way into P (Park) as you maintain brake application.
Then press the shift lever button and move the shift lever
into another gear. SeeShifting Out of Park on page 2-33.
2-27

MSM (Manual Shift Mode)
To use this feature, do the following:
1. Move the shift lever from D (Drive) to the left into
the manual gate.
While driving in manual shift mode, the transmission
will remain in the driver gear selected. When coming
to a stop in the manual position, the vehicle will
automatically shift to 1 (First) gear.
2. Push the shift lever forward toward the plus (+) to
upshift or rearward toward the minus (−) to downshift.
When using the MSM (Manual Shift Mode) the
number of the gear selected will appear on the
instrument cluster below the shift position display.
In manual shift mode all six forward gears can be
selected.While using the MSM (Manual Shift Mode) feature
the vehicle will have operation similar to a manual
transmission. You can use this for sport driving or when
driving hilly roads to stay in gear longer or to downshift
for more power or engine braking.
The transmission will only allow you to shift into gears
appropriate for the vehicle speed:
The transmission will not automatically shift to the
next higher gear without moving the shift lever.
The transmission will not allow shifting to the next
lower gear if the vehicle speed is too high.
If the vehicle does not respond to a gear change, or
detects a problem with the transmission, the range
of gears may be reduced and the Malfunction Indicator
Lamp will come on. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 3-33.
2-29

Highbeam On Light.......................................3-38
Service All-Wheel Drive Light.........................3-39
All-Wheel Drive Disabled Light........................3-39
Gate Ajar Light.............................................3-40
Door Ajar Light.............................................3-40
Service Vehicle Soon Light............................3-40
Fuel Gage...................................................3-40
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-41
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-42
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-42
DIC Compass..............................................3-47
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-49
DIC Vehicle Personalization............................3-57Audio System(s).............................................3-64
Setting the Clock..........................................3-64
Radio(s)......................................................3-67
Using an MP3 (Radio with CD or
Six-Disc CD Player)...................................3-86
Using an MP3 (Radio with CD and
DVD Player).............................................3-91
XM Radio Messages.....................................3-96
Navigation/Radio System...............................3-97
Bluetooth
®...................................................3-97
Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) System.........3-107
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-116
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-116
Radio Reception.........................................3-117
Multi-Band Antenna.....................................3-118
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A.Outlet Adjustment on page 3-21.
B.Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
C.Instrument Panel Cluster on page 3-24.
D.Windshield Wipers on page 3-8.
E.DIC Operation and Displays on page 3-42.
F.Hazard Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
G.Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-28.
H.Rear Window Wiper/Washer on page 3-9.
Fog Lamps on page 3-14.
I.Outside Power Mirrors on page 2-36.
J.Instrument Panel Brightness on page 3-14.K.Cruise Control on page 3-10.
L.Tilt Wheel on page 3-6.
M.Horn on page 3-6.
N.Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-116.
O.Audio System(s) on page 3-64.
P. Shift Lever. SeeShifting Into Park on page 2-32.
Q.Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-7.
R.Power Windows on page 2-15.
S.Climate Control System on page 3-18.Heated Seats
on page 1-4(If Equipped).
T.Glove Box on page 2-41.
3-5

Electric Power Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management (EPM) that
estimates the battery’s temperature and state of charge.
It then adjusts the voltage for best performance and
extended life of the battery.
When the battery’s state of charge is low, the voltage is
raised slightly to quickly bring the charge back up.
When the state of charge is high, the voltage is lowered
slightly to prevent overcharging. If the vehicle has a
voltmeter gage or a voltage display on the Driver
Information Center (DIC), you may see the voltage
move up or down. This is normal. If there is a problem,
an alert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the electrical
loads are very high. This is true for all vehicles.
This is because the generator (alternator) may not be
spinning fast enough at idle to produce all the power that
is needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following are on, such as: headlamps, high beams,
fog lamps, rear window defogger, climate control fan at
high speed, heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailer
loads, and loads plugged into accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator’s output
and the vehicle’s electrical needs. It can increaseengine idle speed to generate more power, whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce the power demands of
some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels, without
being noticeable. In rare cases at the highest levels
of corrective action, this action may be noticeable to
the driver. If so, a Driver Information Center (DIC)
message might be displayed, such as BATTERY
SAVER ACTIVE, BATTERY VOLTAGE LOW, or
LOW BATTERY. If this message is displayed, it is
recommended that the driver reduce the electrical loads
as much as possible. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-49.
Battery Run-Down Protection
The vehicle has a battery saver feature designed to
protect the vehicle’s battery.
When any interior lamp is left on and the ignition is
turned off, the battery rundown protection system will
automatically turn the lamp off after 20 minutes. This will
avoid draining the battery. This vehicle also has a
retained accessory power feature. If the radio is on,
it will turn off after 10 minutes or if any door on
the vehicle is opened. SeeRetained Accessory Power
(RAP) on page 2-21.
3-16