2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX engine coolant

9-18 Vehicle Care
3. Fill the coolant surge tank withthe proper mixture to the COLD
FILL line.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until the
upper radiator hose starts
getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan(s). By this time, the coolant level inside the
coolant surge tank may be
lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper mixture to the
coolant surge tank until the level
reaches the line pointed to on
the front of the coolant
surge tank.
5. Replace the pressure cap. Be sure the pressure cap is
hand–tight and full seated.
Notice: If the pressure cap is not
tightly installed, coolant loss and
possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
If coolant is needed, add the proper
DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture at the
coolant surge tank.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has an indicator to warn
of engine overheating. There is an
engine coolant temperature warning
light on the vehicle's instrument
panel. See Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge on page 4‑14.
Decide whether to lift the hood
when this warning appears, or get
service help instead.
If lifting the hood , make sure the
vehicle is parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine
cooling fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, both fans
should be running. If they are not,
do not continue to run the engine
and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Engine damage from
running the engine without
coolant is not covered by the
warranty.

Vehicle Care 9-19
If Steam Is Coming From The
Engine Compartment
{WARNING
Steam from an overheated engine
can burn you badly, even if you
just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Just turn it
off and get everyone away from
the vehicle until it cools down.
Wait until there is no sign of
steam or coolant before you open
the hood.
If you keep driving when your
engine is overheated, the liquids
in it can catch fire. You or others
could be badly burned. Stop your
engine if it overheats, and get out
of the vehicle until the engine
is cool.
If No Steam Is Coming From
The Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
.Stops after high-speed driving.
.Idles for long periods in traffic.
.Tows a trailer.
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam:
1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the highest
fan speed. Open the windows as
necessary. 3. In heavy traffic, let the engine
idle in N (Neutral) while stopped.
If it is safe to do so, pull off the
road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral) and let the
engine idle.
If the temperature overheat gauge is
no longer in the overheat zone or an
overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven.
Continue to drive the vehicle slow
for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
vehicle distance from the vehicle in
front. If the warning does not come
back on, continue to drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle
right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for three minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it
cools down.

Vehicle Care 9-21
Washer Fluid
What to Use
Read the manufacturer's
instructions before refilling the
windshield washer fluid. If operating
the vehicle in an area where the
temperature may fall below freezing,
use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it and add washer fluid
until full. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview
on page 9‑6for
reservoir location. Notice:
.When using concentrated
washer fluid, follow the
manufacturer's instructions
for adding water.
.Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the solution
to freeze and damage the
washer fluid tank and other
parts of the washer system.
Also, water does not clean as
well as washer fluid.
.Fill the washer fluid tank only
three-quarters full when it is
very cold. This allows for
fluid expansion if freezing
occurs, which could damage
the tank if it is
completely full.
.Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the windshield
washer. It can damage the
vehicle's windshield washer
system and paint.
Brakes
This vehicle has disc brakes. Disc
brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or be
heard all the time the vehicle is
moving, except when applying the
brake pedal firmly.
{WARNING
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
an accident. When the brake
wear warning sound is heard,
have the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Continuing to drive with
worn-out brake pads could result
in costly brake repair.

Service and Maintenance 10-3
system whenever the oil is changed.
SeeEngine Oil Life Systemon
page 9‑11.
When the Change Engine Oil Soon
message displays, certain services,
checks, and inspections are
required. The services described for
Maintenance Ishould be performed
at every engine oil change. The
services described for Maintenance
II should be performed when:
.Maintenance Iwas performed
the last time the engine oil was
changed.
.It has been 10 months or more
since the Change Engine Oil
Soon message has displayed or
since the last service.
Maintenance I
.Change engine oil and filter. See
Engine Oilon page 9‑10.An
Emission Control Service.
.Engine coolant level check. See
Engine Coolant on page 9‑15.
.Windshield washer fluid level
check. See Washer Fluidon
page 9‑21.
.Tire inflation check. See Tire
Pressure on page 9‑46.
.Tire wear inspection. See Tire
Inspection on page 9‑52.
.Rotate tires. See Tire Rotationon page 9‑52.
.Fluids visual leak check (or
every 12 months, whichever
occurs first). A leak in any
system must be repaired and the
fluid level checked.
.Engine air cleaner filter
inspection (vehicles driven in
dusty conditions only). See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
on
page 9‑13.
.Brake system inspection (or
every 12 months, whichever
occurs first).
Maintenance II
.Perform all services described in
MaintenanceI.
.Steering and suspension
inspection. Visual inspection for
damaged, loose, or missing
parts or signs of wear.
.Engine cooling system
inspection. Visual inspection of
hoses, pipes, fittings, and
clamps and replacement,
if needed.
.Windshield wiper blade
inspection for wear, cracking,
or contamination and windshield
and wiper blade cleaning,
if contaminated. See Exterior
Care
on page 9‑75. Worn or
damaged wiper blade
replacement. See Wiper Blade
Replacement on page 9‑26.

10-4 Service and Maintenance
.Body hinges and latches, key
lock cylinders, folding seat
hardware, and sunroof (if
equipped) lubrication. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
on page 10‑7. More
frequent lubrication may be
required when vehicle is
exposed to a corrosive
environment. Applying silicone
grease on weatherstrips with a
clean cloth makes them last
longer, seal better, and not stick
or squeak.
.Restraint system component
check. See Safety System
Check on page 2‑21.
.Automatic transmission fluid
level check and adding fluid,
if needed. See Automatic
Transmission Fluid
on
page 9‑12.
.Engine air cleaner filter
inspection. See Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 9‑13.
.Passenger compartment air
filter replacement (or every
12 months, whichever comes
first). More frequent replacement
may be required if vehicle is
driven regularly under dusty
conditions.
Additional Required Services
At Each Fuel Stop
.Engine oil level check. See
Engine Oil on page 9‑10.
.Engine coolant level check. See
Engine Coolant on page 9‑15.
.Windshield washer fluid level
check. See Washer Fluidon
page 9‑21.
Once a Month
.Tire inflation check. See Tire
Pressure on page 9‑46.
.Tire wear inspection. See Tire
Inspection on page 9‑52. Once a Year
.See
Starter Switch Checkon
page 9‑25.
.See Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control System
Check on page 9‑25.
.See Ignition Transmission Lock
Check on page 9‑25.
.See Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Checkon
page 9‑26.
.Engine cooling system and
pressure cap pressure check.
Radiator and air conditioning
condenser outside cleaning. See
Cooling System on page 9‑14.
.Exhaust system and nearby heat
shields inspection for loose or
damaged components.
.Accelerator pedal check for
damage, high effort, or binding.
Replace if needed.

10-6 Service and Maintenance
ServiceMaintenanceIMaintenance
II
Change engine oil and filter. Reset oil life system. ••
Engine coolant level check. ••
Windshield washer fluid level check. ••
Tire inflation pressures check. ••
Tire wear inspection. ••
Rotate tires. ••
Fluids visual leak check. ••
Engine air cleaner filter inspection (vehicles driven in dusty conditions only). ••
Brake system inspection. ••
Steering and suspension inspection. •
Engine cooling system inspection. •
Windshield wiper blades inspection. •
Body components lubrication. •
Restraint system components check. •
Automatic transmission fluid level check. •
Engine air cleaner filter inspection (vehicles not driven in dusty conditions). •

Service and Maintenance 10-7
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
UsageFluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil Engine oil which meets GM Standard GM6094M and displays the
American Petroleum Institute Certified for Gasoline Engines starburst
symbol. To determine the proper viscosity for the vehicle's engine, see
Engine Oil on page 9‑10.
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL
®Coolant.
See Engine Coolant on page 9‑15.
Hydraulic Brake System DOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid (GM Part No. U.S. 12377967, in
Canada 89021320).
Windshield Washer Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Hydraulic Power Steering System (V6 engines only) DEXRON
®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Automatic Transmission DEXRON
®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.

INDEX i-3
CleaningExterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-75
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-79
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 7-1 Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9, 4-10
Cluster, IP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . 12-10
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . 9-68
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
Compass Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 4-28
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Coolant Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-15
Engine Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-14 Engine Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-29
Courtesy Transportation
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-8
Covers Cargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-9 Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-44
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-24
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-28
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . 12-4 Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-3
Text Telephone (TTY)Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-4
Customer Information Service PublicationsOrdering Information . . . . . . 12-12
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . 12-10
Danger, Warnings, andCautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . 12-15
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
Devices, Auxiliary . . . . . . . 6-28, 6-31
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4 Door
Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-29
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Drive Systems All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . 8-38, 9-24
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-24
Driving Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-58
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-20
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 8-20
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 8-23
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-7
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 8-24
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-21