Page 295 of 446

Black plate (57,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-57
E85 has less energy per liter
(gallon) than gasoline, so you will
need to refill the fuel tank more
often when using E85 than when
you are using gasoline. SeeFilling
the Tank on page 9‑57.
Notice: Some additives are not
compatible with E85 fuel and can
harm the vehicle's fuel system.
Do not add anything to E85.
Damage caused by additives
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Notice: This vehicle was not
designed for fuel that contains
methanol. Do not use fuel
containing methanol. It can
corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic
and rubber parts. That damage
would not be covered under the
vehicle warranty.Filling the Tank
{WARNING
Fuel vapor burns violently and a
fuel fire can cause bad injuries.
To help avoid injuries to you and
others, read and follow all the
instructions on the fuel pump
island. Turn off the engine when
refueling. Do not smoke near fuel
or when refueling the vehicle.
Do not use cellular phones. Keep
sparks, flames, and smoking
materials away from fuel. Do not
leave the fuel pump unattended
when refueling the vehicle. This is
against the law in some places.
Do not re-enter the vehicle while
pumping fuel. Keep children away
from the fuel pump; never let
children pump fuel.
The tethered fuel cap is behind the
fuel door on the vehicle's passenger
side. To open the fuel door, push the
rearward center edge in and release
and the door will open. Turn the fuel
cap counterclockwise to remove.
Do not release the cap too soon or
it will spring back. Reinstall the cap
by turning it clockwise until it clicks.
Page 327 of 446

Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-21
Notice:In cold weather, water
can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core and other
parts. Use the recommended
coolant and the proper coolant
mixture.
1. Remove the coolant surge tank pressure cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is no
longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about
one-quarter of a turn. If you
hear a hiss, wait for that to stop.
This will allow any pressure still
left to be vented out the
discharge hose. 2. Keep turning the pressure cap
slowly, and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank withthe proper DEX-COOL coolant
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 can be felt
getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan. By this time, the coolant level
inside the coolant surge tank
may be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper
DEX-COOL coolant mixture to
the coolant surge tank until the
level reaches the COLD
FILL line.
5. Replace the pressure cap. Be sure the pressure cap is
hand-tight.
Check the level in the coolant surge
tank when the cooling system has
cooled down. If the coolant is not at
the proper level, repeat Steps 1
through 3 and reinstall the pressure
cap. If the coolant still is not at the
proper level when the system cools
down again, see your dealer.
Page 340 of 446

Black plate (34,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
10-34 Vehicle Care
4. At the wall measure from theground upward (A) to the
recorded distance from
Step 3 and mark it.
5. Draw or tape a horizontal line (B) on the wall the width of the
vehicle at the height of the mark
in Step 4.
Notice: Do not cover a headlamp
to improve beam cut-off when
aiming. Covering a headlamp may
cause excessive heat build-up
which may cause damage to the
headlamp.
6. Turn on the low-beam
headlamps and place a piece of
cardboard or equivalent in front
of the headlamp not being adjusted. This allows only the
beam of light from the headlamp
being adjusted to be seen on the
flat surface.
7. Locate the vertical headlamp
aiming screws, which are under
the hood near each headlamp
assembly.
8. Turn the vertical aiming screw until the headlamp beam is
aimed to the horizontal tape line.
Turn it clockwise or
counterclockwise to raise or
lower the angle of the beam.
9. Make sure that the light from theheadlamp is positioned at the
bottom edge of the horizontal
tape line. The lamp on the
left (A) shows the correct
headlamp aim. The lamp on the
right (B) shows the incorrect
headlamp aim.
10. Repeat Steps 7 through 9 for the opposite headlamp.
Page 341 of 446
Black plate (35,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-35
Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement
bulbs, seeReplacement Bulbs on
page 10‑39.
For any bulb changing procedure
not listed in this section, contact
your dealer.
Headlamps, Front Turn
Signal, Sidemarker, and
Parking Lamps
A. Low Beam Headlamp
B. High Beam headlamp
C. Park/Turn Signal Lamp
D. Side Marker Lamp To replace:
1. Turn the tire to reach the access
port cap located on front of
wheel well cover.A. Screw
B. Access Port Cap
2. Remove screw (A) and turn access port cap (B)
counterclockwise to remove.
Page 342 of 446

Black plate (36,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
10-36 Vehicle Care
3. If replacing low/high headlampbulb, remove the dust cover cap
from the back of the headlamp
housing by turning the cap
counterclockwise.
4. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise to remove
from lamp assembly.
5. Remove the bulb from the socket or disconnect bulb
assembly from harness
connector.
6. Install new bulb.
7. Reinstall the lamp socket to lamp assembly turning
clockwise.
8. Replace the dust cover cap on headlamps.
9. Reinstall the wheel well cover access port cap and secure by
installing screw.Fog Lamps
To replace one of these bulbs:
1. Locate the fog lamp assembly
under the front facia.
2. Disconnect the bulb socket from the electrical connector, turn and
pull out the bulb assembly.
3. Remove the old bulb from the bulb socket and push the new
bulb straight into the bulb socket
until it connects. 4. Push the bulb socket into the fog
lamp assembly and turn
clockwise to lock it into place.
5. Reconnect the bulb socket to the electrical connector.
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, Stoplamps,
and Back-Up Lamps
A. Sidemarker
B. Stoplamp/Turn Signal Lamp/Taillamp
C. Back-up Lamp
Page 343 of 446
Black plate (37,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-37
To replace one of these lamps:
1. Open the liftgate. SeeLiftgate
(Manual) on page 2‑8 orLiftgate
(Power) on page 2‑9.
A. Screw
B. Screw Cover
2. Remove the two screw covers (B) from the taillamp
assembly.
3. Remove the two screws (A) securing the taillamp assembly. 4. Pull taillamp assembly out of
vehicle body.
5. Disconnect the lamp wiring harness.6. Turn the bulb socketcounterclockwise and pull it out.
7. Pull the bulb straight out of the socket. 8. Install the new bulb.
9. Push the bulb socket in and
turn it clockwise.
10. Reverse steps 2 through 5 to reinstall lamp assembly.
Page 344 of 446
Black plate (38,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
10-38 Vehicle Care
License Plate Lamp
To replace one of these bulbs:
1. Open the liftgate partway. SeeLiftgate (Manual) on page 2‑8 or
Liftgate (Power) on page 2‑9 for
more information.
Passenger side shown, driver side
similar
2. Push the left end of the lamp assembly towards the right.
3. Pull the lamp assembly down to remove from liftgate.
A. Bulb Socket
B. Bulb
C. Lamp Assembly
4. Turn the bulb socket (A) counterclockwise to remove from
lamp assembly (C).
5. Pull the bulb (B) straight out of the bulb socket. 6. Push the replacement bulb
straight into the bulb socket and
turn the bulb socket clockwise to
install into lamp assembly.
7. Turn the lamp assembly into the liftgate engaging the
clip side first.
8. Push on the lamp side opposite the clip until the lamp assembly
snaps into place.
Page 376 of 446

Black plate (70,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
10-70 Vehicle Care
Tire Changing
Removing the Spare Tire and
Tools
To access the spare tire and tools:
1. Open the liftgate. SeeLiftgate
(Manual) on page 2‑8 orLiftgate
(Power) on page 2‑9.
2. Lift the load floor up.
3. Remove the extension (A), wheel wrench (B) and jack (C).
Place the tools next to the tire
being changed.
4. Turn the retainer nutcounterclockwise and remove
the spare tire.
5. Place the spare tire next to the tire being changed.
Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
1. Do a safety check beforeproceeding. See If a Tire Goes
Flat on page 10‑68 for more
information.
2. For vehicles with wheel nut caps, turn the wheel wrench
counterclockwise to loosen and
remove them.
Do not try to remove plastic caps
from the cover or center cap.
3. For vehicles with a wheel cover or center cap, pull the cover or
center cap away from the wheel
to remove it. Store the wheel
cover in the cargo area until you
have the flat tire repaired or
replaced.