
Black plate (52,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
7-52 Infotainment System
Pairing Information:
.Up to five cell phones can be
paired to the Bluetooth system.
.The pairing process is disabled
when the vehicle is moving.
.The Bluetooth system links with
the first available paired cell
phone in the order the phone
was paired.
.Only one paired cell phone can
be connected to the Bluetooth
system at a time.
.Pairing only needs to be
completed once, unless the
pairing information changes or
the phone is deleted.
To link to a different paired phone,
see “Linking to a Different Phone”
later in this section. Pairing a Phone
1. Press
b/g.
.For vehicles without a
navigation system, the
system responds
“Ready”,
followed by a tone.
.For vehicles with a
navigation system, the
system responds with a
tone. After the tone say
“Hands Free”. The system
responds “Ready”, followed
by a tone.
2. Say “Bluetooth”. The system
responds “Bluetooth ready”,
followed by a tone.
3. Say “Pair”. The system responds
with instructions and a four‐digit
Personal Identification Number
(PIN). The PIN will be used in
Step 4. 4. Start the pairing process on the
cell phone that will be paired to
the vehicle. Reference the cell
phone manufacturer's user guide
for information on this process.
Locate the device named “Your
Vehicle” in the list on the cell
phone and follow the instructions
on the cell phone to enter the
four‐digit PIN number that was
provided in Step 3.
5. The system prompts for a name for the phone. This name will be
used to indicate which phone is
connected. The system confirms
the name.
6. The system responds with “
successfully paired” after the
pairing process is complete.
7. Repeat Steps 1 through 7 for additional phones to be paired.

Black plate (31,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-31
Notice:Cranking the engine for
long periods of time, by returning
the key to the START position
immediately after cranking has
ended, can overheat and damage
the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to let the
cranking motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after
5 to 10 seconds, especially in
very cold weather (below −18°C
or 0°F), it could be flooded with
too much gasoline. Push the
accelerator pedal all the way to
the floor and hold it there as you
hold the key in START for a
maximum of 15 seconds. Wait at
least 15 seconds between each
try, to allow the cranking motor
to cool. When the engine starts,
let go of the key and accelerator. If the vehicle starts briefly but
then stops again, repeat the
procedure. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine. Do not
race the engine immediately
after starting it. Operate the
engine and transmission gently
until the oil warms up and
lubricates all moving parts.
Notice: The engine is designed to
work with the electronics in the
vehicle. If you add electrical parts
or accessories, you could change
the way the engine operates.
Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your
dealer. If you do not, the engine
might not perform properly. Any
resulting damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.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 the audio system will
continue to operate for up to
10 minutes or until the driver door
is opened.
Power to the power windows and
sunroof will continue to operate for
up to 10 minutes or until any door is
opened.
All these features will work
when the key is in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY.

Black plate (39,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-39
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that helps
prevent a braking skid.
When the engine is started and the
vehicle begins to drive away, ABS
checks itself. A momentary motor or
clicking noise might be heard while
this test is going on, and it might
even be noticed that the brake
pedal moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
on page 5‑17. If driving safely on a wet road and it
becomes necessary to slam on the
brakes and continue braking to
avoid a sudden obstacle, a
computer senses that the wheels
are slowing down. If one of the
wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the
brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
the driver steer around the obstacle
while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls
braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to
stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly and let
ABS work. You might hear the ABS
pump or motor operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsate, but this is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
more than even the very best
braking.

Black plate (52,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
9-52 Driving and Operating
When the System Does Not
Seem To Work Properly
The RVC system may not work
properly or display a clear image if:
.The RVC is turned off. See
“Turning the Rear Vision Camera
System On or Off”earlier in this
section.
.It is dark.
.The sun or the beam of
headlights is shining directly into
the camera lens.
.Ice, snow, mud, or anything else
builds up on the camera lens.
Clean the lens, rinse it with
water, and wipe it with a
soft cloth.
.The back of the vehicle is in an
accident, the position and
mounting angle of the camera
can change or the camera can
be affected. Be sure to have the
camera and its position and
mounting angle checked at
your dealer. The RVC system display in the
rearview mirror may turn off or not
appear as expected due to one of
the following conditions. If this
occurs the left indicator light on the
mirror will flash.
.A slow flash may indicate a loss
of video signal, or no video
signal present during the reverse
cycle.
.A fast flash may indicate that the
display has been on for the
maximum allowable time during
a reverse cycle, or the display
has reached an over
temperature limit.
The fast flash conditions are
used to protect the video device
from high temperature
conditions. Once conditions
return to normal the device will
reset and the green indicator will
stop flashing.
During any of these fault conditions,
the display will be blank and the
indicator will continue to flash as
long as the vehicle is in R (Reverse)
or until the conditions return to
normal.
Pressing and holding
zwhen the
left indicator light is flashing will turn
off the video display along with the
left indicator light.

Black plate (56,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
9-56 Driving and Operating
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)
Vehicles that have a FlexFuel badge
and a yellow fuel cap can use either
unleaded gasoline or ethanol fuel
containing up to 85% ethanol (E85).
For all other vehicles, use only the
unleaded gasoline described under
Recommended Fuel on page 9‑53.
We encourage the use of E85 in
vehicles that are designed to use it.
The ethanol in E85 is a“renewable”
fuel, meaning it is made from
renewable sources such as corn
and other crops.
Many service stations will not have
an 85% ethanol fuel (E85) pump
available. The U.S. Department of
Energy has an alternative fuels
website (www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/
locator/stations/) that can help you find E85 fuel. Those stations that do
have E85 should have a label
indicating ethanol content. Do not
use the fuel if the ethanol content is
greater than 85%.
At a minimum, E85 should meet
ASTM Specification D 5798 or
CGSB Specification 3.512. Filling
the tank with fuel mixtures that do
not meet ASTM or CGSB
specifications can affect driveability
and could cause the malfunction
indicator lamp to come on. As the
outside temperature approaches
freezing, ethanol fuel distributors
should supply winter grade ethanol,
the same as with unleaded
gasoline.
The starting characteristics of
E85 fuel make it unsuitable for use
when the ambient temperatures fall
below
−18°C (0°F).
In the range of −18°C (0°F) to
0°C (32°F), you may experience an
increase in the time it takes for the
engine to start.
It is best not to alternate repeatedly
between gasoline and E85. If you
do switch fuels, it is recommended
that you add as much fuel as
possible —do not add less than
11 L (three gallons) when refueling.
You should drive the vehicle
immediately after refueling for at
least 11 km (seven miles) to allow
the vehicle to adapt to the change in
ethanol concentration.

Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
10-10 Vehicle Care
Engine Cover
Engine Cover (3.0 L V6)
A. Oil Fill Cap
B. Engine Cover Bolt
C. Engine Cover To remove:
1. Remove the oil fill cap (A).
2. Remove the engine cover
bolt (B).
3. Raise the engine cover (C) to release from the retainers.
4. Lift and remove the engine cover.
5. Reverse Steps 1 through 4 to reinstall engine cover.
Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.Always use engine oil approved
to the proper specification and of
the proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil.”
.Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil.”
.Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System on page 10‑14.
.Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do With
Used Oil.”

Black plate (14,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
10-14 Vehicle Care
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on engine revolutions and engine
temperature, and not on mileage.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For
the oil life system to work properly,
the system must be reset every time
the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated
that oil life has been diminished, it
indicates that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message comes on. See
Engine Oil Messages on page 5‑28.
Change the oil as soon as possible
within the next 1 000 km (600 miles).
It is possible that, if driving under
the best conditions, the oil life
system might indicate that anoil change is not necessary for up to
a year. The engine oil and filter must
be changed at least once a year
and, at this time, the system must
be reset. Your dealer has trained
service people who will perform this
work and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly
over the course of an oil drain
interval and keep it at the proper
level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 miles)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change.
To reset the system:
1. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN,
with the engine off.
2. Press the DIC menu button to display the Vehicle
Information menu.
3. Press either the up or down arrows to view REMAINING
OIL LIFE.
4. Press the SET/CLEAR button until 100% is displayed.
5. Turn the key to LOCK/OFF.
Or:
1. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with the engine off.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal three times
within five seconds.
The system is reset when the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message goes off.

Black plate (26,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
10-26 Vehicle Care
Brake Adjustment
Every time the brakes are applied,
with or without the vehicle moving,
the brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is
complex. Its many parts have to be
of top quality and work well together
if the vehicle is to have really good
braking. The vehicle was designed
and tested with top-quality brake
parts. When parts of the braking
system are replaced, be sure to get
new, approved replacement parts.
If this is not done, the brakes might
not work properly. For example,
installing disc brake pads that are
wrong for the vehicle, can change
the balance between the front and
rear brakes—for the worse. The
braking performance expected can
change in many other ways if the
wrong replacement brake parts are
installed.
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir
is filled with DOT 3 brake fluid as
indicated on the reservoir cap. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 10‑6 for the location of the
reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir
might go down:
.The brake fluid level goes down
because of normal brake lining
wear. When new linings are
installed, the fluid level goes
back up.
.A fluid leak in the brake
hydraulic system can also cause
a low fluid level. Have the brake
hydraulic system fixed, since a
leak means that sooner or later
the brakes will not work well.
Do not top off the brake fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid
when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove brake fluid,
as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
{WARNING
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake fluid only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic
system.