Page 315 of 446
Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-9
A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑15.
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Under Engine
Cover). See Power Steering
Fluid (2.4L L4 Engine) on
page 10‑23 orPower Steering
Fluid (3.0L V6 Engine) on
page 10‑23.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑10.
D. Engine Cover on page 10‑10. E. Engine Oil Dipstick
(Out of View). See Engine Oil
on page 10‑10.
F. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brakes on page 10‑25.
G. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10‑40.
H. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting on
page 10‑78.
I. Remote Negative (−) Terminal. See Jump Starting on
page 10‑78. J.
Battery on page 10‑27
(Out of View).
K. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant on page 10‑18.
L. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑24.
Page 333 of 446

Black plate (27,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-27
When the brake fluid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 5‑16.
What to Add
Use only new DOT 3 brake fluid
from a sealed container. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑6.
Always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it. This
helps keep dirt from entering the
reservoir.
{WARNING
With the wrong kind of fluid in the
brake hydraulic system, the
brakes might not work well. This
could cause a crash. Always use
the proper brake fluid. Notice:
.Using the wrong fluid can
badly damage brake
hydraulic system parts. For
example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as
engine oil, in the brake
hydraulic system can
damage brake hydraulic
system parts so badly that
they will have to be replaced.
Do not let someone put in
the wrong kind of fluid.
.If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces,
the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to
spill brake fluid on the
vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately.
Battery
Refer to the replacement number on
the original battery label when a
new battery is needed.
{DANGER
Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and reproductive
harm. Wash hands after handling.
Page 334 of 446

Black plate (28,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
10-28 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Storage
{WARNING
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful. SeeJump Starting on
page 10‑78 for tips on working
around a battery without
getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: Remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery to keep the battery from
running down.
Extended Storage: Remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery or use a battery trickle
charger.
All-Wheel Drive
Transfer Case
When to Check and Change
Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine how often to check the
lubricant and when to change it.
See Scheduled Maintenance on
page 11‑2.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the
vehicle should be on a level
surface. If the level is below the bottom of
the fill plug hole, located on the
transfer case, the vehicle will need
some lubricant added. Add enough
lubricant to raise the level to the
bottom of the fill plug hole. A fluid
loss could indicate a problem; check
and have it repaired, if needed.
What to Use
Refer to
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑6 to
determine what kind of lubricant
to use.
Page 347 of 446
Black plate (41,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-41
J-CaseFuses Usage
4 Power
Windows
–Right
5 Memory Seat
Module
6 Power Seat –Left
7 Instrument Panel
Fuse Block 1
8 Rear Defogger
9 Starter
10 AIR Pump Motor
11 Instrument Panel
Fuse Block 2
12 Sunroof
13 Antilock Brake
System Pump J-Case
Fuses Usage
14 Instrument Panel
Fuse Block 3
15 Power
Windows
–Left
16 Antilock Brake
System Module
Mini Fuses Usage
17 Transmission
Control Module
Battery
18 Trailer Parking Light
19 AIR Pump Solenoid
20 Engine Control
Module Battery
21 Canister Vent Mini Fuses Usage
22 Trailer Left Side
(If Equipped)
23 Lift Gate Module
24 Power Lumbar
25 Trailer Right Side
(If Equipped)
26 Rear Accessory
Power Outlet
27 Memory Mirror
Module
28 Regulated Voltage
Control Battery
Sensor
29 Front Wiper
30 Rear Wiper
31 Air Conditioning
Compressor
Page 350 of 446
Black plate (44,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
10-44 Vehicle Care
To reinstall the door, insert the tabs
on the bottom of the door into the
console first, then push the door
back into its original location.
The vehicle may not be equipped
with all of the fuses, relays, and
features shown.
Instrument Panel Fuse BlockMini Fuses Usage
1 Steering Wheel DM
2 Spare
3 Spare
4 Body Control
Module 1
5 Infotainment
6 Body Control
Module 7
7 Noise Control
Module
8 Body Control
Module 4
9 Radio
10 Special Equipment
Order Battery
11 Ultrasonic Rear
Parking Assist
Module
12 Heater, Ventilation
and Air Conditioning
Battery
Page 351 of 446
Black plate (45,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-45
Mini Fuses Usage13 Auxiliary Power
Front
14 Heater, Ventilation
and Air Conditioning
Ignition
15 Display
16 Body Control
Module 5
17 Auxiliary
Power Rear
18 Instrument Panel
Cluster Ignition
19 Personal Device
Interface Module
20 Body Control
Module 6
21 Special Equipment
Order Retained
Accessory Power
22 Sensing and
Diagnostic Module
Ignition Mini Fuses Usage
23 Spare
24 Spare
25 Transmission Gear
Shift Position
Indicator
26 Spare
27 Spare
28 Spare
30 Body Control
Module 3
31 Amplifier
32 Discrete Logic
Ignition Switch
33 Communications
Integration Module
34 Body Control
Module 2
35 Sensing and
Diagnostic Module
Battery Mini Fuses Usage
36 Data Link
Connection
37 Instrument Panel
Cluster Battery
38 Passenger Sensing
System Module
39 Spare
J‐Case Fuses Usage
29 Front Blower Motor
40 Body Control
Module 8
Relays Usage 41 LOG Relay
42 Retained Accessory
Power Relay
Page 384 of 446

Black plate (78,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
10-78 Vehicle Care
After installing the compact spare
on the vehicle, stop as soon as
possible and make sure the spare
tire is correctly inflated. The
compact spare is made to perform
well at speeds up to 105 km/h
(65 mph) for distances up to
5 000 km (3,000 miles), so you can
finish your trip and have the full-size
tire repaired or replaced at your
convenience. Of course, it is best to
replace the spare with a full-size tire
as soon as possible. The spare tire
will last longer and be in good
shape in case it is needed again.Notice:
When the compact spare
is installed, do not take the
vehicle through an automatic car
wash with guide rails. The
compact spare can get caught on
the rails which can damage the
tire, wheel and other parts of the
vehicle.
Do not use the compact spare on
other vehicles.
Do not mix the compact spare tire or
wheel with other wheels or tires.
They will not fit. Keep the spare tire
and its wheel together.
Notice: Tire chains will not fit the
compact spare. Using them can
damage the vehicle and can
damage the chains too. Do not
use tire chains on the compact
spare.Jump Starting
For more information about the
vehicle battery, see Battery on
page 10‑27.
Jump starting can be used on
vehicles with run‐down batteries by
using jumper cables and another
vehicle.
{WARNING
Batteries can hurt you. They can
be dangerous because:
.They contain acid that can
burn you.
.They contain gas that can
explode or ignite.
.They contain enough
electricity to burn you.
If you do not follow these steps
exactly, some or all of these
things can hurt you.
Page 385 of 446

Black plate (79,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-79
{WARNING
Using an open flame near a
battery can cause battery gas to
explode. People have been hurt
doing this, and some have been
blinded. Use a flashlight if you
need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough
water. You do not need to add
water to the battery installed in
your new vehicle. But if a battery
has filler caps, be sure the right
amount of fluid is there. If it is low,
add water to take care of that
first. If you do not, explosive gas
could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that
can burn you. Do not get it on
you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.Be sure to use the following steps to
do it safely. Ignoring these steps
could result in costly damage to the
vehicle that would not be covered
by the warranty.
Trying to start the vehicle by
pushing or pulling it will not work,
and it could damage the vehicle.
Notice:
If the radio or other
accessories are left on during the
jump starting procedure, they
could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by the
warranty. Always turn off the
radio and other accessories when
jump starting the vehicle.
Notice: If the jumper cables are
connected or removed in the
wrong order, electrical shorting
may occur and damage the
vehicle. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always connect and remove the
jumper cables in the correct
order, making sure that the
cables do not touch each other or
other metal. 1. The vehicle used to jump start
must have 12-volt battery with a
negative ground.
Notice: Only use a vehicle that
has a 12-volt system with a
negative ground for jump
starting. If the other vehicle does
not have a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles
can be damaged.
2. The vehicles should be close enough for the jumper cables to
reach, but the vehicles should
not be touching. Touching could
cause grounding and possible
electrical system damage.
Put both vehicles in P (Park)
and set the parking brake firmly.
3. Unplug accessories plugged into the cigarette lighter or the
accessory power outlet. Turn off
the radio and all lamps that are
not needed. Turn off the ignition
on both vehicles.