2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX oil reset

Black plate (26,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
1-26 In Brief
Engine Oil Life System
The engine oil life system calculates
engine oil life based on vehicle use
and displays the CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message when it is time
to change the engine oil and filter.
The oil life system should be reset
to 100% only following an oil
change.
Resetting the Oil Life 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.
See Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑14.
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).
See Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) on
page 9‑56. For all other vehicles,
use only the unleaded gasoline
described under Recommended
Fuel on page 9‑53.
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving tips
to get the best fuel economy
possible.
.Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoid
abrupt stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
.When road and weather
conditions are appropriate, use
cruise control.
.Always follow posted speed
limits or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly
inflated.
.Combine several trips into a
single trip.

Black plate (24,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
5-24 Instruments and Controls
The fuel economy can be reset
by pressing SET/CLR while the
Average Fuel Economy display is
showing. The display may not reset
to zero.
Instantaneous Fuel Economy
This display shows the current
fuel economy in either liters per
100 kilometers (L/100 km) or miles
per gallon (mpg). This number
reflects only the fuel economy that
the vehicle has right now and
changes frequently as driving
conditions change. Unlike average
economy, this display cannot be
reset.
Average Vehicle Speed
This display shows the average
speed of the vehicle in kilometers
per hour (km/h) or miles per
hour (mph). This average is
calculated based on the various
vehicle speeds recorded since the
last reset of this value. The average
speed can be reset by pressing
SET/CLR while the Average Vehicle
Speed display is showing.Timer
This display can be used as a timer.
To start the timer, press SET/CLR
while Timer is displayed. The
display will show the amount of time
that has passed since the timer was
last reset, not including time the
ignition is off. Time will continue to
be counted as long as the ignition is
on, even if another display is being
shown on the DIC. The timer will
record up to 99 hours, 59 minutes
and 59 seconds (99:59:59) after
which the display will return to zero.
To stop the timer, press SET/CLR
briefly while Timer is displayed. To
reset the timer to zero, press and
hold SET/CLR.
Digital Speedometer
The speedometer shows how fast
the vehicle is moving in either
kilometers per hour (km/h) or miles
per hour (mph). The speedometer
cannot be reset.
Turn-by-Turn
This display is used for the OnStar
or Navigation System Turn-by-Turn
guidance. See The OnStar Owner's
Guide or the Navigation manual,
if the vehicle has navigation, for
more information.
Blank Display
This display shows no information.
Vehicle Information Menu
Items
Press the MENU button until
Vehicle Information Menu is
displayed. Then press
xto scroll
through the following menu items:
.Unit
.Tire Pressure
.Remaining Oil Life
.Blank Display

Black plate (25,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-25
Unit
Press SET/CLR to enter the unit
menu. Then press
worxto
switch between METRIC or US
when the Unit display is active.
Press SET/CLR to confirm the
setting. This will change the
displays on the cluster and DIC to
either metric or English (US)
measurements.
Tire Pressure
The display will show a vehicle with
the approximate pressures of all
four tires. Tire pressure is displayed
in either kilopascal (kPa) or in
pounds per square inch (psi).
See Tire Pressure Monitor System
on page 10‑54 andTire Pressure
Monitor Operation on page 10‑56 for
more information. Remaining Oil Life
This display shows an estimate of
the oil's remaining useful life.
If REMAINING OIL LIFE 99% is
displayed, that means 99% of the
current oil life remains.
When the remaining oil life is low,
the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message will appear on the display.
See
Engine Oil Messages on
page 5‑28. The oil should be
changed as soon as possible.
See Engine Oil on page 10‑10. In
addition to the engine oil life system
monitoring the oil life, additional
maintenance is recommended in
the Maintenance Schedule in this
manual. See Scheduled
Maintenance on page 11‑2 for
more information.
Remember, the Oil Life display must
be reset after each oil change. It will
not reset itself. Also, be careful not
to reset the Oil Life display
accidentally at any time other than
when the oil has just been changed. It cannot be reset accurately until
the next oil change. To reset the
engine oil life system, press
SET/CLR while the Oil Life display
is active. The display will ask for
confirmation of a reset. Press
wor
xto select Yes or No. Then press
SET/CLR to confirm the selection.
See Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑14.
Blank Display
This display shows no information.
Compass
The vehicle may have a compass in
the Driver Information Center (DIC).
See Compass on page 5‑5.

Black plate (28,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
5-28 Instruments and Controls
COOLANT LEVEL LOW ADD
COOLANT
This message will display if the
coolant is low. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 10‑18.
ENGINE OVERHEATED —
IDLE ENGINE
This message displays when the
engine coolant temperature is too
hot. Stop and allow the vehicle to
idle until it cools down.
ENGINE OVERHEATED —
STOP ENGINE
This message displays and a
continuous chime sounds if the
engine cooling system reaches
unsafe temperatures for operation.
Stop and turn off the vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so to avoid
severe damage. This message
clears when the engine has cooled
to a safe operating temperature.
HIGH COOLANT
TEMPERATURE
This message displays if the coolant
temperature is hot. See Engine
Overheating on page 10‑22.
Engine Oil Messages
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
This message displays when the
engine oil needs to be changed.
When you change the engine oil, be
sure to reset the Oil Life System.
See Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑14 andDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑22 for
information on how to reset the
system. See Engine Oil on
page 10‑10 andScheduled
Maintenance on page 11‑2 for more
information.
ENGINE OIL HOT, IDLE
ENGINE
This message displays when the
engine oil temperature is too hot.
Stop and allow the vehicle to idle
until it cools down.
ENGINE OIL LOW —ADD OIL
This message displays when the
engine oil level is too low. Check the
oil level. See Engine Oil on
page 10‑10.
OIL PRESSURE LOW —STOP
ENGINE
This message displays if low oil
pressure levels occur. Stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible
and do not operate it until the cause
of the low oil pressure has been
corrected. Check the oil as soon as
possible and have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer.

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 (15,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-15
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message comes back on when the
vehicle is started, the engine oil life
system has not been reset. Repeat
the procedure.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check
the transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only
reason for fluid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to your
dealer service department and have
it repaired as soon as possible.
There is a special procedure for
checking and changing the
transmission fluid. Because this
procedure is difficult, this should be
done at your dealer service
department. Contact your dealer for
additional information or the
procedure can be found in the
service manual. To purchase aservice manual, see
Service
Publications Ordering Information
on page 13‑13.
Change the fluid and filter at the
intervals listed in Scheduled
Maintenance on page 11‑2, and be
sure to use the fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑6.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6 for the location of the
engine air cleaner/filter.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect or replace the air cleaner/
filter at the scheduled maintenance
intervals. See Scheduled
Maintenance on page 11‑2 for more
information. If driving in dusty/dirty
conditions, inspect the filter at each
engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/filter,
remove the filter from the vehicle
and lightly shake the filter to release
loose dust and dirt. If the filter
remains caked with dirt, a new filter
is required. Never use compressed
air to clean the filter.
To inspect or replace the engine air
cleaner/filter:
1. Open the hood. See Hood on
page 10‑4.
2. Locate the air filter housing on the passenger side of the engine
compartment. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑6.

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
11-2 Service and Maintenance
{WARNING
Performing maintenance work can
be dangerous. Some jobs can
cause serious injury. Perform
maintenance work only if you
have the required know-how and
the proper tools and equipment.
If in doubt, see your dealer to
have a qualified technician do the
work. SeeDoing Your Own
Service Work on page 10‑4.
At your dealer, you can be certain
that you will receive the highest
level of service available. Your
dealer has specially trained service
technicians, uses genuine
replacement parts, as well as,
up‐to‐date tools and equipment to
ensure fast and accurate
diagnostics. The proper replacement parts,
fluids, and lubricants to use are
listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑6 and
Maintenance Replacement Parts on
page 11‑8. We recommend the use
of genuine parts from your dealer.
Rotation of New Tires
To maintain ride, handling, and
performance of the vehicle, it is
important that the first rotation
service for new tires be performed.
Tires should be rotated every
12 000 km/7,500 miles. See Tire
Rotation on page 10‑60.
Scheduled
Maintenance
When the Change Engine Oil
Soon Message Displays
Change engine oil and filter.
See Engine Oil on page 10‑10.
An Emission Control Service.
When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message displays, service is
required for the vehicle as soon as
possible, within the next 1 000 km/
600 miles. If driving under the best
conditions, the engine oil life system
might not indicate the need for
vehicle service for more than a year.
The engine oil and filter must be
changed at least once a year and
the oil life system must be reset.
Your dealer has trained service
technicians who will perform this
work and reset the system. If the
engine oil life system is reset
accidentally, service the vehicle
within 5 000 km/3,000 miles since
the last service. Reset the oil life

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
Service and Maintenance 11-3
system whenever the oil is changed.
SeeEngine Oil Life System on
page 10‑14.
Every Engine Oil Change
.Change engine oil and filter.
Reset oil life system. See
Engine Oil on page 10‑10 and
Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑14. An Emission
Control Service.
.Engine coolant level check. See
Engine Coolant on page 10‑18.
.Engine cooling system
inspection. Visual inspection of
hoses, pipes, fittings, and
clamps and replacement,
if needed.
.Windshield washer fluid level
check. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑24.
.Windshield wiper blade
inspection for wear, cracking,
or contamination and windshield
and wiper blade cleaning, if contaminated. See
Exterior
Care on page 10‑86. Worn or
damaged wiper blade
replacement. See Wiper Blade
Replacement on page 10‑31.
.Tire inflation pressures check.
See Tire Pressure on
page 10‑53.
.Tire wear inspection. See Tire
Inspection on page 10‑59.
.Rotate tires if necessary. See
Tire Rotation on page 10‑60.
.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. See Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 10‑15.
.Brake system inspection
(or every 12 months, whichever
occurs first).
.Steering and suspension
inspection. Visual inspection for
damaged, loose, or missing
parts or signs of wear.
.Body hinges and latches,
key lock cylinders, folding
seat hardware, and sunroof
(if equipped) lubrication. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑6. More
frequent lubrication may be
required when the 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 3‑25.
.Fuel system inspection for
damage or leaks.
.Exhaust system and nearby heat
shields inspection for loose or
damaged components.