
Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2012
Seats and Restraints 3-7
Power Reclining Seatbacks
To adjust a power seatback,
if available:
.Tilt the top of the control
rearward to recline.
.Tilt the top of the control forward
to raise.
Memory Seats
On vehicles with the memory
feature, the“1”and “2”buttons on
the outboard side of the driver seat
are used to manually save and
recall the driver seat and outside
mirror positions. These manually
stored positions are referred to as
Button Memory positions. The vehicle will also automatically
save driver seat and outside mirror
positions to the current driver
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter when the ignition is
turned off. These automatically
stored positions are referred to as
RKE Memory positions. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2‑3
for
more information.
Storing Button Memory Positions
To save positions into Button
Memory:
1. Adjust the driver seat, seatback recliner, and both outside mirrors
to the desired driving positions.
2. Press and hold MEM (Memory) and “1”at the same time until a
beep sounds.
3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for a second driver using “2.”

Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2012
3-8 Seats and Restraints
Recalling Button Memory
Positions
To recall the manually saved Button
Memory positions, press and hold
“1”or“2.” The driver seat and
outside mirrors move to the
positions stored to those buttons
when pressed. Releasing “1”or“2”
before the stored positions are
reached stops the recall.
If something has blocked the driver
seat while recalling a memory
position, the recall may stop.
Remove the obstruction; then press
and hold the appropriate manual
control for the memory item that is
not recalling for two seconds. Try
recalling the memory position again
by pressing the appropriate memory
button. If the memory position is still
not recalling, see your dealer for
service. Recalling RKE Memory Positions
(Memory Remote Recall)
The Memory Remote Recall feature
can recall the driver seat and
outside mirrors to previously stored
RKE Memory positions when
entering the vehicle.
Every time the ignition is turned off,
the positions of the driver seat and
outside mirrors are automatically
stored to the RKE transmitter that
was used to start the vehicle. These
positions are called RKE Memory
positions and may be different than
the previously mentioned Button
Memory positions saved to the
“1”
or“2” buttons. To automatically
recall RKE Memory positions,
unlock the driver door with the RKE
transmitter and open the driver door.
If the driver door is already open,
pressing the RKE transmitter K
button will also activate the RKE
Memory recall. The driver seat and
outside mirrors will move to the
previously saved RKE Memory
positions. This feature is turned on or off using
the vehicle personalization menu.
See
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑34 for more information.
To stop recall movement, press any
of the memory, power mirror,
or power seat controls.
If something has blocked the driver
seat while recalling a memory
position, the recall may stop.
Remove the obstruction; then press
and hold the appropriate manual
control for the memory item that is
not recalling for two seconds. Try
recalling the memory position again
by opening the driver door and
pressing the RKE Kbutton. If the
memory position is still not recalling,
see your dealer for service.

Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-13
The airbag readiness light comes on
and stays on for several seconds
when the vehicle is started. Then
the light goes out.
{WARNING
If the airbag readiness light stays
on after the vehicle is started or
comes on while driving, it means
the airbag system might not be
working properly. The airbags in
the vehicle might not inflate in a
crash, or they could even inflate
without a crash. To help avoid
injury, have the vehicle serviced
right away.
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator
The vehicle has a passenger
sensing system. SeePassenger
Sensing System on page 3‑28 for
important safety information. The
overhead console has a passenger
airbag status indicator.
United States
Canada
When the vehicle is started, the
passenger airbag status indicator
will light ON and OFF, or the symbol
for on and off, for several seconds as a system check. If you are using
remote start to start the vehicle from
a distance, if equipped, you may not
see the system check. Then, after
several more seconds, the status
indicator will light either ON or OFF,
or either the on or off symbol to let
you know the status of the right front
passenger frontal airbag.
If the word ON or the on symbol is
lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the right
front passenger frontal airbag is
enabled (may inflate).
If the word OFF or the off symbol is
lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the
passenger sensing system has
turned off the right front passenger
frontal airbag.

Black plate (30,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2012
5-30 Instruments and Controls
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.
Engine Power Messages
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message displays when the
vehicle's engine power is reduced.
Reduced engine power can affect
the vehicle's ability to accelerate.
If this message is on, but there is no
reduction in performance, proceed
to your destination. The
performance may be reduced the
next time the vehicle is driven. The
vehicle may be driven at a reduced
speed while this message is on, but
maximum acceleration and speed
may be reduced. Anytime this message stays on, the vehicle
should be taken to your dealer for
service as soon as possible.
Fuel System Messages
ECO MODE ON
On some models, this message
displays when the fuel economy
mode has been turned on by
pressing the eco button near the
shift lever. See
Fuel Economy Mode
on page 9‑31 for more information.
FUEL LEVEL LOW
This message displays when the
vehicle is low on fuel. Refuel as
soon as possible.
TIGHTEN GAS CAP
This message displays when the
fuel cap is not on tight. Tighten the
fuel cap.
Key and Lock Messages
REPLACE BATTERY IN
REMOTE KEY
This message displays when the
battery in the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter needs to be
replaced.
Object Detection System
Messages
FORWARD COLLISION
ALERT OFF
If your vehicle has the Forward
Collision Alert (FCA) system, this
message may display if the FCA
system cannot activate due to a
temporary condition. See Forward
Collision Alert (FCA) System on
page 9‑40.

Black plate (34,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2012
5-34 Instruments and Controls
Vehicle Reminder
Messages
ICE POSSIBLE DRIVE
WITH CARE
This message is displayed when ice
conditions are possible.
TURN WIPER CONTROL TO
INTERMITTENT FIRST
This message is displayed when
attempting to adjust the intermittent
wiper speed without intermittent
selected on the wiper control. See
Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5‑3.
Vehicle
Personalization
The audio system controls are used
to access the personalization
menus for customizing vehicle
features.
CONFIG (Configuration):Press to
access the Configuration
Settings Menu.
MENU/SELECT Knob: Press the
center of this knob to enter the
menus and select menu items. Turn
the knob to scroll through the
menus.
EBACK: Press to exit or move
backwards in a menu.
Entering the Personalization
Menus
1. Turn the infotainment system on and press the CONFIG button to
access the Configuration
Settings menu. 2. Turn the MENU/SELECT knob to
highlight Vehicle Settings.
3. Press the center of the MENU/ SELECT knob to select the
Vehicle Settings menu.
The following list of menu items will
be available:
.Climate and Air Quality
.Comfort and Convenience
.Collision/Detection Systems
.Languages
.Lighting
.Power Door Locks
.Remote Lock/Unlock/Start
.Return to Factory Settings
Turn the MENU/SELECT knob to
highlight the menu. Press the knob
to select it. Each of the menus is
detailed in the following information.
All of the menus may not be
available. Only those tied to the
features on your vehicle will be
shown.

Black plate (35,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-35
Climate and Air Quality
Select the Climate and Air Quality
menu and the following will be
displayed:
.Auto Fan Speed
.Air Conditioning Mode
.Remote Start Auto Heat Seats
Auto Fan Speed
This selection is available on
vehicles with the Automatic Climate
Control System. Choose from the
following blower speed settings:
High: Increased speed.
Low: Reduced speed.
Normal: Moderate speed.
Press the MENU/SELECT knob
when Auto Fan Speed is
highlighted. Turn the knob to
highlight “High,” “Normal,” or“Low.”
Press the knob to confirm the
selection and go back to the
last menu. Air Conditioning Mode
This will allow you to select whether
or not the air conditioning comes on
automatically the next time the
vehicle is started.
“On”means that
the air conditioning will be on at
start up, regardless of whether it
was on or off the last time the
vehicle was turned off. “Off”means
the air conditioning will be off at the
next start up, regardless of whether
it was on or off the last time the
vehicle was turned off. “Last
Setting” means that when the
vehicle is started, the air
conditioning will resume whichever
setting it was at the last time the
vehicle was turned off.
Press the MENU/SELECT knob
when Air Conditioning Mode is
highlighted. Turn the knob to
highlight “On,” “Off,” or“Last
Setting.” Press the knob to confirm
the selection and go back to the
last menu. Remote Start Auto Heat Seats
When on, this feature will turn the
heated seats on when using remote
start on cold days.
Press the MENU/SELECT knob
when
“Remote Start Auto Heat
Seats” is highlighted to toggle
between “On”or“Off.” PressE
BACK to confirm the selection and
go back to the last menu.
Comfort and Convenience
Select the Comfort and
Convenience menu and the
following will be displayed:
.Easy Exit Driver Seat
.Chime Volume
.Reverse Tilt Mirror

Black plate (38,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2012
5-38 Instruments and Controls
Remote Lock/Unlock/Start
Select Remote Lock/Unlock/Start
and the following will be displayed:
.Remote Unlock Light Feedback
.Remote Lock Feedback
.Remote Door Unlock
.Memory Remote Recall
Remote Unlock Light Feedback
When on, the exterior lamps will
flash when unlocking the vehicle
with the RKE transmitter.
Press the MENU/SELECT knob
when “Remote Unlock Light
Feedback” is highlighted. Turn the
knob to select “Flash Lights”or
“Off.” Press the knob to confirm and
go back to the last menu.
Remote Lock Feedback
This allows selection of what type of
feedback is given when unlocking
the vehicle with the RKE transmitter.
Press the MENU/SELECT knob
when “Remote Lock Feedback” is
highlighted. Turn the knob to select “Lights and Horn,” “Lights Only,”
“Horn Only,”
or“Off. ”Press the knob
to confirm and go back to the
last menu.
Remote Door Unlock
This allows selection of which doors
will unlock when pressing the unlock
button on the RKE transmitter.
Press the MENU/SELECT knob
when “Remote Door Unlock” is
highlighted. Turn the knob to select
“All Doors” or“Driver Door.” Press
the knob to confirm and go back to
the last menu.
Memory Remote Recall
This allows the Memory Remote
Recall feature to be turned on or off.
When on, this feature will recall the
current driver's last seat, outside
mirrors upon unlocking the driver
door with the RKE, and opening that
door. The current driver is identified
when the RKE transmitter is used to
unlock the driver door. See “MemoryRemote Recall”
underPower Seat
Adjustment on page 3‑4 for more
information.
Memory Remote Recall is when the
memorized settings will be recalled
as you unlock the vehicle.
Press the MENU/SELECT knob
when “Memory Remote Recall” is
highlighted to toggle between “On”
or “Off.” Press
EBACK to confirm
the selection and go back to the
last menu.
Return to Factory Settings
Select “Return to Factory Settings”
to return all of the vehicle
personalization to the default
settings. Turn the knob to select
“Yes” or“No.” Press the knob to
confirm and go back to the
last menu.

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2012
Climate Controls 8-5
Rear Window Defogger
1REAR (Rear Defogger):Press
to turn the rear window defogger on
or off. The rear window defogger
turns off after about 10 minutes.
It can also be turned off by turning
the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY or
LOCK/OFF. If turned on again, it
runs for about five minutes before
turning off.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the
windows are clear.
Notice: Do not use a razor blade
or sharp object to clear the inside
rear window. Do not adhere
anything to the defogger grid
lines in the rear glass. These
actions may damage the rear
defogger. Repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
L/M(Driver and Passenger
Heated Seats): For vehicles with
heated seats, see Heated Front
Seats on page 3‑9. Remote Start Climate Control
Operation:
For vehicles with the
remote vehicle start feature, the
climate control system may run
when the vehicle is started remotely.
The system uses the driver's
previous settings to heat or cool the
inside of the vehicle. The front
heated seats will turn on if it is cold
outside. The heated seat indicator
lights do not come on during a
remote start. See Remote Vehicle
Start on page 2‑5.
Sensors
The solar sensor, located on top of
the instrument panel near the
windshield, monitors the solar heat.
The climate control system uses the
information to adjust the
temperature, fan speed,
recirculation, and air delivery mode.
Do not cover the solar sensor or the
system will not work properly.
Air Vents
Use the air outlets, located in the
center and on the side of the
instrument panel, to direct the
airflow. Use the thumbwheels
located near the center air outlets,
to open or close off the airflow.
Operation Tips
.Clear away any ice, snow,
or leaves from air inlets at the
base of the windshield that could
block the flow of air into the
vehicle.
.Keep the path under the front
seats clear of objects to help
circulate the air inside of the
vehicle more effectively.
.Use of non‐GM approved hood
deflectors can adversely affect
the performance of the system.
Check with your dealer before
adding equipment to the outside
of the vehicle.