
Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-21
.Between the first 1 000 km
(600 mi) and 5 000 km
(3,000 mi), heavy
acceleration in lower gears
can be used. Vehicle speeds
above 110 km/h (68 mph)
should be limited to
five minutes per use.
.Avoid making hard stops for
the first 322 km (200 mi) or
so. During this time the new
brake linings are not yet
broken in. Hard stops with
new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this
breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake
linings.
.Do not tow a trailer during
break-in. SeeDriving
Characteristics and Towing
Tips on page 9‑57 for the
trailer towing capabilities of
your vehicle and more
information. Following break‐in, engine speed
and load can be gradually
increased.
Ignition Positions
The ignition switch has four different
positions.
Notice:
Using a tool to force the
key to turn in the ignition could
cause damage to the switch or
break the key. Use the correct
key, make sure it is all the way in, and turn it only with your hand.
If the key cannot be turned by
hand, see your dealer.
The key must be fully extended to
start the vehicle.
To shift out of P (Park), turn the
ignition to ON/RUN and apply the
brake pedal.
A (STOPPING THE ENGINE/
LOCK/OFF):
When the vehicle is
stopped, turn the ignition switch to
LOCK/OFF to turn the engine off.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
will remain active. See Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) on
page 9‑25.
This is the only position from which
the key can be removed. This locks
the steering wheel, ignition and
automatic transmission.
Do not turn the engine off when the
vehicle is moving. This will cause a
loss of power assist in the brake
and steering systems and disable
the airbags.

Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2012
9-22 Driving and Operating
If the vehicle must be shut off in an
emergency:
1. Brake using a firm and steadypressure. Do not pump the
brakes repeatedly. This may
deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be done while the
vehicle is moving. After shifting
to N (Neutral), firmly apply the
brakes and steer the vehicle to a
safe location.
3. Come to a complete stop, shift to P (Park), and turn the ignition
to LOCK/OFF. On vehicles with
an automatic transmission, the
shift lever must be in P (Park) to
turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK/OFF position.
4. Set the parking brake. See Parking Brake on page 9‑33.{WARNING
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of power
assist in the brake and steering
systems and disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the
vehicle off in an emergency.
If the vehicle cannot be pulled over,
and must be shut off while driving,
turn the ignition to ACC/
ACCESSORY.
The ignition switch can bind in the
LOCK/OFF position with the wheels
turned off center. If this happens,
move the steering wheel from right
to left while turning the key to ACC/
ACCESSORY. If this does not work,
then the vehicle needs service.
B (ACC/ACCESSORY): This
position provides power to some of
the electrical accessories. It unlocks
the steering wheel and ignition. To
move the key from ACC/ ACCESSORY to LOCK/OFF, push
in the key and then turn it to
LOCK/OFF.
C (ON/RUN):
The ignition switch
stays in this position when the
engine is running. This position can
be used to operate the electrical
accessories, including the
ventilation fan and 12‐volt power
outlets, as well as to display some
warning and indicator lights. This
position can also be used for
service and diagnostics, and to
verify the proper operation of the
malfunction indicator lamp as may
be required for emission inspection
purposes. The transmission is also
unlocked in this position on
automatic transmission vehicles.
The battery could be drained if the
key is left in the ACC/ACCESSORY
or ON/RUN position with the engine
off. The vehicle might not start if the
battery is allowed to drain for an
extended period of time.

Black plate (23,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-23
D (START):This position starts the
engine. When the engine starts,
release the key. The ignition switch
will return to ON/RUN for normal
driving.
A warning tone sounds when the
driver door is opened if the ignition
is still in ACC/ACCESSORY and the
key is in the ignition.
Key Lock Release
Vehicles with an automatic
transmission are equipped with an
electronic key lock release system. The key lock release is designed to
prevent ignition key removal unless
the shift lever is in P (Park).
The key lock release is always
functional except in the case of an
uncharged or low voltage (less than
9‐volt) battery. If the vehicle has an
uncharged battery or a battery with
low voltage, try charging or jump
starting the battery. See
Jump
Starting on page 10‑74.
If charging or jump starting the
battery does not work, locate the
hole below the ignition lock. Insert a
flat bladed tool or another key from
the key chain into the opening.
When the lever can be felt, actuate
the lever toward the driver, and
remove the key from the ignition.
Starting the Engine
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). The engine will not start
in any other position. To restart the
vehicle when it is already moving,
use N (Neutral) only.
Notice: Do not try to shift to
P (Park) if the vehicle is moving.
If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to P (Park)
only when the vehicle is stopped.
Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to
START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed
will go down as the engine
warms. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and
transmission gently to allow the
oil to warm up and lubricate all
moving parts.

Black plate (24,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2012
9-24 Driving and Operating
The vehicle has a
Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in
starting the engine and protects
components. If the ignition key is
turned to the START position,
and then released when the
engine begins cranking, the
engine will continue cranking for
a few seconds or until the
vehicle starts. If the engine does
not start and the key is held in
START for many seconds,
cranking will be stopped after
15 seconds to prevent cranking
motor damage. To prevent gear
damage, this system also
prevents cranking if the engine
is already running. Engine
cranking can be stopped by
turning the ignition switch to
ACC/ACCESSORY or
LOCK/OFF.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
five 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.

Black plate (25,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-25
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.
Engine Coolant Heater
The engine coolant heater,
if available, can help in cold weather
conditions at or below −18°C (0°F)
for easier starting and better fuel
economy during engine warm-up.
Plug in the coolant heater at least
four hours before starting the
vehicle. An internal thermostat in
the plug-end of the cord will prevent
engine coolant heater operation at
temperatures above −18°C (0°F).
To Use The Engine Coolant
Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the
electrical cord.
The electrical cord is located on
the passenger side of the engine
compartment, in front of the air
cleaner.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{WARNING
Plugging the cord into an
ungrounded outlet could cause an
electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could
overheat and cause a fire. You
could be seriously injured. Plug
the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet.
If the cord will not reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension
cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store the
cord as it was before to keep it
away from moving engine parts.
If you do not it could be
damaged.
The length of time the heater should
remain plugged in depends on
several factors. Ask a dealer in the
area where you will be parking the
vehicle for the best advice on this.

Black plate (38,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2012
10-38 Vehicle Care
J-CaseFuses Usage
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
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
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 Mini Fuses Usage
29 Front Wiper
30 Rear Wiper
31 Air Conditioning
Compressor
32 Rear Latch
33 Heated Mirrors
34 Horn
35 Right High‐Beam
Headlamp
36 Left High‐Beam
Headlamp
37 Ignition Even Coil
38 Ignition Odd Coil
39 Windshield Washer
40 Front Fog Lamps
41 Post Catalytic
Converter Oxygen
Sensor
42 Engine Control
Module

Black plate (41,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-41
Mini Fuses Usage1 Steering Wheel
Dimming
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 Mini Fuses Usage
12 Heater, Ventilation
and Air Conditioning
Battery
13 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 Mini Fuses Usage
21 Special Equipment
Order Retained
Accessory Power
22 Sensing and
Diagnostic Module
Ignition
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

Black plate (42,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2012
10-42 Vehicle Care
Mini Fuses Usage33 Communications
Integration Module
34 Body Control
Module 2
35 Sensing and
Diagnostic Module
Battery
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 Logistic Relay (If
Equipped)
42 Retained Accessory
Power RelayWheels and Tires
Tires
Every new GM vehicle has
high-quality tires made by a
leading tire manufacturer. See
the warranty manual for
information regarding the tire
warranty and where to get
service. For additional
information refer to the tire
manufacturer.
{WARNING
.Poorly maintained and
improperly used tires are
dangerous.
.Overloading the tires can
cause overheating as a result
of too much flexing. There
could be a blowout and a
serious crash. See
Vehicle
Load Limits on page 9‑16.
(Continued)