
Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2012
5-2 Instruments and Controls
Tire Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-33
Transmission Messages . . . . . 5-33
Vehicle ReminderMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-34
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . 5-34
Controls
Steering Wheel
Adjustment
To adjust the steering wheel:
1. Pull the lever (A) down.
2. Move the steering wheel up
or down. 3. Pull or push the steering wheel
closer or away from you.
4. Pull the lever (A) up to lock the steering wheel in place.
Do not adjust the steering wheel
while driving.
Steering Wheel Controls
For vehicles with audio steering
wheel controls, some audio controls
can be adjusted at the steering
wheel.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2012
5-4 Instruments and Controls
nLFRONT (Windshield
Washer): Pull the windshield wiper
lever toward you to spray windshield
washer fluid and activate the wipers.
The wipers will continue until the
lever is released or the maximum
wash time is reached. When the
windshield wiper lever is released,
additional wipes may occur
depending on how long the
windshield washer had been
activated. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑23 for information on filling
the windshield washer fluid
reservoir.
{WARNING
In freezing weather, do not use
the washer until the windshield is
warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the
windshield, blocking your vision. Clear snow and ice from the wiper
blades before using them. If frozen
to the windshield, carefully loosen or
thaw them. Damaged blades should
be replaced. See
Wiper Blade
Replacement on page 10‑28.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the
wiper motor.
Wipe Parking
If the ignition is turned to LOCK/
OFF while the wipers are on LO, HI,
or INT, they will immediately stop.
If the windshield wiper lever is then
moved to off before the driver door
is opened or within 10 minutes, the
wipers will restart and move to the
base of the windshield.
If the ignition is turned to LOCK/
OFF while the wipers are performing
wipes due to windshield washing,
the wipers continue to run until they
reach the base of the windshield.
Rear Window Wiper/
Washer
The rear wiper controls are on the
end of the windshield wiper lever.
ON: Press the upper portion of the
button for continuous rear window
wipes.
OFF: The rear wiper turns off when
the button is returned to the middle
position.
INT (Intermittent Rear Wipes):
Press the lower portion of the button
to set a delay between wipes.
m =REAR (Rear Washer): Push
the windshield wiper lever forward
to spray washer fluid on the rear
window. The lever returns to its
starting position when released.

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-5
Reverse Gear Wipes
If the rear wiper control is off, the
rear wiper will automatically operate
continuously when the shift lever is
in R (Reverse), and the front
windshield wiper is performing low
or high speed wipes. If the rear
wiper control is off, the shift lever is
in R (Reverse), and the front
windshield wiper is performing
interval wipes, then the rear wiper
automatically performs interval
wipes.
The windshield washer reservoir is
used for the windshield and the rear
window. Check the fluid level in the
reservoir if either washer is not
working. SeeWasher Fluid on
page 10‑23.Compass
The vehicle may have a compass
display on the Driver Information
Center (DIC). The compass receives
its heading and other information
from the Global Positioning
System (GPS) antenna, StabiliTrak,
and vehicle speed information.
Avoid covering the GPS antenna for
long periods of time with objects
that may interfere with the antenna's
ability to receive a satellite signal.
See Multi-Band Antenna on
page 7‑23 for the location of the
vehicle's antenna. The compass
system is designed to operate for a
certain number of miles or degrees
of turn before needing a signal from
the GPS satellites. When the
compass display shows CAL, drive
the vehicle for a short distance in an
open area where it can receive a
GPS signal. The compass system
will automatically determine when a GPS signal is restored and provide
a heading again. See
Compass
Messages on page 5‑28 for more
information on the messages that
may be displayed for the compass.
Clock
The infotainment system controls,
located on the instrument panel, are
used to access the time and date
settings through the menu system.
See Operation on page 7‑10 for
information about how to use the
menu system.
For vehicles with a navigation
system, see the separate navigation
manual to set the clock.

Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2012
5-6 Instruments and Controls
Setting the Clock with Date
Display
To set the Time and Date:
1. Turn the infotainment system on.
2. Press the CONFIG button andselect Time and Date Settings.
3. Select Set Time or Set Date.
4. Turn the MENU/SEL knob to adjust the highlighted value.
5. Press the MENU/SEL knob to select the next value.
6. To save the time or date and return to the Time and Date
Settings menu, press the
E
BACK button at any time or
press the MENU/SEL knob after
adjusting the minutes or year.
To set the 12/24 hour format:
1. Turn the infotainment system on.
2. Press the CONFIG button and select Time and Date Settings.
3. Highlight 12/24 Hour Format. 4. Press the MENU/SEL knob to
select the 12 hour or 24 hour
display format.
To set the month and day format:
1. Turn the infotainment system on.
2. Press the CONFIG button and select Time and Date Settings.
3. Highlight Month and Day Format.
4. Press the MENU/SEL knob to select MM/DD (month/day) or
DD/MM (day/month).
To set the auto time adjust:
1. Turn the infotainment system on.
2. Press the CONFIG button and select Time and Date Settings.
3. Highlight Auto Time Adjust.
4. Press the MENU/SEL knob to turn Auto Time Adjust on or off. 5. Press the MENU/SEL knob to
select Time Zone, and then
select the time zone.
6. Press the MENU/SEL knob to turn Daylight Savings on or off.
Setting the Clock Without Date
Display
To set the Time and Date:
1. Turn the infotainment system on.
2. Press the CONFIG button andselect Time Settings, or press
the
Hbutton.
3. Select Set Time.
4. Turn the MENU/SEL knob to adjust the highlighted value.
5. Press the MENU/SEL knob to select the next value.
6. To save the time and return to the Time Settings menu, press
the
EBACK button at any
time or press the MENU/SEL
knob after adjusting the minutes.

Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-7
To set the 12/24 hour format:
1. Turn the infotainment system on.
2. Press the CONFIG button andselect Time Settings, or press
the
Hbutton.
3. Highlight 12/24 Hour Format.
4. Press the MENU/SEL knob to select the 12 hour or 24 hour
display format.
Setting the Clock (Radio with
CD and Touchscreen)
To set the time:
1. Press the CONFIG button to
enter the menu options. Turn the
TUNE/MENU knob to scroll
through the available setup
features. Press the TUNE/MENU
knob or press the Time screen
button to display other options
within that feature. 2. Press + or
−to decrease or
increase the Hours and Minutes
displayed on the clock.
12/24 HR Format: Press the 12 HR
screen button for standard time;
press the 24 HR screen button for
military time.
Day + or Day −:Press the Day +
or Day −display buttons to increase
or decrease the day.
Display: Press Display to turn the
display of the time on the screen on
or off.
Power Outlets
The accessory power outlets can be
used to connect electrical
equipment, such as a cell phone or
MP3 player.
There are four accessory power
outlets in the following locations:
below the CD slot, inside the center
console storage, on the rear of the
center console storage, and in the
rear cargo compartment. To use the outlets, remove the cover
and close when not in use.
Notice:
Leaving electrical
equipment plugged in for an
extended period of time while the
vehicle is off will drain the
battery. Always unplug electrical
equipment when not in use and
do not plug in equipment that
exceeds the maximum 20 ampere
rating.
Certain accessory plugs may not be
compatible with the accessory
power outlets and could overload
vehicle and adapter fuses. If a
problem is experienced, see your
dealer.

Black plate (18,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2012
5-18 Instruments and Controls
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
For vehicles with the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), this light comes on
briefly when the engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have it
fixed so it will be ready to warn if
there is a problem.
If the ABS light comes on and stays
on while driving, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition off.
Start the engine again to reset the
system. If the light stays on after
driving at a speed above 20 km/h
(13 mph), see your dealer for
service. A chime may also sound
when the light comes on steady.If the regular brake system warning
light is not on, the vehicle still has
brakes, but not antilock brakes.
If the regular brake system warning
light is also on, the vehicle does not
have antilock brakes and there is a
problem with the regular brakes.
See
Brake System Warning Light on
page 5‑17.
See Brake System Messages on
page 5‑28 for all brake‐related DIC
messages.
Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) Light
For vehicles with the lane departure
warning system, this light is located
on the center of the instrument
panel. This light briefly comes on
green while starting the vehicle.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the
system is working normally the
indicator light then turns off.

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 (31,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-31
FRONT CAMERA BLOCKED,
CLEAN WINDSHIELD
This message displays when the
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
systems are disabled because the
camera view is blocked and cannot
operate properly. It may also
activate during heavy rain or due to
road spray. To clean the system,
clean the outside of the windshield
area in front of the LDW/FCA
camera sensor.
LANE DEPARTURE SYSTEM
UNAVAILABLE
If your vehicle has the Lane
Departure Warning (LDW) system,
this message may display if the
LDW system cannot activate due to
a temporary condition. SeeLane
Departure Warning (LDW) on
page 9‑48 for more information.
PARK ASSIST OFF
This message displays when the
park assist system has been turned
off or when there is a temporary
condition causing the system to be
disabled. See Ultrasonic Parking
Assist on page 9‑43.
SERVICE FRONT CAMERA
This message displays when the
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
systems are disabled and need
service. See your dealer/retailer.
SERVICE PARK ASSIST
This message displays if there is a
problem with the Ultrasonic Rear
Parking Assist (URPA) system. Do
not use this system to help you
park. See Ultrasonic Parking Assist
on page 9‑43 for more information.
See your dealer for service.
Ride Control System
Messages
ALL WHEEL DRIVE OFF
If your vehicle has the All-Wheel
Drive (AWD) system, this message
displays when the rear drive system
is overheating. This message turns
off when the rear drive system cools
down. If the warning message stays
on for a while, you need to reset the
warning message. To reset the
warning message, turn the ignition
off and then back on again. If the
message stays on, see your dealer
right away. See All-Wheel Drive on
page 9‑32 for more information.
SERVICE ALL WHEEL DRIVE
If your vehicle has the All-Wheel
Drive (AWD) system, this message
displays if a problem occurs
with this system. If this message
appears, stop as soon as possible
and turn off the vehicle. Restart the
vehicle and check for the message
on the DIC display. If the message
is still displayed or appears again