2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX steering wheel

Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 5/21/12
3-22 Seats and Restraints
{WARNING
If something is between an
occupant and an airbag, the
airbag might not inflate properly
or it might force the object into
that person causing severe injury
or even death. The path of an
inflating airbag must be kept
clear. Do not put anything
between an occupant and an
airbag, and do not attach or put
anything on the steering wheel
hub or on or near any other
airbag covering.
Do not use seat accessories that
block the inflation path of a
seat-mounted side impact airbag.
Never secure anything to the roof
of a vehicle with roof-rail airbags
by routing a rope or tie‐down
through any door or window
opening. If you do, the path of an
inflating roof-rail airbag will be
blocked.
When Should an Airbag
Inflate?
Frontal airbags are designed to
inflate in moderate to severe frontal
or near-frontal crashes to help
reduce the potential for severe
injuries mainly to the driver's or right
front passenger's head and chest.
However, they are only designed to
inflate if the impact exceeds a
predetermined deployment
threshold. Deployment thresholds
are used to predict how severe a
crash is likely to be in time for the
airbags to inflate and help restrain
the occupants.
Whether the frontal airbags will or
should deploy is not based on how
fast your vehicle is traveling.
It depends largely on what you hit,
the direction of the impact, and how
quickly your vehicle slows down.Frontal airbags may inflate at
different crash speeds. For
example:.If the vehicle hits a stationary
object, the airbags could inflate
at a different crash speed than if
the vehicle hits a moving object.
.If the vehicle hits an object that
deforms, the airbags could
inflate at a different crash speed
than if the vehicle hits an object
that does not deform.
.If the vehicle hits a narrow object
(like a pole), the airbags could
inflate at a different crash speed
than if the vehicle hits a wide
object (like a wall).
.If the vehicle goes into an object
at an angle, the airbags could
inflate at a different crash speed
than if the vehicle goes straight
into the object.
Thresholds can also vary with
specific vehicle design.

Black plate (23,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 5/21/12
Seats and Restraints 3-23
Frontal airbags are not intended to
inflate during vehicle rollovers, rear
impacts, or in many side impacts.
In addition, the vehicle has
dual-stage frontal airbags.
Dual-stage airbags adjust the
restraint according to crash severity.
The vehicle has electronic frontal
sensors, which help the sensing
system distinguish between a
moderate frontal impact and a more
severe frontal impact. For moderate
frontal impacts, dual-stage airbags
inflate at a level less than full
deployment. For more severe frontal
impacts, full deployment occurs.
The vehicle has seat-mounted side
impact and roof-rail airbags. See
Airbag System on page 3‑18.
Seat-mounted side impact and
roof-rail airbags are intended to
inflate in moderate to severe side
crashes. In addition, these roof-rail
airbags are intended to inflate
during a rollover or in a severe
frontal impact. Seat-mounted side
impact and roof-rail airbags will
inflate if the crash severity is abovethe system's designed threshold
level. The threshold level can vary
with specific vehicle design.
Seat-mounted side impact airbags
are not intended to inflate in frontal
impacts, near-frontal impacts,
rollovers, or rear impacts. Roof-rail
airbags are not intended to inflate in
rear impacts. A seat-mounted side
impact airbag is intended to deploy
on the side of the vehicle that is
struck. Both roof-rail airbags will
deploy when either side of the
vehicle is struck, or if the sensing
system predicts that the vehicle is
about to roll over, or in a severe
frontal impact.
In any particular crash, no one can
say whether an airbag should have
inflated simply because of the
damage to a vehicle or because of
what the repair costs were. For
frontal airbags, inflation is
determined by what the vehicle hits,
the angle of the impact, and how
quickly the vehicle slows down. For
seat-mounted side impact and
roof-rail airbags, deployment isdetermined by the location and
severity of the side impact. In a
rollover event, roof-rail airbag
deployment is determined by the
direction of the roll.
What Makes an Airbag
Inflate?
In a deployment event, the sensing
system sends an electrical signal
triggering a release of gas from the
inflator. Gas from the inflator fills the
airbag causing the bag to break out
of the cover. The inflator, the airbag,
and related hardware are all part of
the airbag module.
For airbag location, see
Where Are
the Airbags? on page 3‑20.
How Does an Airbag
Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or
near frontal collisions, even belted
occupants can contact the steering
wheel or the instrument panel. In

Black plate (30,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 5/21/12
3-30 Seats and Restraints
The on indicator may be lit if an
object, such as a briefcase,
handbag, grocery bag, laptop or
other electronic device, is put on an
unoccupied seat. If this is not
desired remove the object from
the seat.
{WARNING
Stowing of articles under the
passenger seat or between the
passenger seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the
proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle
should be serviced. There are parts
of the airbag system in several
places around the vehicle. Your
dealer and the service manual have
information about servicing the
vehicle and the airbag system. Topurchase a service manual, see
Service Publications Ordering
Information on page 13‑11.
{WARNING
For up to 10 seconds after the
vehicle is turned off and the
battery is disconnected, an airbag
can still inflate during improper
service. You can be injured if you
are close to an airbag when it
inflates. Avoid yellow connectors.
They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow
proper service procedures, and
make sure the person performing
work for you is qualified to do so.
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q: Is there anything I might add
to or change about the vehicle
that could keep the airbags
from working properly?
A: Yes. If you add things that
change the vehicle's frame,
bumper system, height, front end
or side sheet metal, they may
keep the airbag system from
working properly. Changing or
moving any parts of the front
seats, safety belts, the airbag
sensing and diagnostic module,
steering wheel, instrument
panel, roof-rail airbag modules,
ceiling headliner or pillar garnish
trim, overhead console, front
sensors, side impact sensors,
rollover sensor module, or airbag
wiring can affect the operation of
the airbag system.
In addition, the vehicle has a
passenger sensing system for
the right front passenger
position, which includes sensors

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 5/21/12
Instruments and Controls 5-1
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 5-2
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 5-2
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . 5-3
Rear Window Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . 5-11
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . 5-11 Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Charging System Light . . . . . . 5-13
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
StabiliTrak
®OFF Light . . . . . . . 5-18
Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
®Light . . . . 5-18
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 5-19
Fuel Economy Light . . . . . . . . . 5-20
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 5-20
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . 5-21
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Battery Voltage and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Brake System Messages . . . . 5-26
Compass Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Cruise Control Messages . . . . 5-26
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . 5-27
Engine Power Messages . . . . 5-28
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . 5-28
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 5-28
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Ride Control System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Airbag System Messages . . . . 5-30
Security Messages . . . . . . . . . . 5-30
Service Vehicle Messages . . . 5-30
Tire Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-30
Transmission Messages . . . . . 5-31
Vehicle Reminder Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-31

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 5/21/12
5-2 Instruments and Controls
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . 5-32
Universal Remote System
Universal Remote System . . . 5-37
Universal Remote SystemProgramming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-37
Universal Remote System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-40
Controls
Steering Wheel
Adjustment
To adjust the steering wheel:
1. Pull the lever 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 up to lock the steering wheel in place. Do not adjust the steering wheel
while driving.
Steering Wheel Controls
Some audio steering wheel controls
can be adjusted at the steering
wheel.
b/g:
Press to interact with the
available Bluetooth or OnStar
systems.
>/i: Press to silence the
vehicle speakers only. Press again
to turn the sound on. For vehicles

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 5/21/12
Instruments and Controls 5-3
with OnStar or Bluetooth systems,
press to reject an incoming call,
or end a current call.
_SRC^:Press to select an audio
source.
Toggle up or down to select the next
or previous favorite radio station,
CD, or MP3 track.
+ VOL −:Press + to increase the
volume; press −to decrease the
volume.
Horn
Pressaon the steering wheel pad
to sound the horn.
Windshield Wiper/Washer
The windshield wiper/washer lever
is located on the right side of the
steering column. With the ignition in
ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN/
START, move the windshield wiper
lever to select the wiper speed.
HI: Use for fast wipes.
LO: Use for slow wipes.
INT: (Intermittent Wipes): Move
the lever up to INT for intermittent
wipes, then turn the
3INT band
up for more frequent wipes or down
for less frequent wipes.
OFF: Use to turn the wipers off.
8(Mist): For a single wipe, briefly
move the wiper lever down. For
several wipes, hold the wiper
lever down.
n LFRONT (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 10‑20 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

Black plate (15,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 5/21/12
Instruments and Controls 5-15
or stumbling on acceleration.
These conditions might go away
once the engine is warmed up.
If one or more of these conditions
occurs, change the fuel brand used.
It may require at least one full tank
of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
See Recommended Fuel on
page 9‑47.
If none of the above have made the
light turn off, your dealer can check
the vehicle. The dealer has the
proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to fix any
mechanical or electrical problems
that might have developed.
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Depending on where you live, your
vehicle may be required to
participate in an emission control
system inspection and maintenance
program. For the inspection, the
emission system test equipment will
likely connect to the vehicle's Data
Link Connector (DLC).
The DLC is under the instrument
panel to the left of the steering
wheel. See your dealer if assistance
is needed.
The vehicle may not pass
inspection if:
.The malfunction indicator lamp is
on with the engine running, or if
the light does not come on when
the ignition is turned to ON/RUN
while the engine is off. See your
dealer for assistance in verifying
proper operation of the
malfunction indicator lamp.
.The OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics) system determines
that critical emission control
systems have not been
completely diagnosed. The
vehicle would be considered not
ready for inspection. This can happen if the 12-volt battery has
recently been replaced or run
down. The diagnostic system is
designed to evaluate critical
emission control systems during
normal driving. This can take
several days of routine driving.
If this has been done and the
vehicle still does not pass the
inspection for lack of OBD II
system readiness, your dealer
can prepare the vehicle for
inspection.
Brake System Warning
Light
The vehicle brake system consists
of two hydraulic circuits. If one
circuit is not working, the remaining
circuit can still work to stop the
vehicle. For normal braking
performance, both circuits need to
be working

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 5/21/12
7-4 Infotainment System
Operation
Controls
The infotainment system is operated
by using the pushbuttons,
multifunction knobs, display menus,
and steering wheel controls,
if equipped.
Turning the System On or Off
VOL/O(Volume/Power):Press to
turn the system on and off.
Automatic Switch-Off
If the infotainment system has been
turned on after the ignition is turned
off, the system will turn off
automatically after 10 minutes.
Volume Control
VOL/O(Volume/Power): Turn to
adjust the volume.
5/?(Mute): For vehicles with
OnStar, press and hold
5/?to
mute the infotainment system. Press
and hold
5/?again, or turn the
VOL/
Oknob to cancel mute.
For vehicles without OnStar, press
5/?to mute the infotainment
system. Press
5/?again, or turn
the VOL/
Oknob to cancel mute.
Menu System
Controls
The MENU/SEL knob and the
E
BACK button are used to navigate
the menu system.
MENU/SEL (Menu/Select):
Press to:
.Enter the menu system.
.Select or activate the highlighted
menu option.
.Confirm a set value.
.Turn a system setting on or off. Turn to:
.Highlight a menu option.
.Select a value.
EBACK:
Press to:
.Exit a menu.
.Return from a submenu screen
to the previous menu screen.
.Delete the last character in a
sequence.
RADIO/BAND: Press to:
.Displays menu of AM, FM, XM,
CD, or AUX.
.Press to toggle through menu.
Selecting a Menu Option
1. Turn the MENU/SEL knob to move the highlighted bar.