2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX Owners Manual

Black plate (31,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 5/21/12
Driving and Operating 9-31
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the
regular brake pedal down, then
push the parking brake pedal down.
If the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light will come on.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 5‑15.
Notice: Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the brake
system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system
parts. Make sure that the parking brake is fully released and the
brake warning light is off before
driving.
To release the parking brake, hold
the regular brake pedal down, then
push down momentarily on the
parking brake pedal until you feel
the pedal release. Slowly pull your
foot up off the park brake pedal.
If the parking brake is not released
when you begin to drive, the brake
system warning light will be on and
a chime will sound warning you that
the parking brake is still on.
If you are towing a trailer and are
parking on a hill, see
Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips on
page 9‑51.
Brake Assist
This vehicle has a brake assist
feature designed to assist the driver
in stopping or decreasing vehicle
speed in emergency driving
conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake
control module to supplement the power brake system under
conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle. The
stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates.
Minor brake pedal pulsation or
pedal movement during this time is
normal and the driver should
continue to apply the brake pedal as
the driving situation dictates. The
brake assist feature will
automatically disengage when the
brake pedal is released or brake
pedal pressure is quickly
decreased.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
This vehicle has a Hill Start Assist
(HSA) feature, which may be useful
when the vehicle is stopped on a
grade. This feature is designed to
prevent the vehicle from rolling,
either forward or rearward, during
vehicle drive off. After the driver

Black plate (32,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 5/21/12
9-32 Driving and Operating
completely stops and holds the
vehicle in a complete standstill on a
grade, HSA will be automatically
activated. During the transition
period between when the driver
releases the brake pedal and starts
to accelerate to drive off on a grade,
HSA holds the braking pressure to
ensure that there is no rolling. The
brakes will automatically release
when the accelerator pedal is
applied within the two‐second
window. It will not activate if the
vehicle is in a drive gear and facing
downhill or if the vehicle is facing
uphill and in R (Reverse).Ride Control Systems
Traction Control
System (TCS)
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) that limits wheel spin.
On a front-wheel-drive vehicle, the
system operates if it senses that
one or both of the front wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose
traction. On an All-Wheel-Drive
(AWD) vehicle, the system will
operate if it senses that any of the
wheels are spinning or beginning to
lose traction. When this happens,
the system brakes the spinning
wheel(s) and/or reduces engine
power to limit wheel spin.
The system may be heard or felt
while it is working, but this is
normal.
TCS is on whenever the vehicle is
started. To limit wheel spin,
especially in slippery roadconditions, the system should
always be left on. But, TCS can be
turned off if needed.
dflashes to indicate that the
traction control system is active.
If there is a problem detected with
TCS, SERVICE TRACTION
CONTROL and SERVICE
STABILITRAK may be displayed on
the Driver Information Center (DIC)
and
dwill be on. See Ride Control
System Messages on page 5‑29.
When this message is displayed
and
dcomes on and stays on, the
vehicle is safe to drive but the
system is not operational. Driving
should be adjusted accordingly.

Black plate (33,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 5/21/12
Driving and Operating 9-33
Notice:Do not repeatedly brake
or accelerate heavily when TCS is
off. The vehicle's driveline could
be damaged.
If
dcomes on and stays on, reset
the system by:
1. Stopping the vehicle.
2. Turning the engine off and waiting 15 seconds.
3. Starting the engine.
If
dstill comes on and stays on 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.
The
gis located on the console.
The TCS off light comes on and
TRACTION CONTROL OFF is
displayed on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) to indicate that the
traction control system has been
turned off. See Ride Control System
Messages on page 5‑29.
TCS can be turned off by pressing
and releasing
g. When TCS is
turned off,
icomes on and the
system will not limit wheel spin.
Driving should be adjusted
accordingly. Press and release
g
again to turn the system back on.
When TCS is turned off on AWD
vehicles, the system may still make
noise. This is normal and necessary
with AWD hardware.
It may be necessary to turn the
system off if the vehicle ever gets
stuck in sand, mud, or snow and
rocking the vehicle is required. See
If the Vehicle Is Stuck on page 9‑14.
See also Winter Driving on page 9‑12
for information on using
TCS when driving in snowy or icy
conditions.
If cruise control is being used when
TCS activates, cruise control will
automatically disengage. Press the
cruise control button to re-engage
when road conditions allow. See
Cruise Control on page 9‑35.
Adding non-GM accessories can
affect the vehicle performance. See
Accessories and Modifications on
page 10‑2.StabiliTrak®System
The vehicle has a vehicle stability
enhancement system called
StabiliTrak. It is an advanced
computer controlled system that
assists with directional control of the
vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
StabiliTrak activates when the
computer senses a difference
between the intended path and the
direction the vehicle is actually
traveling. StabiliTrak selectively

Black plate (34,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 5/21/12
9-34 Driving and Operating
applies braking pressure to the
vehicle's brakes to help steer the
vehicle in the intended direction.
StabiliTrak is on automatically
whenever the vehicle is started. To
assist with directional control of the
vehicle, the system should always
be left on. Trailer Sway Control
(TSC) is also on automatically when
the vehicle is started. SeeTrailer
Sway Control (TSC) on page 9‑57.
When the stability control system
activates, the Traction Control
System (TCS)/StabiliTrak light will flash on the instrument panel. This
also occurs when traction control or
TSC is activated. A noise may be
heard or vibration may be felt in the
brake pedal. This is normal.
Continue to steer the vehicle in the
intended direction.
If there is a problem detected with
StabiliTrak, SERVICE
STABILITRAK is displayed on the
Driver Information Center (DIC) and
dwill stay on. See
Ride Control
System Messages on page 5‑29.
When this message is displayed
and/or
dcomes on and stays on,
the vehicle is safe to drive but the
system is not operational. Driving
should be adjusted accordingly. If
dcomes on and stays on, reset
the system by:
1. Stopping the vehicle.
2. Turning the engine off and waiting 15 seconds.
3. Starting the engine.
If
dstill comes on and stays on at a
speed above 20 km/h (13 mph), see
your dealer for service.
gis on the console.
Both StabiliTrak and Traction
Control can be turned off if needed
by pressing and holding
guntilg
andicome on in the instrument
cluster.

Black plate (35,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 5/21/12
Driving and Operating 9-35
STABILITRAK OFF is displayed on
the DIC. This will also disable the
TSC feature. When StabiliTrak is
turned off, the system will not assist
with directional control of the vehicle
or limit wheel spin. Driving should
be adjusted accordingly. Press and
release
gagain to turn both
systems back on.
If cruise control is being used when
StabiliTrak activates, the cruise
control will automatically disengage.
Press the cruise control button to
re-engage when road conditions
allow. See Cruise Control on
page 9‑35.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, the vehicle can
maintain a speed of about 40 km/h
(25 mph) or more without keeping
your foot on the accelerator. Cruise
control does not work at speeds
below 40 km/h (25 mph).
If the brakes are applied, the cruise
control is disengaged.
If the vehicle has the StabiliTrak
®
system and begins to limit wheel
spin while using cruise control, the
cruise control automatically
disengages. See StabiliTrak
®
System on page 9‑33 orTraction
Control System (TCS) on
page 9‑32. When road conditions
allow you to safely use it again, the
cruise control can be turned
back on.
{WARNING
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. So, do not use
the cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.

Black plate (36,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 5/21/12
9-36 Driving and Operating
ON/OFF5CRUISE:Press to turn
the cruise control system on and off.
*CANCEL: Press to disengage
cruise control without erasing the
set speed from memory.
RES/+ (Resume/Accel): Move the
thumbwheel up toward RES/+ to
make the vehicle resume to a
previously set speed or to
accelerate. SET/−
(Set/Coast): Move the
thumbwheel down toward SET/- to
set a speed and activate cruise
control, or to make the vehicle
decelerate.
Setting Cruise Control
If the cruise button is on when not in
use, it could get bumped and go into
cruise when not desired. Keep the
cruise button turned off when cruise
control is not being used.
1. Press ON/OFF
5CRUISE.
2. Get to the speed desired.
3. Press the thumbwheel and release it. The desired set speed
briefly appears in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) display.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a
desired speed and then the brakes
are applied, the cruise control is
disengaged without erasing the set
speed from memory. Once the vehicle reaches about
40 km/h (25 mph) or more, move the
thumbwheel up toward RES/+
briefly. The vehicle returns to the
previous set speed and stays there.
Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is
already activated,
.Move the thumbwheel up toward
RES/+ and hold it until the
vehicle accelerates to the
desired speed, and then
release it.
.To increase the speed in small
amounts, move the thumbwheel
up toward RES/+ briefly and
then release it. Each time this is
done, the vehicle goes about
1.6 km/h (1 mph) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is
already activated,

Black plate (37,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 5/21/12
Driving and Operating 9-37
.Move the thumbwheel toward
SET/−and hold until the desired
lower speed is reached, then
release it.
.To slow down in small amounts,
move the thumbwheel toward
SET/− briefly. Each time this is
done, the vehicle goes about
1.6 km/h (1 mph) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While
Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to
increase the vehicle speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, the
vehicle will slow down to the
previous set cruise speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control works
on hills depends upon the vehicle
speed, load, and the steepness of
the hills. When going up steep hills,
you might have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain the
vehicle speed. When going
downhill, you might have to brake or
shift to a lower gear to maintain the vehicle's speed. When the brakes
are applied the cruise control is
disengaged.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to end cruise
control:
.To disengage cruise control;
step lightly on the brake pedal or
clutch, the indicator light will
go off.
.Press*CANCEL.
.To turn off the cruise control,
press ON/OFF
5CRUISE. The
cruise control cannot be
resumed.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is
erased from memory if ON/OFF
5
CRUISE is pressed or if the vehicle
is turned off.
Object Detection
Systems
Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) System
For vehicles with this feature, read
the following section before using it.
The Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
system may help to avoid or reduce
the harm caused by front-end
crashes. FCA provides a flashing
visual alert and beeps when
approaching a vehicle directly
ahead too quickly. FCA also
provides a visual alert if following
another vehicle much too closely.
The FCA symbol is on top of the
instrument panel to the right of the
steering wheel.
The forward-looking FCA camera
sensor is on the windshield ahead
of the rearview mirror. FCA detects
vehicles within a distance of
approximately 60 m (197 ft) and
operates at speeds above 40 km/h
(25 mph).

Black plate (38,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 5/21/12
9-38 Driving and Operating
{WARNING
FCA is a warning system and
does not apply the brakes. When
approaching a slower-moving or
stopped vehicle ahead too rapidly,
or when following a vehicle too
closely, FCA may not provide a
warning with enough time to help
avoid a crash. FCA does not warn
of pedestrians, animals, signs,
guardrails, bridges, construction
barrels, or other objects. Be ready
to take action and apply the
brakes. For more information, see
Defensive Driving on page 9‑3.
Detecting the Vehicle Ahead
The green vehicle ahead indicator
will appear when a vehicle is
detected ahead. Whenever this
indicator does not appear, FCA will
not respond. The indicator may
disappear on curves, highway exit
ramps, or hills, or due to poor
visibility. The FCA system will not
detect another vehicle ahead until it
is completely in the driving lane.
{WARNING
FCA does not provide a warning
to help avoid a crash, unless it
detects a vehicle. FCA may not
detect a vehicle ahead if the FCA
sensor is blocked by dirt, snow,
or ice, or if the windshield is
damaged. It may also not detect a
vehicle on winding or hilly roads,
or in conditions that can limit
visibility such as fog, rain,
or snow, or if the headlamps or
windshield are not cleaned or in
proper condition. Keep the
windshield, headlamps, and FCA
sensors clean and in good repair.