Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234773) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
Driving and Operating 181
objects. FCA 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.Collision Alert
When your vehicle approaches
another detected vehicle too rapidly,
the red FCA display will flash and
sound several high-pitched beeps
from the front. When this Collision
Alert occurs, the brake system may
prepare for driver braking to occur
more rapidly which can cause a
brief, mild deceleration. Continue to
apply the brake pedal as needed.
Cruise control may be disengaged
when the Collision Alert occurs.
Tailgating Alert
The red Collision Alert display will
stay continuously illuminated when
following a detected vehicle ahead
much too closely.
Selecting the Alert Timing
The Collision Alert control is on the
steering wheel. Press COLLISION
ALERT to set the FCA timing to far,
medium, near, or off. The first button
press shows the current control
setting on the DIC. Additional button
presses will change this setting. The
chosen setting will remain until it is
changed and will affect both the
Collision Alert and the Tailgating
Alert features. The timing of both
alerts will vary based on vehicle
speed. The faster the vehicle speed,
the farther away the alert will occur.
Consider traffic and weather
conditions when selecting the alert
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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184 Driving and Operating
Lane Departure
Warning (LDW)
If equipped, LDW may help avoid
crashes due to unintentional lane
departures. It may provide an alert if
the vehicle is crossing a lane
without using a turn signal in that
direction. LDW uses a camera
sensor to detect the lane markings
at speeds of 56 km/h (35 mph) or
greater.
{Warning
The LDW system does not steer
the vehicle. The LDW system
may not:. Provide enough time to
avoid a crash.
. Detect lane markings under
poor weather or visibility
conditions. This can occur if
the windshield or
headlamps are blocked by
dirt, snow, or ice; if they are
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
not in proper condition; or if
the sun shines directly into
the camera.
. Detect road edges.
. Detect lanes on winding or
hilly roads.
If LDW only detects lane
markings on one side of the road,
it will only warn you when
departing the lane on the side
where it has detected a lane
marking. Always keep your
attention on the road and
maintain proper vehicle position
within the lane, or vehicle
damage, injury, or death could
occur. Always keep the
windshield, headlamps, and
camera sensors clean and in
good repair. Do not use LDW in
bad weather conditions.
How the System Works
The LDW camera sensor is on the
windshield ahead of the rearview
mirror.
To turn LDW on and off, press the
LANE DEPART button on the
steering wheel. The control indicator
will light when LDW is on.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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188 Driving and Operating
Filling the Tank
{Warning
Fuel vapors and fuel fires burn
violently and can cause injury or
death.. To help avoid injuries to you
and others, read and follow
all the instructions on the
fuel pump island.
. Turn off the engine when
refueling.
. Keep sparks, flames, and
smoking materials away
from fuel.
. Do not leave the fuel pump
unattended.
. Do not use a cell phone
while refueling.
. Do not reenter the vehicle
while pumping fuel.
. Keep children away from
the fuel pump and never let
children pump fuel.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Fuel can spray out if the fuel
cap is opened too quickly.
This spray can happen if the
tank is nearly full, and is
more likely in hot weather.
Open the fuel cap slowly
and wait for any hiss noise
to stop, then unscrew the
cap all the way.
The fuel cap is behind the fuel door
on the passenger side of the
vehicle. To open the fuel door, push
and release the rearward center
edge of the door.
Turn the fuel cap counterclockwise
to remove. Do not release the cap
too soon or it will spring back.
Reinstall the cap by turning it
clockwise until it clicks.
If the cap is not properly installed,
the malfunction indicator lamp may
come on. See Malfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine Light) 0103
ii.
{Warning
Overfilling the fuel tank by more
than three clicks of a standard fill
nozzle may cause:
. Vehicle performance issues,
including engine stalling and
damage to the fuel system.
. Fuel spills.
. Potential fuel fires.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234773) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
Driving and Operating 195
Weight Rating). The effect of
additional weight may reduce the
trailering capacity more than the
total of the additional weight.
It is important that the vehicle does
not exceed any of its ratings—
GCWR, GVWR, RGAWR, Maximum
Trailer Rating or Tongue Weight.
The only way to be sure it is not
exceeding any of these ratings is to
weigh the vehicle and trailer.
Total Weight on the Vehicle's
Tires
Inflate the vehicle's tires to the
upper limit for cold tires. These
numbers can be found on the
Certification label or see Vehicle
Load Limits 0156
iifor more
information. Do not go over the
GVW limit for the vehicle, or the
GAWR, including the weight of the
trailer tongue. If using a weight
distributing hitch, do not go over the
rear axle limit before applying the
weight distribution spring bars.
Towing Equipment
Hitches
Use the correct hitch equipment.
See your dealer or a hitch dealer for
assistance.
. The rear bumper on the vehicle
is not intended for hitches. Do
not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to it. Use
only a frame-mounted hitch that
does not attach to the bumper.
. Will any holes be made in the
body of the vehicle when the
trailer hitch is installed? If so,
seal the holes when the hitch is
removed. If the holes are not
sealed, dirt, water, and deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) from the
exhaust can get into the vehicle.
See Engine Exhaust 0166
ii.
Safety Chains
Always attach chains between the
vehicle and the trailer. Cross the
safety chains under the tongue of
the trailer to help prevent the tongue
from contacting the road if it
becomes separated from the hitch. Leave enough slack so the rig can
turn. Never allow safety chains to
drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Does the trailer have its own
brakes? Be sure to read and follow
the instructions for the trailer brakes
so they are installed, adjusted, and
maintained properly.
Because the vehicle has antilock
brakes, do not tap into the vehicle's
brake system. If this is done, both
brake systems will not work well or
at all.
Trailer Sway
Control (TSC)
The vehicle has a TSC feature as
part of the StabiliTrak system.
If TSC detects that the trailer is
swaying, the vehicle's brakes are
automatically applied.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 197
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 198
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 198
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Engine Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 207
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 208
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 214
Power Steering Fluid (2.4L L4 Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Power Steering Fluid (3.6L V6 Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Battery - North America . . . . . . 218
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 219
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 220
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 220
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps, and
Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 223
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Electrical System
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224 Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 231
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 247
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 199
airbags, braking, stability, ride and
handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and
electronic systems like antilock
brakes, traction control, and stability
control. These accessories or
modifications could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to suspension components
caused by modifying vehicle height
outside of factory settings will not be
covered by the warranty.Damage to vehicle components
resulting from modifications or the
installation or use of non-GM
certified parts, including control
module or software modifications, is
not covered under the terms of the
vehicle warranty and may affect
remaining warranty coverage for
affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with other
systems on the vehicle. See your
dealer to accessorize the vehicle
using genuine GM Accessories
installed by a dealer technician.
Also, see
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 069
ii.
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own
Service Work
{Warning
It can be dangerous to work on
your vehicle if you do not have
the proper knowledge, service
manual, tools, or parts. Always
follow owner manual procedures
and consult the service manual
for your vehicle before doing any
service work.
If doing some of your own service
work, use the proper service
manual. It tells you much more
about how to service the vehicle
than this manual can. To order the
proper service manual, see Service
Publications Ordering Information
0 298
ii.
This vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to do your own
service work, see Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 069
ii.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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202 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
0208ii.
2. Engine Cover 0204
ii.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See Engine Oil0204
ii.
4. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0204
ii.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0217
ii.
6. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0224
ii.
7. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting - North
America 0257
ii.
8. Remote Negative (−) Terminal. See Jump Starting - North
America 0257
ii.
9. Battery - North America 0218
ii(Out of View).
10. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant 0210
ii.
11. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 216
ii.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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204 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
0208ii.
2. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Under Engine Cover). See
Power Steering Fluid (2.4L L4
Engine) 0215
iior Power
Steering Fluid (3.6L V6 Engine)
0 215
ii.
3. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0204
ii.
4. Engine Cover 0204
ii.
5. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See Engine Oil0204
ii.
6. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0217
ii.
7. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0224
ii.
8. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting - North
America 0257
ii.
9. Remote Negative (−) Terminal. See Jump Starting - North
America 0257
ii.
10. Battery - North America 0218
ii(Out of View). 11. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant 0210
ii.
12. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 216
ii.
Engine Cover
Engine Cover 3.6L V6
1. Oil Fill Cap
2. Engine Cover Bolt
3. Engine Cover
To remove:
1. Remove the oil fill cap (1). 2. Remove the engine cover
bolt (2).
3. Raise the engine cover (3) to release from the retainers.
4. Lift and remove the engine cover.
5. Reverse Steps 1–4 to reinstall engine cover.
Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.Use engine oil approved to the
proper specification and of the
proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
. Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.