
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234773) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
190 Driving and Operating
Trailer Towing
General Towing
Information
Only use towing equipment that has
been designed for the vehicle.
Contact your dealer or trailering
dealer for assistance with preparing
the vehicle for towing a trailer. Read
the entire section before towing a
trailer.
For towing a disabled vehicle, see
Towing the Vehicle0260
ii. For
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle such as a motor home, see
Recreational Vehicle Towing 0260
ii.
Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips
Driving with a Trailer
When towing a trailer:
.
Become familiar with the state
and local laws that apply
specifically to trailer towing. .
Do not tow a trailer during the
first 800 km (500 miles), to
prevent damage to the engine,
axle or other parts.
. Then, during the first 800 km
(500 miles) trailer towing, do not
drive over 80 km/h (50 mph) and
do not make starts at full throttle.
. The vehicle can tow in D (Drive).
Use a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often.
. Do not use the Fuel Economy
Mode when towing.
. Turn off Park Assist when
towing.
{Warning
When towing a trailer, exhaust
gases may collect at the rear of
the vehicle and enter if the
liftgate, trunk/hatch, or rear-most
window is open.
When towing a trailer:
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Do not drive with the
liftgate, trunk/hatch,
or rear-most window open.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Also adjust the climate
control system to a setting
that brings in only outside
air. See “Climate Control
Systems” in the Index.
For information about carbon
monoxide, see Engine Exhaust
0 166
ii.
Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. The
combination you are driving is
longer and not as responsive as the
vehicle itself. Get acquainted with
the handling and braking of the rig
before setting out for the open road.
Before starting, check all trailer hitch
parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connectors, lamps,
tires and mirrors. If the trailer has

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234773) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
214 Vehicle Care
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has an indicator to warn
of engine overheating. There is an
engine coolant temperature warning
light on the vehicle's instrument
panel. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gauge 0100
ii.
The decision may be made not to lift
the hood when this warning
appears, but instead get service
help right away. See Roadside
Assistance Program 0293
ii.
If the decision to lift the hood is
made, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine
cooling fan(s) are running. If the
engine is overheating, the fan(s)
should be running. If they are not,
do not continue to run the engine
and have the vehicle serviced.
Caution
Running the engine without
coolant may cause damage or a
fire. Vehicle damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
If Steam is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
{Warning
Steam from an overheated engine
can burn you badly, even if you
just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Just turn it
off and get everyone away from
the vehicle until it cools down.
Wait until there is no sign of
steam or coolant before you open
the hood.
If you keep driving when the
engine is overheated, the liquids
in it can catch fire. You or others
could be badly burned. Stop the
engine if it overheats, and get out
of the vehicle until the engine
is cool.
If No Steam is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.
Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
. Stops after high-speed driving.
. Idles for long periods in traffic.
. Tows a trailer.
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam: 1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the
highest fan speed. Open the
windows as necessary.
3. When it is safe to do so, pull off the road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral) and let the
engine idle.
If the temperature overheat gauge is
no longer in the overheat zone or an
overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven.
Continue to drive the vehicle slowly
for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
vehicle distance from the vehicle in
front. If the warning does not come

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234773) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
228 Vehicle Care
Instrument Panel Fuse BlockMini Fuses Usage
1 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 Spare 11 Rear Parking Assist Module
12 Heater, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
Battery
13 Auxiliary Power Front Mini Fuses Usage
14 Heater, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
Ignition
15 Display
16 Body Control Module 5
17 Auxiliary Power Rear
18 Instrument Panel Ignition
19 Universal Garage Door Opener
20 Body Control Module 6
21 Spare
22 Sensing and Diagnostic Module
Ignition
23 Front Camera
24 Spare
25 Transmission Gear Shift Position
Indicator

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234773) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
250 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
2. Put an automatictransmission in P (Park) or a
manual transmission in
1 (First) or R (Reverse).
3. Turn off the engine and do not restart while the vehicle
is raised.
4. Do not allow passengers to remain in the vehicle.
5. Place wheel blocks, if equipped, on both sides of
the tire at the opposite
corner of the tire being
changed.
When the vehicle has a flat tire (2),
use the following example as a
guide to assist in the placement of
the wheel blocks (1), if equipped.
1. Wheel Block (If Equipped)
2. Flat Tire
The following information explains
how to repair or change a tire.
Tire Changing
Removing the Spare Tire and
Tools
1. Extension
2. Wheel Wrench
3. Jack
To access the spare tire and tools: 1. Open the liftgate. See Liftgate
0 32
ii.
2. Lift the load floor up.
3. Remove the extension (1), wheel wrench (2) and jack (3).

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234773) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
OnStar 309
OnStar Personal Identification
Number (PIN)
A PIN is needed to access some
OnStar services. The PIN will need
to be changed the first time when
speaking with an Advisor. To
change the OnStar PIN, contact an
OnStar Advisor by pressing
Qor
calling 1-888-4ONSTAR.
Warranty
OnStar equipment may be
warranted as part of the vehicle
warranty.
Languages
The vehicle can be programmed to
respond in multiple languages.
Press
Qand ask for an Advisor.
Advisors are available in English,
Spanish, and French. Available
languages may vary by country.
Potential Issues
OnStar cannot perform Remote
Door Unlock or Stolen Vehicle
Assistance after the vehicle has
been off continuously for five days
without an ignition cycle. If the vehicle has not been started for
five days, OnStar can contact
Roadside Assistance or a locksmith
to help gain access to the vehicle.
Global Positioning
System (GPS)
.
Obstruction of the GPS can
occur in a large city with tall
buildings; in parking garages;
around airports; in tunnels and
underpasses; or in an area with
very dense trees. If GPS signals
are not available, the OnStar
system should still operate to
call OnStar. However, OnStar
could have difficulty identifying
the exact location.
. In emergency situations, OnStar
can use the last stored GPS
location to send to emergency
responders.
A temporary loss of GPS can cause
loss of the ability to send a
Turn-by-Turn Navigation route. The
Advisor may give a verbal route or
may ask for a call back after the
vehicle is driven into an open area.
Cellular and GPS Antennas
Cellular reception is required for
OnStar to send remote signals to
the vehicle. Do not place items over
or near the antenna to prevent
blocking cellular and GPS signal
reception.
Unable to Connect to OnStar
Message
If there is limited cellular coverage
or the cellular network has reached
maximum capacity, this message
may come on. Press
Qto try the
call again or try again after driving a
few miles into another cellular area.
Vehicle and Power Issues
OnStar services require a vehicle
electrical system, wireless service,
and GPS satellite technologies to be
available and operating for features
to function properly. These systems
may not operate if the battery is
discharged or disconnected.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234773) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
314 Index
Automatic TransmissionManual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
B
BatteryLoad Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Voltage and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Battery - North America . . . . 218, 257
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . . . 220
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . 105
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216 Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 159
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133, 222
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . . . 223 Bulb Replacement (cont'd)
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, Stoplamps,
and Backup Lamps . . . . . . . . . . 222
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
California Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Perchlorate Materials
Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
California Proposition
65 Warning . . . . . . . . . .198, 218, 257
Camera Rear Vision (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . 2
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Carbon Monoxide Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Cargo Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Tie-Downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Caution, Danger, and Warning . . . . 2
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . . 89 Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . 102
Check
Ignition Transmission Lock . . . 219
Malfunction IndicatorEngine Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Child Restraints
Infants and Young Children . . . . . 73
Lower Anchors and Tethersfor Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83, 86
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Cleaning Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 137 Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . 296
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Compartments
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234773) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
Index 319
Mirrors, Interior Rearview . . . . . . . . 39
Monitor System, TirePressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
N
NavigationOnStar®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Net, Convenience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . 159
O
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Oil Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 207
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Older Children, Restraints . . . . . . . 71
Online Owner Center . . . . . . . . . . . 292
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
OnStar
®Additional
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
OnStar
®Connections . . . . . . . . . . . 305
OnStar®Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . 307 OnStar
®Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
OnStar®Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
OnStar®Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
OnStar®Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Ordering Service Publications . . . . . . . . . . 298
Outlets
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Overheating, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
P
Park Shifting Into . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Shifting Out of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Brake and P (Park)Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 220
Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . 165
Parking Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Passenger Compartment Air Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . 65
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California . . . . . . 198
Personalization Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Power
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . . 162
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Pregnancy, Using Safety Belts . . . 58
Privacy Vehicle Data Recording . . . . . . . 300
Program Courtesy Transportation . . . . . . 295
Proposition 65 Warning,
California . . . . . . . . . . . .198, 218, 257
R
Radio Frequency Statement . . . . 299
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . 176
Rear Window Washer/Wiper . . . . . 94
Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39Automatic Dimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234773) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
320 Index
RecordsMaintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . 260
Reimbursement Program, GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Replacement Parts Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Replacing Airbag System . . . . . . . . 70
Replacing LATCH System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Replacing Safety Belt System
Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Reporting Safety Defects Canadian Government . . . . . . . . 300
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Restraints Where to Put . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Reverse Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Ride Control Systems Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117 Roads
Driving, Wet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Roof Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Rotation, Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Routing, Engine Drive Belt . . . . . . 288
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
S
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
How to Wear Safety BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Replacing after a Crash . . . . . . . . 59
Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . 58
Safety Defects Reporting Canadian Government . . . . . . . . 300
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . . . 295 Seats
Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Heated Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Lumbar Adjustment, Front . . . . . . 46
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Power Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . 45
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Securing Child Restraints . . . . 83, 86
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
OnStar®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Vehicle Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Service Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Climate Control System . . . . . . . 137
Doing Your Own Work . . . . . . . . 199
Engine Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . . 284
Maintenance, General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Parts Identification Label . . . . . 285
Publications Ordering Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298