Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9918169) - 2017 - CRC - 3/23/16
Introduction 3
Danger, Warning, and
Caution
Warning messages found on vehicle
labels and in this manual describe
hazards and what to do to avoid or
reduce them.
{Danger
Danger indicates a hazard with a
high level of risk which will result
in serious injury or death.
{Warning
Warning indicates a hazard that
could result in injury or death.
Caution
Caution indicates a hazard that
could result in property or vehicle
damage.
A circle with a slash through it is a
safety symbol which means“Do
Not,” “Do not do this,” or“Do not let
this happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead of
text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or
information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gauge, or indicator.
M: Shown when the owner
manual has additional instructions
or information.
*: Shown when the service
manual has additional instructions
or information.
0: Shown when there is more
information on another page —
“see page.” Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the Index.
9:
Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I: Cruise Control
`:Do Not Puncture
^:Do Not Service
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
_: Flame/Fire Prohibited
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gauge
+: Fuses
3:Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j: LATCH System Child Restraints
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9918169) - 2017 - CRC - 3/23/16
Instruments and Controls 95
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . 96
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . 96
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . 96
Rear Window Wiper/Washer . . . 98
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . 103
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 104
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Charging System Light . . . . . . . 105
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 106
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . 109
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
StabiliTrak
®OFF Light . . . . . . . . 110
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak
®Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . . 111
Fuel Economy Light . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 112
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 112
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . 112
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . 113
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 113
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Battery Voltage and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Brake System Messages . . . . . 117
Compass Messages . . . . . . . . . . 117
Cruise Control Messages . . . . . 117
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . 117
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . 118
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 119
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . . 119
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . . 119
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Ride Control System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Airbag System Messages . . . . 121
Security Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Service Vehicle Messages . . . . 122
Tire Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Transmission Messages . . . . . . 122
Vehicle Reminder Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 123
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9918169) - 2017 - CRC - 3/23/16
Instruments and Controls 105
United States
Canada and Mexico
When the vehicle is started, the
passenger airbag status indicator
will light ON and OFF, or the symbol
for on and off, for several seconds
as a system check. Then, after
several more seconds, the status
indicator will light either ON or OFF,
or either the on or off symbol to let
you know the status of the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag. If the word ON or the on symbol is
lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag is
allowed to inflate.
If the word OFF or the off symbol is
lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the
passenger sensing system has
turned off the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag.
If, after several seconds, both status
indicator lights remain on, or if there
are no lights at all, there may be a
problem with the lights or the
passenger sensing system. See
your dealer for service.
{Warning
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others,
have the vehicle serviced right
away. See
Airbag Readiness
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Light0104 for more information,
including important safety
information.
Charging System Light
The charging system light comes on
briefly when the ignition is turned
on, but the engine is not running, as
a check to show the light is working.
The light turns off when the engine
is started. If it does not, have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the light stays on, or comes on
while driving, there may be a
problem with the electrical charging
system. Have it checked by your
dealer. Driving while this light is on
could drain the battery.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9918169) - 2017 - CRC - 3/23/16
106 Instruments and Controls
When this light comes on, the Driver
Information Center (DIC) also
displays a message.
SeeBattery Voltage and Charging
Messages 0117.
If a short distance must be driven
with the light on, be sure to turn off
all accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine
Light)
This light is part of the vehicle’s
emission control on-board
diagnostic system. If this light is on
while the engine is running, a
malfunction has been detected and
the vehicle may require service. The
light should come on to show that it
is working when the ignition is in
ON/RUN and the engine is not
running. See Ignition
Positions 0163.
Malfunctions are often indicated by
the system before any problem is
noticeable. Being aware of the light
and seeking service promptly when
it comes on may prevent damage.
Caution
If the vehicle is driven continually
with this light on, the emission
control system may not work as
well, the fuel economy may be
lower, and the vehicle may not
run smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs that might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Caution
Modifications to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake,
or fuel system, or the use of
replacement tires that do not
meet the original tire
specifications, can cause this light
to come on. This could lead to
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. This could also
affect the vehicle’s ability to pass
an Emissions Inspection/
Maintenance test. See
Accessories and
Modifications 0202.
If the light is flashing : A
malfunction has been detected that
could damage the emission control
system and increase vehicle
emissions. Diagnosis and service
may be required.
To help prevent damage, reduce
vehicle speed and avoid hard
accelerations and uphill grades.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9918169) - 2017 - CRC - 3/23/16
Instruments and Controls 117
Battery Voltage and
Charging Messages
BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE
This message displays when the
vehicle has detected that the battery
voltage is dropping beyond a
reasonable point. The battery saver
system starts reducing features of
the vehicle that may be noticed. At
the point that features are disabled,
this message displays. Turn off
unnecessary accessories to allow
the battery to recharge.
LOW BATTERY
This message is displayed when the
battery voltage is low. SeeBattery -
North America 0221.
SERVICE BATTERY
CHARGING SYSTEM
This message is displayed when
there is a fault in the battery
charging system. Take the vehicle to
your dealer for service.
Brake System Messages
BRAKE FLUID LOW
This message is displayed when the
brake fluid level is low; see Brake
Fluid 0220.
RELEASE PARKING BRAKE
This message is displayed as a
reminder that the parking brake is
on. Release it before you attempt to
drive.
Compass Messages
CAL
This message is displayed when the
compass needs to be calibrated.
See Compass 098.
– –
Dashes will be displayed if the
compass needs service. See your
dealer for service.
Cruise Control Messages
APPLY BRAKE BEFORE
CRUISE
If this message displays when
attempting to activate cruise control,
apply the brake pedal and try again.
CRUISE SET TO XXX
This message displays when the
cruise control is set and shows the
speed it was set to. See Cruise
Control 0177.
Door Ajar Messages
DOOR OPEN
A door open symbol will be
displayed on the DIC showing which
door is open. If the vehicle has been
shifted out of P (Park), a DOOR
OPEN message will also be
displayed. Close the door
completely.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9918169) - 2017 - CRC - 3/23/16
Lighting 137
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting
Some exterior lamps and interior
lamps turn on briefly at night, or in
areas with limited lighting, when
K
is pressed on the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter. When a
door is opened, the interior lamps
come on. They stay on for about
20 seconds. When all of the doors
have been closed or the ignition is
turned to ON/RUN, they gradually
fade out.
This feature can be changed. See
“Vehicle Locator Lights”under
Vehicle Personalization 0123.
Exit Lighting
Some exterior lamps and interior
lamps come on at night, or in areas
with limited lighting, when the key is
removed from the ignition. The
dome lamp comes on after the
ignition is changed to the OFF
position. The exterior lamps and dome lamp remain on for a set
amount of time, then automatically
turn off.
The exterior lamps turn off
immediately by turning the exterior
lamp control off.
This feature can be changed. See
Vehicle Personalization
0123.
Battery Load
Management
The vehicle has Electric Power
Management (EPM) that estimates
the battery's temperature and state
of charge. It then adjusts the voltage
for best performance and extended
life of the battery.
When the battery's state of charge
is low, the voltage is raised slightly
to quickly bring the charge back up.
When the state of charge is high,
the voltage is lowered slightly to
prevent overcharging. If the vehicle
has a voltmeter gauge or a voltage
display on the Driver Information
Center (DIC), you may see the voltage move up or down. This is
normal. If there is a problem, an
alert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at
idle if the electrical loads are very
high. This is true for all vehicles.
This is because the generator
(alternator) may not be spinning fast
enough at idle to produce all of the
power needed for very high
electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when
several of the following are on, such
as: headlamps, high beams, rear
window defogger, climate control fan
at high speed, heated seats, engine
cooling fans, trailer loads, and loads
plugged into accessory power
outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive
discharge of the battery. It does this
by balancing the generator's output
and the vehicle's electrical needs.
It can increase engine idle speed to
generate more power whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce
the power demands of some
accessories.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9918169) - 2017 - CRC - 3/23/16
138 Lighting
Normally, these actions occur in
steps or levels, without being
noticeable. In rare cases at the
highest levels of corrective action,
this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a DIC message might
be displayed and it is recommended
that the driver reduce the electrical
loads as much as possible. See
Battery Voltage and Charging
Messages0117.
Battery Power Protection
The exterior lamps turn off about
10 minutes after the ignition is
turned off, if the parking lamps or
headlamps have been manually left
on. This protects against draining
the battery. To restart the 10-minute
timer, turn the exterior lamp control
to the
Oposition and then back to
the
;or2position.
To keep the lamps on for more than
10 minutes, the ignition must be in
the ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN/
START position.
Exterior Lighting Battery
Saver
The battery saver feature is
designed to protect the vehicle's
battery.
If some interior lamps are left on
and the ignition is turned off, the
battery rundown protection system
automatically turns the lamp off after
some time.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9918169) - 2017 - CRC - 3/23/16
Index 317
Automatic TransmissionManual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
B
BatteryExterior Lighting BatterySaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Voltage and Charging Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Battery - North America . . . . 221, 260
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . . . 223
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . 108
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219 Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 163
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227 Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225 Bulb Replacement (cont'd)
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . . . 226
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps, and Back-up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
California Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
California Proposition
65 Warning . . . . . . . . . .201, 221, 260
Camera Rear Vision (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . 2
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Carbon Monoxide Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Cargo Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Tie-Downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Caution, Danger, and Warning . . . . 3
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . . 91
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . 105
Check
Ignition Transmission Lock . . . 223
Malfunction IndicatorEngine Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Child Restraints Infants and Young Children . . . . . 74
Lower Anchors and Tethersfor Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85, 87
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Cleaning
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 140 Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . 299
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Compartments Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91