Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9918169) - 2017 - CRC - 3/23/16
Driving and Operating 167
Warning (Continued)
.Use a weatherproof,
heavy-duty, 15 amp-rated
extension cord if needed.
Failure to use the
recommended extension
cord in good operating
condition, or using a
damaged heater or
extension cord, could make
it overheat and cause a fire,
property damage, electric
shock, and injury.
. Do not operate the vehicle
with the heater cord
permanently attached to the
vehicle. Possible heater
cord and thermostat
damage could occur.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.While in use, do not let the
heater cord touch vehicle
parts or sharp edges. Never
close the hood on the
heater cord.
. Before starting the vehicle,
unplug the cord, reattach
the cover to the plug, and
securely fasten the cord.
Keep the cord away from
any moving parts.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store the
cord as it was before to keep it
away from moving engine
parts. If you do not it could be
damaged.
The length of time the heater should
remain plugged in depends on
several factors. Ask a dealer in the
area where you will be parking the
vehicle for the best advice on this.
Shifting Into Park
{Warning
It can be dangerous to get out of
the vehicle if the shift lever is not
fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake firmly set. The vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine
running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure the vehicle will
not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, use the steps
that follow. If you are pulling a
trailer, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips 0193.
To shift into P (Park): 1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking brake.
See Parking Brake 0174 for
more information.
2. Hold the button on the shift lever and push the lever toward
the front of the vehicle into
P (Park).
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9918169) - 2017 - CRC - 3/23/16
Vehicle Care 213
3.6L V6 Engine
1. Engine Cooling Fans (Outof View)
2. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
{Warning
An electric engine cooling fan
under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can cause injury. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan. If the coolant inside the coolant
surge tank is boiling, do not do
anything else until it cools down.
The vehicle should be parked on a
level surface.
The coolant level should be at the
COLD FILL line. If it is not, the
vehicle may have a leak at the
radiator hoses, heater hoses,
radiator, water pump, or somewhere
else in the cooling system.
{Warning
Heater and radiator hoses, and
other engine parts, can be very
hot. Do not touch them. If you do,
you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak. If you run the engine, it
could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you
could be burned. Get any leak
fixed before you drive the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with
the engine on, check to see if the
electric engine cooling fan is
running. If the engine is overheating, the fan should be
running. If it is not, the vehicle
needs service. Turn off the engine.
Caution
Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL®can cause
premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition,
the engine coolant could require
changing sooner. Any repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL (silicate-free) coolant
in the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is
filled with DEX-COOL®engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in the vehicle for 5 years or
240 000 km (150,000 mi), whichever
occurs first.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9918169) - 2017 - CRC - 3/23/16
216 Vehicle Care
Caution
In cold weather, water can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator,
heater core, and other parts. Use
the recommended coolant and
the proper coolant mixture.
1. Remove the coolant surge tankpressure cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is no
longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about
one-quarter of a turn. If you
hear a hiss, wait for that to
stop. This will allow any
pressure still left to be vented
out the discharge hose. 2. Keep turning the pressure cap
slowly, and remove it.3. Fill the coolant surge tank withthe proper DEX-COOL coolant
mixture, to the COLD FILL line.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until the
upper radiator hose can be felt
getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan(s).
By this time, the coolant level
inside the coolant surge tank
may be lower. If the level is lower, add more of the proper
DEX-COOL coolant mixture to
the coolant surge tank until the
level reaches the COLD
FILL line.
5. Replace the pressure cap. Be sure the pressure cap is
hand-tight.
Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and
possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
Check the level in the coolant surge
tank when the cooling system has
cooled down. If the coolant is not at
the proper level, repeat
Steps 1-3 and reinstall the pressure
cap. If the coolant still is not at the
proper level when the system cools
down again, see your dealer.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9918169) - 2017 - CRC - 3/23/16
Vehicle Care 217
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 0103.
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 0296.
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
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9918169) - 2017 - CRC - 3/23/16
Index 319
Electrical System (cont'd)Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Emergency
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211
Check and Service EngineSoon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 204
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Coolant Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Cooling System Messages . . . .118
Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 170
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198 Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 304
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 133
Exterior Lighting Battery
Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
F
FeaturesMemory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . .211
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 135
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
FlexFuel
E85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . . . .211
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . 109
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Front Seats
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Economy Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . .112
Requirements, California . . . . . 189
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Fuel Economy Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227 Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9918169) - 2017 - CRC - 3/23/16
320 Index
G
Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . . 130Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Gauges Engine Coolant
Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Warning Lights and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
General Information Service and Maintenance . . . . . 275
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . 135
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Headlamps
Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 225 Headlamps (cont'd)
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . .112
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 133
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . .113
Heated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Heater Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Heating and Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140, 142
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 156
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . 175
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54I
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Ignition Transmission LockCheck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Indicator Vehicle Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 Infants and Young Children,
Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Interior Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . 40
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
J
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
K
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . . . . 119
Keyless EntryRemote (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . 26
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . . . 234
Lamps
Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . 134
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Exterior Lighting BatterySaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
License Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Malfunction Indicator . . . . . . . . . 106
On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113