Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
4 Introduction
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. See the
features in this manual for
information.
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
.:Fuel Gauge
+: Fuses
3:Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j: ISOFIX/LATCH System Child
Restraints
*: Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
O:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Seat Belt Reminders
7: Tire Pressure Monitor
d:Traction Control/StabiliTrak
a:Under Pressure
M: Windshield Washer Fluid
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
In Brief 5
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . . . 8
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Heated and Ventilated Seats . . . 13
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . 14
Seat Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Passenger Sensing System . . . 14
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . 15
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . 17
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Vehicle Features
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . . . 21
Bluetooth
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . 21
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Forward Automatic Braking (FAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . 23
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . 24
Surround Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . 24
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Parking Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Universal Remote System . . . . . 25
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . . . 27 Fuel (LYX - 1.5L L4 Turbo
Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Fuel (LTG - 2.0L L4 Turbo Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Fuel (Diesel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . 28
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Diesel Particulate Filter . . . . . . . . 29
Diesel Exhaust Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
28 In Brief
Fuel (LTG - 2.0L L4 Turbo
Engine)
Premium Recommended Fuel
Use premium 93 octane unleaded
gasoline in your vehicle. Unleaded
gasoline with an octane rating as
low as 87 may be used, but it will
reduce performance and fuel
economy. SeeFuel (Gasoline)
0 256.
Fuel (Diesel)
Use of diesel fuel with ultra low
sulfur content (15 ppm, maximum) is
required. See Fuel for Diesel
Engines 0258.
E85 or FlexFuel
No E85 or FlexFuel
Gasoline-ethanol fuel blends greater
than E15 (15% ethanol by volume),
such as E85, cannot be used in this
vehicle.
Engine Oil Life System
The engine oil life system calculates
engine oil life based on vehicle use
and displays the CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message when it is time
to change the engine oil and filter.
The oil life system should be reset
to 100% only following an oil
change.
Resetting the Oil Life System
1. Display REMAINING OIL LIFE on the DIC menu. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) 0139. 2. Press and hold
Vfor several
seconds while the Oil Life
display is active to reset the Oil
Life system.
3. REMAINING OIL LIFE 100% will be displayed when the oil
life system is successfully
reset.
The oil life system can also be reset
as follows: 1. Place the ignition in Service Mode. See Ignition Positions
0 215.
2. Display REMAINING OIL LIFE on the DIC menu. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) 0139.
3. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal three times
within five seconds.
4. If the display changes to 100%, the system is reset.
See Engine Oil Life System 0292.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
In Brief 29
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving tips
to get the best fuel economy
possible.
.Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
. Brake gradually and avoid
abrupt stops.
. Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
. When road and weather
conditions are appropriate, use
cruise control.
. Always follow posted speed
limits or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
. Keep vehicle tires properly
inflated.
. Combine several trips into a
single trip.
. Replace the vehicle's tires with
the same TPC Spec number
molded into the tire's sidewall
near the size. .
Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.Diesel Particulate Filter
The engine is equipped with a
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) that
will filter or trap particulates. The
DPF is under the vehicle in the
exhaust system.
Depending on a number of factors
monitored by the engine computer,
the DPF will need to be cleaned of
accumulated solids. When a
cleaning is needed, the engine
computer will initiate a cleaning
action by warming the exhaust gas
temperature. This feature has been
designed to operate automatically,
with limited operator involvement or
awareness.
Cleaning the DPF (Exhaust
Filter)
While the DPF cleaning is
automatically controlled by the
engine computer, the vehicle will need to operate continuously for
approximately 25 minutes and
at speeds greater than
50 km/h (30 mph) to clean the DPF
effectively.
Special DPF Driver Messages
If the vehicle is used for numerous
short trips or extended slow-speed
operation, the engine computer may
not be able to clean the DPF
effectively. If this happens, a Driver
Information Center (DIC) message
will display.
If the vehicle continues to be driven
in a manner that prevents effective
DPF cleaning, the DPF will become
plugged. If this occurs, the engine
computer will turn on the
malfunction indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster and a DIC
message will display. See
Diesel
Particulate Filter 0225, Fuel for
Diesel Engines 0258 andEngine
Oil 0288.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
40 Keys, Doors, and Windows
.The engine coolant temperature
is too high.
. The oil pressure is low.
. Two remote vehicle starts or a
start with an extension have
already been used.
. The vehicle is not in P (Park).
Remote Start Ready
If the vehicle does not have the
remote vehicle start feature, it may
have the remote start ready feature.
This feature allows your dealer to
add the manufacturer's remote
vehicle start feature. See your
dealer to add the manufacturer's
remote vehicle start feature to the
vehicle.
Door Locks
{Warning
Unlocked doors can be
dangerous.
. Passengers, especially
children, can easily open
the doors and fall out of a
moving vehicle. The doors
can be unlocked and
opened while the vehicle is
moving. The chance of
being thrown out of the
vehicle in a crash is
increased if the doors are
not locked. So, all
passengers should wear
seat belts properly and the
doors should be locked
whenever the vehicle is
driven.
. Young children who get into
unlocked vehicles may be
unable to get out. A child
can be overcome by
extreme heat and can suffer
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
permanent injuries or even
death from heat stroke.
Always lock the vehicle
whenever leaving it.
. Outsiders can easily enter
through an unlocked door
when you slow down or stop
the vehicle. Locking the
doors can help prevent this
from happening.
To lock or unlock the doors from the
outside:
. Press
QorKon the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
See Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation 032.
. Use the key in the driver door.
The key lock cylinder is covered
with a cap.
To lock or unlock the doors from the
inside:
. Press
QorKon the power door
lock switch.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
112 Instruments and Controls
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 113
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 113
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 114
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 114
Rear Window Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . 128
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 129
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 130
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 130
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Service Electric Parking Brake Light (Uplevel Only) . . . . . . . . . 133
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . 134
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . 135
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . 135
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Wait-to-Start Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 136
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 137
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 138
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . 138
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 138
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 139
Information Displays
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 145
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . 145
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 145
Universal Remote System
Universal Remote System . . . . 154
Universal Remote SystemProgramming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Universal Remote System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
136 Instruments and Controls
If the light is on and not flashing, the
TCS and potentially the StabiliTrak
system have been disabled.
A Driver Information Center (DIC)
message may display. Check the
DIC messages to determine which
feature(s) is no longer functioning
and whether the vehicle requires
service.
If the light is on and flashing, the
TCS and/or the StabiliTrak system
is actively working.
SeeTraction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0238.
Wait-to-Start Light
For diesel engines, the wait-to-start
light shows that the engine is
functioning properly and indicates
when the engine can be started. The fast warm-up glow plug system
makes the wait-to-start light stay on
for a shorter amount of time than
most diesel engines.
For more information, see
Starting
the Engine 0217.
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this light
comes on briefly when the engine is
started. It provides information
about tire pressures and the TPMS.
When the Light Is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of
the tires are significantly
underinflated.
A Driver Information Center (DIC)
tire pressure message may also
display. Stop as soon as possible,
and inflate the tires to the pressure value shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See
Tire
Pressure 0327.
When the Light Flashes First and
Then Is On Steady
If the light flashes for about a minute
and then stays on, there may be a
problem with the TPMS. If the
problem is not corrected, the light
will come on at every ignition cycle.
See Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation 0329.
Engine Oil Pressure Light
Caution
Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. Driving with the engine oil
low can also damage the engine.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Check
the oil level as soon as possible.
Add oil if required, but if the oil
level is within the operating range
and the oil pressure is still low,
(Continued)
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
Instruments and Controls 137
Caution (Continued)
have the vehicle serviced. Always
follow the maintenance schedule
for changing engine oil.
This light should come on briefly as
the engine is started. If it does not
come on, have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer.
If the light comes on and stays on, it
means that oil is not flowing through
the engine properly. The vehicle
could be low on oil and might have
some other system problem. See
your dealer.
Low Fuel Warning Light
For the base level cluster, this light
comes on when the fuel tank is low
on fuel. The light turns off when fuel
is added. If it does not, have the
vehicle serviced.
For the uplevel cluster, this light is
near the fuel gauge and comes on
briefly when the ignition is turned on
as a check to show it is working.
It also comes on when the fuel tank
is low on fuel. The light turns off
when fuel is added. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid
(DEF) Warning Light
This light, a Driver Information
Center (DIC) Message, and a chime
come on when there is an issue with
the DEF.
If the DEF issue has not been
corrected, the light will continue to
flash. The vehicle's speed may also
be limited. SeeDiesel Exhaust Fluid
0 226.