2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX ESP

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
Infotainment System 173
especially around tall buildings or
hills, causing the sound to fade in
and out.
AM
The range for most AM stations is
greater than for FM, especially at
night. The longer range can cause
station frequencies to interfere with
each other. Static can occur when
things like storms and power lines
interfere with radio reception. When
this happens, try reducing the treble
on the radio.
SiriusXM Satellite Radio
Service
If equipped, SiriusXM Satellite
Radio Service provides digital radio
reception. Tall buildings or hills can
interfere with satellite radio signals,
causing the sound to fade in and
out. In addition, traveling or standing
under heavy foliage, bridges,
garages, or tunnels may cause loss
of the SiriusXM signal for a period
of time.
Cell Phone Usage
Cell phone usage, such as making
or receiving phone calls, charging,
or just having the phone on may
cause static interference with the
radio. Unplug the phone or turn it off
if this happens.
Multi-Band Antenna
The multi-band antenna is on the
roof of the vehicle. The antenna is
used for AM-FM radio, OnStar, the
SiriusXM satellite radio service
system, and GPS (Global
Positioning System), if the vehicle
has these features. Keep the
antenna clear of obstructions for
clear reception.
If the vehicle has a sunroof, and it is
open, reception can also be
affected.
Audio Players
Avoiding Untrusted Media
Devices
When using media devices such as
CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray Discs, SD
cards, USB devices, and mobile
devices, consider the source.
Untrusted media devices could
contain files that affect system
operation or performance. Avoid use
if the content or origin cannot be
trusted.
USB Port
Using the USB Port
The infotainment system can play
music by connecting an auxiliary
device to the USB port.
USB Support
If equipped, there are USB ports on
the center stack and inside the
center console for data and
charging. There may also be USB

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Infotainment System 181
support all functions and not all
phones work with the Bluetooth
system. In the U.S. and Canada,
see www.gm.com/bluetooth for more
information about compatible
phones.
The Bluetooth system range can be
up to 9.1 m (30 ft).
There may be restrictions on using
Bluetooth wireless technology in
some locations.
Due to the variety of Bluetooth
devices and their firmware versions,
the device may respond differently
when performing over Bluetooth.
On a current phone call, an image
of the current contact from the
phone's contact list may be
displayed. Not all phones are
compatible with this feature.
Refer to the cell phone
manufacturer’s user guide for
questions about the phone's
Bluetooth functionality.Bluetooth Controls
If equipped with Bluetooth capability,
use the controls on the infotainment
system and the steering wheel to
operate the system.
Steering Wheel Controls
See Steering Wheel Controls 0113.
Bluetooth (Infotainment
Controls)
To use infotainment controls to
access the menu system, see
Overview 0167.
Pairing
A Bluetooth-enabled cell phone
must be paired to the Bluetooth
system and then connected to the
vehicle before it can be used. See
your cell phone manufacturer's user
guide for Bluetooth functions before
pairing the cell phone. If a Bluetooth
phone is not connected, calls will be
made using OnStar Hands-Free
Calling, if available. See OnStar
Overview 0403. Pairing Information
.
A Bluetooth phone with MP3
capability cannot be paired to
the vehicle as a phone and an
MP3 player at the same time.
. Up to 10 cell phones can be
paired to the Bluetooth system.
. The pairing process is disabled
when the vehicle is moving.
. Pairing only needs to be
completed once, unless the
pairing information on the cell
phone changes or the cell phone
is deleted from the system.
. Only one paired cell phone can
be connected to the Bluetooth
system at a time.
. If multiple paired cell phones are
within range of the system, the
system connects to the first
available paired cell phone in the
order that they were first paired.
When the Bluetooth device and
infotainment system are
successfully paired, the phone book
is downloaded automatically. This is
dependent on the type of phone

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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188 Infotainment System
Searching for a Name
Select characters by using the
keypad on the phone book screen.
As characters are selected, the
names that include those characters
will display on the phone book
screen. As more characters of the
name are entered, the list of
possible names is shortened.
To search for the name Alex:1. Touch (abc) to select the first character.
2. Touch (jkl) three times to select the second character.
3. Touch (def) two times to select the third character.
4. Touch (wxy) two times to select the fourth character.
Making a Call from Call History 1. Touch Call History on the phone screen.
2. Touch one of the following for:
.
WAll calls history.
.
[Dialed calls. .
YMissed calls.
.
XReceived calls.
3. Select the contact entry to call.
Making a Call with Speed Dial
Numbers
Touch and hold the speed dial
number using the keypad on the
phone screen.
Only speed dial numbers already
stored on the cell phone can be
used for speed dial calls. Up to
two-digit speed dial numbers are
supported.
For two-digit speed dial numbers,
touch and hold the second digit to
make a call to the speed dial
number.
Trademarks and
License Agreements
FCC Information
See Radio Frequency Statement
0 399.
Bluetooth
®
The Bluetooth word mark and logos
are owned by the Bluetooth®SIG,
Inc. and any use of such marks by
General Motors is under license.
Other trademarks and trade names
are those of their respective owners.
“Made for iPod” and“Made for
iPhone” mean that an electronic
accessory has been designed to
connect specifically to iPod or
iPhone and has been certified by
the developer to meet Apple
performance standards.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 199
Fuel Additives (Gasoline) . . . . . 258
Fuel for Diesel Engines . . . . . . . 258
What Fuel to Use in the U.S.(Diesel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
What Fuel to Use in Canada
and Mexico (Diesel) . . . . . . . . . 260
Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Cold Weather Operation (Diesel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Water in Fuel (Diesel) . . . . . . . . 262
Running Out of Fuel (Diesel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Fuel Filter Replacement (Diesel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Filling the Tank (Gasoline) . . . . 266
Filling the Tank (Diesel) . . . . . . . 268
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Trailer Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . 277
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Driving Information
Driver Behavior
Driving is an important
responsibility. Driver behavior, the
driving environment, and the
vehicle's design all affect how well a
vehicle performs.
Being aware of these factors can
help in understanding how the
vehicle handles and what can be
done to avoid many types of
crashes, including a rollover crash.
Most serious injuries and fatalities to
unbelted occupants can be reduced
or prevented by the use of seat
belts. In a rollover crash, an
unbelted person is significantly
more likely to die than a person
wearing a seat belt. In addition,
avoiding excessive speed, sudden
or abrupt turns, and drunken or
aggressive driving can help make
trips safer and avoid the possibility
of a crash.
Driving Environment
Be prepared for driving in inclement
weather, at night, or during other
times where visibility or traction may
be limited, such as on curves,
slippery roads, or hilly terrain.
Unfamiliar surroundings can also
have hidden hazards.
Learn more about driving in different
conditions and off-road driving in
this section.
Vehicle Design
Utility vehicles have a significantly
higher rollover rate than other types
of vehicles. This is because they
have a higher ground clearance and
a narrower track or shorter
wheelbase than passenger cars,
which makes them more capable for
off-road driving. While these design
characteristics provide the driver
with a better view of the road, these
vehicles do have a higher center of
gravity than other types of vehicles.
A utility vehicle does not handle the

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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202 Driving and Operating
If the steering wheel is turned until it
reaches the end of its travel and is
held against that position for an
extended period of time, power
steering assist may be reduced.
Normal use of the power steering
assist should return when the
system cools down.
See your dealer if there is a
problem.
Curve Tips
.Take curves at a reasonable
speed.
. Reduce speed before entering a
curve.
. Maintain a reasonable steady
speed through the curve.
. Wait until the vehicle is out of
the curve before accelerating
gently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
.There are some situations when
steering around a problem may
be more effective than braking. .
Holding both sides of the
steering wheel allows you to turn
180 degrees without removing
a hand.
. The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) allows steering while
braking.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can drop
off the edge of a road onto the
shoulder while driving. Follow
these tips: 1. Ease off the accelerator and
then, if there is nothing in the
way, steer the vehicle so that it
straddles the edge of the
pavement.
2. Turn the steering wheel about one-eighth of a turn, until the
right front tire contacts the
pavement edge.
3. Turn the steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.
Loss of Control
Skidding
There are three types of skids that
correspond to the vehicle's three
control systems:
.Braking Skid —wheels are not
rolling.
. Steering or Cornering Skid —
too much speed or steering in a
curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force.
. Acceleration Skid —too much
throttle causes the driving
wheels to spin.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 209
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and
the road creates less traction or
grip, so drive carefully. Wet ice can
occur at about 0 °C (32 °F) when
freezing rain begins to fall. Avoid
driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating
too quickly causes the wheels to
spin and makes the surface
under the tires slick.
. Turn on Traction Control. See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0238.
. The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) improves vehicle stability
during hard stops, but the
brakes should be applied sooner
than when on dry pavement.
See Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 0235. .
Allow greater following distance
and watch for slippery spots. Icy
patches can occur on otherwise
clear roads in shaded areas.
The surface of a curve or an
overpass can remain icy when
the surrounding roads are clear.
Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
. Turn off cruise control.
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and
signal for help. Stay with the vehicle
unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use Roadside
Assistance. See Roadside
Assistance Program 0393. To get
help and keep everyone in the
vehicle safe:
. Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
. Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{Warning
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may
cause exhaust gases to get
inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO), which
cannot be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and even
death.
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:
. Clear snow from the base of
the vehicle, especially any
blocking the exhaust pipe.
. Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the vehicle side
that is away from the wind,
to bring in fresh air.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Adjust the climate control
system to circulate the air
inside the vehicle and set
(Continued)

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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218 Driving and Operating
2. If the engine does not startafter five to 10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather
(below −18 °C or 0 °F), it could
be flooded with too much
gasoline. Try pushing the
accelerator pedal all the way to
the floor and holding it there as
you press ENGINE START/
STOP. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to allow the
cranking motor to cool down.
When the engine starts,
release the accelerator. If the
vehicle starts briefly but then
stops again, do the same thing.
This clears the extra gasoline
from the engine. Do not race
the engine immediately after
starting it. Operate the engine
and transmission gently until
the oil warms up and lubricates
all moving parts.
Diesel Engine Starting Procedure
The diesel engine starts differently
than a gasoline engine. 1. With the Keyless Access system, the RKE transmitter
must be in the vehicle. Press ENGINE START/STOP and
observe the wait-to-start light.
See
Wait-to-Start Light 0136.
This light may not come on if
the engine is warm.
2. As soon as the wait-to-start light goes off, immediately
press ENGINE START/STOP
with the brake pedal applied to
start.
The engine has a fast warm-up
glow plug system. The
wait-to-start light will illuminate
for a much shorter time than
most diesel engines, due to the
rapid heating of the glow plug
system.
Caution
If the wait-to-start light stays on
after starting the vehicle, the
vehicle may not run properly.
Have the vehicle serviced
right away. 3. If the engine does not start
after 15 seconds of cranking,
wait one minute for the
cranking motor to cool, then try
the same steps again.
If you are trying to start the engine
after you have run out of fuel, follow
the steps in Running Out of Fuel
(Diesel) 0265.
When the engine is cold, let it run
for a few minutes before driving.
This lets oil pressure build up. The
engine will sound louder when it
is cold.
Cold Weather Starting (Diesel
Engine)
Use the recommended engine oil
when the outside temperature drops
below freezing. See Engine Oil
0 288. When the outside
temperature drops below –18°C
(0°F), use of the engine heater is
recommended.
See Fuel for Diesel Engines 0258
for information on what fuel to use in
cold weather.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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226 Driving and Operating
Diesel Exhaust Fluid
{Warning
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is
corrosive. Do not allow it to come
in contact with your skin, eyes,
or the finished surfaces of the
vehicle. If exposed, it may cause
skin and eye irritation. Wear skin
and eye protection when
handling. Inhalation may cause
irritation to the upper respiratory
tract. Store in a cool,
well-ventilated area. For more
safety and storage information,
see the label of the Diesel
Exhaust Fluid container.
DEF is used with diesel engines to
reduce the amount of regulated
emissions produced. The fluid level
in the DEF tank must be maintained
for the vehicle to run correctly. The
capacity of the DEF tank is 18.5 L
(4.9 gal). It is normal to hear the DEF system
purge fluid back into the tank after
the vehicle is shut off.
Locating Diesel Exhaust Fluid
DEF can be purchased at your
dealer. See
Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants 0381.
Filling the DEF Tank
Caution
Use only DEF that is GM
approved, or fluid containing the
API certified or ISO 22241 label.
The use of other fluids could
damage the system, requiring
costly repairs that will not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
When adding DEF to an empty or
very low tank, always add at least
7.6 L (2 gal) of fluid to release the
vehicle from speed limitation. To prevent damage to the system,
do not overfill the DEF tank. When
fluid reaches the top of the fill pipe,
stop filling. Do not top off the
DEF tank.
If you spill DEF during filling, wipe
any affected surface with a damp
cloth.
For information on how to fill the
DEF tank, see
Filling the Tank
(Gasoline) 0266 orFilling the Tank
(Diesel) 0268.
Exhaust Fluid Low
A full DEF tank will last for several
thousand kilometers (miles),
depending on vehicle usage. As the
exhaust fluid level drops, warnings
will automatically be displayed in the
DIC. Exhaust fluid level status is
available in the DIC. See “Diesel
Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Level (Diesel
Engine Only)” inDriver Information
Center (DIC) 0139.
To avoid vehicle speed limitations,
the DEF tank should be refilled at
the first opportunity after a low
warning indication. If DEF is added
before the EXHAUST FLUID