Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
Driving and Operating 273
bulbs on the trailer are burned out.
Check occasionally to be sure the
trailer bulbs are still working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gear before starting down a long or
steep downgrade. If the
transmission is not shifted down, the
brakes might have to be used so
much that they would get hot and no
longer work well.
The vehicle can tow in D (Drive).
Use a lower gear if the transmission
shifts too often.
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, engine coolant
boils at a lower temperature than at
normal altitudes. If the engine is
turned off immediately after towing
at high altitude on steep uphill
grades, the vehicle could show
signs similar to engine overheating.
To avoid this, let the engine run
while parked, preferably on level
ground, with the transmission in
P (Park) for a few minutes beforeturning the engine off. If the
overheat warning comes on, see
Engine Overheating
0299.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic if
facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels. 3. When the wheel chocks are in
place, release the brake pedal
until the chocks absorb
the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and
shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal while you:
.Start the engine.
. Shift into a gear.
. Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
Vehicle Care 297
Warning (Continued)
there would not be an overheat
warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be
burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. If using this mixture,
nothing else needs to be added.
This mixture:
. Gives freezing protection down
to−37 °C (−34 °F), outside
temperature
. Gives boiling protection up to
129 °C (265 °F), engine
temperature
. Protects against rust and
corrosion
. Will not damage aluminum parts.
. Helps keep the proper engine
temperature
Caution
Do not use anything other than a
mix of DEX-COOL coolant that
meets GM Standard
GMW3420 and clean, drinkable
water. Anything else can cause
damage to the engine cooling
system and the vehicle, which
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on
the ground, or pouring into sewers,
streams, or bodies of water. Have
the coolant changed by an
authorized service center, familiar
with legal requirements regarding
used coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant surge tank. If the coolant
inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until
it cools down. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level mark is not
visible, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL coolant at the coolant
surge tank to the top rib on the
middle of the tank, but be sure the
cooling system is cool before this is
done. See Engine Overheating
0 299.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
Vehicle Care 299
Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and engine
damage may occur. Be sure the
cap is properly and tightly
secured.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has an engine coolant
temperature gauge on the
instrument cluster and overheat
messages in the Driver Information
Center (DIC) to warn of engine
overheating. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gauge 0127. The DIC
also displays overheat messages.
The decision may be made not to lift
the hood when the engine coolant
temperature gauge is in the
overheat zone or an engine
overheat DIC message displays, but
instead to get service help right
away. See Roadside Assistance
Program 0393. 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 is running. If the engine is
overheating, the fan should be
running. If it is not, do not continue
to run the engine, and have the
vehicle serviced.Caution
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak in the engine cooling system.
This can cause a loss of all
coolant and can damage the
system and vehicle. Have any
leaks fixed right away.
If Steam Is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system are under
pressure. Turning the pressure
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
cap, even a little, can cause them
to come out at high speed and
you could be burned. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
pressure cap to cool.
If No Steam Is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
If the engine coolant temperature
gauge is in the overheat zone or an
engine overheat DIC message 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
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
300 Vehicle Care
If the engine coolant temperature
gauge is in the overheat zone and
an overheat DIC message 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 engine coolant temperature
gauge is no longer in the overheat
zone or an overheat DIC message
no longer displays, the vehicle can
be driven. Continue to drive the
vehicle slowly for about 10 minutes.
Keep a safe distance from the
vehicle in front. If the engine coolant
temperature gauge does not go
back to the overheat zone or an
overheat DIC message does not
display, continue to drive normally
and have the cooling system
checked for proper fill and function. If the engine coolant temperature
gauge is still in the overheat zone or
an overheat DIC message still
displays, pull over, stop, and park
the vehicle right away. If overheat
messages appear repeatedly, see
your dealer.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for three minutes while
parked. If the engine coolant
temperature gauge is still in the
overheat zone or an overheat DIC
message displays, turn off the
engine until it cools down.
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When windshield washer fluid is
needed, be sure to read the
manufacturer's instructions before
use. If operating the vehicle in an
area where the temperature may fall
below freezing, use a fluid that has
sufficient protection against
freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer fluid until
the tank is full. See
Engine
Compartment Overview 0283 for
reservoir location.
Caution
. Do not use washer fluid that
contains any type of water
repellent coating. This can
cause the wiper blades to
chatter or skip.
. Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the
windshield washer. It can
damage the windshield
washer system and paint.
(Continued)
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
Index 417
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . 108
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
ChargingWireless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . 130
Check Engine Light (Malfunction
Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Child Restraints Infants and Young Children . . . . . 92
Lower Anchors and Tethersfor Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103, 105
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Cleaning
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 190 Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Dual Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Cold Weather Operation . . . . . . . . 262
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . 396
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 353 Compartments
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Compressor Kit, Tire Sealant . . . 341
Connections OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 406
Control
Traction and ElectronicStability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Coolant Engine Temperature Gauge . . 127
Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190, 192
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Courtesy Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Courtesy Transportation Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
Cover Cargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . 392 Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391
Text Telephone (TTY)
Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392 Customer Information
Service Publications
Ordering Information . . . . . . . . 398
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . 396
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . 3
Data CollectionInfotainment System . . . . . . . . . . 402
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 402
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . 401
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Devices Auxiliary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Diagnostics OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 408
Diesel Exhaust Fluid . . . . . . . . 30, 226
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Diesel Particulate Filter . . . . . . . . . 225
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
418 Index
DoorDelayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . 388
Drive Systems All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . 234, 303
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . 244
Driver Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Driving Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 248
Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
For Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 29
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 208
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 210
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Driving the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Dual Automatic Climate
Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
E
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . 236
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . 133
Electrical Equipment,
Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Electrical System Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 312
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .311
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Emergency OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Check Light (Malfunction
Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 283
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 388 Engine (cont'd)
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 224
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Engines Diesel Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 401
Exhaust Fluid Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 157
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
F
FeaturesMemory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225 Replacement (Fuel) . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
Index 419
Filter,Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 160
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369
Fluid
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 293
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Diesel Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Forward Automatic Braking . . . . . 250
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Heated and Ventilated . . . . . . . . . . 66
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Cold Weather Operation . . . . . . 262 Fuel (cont'd)
Diesel Engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . 266, 268
Filter Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 137
Requirements, California . . . . . 257
Running out of Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Water in Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
What to Use in Canada and Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
What to Use in the U.S. . . . . . . 259
Fuel for Diesel Engines . . . . . . . . . 258
Fuses Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 312
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
G
Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . . 154 Garage Door Opener (cont'd)
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Gauges Engine CoolantTemperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Warning Lights and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
General Information
Service and Maintenance . . . . . 371
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
GM Mobility Reimbursement
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Hands-Free Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . 160
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308