Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
208 Driving and Operating
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water
can build up under the vehicle's
tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is
wet enough and you are going fast
enough. When the vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to
slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
. Pass with caution.
. Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
. Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
. Have good tires with proper
tread depth. See Tires0319.
. Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
. Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
. Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill slope
can cause brake overheating, can
reduce brake performance, and
could result in a loss of braking.
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. This can cause
overheating of the brakes and
loss of steering assist. Always
have the engine running and the
vehicle in gear.
. Drive at speeds that keep the
vehicle in its own lane. Do not
swing wide or cross the
center line.
. Be alert on top of hills;
something could be in your lane
(e.g., stalled car, accident).
. Pay attention to special road
signs (e.g., falling rocks area,
winding roads, long grades,
passing or no-passing zones)
and take appropriate action.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
248 Driving and Operating
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
If equipped, RCTA shows a red
warning triangle with a left or right
pointing arrow on the infotainment
display to warn of traffic coming
from the left or right. This system
detects objects coming from up to
20 m (65 ft) from the left or right side
of the vehicle. When an object is
detected, three beeps sound from
the left or right, depending on the
direction of the detected vehicle.
Use caution while backing up when
towing a trailer, as the RCTA
detection zones that extend out
from the back of the vehicle do not
move further back when a trailer is
towed.
Turning the Features On or Off
RPA can be turned on and off
through vehicle personalization. See
Vehicle Personalization0145.
Turn off RPA when towing a trailer.
To turn the rear parking assist
symbols or guidance lines on or off,
see “Rear Camera” underVehicle
Personalization 0145. On some models, select the guidance lines
button on the infotainment display to
turn them on or off.
RCTA can also be turned on or off
through vehicle personalization. see
“Collision/Detection Systems”
under
Vehicle Personalization 0145.
Assistance Systems for
Driving
If equipped, when driving the
vehicle in a forward gear, Forward
Collision Alert (FCA), Lane
Departure Warning (LDW), Lane
Keep Assist (LKA), Side Blind Zone
Alert (SBZA), Lane Change Alert
(LCA), and/or Forward Automatic
Braking (FAB) can help to avoid a
crash or reduce crash damage.
Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) System
If equipped, the FCA system may
help to avoid or reduce the harm
caused by front-end crashes. When
approaching a vehicle ahead too
quickly, FCA provides a red flashing
alert on the windshield and rapidly beeps or pulses the driver seat.
FCA also lights an amber visual
alert if following another vehicle
much too closely.
FCA detects vehicles within a
distance of approximately 60 m
(197 ft) and operates at speeds
above 8 km/h (5 mph).
{Warning
FCA is a warning system and
does not apply the brakes. When
approaching a slower-moving or
stopped vehicle ahead too rapidly,
or when following a vehicle too
closely, FCA may not provide a
warning with enough time to help
avoid a crash. It also may not
provide any warning at all. FCA
does not warn of pedestrians,
animals, signs, guardrails,
bridges, construction barrels,
or other objects. Be ready to take
action and apply the brakes. See
Defensive Driving
0200.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
250 Driving and Operating
Selecting the Alert Timing
The Collision Alert control is on the
steering wheel. Press
[to set the
FCA timing to Far, Medium, or Near,
or on some vehicles, Off. The first
button press shows the current
setting on the DIC. Additional button
presses will change this setting. The
chosen setting will remain until it is
changed and will affect the timing of
both the Collision Alert and the
Tailgating Alert features. The timing
of both alerts will vary based on
vehicle speed. The faster the
vehicle speed, the farther away the
alert will occur. Consider traffic and
weather conditions when selecting
the alert timing. The range of
selectable alert timings may not be
appropriate for all drivers and
driving conditions.
Following Distance Indicator
The following distance to a moving
vehicle ahead in your path is
indicated in following time in
seconds on the Driver Information
Center (DIC). See Driver
Information Center (DIC) 0139. The minimum following time is
0.5 seconds away. If there is no
vehicle detected ahead, or the
vehicle ahead is out of sensor
range, dashes will be displayed.
Unnecessary Alerts
FCA may provide unnecessary
alerts for turning vehicles, vehicles
in other lanes, objects that are not
vehicles, or shadows. These alerts
are normal operation and the
vehicle does not need service.
Cleaning the System
If the FCA system does not seem to
operate properly, this may correct
the issue:
.
Clean the outside of the
windshield in front of the
rearview mirror.
. Clean the entire front of the
vehicle.
. Clean the headlamps.
Forward Automatic
Braking (FAB)
If the vehicle has Forward Collision
Alert (FCA), it also has FAB, which
includes Intelligent Brake
Assist (IBA). When the system
detects a vehicle ahead in your path
that is traveling in the same
direction that you may be about to
crash into, it can provide a boost to
braking or automatically brake the
vehicle. This can help avoid or
lessen the severity of crashes when
driving in a forward gear. Depending
on the situation, the vehicle may
automatically brake moderately or
hard. This forward automatic
braking can only occur if a vehicle is
detected. This is shown by the FCA
vehicle ahead indicator being lit.
See Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0248.
The system works when driving in a
forward gear between 8 km/h
(5 mph) and 60 km/h (37 mph).
It can detect vehicles up to
approximately 60 m (197 ft).
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
252 Driving and Operating
{Warning
Using FAB or IBA while towing a
trailer could cause you to lose
control of the vehicle and crash.
Turn the system to Alert or Off
when towing a trailer.
A system unavailable message may
display if:
. The front of the vehicle or
windshield is not clean.
. Heavy rain or snow is interfering
with object detection.
. There is a problem with the
StabiliTrak system.
The FAB system does not need
service.
Side Blind Zone
Alert (SBZA)
If equipped, the SBZA system is a
lane-changing aid that assists
drivers with avoiding crashes that
occur with moving vehicles in the
side blind zone (or spot) areas. When the vehicle is in a forward
gear, the left or right side mirror
display will light up if a moving
vehicle is detected in that blind
zone. If the turn signal is activated
and a vehicle is also detected on
the same side, the display will flash
as an extra warning not to change
lanes. Since this system is part of
the Lane Change Alert (LCA)
system, read the entire LCA section
before using this feature.
Lane Change Alert (LCA)
If equipped, the LCA system is a
lane-changing aid that assists
drivers with avoiding lane change
crashes that occur with moving
vehicles in the side blind zone (or
spot) areas or with vehicles rapidly
approaching these areas from
behind. The LCA warning display
will light up in the corresponding
outside side mirror and will flash if
the turn signal is on.
{Warning
LCA does not alert the driver to
vehicles outside of the system
detection zones, pedestrians,
bicyclists, or animals. It may not
provide alerts when changing
lanes under all driving conditions.
Failure to use proper care when
changing lanes may result in
injury, death, or vehicle damage.
Before making a lane change,
always check mirrors, glance over
your shoulder, and use the turn
signals.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
254 Driving and Operating
while changing lanes when towing a
trailer. LCA may alert to objects
attached to the vehicle, such as a
trailer, bicycle, or object extending
out to either side of the vehicle.
Attached objects may also interfere
with the detection of vehicles. This
is normal system operation; the
vehicle does not need service.
LCA may not always alert the driver
to vehicles in the next lane over,
especially in wet conditions or when
driving on sharp curves. The system
does not need to be serviced. The
system may light up due to
guardrails, signs, trees, shrubs, and
other non-moving objects. This is
normal system operation; the
vehicle does not need service.
LCA may not operate when the LCA
sensors in the left or right corners of
the rear bumper are covered with
mud, dirt, snow, ice, or slush, or in
heavy rainstorms. For cleaning
instructions, see "Washing the
Vehicle" underExterior Care0361.
If the DIC still displays the system
unavailable message after cleaning both sides of the vehicle toward the
rear corners of the vehicle, see your
dealer.
If the LCA displays do not light up
when moving vehicles are in the
side blind zone or are rapidly
approaching this zone and the
system is clean, the system may
need service. Take the vehicle to
your dealer.
Radio Frequency Information
See
Radio Frequency Statement
0 399.
Lane Departure
Warning (LDW)
If equipped, LDW may help avoid
crashes due to unintentional lane
departures. It may provide a
warning if the vehicle is crossing a
detected lane marking without using
a turn signal in the lane departure
direction. Since this system is part
of the Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
system, read the entire LKA section
before using this feature.
Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
If equipped, LKA may help avoid
crashes due to unintentional lane
departures. It may assist by gently
turning the steering wheel if the
vehicle approaches a detected lane
marking without using a turn signal
in that direction. It may also provide
a Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
system alert as the lane marking is
crossed. The LKA system will not
assist or provide an LDW alert if it
detects that you are actively
steering. Override LKA by turning
the steering wheel. LKA uses a
camera to detect lane markings
between 60 km/h (37 mph) and
180 km/h (112 mph).
{Warning
The LKA system does not
continuously steer the vehicle.
It may not keep the vehicle in the
lane or give a Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) alert, even if a
lane marking is detected.
(Continued)
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
Driving and Operating 255
Warning (Continued)
The LKA and LDW systems
may not:. Provide an alert or enough
steering assist to avoid a
lane departure or crash.
. Detect lane markings under
poor weather or visibility
conditions. This can occur if
the windshield or
headlamps are blocked by
dirt, snow, or ice, if they are
not in proper condition, or if
the sun shines directly into
the camera.
. Detect road edges.
. Detect lanes on winding or
hilly roads.
If LKA only detects lane markings
on one side of the road, it will
only assist or provide an LDW
alert when approaching the lane
on the side where it has detected
a lane marking. Even with LKA (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
and LDW, you must steer the
vehicle. Always keep your
attention on the road and
maintain proper vehicle position
within the lane, or vehicle
damage, injury, or death could
occur. Always keep the
windshield, headlamps, and
camera sensors clean and in
good repair. Do not use LKA in
bad weather conditions.
{Warning
Using LKA while towing a trailer
or on slippery roads could cause
loss of control of the vehicle and
a crash. Turn the system off.
How the System Works
The LKA camera sensor is on the
windshield ahead of the rearview
mirror. To turn LKA on and off, press
A
on the steering wheel.
When on,
Ais green if LKA is
available to assist and provide LDW
alerts. It may assist by gently
turning the steering wheel and
display
Aas amber if the vehicle
approaches a detected lane marking
without using a turn signal in that
direction. It may also provide an
LDW alert by flashing
Aamber
as the lane marking is crossed.
Additionally, there may be three
beeps, or the driver seat may pulse
three times, on the right or left,
depending on the lane departure
direction.
Take Steering
The LKA system does not
continuously steer the vehicle.
If LKA does not detect active driver
steering, an alert, chime, or DIC
message may be provided. Steer
the vehicle to dismiss.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
256 Driving and Operating
When the System Does Not
Seem to Work Properly
The system performance may be
affected by:
.Close vehicles ahead.
. Sudden lighting changes, such
as when driving through tunnels.
. Banked roads.
. Roads with poor lane markings,
such as two-lane roads.
If the LKA system is not functioning
properly when lane markings are
clearly visible, cleaning the
windshield may help. A system unavailable message may
display if the camera is blocked.
The LKA system does not need
service.
LKA assistance and/or LDW alerts
may occur due to tar marks,
shadows, cracks in the road,
temporary or construction lane
markings, or other road
imperfections. This is normal system
operation; the vehicle does not need
service. Turn LKA off if these
conditions continue.
Fuel
Fuel (Gasoline)
GM recommends the use of TOP
TIER detergent gasoline to keep the
engine cleaner and reduce engine
deposits. See www.toptiergas.com
for a list of TOP TIER detergent
gasoline marketers and applicable
countries.
Do not use any fuel labeled E85 or
FlexFuel. Do not use gasoline with
ethanol levels greater than 15% by
volume.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
420 Index
Headlamps (cont'd)Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Front Turn Signal and Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
High Intensity Discharge
(HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 138
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 159
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 138
Heated
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Heater Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190, 192
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 208
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . 238
Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 How to Wear Seat Belts
Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
HVAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190, 192
I
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Indicator Vehicle Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Infants and Young Children, Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . 402
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Interior Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . 52
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
J
Jump Starting - North
America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
K
Keyless EntryRemote (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . 32
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . . . 321
Lamps Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 Lamps (cont'd)
Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . 159
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Exterior Lighting Battery
Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
License Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .311
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Taillamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . . 252
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . . 254
Lane Keep Assist Light . . . . . . . . . 134
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
LATCH System Replacing Parts after aCrash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
LATCH, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Lighting Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163