Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
270 Driving and Operating
Accidental Refueling with
Gasoline
If the vehicle is accidentally refueled
with gasoline, do not continue
driving the vehicle except to get to a
location where it can be stopped
safely. Driving the vehicle will
damage the fuel system. Have the
vehicle towed to a qualified
technician to have the gasoline
removed from the tank and fuel
system. Flush the fuel system with
Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel to
ensure all gasoline is removed.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)
DEF is a non-toxic solution that is
sprayed into the exhaust stream of
diesel vehicles to cause a chemical
reaction and break down NOx
emissions into harmless nitrogen
and water.
DEF is not a fuel additive and never
comes into contact with diesel fuel.
It is stored in a separate tank. The
fill port is behind the fuel door next
to the regular fuel cap. It has a blue
filler cap. SeeDiesel Exhaust Fluid
0 226.
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container
{Warning
Filling a portable fuel container
while it is in the vehicle can cause
fuel vapors that can ignite either
by static electricity or other
means. You or others could be
badly burned and the vehicle
could be damaged. Always:
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Use approved fuel
containers.
. Remove the container from
the vehicle, trunk, or pickup
bed before filling.
. Place the container on the
ground.
. Place the nozzle inside the
fill opening of the container
before dispensing fuel, and
keep it in contact with the fill
opening until filling is
complete.
. Fill the container no more
than 95% full to allow for
expansion.
. Do not smoke, light
matches, or use lighters
while pumping fuel.
. Avoid using cell phones or
other electronic devices.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
272 Driving and Operating
Before starting, check all trailer hitch
parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connectors, lamps,
tires, and mirrors. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start the
combination moving and then apply
the trailer brake controller by hand
to be sure the brakes work.
During the trip, check occasionally
to be sure that the load is secure
and the lamps and any trailer
brakes still work.
Towing with a Stability Control
System
When towing, the sound of the
stability control system might be
heard. The system is reacting to the
vehicle movement caused by the
trailer, which mainly occurs during
cornering. This is normal when
towing heavier trailers.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving the vehicle without a trailer.This can help to avoid situations
that require heavy braking and
sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed
when towing a trailer. Because the
rig is longer, it is necessary to go
farther beyond the passed vehicle
before returning to the lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. To move the
trailer to the left, move your hand to
the left. To move the trailer to the
right, move your hand to the right.
Always back up slowly and,
if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making Turns
Caution
Making very sharp turns while
trailering could cause the trailer to
come in contact with the vehicle. (Continued)
Caution (Continued)
The vehicle could be damaged.
Avoid making very sharp turns
while trailering.
When turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal so the
trailer will not strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees, or other
objects. Use the turn signal well in
advance and avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers.
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
The turn signal indicators in the
instrument cluster flash whenever
signaling a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer
lamps also flash, telling other
drivers the vehicle is turning,
changing lanes, or stopping.
When towing a trailer, the turn
signal indicators in the instrument
cluster flash for turns even if the
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
Driving and Operating 277
Trailer Sway
Control (TSC)
The vehicle has a Trailer Sway
Control (TSC) feature as part of the
StabiliTrak system. If TSC detects
that the trailer is swaying, the
vehicle's brakes are automatically
applied.
When TSC is applying the brakes,
the TCS/StabiliTrak indicator light
flashes to notify the driver to reduce
speed. If the trailer continues to
sway, StabiliTrak will reduce engine
torque to help slow the vehicle.
TSC will not function if StabiliTrak is
turned off. SeeTraction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0238.
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is
used for vehicle service
and Emission Inspection/
Maintenance testing. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) 0130.
A device connected to the DLC —
such as an aftermarket fleet or
driver-behavior tracking device —
may interfere with vehicle
systems. This could affect vehicle
operation and cause a crash.
Such devices may also access
information stored in the vehicle’s
systems.
Caution
Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle or cause
components to not work and
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always check
with your dealer before adding
electrical equipment.
Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle's 12-volt battery, even if the
vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle 088 and Adding Equipment
to the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
0 88.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
278 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 279
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 280
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 292
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 293
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 299
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Battery - North America . . . . . . 303
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303 Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 304
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 304
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 305
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 306
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Front Turn Signal and Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Taillamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 311
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 311
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 312
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312 Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 321
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 338
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
294 Vehicle Care
To inspect or replace the engine air
cleaner/filter:
1.5L Gas Engine Shown, 1.6LDiesel Engine and 2.0L Gas Engine Similar
1. Screws
2. Air Duct Clamp
3. Electrical Connector
1. Open the hood. See Hood
0 281.
2. Loosen the screw on the air duct clamp (2) and remove the
air duct hose from the cover. 3. Remove the four screws (1)
and remove the air cleaner/
filter cover, keeping the wiring
harness electrical connector (3)
connected to the sensor.
4. Pull straight up on the cover, and while holding the cover,
remove the air cleaner/filter.
5. Inspect or replace the air cleaner/filter.
How to Reinstall the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
1. Align the air cleaner/filter withthe indicated point on the base
of the air cleaner/filter housing and install the air cleaner/filter.
The outer air cleaner/filter seal
must be fitted properly in the
air cleaner/filter housing.
2. Align the air cleaner/filter housing cover tabs to the air
cleaner/filter housing.
3. Install the air cleaner/filter housing cover using the four
screws.
4. Slide the air duct onto the cover assembly and tighten the
screw on the air duct clamp.
5. Verify that the wiring harness connector is fully connected to
the sensor on the air cleaner/
filter housing.
{Warning
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/filter off can cause you or
others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air; it
helps to stop flames if the engine
(Continued)
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
296 Vehicle Care
2.0L Gas Engine
1. Engine Cooling Fan (Outof View)
2. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
{Warning
An underhood electric fan 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
top rib on the middle of the tank. 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
Do not touch heater or radiator
hoses, or other engine parts.
They can be very hot and can
burn you. Do not run the engine if
there is a leak; all coolant could
leak out. That could cause an
engine fire and can burn you. Fix
any leak before driving 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.
Engine Coolant
The engine cooling system in the
vehicle are filled with DEX-COOL
engine coolant mixture. This
coolant needs to be checked and
changed at appropriate levels.
See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0381 andMaintenance
Schedule 0373.
The following explains the cooling
systems and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
see Engine Overheating 0299.
What to Use
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such
as alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will. With
plain water or the wrong mixture,
the engine could get too hot but
(Continued)
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
Vehicle Care 309
Headlamps
Bi-halogen headlamp shown.
Driver Side Shown, PassengerSide Similar
1. Headlamp
To replace one of the headlamp
bulbs:
1. Open the hood. See Hood
0 281.
2. For the driver side bulb, remove the battery cover.
Remove the windshield washer bottle filler neck by firmly
pulling it straight up and out of
the bottle.
For the passenger side,
remove the air cleaner cover.
3. Remove the cover from the back of the headlamp
assembly by turning it
counterclockwise.
4. Disconnect the electrical connector.
5. Remove the bulb from the lamp assembly by turning
counterclockwise.
6. Install a new bulb in the lamp assembly.
7. Connect the electrical connector.
8. Replace the cover from the back of the headlamp
assembly by turning it
clockwise.
9. For the driver side, reinstall the battery cover. Reinstall the
windshield washer bottle filler
neck by firmly pushing it
straight into the bottle. Make sure that the filler neck clip
engages into the bracket on
the upper tie-bar.
For the passenger side,
reinstall the air cleaner cover.
Front Turn Signal and
Fog Lamps
Driver Side Shown, Passenger
Side Similar
To replace one of these lamps: 1. Remove the fastener to remove the access panel.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
310 Vehicle Care
2. Access the lamp through thehole in the underbody air
deflector.
3. Disconnect the electrical connector from the bulb
assembly.
4. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and pull the
bulb straight out of the socket.
5. Replace the bulb and reverse Steps 1–4 to reinstall.Taillamps
Driver Side Shown, Passenger
Side Similar
1. Sidemarker
2. Stoplamp/Taillamp/RearTurn Signal
To replace one of these lamps:
1. Open the liftgate. See Liftgate
0 44.
2. Remove the two screw covers from the taillamp assembly.
3. Remove the two screws securing the taillamp assembly.
4. Pull the taillamp assembly out of the vehicle body.
5. Disconnect the lamp wiring harness.
6. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and pull
it out.
7. Pull the bulb straight out of the socket.
8. Install the new bulb.
9. Push the bulb socket in and turn it clockwise.
10. Reverse steps 2–5 to reinstall the lamp assembly.