2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX tow

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
Vehicle Care 357
Towing the Vehicle
Caution
Incorrectly towing a disabled
vehicle may cause damage. The
damage would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Do not lash or hook to
suspension components. Use the
proper straps around the tires to
secure the vehicle.
Use only a flatbed tow truck for
towing a disabled vehicle. Never
use a sling type lift or damage will
occur. Use ramps to help reduce
approach angles if necessary.
A towed vehicle should have its
drive wheels off the ground.
Consult a professional towing
service if the disabled vehicle must
be towed.
The vehicle is equipped with a tow
eye. Only use the tow eye to pull
the vehicle onto a flatbed car carrier from a flat road surface. Do not use
the tow eye to pull the vehicle from
snow, mud, or sand.
The tow eye is stored underneath
the load floor, near the spare tire or
the compressor kit, if equipped.
Front Tow Eye
Carefully open the cover by using
the small notch that conceals the
front tow eye socket.
Install the tow eye into the socket
and turn it until it is fully tightened.
When the tow eye is removed,
reinstall the cover with the notch in
the original position.
Rear Tow Eye
If the vehicle is equipped with a
hitch, there is no provision to use
the tow eye in the rear of the
vehicle. The hitch may be used to
load the vehicle onto a flatbed tow
truck.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
358 Vehicle Care
If equipped, carefully open the cover
by using the small notch that
conceals the rear tow eye socket.
Install the tow eye into the socket
and turn it until it is fully tightened.
When the tow eye is removed,
reinstall the cover with the notch in
the original position.
To tow the vehicle behind another
vehicle for recreational purposes,
such as behind a motor home, see
Recreational Vehicle Towing0358.
Recreational Vehicle
Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle –such as behind a motor
home. The two most common types
of recreational vehicle towing are
known as dinghy towing and dolly
towing. Dinghy towing is towing the
vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground. Dolly towing is towing the
vehicle with two wheels on the
ground and two wheels up on a
device known as a dolly. Here are some important things to
consider before recreational vehicle
towing:
.
The towing capacity of the
towing vehicle. Be sure to read
the tow vehicle manufacturer's
recommendations.
. How far the vehicle will be
towed. Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how
long they can tow.
. The proper towing equipment.
See your dealer or trailering
professional for additional advice
and equipment
recommendations.
. If the vehicle is ready to be
towed. Just as preparing the
vehicle for a long trip, make sure
the vehicle is prepared to be
towed.
Dinghy Towing
Front-wheel-drive (1.5 L Gas FWD/
1.6 L Diesel) and all-wheel-drive
(1.6 L Diesel only) vehicles may be
dinghy towed from the front. These
vehicles can also be towed by

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
Vehicle Care 359
placing them on a platform trailer
with all four wheels off of the
ground. All other engine/
transmission combinations must be
towed by platform trailer. Also see
the information on dolly towing later
in this section.
For vehicles being dinghy towed,
the vehicle should be run at the
beginning of each day and at each
RV fuel stop for about five minutes.
This will ensure proper lubrication of
transmission components.
To tow the vehicle from the front
with all four wheels on the ground:1. Turn the vehicle on. 2. In vehicles equipped with AWD
engage the AWD system and
confirm that it is on.
3. Position the vehicle to be towed and secure it to the
towing vehicle.
4. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
5. Turn the ignition to ACC/ ACCESSORY.
6. Turn all accessories off.
Caution
If the vehicle is towed without
performing each of the steps
listed under “Dinghy Towing,” the
automatic transmission and AWD
system could be damaged. Be
sure to follow all steps of the
dinghy towing procedure prior to
and after towing the vehicle.
Caution
If 105 km/h (65 mph) is exceeded
while towing the vehicle, it could
be damaged. Never exceed
105 km/h (65 mph) while towing
the vehicle.
Once the destination is reached: 1. Set the parking brake.
2. Shift the transmission to P (Park).
3. Turn the vehicle off.
4. Start the engine and let it idle for more than three minutes
before driving the vehicle.
Caution
Do not tow a vehicle with the front
drive wheels on the ground if one
of the front tires is a compact
spare tire. Towing with two
different tire sizes on the front of
the vehicle can cause severe
damage to the transmission.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
360 Vehicle Care
Caution
Use of a shield mounted in front
of the vehicle grille could restrict
airflow and cause damage to the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. If using a shield, only
use one that attaches to the
towing vehicle.
Dolly Towing (All-Wheel-Drive
Vehicles)
All-wheel-drive vehicles cannot be
towed with two wheels on the
ground. To properly tow these
vehicles, they should be placed on
a platform trailer with all four wheels
off of the ground.
Dolly Towing
(Front-Wheel-Drive Vehicles)
To tow the vehicle from the front
with the rear wheels on the ground:1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
2. Move the shift lever to P (Park).
3. Set the parking brake. 4. Secure the vehicle to the dolly.
5. Follow the dolly manufacturer's
instructions for preparing the
vehicle and dolly for towing.
6. Release the parking brake.
Towing the Vehicle from
the Rear

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
Vehicle Care 361
Caution
Towing the vehicle from the rear
could damage it. Also, repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Never have the
vehicle towed from the rear.
Appearance Care
Exterior Care
Locks
Locks are lubricated at the factory.
Use a de-icing agent only when
absolutely necessary, and have the
locks greased after using. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants0381.
Washing the Vehicle
To preserve the vehicle's finish,
wash it often and out of direct
sunlight.
Caution
Do not use petroleum-based,
acidic, or abrasive cleaning
agents as they can damage the
vehicle's paint, metal, or plastic
parts. If damage occurs, it would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Approved cleaning
products can be obtained from
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Caution (Continued)
your dealer. Follow all
manufacturer directions regarding
correct product usage, necessary
safety precautions, and
appropriate disposal of any
vehicle care product.
Caution
Avoid using high-pressure
washes closer than 30 cm (12 in)
to the surface of the vehicle. Use
of power washers exceeding
8,274 kPa (1,200 psi) can result
in damage or removal of paint
and decals.
Caution
Do not power wash any
component under the hood that
has this
esymbol.
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Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
362 Vehicle Care
Caution (Continued)
This could cause damage that
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
If using an automatic car wash,
follow the car wash instructions. The
windshield wiper and rear window
wiper, if equipped, must be off.
Remove any accessories that may
be damaged or interfere with the car
wash equipment.
Rinse the vehicle well, before
washing and after, to remove all
cleaning agents completely. If they
are allowed to dry on the surface,
they could stain.
Dry the finish with a soft, clean
chamois or an all-cotton towel to
avoid surface scratches and water
spotting.
Finish Care
Application of aftermarket clearcoat
sealant/wax materials is not
recommended. If painted surfaces
are damaged, see your dealer to have the damage assessed and
repaired. Foreign materials such as
calcium chloride and other salts, ice
melting agents, road oil and tar, tree
sap, bird droppings, chemicals from
industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage the vehicle's finish if they
remain on painted surfaces. Wash
the vehicle as soon as possible.
If necessary, use non-abrasive
cleaners that are marked safe for
painted surfaces to remove foreign
matter.
Occasional hand waxing or mild
polishing should be done to remove
residue from the paint finish. See
your dealer for approved cleaning
products.
Do not apply waxes or polishes to
uncoated plastic, vinyl, rubber,
decals, simulated wood, or flat paint
as damage can occur.
Caution
Machine compounding or
aggressive polishing on a
basecoat/clearcoat paint finish
may damage it. Use only
non-abrasive waxes and polishes
that are made for a basecoat/
clearcoat paint finish on the
vehicle.
To keep the paint finish looking new,
keep the vehicle garaged or
covered whenever possible.
Protecting Exterior Bright Metal
Moldings
Caution
Failure to clean and protect the
bright metal moldings can result
in a hazy white finish or pitting.
This damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
364 Vehicle Care
Shutter System
The vehicle may have a shutter
system designed to help increase
fuel economy. Keep the shutter
system clean for proper operation.
Windshield and Wiper Blades
Clean the outside of the windshield
with glass cleaner.
Clean rubber blades using a lint-free
cloth or paper towel soaked with
windshield washer fluid or a mild
detergent. Wash the windshield
thoroughly when cleaning the
blades. Bugs, road grime, sap, anda buildup of vehicle wash/wax
treatments may cause wiper
streaking.
Replace the wiper blades if they are
worn or damaged. Damage can be
caused by extreme dusty
conditions, sand, salt, heat, sun,
snow, and ice.
Weatherstrips
Apply weatherstrip lubricant on
weatherstrips to make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or
squeak. Lubricate weatherstrips at
least once a year. Hot, dry climates
may require more frequent
application. Black marks from
rubber material on painted surfaces
can be removed by rubbing with a
clean cloth. See
Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0381.
Tires
Use a stiff brush with tire cleaner to
clean the tires.
Caution
Using petroleum-based tire
dressing products on the vehicle
may damage the paint finish and/
or tires. When applying a tire
dressing, always wipe off any
overspray from all painted
surfaces on the vehicle.
Wheels and Trim —Aluminum
or Chrome
Use a soft, clean cloth with mild
soap and water to clean the wheels.
After rinsing thoroughly with clean
water, dry with a soft, clean towel.
A wax may then be applied.
Caution
Chrome wheels and other chrome
trim may be damaged if the
vehicle is not washed after driving
on roads that have been sprayed
with magnesium, calcium,
or sodium chloride. These
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Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
Vehicle Care 367
Caution
To prevent scratching, never use
abrasive cleaners on automotive
glass. Abrasive cleaners or
aggressive cleaning may damage
the rear window defogger.
Cleaning the windshield with water
during the first three to six months
of ownership will reduce tendency
to fog.
Speaker Covers
Vacuum around a speaker cover
gently, so that the speaker will not
be damaged. Clean spots with water
and mild soap.
Coated Moldings
Coated moldings should be cleaned.
. When lightly soiled, wipe with a
sponge or soft, lint-free cloth
dampened with water.
. When heavily soiled, use warm
soapy water.
Fabric/Carpet/Suede
Start by vacuuming the surface
using a soft brush attachment. If a
rotating vacuum brush attachment is
being used, only use it on the floor
carpet. Before cleaning, gently
remove as much of the soil as
possible:
.Gently blot liquids with a paper
towel. Continue blotting until no
more soil can be removed.
. For solid soils, remove as much
as possible prior to vacuuming.
To clean: 1. Saturate a clean, lint-free colorfast cloth with water.
Microfiber cloth is
recommended to prevent lint
transfer to the fabric or carpet.
2. Remove excess moisture by gently wringing until water does
not drip from the cleaning cloth.
3. Start on the outside edge of the soil and gently rub toward the
center. Fold the cleaning cloth to a clean area frequently to
prevent forcing the soil in to the
fabric.
4. Continue gently rubbing the soiled area until there is no
longer any color transfer from
the soil to the cleaning cloth.
5. If the soil is not completely removed, use a mild soap
solution followed only by plain
water.
If the soil is not completely
removed, it may be necessary to
use a commercial upholstery
cleaner or spot lifter. Test a small
hidden area for colorfastness before
using a commercial upholstery
cleaner or spot lifter. If ring
formation occurs, clean the entire
fabric or carpet.
After cleaning, use a paper towel to
blot excess moisture.