2019 CHEVROLET EQUINOX System

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12145779) - 2019 - CRC - 7/30/18
206 Driving and Operating
Caution (Continued)
damage the system, requiring
costly repairs that will not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Caution
Do not mix fuel with DEF, and do
not put DEF in the fuel tank. This
could lead to costly repairs that
might not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
It is recommended to fill the DEF
tank on level ground and when the
vehicle is not running. When adding
fluid, it is recommended to fill the
DEF tank.
Caution
Do not overfill the DEF tank and
do not allow DEF to contact the
finished surfaces of the vehicle,
as it could damage the vehicle
finish. If DEF is spilled during
filling, wipe any affected surface
with a damp cloth.
Do not top off the DEF tank. If using
a bottle or jug to refill DEF, follow
the instructions on the container
label and use a dedicated fill aid.
In certain cold conditions, it is
possible to find some frozen DEF in
the DEF fill pipe opening. If this
condition prevents the filling of a
DEF tank, place the vehicle in a
warm garage overnight.
For information on how to fill the
DEF tank, see Filling the Tank
(Gasoline) 0259 orFilling the Tank
(Diesel) 0261. 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) (Base Level and
Midlevel) 0141 orDriver Information
Center (DIC) (Uplevel) 0146.
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
EMPTY REFILL NOW message
appears, it may take several km/mi
for the DIC message to update.
If the vehicle speed has been
limited and DEF has been added, it
may take up to 30 seconds after
engine start with the vehicle
stopped for the EXHAUST FLUID
EMPTY REFILL NOW message to
clear. If the vehicle is driven prior to
the DIC message clearing, the

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12145779) - 2019 - CRC - 7/30/18
208 Driving and Operating
After the transition to 8 km/h (5 mph)
is complete, the DIC message
EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY REFILL
NOW - SPEED LIMITED TO 8 KM/
H (5 MPH) displays. A flashing
warning light and a chime also
come on.
Add at least 7.6 L (2 gal) of fluid to
release the vehicle from speed
limitation from a very low or
empty tank.
SeeDiesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)
Warning Light 0139 and
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0379.
Exhaust Fluid Quality Poor
Use only exhaust fluid that is GM
approved, or fluid containing the API
certified or ISO 22241 label.
All DEF has an expiration date.
If the system detects poor quality,
or contaminated or diluted DEF, the
DIC message EXHAUST FLUID
QUALITY POOR - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW –160 KM (99 MI)
UNTIL 104 KM/H (65 MPH) MAX
SPEED displays. The displayed
mileage will decrease as driving continues. A warning light also
comes on. Adding fresh DEF to the
system may resolve the problem,
depending on several factors. If the
DIC message persists, see your
dealer or additional DIC messages
may display.
When the mileage countdown is
zero, a DIC message EXHAUST
FLUID QUALITY POOR - SEE
OWNERS MANUAL NOW -
TRANSITIONING TO 104 KM/H
(65 MPH) MAX SPEED displays.
A warning light and a chime also
come on. Vehicle speed will be
reduced to a maximum speed limit
of 104 km/h (65 mph).
After the transition to 104 km/h
(65 mph) is complete, the DIC
message EXHAUST FLUID
QUALITY POOR - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW - SPEED LIMITED
TO 104 KM/H (65 MPH)
–120 KM
(75 MI) UNTIL 88 KM/H (55 MPH)
MAX SPEED displays. The
displayed mileage will decrease as
driving continues. A warning light
and a chime also come on. When the mileage countdown is
zero, the DIC message EXHAUST
FLUID QUALITY POOR - SEE
OWNERS MANUAL NOW -
TRANSITIONING TO 88 KM/H
(55 MPH) MAX SPEED displays.
A flashing warning light and a chime
also come on. Vehicle speed will be
reduced to a maximum speed limit
of 88 km/h (55 mph).
After the transition to 88 km/h
(55 mph) is complete, a DIC
message EXHAUST FLUID
QUALITY POOR - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW - SPEED LIMITED
TO 88 KM/H (55 MPH)
–120 KM
(75 MI) UNTIL 8 KM/H (5 MPH) MAX
SPEED displays. The displayed
mileage will decrease as driving
continues. A flashing warning light
and a chime also come on.
When the mileage countdown is
zero, a DIC message EXHAUST
FLUID QUALITY POOR - SEE
OWNERS MANUAL NOW -
TRANSITIONING TO 8 KM/H (5
MPH) MAX SPEED displays.
A flashing warning light and a chime

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12145779) - 2019 - CRC - 7/30/18
Driving and Operating 209
also come on. Vehicle speed will be
reduced to a maximum speed limit
of 8 km/h (5 mph).
After the transition to 8 km/h (5 mph)
is complete, a DIC message
EXHAUST FLUID QUALITY POOR
- SEE OWNERS MANUAL NOW -
SPEED LIMITED TO 8 KM/H
(5MPH) displays. A flashing warning
light and a chime also come on.
Service Exhaust Fluid System
If a problem occurs with the DEF
system, the DIC message SERVICE
EXHAUST FLUID SYSTEM - SEE
OWNERS MANUAL NOW–160 KM
(99 MI) UNTIL 104 KM/H (65 MPH)
MAX SPEED displays. The
displayed mileage will decrease as
driving continues. A warning light
also comes on. In some cases this
message will clear itself, indicating
that the DEF system was able to
correct the condition. If the DIC
message persists, see your dealer
or additional DIC messages may
display. When the mileage countdown is
zero, the DIC message SERVICE
EXHAUST FLUID SYSTEM - SEE
OWNERS MANUAL NOW -
TRANSITIONING TO 104 KM/H
(65 MPH) MAX SPEED displays.
A warning light and a chime also
come on. Vehicle speed will be
reduced to a maximum speed limit
of 104 km/h (65 mph).
After the transition to 104 km/h
(65 mph) is complete, a DIC
message SERVICE EXHAUST
FLUID SYSTEM - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW - SPEED LIMITED
TO 104 KM/H (65 MPH)
–120 KM
(75 MI) UNTIL 88 KM/H (55 MPH)
MAX SPEED displays. The
displayed mileage will decrease as
driving continues. A warning light
and a chime also come on.
When the mileage countdown is
zero, the DIC message SERVICE
EXHAUST FLUID SYSTEM - SEE
OWNERS MANUAL NOW -
TRANSITIONING TO 88 KM/H
(55 MPH) MAX SPEED displays.
A flashing warning light and a chime also come on. Vehicle speed will be
reduced down to a maximum speed
limit of 88 km/h (55 mph).
After the transition to 88 km/h
(55 mph) is complete, the DIC
message SERVICE EXHAUST
FLUID SYSTEM - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW - SPEED LIMITED
TO 88 KM/H (55 MPH)
–120 KM
(75 MI) UNTIL 8 KM/H (5 MPH) MAX
SPEED displays. The displayed
mileage will decrease as driving
continues. A flashing warning light
and a chime also come on.
When the mileage countdown is
zero, the DIC message SERVICE
EXHAUST FLUID SYSTEM - SEE
OWNERS MANUAL NOW -
TRANSITIONING TO 8 KM/H
(5 MPH) MAX SPEED displays.
A flashing warning light and a chime
also come on. Vehicle speed will be
reduced to a maximum speed limit
of 8 km/h (5 mph).
After the transition to 8 km/h (5 mph)
is complete, the DIC message
SERVICE EXHAUST FLUID
SYSTEM - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW - SPEED LIMITED

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12145779) - 2019 - CRC - 7/30/18
210 Driving and Operating
TO 8 KM/H (5 MPH) displays.
A flashing warning light and a chime
also come on.
Service Emission System
If a problem occurs with the vehicle
emission system, the DIC message
SERVICE EMISSION SYSTEM -
SEE OWNERS MANUAL NOW–
282 KM (175 MI) UNTIL 104 KM/H
(65 MPH) MAX SPEED displays.
The displayed mileage will decrease
as driving continues. In some cases
this message will clear itself,
indicating that the emission system
was able to correct the condition.
If the DIC message persists, see
your dealer or additional DIC
messages may display.
When the mileage countdown is
zero, the DIC message SERVICE
EMISSION SYSTEM - SEE
OWNERS MANUAL NOW -
TRANSITIONING TO 104 KM/H
(65 MPH) MAX SPEED displays.
A chime also comes on. Vehicle
speed will be reduced to a
maximum speed limit of 104 km/h
(65 mph). After the transition to 104 km/h
(65 mph) is complete, the DIC
message SERVICE EMISSION
SYSTEM - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW - SPEED LIMITED
TO 104 KM/H (65 MPH)
–120 KM
(75 MI) UNTIL 88 KM/H (55 MPH)
MAX SPEED displays. The
displayed mileage will decrease as
driving continues. A chime also
comes on.
When the mileage countdown is
zero, the DIC message SERVICE
EMISSION SYSTEM - SEE
OWNERS MANUAL NOW -
TRANSITIONING TO 88 KM/H
(55 MPH) MAX SPEED displays.
A chime also comes on. Vehicle
speed will be reduced to a
maximum speed limit of 88 km/h
(55 mph).
After the transition to 88 km/h
(55 mph) is complete, the DIC
message SERVICE EMISSION
SYSTEM - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW - SPEED LIMITED
TO 88 KM/H (55 MPH) displays.
A chime also comes on.Automatic
Transmission
P : This position locks the front
wheels. Use P (Park) when starting
the engine because the vehicle
cannot move easily.
{Warning
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
(Continued)

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12145779) - 2019 - CRC - 7/30/18
Driving and Operating 211
Warning (Continued)
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park).
SeeShifting Into Park 0201 and
Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips 0264.
The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control
system. You must fully apply the
regular brake first and then press
the shift lever button before shifting
from P (Park) when the ignition is
on. If you cannot shift out of
P (Park), ease pressure on the shift
lever, then push the shift lever all
the way into P (Park) as you
maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever button and
move the shift lever into another
gear. See
Shifting out of Park 0202.
R : Use this gear to back up.
Caution
Shifting to R (Reverse) while the
vehicle is moving forward could
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Shift to
R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to
get out of snow, ice, or sand without
damaging the transmission, see If
the Vehicle Is Stuck 0189.
N : In this position, the engine does
not connect with the wheels. To
restart the engine when the vehicle
is already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
{Warning
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift
into a drive gear while the engine
is running at high speed.
Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the
engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12145779) - 2019 - CRC - 7/30/18
214 Driving and Operating
Automatic Engine Grade
Braking
Automatic Engine Grade Braking
assists when driving downhill.
It maintains vehicle speed by
automatically implementing a shift
pattern that uses the engine and the
transmission to slow the vehicle.
The system will automatically
command downshifts to reduce
vehicle speed. The normal shift
pattern will return once the vehicle
is on a low grade or when the
accelerator pedal is pressed.
While in the Electronic Range
Select (ERS) mode, grade braking
is deactivated, allowing the driver to
select a range and limiting the
highest gear available. Grade
braking is available for normal
driving and in Tow/Haul Mode.
SeeAutomatic Transmission 0210.
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive
Vehicles with this feature can
operate in All-Wheel
Drive (AWD) Mode.
The AWD system delivers power to
all four wheels and the system
adjusts as needed to improve
traction.
Press the AWD switch on the center
console to activate the system. The
AWD light will flash briefly while the
system is engaging and stay lit to
indicate AWD is active. Press the
switch again to disable the system.
The light will flash briefly while the
system disables and then stay off.
The AWD Mode will stay selected
until the mode is changed.
When operated in two-wheel drive,
the vehicle will deliver power to the
front wheels only and may provide
better fuel economy. A system off message displays
when there is a temporary condition
making the AWD system
unavailable. The vehicle will run in
two-wheel drive.
This could be caused by:
.
A compact spare tire on the
vehicle.
. AWD system overheat.
. Loss of wheel or vehicle speed.
. Certain other vehicle electrical
conditions.
The message turns off when the
compact spare tire is replaced by a
full-size tire, the differential fluid
cools, or the above conditions are
no longer present and the warning
message is reset.
To reset the warning message
manually, turn the ignition off and
then back on again after
30 seconds. If the message stays
on, see your dealer.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12145779) - 2019 - CRC - 7/30/18
Driving and Operating 215
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has an Antilock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that helps
prevent a braking skid.
When the vehicle begins to drive
away, ABS checks itself.
A momentary motor or clicking noise
may be heard while this test is going
on, and it may even be noticed that
the brake pedal moves a little. This
is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
0 135. If driving safely on a wet road and it
becomes necessary to slam on the
brakes and continue braking to
avoid a sudden obstacle, a
computer senses the wheels are
slowing down. If one of the wheels
is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at
each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
you steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls
braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to
stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly and let
ABS work. You may hear the ABS
pump or motor operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsate. This is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows you to steer and brake
at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
more than even the very best
braking.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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216 Driving and Operating
Electric Parking Brake
The Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
can always be activated, even if the
ignition is off. To prevent draining
the battery, avoid repeated cycles of
the EPB when the engine is not
running.
The system has a
Yor PARK
Electric Parking Brake light and a
8
Service Parking Brake light or
message. See Electric Parking
Brake Light 0134 andService
Electric Parking Brake Light 0135.
There are also parking brake-related
Driver Information Center (DIC) messages. In case of insufficient
electrical power, the EPB cannot be
applied or released.
Before leaving the vehicle, check for
the
Yor PARK light to ensure that
the parking brake is applied.
EPB Apply
To apply the EPB:
1. Be sure the vehicle is at a complete stop.
2. Pull the EPB switch momentarily.
The
Yor PARK light will flash and
then stay on once the EPB is fully
applied. If the
Yor PARK light
flashes continuously, then the EPB
is only partially applied, the vehicle
is in Service Mode, or there is a
problem with the EPB. A DIC
message will display. Release the
EPB switch and try to apply it again.
If the light does not come on,
or keeps flashing, have the vehicle
serviced. Do not drive the vehicle if the
Yor
PARK light is flashing. See your
dealer. See Electric Parking Brake
Light 0134.
If the
8Service Parking Brake light
or message is on or the
Yor
PARK light flashes when the ignition
is turned on, pull the EPB switch.
Continue to hold the switch until
the
Yor PARK light remains on.
If the
8Service Parking Brake light
or message remains on, see your
dealer.
If the EPB switch is pulled while the
vehicle is moving, the vehicle will
decelerate as long as the switch is
pulled. If the switch is pulled until
the vehicle comes to a stop, the
EPB will remain applied.
The EPB applies automatically
when shifting to P (Park) on a steep
incline. The EPB releases as soon
as the vehicle is shifted out of
P (Park) and the vehicle
accelerates.