Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
Keys, Doors, and Windows 21
Doors
Liftgate
{Warning
Exhaust gases can enter the
vehicle if it is driven with the
liftgate or trunk/hatch open,
or with any objects that pass
through the seal between the
body and the trunk/hatch or
liftgate. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO) which
cannot be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and even
death.
If the vehicle must be driven with
the liftgate or trunk/hatch open:. Close all of the windows.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Adjust the climate control
system to a setting that
brings in only outside air
and set the fan speed to the
highest setting. See
“Climate Control Systems”
in the Index.
. If the vehicle is equipped
with a power liftgate, disable
the power liftgate function.
See Engine Exhaust 0190.
Caution
To avoid damage to the liftgate or
liftgate glass, make sure the area
above and behind the liftgate is
clear before opening it.
Manual Liftgate
To unlock the liftgate, pressKon
the power door lock switch or press
Kon the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter twice within
five seconds. See
Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation 08.
To open the liftgate, press the touch
pad under the liftgate handle and
lift up.
If equipped with Keyless Access,
the liftgate can be opened when
locked if the RKE transmitter is
within 1 m (3 ft) of the liftgate. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation 08.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
22 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Use the pull cup to lower and close
the liftgate. Do not press the touch
pad while closing the liftgate. This
may cause the liftgate to be
unlatched.
The liftgate has an electric latch.
If the battery is disconnected or has
low voltage, the liftgate will not
open. The liftgate will resume
operation when the battery is
reconnected and charged.
Always close the liftgate before
driving.
Power Liftgate Operation
{Warning
You or others could be injured if
caught in the path of the power
liftgate. Make sure there is no one
in the way of the liftgate as it is
opening and closing.
Caution
Driving with an open and
unsecured liftgate may result in
damage to the power liftgate
components.
The power liftgate switch is on the
driver door. The vehicle must be in
P (Park). The taillamps flash when
the power liftgate moves.
The modes are:
.MAX: Opens to maximum
height. .
3/4: Opens to a reduced height
that can be set from 3/4 to fully
open. Use to prevent the liftgate
from opening into overhead
obstructions such as a garage
door or roof-mounted cargo. The
liftgate can be manually opened
all the way.
. OFF: Opens manually only.
To open or close the power liftgate,
select MAX or 3/4 mode.
. Press
btwice quickly on the
RKE transmitter until the liftgate
moves.
. Press
8on the driver door.
The driver door must unlocked.
. Press the touch pad under the
liftgate handle after unlocking all
doors. A locked vehicle can be
opened if the RKE transmitter is
within 1 m (3 ft) of the liftgate.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
24 Keys, Doors, and Windows
away from the obstacle. After
removing the obstruction, the power
liftgate operation can be used again.
If the liftgate encounters multiple
obstacles on the same power cycle,
the power function will deactivate.
After removing the obstructions,
manually close the liftgate, This will
allow normal power operation
functions to resume.
If the vehicle is locked while the
liftgate is closing, and an obstacle is
encountered that prevents the
liftgate from completely closing, the
horn will sound as an alert that the
liftgate did not close.
Pinch sensors are on the side
edges of the liftgate. If an object is
caught between the liftgate and the
vehicle and presses against a
sensor, the liftgate will reverse
direction and then stop. The liftgate
will remain open until it is activated
again or closed manually.Setting the 3/4 Mode
To change the position the liftgate
stops at when opening:1. Select MAX or 3/4 mode and power open the liftgate.
2. Stop the liftgate movement at the desired height by pressing
any liftgate button. Manually
adjust the liftgate position if
needed.
3. Press and hold
lnext to the
pull cup on the outside of the
liftgate until the turn signals
flash and a beep sounds. This
indicates the setting has been
recorded.
The liftgate cannot be set below a
minimum programmable height.
If there is no light flash or sound,
then the height adjustment may be
too low.
Manual Operation
Select OFF to manually operate the
liftgate. See “Manual Liftgate” at the
beginning of this section.
Caution
Attempting to move the liftgate
too quickly and with excessive
force may result in damage to the
vehicle.
Operate the liftgate manually with a
smooth motion and moderate
speed. The system includes a
feature which limits the manual
closing speed to protect the
components.
Hands-Free Operation
The liftgate may be operated with a
kicking motion under the rear
bumper between the left exhaust
pipe and the license plate.
The RKE transmitter must be within
1 m (3 ft) of the rear bumper to
operate the power liftgate
hands-free.
The hands-free feature will not work
while the liftgate is moving. To stop
the liftgate while in motion use one
of the liftgate buttons.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
Keys, Doors, and Windows 25
The hands-free feature can be
customized. SeeVehicle
Personalization 0134. Choose from
the following:
On-Open and Close : The kicking
motion is activated to both open and
close the liftgate.
On-Open Only : The kicking motion
is activated to only open the liftgate.
Off : The feature is disabled.
Length of Kick Zone
To operate, kick your foot straight up
in one swift motion under the rear
bumper between the left exhaust
pipe and the license plate, then pull
it back.
Caution
Splashing water may cause the
liftgate to open. Keep the RKE
transmitter away from the rear
bumper detection area or turn the
liftgate mode to OFF when
cleaning or working near the rear
bumper to avoid accidental
opening.
. Do not sweep your foot side
to side.
. Do not keep your foot under the
bumper; the liftgate will not
activate.
. Do not touch the liftgate until it
has stopped moving.
. This feature may be temporarily
disabled under some conditions.
If the liftgate does not respond to
the kick, open or close the
liftgate by another method or
start the vehicle. The feature will
be re-enabled. When closing the liftgate using this
feature, there will be a short delay.
The taillamps will flash and a chime
will sound. Step away from the
liftgate before it starts moving.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
26 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Vehicle Security
This vehicle has theft-deterrent
features; however, they do not make
the vehicle impossible to steal.
Vehicle Alarm System
This vehicle has an anti-theft alarm
system.
The indicator light, on the
instrument panel near the
windshield, indicates the status of
the system:
Off :Alarm system is disarmed. On Solid :
Vehicle is secured
during the delay to arm the system.
Fast Flash : Vehicle is unsecured.
A door, the hood, or the liftgate
is open.
Slow Flash : Alarm system is
armed.
Arming the Alarm System
1. Turn off the vehicle.
2. Lock the vehicle in one of three ways:
.Use the RKE transmitter.
. With a door open, press the
interior
Q.
3. After 30 seconds the alarm system will arm, and the
indicator light will begin to
slowly flash indicating the
alarm system is operating.
Pressing
Qon the RKE
transmitter a second time will
bypass the 30-second delay
and immediately arm the alarm
system. The vehicle alarm system will not
arm if the doors are locked with
the key.
If the driver door is opened without
first unlocking with the RKE
transmitter, the horn will chirp and
the lights will flash to indicate
pre-alarm. If the vehicle is not
started, or the door is not unlocked
by pressing
Kon the RKE
transmitter during the 10-second
pre-alarm, the alarm will be
activated.
If a door, the hood, or the liftgate is
opened without first disarming the
system, the turn signals will flash
and the horn will sound for about
30 seconds. The alarm system will
then re-arm to monitor for the next
unauthorized event.
Disarming the Alarm System
To disarm the alarm system or turn
off the alarm if it has been activated:
. Press
Kon the RKE transmitter.
. Start the vehicle.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
30 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Interior Mirrors
Interior Rearview Mirrors
Adjust the rearview mirror for a clear
view of the area behind the vehicle.
Do not spray glass cleaner directly
on the mirror. Use a soft towel
dampened with water.
Manual Rearview Mirror
If equipped, push the tab forward for
daytime use and pull it rearward for
nighttime use to avoid glare of the
headlamps from behind.
Automatic Dimming
Rearview Mirror
If equipped, automatic dimming
reduces the glare of headlamps
from behind. The dimming feature
comes on when the vehicle is
started.
Windows
{Warning
Never leave a child, a helpless
adult, or a pet alone in a vehicle,
especially with the windows
closed in warm or hot weather.
They can be overcome by the
extreme heat and suffer
permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke.
The vehicle aerodynamics are
designed to improve fuel economy
performance. This may result in a
pulsing sound when either rear
window is down and the front
windows are up. To reduce the
sound, open either a front window
or the sunroof, if equipped.
Power Windows
{Warning
Children could be seriously
injured or killed if caught in the
path of a closing window. Never
leave the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter in a vehicle with
children. When there are children
in the rear seat, use the window
lockout switch to prevent
operation of the windows. See
Keys07.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
34 Keys, Doors, and Windows
When the sunroof is opened, an air
deflector will automatically raise.
The air deflector will retract when
the sunroof is closed.
The sunroof cannot be opened or
closed if the vehicle has an
electrical failure.
Automatic Reversal System
The sunroof has an automatic
reversal system that is only active
when the sunroof is operated in
express-close mode.
If an object is in the path while
express closing, the reversal system
will detect the object, stop, and
open the sunroof slightly.
If frost or other conditions prevent
closing, override the feature by
closing the sunroof in manual mode.
To stop movement, release the
switch.
Dirt and debris may collect on the
sunroof seal or in the track. This
could cause an issue with sunroof
operation or noise. It could also plug
the water drainage system.
Periodically open the sunroof and
remove any obstacles or loose
debris. Wipe the sunroof seal and
roof sealing area using a clean
cloth, mild soap, and water. Do not
remove grease from the sunroof.
If water is seen dripping into the
water drainage system, this is
normal.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
Seats and Restraints 39
.Raise or lower the front part of
the seat cushion by moving the
front of the control up or down.
. Raise or lower the entire seat by
moving the rear of the control up
or down.
To adjust the seatback, see
Reclining Seatbacks 039.
Lumbar Adjustment
If equipped, press and hold the front
or rear of the control to increase or
decrease lumbar support.
Reclining Seatbacks
{Warning
Sitting in a reclined position when
the vehicle is in motion can be
dangerous. Even when buckled
up, the seat belts cannot do
their job.
The shoulder belt will not be
against your body. Instead, it will
be in front of you. In a crash, you
could go into it, receiving neck or
other injuries.
The lap belt could go up over
your abdomen. The belt forces
would be there, not at your pelvic
bones. This could cause serious
internal injuries.
For proper protection when the
vehicle is in motion, have the
seatback upright. Then sit well
back in the seat and wear the
seat belt properly.
Do not have a seatback reclined if
the vehicle is moving.
Manual Reclining Seatbacks
{Warning
If either seatback is not locked, it
could move forward in a sudden
stop or crash. That could cause
injury to the person sitting there.
Always push and pull on the
seatbacks to be sure they are
locked.