
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
Climate Controls 155
Air Delivery Mode Controls :
Press
{,z, and0or a
combination of the buttons to
change the direction of the airflow.
The indicator light in the button will
turn on.
To change the current mode, select
one or more of the following:
0: Clears the windows of fog or
moisture. Air is directed to the
windshield.
{: Air is directed to the
instrument panel outlets.
z: Air is directed to the floor
outlets.
0MAX : Air is directed to the
windshield and the fan runs at a
higher speed. Fog or frost is cleared
from the windshield more quickly.
When the button is pressed again,
the system returns to the previous
mode setting.
For best results, clear all snow and
ice from the windshield before
defrosting. A/C :
Press to turn the air
conditioning system on or off. If the
climate control system is turned off
or the outside temperature falls
below freezing, the air conditioner
will not run.
@: Press to turn on recirculation.
An indicator light comes on. Air is
recirculated to quickly cool the
inside of the vehicle or to reduce the
entry of outside air and odors.
Rear Window Defogger
K: Press to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. An indicator light
on the button comes on to show that
the rear window defogger is on.
The defogger can be turned off by
turning the ignition off or to ACC/
ACCESSORY.
The rear window defogger can be
set to automatic operation. See
“Climate and Air Quality” under
Vehicle Personalization 0134.
When Auto Rear Defog is selected,
the rear window defogger turns on
automatically when the interior
temperature is cold and the outside temperature is about 7 °C (44 °F)
and below. The auto rear defogger
turns off automatically.
If the vehicle is equipped with
heated outside mirrors, they turn on
when the rear window defogger
button is on and help to clear fog or
frost from the surface of the mirror.
See
Heated Mirrors 029.
Caution
Do not try to clear frost or other
material from the inside of the
front windshield and rear window
with a razor blade or anything
else that is sharp. This may
damage the rear window
defogger grid and affect the
radio's ability to pick up stations
clearly. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
MorL:If equipped, pressMorL
to heat the driver or passenger seat.
See Heated and Ventilated Front
Seats 043.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
156 Climate Controls
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
The heating, cooling, and ventilation for the vehicle can be controlled with
this system.
1. Driver and PassengerTemperature Controls
2. MAX Defrost
3. Air Delivery Mode Controls
4. A/C (Air Conditioning)
5. Heated and Ventilated Front Seats (If Equipped)
6. SYNC (Synchronized Temperature) 7. AUTO (Automatic Operation)
8. Fan Control
9. Power
10. Recirculation
11. Rear Window Defogger
Automatic Operation
The system automatically heats or
cools the vehicle to the desired
temperature: .
Fan Speed
. Air Delivery Mode
. Air Conditioning
. Recirculation
When AUTO is lit, all four functions
operate automatically. Each function
can also be manually set and the
selected setting is displayed.
Functions not manually set will
continue to be automatically
controlled, even if the AUTO
indicator is not lit.
For automatic operation: 1. Press AUTO.
2. Set the temperature. Allow the system time to stabilize. Adjust
the temperature as needed for
best comfort.
To improve fuel efficiency and to
cool the vehicle faster, recirculation
may be automatically selected in
warm weather. The recirculation
light will not come on. Press
@to
select recirculation; press it again to
select outside air.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
158 Climate Controls
Auto Defog :The climate control
system may have a sensor to
automatically detect high humidity
inside the vehicle. When high
humidity is detected, the climate
control system may adjust to
outside air supply and turn on the
air conditioner. The fan speed may
slightly increase to help prevent
fogging. If the climate control
system does not detect possible
window fogging, it returns to normal
operation.
To turn Auto Defog off or on, see
“Climate and Air Quality” under
Vehicle Personalization 0134.
Rear Window Defogger
K:Press to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. An indicator light
on the button comes on to show that
the rear window defogger is on. The
defogger only works when the
ignition is on.
The defogger can be turned off by
turning the ignition to off or ACC/
ACCESSORY. The rear window defogger can be
set to automatic operation. See
“Climate and Air Quality”
under
Vehicle Personalization 0134.
When auto rear defog is selected,
the rear window defogger turns on
automatically when the interior
temperature is cold and the outside
temperature is about 7 °C (44 °F)
and below. The Auto Rear Defogger
turns off automatically.
If the vehicle is equipped with
heated outside mirrors, they turn on
when the rear window defogger
button is on and help to clear fog or
frost from the surface of the mirror.
See Heated Mirrors 029.Caution
Do not try to clear frost or other
material from the inside of the
front windshield and rear window
with a razor blade or anything
else that is sharp. This may
damage the rear window
defogger grid and affect the
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
radio's ability to pick up stations
clearly. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Driver and Passenger Heated and
Ventilated Front Seats :
If equipped, press
LorMto heat
the driver or passenger seat.
If equipped, press
{orCto
ventilate the driver or passenger
seat. See Heated and Ventilated
Front Seats 043.
Remote Start Climate Control
Operation (If Equipped) : If the
vehicle is equipped with the remote
start feature, the climate control
system may run when the vehicle is
started remotely. The system uses
the driver ’s previous settings to heat
or cool the inside of the vehicle. The
rear defog may come on during
remote start based on cold ambient
conditions. If the vehicle has heated
or ventilated seats, they may come

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
Driving and Operating 163
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel (Gasoline) . . . . . . 241
Top Tier Fuel (Diesel) . . . . . . . . . 241
Recommended Fuel (LYX -1.5L L4 Turbo Engine) . . . . . . 241
Recommended Fuel (LTG -
2.0L L4 Turbo Engine) . . . . . . 242
Prohibited Fuels (Gasoline) . . . 242
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 242
Fuel Additives (Gasoline) . . . . . 243
Fuel Additives (Diesel) . . . . . . . 243
Fuel for Diesel Engines . . . . . . . 243
Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Cold Weather Operation (Diesel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Water in Fuel (Diesel) . . . . . . . . 245
Running Out of Fuel (Diesel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Fuel Filter Replacement (Diesel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Filling the Tank (Gasoline) . . . . 250
Filling the Tank (Diesel) . . . . . . . 251
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Trailer Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254 Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Driving Information
Driver Behavior
Driving is an important
responsibility. Driver behavior, the
driving environment, and the
vehicle's design all affect how well a
vehicle performs.
Being aware of these factors can
help in understanding how the
vehicle handles and what can be
done to avoid many types of
crashes, including a rollover crash.
Most serious injuries and fatalities to
unbelted occupants can be reduced
or prevented by the use of seat
belts. In a rollover crash, an
unbelted person is significantly
more likely to die than a person
wearing a seat belt. In addition,
avoiding excessive speed, sudden
or abrupt turns, and drunken or
aggressive driving can help make
trips safer and avoid the possibility
of a crash.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
Driving and Operating 165
regarding driver distraction. Become
familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, keep
your eyes on the road, keep your
hands on the steering wheel, and
focus your attention on driving.
.Do not use a phone in
demanding driving situations.
Use a hands-free method to
place or receive necessary
phone calls.
. Watch the road. Do not read,
take notes, or look up
information on phones or other
electronic devices.
. Designate a front seat
passenger to handle potential
distractions.
. Become familiar with vehicle
features before driving, such as
programming favorite radio
stations and adjusting climate
control and seat settings.
Program all trip information into
any navigation device prior to
driving. .
Wait until the vehicle is parked
to retrieve items that have fallen
to the floor.
. Stop or park the vehicle to tend
to children.
. Keep pets in an appropriate
carrier or restraint.
. Avoid stressful conversations
while driving, whether with a
passenger or on a cell phone.
{Warning
Taking your eyes off the road too
long or too often could cause a
crash resulting in injury or death.
Focus your attention on driving.
Refer to the infotainment manual for
more information on using that
system and the navigation system,
if equipped, including pairing and
using a cell phone.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always
expect the unexpected.” The first
step in driving defensively is to wear
the seat belt. See Seat Belts048.
. Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and
other drivers) are going to be
careless and make mistakes.
Anticipate what they might do
and be ready.
. Allow enough following distance
between you and the driver in
front of you.
. Focus on the task of driving.
Drunk Driving
Death and injury associated with
drinking and driving is a global
tragedy.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
Driving and Operating 179
weight of the driver, passengers,
and cargo should never exceed
the vehicle's capacity weight.
Certification/Tire Label
Label Example
A vehicle-specific Certification/
Tire label is attached to the
center pillar (B-pillar).
The label may show the size of
the vehicle's original tires and
the inflation pressures needed to
obtain the gross weight capacity
of the vehicle. The label shows
the gross weight capacity of the
vehicle. This is called the GrossVehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
The GVWR includes the weight
of the vehicle, all occupants,
fuel, and cargo.
The Certification/Tire label may
also show the maximum weights
for the front and rear axles,
called the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). To find out the
actual loads on the front and
rear axles, weigh the vehicle at
a weigh station. Your dealer can
help with this. Be sure to spread
the load equally on both sides of
the centerline.
CautionOverloading the vehicle may
cause damage. Repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Do not overload the
vehicle.
{Warning
Things inside the vehicle can
strike and injure people in a
sudden stop or turn, or in a
crash.
.Put things in the cargo
area of the vehicle. In the
cargo area, put them as
far forward as possible.
Try to spread the weight
evenly.
.Never stack heavier
things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above
the tops of the seats.
.Do not leave an
unsecured child restraint
in the vehicle.
.Secure loose items in the
vehicle.
(Continued)

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
Driving and Operating 185
To maintain vehicle performance,
other conditions may cause the
engine to automatically restart
before the brake pedal is released.
Auto Stops may not occur and/or
auto restarts may occur because:
.The climate control settings
require the engine to be running
to cool or heat the vehicle
interior.
. The vehicle battery charge
is low.
. The vehicle battery has recently
been disconnected.
. Minimum vehicle speed has not
been reached since the last
Auto Stop
. The accelerator pedal is
pressed.
. The engine or transmission is
not at the required operating
temperature.
. The outside temperature is not
in the required operating range.
. The vehicle is in any gear other
than D (Drive). .
Tow/Haul Mode or other driver
modes have been selected.
. The vehicle is on a steep hill or
grade.
. The driver door has been
opened or driver seat belt has
been unbuckled.
. The hood has been opened.
. The Auto Stop has reached the
maximum allowed time.
Winter Cover
If equipped, the winter cover can be
used to enhance heater
performance in extremely cold
conditions below −0 °C (32 °F). The
winter cover installs over the grille
and restricts airflow to the engine
compartment.
Usage Guidelines
The winter cover should only be
used while operating the vehicle in
extremely cold temperatures or in
heavy snow for extended periods. In
these temperatures, the vehicle
does not need a large amount of air
to properly cool the engine. When more airflow is required to cool the
vehicle, the winter cover should not
be used. The following usage
guidelines will allow adequate
airflow for proper radiator and air
cooler performance:
.
Do not use the winter cover if
towing a trailer. The vehicle may
overheat if the radiator is
covered while towing.
. Do not modify the cover. The
winter cover does not cover
some sections of the front of the
vehicle to provide enough
airflow.
. Keep the underside of the winter
cover as clean as possible.
Remove monthly or as
necessary and clean away dust
and debris.
. Do not use the winter cover
above −0 °C (32 °F).
Use only a mild soap to clean. Do
not use harsh soap, strong
detergents, or vinyl protectant/
sealant type products as they may

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
Driving and Operating 215
Disabling the TCS or StabiliTrak/
ESC system will disengage and
prevent engagement of ACC.
ACC can reduce the need for you to
frequently brake and accelerate,
especially when used on
expressways, freeways, and
interstate highways. When used on
other roads, you may need to take
over the control of braking or
acceleration more often.
{Warning
ACC has limited braking ability
and may not have time to slow
the vehicle down enough to avoid
a collision with another vehicle
you are following. This can occur
when vehicles suddenly slow or
stop ahead, or enter your lane.
Also see“Alerting the Driver” later
in this section. Complete attention
is always required while driving
and you should be ready to take
action and apply the brakes. See
Defensive Driving 0165.
{Warning
ACC will not detect or brake for
children, pedestrians, animals,
or other objects.
Do not use ACC when:
. On winding and hilly roads
or when the camera sensor
is blocked by snow, ice,
or dirt. The system may not
detect a vehicle ahead.
Keep the windshield and
headlamps clean.
. When visibility is poor due
to rain, snow, fog, dirt,
insect residue, or dust;
when other foreign objects
obscure the camera’s view;
or when the vehicle in front
or oncoming traffic causes
additional environmental
obstructions, such as road
spray. ACC performance is
limited under these
conditions.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.On slippery roads where
fast changes in tire traction
can cause excessive
wheel slip
. With extremely heavy cargo
loaded in the cargo area or
rear seat
. When towing a trailer