2021 CHEVROLET EQUINOX Owner's Manual

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14420010) - 2021 - CRC - 11/12/20
208 Driving and Operating
Manual Mode
Electronic Range Select (ERS) Mode
ERS or manual mode allows for the selection
of the range of gear positions. Use this
mode when driving downhill or towing a
trailer to limit the top gear and vehicle
speed. The shift position indicator within the
Driver Information Center (DIC) will display a
number next to the L indicating the highest
available gear under manual mode and the
driving conditions when manual mode was
selected.
To use this feature:1. Move the shift lever to L (Manual Mode).
2. Press the plus/minus button on the shift lever, to increase or decrease the gear
range available.
When shifting to L (Manual Mode), the
transmission will shift to a preset lower gear
range. For this preset range, the highest
gear available is displayed next to the L in
the DIC. See Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Base and Midlevel) 0101 or
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel)
0 105 for more information. All gears below
that number are available to use. For
example, when 4 (Fourth) is shown next to
the L, 1 (First) through 4 (Fourth) gears are
shifted automatically. To shift to 5 (Fifth)
gear, press the + (Plus) button or shift into
D (Drive).
L (Manual Mode) will prevent shifting to a
lower gear range if the engine speed is too
high. If vehicle speed is not reduced within
the time allowed, the lower gear range shift
will not be completed. Slow the vehicle,
then press the −(Minus) button to the
desired lower gear range.
While using the ERS, cruise control can
be used.Tow/Haul Mode
This feature can assist when towing or
hauling a heavy load.
_: Select Tow/Haul Mode by pressing
the button on the center console. Mode
availability is dependent upon vehicle trim
level, region, and optional features.
When Tow/Haul is activated, the Tow/Haul
symbol will come on in the instrument
cluster. A Tow/Haul ON message will also
appear in the DIC. For vehicles equipped
with All Wheel Drive (AWD), the AWD
indicator will come on. Tow/Haul will
remain active until the next key cycle. See
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips
0 242.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14420010) - 2021 - CRC - 11/12/20
Driving and Operating 209
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 0206.
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.
Brakes
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) helps
prevent a braking skid and maintain steering
while braking hard.
ABS performs a system check when the
vehicle is first driven. A momentary motor
or clicking noise may be heard while this
test is going on, and the brake pedal may
move slightly. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this warning
light stays on. See
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light 096.
ABS does not change the time needed to
get a foot on the brake pedal and does not
always decrease stopping distance. If you

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14420010) - 2021 - CRC - 11/12/20
210 Driving and Operating
get too close to the vehicle ahead, there will
not be enough time to apply the brakes if
that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room ahead to stop, even
with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake
pedal down firmly. Hearing or feeling ABS
operate is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows steering and braking at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can
help even more than braking.
Electric Parking Brake
The Electric Parking Brake (EPB) can always
be applied, even if the vehicle is off. In case
of insufficient electrical power, the EPB
cannot be applied or released. To prevent
draining the battery, avoid unnecessary
repeated cycles of the EPB.
The system has a red parking brake status
light and an amber service parking brake
warning light. SeeElectric Parking Brake
Light 096 and
Service Electric Parking Brake Light 096.
There are also parking brake-related Driver
Information Center (DIC) messages.
Before leaving the vehicle, check the red
parking brake status 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 red parking brake status light will flash
and then stay on once the EPB is fully
applied. If the red parking brake status light
flashes continuously, the EPB is only
partially applied or there is a problem with
the EPB. A DIC message will display. Release
the EPB 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 red parking brake status light
is flashing. See your dealer.
If the amber service parking brake warning
light is on, pull the EPB switch. Continue to
hold the switch until the red parking brake
status light remains on. If the amber service
parking brake warning light is on, see your
dealer.
If the EPB is applied 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 vehicle may automatically apply the EPB
in some situations when the vehicle is not
moving. This is normal, and is done to
periodically check the correct operation of
the EPB system, or at the request of other
safety functions that utilize the EPB.
If the EPB fails to apply, block the rear
wheels to prevent vehicle movement.
EPB Release
To release the EPB:
1. Turn the ignition on or to ACC/ ACCESSORY.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 211
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Press the EPB switch momentarily.
The EPB is released when the red parking
brake status light is off.
If the amber service parking brake warning
light is on, release the EPB by pressing and
holding the EPB switch. Continue to hold the
switch until the red parking brake status
light is off. If either light stays on after
release is attempted, see your dealer.
Caution
Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause
premature wear or damage to brake
system parts. Make sure that the parking
brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and parking on a
hill, see Driving Characteristics and Towing
Tips 0242.
Automatic EPB Release
The EPB will automatically release if the
vehicle is running, placed into gear, and an
attempt is made to drive away. Avoid rapid
acceleration when the EPB is applied, to
preserve parking brake lining life.
Brake Assist
Brake Assist detects rapid brake pedal
applications due to emergency braking
situations and provides additional braking to
activate the Antilock Brake System (ABS) if
the brake pedal is not pushed hard enough
to activate ABS normally. Minor noise, brake
pedal pulsation, and/or pedal movement
during this time may occur. Continue to
apply the brake pedal as the driving
situation dictates. Brake Assist disengages
when the brake pedal is released.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
{Warning
Do not rely on the HSA feature. HSA does
not replace the need to pay attention
and drive safely. You may not hear or
feel alerts or warnings provided by this
system. Failure to use proper care when
driving may result in injury, death,
or vehicle damage. See Defensive Driving
0 186.
When the vehicle is stopped on a grade, Hill
Start Assist (HSA) prevents the vehicle from
rolling in an unintended direction during the
transition from brake pedal release to accelerator pedal apply. The brakes release
when the accelerator pedal is applied. HSA
brake hold duration may be selectable.
Standard Hold automatically releases the
brakes after a few seconds. Extended Hold
applies the Electric Parking Brake if the
accelerator pedal is not applied within a few
minutes. If hold duration is selectable, see
"Extended Hill Start Assist" in
Vehicle
Personalization 0108. The brakes may also
release under other conditions. Do not rely
on HSA to hold the vehicle.
HSA is available when the vehicle is facing
uphill in a forward gear, or when facing
downhill in R (Reverse). The vehicle must
come to a complete stop on a grade for HSA
to activate.
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control System
(TCS) and StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability
Control (ESC), an electronic stability control

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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212 Driving and Operating
system. These systems help limit wheel slip
and assist the driver in maintaining control,
especially on slippery road conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any of the
drive wheels are spinning or beginning to
lose traction. When this happens, TCS
applies the brakes to the spinning wheels
and reduces engine power to limit
wheel spin.
StabiliTrak/ESC activates when the vehicle
senses a difference between the intended
path and the direction the vehicle is actually
traveling. StabiliTrak/ESC selectively applies
braking pressure to any one of the vehicle
wheel brakes to assist the driver in keeping
the vehicle on the intended path.
If cruise control is being used and TCS or
StabiliTrak/ESC begins to limit wheel spin,
cruise control will disengage. Cruise control
may be turned back on when road
conditions allow.
Both systems come on automatically when
the vehicle is started and begins to move.
The systems may be heard or felt while
they are operating or while performing
diagnostic checks. This is normal and does
not mean there is a problem with the
vehicle.It is recommended to leave both systems on
for normal driving conditions, but it may be
necessary to turn TCS off if the vehicle gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. See
If the
Vehicle Is Stuck 0194 and “Turning the
Systems Off and On” later in this section.
The indicator light for both systems is in the
instrument cluster. This light will:
.Flash when TCS is limiting wheel spin
.Flash when StabiliTrak/ESC is activated
.Turn on and stay on when either system
is not working
If either system fails to turn on or to
activate, a message displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC), and
dcomes on
and stays on to indicate that the system is
inactive and is not assisting the driver in
maintaining control. The vehicle is safe to
drive, but driving should be adjusted
accordingly. If
dcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
Drive the vehicle. If
dcomes on and stays
on, the vehicle may need more time to
diagnose the problem. If the condition
persists, see your dealer.
Turning the Systems Off and On
(Uplevel Cluster)
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or accelerate
heavily when TCS is off. The vehicle
driveline could be damaged.
At speeds of 56 km/h (35 mph) or above,
this ability to turn off or on is disabled.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14420010) - 2021 - CRC - 11/12/20
Driving and Operating 213
TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC can be turned off or
on using the DIC controls as follows:
Pressoorpto scroll to the Options
application.
Press
worxto scroll through the items
in the Options menu.
Press
Vto select the Traction and Stability
page, then press
Vto select the menu. Use
worxto select Traction (TCS) or
Stability (ESC).
To turn TCS off, select Traction, then press
V. The TCS icon on the DIC will change
from On to Off and
iilluminates in the
instrument cluster. To turn TCS back on, select Traction, then
press
V. The TCS icon on the DIC will
change from Off to On and
igoes out in
the instrument cluster. TCS cannot be on
when StabiliTrak/ESC is off.
To turn StabiliTrak/ESC off, select Stability,
then press
V. The StabiliTrak/ESC icon on
the DIC will change from On to Off. If TCS
was on when StabiliTrak/ESC was turned off,
both will turn off and
iandgilluminate.
To turn StabiliTrak/ESC back on, select
Stability then press
V. The StabiliTrak/ESC
icon on the DIC will change from Off to On
and
ggoes out in the instrument cluster.
To turn both StabiliTrak/ESC and TCS back
on, select Traction, then press
V. The
StabiliTrak/ESC and TCS icons on the DIC will
change from Off to On and
gandigo
out in the instrument cluster.
Adding accessories can affect the vehicle
performance. See Accessories and
Modifications 0252.
Turning the Systems Off and On
(Midlevel Cluster)
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or accelerate
heavily when TCS is off. The vehicle
driveline could be damaged.
At speeds of 56 km/h (35 mph) or above,
this ability to turn off or on is disabled.
TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC can be turned off or
on using the DIC controls as follows:
Pressoto access the cluster applications.
Use
worxto scroll through the list of
available applications.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14420010) - 2021 - CRC - 11/12/20
214 Driving and Operating
PressVto select the Options application,
then press
pto enter the Options menu.
Use
worxto scroll through items in the
Options menu.
Press
Vto select the Traction and Stability
page, then press
pto select Traction menu.
Use
worxto select Traction (TCS) or
Stability (ESC).
To turn TCS off, select Traction, then press
V. The TCS icon on the DIC will change
from On to Off and
iilluminates in the
instrument cluster.
To turn TCS back on, select Traction, then
press
V. The TCS icon on the DIC will
change from Off to On and
igoes out in
the instrument cluster. TCS cannot be on
when StabiliTrak/ESC is off.
To turn StabiliTrak/ESC off, select Stability,
then press
V. The StabiliTrak/ESC icon on
the DIC will change from On to Off. If TCS
was on when StabiliTrak/ESC was turned off,
both will turn off and
iandgilluminate. To turn StabiliTrak/ESC back on, select
Stability then press
V. The StabiliTrak/ESC
icon on the DIC will change from Off to On
and
ggoes out in the instrument cluster.
To turn both StabiliTrak/ESC and TCS back
on, select Traction, then press
V. The
StabiliTrak/ESC and TCS icons on the DIC will
change from Off to On and
gandigo
out in the instrument cluster.
Adding accessories can affect the vehicle
performance. See Accessories and
Modifications 0252.
Turning the Systems Off and On (Base
Level DIC)
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or accelerate
heavily when TCS is off. The vehicle
driveline could be damaged.
At speeds of 56 km/h (35 mph) or above,
this ability to turn off or on is disabled. TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC can be turned off or
on using the DIC controls as follows:
Pressoorpto select VEHICLE menu, then
use
worxto scroll through the menu
items to select TCS/StabiliTrak/ESC.
Press
Vto enter TCS/StabiliTrak/ESC, and
then use
worxto select TCS or
StabiliTrak/ESC.
To turn TCS off, select TCS, then press
V.i
will illuminate in the instrument cluster.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 215
To turn TCS back on, select TCS, then press
V.igoes out in the instrument cluster.
TCS cannot be on when StabiliTrak/ESC
is off.
To turn StabiliTrak off, select StabiliTrak/ESC,
then press
V. If TCS was on when
StabiliTrak/ESC was turned off, both will
turn off and
iandgilluminate in the
instrument cluster.
To turn StabiliTrak/ESC back on, select
StabiliTrak/ESC then press
V.ggoes out in
the instrument cluster.
To turn both StabiliTrak/ESC and TCS back
on, select Traction, then press
V.gandi
go out in the instrument cluster.
Adding accessories can affect the vehicle
performance. See Accessories and
Modifications 0252.
Cruise Control
The cruise control lets the vehicle maintain a
speed of about 40 km/h (25 mph) or more
without keeping your foot on the
accelerator. Cruise control does not work at
speeds below 40 km/h (25 mph).
{Warning
Cruise control can be dangerous where
you cannot drive safely at a steady
speed. Do not use cruise control on
winding roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast
changes in tire traction can cause
excessive wheel slip, and you could lose
control. Do not use cruise control on
slippery roads.
With the Traction Control System (TCS) or
StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
the system may begin to limit wheel spin
while you are using cruise control. If this
happens, the cruise control will
automatically disengage. See Traction
Control/Electronic Stability Control 0211. If a
collision alert occurs when cruise control is
activated, cruise control is disengaged. See
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System 0230.
When road conditions allow you to safely
use it again, cruise control can be turned
back on.
Cruise control will disengage if either TCS or
StabiliTrak/ESC is turned off. If the brakes are applied, cruise control
disengages.
5:
Press to turn the cruise control system
on and off. A white indicator comes on in
the instrument cluster when cruise is
turned on.
*: Press to disengage cruise control
without erasing the set speed from memory.
+RES : If there is a set speed in memory,
press briefly to resume that speed or press
and hold to accelerate. If cruise control is
already active, use to increase vehicle speed.