2021 CHEVROLET EQUINOX coolant

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14420010) - 2021 - CRC - 11/10/20
Vehicle Care 263
cooling fan is running. If the engine is
overheating, the fan should be running. If it
is not, do not continue to run the engine,
and have the vehicle serviced.
Caution
Do not run the engine if there is a leak
in the engine cooling system. This can
cause a loss of all coolant and can
damage the system and vehicle. Have
any leaks fixed right away.
If Steam Is Coming from the Engine
Compartment
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot
cooling system are under pressure.
Turning the pressure cap, even a little,
can cause them to come out at high
speed and you could be burned. Never
turn the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot. Wait
for the cooling system and pressure cap
to cool.
If No Steam Is Coming from the Engine
Compartment
If the engine coolant temperature gauge is
in the overheat zone or an engine overheat
DIC message is displayed but no steam can
be seen or heard, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine can get a
little too hot when the vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day
.Stops after high-speed driving
.Idles for long periods in traffic
.Tows a trailer
If the engine coolant temperature gauge is
in the overheat zone and an overheat DIC
message is displayed with no sign of steam: 1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the highest fan
speed. Open the windows as necessary.
3. When it is safe to do so, pull off the road, shift to P (Park) or N (Neutral), and
let the engine idle.
If the engine coolant temperature gauge is
no longer in the overheat zone or an
overheat DIC message no longer displays,
the vehicle can be driven. Continue to drive
the vehicle slowly for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in
front. If the engine coolant temperature
gauge does not go back to the overheat
zone or an overheat DIC message does not
display, continue to drive normally and have
the cooling system checked for proper fill
and function.
If the engine coolant temperature gauge is
still in the overheat zone or an overheat DIC
message still displays, pull over, stop, and
park the vehicle right away. If overheat
messages appear repeatedly, see your
dealer.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the engine
for three minutes while parked. If the
engine coolant temperature gauge is still in
the overheat zone or an overheat DIC
message displays, turn off the engine until
it cools down.
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When windshield washer fluid is needed, be
sure to read the manufacturer's instructions
before use. If operating the vehicle in an
area where the temperature may fall below
freezing, use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14420010) - 2021 - CRC - 11/10/20
264 Vehicle Care
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the washer symbol on it.
Add washer fluid until the tank is full. See
Engine Compartment Overview0254 for
reservoir location.
Caution
.Do not use washer fluid that contains
any type of water repellent coating.
This can cause the wiper blades to
chatter or skip.
.Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze)
in the windshield washer. It can
damage the windshield washer system
and paint.
.Do not mix water with ready-to-use
washer fluid. Water can cause the
solution to freeze and damage the
washer fluid tank and other parts of
the washer system.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
.When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer instructions
for adding water.
.Fill the washer fluid tank only
three-quarters full when it is very cold.
This allows for fluid expansion if
freezing occurs, which could damage
the tank if it is completely full.
Brakes
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators
that make a high-pitched warning sound
when the brake pads are worn and new
pads are needed. The sound can come and
go or can be heard all the time when the
vehicle is moving, except when applying the
brake pedal firmly.
{Warning
The brake wear warning sound means
that soon the brakes will not work well.
That could lead to a crash. When the
brake wear warning sound is heard, have
the vehicle serviced.
Caution
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates can
cause a brake squeal when the brakes are
first applied or lightly applied. This does not
mean something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary
to help prevent brake pulsation. When tires
are rotated, inspect brake pads for wear and
evenly tighten wheel nuts in the proper
sequence to torque specifications. See
Capacities and Specifications 0335.
Brake pads should be replaced as
complete sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not
return to normal height, or if there is a
rapid increase in pedal travel. This could be
a sign that brake service may be required.
Replacing Brake System Parts
Always replace brake system parts with
new, approved replacement parts. If this is
not done, the brakes may not work
properly. The braking performance expected

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14420010) - 2021 - CRC - 11/10/20
Vehicle Care 275
FusesUsage
F13 Engine coolant pump
F14 –
F15 Lambda sensor 2
F16 Ignition coils F17 Engine control module
F18 –
F19 –
F20 DC DC converter 2 F21 Shift control
F22 Antilock brake pump
F23 Front/Rear washer pump
F24 –
F25 –
F26 –
F27 Antilock brake valves
F28 LD trailer
F29 Rear window defogger
F30 Mirror defroster F31 –
F32 Variable functions Fuses
Usage
F33 –
F34 Horn F35 –
F36 Right high-beam headlamp
F37 Left high-beam headlamp
F38 Automatic headlamp leveling
F39 Fog lamps
F40 –
F41 Transmission range control module
F42 Motorized headlamp
F43 –
F44 Interior rearview mirror F45 Passenger side ventilated seat
F46 Driver side ventilated seat F47 Steering column lock assembly
F48 Rear wiper Fuses
Usage
F49 –
F50 Heated steering wheel F51 Right daytime running lamp
F52 Engine control module/ Transmission control
F53 –
F54 –
F55 Front wiper speed/ Control
F56 –
F57 Left daytime running lamp
Relays Usage
K01 Starter solenoid
K02 Air conditioning control
K03 Engine control module
K04 Front wiper control K05 Starter solenoid 2
K06 –

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14420010) - 2021 - CRC - 11/10/20
Vehicle Care 283
tire is certified to carry. The speed
rating is the maximum speed a tire is
certified to carry a load.
Tire Terminology and Definitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside
the tire pressing outward on each
square inch of the tire. Air pressure is
expressed in kPa (kilopascal) or psi
(pounds per square inch).
Accessory Weight
:The combined
weight of optional accessories. Some
examples of optional accessories are
automatic transmission, power
windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio
:The relationship of a
tire's height to its width.
Belt
:A rubber coated layer of cords
between the plies and the tread. Cords
may be made from steel or other
reinforcing materials.
Bead
:The tire bead contains steel
wires wrapped by steel cords that hold
the tire onto the rim. Bias Ply Tire
:A pneumatic tire in which
the plies are laid at alternate angles
less than 90 degrees to the centerline
of the tread.
Cold Tire Pressure
:The amount of air
pressure in a tire, measured in kPa
(kilopascal) or psi (pounds per square
inch) before a tire has built up heat
from driving. See Tire Pressure0285.
Curb Weight
:The weight of a motor
vehicle with standard and optional
equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, but
without passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings
:A code molded into the
sidewall of a tire signifying that the tire
is in compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation (DOT)
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. The
DOT code includes the Tire Identification
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric
designator which can also identify the
tire manufacturer, production plant,
brand, and date of production.
GVWR
:Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
See Vehicle Load Limits 0195. GAWR FRT
:Gross Axle Weight Rating
for the front axle. See Vehicle Load
Limits 0195.
GAWR RR
:Gross Axle Weight Rating
for the rear axle. See Vehicle Load
Limits 0195.
Intended Outboard Sidewall
:The side
of an asymmetrical tire that must
always face outward when mounted on
a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa)
:The metric unit for air
pressure.
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire
:A tire used
on light duty trucks and some
multipurpose passenger vehicles.
Load Index
:An assigned number
ranging from 1 to 279 that corresponds
to the load carrying capacity of a tire.
Maximum Inflation Pressure
:The
maximum air pressure to which a cold
tire can be inflated. The maximum air
pressure is molded onto the sidewall.
Maximum Load Rating
:The load rating
for a tire at the maximum permissible
inflation pressure for that tire.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14420010) - 2021 - CRC - 11/10/20
324 Service and Maintenance
Tire Rotation and Required Services
Every 12 000 km/7,500 mi
Rotate the tires, if recommended for the
vehicle, and perform the following services.
SeeTire Rotation 0290.
.Check engine oil level and oil
life percentage. If needed, change engine
oil and filter, and reset oil life system.
See Engine Oil 0255 and
Engine Oil Life System 0257.
.If equipped with the engine air filter life
system, check the air filter
life percentage. If necessary, replace the
engine air filter and reset the engine air
filter life system. See Engine Air Filter Life
System 0258. If the vehicle is not
equipped with the engine air filter life
system, inspect the engine air cleaner
filter. See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0258.
.Check engine coolant level. See Cooling
System 0260.
.Check windshield washer fluid level. See
Washer Fluid 0263.
.Check tire inflation pressures. See Tire
Pressure 0285.
.Inspect tire wear. See Tire Inspection
0 290.
.Visually check for fluid leaks.
.Inspect brake system. See Exterior Care
0 314.
.Visually inspect steering, suspension, and
chassis components for damage, including
cracks or tears in the rubber boots, loose
or missing parts, or signs of wear at least
once a year. See Exterior Care0314.
.Inspect power steering for proper
attachment, connections, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc.
.Visually inspect halfshafts and drive
shafts for excessive wear, lubricant leaks,
and/or damage including: tube dents or
cracks, constant velocity joint or universal
joint looseness, cracked or missing boots,
loose or missing boot clamps, center
bearing excessive looseness, loose or
missing fasteners, and axle seal leaks.
.Check restraint system components. See
Safety System Check 045.
.Visually inspect fuel system for damage
or leaks.
.Visually inspect exhaust system and
nearby heat shields for loose or damaged
parts.
.Lubricate body components. See Exterior
Care 0314.
.Check starter switch. See Starter Switch
Check 0266.
.Check automatic transmission shift lock
control function. See Automatic
Transmission Shift Lock Control Function
Check (If Equipped) 0267.
.Check parking brake and automatic
transmission park mechanism. See Park
Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check
0 267.
.Check accelerator pedal for damage, high
effort, or binding. Replace if needed.
.Visually inspect gas strut for signs of
wear, cracks, or other damage. Check the
hold open ability of the strut. If the hold
open ability is low, service the gas strut.
See Gas Strut(s) 0269.
.Check tire sealant expiration date,
if equipped. See Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit 0297.
.Inspect sunroof track and seal,
if equipped. See Sunroof027.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14420010) - 2021 - CRC - 11/10/20
Service and Maintenance 331
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name or specification, including fluids or lubricants not listed here, can be obtained from your dealer.Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Automatic Transmission DEXRON-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid. Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL Coolant. See Cooling
System 0260.
Engine Oil Engine oil meeting the dexos1 specification of the proper SAE viscosity grade. ACDelco
dexos1 full synthetic is recommended. See Engine Oil0255.
Hood and Door Hinges, and Key Lock Cylinders Multi-Purpose Lubricant. See your dealer. Hood Latch Assembly, Secondary Latch, Pivots, Spring Anchor, and Release Pawl Lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Hydraulic Brake System DOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid.
Rear Axle (All-Wheel Drive) See your dealer.
Transfer Case (All-Wheel Drive) Transfer Case Fluid. See your dealer. Windshield Washer Automotive windshield washer fluid that meets regional freeze protection requirements.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14420010) - 2021 - CRC - 11/10/20
Index 359
Climate Control Systems (cont'd)Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Dual Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85, 88
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Compartments Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
Compressor Kit, Tire Sealant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Connected Services Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
Connections Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
Control Traction and Electronic Stability . . . . . . . . 211
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187
Controls
Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Coolant Engine Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177, 179 Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Courtesy Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Courtesy Transportation Program . . . . . . . . 343
Cover
Cargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Coverage Explanations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Covers Rear Compartment/Storage Panel . . . . . . . 75
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Cruise Control, Adaptive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340 Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Customer Information Publications Ordering Information . . . . . 345
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . 338
Cybersecurity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Data Collection Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348 Database Coverage Explanations . . . . . . . . . 149
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Destination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Diagnostics
Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Door Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Drive Systems All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209, 266
Driver Teen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Driver Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . 101, 105
Driving Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . 242
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14420010) - 2021 - CRC - 11/10/20
360 Index
Driving (cont'd)If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Impaired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Driving the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
E
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Electrical Equipment, Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Electrical System
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . 274
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . 278
Emergency OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350 Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Check Light (Malfunction Indicator) . . . . . 94
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . . . 122
F
Filter,
Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . 230
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Heated and Ventilated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35