Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14420010) - 2021 - CRC - 11/10/20
Introduction 5
1.Air Vents 0181.
2. Turn Signal Lever. See Turn and
Lane-Change Signals 0119.
IntelliBeam
®System Button (If Equipped).
See Exterior Lamp Controls 0116.
3. Instrument Cluster (Base and Midlevel)
085 or
Instrument Cluster (Uplevel) 088.
Driver Information Center (DIC) Display.
See Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base
and Midlevel) 0101 or
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel)
0 105.
4. Windshield Wiper/Washer 079.
5. Infotainment Controls. See Overview
0 124.
6. Light Sensor. See Automatic Headlamp
System 0118.
7. Hazard Warning Flashers 0119.
8. Climate Control Systems 0177 (If
Equipped).
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
0 179 (If Equipped).
9. Heated and Ventilated Front Seats 035
(If Equipped).
10. Power Outlets 081.
11. Wireless Charging 083 (If Equipped). 12.
USB Port 0132.
13. All-Wheel Drive 0209 (If Equipped).
Tow/Haul Mode 0208.
14. Electric Parking Brake 0210.
15. Shift Lever. See Automatic Transmission
0 206.
Manual Mode 0208.
16. ENGINE START/STOP Button. See Ignition
Positions 0198.
17. Steering Wheel Controls 079.
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0211.
18. Horn 079.
19. Steering Wheel Adjustment 079 (Out
of View).
20. Cruise Control 0215.
Adaptive Cruise Control (Camera) 0217
(If Equipped).
Heated Steering Wheel 079 (If
Equipped).
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System
0 230 (If Equipped).
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) 0237 (If
Equipped).
21. Hood Release. See Hood0252. 22.
Fog Lamps 0119 (If Equipped).
23. Exterior Lamp Controls 0116.
24. Data Link Connector (DLC) (Out of View). SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp (Check
Engine Light) 094.
25. Instrument Panel Illumination Control
0120.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14420010) - 2021 - CRC - 11/12/20
78 Instruments and Controls
Instruments and Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Rear Window Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Instrument Cluster (Base and Midlevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Instrument Cluster (Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . 91 Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . 93
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check
Engine Light) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Service Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . 96
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Pedestrian Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base and Midlevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Engine Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Universal Remote System
Universal Remote System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Universal Remote SystemProgramming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Universal Remote System Operation . . . 115
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14420010) - 2021 - CRC - 11/12/20
96 Instruments and Controls
Electric Parking Brake Light
MetricEnglish
This light comes on when the parking brake
is applied. If the light continues flashing
after the parking brake is released, or while
driving, there is a problem with the Electric
Parking Brake system. A message may also
display in the Driver Information
Center (DIC).
If the light does not come on, or remains
flashing, see your dealer.
Service Electric Parking Brake
Light
This light should come on briefly when the
vehicle is turned on. If it does not come on,
have it fixed so it will be ready to warn if
there is a problem.
If this light stays on or comes on while
driving, there is a problem with the Electric
Parking Brake (EPB). Take the vehicle to a
dealer as soon as possible. In addition to the
parking brake, other safety functions that
utilize the EPB may also be degraded.
A message may also display in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See Electric Parking
Brake 0210.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
This warning light should come on briefly
when the vehicle is turned on. If the light
does not come on, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn if there is a problem. If the light comes on while driving, safely
stop as soon as it is possible and turn off
the vehicle. Then turn on the vehicle again
to reset the system.
If the ABS warning light stays on, or comes
on again while driving, the vehicle needs
service. A chime may also sound when the
light stays on.
If the ABS warning light is the only light on,
the vehicle has regular brakes, but ABS is
not functioning.
If both the ABS warning light and the brake
system warning light are on, ABS is not
functioning and there is a problem with the
regular brakes. See your dealer for service.
See
Brake System Warning Light 095.
Tow/Haul Mode Light
For vehicles with the Tow/Haul Mode
feature, this light comes on when the Tow/
Haul Mode has been activated.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14420010) - 2021 - CRC - 11/12/20
184 Driving and Operating
Driving and Operating
Driving Information
Driver Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Driving Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Vehicle Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 186
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Impaired Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201Winter Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . 204
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . 205
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . 206
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Brakes
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . 209
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Adaptive Cruise Control (Camera) . . . . . . 217
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Assistance Systems for Parking orBacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . 230
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) . . . 232
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Recommended Fuel (LYX - 1.5L L4 Turbo Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . 241
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14420010) - 2021 - CRC - 11/12/20
Driving and Operating 187
.Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers)
are going to be careless and make
mistakes. Anticipate what they may do
and be ready.
.Allow enough following distance between
you and the driver in front of you.
.Focus on the task of driving.
Impaired Driving
Death and injury associated with impaired
driving is a global tragedy.
{Warning
Drinking alcohol or taking drugs and then
driving is very dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and judgment
can be affected by even a small amount
of alcohol or drugs. You can have a
serious—or even fatal —collision if you
drive after drinking or taking drugs.
Do not drive while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs, or ride with a driver
who has been drinking or is impaired by
drugs. Find alternate transportation
home; or if you are with a group,
designate a driver who will remain sober.
Control of a Vehicle
Braking, steering, and accelerating are
important factors in helping to control a
vehicle while driving.
Braking
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time. Deciding to push the brake
pedal is perception time. Actually doing it is
reaction time.
Average driver reaction time is about
three-quarters of a second. In that time, a
vehicle moving at 100 km/h (60 mph) travels
20 m (66 ft), which could be a lot of
distance in an emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in mind include:
.Keep enough distance between you and
the vehicle in front of you.
.Avoid needless heavy braking.
.Keep pace with traffic.
If the engine ever stops while the vehicle is
being driven, brake normally but do not
pump the brakes. Doing so could make the
pedal harder to push down. If the engine
stops, there will be some power brake assist
but it will be used when the brake is applied. Once the power assist is used up, it
can take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Steering
Electric Power Steering
Caution
To avoid damage to the steering system,
do not drive over curbs, parking barriers,
or similar objects at speeds greater than
3 km/h (1 mph). Use care when driving
over other objects such as lane dividers
and speed bumps. Damage caused by
misuse of the vehicle is not covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14420010) - 2021 - CRC - 11/12/20
Driving and Operating 199
The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter
must be in the vehicle for the system to
operate. If the pushbutton start is not
working, the vehicle may be near a strong
radio antenna signal causing interference to
the Keyless Access system. SeeRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation 07.
Stopping the Engine/Off (No Indicator
Lights)
When the vehicle is stopped, press ENGINE
START/STOP once to turn the engine off.
To shift out of P (Park), the vehicle must be
on and the brake pedal must be applied.
If the vehicle is in P (Park), the ignition will
turn off, and Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) will remain active. See Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) 0204.
If the vehicle is not in P (Park), the ignition
will return to ACC/ACCESSORY and display
the message SHIFT TO PARK in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). When the vehicle
is shifted into P (Park), the ignition system
will turn off.
The vehicle may have an electric steering
column lock. The lock is activated when the
vehicle is turned off and either front door is
opened. A sound may be heard as the lock actuates or releases. The steering column
lock may not release with the wheels turned
off center. If this happens, the vehicle may
not start. Move the steering wheel from left
to right while attempting to start the
vehicle. If this does not work, the vehicle
needs service.
Do not turn the engine off when the vehicle
is moving. This will cause a loss of power
assist in the brake and steering systems and
disable the airbags.
If the vehicle must be turned off in an
emergency:
1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brakes repeatedly. This
may deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be done while the vehicle is moving.
After shifting to N (Neutral), firmly apply
the brakes and steer the vehicle to a
safe location.
3. Come to a complete stop. Shift to P (Park) and turn the ignition off.
4. Set the electric parking brake. See Electric
Parking Brake 0210.
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while moving may
cause loss of power assist in the brake
and steering systems and disable the
airbags. While driving, only shut the
vehicle off in an emergency.
If the vehicle cannot be pulled over and
must be turned off while driving, press and
hold ENGINE START/STOP for longer than
two seconds, or press twice in five seconds.
ACC/ACCESSORY (Amber Indicator Light)
This mode allows you to use some electrical
accessories when the engine is off.
With the ignition off, pressing the button
one time without the brake pedal applied
will place the ignition system in ACC/
ACCESSORY.
The ignition will switch from ACC/
ACCESSORY to OFF after five minutes to
prevent battery rundown.
ON/RUN/START (Green Indicator Light)
This mode is for driving and starting. With
the ignition off and the brake pedal applied,
pressing the button once will place the
ignition system in ON/RUN/START. Once
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14420010) - 2021 - CRC - 11/12/20
204 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
.While in use, do not let the heater
cord touch vehicle parts or sharp
edges. Never close the hood on the
heater cord.
.Before starting the vehicle, unplug the
cord, reattach the cover to the plug,
and securely fasten the cord. Keep the
cord away from any moving parts.
The length of time the heater should remain
plugged in depends on several factors. Ask a
dealer in the area where you will be parking
the vehicle for the best advice on this.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
When the ignition is turned from on to off,
the following features (if equipped) will
continue to function for up to 10 minutes,
or until the driver door is opened. These
features will also work when the ignition is
in RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY:
.Infotainment System
.Power Windows (during RAP this
functionality will be lost when any door
is opened)
.Sunroof (during RAP this functionality will
be lost when any door is opened)
.Auxiliary Power Outlet
.Audio System
.OnStar System
Shifting Into Park
{Warning
It can be 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. 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,
use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips 0242.
To shift into P (Park): 1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking brake. See Electric Parking Brake
0 210 for more information.
2. Hold the button on the shift lever and push the lever toward the front of the
vehicle into P (Park).
3. Turn the ignition off.
Leaving the Vehicle with the Engine
Running
{Warning
It can be dangerous to leave the vehicle
with the engine running. It could
overheat and catch fire.
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.
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). See Shifting
Into Park 0204. If you are towing a
trailer, see Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips 0242.
If you have to leave the vehicle with the
engine running, the vehicle must be in
P (Park) and the parking brake set.
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.