Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16540728) - 2023 - crc - 6/16/22
Driving and Operating 241
Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death,
always park your vehicle and trailer on a
level surface when possible.
When parking your vehicle and your trailer
on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn the wheels into
the curb if facing downhill or into traffic
if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, gradually release the brake pedal to
allow the chocks to absorb the load of
the trailer.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
.Start the engine.
.Shift into a gear.
.Release the parking brake. 2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of
the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
The vehicle needs service more often when
used to tow trailers. See Maintenance
Schedule 0316. It is especially important to
check the automatic transmission fluid,
engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling
system, and brake system before and during
each trip.
Check periodically that all nuts and bolts on
the trailer hitch are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating conditions.
See Engine Overheating 0259.
Trailer Towing
Caution
Towing a trailer improperly can damage
the vehicle and result in costly repairs
not covered by the vehicle warranty. To
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
tow a trailer correctly, follow the
directions in this section and see your
dealer for important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
Trailer Weight
{Warning
Never exceed the towing capacity for
your vehicle.
Safe trailering requires monitoring the
weight, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature, dimensions of the front of the
trailer, and how frequently the vehicle is
used to tow a trailer.
Trailer Weight Ratings
When towing a trailer, the combined weight
of the vehicle, vehicle contents, trailer, and
trailer contents must be below all of the
maximum weight ratings for the vehicle,
including:
.Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)
.Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
.Maximum Trailer Weight Rating
.Maximum Trailer Tongue Weight Rating
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16540728) - 2023 - crc - 6/16/22
254 Vehicle Care
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause engine
damage not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements
that can be unhealthy for your skin and
could even cause cancer. Do not let used oil
stay on your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water, or a
good hand cleaner. Wash or properly
dispose of clothing or rags containing used
engine oil. See the manufacturer's warnings
about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment.
If you change your own oil, be sure to drain
all the oil from the filter before disposal.
Never dispose of oil by putting it in the
trash or pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water.
Recycle it by taking it to a place that
collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system that
indicates when to change the engine oil and
filter. This is based on a combination offactors which include engine revolutions,
engine temperature, and miles driven. Based
on driving conditions, the mileage at which
an oil change is indicated can vary
considerably. For the oil life system to work
properly, the system must be reset every
time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life
has been diminished, it indicates that an oil
change is necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message comes on. Change the oil as
soon as possible within the next 1 000 km
(600 mi). It is possible that, if driving under
the best conditions, the oil life system may
indicate that an oil change is not necessary
for up to a year. The engine oil and filter
must be changed at least once a year and,
at this time, the system must be reset. Your
dealer has trained service people who will
perform this work and reset the system.
It is also important to check the oil regularly
over the course of an oil drain interval and
keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, the
oil must be changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever the oil is
changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil Life System
Reset the system whenever the engine oil is
changed so that the system can calculate
the next engine oil change. To reset the
system:
1. Display REMAINING OIL LIFE on the DIC menu. See Driver Information Center
(DIC) (Base and Midlevel) 0103 or
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel)
0 107.
2. Press and hold
Vfor several seconds
while the Oil Life display is active to
reset the Oil Life system.
3. REMAINING OIL LIFE 100% will be displayed when the oil life system is
successfully reset.
The oil life system can also be reset as
follows: 1. Place the ignition in Service Mode. See Ignition Positions 0190.
2. Display REMAINING OIL LIFE on the DIC menu. See Driver Information Center
(DIC) (Base and Midlevel) 0103 or
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel)
0 107.
3. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal three times within five seconds.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16540728) - 2023 - crc - 6/16/22
258 Vehicle Care
changed at appropriate levels. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants0320
and
Maintenance Schedule 0316.
The following explains the cooling system
and how to check and add coolant when it
is low. If there is a problem with engine
overheating, see Engine Overheating 0259.
What to Use
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such as
alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. With plain water or
the wrong mixture, the engine could get
too hot but there would not be an
overheat warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant. If using this
mixture, nothing else needs to be added.
This mixture:
.Gives freezing protection down to −37 °C
(−34 °F), outside temperature.
.Gives boiling protection up to 129 °C
(265 °F), engine temperature.
.Protects against rust and corrosion.
.Will not damage aluminum parts.
.Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Caution
Do not use anything other than a mix of
DEX-COOL coolant that meets GM
Standard GMW3420 and clean, drinkable
water. Anything else can cause damage
to the engine cooling system and the
vehicle, which would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Never dispose of engine coolant by putting
it in the trash, pouring it on the ground,
or pouring into sewers, streams, or bodies of
water. Have the coolant changed by an
authorized service center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used coolant
disposal. This will help protect the
environment and your health.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when
checking the coolant level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the
coolant surge tank. If the coolant inside the
coolant surge tank is boiling, do not do
anything else until it cools down. If coolant
is visible but the coolant level mark is not
visible, add a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL coolant at
the coolant surge tank to the top rib on the
middle of the tank, but be sure the cooling
system is cool before this is done. See
Engine Overheating 0259.
The coolant surge tank is located in the
engine compartment on the driver side of
the vehicle. See Engine Compartment
Overview 0251.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16540728) - 2023 - crc - 6/16/22
Vehicle Care 307
be off. Remove any accessories that may be
damaged or interfere with the car wash
equipment.
Rinse the vehicle well, before washing and
after, to remove all cleaning agents
completely. If they are allowed to dry on
the surface, they could stain.
Dry the finish with a soft, clean chamois or
an all-cotton towel to avoid surface
scratches and water spotting.
Cleaning Underhood Components
Caution
Do not power wash any component
under the hood that has this
e
symbol.
This could cause damage that would not
be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Solvents or aggressive cleaners may harm
underhood components. The usages of these
chemicals should be avoided.
Recommend water only.
A pressure washer may be used, but care
must be utilized. The following criteria must
be followed:
.Water pressure must be kept below
14,000 KPa (2,000 PSI).
.Water temperature must be below 80 °C
(180 °F).
.Spray nozzle with a 40 degree wide angle
spray pattern or wider must be used.
.Nozzle must be kept at least 30 cm (1 ft)
away from all surfaces.
Finish Care
Application of aftermarket clearcoat sealant/
wax materials is not recommended.
If painted surfaces are damaged, see your
dealer to have the damage assessed and
repaired. Foreign materials such as calcium
chloride and other salts, ice melting agents,
road oil and tar, tree sap, bird droppings,
chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage the vehicle's finish if they remain
on painted surfaces. Wash the vehicle as
soon as possible. If necessary, use
non-abrasive cleaners that are marked safe
for painted surfaces to remove foreign
matter.
Occasional hand waxing or mild polishing
should be done to remove residue from the
paint finish. See your dealer for approved
cleaning products. Do not apply waxes or polishes to uncoated
plastic, vinyl, rubber, decals, simulated
wood, or flat paint as damage can occur.
Caution
Machine compounding or aggressive
polishing on a basecoat/clearcoat paint
finish may damage it. Use only
non-abrasive waxes and polishes that are
made for a basecoat/clearcoat paint finish
on the vehicle.
To keep the paint finish looking new, keep
the vehicle garaged or covered whenever
possible.
Protecting Exterior Bright Metal Moldings
Caution
Failure to clean and protect the bright
metal moldings can result in a hazy
white finish or pitting. This damage
would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16540728) - 2023 - crc - 6/16/22
350 Index
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Drive SystemsAll-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201, 263
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . 103, 107
Teen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Driving Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . 238
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Distracted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Impaired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Driving the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Dual
Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . 171E
ElectricBrake Boost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Electrical Equipment, Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Electrical System Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . 271
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . 275
Emergency
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Air Filter Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Check Light (Malfunction Indicator) . . . . . 96
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259 Engine (cont'd)
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
F
FilterEngine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Fluid
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Fog Lamp Light Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102