2023 CHEVROLET EQUINOX heater

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16540728) - 2023 - crc - 6/16/22
Driving and Operating 195
Engine Heater
{Warning
Do not plug in the engine block heater
while the vehicle is parked in a garage or
under a carport. Property damage or
personal injury may result. Always park
the vehicle in a clear open area away
from buildings or structures.
The engine heater, if available, can help in
cold weather conditions at or below −18
°C (0 °F) for easier starting and better fuel
economy during engine warm-up. Plug in
the engine heater at least four hours before
starting the vehicle. An internal thermostat in the plug end of the cord will prevent
engine coolant heater operation at
temperatures above
−18 °C (0 °F).
To Use the Engine Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Remove the heater cord from the rear
compartment.
3. Check the heater cord for damage. If it is damaged, do not use it. See your dealer
for a replacement. Inspect the cord for
damage yearly.
4. Plug the cord into the receptacle in the front fascia.
5. Plug the other end of the cord into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{Warning
Improper use of the heater cord or an
extension cord can damage the cord and
may result in overheating and fire.
.Plug the cord into a three-prong
electrical utility receptacle that is
protected by a ground fault detection
function. An ungrounded outlet could
cause an electric shock.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Use a weatherproof, heavy-duty,
15 amp-rated extension cord if needed.
Failure to use the recommended
extension cord in good operating
condition, or using a damaged heater
or extension cord, could make it
overheat and cause a fire, property
damage, electric shock, and injury.
.Do not operate the vehicle with the
heater cord permanently attached to
the vehicle. Possible heater cord and
thermostat damage could occur.
.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.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16540728) - 2023 - crc - 6/16/22
Vehicle Care 257
5. Verify that the wiring harness connectoris fully connected to the sensor on the
air cleaner/filter housing.
6. If equipped, reset the engine air filter life system after replacing the engine air
filter. See Engine Air Filter Life System
0 255.
{Warning
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/filter off can cause you or others
to be burned. Use caution when working
on the engine. Do not start the engine or
drive the vehicle with the air cleaner/
filter off, as flames may be present if the
engine backfires.
Caution
If the air cleaner/filter is off, dirt can
easily get into the engine, which could
damage it. Always have the air cleaner/
filter in place when driving.
Cooling System
1. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
2. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and
Pressure Cap
{Warning
An underhood electric fan can start up
even when the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands, clothing,
and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank
is boiling, do not do anything else until it
cools down. The vehicle should be parked on
a level surface. The coolant level should be at the top rib on
the middle of the tank. If it is not, the
vehicle may have a leak at the radiator
hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water pump,
or somewhere else in the cooling system.
{Warning
Do not touch heater or radiator hoses,
or other engine parts. They can be very
hot and can burn you. Do not run the
engine if there is a leak; all coolant could
leak out. That could cause an engine fire
and can burn you. Fix any leak before
driving the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with the
engine on, check to see if the electric engine
cooling fan is running. If the engine is
overheating, the fan should be running. If it
is not, the vehicle needs service. Turn off
the engine.
Engine Coolant
The engine cooling system in the vehicle is
filled with DEX-COOL engine coolant mixture.
This coolant needs to be checked and

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16540728) - 2023 - crc - 6/16/22
260 Vehicle Care
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-
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

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16540728) - 2023 - crc - 6/16/22
Index 351
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
ForwardCollision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Front
Heated and Ventilated Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . 230
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Economy, Driving for Better . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . 238
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Top Tier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Fuses Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . 271
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . 275G
Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Gauges Engine Coolant Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Warning Lights and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . 86
General Information Service and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Global Positioning System (GPS) . . . . . . . . . .143
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Guidance Problems with the Route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267 Headlamps (cont'd)
Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . 116
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
High Intensity Discharge (HID)
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Heated
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Ventilated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Heater Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169, 171
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
How to Wear Seat Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . 42
HVAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169, 171