CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2008 1.G Owners Manual

Event Data Recorders
This vehicle has an Event Data Recorder (EDR). The
main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain crash or
near crash-like situations, such as an airbag deployment
or hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist in
understanding how a vehicle’s systems performed. The
EDR is designed to record data related to vehicle
dynamics and safety systems for a short period of time,
typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this vehicle is
designed to record such data as:
How various systems in your vehicle were operating
Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts
were buckled/fastened
How far, if at all, the driver was pressing the
accelerator and/or brake pedal
How fast the vehicle was traveling
This data can help provide a better understanding of the
circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur.
Important:EDR data is recorded by your vehicle only
if a non-trivial crash situation occurs; no data is
recorded by the EDR under normal driving conditions
and no personal data (e.g., name, gender, age, and
crash location) is recorded. However, other parties, such
as law enforcement, could combine the EDR data with
the type of personally identifying data routinely acquired
during a crash investigation.To read data recorded by an EDR, special equipment is
required, and access to the vehicle or the EDR is
needed. In addition to the vehicle manufacturer, other
parties, such as law enforcement, that have the special
equipment, can read the information if they have access
to the vehicle or the EDR.
GM will not access this data or share it with others
except: with the consent of the vehicle owner or, if the
vehicle is leased, with the consent of the lessee; in
response to an official request of police or similar
government office; as part of GM’s defense of litigation
through the discovery process; or, as required by law.
Data that GM collects or receives may also be used for
GM research needs or may be made available to others
for research purposes, where a need is shown and the
data is not tied to a specic vehicle or vehicle owner.
7-17

OnStar®
If your vehicle has OnStar and you subscribe to the
OnStar services, please refer to the OnStar Terms and
Conditions for information on data collection and use.
See alsoOnStar
®System on page 2-39in this manual for
more information.
Navigation System
If your vehicle has a navigation system, use of the
system may result in the storage of destinations,
addresses, telephone numbers, and other trip
information. Refer to the navigation system operating
manual for information on stored data and for deletion
instructions.
Radio Frequency
Identication (RFID)
RFID technology is used in some vehicles for functions
such as tire pressure monitoring and ignition system
security, as well as in connection with conveniences
such as key fobs for remote door locking/unlocking and
starting, and in-vehicle transmitters for garage door
openers. RFID technology in GM vehicles does not use
or record personal information or link with any other
GM system containing personal information.
7-18

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-3
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-70
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-7
Add-On Electrical Equipment...........................5-100
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-19
Air Conditioning..............................................3-19
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-28
Readiness Light..........................................3-27
Airbag System................................................1-56
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-64
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-61
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-59
Airbag Systems
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-70
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-63
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-65
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-70
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-63
All-Wheel Drive...............................................5-42
All-Wheel Drive Disabled Light..........................3-40
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) System........................... 4-8
All-Wheel-Drive Service Light............................3-39Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 4-5
Antilock Brake, System Warning Light................3-32
Appearance Care
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..............5-96
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-93
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-97
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-94
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-90
Finish Care.................................................5-95
Finish Damage............................................5-97
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-93
Interior Cleaning..........................................5-89
Leather......................................................5-92
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-97
Tires..........................................................5-97
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-97
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-98
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-94
Weatherstrips..............................................5-93
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-95
Appointments, Scheduling Service....................... 7-9
Ashtray.........................................................3-18
Audio System.................................................3-64
Audio Steering Wheel Controls....................3-108
Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation
Manual...................................................3-98
1

Audio System (cont.)
Radio Reception........................................3-110
Setting the Time..........................................3-65
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-108
Audio System(s).............................................3-68
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-14
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-21
Operation...........................................2-24, 2-27
B
Battery..........................................................5-35
Electric Power Management..........................3-17
Run-Down Protection...................................3-17
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-6
Brakes..........................................................5-33
System Warning Light..................................3-31
Braking........................................................... 4-4
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-6
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-20
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-44
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-44
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-44
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps..................................5-45
License Plate Lamps....................................5-49Bulb Replacement (cont.)
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-50
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps........................................5-48
Buying New Tires...........................................5-69
C
Calibration.....................................................3-46
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements....... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-3
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-107
Carbon Monoxide...........................2-35, 4-17, 4-33
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-93
Cargo Lamp...................................................3-16
Cargo Tie Downs............................................2-49
CD, MP3 ...............................................3-87, 3-92
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-42
Chains, Tire...................................................5-74
Charging System Light....................................3-30
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-34
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-97
2

Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-37
Infants and Young Children...........................1-34
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-42
Older Children.............................................1-31
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat
Position..................................................1-50
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-52
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-40
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-18
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..............5-96
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-94
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-90
Finish Care.................................................5-95
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-93
Interior.......................................................5-89
Leather......................................................5-92
Tires..........................................................5-97
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-97
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-94
Weatherstrips..............................................5-93
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-95Climate Control System...................................3-19
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-22
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-22
Clock............................................................3-65
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-11
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-88
Compass.......................................................3-46
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-17
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-3
Convenience Net............................................2-49
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-33
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-33
Heater, Engine............................................2-23
Cooling System..............................................5-26
Cruise Control................................................3-10
Cruise Control Light........................................3-38
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-42
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-9
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY)
Users....................................................... 7-5
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-5
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program............... 7-6
3

Customer Assistance Information (cont.)
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-15
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-15
Reporting Safety Defects to the United
States Government...................................7-14
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-7
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-15
D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-14
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Delayed Locking.............................................2-11
DIC Compass.................................................3-46
Disc, MP3.............................................3-87, 3-92
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Dome Lamp...................................................3-16
Door
Ajar Light...................................................3-40
Delayed Locking..........................................2-11
Locks........................................................2-10
Power Door Locks.......................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-11
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-12
Driver
Seat Height Adjuster...................................... 1-3Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-42
DIC Operation and Displays..........................3-43
DIC Vehicle Personalization..........................3-58
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-49
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-14
Before a Long Trip......................................4-16
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Highway Hypnosis.......................................4-16
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-16
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-14
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-22
Winter........................................................4-17
DVD
Rear Seat Entertainment System...................3-99
E
EDR .............................................................7-16
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment.....................................5-100
Engine Compartment Fuse Block.................5-103
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-100
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................5-101
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-100
4

Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-19
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-38
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-34
Coolant......................................................5-22
Coolant Heater............................................2-23
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-33
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-33
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-15
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-35
Oil .............................................................5-15
Oil Life System...........................................5-18
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-26
Overheating................................................5-24
Reduced Power Light...................................3-39
Running While Parked..................................2-36
Starting......................................................2-22
Entry Lighting.................................................3-16
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-17
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-30
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-19
Finish Damage...............................................5-97Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-75
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-76
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-86
Fluid.............................................................5-21
Power Steering...........................................5-31
Windshield Washer......................................5-32
Fog Lamp
Fog ...........................................................3-15
Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-38
Folding Rear Seat...........................................1-10
Folding Seatback, Passenger............................. 1-8
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-7
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling the Tank............................................. 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-41
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-6
Low Warning Light.......................................3-42
Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse Block.................5-103
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-100
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................5-101
Windshield Wiper.......................................5-100
5

G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-33
Fuel..........................................................3-41
Speedometer..............................................3-26
Tachometer.................................................3-26
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-6
Gate Ajar Light...............................................3-40
Glove Box.....................................................2-42
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-6
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-7
Headlamp
Aiming.......................................................5-44
Headlamps....................................................3-13
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-44
Daytime Running Lamps...............................3-14
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-44Headlamps (cont.)
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps..................................5-45
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
On Reminder..............................................3-13
Heated Seats................................................... 1-4
Heater...........................................................3-19
Height Adjuster, Driver Seat............................... 1-3
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-39
High-Speed Operation, Tires.............................5-61
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-16
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-16
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn............................................................... 3-6
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-17
I
Ignition Positions.............................................2-20
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-34
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-59
Instrument Panel
Overview..................................................... 3-4
6

Instrument Panel (I/P)
Brightness..................................................3-15
Cluster.......................................................3-25
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-36
K
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-4
Keys............................................................... 2-3
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall.....................................5-53
Lamps
Cargo........................................................3-16
Dome........................................................3-16
Map ..........................................................3-16
Lap-Shoulder Belt...........................................1-25
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-42
License Plate Lamps.......................................5-49
Liftgate
Carbon Monoxide........................................2-13Light
Airbag Readiness........................................3-27
All-Wheel Drive Disabled..............................3-40
Antilock Brake System Warning.....................3-32
Brake System Warning.................................3-31
Change Engine Oil......................................3-38
Charging System.........................................3-30
Cruise Control.............................................3-38
Door Ajar...................................................3-40
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning.............3-33
Fog Lamp..................................................3-38
Gate Ajar...................................................3-40
Highbeam On.............................................3-39
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-42
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-34
Oil Pressure...............................................3-37
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator..................3-28
Reduced Engine Power................................3-39
Safety Belt Reminders..................................3-27
Security.....................................................3-38
Service All-Wheel-Drive................................3-39
Service Vehicle Soon...................................3-41
TCS Warning Light......................................3-32
Tire Pressure..............................................3-34
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning..........3-32
Lighting
Entry.........................................................3-16
7

Lights............................................................3-13
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
On Reminder..............................................3-13
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-22
Lockout Protection..........................................2-12
Locks
Delayed Locking..........................................2-11
Door..........................................................2-10
Lockout Protection.......................................2-12
Power Door................................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-11
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-12
Loss of Control...............................................4-13
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-42
Luggage Carrier..............................................2-43
Lumbar
Manual Controls............................................ 1-4
M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-9
At Least Once a Month.................................. 6-9
At Least Once a Year..................................6-10Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-7
Maintenance Record....................................6-16
Maintenance Replacement Parts....................6-14
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-8
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-12
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using.......................................................... 6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-34
Manual Lumbar Controls.................................... 1-4
Manual Reclining Seatbacks............................... 1-5
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Manual, Using.................................................... iii
Map Lamps....................................................3-16
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-49
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
®.....2-37
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-37
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®.............2-37
Outside Convex Mirrors................................2-38
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-38
MP3 .....................................................3-87, 3-92
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-4
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