CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2008 1.G Manual PDF

If your vehicle does not have a rear seat that will
accommodate a rear-facing child restraint, we
recommend that rear-facing child restraints not be
transported in your vehicle, even if the airbag is off.
The passenger sensing system is designed to turn off
the right front passenger’s frontal airbag if:
The right front passenger seat is unoccupied.
The system determines that an infant is present in
a rear-facing infant seat.
The system determines that a small child is present
in a child restraint.
The system determines that a small child is present
in a booster seat.
A right front passenger takes his/her weight off of
the seat for a period of time.
The right front passenger seat is occupied by a
smaller person, such as a child who has outgrown
child restraints.
Or, if there is a critical problem with the airbag
system or the passenger sensing system.
When the passenger sensing system has turned off the
right front passenger’s frontal airbag, the off indicator
will light and stay lit to remind you that the airbag is off.
SeePassenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-28.If a child restraint has been installed and the on indicator
is lit, turn the vehicle off. Remove the child restraint from
the vehicle and reinstall the child restraint following the
child restraint manufacturer’s directions and refer to
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat
Position on page 1-52.
If, after reinstalling the child restraint and restarting the
vehicle, the on indicator is still lit, check to make sure that
the vehicle’s seatback is not pressing the child restraint
into the seat cushion. If this happens, slightly recline
the vehicle’s seatback and adjust the seat cushion if
possible. Also make sure the child restraint is not trapped
under the vehicle head restraint. If this happens, adjust
the head restraint. SeeHead Restraints on page 1-7.
Remove any additional material from the seat such as
blankets, cushions, seat covers, seat heaters, or seat
massagers before reinstalling or securing the child
restraint.
If the on indicator is still lit, secure the child in the child
restraint in a rear seat position in the vehicle, and check
with your dealer/retailer. If no rear seat is available,
do not install a child restraint in this vehicle, and check
with your dealer/retailer.
1-67

The passenger sensing system is designed to enable
(may inate) the right front passenger’s frontal airbag
anytime the system senses that a person of adult size is
sitting properly in the right front passenger’s seat. When
the passenger sensing system has allowed the airbag to
be enabled, the on indicator will light and stay lit to remind
you that the airbag is active.
For some children who have outgrown child restraints
and for very small adults, the passenger sensing system
may or may not turn off the right front passenger’s frontal
airbag, depending upon the person’s seating posture
and body build. Everyone in your vehicle who has
outgrown child restraints should wear a safety belt
properly — whether or not there is an airbag for that
person.
If a person of adult-size is sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat, but the off indicator is lit, it could be
because that person is not sitting properly in the seat.
If this happens, turn the vehicle off, remove any additional
material from the seat, such as blankets, cushions, seat
covers, seat heaters or seat massagers and ask the
person to place the seatback in the fully upright position,
then sit upright in the seat, centered on the seat cushion,
with the person’s legs comfortably extended. Restart the
vehicle and have the person remain in this position for
two to three minutes. This will allow the system to detect
that person and then enable the right front passenger’s
frontal airbag.Safety belts help keep the passenger in position on
the seat during vehicle maneuvers and braking, which
helps the passenger sensing system maintain the
passenger airbag status. See “Safety Belts” and
“Child Restraints” in the Index for additional information
about the importance of proper restraint use.
1-68

{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the instrument
panel cluster ever comes on and stays on,
it means that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. If this ever happens, have
the vehicle serviced promptly, because an
adult-size person sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat may not have the protection
of the airbag(s). SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-27for more on this, including
important safety information.A thick layer of additional material, such as a blanket
or cushion, or aftermarket equipment such as seat
covers, seat heaters, and seat massagers can affect
how well the passenger sensing system operates.
We recommend that you not use seat covers or
other aftermarket equipment other than any that GM
has approved for your specic vehicle. SeeAdding
Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 1-70for more information about modications
that can affect how the system operates.
{CAUTION:
Stowing of articles under the passenger’s seat
or between the passenger’s seat cushion
and seatback may interfere with the proper
operation of the passenger sensing system.
1-69

Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Airbags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the airbag system in several places
around your vehicle. Your dealer/retailer and the service
manual have information about servicing your vehicle
and the airbag system. To purchase a service manual,
seeService Publications Ordering Information
on page 7-15.
{CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition is
turned off and the battery is disconnected,
an airbag can still inate during improper
service. You can be injured if you are close
to an airbag when it inates. Avoid yellow
connectors. They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is qualied to do so.
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to or change
about the vehicle that could keep the airbags
from working properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that change your vehicle’s
frame, bumper system, height, front end or side
sheet metal, they may keep the airbag system
from working properly. Changing or moving
any parts of the front seats, safety belts, the
airbag sensing and diagnostic module, steering
wheel, instrument panel, roof-rail airbag modules,
ceiling headliner or pillar garnish trim, overhead
console, front sensors, side impact sensors,
rollover sensor module, or airbag wiring can
affect the operation of the airbag system.
1-70

In addition, your vehicle has a passenger sensing
system for the right front passenger’s position,
which includes sensors that are part of the
passenger’s seat. The passenger sensing system
may not operate properly if the original seat
trim is replaced with non-GM covers, upholstery
or trim, or with GM covers, upholstery or trim
designed for a different vehicle. Any object, such as
an aftermarket seat heater or a comfort enhancing
pad or device, installed under or on top of the
seat fabric, could also interfere with the operation of
the passenger sensing system. This could either
prevent proper deployment of the passenger
airbag(s) or prevent the passenger sensing system
from properly turning off the passenger airbag(s).
SeePassenger Sensing System on page 1-65.
If you have any questions about this, you should
contact Customer Assistance before you modify
your vehicle. The phone numbers and addresses
for Customer Assistance are in Step Two of
the Customer Satisfaction Procedure in this manual.
SeeCustomer Satisfaction Procedure on page 7-2.If your vehicle has rollover roof-rail airbags, see
Different Size Tires and Wheels on page 5-71
for additional important information.
Q:Because I have a disability, I have to get my
vehicle modied. How can I nd out whether
this will affect my airbag system?
A:If you have questions, call Customer Assistance.
The phone numbers and addresses for Customer
Assistance are in Step Two of the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure in this manual. See
Customer Satisfaction Procedure on page 7-2.
In addition, your dealer/retailer and the service manual
have information about the location of the airbag
sensors, sensing and diagnostic module and airbag
wiring.
1-71

Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems
Safety Belts
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder
light and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors
and anchorages are working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system
parts. If you see anything that might keep a safety
belt system from doing its job, have it repaired. Torn
or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a crash.
They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is
torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Make sure the safety belt reminder light is working.
SeeSafety Belt Reminders on page 3-27for more
information.
Keep safety belts clean and dry. SeeCare of Safety
Belts on page 5-93.
Airbags
The airbag system does not need regularly scheduled
maintenance or replacement. Make sure the airbag
readiness light is working. SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-27for more information.
Notice:If an airbag covering is damaged, opened,
or broken, the airbag may not work properly.
Do not open or break the airbag coverings. If there
are any opened or broken airbag covers, have
the airbag covering and/or airbag module replaced.
For the location of the airbag modules, see
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? on page 1-63.
See your dealer/retailer for service.
1-72

Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
{CAUTION:
A crash can damage the restraint systems
in your vehicle. A damaged restraint system
may not properly protect the person using it,
resulting in serious injury or even death in
a crash. To help make sure your restraint
systems are working properly after a crash,
have them inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as possible.If you have had a crash, do you need new belts or
LATCH system (if equipped) parts?
After a very minor crash, nothing may be necessary.
But the belt assemblies that were used during any
crash may have been stressed or damaged. See your
dealer/retailer to have your safety belt assemblies
inspected or replaced.
If your vehicle has the LATCH system and it was being
used during a crash, you may need new LATCH
system parts.
New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the
belt or LATCH system (if equipped), was not being
used at the time of the crash.
If an airbag inates, you will need to replace airbag
system parts. See the part on the airbag system earlier
in this section.
Have your safety belt pretensioners checked if your
vehicle has been in a crash, if your airbag readiness
light stays on after you start your vehicle, or while you
are driving. SeeAirbag Readiness Light on page 3-27.
1-73

✍NOTES
1-74

Keys...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System................2-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation...................................................2-5
Remote Vehicle Start......................................2-8
Doors and Locks............................................2-10
Door Locks..................................................2-10
Power Door Locks........................................2-11
Delayed Locking...........................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks..............2-11
Rear Door Security Locks..............................2-12
Lockout Protection........................................2-12
Liftgate........................................................2-13
Windows........................................................2-15
Power Windows............................................2-16
Sun Visors...................................................2-17
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-17
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-17
PASS-Key
®III+............................................2-18
PASS-Key®III+ Operation..............................2-18Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-20
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-20
Ignition Positions..........................................2-20
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)...................2-21
Starting the Engine.......................................2-22
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-23
Automatic Transmission Operation
(3.4L V6 with 5-Speed)..............................2-24
Automatic Transmission Operation
(3.6L V6 with 6-Speed)..............................2-27
Parking Brake..............................................2-31
Shifting Into PARK (P)...................................2-32
Shifting Out of PARK (P)...............................2-34
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-34
Engine Exhaust............................................2-35
Running the Engine While Parked...................2-36
Mirrors...........................................................2-37
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-37
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®..............2-37
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®...................................................2-37
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-38
Outside Convex Mirrors.................................2-38
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

OnStar®System.............................................2-39
Storage Areas................................................2-42
Glove Box...................................................2-42
Cupholder(s)................................................2-42
Center Console Storage.................................2-42
Luggage Carrier...........................................2-43Rear Compartment Storage Panel/Cover..........2-45
Rear Seat Armrest........................................2-47
Table..........................................................2-48
Convenience Net..........................................2-49
Cargo Tie Downs..........................................2-49
Sunroof.........................................................2-49
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-2