CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2009 1.G Owners Manual

Programmable Automatic Door
Locks
Your vehicle has an automatic lock/unlock feature which
enables you to program the power door locks through
the Driver Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Vehicle
Personalization on page 3-57for more information
on DIC programming.
Rear Door Security Locks
Your vehicle has rear door security locks that prevent
passengers from opening the rear doors from the inside.
The rear door security locks
are located on the inside
edge of each rear door.
You must open the rear
doors to access them.To set the security locks, do the following:
1. Insert the key into the lock above the rear door
security lock label and turn it to the horizontal
position.
2. Close the door.
3. Repeat the steps for the other rear door.
To open a rear door while the security lock is on, do
the following:
1. Unlock the door using the remote keyless entry
transmitter, the front door power lock switch, or
the rear door manual lock.
2. Open the door from the outside.
To cancel the rear door security lock, do the following:
1. Unlock the door and open it from the outside.
2. Insert the key into the slot next to the rear door
security lock label and turn it to the vertical
position.
3. Repeat the steps for the other lock.
2-11

Lockout Protection
If you press the power door lock switch when the key is
in the ignition and any door is open, all the doors will
lock and only the driver’s door will unlock. Be sure
to remove the key from the ignition when locking your
vehicle.
If the keyless entry transmitter is used to lock the doors
and the key is in the ignition, a chime will sound
three times. All passenger doors will lock, but the
driver’s door will remain unlocked.
Liftgate
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the liftgate or
liftglass open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas
can come into your vehicle. You cannot see or
smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even
death. If you must drive with the liftgate open or if
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
electrical wiring or other cable connections must
pass through the seal between the body and the
liftgate or liftglass:
Make sure all other windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your climate control system to
its highest speed and select the control setting
that will force outside air into your vehicle.
See “Climate Control System” in the Index.
If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
SeeEngine Exhaust on page 2-34.
To unlock the liftgate, press the unlock button on the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter twice or use the
power door lock switch.
To lock the liftgate, press the lock button on the
RKE transmitter or use the power door lock switch.
The liftgate does not have a key lock cylinder.
To open the liftgate, press the touchpad centered on
the underside of the liftgate handle and pull up.
When closing the liftgate, use the molded handles to
pull the liftgate down. Push the liftgate closed until
it latches.
2-12

Liftgate Operation with Loss of Power
The liftgate is equipped with an electric latch. If the
battery is disconnected or has low voltage, the liftgate
will not open.
To open the liftgate if this
happens, remove the
interior trim plug located at
the base of the liftgate
from inside the vehicle.Use a tool to push the
service release lever
located on the latch until
you hear or feel the gate
release.
The liftgate can now be opened and closed manually.
You will need to use this procedure to open the
liftgate until the power is restored.
2-13

Windows
{CAUTION:
Leaving children, helpless adults, or pets in a
vehicle with the windows closed is dangerous.
They can be overcome by the extreme heat and
suffer permanent injuries or even death from heat
stroke. Never leave a child, a helpless adult, or a
pet alone in a vehicle, especially with the windows
closed in warm or hot weather.
2-14

Power Windows
{CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the keys is
dangerous for many reasons, children or others
could be badly injured or even killed. They could
operate the power windows or other controls or
even make the vehicle move. The windows will
function and they could be seriously injured or
killed if caught in the path of a closing window.
Do not leave keys in a vehicle with children.
When there are children in the rear seat use the
window lockout button to prevent unintentional
operation of the windows.The window switches for all doors are located on the
center console. A window switch for each rear window is
located on each rear door.
To open or close a window press or pull the switch.
The power windows operate when the ignition is RUN
or ACC (Accessory), or while in Retained Accessory
Power (RAP). SeeRetained Accessory Power (RAP)
on page 2-21.
2-15

Express-Down Window
The driver’s window switch has an express-down
feature that allows the window to be lowered without
holding the switch. Press the switch part way, and
the driver’s window opens a small amount. Press the
switch down all the way, release it, and the window goes
down automatically.
To stop the window while it is lowering, press and
release the switch.
Window Lockout
o
(Window Lockout):Your vehicle has a lockout
feature to prevent rear seat passengers from operating
the windows. Press the lockout button, located with
the power window switches, to turn the feature on and
off. The switch has a light that comes on when the
switch is active.
Sun Visors
To block out glare, swing the sun visor down. You can
also detach the driver’s sun visor from the center mount
and slide it along the rod from side-to-side for greater
coverage.
Visor Vanity Mirrors
Your vehicle has covered visor vanity mirrors on both
the driver’s and passenger’s side.
Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
This vehicle has theft-deterrent features, however,
they do not make it impossible to steal.
2-16

Content Theft-Deterrent
Your vehicle has a content theft-deterrent alarm system.
To activate the theft-deterrent system:
1. Open the door.
2. Lock the door with the power door lock switch or the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter. If you are
using the RKE transmitter, the door does not need to
be open.
3. Close all doors.
The key must be removed from the ignition to arm
the system.
If the theft-deterrent system is activated and a door or
the liftgate is opened without using the RKE transmitter,
a 10 second pre-alarm will occur, and the security light
will ash. The horn will sound rapidly for 10 seconds. If
you do not press unlock on the RKE transmitter or insert
the key in the ignition and turn if from the LOCK/OFF
position, the alarm will go off. The horn will sound and the
headlamps will ash for 30 seconds.
After the alarm has sounded for 30 seconds, the system
will re-arm itself automatically.
To disarm the theft-deterrent system, do one of the
following:
1. Unlock the doors with the RKE transmitter.
2. Insert the key in the ignition and turn it from the
LOCK/OFF position.
PASS-Key®III+ Electronic
Immobilizer
The PASS-Key III+ system operates on a radio
frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Changes or modications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
PASS-Key III+ uses a radio frequency transponder in
the key that matches a decoder in the vehicle.
2-17

PASS-Key®III+ Electronic
Immobilizer Operation
Your vehicle has PASS-Key®III+ (Personalized
Automotive Security System) theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key
®III+ is a passive theft-deterrent system.
The system is automatically armed when the key
is removed from the ignition.
The system is automatically disarmed when the key is
turned to ON/RUN, ACC/ACCESSORY or START from
the LOCK/OFF position.
You do not have to manually arm or disarm the system.
The security light will come on if there is a problem
with arming or disarming the theft-deterrent system.
When the PASS-Key
®III+ system senses that someone
is using the wrong key, it prevents the vehicle from
starting. Anyone using a trial-and-error method to start
the vehicle will be discouraged because of the high
number of electrical key codes.
If the engine does not start and the security light on
the instrument panel comes on when trying to start the
vehicle, there may be a problem with your theft-deterrent
system. Turn the ignition off and try again.If the engine still does not start, and the key appears to
be undamaged, try another ignition key. At this time,
you may also want to check the fuse, seeFuses
and Circuit Breakers on page 5-97. If the engine still
does not start with the other key, your vehicle needs
service. If your vehicle does start, the rst key may be
faulty. See your dealer/retailer who can service the
PASS-Key
®III+ to have a new key made. In an
emergency, contact Roadside Assistance.
It is possible for the PASS-Key
®III+ decoder to “learn”
the transponder value of a new or replacement key.
Up to nine additional keys may be programmed for the
vehicle. The following procedure is for programming
additional keys only. If all the currently programmed
keys are lost or do not operate, you must see your
dealer/retailer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key
®III+ to have keys made and programmed
to the system.
See your dealer/retailer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key
®III+ to get a new key blank that is cut
exactly as the ignition key that operates the system.
2-18

To program the new additional key:
1. Verify that the new key has a
1stamped on it.
2. Insert the original, already programmed, key in the
ignition and start the engine. If the engine will not
start, see your dealer/retailer for service.
3. After the engine has started, turn the key to
LOCK/OFF, and remove the key.
4. Insert the new key to be programmed and turn it to
the ON/RUN position within ve seconds of
removing the original key.
The security light will turn off once the key has
been programmed.
5. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 if additional keys are to
be programmed.
If you lose or damage your PASS-Key
®III+ key, see
your dealer/retailer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key
®III+ to have a new key made.
Do not leave the key or device that disarms or
deactivates the theft deterrent system in the vehicle.
Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:The vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines:
Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast or
slow, for the rst 500 miles (805 km). Do not
make full-throttle starts. Avoid downshifting to
brake or slow the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time the new brake
linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops with
new linings can mean premature wear and
earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. SeeTowing
a Trailer on page 4-32for the trailer towing
capabilities of your vehicle and more
information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can be
gradually increased.
2-19

Ignition Positions
The ignition switch has
four different positions.
In order to shift out of P (Park), ignition must be in the
ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY and the regular
brake pedal must be applied.Notice:Using a tool to force the key to turn in the
ignition could cause damage to the switch or
break the key. Use the correct key, make sure it is
all the way in, and turn it only with your hand.
If the key cannot be turned by hand, see your
dealer/retailer.
9(LOCK/OFF):This position locks the ignition and
steering column, with the key removed. You will only be
able to remove the key when the ignition is turned to
LOCK/OFF
The ignition switch cannot be turned to LOCK/OFF
unless the shift lever is in P (Park).
The steering can bind with the wheels turned off center.
If this happens, move the steering wheel from right
to left while turning the key to ACC/ACCESSORY.
If this does not work, then the vehicle needs service.
2-20