check engine light CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2005 1.G User Guide

Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and lter. This is
based on engine revolutions and engine temperature,
and not on mileage. Based on driving conditions,
the mileage at which an oil change will be indicated can
vary considerably. For the oil life system to work
properly, you must reset the system every time the oil is
changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A change engine oil light will come on.
Change your oil as soon as possible within the next
600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible that, if you are
driving under the best conditions, the oil life system may
not indicate that an oil change is necessary for over a
year. However, your engine oil and lter must be
changed at least once a year and at this time the system
must be reset. Your dealer has GM-trained people
who will perform this work using genuine GM parts and
reset the system. It is also important to check your
oil regularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your
last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to change
your engine oil and lter based on vehicle use.
Anytime your oil is changed, reset the system so it can
calculate when the next oil change is required. If a
situation occurs where you change your oil prior to a
change engine oil light being turned on, reset the
system.
1. Turn the ignition key to RUN with the engine off.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal
three times within ve seconds.
The change engine oil light will ash while the
system is resetting.
3. Turn the key to LOCK.
If the change engine oil light comes back on and stays
on when you start your vehicle, the engine oil life
system has not reset. Repeat the procedure.
5-16

Automatic Transaxle Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transaxle uid level. A
transaxle uid leak is the only reason for uid loss.
If a leak occurs, take your vehicle to the dealership
service department and have it repaired as soon
as possible.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
Additional Required Services on page 6-6, and be sure
to use the transaxle uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic transaxle
uid may damage your vehicle, and the damages
may not be covered by your warranty. Always
use the automatic transaxle uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for ve years or 100,000 miles
(166 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if you add only
DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-24.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-21

{CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing
this, and some have been blinded. Use a
ashlight if you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You do
not need to add water to the battery installed
in your new vehicle. But if a battery has ller
caps, be sure the right amount of uid is there.
If it is low, add water to take care of that rst.
If you do not, explosive gas could be present.
Battery uid contains acid that can burn you.
Do not get it on you. If you accidentally get it
in your eyes or on your skin, ush the place
with water and get medical help immediately.
{CAUTION:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure
you badly. Keep your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
5. Check that the jumper cables do not have loose or
missing insulation. If they do, you could get a
shock. The vehicles could be damaged, too.
Before you connect the cables, here are some
basic things you should know. Positive (+) will go to
positive (+) or to a remote positive (+) terminal if
the vehicle has one. Negative (−) will go to a heavy,
unpainted metal engine part or to a remote
negative (−) terminal if the vehicle has one.
Do not connect positive (+) to negative (−)oryou
will get a short that would damage the battery
and maybe other parts, too. And do not connect the
negative (−) cable to the negative (−) terminal on
the dead battery because this can cause sparks.
6. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the dead battery. Use a remote
positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one.
5-38

Automatic Transaxle
Fluid..........................................................5-21
Operation...................................................2-19
B
Battery..........................................................5-35
Run-Down Protection...................................3-17
Battery Warning Light......................................3-27
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-21
Brake
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................ 4-6
Emergencies................................................ 4-8
Parking......................................................2-22
System Warning Light..................................3-28
Brakes..........................................................5-33
Braking........................................................... 4-5
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-15
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-43
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-43
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps..................................5-43
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-47
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps........................................5-46
Buying New Tires...........................................5-58
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications............................5-89
Carbon Monoxide...................2-10, 2-25, 4-24, 4-36
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-78
Your CD Player...........................................3-79
Your CDs ...................................................3-79
Cargo Lamp...................................................3-17
Cargo Tie Downs............................................2-41
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-34
Chains, Tire...................................................5-62
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-32
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-81
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-36
Infants and Young Children...........................1-32
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-43
Older Children.............................................1-30
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-45
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat
Position..................................................1-45
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-48
2

Dome Lamp...................................................3-16
Door
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-7
Locks.......................................................... 2-6
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-7
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-8
Rear Door Security Locks............................... 2-8
Driver
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-17
Seat Height Adjuster...................................... 1-2
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-15
City...........................................................4-19
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Freeway.....................................................4-20
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-22
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-16
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-28
Winter........................................................4-24
E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-84
Engine Compartment Fuse Block...................5-86
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-84
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-85
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-84Electrical System (cont.)
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-84
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-17
Battery.......................................................5-35
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-35
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-32
Coolant......................................................5-21
Coolant Heater............................................2-18
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-31
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-31
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-25
Oil .............................................................5-13
Oil Life System...........................................5-16
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-26
Overheating................................................5-24
Reduced Power Light...................................3-36
Starting......................................................2-17
Entry Lighting.................................................3-16
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-9
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-29F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-17
Finish Damage...............................................5-81
4

Light (cont.)
Low Traction...............................................3-30
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-32
Oil Pressure...............................................3-34
Reduced Engine Power................................3-36
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-26
Security.....................................................3-35
Service Vehicle Soon...................................3-37
TCS Warning Light......................................3-30
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning..........3-30
Lighting
Entry.........................................................3-16
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-29
Lockout Protection............................................ 2-9
Locks
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-7
Door........................................................... 2-6
Lockout Protection......................................... 2-9
Power Door.................................................. 2-7
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-8
Rear Door Security Locks............................... 2-8
Loss of Control...............................................4-13
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-38
Low Traction Light..........................................3-30
Luggage Carrier..............................................2-35
Lumbar
Manual Controls............................................ 1-3M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-8
At Least Once a Month.................................. 6-9
At Least Once a Year.................................... 6-9
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-7
Maintenance Record....................................6-14
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........6-13
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-8
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-12
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using.......................................................... 6-3
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-32
Manual Lumbar Controls.................................... 1-3
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Map Lamps....................................................3-17
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview with Compass
and Temperature Display...........................2-29
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
®,
Compass and Temperature Display.............2-27
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-27
Outside Convex Mirrors................................2-32
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-31
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
7

N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-15
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............6-13
O
Odometer......................................................3-25
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-25
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-12
Oil
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-35
Engine.......................................................5-13
Pressure Light.............................................3-34
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-16
Older Children, Restraints................................1-30
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-32
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-21
Outside
Convex Mirrors............................................2-32
Power Mirrors.............................................2-31
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..........................................5-26
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-8
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-23
Shifting Out of............................................2-24
Parking
Brake........................................................2-22
Over Things That Burn.................................2-25
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-21
Passing.........................................................4-12
Passlock
®......................................................2-15
Power
Accessory Outlet(s)......................................3-18
Door Locks.................................................. 2-7
Electrical System.........................................5-84
Reduced Engine Light..................................3-36
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-16
Seat............................................................ 1-3
Windows....................................................2-12
Pretensioners, Safety Belt................................1-29
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................. 2-8
Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-15
8

R
Radios..........................................................3-39
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-79
Care of Your CDs........................................3-79
Radio with CD....................................3-40, 3-50
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-65
Setting the Time..........................................3-40
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-78
Understanding Reception..............................3-79
Rear Compartment Storage Panel/Cover............2-37
Rear Door Security Locks.................................. 2-8
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-27
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-25
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
Compass and Temperature Display................2-29
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
OnStar
®, Compass and Temperature
Display......................................................2-27
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-27
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-4
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-12
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-34
Reduced Engine Power Light............................3-36
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation............ 2-4
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-66
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-65
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-47Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-11
General Motors...........................................7-11
United States Government............................7-10
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems....................1-60
Replacing Restraint System Parts After
a Crash..................................................1-61
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-16
Right Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts......1-25
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-6
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out....................4-28
Running the Engine While Parked.....................2-26S
Safety Belt
Pretensioners..............................................1-29
Reminder Light............................................3-26
Safety Belts
Care of......................................................5-78
Driver Position............................................1-17
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-16
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.....1-15
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides...................1-27
Rear Seat Passengers.................................1-25
Right Front Passenger Position......................1-25
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-29
9