CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2005 1.G Owners Manual

To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety
Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in
the Washington, D.C. area) or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20590
You can also obtain other information about motor
vehicle safety from the hotline.
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may call them at
1-800-333-0510 or write to:
Transport Canada
Place de Ville Tower C
330 Sparks Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5
Reporting Safety Defects to General
Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, we certainly hope you will notify
General Motors. Please call the Chevrolet Customer
Assistance Center at 1-800-222-1020, or write:
Chevrolet Motor Division
Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33170
Detroit, MI 48232-5170
In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
7-11

Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer
Case Unit Repair Manual
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments, and specications for GM
transmissions, transaxles, and transfer cases.
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service General Motors cars
and trucks. Each bulletin contains instructions to
assist in the diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
In Canada, information pertaining to Product Service
Bulletins can be obtained by contacting your General
Motors dealer or by calling 1-800-GM-DRIVE
(1-800-463-7483).
Owner’s Information
Owner publications are written specically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner’s manual will include
the Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual, and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00
Current and Past Model Order Forms
Service Publications are available for current and
past model GM vehicles. To request an order form,
please specify year and model name of the vehicle.
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the
World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
7-12

A
Accessory Power Outlet(s)...............................3-18
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-84
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-17
Air Conditioning..............................................3-19
Airbag
Readiness Light..........................................3-26
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 7-9
Airbag System................................................1-50
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-57
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-60
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-57
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-58
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-55
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-53
All-Wheel Drive...............................................5-41
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) System........................... 4-9
Antenna, Fixed Mast.......................................3-79
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System......................................................3-80
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................... 4-6
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-29
Appearance Care............................................5-74
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-80
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-78
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-81
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-78Appearance Care (cont.)
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-75
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-76
Finish Care.................................................5-79
Finish Damage............................................5-81
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-77
Leather......................................................5-77
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-80
Tires..........................................................5-80
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-81
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-82
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-78
Weatherstrips..............................................5-78
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-79
Ashtray(s)......................................................3-18
Audio System(s).............................................3-39
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-78
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-79
Care of Your CDs........................................3-79
Chime Level Adjustment...............................3-80
Fixed Mast Antenna.....................................3-79
Radio with CD....................................3-40, 3-50
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-65
Setting the Time..........................................3-40
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-78
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-79
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-80
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-14
1

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

Child Restraints (cont.)
Top Strap...................................................1-41
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-42
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-39
Chime Level Adjustment..................................3-80
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-18
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-80
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-78
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-76
Finish Care.................................................5-79
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-75
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-77
Leather......................................................5-77
Tires..........................................................5-80
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-81
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-78
Weatherstrips..............................................5-78
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-79
Climate Control System...................................3-19
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-21
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-21
Coinholder(s)..................................................2-34
Comfort Guides, Rear Safety Belt.....................1-27
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-74
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-13
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Convenience Net............................................2-41Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-31
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-31
Heater, Engine............................................2-18
Cooling System..............................................5-26
Cruise Control................................................3-10
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-34
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-7
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY)
Users....................................................... 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program............... 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the United
States Government...................................7-10
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-11
D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-14
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator Light.............3-36
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Delayed Locking............................................... 2-7
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
3

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

Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-79
Flat Tire........................................................5-63
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-64
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-72
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-21
Windshield Washer......................................5-31
Fog Lamps....................................................3-15
Folding Rear Seat............................................ 1-9
Folding Seatback, Passenger............................. 1-7
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-38
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-38
Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse Block...................5-86
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-84
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-85
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-84G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-31
Fuel..........................................................3-38
Speedometer..............................................3-25
Tachometer.................................................3-25
Garment Hooks..............................................2-34
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-5
Gate Ajar Light...............................................3-37
Glove Box.....................................................2-34
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-5
Head Restraints............................................... 1-6
Headlamps....................................................3-13
Automatic Headlamp System.........................3-14
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-43
Daytime Running Lamps...............................3-14
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-43
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps..................................5-43
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
On Reminder..............................................3-13
5

Heated Seats................................................... 1-4
Heater...........................................................3-19
Height Adjuster, Driver Seat............................... 1-2
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-36
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-22
Hood
Release.....................................................5-10
Horn............................................................... 3-6
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-16
I
Ignition Positions.............................................2-16
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-32
Ination -- Tire Pressure..................................5-55
Instrument Panel
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Instrument Panel (I/P)
Brightness..................................................3-15
Cluster.......................................................3-24
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-36
K
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-3
Keys............................................................... 2-2
L
Labelling, Tire Sidewall....................................5-50
Lamps
Battery Run-Down Protection.........................3-17
Cargo........................................................3-17
Dome........................................................3-16
Fog ...........................................................3-15
Map ..........................................................3-17
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-43
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-45
Liftgate..........................................................2-10
Light
Airbag Readiness........................................3-26
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-29
Battery Warning..........................................3-27
Brake System Warning.................................3-28
Change Engine Oil......................................3-35
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator..................3-36
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning.............3-31
Gate Ajar...................................................3-37
Highbeam On.............................................3-36
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-38
6

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