tires CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2007 1.G Owners Manual

Tires
..................................................... 382
Appearance Care
.................................. 417
Vehicle Identication
............................. 427
Electrical System
.................................. 428
Capacities and Specications
................ 434
Maintenance Schedule
.............................. 435
Maintenance Schedule
.......................... 436Customer Assistance Information
............. 455
Customer Assistance and Information
... 456
Reporting Safety Defects
...................... 474
Index
.......................................................... 477
2

Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while the engine is running at
high speed may damage the transaxle.
The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Be sure the engine is not running
at high speeds when shifting your vehicle.
Notice:Shifting to a drive gear from
NEUTRAL (N) while the vehicle is moving
could damage the transaxle. Make sure
the vehicle is stopped before shifting from
NEUTRAL (N) into a drive gear.
DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving with
the automatic transaxle. It provides the best fuel
economy for your vehicle. If you need more power
for passing, and you are:
Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push
your accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h), push
your accelerator all the way down.
Downshifting the transaxle in slippery road
conditions could result in skidding, see “Skidding”
underLoss of Control on page 299.INTERMEDIATE (I):This position is also used
for normal driving. However, it reduces vehicle
speed without using your brakes for slight
downgrades where the vehicle would otherwise
accelerate due to steepness of grade. If constant
upshifting or downshifting occurs while driving
up steep hills, this position can be used to prevent
repetitive types of shifts. You might choose
INTERMEDIATE (I) instead of DRIVE (D) when
driving on hilly, winding roads and when towing
a trailer, so that there is less shifting between
gears.
LOW (L):This position reduces vehicle speed
more than INTERMEDIATE (I) without actually
using your brakes. You can use it on very steep
hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever
is put in LOW (L), the transaxle will not shift into
LOW (L) until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill using only the
accelerator pedal may damage the transaxle.
If you are stuck, do not spin the tires. When
stopping on a hill, use the brakes to hold
the vehicle in place.
121

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage measures
the temperature of
the vehicle’s engine.
If the indicator needle moves into the shaded
area, the engine is too hot. A temperature indicator
light will turn on.
If you have been operating your vehicle under
normal driving conditions, and the temperature
indicator light comes on, you should pull off
the road, stop your vehicle and turn off the
engine as soon as possible.
Tire Pressure Light
This light will come on
briey when you turn
the ignition to RUN.
This light will also come on when one or more of
your tires are signicantly underinated.
A CHECK TIRE PRESSURE DIC message will
accompany the light.
Stop and check your tires as soon as it is safe to do
so. If underinated, inate to the proper pressure.
SeeTires on page 382for more information.
This light will ash for 60 seconds and then turn
on solid if a problem is detected with the Tire
Pressure Monitor system.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 391
for more information.
182

Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle has
a computer which
monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition,
and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended
to assure that emissions are at acceptable
levels for the life of the vehicle, helping to produce
a cleaner environment. The check engine light
comes on to indicate that there is a problem and
service is required. Malfunctions often will be
indicated by the system before any problem is
apparent. This may prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle. This system is also designed
to assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with
this light on, after awhile, your emission
controls may not work as well, your fuel
economy may not be as good, and your engine
may not run as smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs that may not be covered by
your warranty.
Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transaxle, exhaust, intake, or fuel system
of your vehicle or the replacement of the
original tires with other than those of the same
Tire Performance Criteria (TPC) can affect
your vehicle’s emission controls and may
cause this light to come on. Modications to
these systems could lead to costly repairs not
covered by your warranty. This may also
result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 333.
183

FRONT TIRES or REAR TIRES
The pressure for each tire can be viewed in the
DIC. The tire pressure will be shown in either
pounds per square inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa).
Press the vehicle information button until the
DIC shows FRONT TIRES PSI (kPa) LF ## (###)
RF ## (###). Press the vehicle information
button again until the DIC displays REAR TIRES
PSI (kPa) LR ## (###) RR ## (###).
If a low or high tire pressure condition is detected
by the system while driving, a message advising
you to check the pressure in a specic tire
will appear in the display. SeeInation - Tire
Pressure on page 390andDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 198for more information.
If the tire pressure display shows dashes
instead of a value, there may be a problem with
your vehicle. If this consistently occurs, see
your dealer for service.
BATTERY
Press the vehicle information button until
BATTERY displays. This display shows the
current battery voltage. If the voltage is low, the
display will show LOW. If the voltage is high,
the display will show HIGH. Your vehicle’s
charging system regulates voltage based on the
state of the battery. The battery voltage may
uctuate when viewing this information on the DIC.
This is normal. SeeBattery Warning Light on
page 178for more information.
If there is a problem with the battery charging
system, the DIC will display SERVICE BATTERY
CHARGING SYSTEM. See “SERVICE BATTERY
CHARGING SYSTEM” underDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 198for more information.
196

TIRE LOCATIONS
After rotating the tires or after replacing a tire or
sensor, the system must re-learn the tire positions.
To re-learn the tire positions, seeTire Pressure
Monitor System on page 391. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 396andDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 198for more information.
RELEARN REMOTE KEY
This display allows you to match the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter to your vehicle.
To match a RKE transmitter to your vehicle,
do the following:
1. Make sure the vehicle is in PARK (P).
2. Press the vehicle information button until
PRESS
VTO RELEARN REMOTE KEY
displays.
3. Press the set/reset button.
The message REMOTE KEY LEARNING
ACTIVE will display.4. Press and hold the lock and unlock buttons
on the rst transmitter at the same time for
about 15 seconds.
A chime will sound indicating that the
transmitter is matched.
5. To match additional transmitters at this time,
repeat Step 3.
Each vehicle can have a maximum of
four transmitters matched to it.
6. To exit the programming mode, you must
cycle the key to LOCK.
Blank Display
This display shows no information.
PERSONALIZATION
This display allows you to personalize the feature
settings on your vehicle. SeeDIC Vehicle
Personalization on page 207for more information.
197

CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
This message displays when the tire pressure
in one of the tires needs to be checked. This
message also displays LEFT FRONT, RIGHT
FRONT, LEFT REAR, or RIGHT REAR to indicate
which tire needs to be checked. You can receive
more than one tire pressure message at a time.
To read the other messages that may have
been sent at the same time, press the set/reset
button. If a tire pressure message appears on
the DIC, stop as soon as you can. Have the tire
pressures checked and set to those shown on
the Tire Loading Information label. SeeTires on
page 382,Loading Your Vehicle on page 315, and
Ination - Tire Pressure on page 390. The DIC
display also shows the tire pressure values for
the front and rear tires by pressing the vehicle
information button. SeeDIC Operation and
Displays on page 193. If the tire pressure is low,
the low tire pressure warning light comes on.
SeeTire Pressure Light on page 182.
DRIVER DOOR OPEN
This message displays when the driver’s door is
not closed properly. When this message appears,
make sure that the driver’s door is closed
completely.
ENGINE HOT A/C
(Air Conditioning) OFF
This message displays when the engine coolant
becomes hotter than the normal operating
temperature. To avoid added strain on a hot
engine, the air conditioning compressor is
automatically turned off. When the coolant
temperature returns to normal, the A/C operation
automatically resumes. You can continue to
drive your vehicle.
200

Any of the following conditions may cause the
StabiliTrak®System to turn off:
The StabiliTrak®System is turned off by
pressing and holding the traction control
button. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 292
for more information.
The battery is low.
There is a StabiliTrak®System failure.
See your dealer for service.
STARTING DISABLD (Disabled)
SERVICE THRTTLE (Throttle)
This message displays if the starting of the engine
is disabled due to the electronic throttle control
system. Have your vehicle serviced by your dealer
immediately.
This message only appears while the ignition is
in RUN, and will not disappear until the problem
is resolved.
This message cannot be acknowledged.
THEFT ATTEMPTED
This message displays if the content theft-deterrent
system has detected a break-in attempt while
you were away from your vehicle. SeeContent
Theft-Deterrent on page 111for more information.
TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
This message displays when the Tire Pressure
Monitor (TPM) system is re-learning the tire
positions. SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on
page 391. The tire positions must be re-learned
after rotating the tires or after replacing a tire
or sensor. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 396andInation - Tire Pressure on page 390
for more information.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
This message displays when the Traction Control
System (TCS) turns off. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 291for more information.
This message only displays while the ignition
is in RUN and disappears after 10 seconds, unless
it is acknowledged or an urgent warning appears.
206

Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go
where you want it to go. They are the brakes, the
steering, and the accelerator. All three systems
have to do their work at the places where the tires
meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or
ice, it is easy to ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can provide. That means
you can lose control of your vehicle. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 291.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 333.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 178.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to
bring up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might
be less with one driver and as long as two or
three seconds or more with another. Age, physical
condition, alertness, coordination, and eyesight
all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs, and
frustration. But even in three-fourths of a second,
a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in
an emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary
greatly with the surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of the road,
whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the
condition of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force applied.
288

Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned
on the news happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is
subject to the same laws of physics when driving on
curves. The traction of the tires against the road
surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change
its path when you turn the front wheels. If there is
no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the
same direction. If you have ever tried to steer a
vehicle on wet ice, you will understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on
the condition of your tires and the road surface,
the angle at which the curve is banked, and
your speed. While you are in a curve, speed is
the one factor you can control.
Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems — steering and acceleration — have
to do their work where the tires meet the road.
Adding the sudden acceleration can demand
too much of those places. You can lose control.SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 291
Traction Control System (TCS) andStabiliTrak
®
System on page 292.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease
up on the brake or accelerator pedal, steer
the vehicle the way you want it to go, and
slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you
should adjust your speed. Of course, the posted
speeds are based on good weather and road
conditions. Under less favorable conditions you
will want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach
a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while
your front wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive”
through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady
speed. Wait to accelerate until you are out of
the curve, and then accelerate gently into
the straightaway.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 333.
295