check engine CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2007 1.G Owner's Guide

Checking Coolant
The surge tank is located on the driver’s side
of the engine compartment. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 342for more
information on location.
{CAUTION:
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when
the engine and radiator are hot can allow
steam and scalding liquids to blow out
and burn you badly. Never turn the surge
tank pressure cap — even a little — when
the engine and radiator are hot.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When
your engine is cold, the coolant level should be
at the COLD FILL line. When your engine is warm,
the level should be at the COLD FILL line or a
little higher.
354

{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other
engine parts, can be very hot. Do not
touch them. If you do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak.
If you run the engine, it could lose all
coolant. That could cause an engine re,
and you could be burned. Get any leak
xed before you drive the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on,
check to see if the electric engine cooling fans
are running. If the engine is overheating, both fans
should be running. If they are not, your vehicle
needs service. Turn off the engine.Notice:Engine damage from running your
engine without coolant is not covered by your
warranty. SeeOverheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode on page 357for information on
driving to a safe place in an emergency.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®
may cause premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant could 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.
359

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
Notice:This vehicle has a specic coolant ll
procedure. Failure to follow this procedure
could cause your engine to overheat and
be severely damaged.
If you have not found a problem yet, check to see
if coolant is visible in the surge tank. If coolant
is visible but the coolant level is not at the COLD
FILL line, add a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
®coolant at the coolant
surge tank, but be sure the cooling system,
including the coolant surge tank pressure cap,
is cool before you do it.
{CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot
cooling system can blow out and burn
you badly. They are under pressure, and if
you turn the coolant surge tank pressure
cap — even a little — they can come out at
high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap, is hot. Wait for
the cooling system and coolant surge
tank pressure cap to cool if you ever have
to turn the pressure cap.
360

4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off,
start the engine and let it run until you can
feel the upper radiator hose getting hot.
Watch out for the engine cooling fans.By this time, the coolant level inside the
coolant surge tank may be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper DEX-COOL
®
coolant mixture to the coolant surge tank until
the level reaches the COLD FILL line.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight.
6. After driving the vehicle, check the level in the
surge tank again when the cooling system
has cooled down.
If the coolant is not at the proper level, repeat
Steps 1 through 3 and reinstall the pressure cap.
If the coolant is not at the proper level when
the system cools down again, see your dealer.
363

{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 (−)
or you 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.
371

Engine Identication
The eighth character in the VIN is the engine
code. This code will help you identify your vehicle’s
engine, specications, and replacement parts.
Service Parts Identication Label
You will nd this label on the inside of the glove
box. It is very helpful if you ever need to order
parts. On this label, you will nd the following:
VIN
Model designation
Paint information
Production options and special equipment
Do not remove this label from the vehicle.
Electrical System
Add-On Electrical Equipment
Notice:Do not add anything electrical to your
vehicle unless you check with your dealer
rst. Some electrical equipment can damage
your vehicle and the damage would not
be covered by your warranty. Some add-on
electrical equipment can keep other
components from working as they should.
Add-on equipment can drain your vehicle’s battery,
even if your vehicle is not operating.
Your vehicle has an airbag system. Before
attempting to add anything electrical to your
vehicle, seeServicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 88.
428

Capacities and Specications
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 448for more information.
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134aFor the air conditioning system refrigerant
charge amount, see the refrigerant
caution label located under the hood.
See your dealer for more information.
Cooling System 10.5 qt 9.9 L
Engine Oil with Filter 4.0 qt 3.8 L
Fuel Tank
Front-Wheel Drive 20.5 gal 77.6 L
All-Wheel Drive 16.6 gal 62.8 L
Transaxle Fluid 4.1 qt 3.9 L
Wheel Nut Torque 100 lb ft
140Y
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to ll to the approximate level, as recommended in this
manual. Recheck uid level after lling.
Engine Specications
Engine VIN Code Transaxle Spark Plug Gap
3.4L V6 F Automatic 0.060 in (1.52 mm)
434

Maintenance Schedule................................ 436
Introduction............................................... 436
Maintenance Requirements........................ 436
Your Vehicle and the Environment............ 437
Using the Maintenance Schedule............... 437
Scheduled Maintenance............................. 439
Additional Required Services..................... 442
Maintenance Footnotes.............................. 443Owner Checks and Services..................... 444
At Each Fuel Fill....................................... 445
At Least Once a Month............................. 445
At Least Once a Year............................... 446
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants........ 448
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts..... 449
Engine Drive Belt Routing......................... 450
Maintenance Record.................................. 451
Section 6 Maintenance Schedule
435

Maintenance Schedule
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at the proper level
and change as recommended.
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The
Plan supplements your new vehicle warranties.
See your Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet
or your dealer for details.
Maintenance Requirements
Notice:Maintenance intervals, checks,
inspections, replacement parts, and
recommended uids and lubricants as
prescribed in this manual are necessary to
keep your vehicle in good working condition.
Any damage caused by failure to follow
scheduled maintenance may not be covered
by warranty.
436

If you want to purchase service information,
seeService Publications Ordering Information
on page 475.
Owner Checks and Services on page 444tells
you what should be checked, when to check it,
and what you can easily do to help keep your
vehicle in good condition.
The proper replacement parts, uids, and
lubricants to use are listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 448andNormal
Maintenance Replacement Parts on page 449.
When your vehicle is serviced, make sure these
are used. All parts should be replaced and all
necessary repairs done before you or anyone
else drives the vehicle. We recommend the use
of genuine GM parts.Scheduled Maintenance
When the change engine oil light and/or
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message comes
on, it means that service is required for your
vehicle. Have your vehicle serviced 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 engine oil life system may not
indicate that vehicle service is necessary for over
a year. However, the engine oil and lter must
be changed at least once a year and at this time
the system must be reset. Your GM Goodwrench
®
dealer has GM-trained service technicians who
will perform this work using genuine GM parts and
reset the system.
439