maintenance 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

Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Airbags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the airbag system in several
places around your vehicle. You do not want the
system to inate while someone is working on your
vehicle. Your dealer and the service manual have
information about servicing your vehicle and the
airbag system. To purchase a service manual,
seeService Publications Ordering Information on
page 475.
{CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds, after the ignition is
turned off and the battery is disconnected,
an airbag can still inate during improper
service. You can be injured if you are
close to an airbag when it inates. Avoid
yellow connectors. They are probably part
of the airbag system. Be sure to follow
proper service procedures, and make sure
the person performing work for you is
qualied to do so.
The airbag system does not need regular
maintenance.
88

Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder
light and all your belts, buckles, latch plates,
retractors and anchorages are working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged safety
belt system parts. If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have
it repaired. SeeCare of Safety Belts on page 421
for more information.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in
a crash. They can rip apart under impact forces.
If a belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.Also look for any opened or broken airbag covers,
and have them repaired or replaced. The airbag
system does not need regular maintenance.
Notice:If you damage the covering for the
driver’s or the right front passenger’s airbag, or
the side impact airbag covering (if equipped) on
the ceiling near the side windows, the airbag
may not work properly. You may have to replace
the airbag module in the steering wheel, both
the airbag module and the instrument panel for
the right front passenger’s airbag, or side
impact airbag module and ceiling covering for
roof-mounted side impact airbags (if equipped.)
Do not open or break the airbag coverings.
90

ACC or LOCK. If turned on again, the defogger
will only run for about ve minutes before turning
off. The defogger can also be turned off by pressing
the button again or by turning off the engine.
Notice:Do not use anything sharp on the
inside of the rear window. If you do, you could
cut or damage the warming grid, and the repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Do not
attach a temporary vehicle license, tape, a decal
or anything similar to the defogger grid.
Outlet Adjustment
Use the louvers located on the air outlets to
change the direction of the airow.
Operation Tips

Clear away any ice, snow, or leaves from the
air inlets at the base of the vehicle that may
block the ow of air into your vehicle.
Do not use any non-GM approved hood
deectors that could adversely affect the
performance of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear
of objects to help circulate the air inside
of your vehicle more effectively.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
The outside air is routed through a passenger
compartment air lter before entering the vehicle.
This lter removes certain particles from the
air, including pollen and dust particles. Reductions
in airow, which may occur more quickly in
dusty areas, indicate that the lter needs to be
replaced early.
The lter should be replaced as part of routine
scheduled maintenance. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 439for when to replace
the lter.
169

To change the passenger compartment air lter,
use the following steps:
1. Remove the push pins from the rear of the
passenger’s side air inlet panel. It is located
in the rear of the engine compartment on
the passenger side of the vehicle.
2. Open the hood.
3. Remove the push pins from the top and
forward edge of the passenger’s side air
inlet panel.
4. Remove the air inlet panel.5. Remove the lter from the lter housing by
pressing the release tab at the inboard edge
of the lter housing.
6. Remove the lter from the vehicle.
7. Install a new passenger compartment air lter.
For the type of lter to use seeNormal
Maintenance Replacement Parts on page 449.
8. Reverse Steps 1 through 5.
170

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

Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have
or may begin programs to inspect the emission
control equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass
this inspection could prevent you from getting a
vehicle registration.
Here are some things you need to know to help
your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
check engine light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if
the OBD (on-board diagnostic) system determines
that critical emission control systems have not
been completely diagnosed by the system.
The vehicle would be considered not ready for
inspection. This can happen if you have recently
replaced your battery or if your battery has
run down. The diagnostic system is designed
to evaluate critical emission control systems
during normal driving. This may take several days
of routine driving. If you have done this and
your vehicle still does not pass the inspection
for lack of OBD system readiness, your dealer
can prepare the vehicle for inspection.
Oil Pressure Light
If you have a low engine
oil pressure problem,
this light will stay on after
you start your engine,
or come on when you
are driving.
This indicates that your engine is not receiving
enough oil.
The engine could be low on oil, or could have
some other oil problem. Have it xed immediately.
The oil light could also come on in three other
situations:
When the ignition is on but the engine is not
running, the light will come on as a test to
show you it is working, but the light will go
out when you turn the ignition to START.
If it does not come on with the ignition on,
you may have a problem with the fuse or bulb.
Have it xed right away.
186

If the vehicle is idling at a stop sign, the light
may blink on and then off.
If you make a hard stop, the light may come
on for a moment. This is normal.
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is
low. If you do, your engine can become so
hot that it catches re. You or others could
be burned. Check your oil as soon as
possible and have your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance
may damage the engine. The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Always follow
the maintenance schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil.
Change Engine Oil Light
If this light comes
on and stays on for
30 seconds, it means
that service is required
for your vehicle.
After having the oil changed you will need to
reset the light. SeeEngine Oil on page 344
andScheduled Maintenance on page 439for
more information.
187

This is because different driving conditions produce
different fuel economies. Generally, freeway driving
produces better fuel economy than city driving.
If your vehicle is low on fuel, the FUEL LEVEL
LOW message will be displayed. See “FUEL
LEVEL LOW” underDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 198for more information.
Blank Display
This display shows no information.
Vehicle Information Menu Items
T
(Vehicle Information):Press this button to
scroll through the following displays:
OIL LIFE
Press the vehicle information button until OIL LIFE
REMAINING displays. This display shows an
estimate of the oil’s remaining useful life. If you see
99% OIL LIFE REMAINING on the display, that
means 99% of the current oil life remains. The
engine oil life system will alert you to change your
oil on a schedule consistent with your driving
conditions.When the remaining oil life is low, the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message will appear on the
display. See “CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON” under
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 198. You
should change your oil as soon as possible. See
Engine Oil on page 344. In addition to the engine
oil life system monitoring the oil life, additional
maintenance is recommended in the Maintenance
Schedule in this manual. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 439for more information.
Remember, you must reset the OIL LIFE yourself
after each oil change. It will not reset itself. Also, be
careful not to reset the OIL LIFE accidentally at any
time other than when the oil has just been changed.
It cannot be reset accurately until the next oil
change. To reset the engine oil life system, see
Engine Oil Life System on page 347.UNITS
Press the vehicle information button until UNITS
displays. This display allows you to select between
English or Metric units of measurement. Once in
this display, press the set/reset button to select
between ENGLISH or METRIC units.
195

BUCKLE PASSENGER SEATBELT
This message reminds you to buckle the
passenger’s safety belt. SeePassenger Sensing
System on page 82.
This message displays and a chime sounds when
the ignition is on, the driver’s safety belt is
buckled, the passenger’s safety belt is unbuckled
with the passenger airbag enabled, and the
vehicle is in motion. You should have the
passenger buckle their safety belt.
This reminder will be repeated if the ignition is on,
the vehicle is in motion, the driver is buckled
and the passenger is still unbuckled, and
the passenger airbag is enabled. If the
passenger’s safety belt is already buckled, this
message and chime will not come on.
BUCKLE SEATBELT
This message reminds you to buckle the driver’s
safety belt.
This message displays and a chime sounds
when the ignition is on, the driver’s safety belt
is unbuckled, and the vehicle is in motion.
You should buckle your safety belt.If the driver remains unbuckled when the ignition
is on and the vehicle is in motion, the reminder
will be repeated. If the driver’s safety belt is
already buckled, this message and chime will not
come on.
This message is an additional reminder to the
Safety Belt Reminder Light in the instrument
panel cluster. SeeSafety Belt Reminder Light
on page 173.
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
This message displays when service is required
for the vehicle. See your dealer. SeeEngine
Oil on page 344andScheduled Maintenance
on page 439for more information.
Acknowledging this message will not reset the
OIL LIFE REMAINING display. That must be
done at the OIL LIFE screen under the vehicle
information menu. See “OIL LIFE” underDIC
Operation and Displays on page 193andEngine
Oil Life System on page 347for more information.
199