clock CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2008 1.G User Guide

Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective
than braking. For example, you come over a hill and nd
a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls
out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between
parked cars and stops right in front of you. You can
avoid these problems by braking — if you can stop in
time. But sometimes you cannot; there is not room.
That is the time for evasive action — steering around the
problem.
Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies like
these. First apply the brakes. SeeBraking on
page 4-4. It is better to remove as much speed as you
can from a possible collision. Then steer around the
problem, to the left or right depending on the space
available.An emergency like this requires close attention and a
quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at
the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock positions, you can
turn it a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing
either hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly, and
just as quickly straighten the wheel once you have
avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency situations are always
possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving
at all times and wear safety belts properly.
4-11

Filling the Tank
{CAUTION:
Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel re can
cause bad injuries. To help avoid injuries to
you and others, read and follow all the
instructions on the pump island. Turn off your
engine when you are refueling. Do not smoke
if you are near fuel or refueling your vehicle.
Do not use cellular phones. Keep sparks,
ames, and smoking materials away from fuel.
Do not leave the fuel pump unattended when
refueling your vehicle. This is against the law
in some places. Do not re-enter the vehicle
while pumping fuel. Keep children away from
the fuel pump; never let children pump fuel.The tethered fuel cap is located behind a hinged fuel
door on the passenger’s side of the vehicle.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly counterclockwise.
The fuel cap has a spring in it; if the cap is released
too soon, it will spring back to the right.
5-8

{CAUTION:
Fuel can spray out on you if you open the fuel
cap too quickly. If you spill fuel and then
something ignites it, you could be badly
burned. This spray can happen if your tank is
nearly full, and is more likely in hot weather.
Open the fuel cap slowly and wait for any hiss
noise to stop. Then unscrew the cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not top off or overll the
tank and wait a few seconds after you have nished
pumping before removing the nozzle. Clean fuel from
painted surfaces as soon as possible. SeeWashing Your
Vehicle on page 5-94.
When replacing the fuel cap, turn it clockwise until it
clicks. Make sure the cap is fully installed. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has been
left off or improperly installed. This would allow fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 3-34.
{CAUTION:
If a re starts while you are refueling, do not
remove the nozzle. Shut off the ow of fuel by
shutting off the pump or by notifying the
station attendant. Leave the area immediately.
Notice:If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to get
the right type. Your dealer/retailer can get one
for you. If you get the wrong type, it may not t
properly. This may cause your malfunction indicator
lamp to light and may damage your fuel tank and
emissions system. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 3-34.
5-9

{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid such as alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will. The vehicle’s
coolant warning system is set for the proper
coolant mixture. With plain water or the wrong
mixture, the engine could get too hot but you
would not get the overheat warning. The
engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
1. You can remove the
coolant surge tank
pressure cap when the
cooling system,
including the coolant
surge tank pressure
cap and upper radiator
hose, is no longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise
about one-quarter of a turn. If you hear a hiss, wait
for that to stop. This will allow any pressure still left
to be vented out the discharge hose.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap slowly, and
remove it.
5-29

6. Press the clip (A) on
the electrical connector
when replacing the
low-beam or high-beam
bulb, then pull it
straight off.
Turn the bulb retaining ring (B) counterclockwise to
remove it and then pull the bulb assembly
straight out.
For all other bulbs, turn the socket counterclockwise
and pull it out from the headlamp assembly. Pull
the bulb straight out from the socket.7. Push the new bulb into the socket and reinstall the
socket into the headlamp assembly by turning it
clockwise.
For the low-beam or high-beam bulb, install the new
bulb being sure to align the notches in the bulb with
the notches in the headlamp assembly.
8. Place the retaining ring over the bulb/socket and
turn it clockwise to tighten it and secure the
bulb/socket.
9. Connect the electrical connector.
10. Reverse Steps 1 through 5 to reinstall the headlamp
assembly.
5-47

4. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise to disconnect
it from the taillamp assembly.
5. Pull the bulb out of the bulb socket.
6. Push the new bulb into the bulb socket.
7. Insert the bulb socket into the taillamp housing and
turn it clockwise to secure.
8. Reverse Steps 2 and 3 to reinstall the taillamp
assembly.
License Plate Lamp
To replace one of these bulbs:
1. Remove the two screws holding each of the license
plate lamps to the liftgate handle.
2. Turn and pull the license plate lamp down through
the liftgate opening.
3. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and pull the
bulb straight out of the socket.
4. Install the new bulb.
5. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 to reinstall the license
plate lamp.
5-49

Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
Take off the wheel cover or center cap, if the vehicle
has one, to reach the wheel bolts.
1. Do a safety check before proceeding. See
Changing a Flat Tire on page 5-76for more
information.
2. Loosen all ve plastic
caps by turning the
wheel wrench
counterclockwise. Do
not try to remove
plastic caps from the
cover or center cap.
3. Pull the cover or center cap away from the wheel.
Store the wheel cover in the cargo area until you
have the at tire repaired or replaced.
4. Use the wheel wrench to loosen all the wheel nuts.
Do not remove them yet.5. Attach the wheel wrench to the jack bolt head and
turn the wheel wrench clockwise. That will raise the
lift head a little.
6. Place the jack near the at tire.
Notice:Make sure that the jack lift head is in the
correct position or you may damage your vehicle.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
5-79

9. Raise the vehicle by turning the jack handle
clockwise. Raise the vehicle far enough off the
ground so there is enough room for the road tire to
clear the ground.10. Remove all of the
wheel nuts.
11. Remove the at tire.
5-82

{CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts.
Because the nuts might come loose. The
vehicle’s wheel could fall off, causing a crash.
14. Reinstall the wheel nuts. Tighten each nut by hand
until the wheel is held against the hub.
15. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle
counterclockwise.
5-84

Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-37
Infants and Young Children...........................1-34
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-42
Older Children.............................................1-31
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat
Position..................................................1-50
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-52
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-40
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-18
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..............5-96
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-94
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-90
Finish Care.................................................5-95
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-93
Interior.......................................................5-89
Leather......................................................5-92
Tires..........................................................5-97
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-97
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-94
Weatherstrips..............................................5-93
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-95Climate Control System...................................3-19
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-22
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-22
Clock............................................................3-65
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-11
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-88
Compass.......................................................3-46
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-17
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-3
Convenience Net............................................2-49
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-33
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-33
Heater, Engine............................................2-23
Cooling System..............................................5-26
Cruise Control................................................3-10
Cruise Control Light........................................3-38
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-42
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-9
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY)
Users....................................................... 7-5
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-5
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program............... 7-6
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