engine oil CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2008 1.G Owner's Guide

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 dealer/retailer has trained service technicians
who will perform this work using genuine parts and reset
the system.
If the engine oil life system is ever reset accidentally,
you must service your vehicle within 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) since your last service. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever the oil is changed. See
Engine Oil Life System on page 5-18for information on
the Engine Oil Life System and resetting the system.When the change engine oil light and/or CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message appears, certain services,
checks, and inspections are required. Required services
are described in the following for “MaintenanceI” and
“MaintenanceII.” Generally, it is recommended that your
rst service be MaintenanceI, your second service be
MaintenanceII, and that you alternate MaintenanceIand
MaintenanceIIthereafter. However, in some cases,
MaintenanceIImay be required more often.
MaintenanceI— Use MaintenanceIif the
light/message comes on within 10 months since the
vehicle was purchased or MaintenanceIIwas
performed.
MaintenanceII— Use MaintenanceIIif the previous
service performed was MaintenanceI. Always use
MaintenanceIIwhenever the light/message comes on
10 months or more since the last service or if the
light/message has not come on at all for one year.
6-4

Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and lter. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-15. Reset oil life
system. SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 5-18.An Emission Control Service.••
Visually check for any leaks or damage.See footnote (k).••
Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary, replace lter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-19.See footnote (l).•
Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 5-67and “Tire Wear Inspection” inAt Least Once a Month
on page 6-9.••
Inspect brake system.See footnote (a).••
Check engine coolant, power steering uid (3.6L V6 engine only), and windshield
washer uid levels and add uid as needed.••
Perform any needed additional services. See “Additional Required Services” in
this section.••
Inspect suspension and steering components.See footnote (b).•
Inspect engine cooling system.See footnote (c).•
Inspect wiper blades.See footnote (d).•
Inspect restraint system components.See footnote (e).•
Lubricate body components.See footnote (f).•
Replace passenger compartment air lter.See footnote (g).•
3.6L V6 Engine Only: Check automatic transmission uid level and add uid
as needed.•
Inspect throttle system.See footnote (j).•
6-5

(h)Change automatic transmission fluid if the vehicle is
mainly driven under one or more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police, or delivery
service.
(i)Drain, flush, and refill cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer/retailer
perform this service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-22
for what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator,
condenser, pressure cap, and filler neck. Pressure test
the cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)Check system for interference or binding and for
damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as needed.
Replace any components that have high effort or
excessive wear.(k)A fluid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired
and the fluid level checked. Add fluid if needed.
(l)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, inspect
the filter at each engine oil change.
(m)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive cracks, or
obvious damage. Replace belt if necessary.
Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specied to help ensure the safety,
dependability, and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your dealer/retailer can assist you with these
checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
6-8

At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks at
each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Notice:It is important to check the engine oil
regularly and keep it at the proper level. Failure to
keep the engine oil at the proper level can cause
damage to the engine not covered by your warranty.
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-15.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-22.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer uid level in the windshield
washer uid reservoir and add the proper uid if
necessary.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Inspect your vehicle’s tires and make sure they are
inated to the correct pressures. Do not forget to check
the spare tire. SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-59. Check to make sure the spare tire is stored
securely. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-76.
Tire Wear Inspection
Tire rotation may be required for high mileage highway
drivers prior to the Engine Oil Life System service
notication. Check the tires for wear and, if necessary,
rotate the tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-67.
6-9

Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name, part
number, or specication can be obtained from your
dealer/retailer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil which meets
GM Standard GM6094M and
displays the American Petroleum
Institute Certied for Gasoline
Engines starburst symbol. To
determine the proper viscosity for
your vehicle’s engine, seeEngine
Oil on page 5-15.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-22.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco®Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake uid.
Windshield
WasherOptikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Hydraulic
Power Steering
System (3.6L
V6 engine only)GM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021184, in
Canada 89021186).
5-speed
Automatic
Transmission
(3.4L V6
engine only)Use only T-IV Automatic
Transmission Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 88900925, in
Canada 22689186). SeeAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-21.
6-speed
Automatic
Transmission
(3.6L V6
engine only)DEXRON
®-VI Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
6-12

Maintenance Replacement Parts
Replacement parts identied below by name, part number, or specication can be obtained from your dealer/retailer.
Part GM Part Number ACDelco®Part Number
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 22676970 A1627C
Engine Oil Filter
3.4L V6 Engine 25010792 PF47
3.6L V6 Engine 89017524 PF48
Passenger Compartment Air Filter Element 15781507 CF137
Replacement Battery 15104967 75-6YR
Spark Plugs
3.4L V6 Engine 12568387 41-101
3.6L V6 Engine 12597464 41-990
Windshield Wiper Blades
Driver’s Side – 24 inches (60.0 cm) 22703508 —
Passenger’s Side – 19 inches (47.5 cm) 22703507 —
Rear – 15.2 inches (38.6 cm) 19120327 —
6-14

Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-19
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-38
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-34
Coolant......................................................5-22
Coolant Heater............................................2-23
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-33
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-33
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-15
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-35
Oil .............................................................5-15
Oil Life System...........................................5-18
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-26
Overheating................................................5-24
Reduced Power Light...................................3-39
Running While Parked..................................2-36
Starting......................................................2-22
Entry Lighting.................................................3-16
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-17
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-30
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-19
Finish Damage...............................................5-97Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-75
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-76
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-86
Fluid.............................................................5-21
Power Steering...........................................5-31
Windshield Washer......................................5-32
Fog Lamp
Fog ...........................................................3-15
Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-38
Folding Rear Seat...........................................1-10
Folding Seatback, Passenger............................. 1-8
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-7
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling the Tank............................................. 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-41
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-6
Low Warning Light.......................................3-42
Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse Block.................5-103
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-100
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................5-101
Windshield Wiper.......................................5-100
5

Instrument Panel (I/P)
Brightness..................................................3-15
Cluster.......................................................3-25
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-36
K
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-4
Keys............................................................... 2-3
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall.....................................5-53
Lamps
Cargo........................................................3-16
Dome........................................................3-16
Map ..........................................................3-16
Lap-Shoulder Belt...........................................1-25
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-42
License Plate Lamps.......................................5-49
Liftgate
Carbon Monoxide........................................2-13Light
Airbag Readiness........................................3-27
All-Wheel Drive Disabled..............................3-40
Antilock Brake System Warning.....................3-32
Brake System Warning.................................3-31
Change Engine Oil......................................3-38
Charging System.........................................3-30
Cruise Control.............................................3-38
Door Ajar...................................................3-40
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning.............3-33
Fog Lamp..................................................3-38
Gate Ajar...................................................3-40
Highbeam On.............................................3-39
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-42
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-34
Oil Pressure...............................................3-37
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator..................3-28
Reduced Engine Power................................3-39
Safety Belt Reminders..................................3-27
Security.....................................................3-38
Service All-Wheel-Drive................................3-39
Service Vehicle Soon...................................3-41
TCS Warning Light......................................3-32
Tire Pressure..............................................3-34
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning..........3-32
Lighting
Entry.........................................................3-16
7

N
Navigation System, Privacy..............................7-18
Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation
Manual......................................................3-98
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-20
O
Odometer......................................................3-26
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-26
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-12
Oil
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-38
Engine.......................................................5-15
Pressure Light.............................................3-37
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-18
Older Children, Restraints................................1-31
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-4
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-18
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-39
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-22
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-18
Outside
Convex Mirrors............................................2-38
Power Mirrors.............................................2-38Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode.....5-26
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-8
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage...............................................5-97
Park Brake....................................................2-31
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-32
Shifting Out of............................................2-34
Parking
Over Things That Burn.................................2-34
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-28
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-22
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-65
Passing.........................................................4-12
PASS-Key
®III+..............................................2-18
PASS-Key®III+ Operation................................2-18
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California...... 5-4
Power
Door Locks.................................................2-11
Reduced Engine Light..................................3-39
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-21
Seat............................................................ 1-3
Steering Fluid.............................................5-31
Windows....................................................2-16
9