torque CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2008 1.G Owners Manual

Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle
with the engine running. Your vehicle could
move suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine running,
be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your parking
brake is rmly set before you leave it. After you have
moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the regular
brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the shift
lever away from PARK (P) without rst pressing the
button on the console shift lever. If you can, it means
that the shift lever was not fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of
the vehicle may put too much force on the parking
pawl in the transmission. You may nd it difficult to
pull the shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called
“torque lock.” To prevent torque lock, set the parking
brake and then shift into PARK (P) properly before
you leave the driver’s seat. To nd out how, see
Shifting Into PARK (P) on page 2-32.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission,
so you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
2-33

The STABILITRAK NOT READY message may be
displayed in the DIC and the traction control system and
StabiliTrak
®warning light on the instrument panel
cluster will be on after rst driving the vehicle and
exceeding 30 mph 48 (km/h) for 30 seconds. The
StabiliTrak
®system is off until the light has turned off.
This could take up to 15 minutes. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-49for more information.
The traction control system and StabiliTrak
®warning
light on the instrument panel cluster will ash when the
system is operating. You may also feel or hear the
system working. This is normal. This light may also
come on after extended heavy braking indicating the
brakes have become too hot to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak
®can be turned off using the traction control
button. To disable StabiliTrak®, press and hold the
traction control button for ve seconds. StabiliTrak®can
be activated again by pressing the traction control
button.
The SERVICE STABILITRAK message will be displayed
and the traction control system and StabiliTrak
®
warning light on the instrument panel cluster will come
on if there is a problem with the system. When this light
and the SERVICE STABILITRAK message are on, the
system is not operational. Adjust your driving accordingly.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System
If your vehicle has all-wheel drive (AWD), the AWD
system operates automatically without any action
required by the driver. If the front drive wheels begin to
slip, the rear wheels will automatically begin to drive
the vehicle as required. Torque is also applied to the
rear wheels during launches. There may be a slight
engagement noise during hard use but this is normal.
This light is located on the
instrument panel cluster.
This light and the SERVICE ALL WHEEL DRIVE
message in the DIC will come on and stay on to indicate
there may be a problem with the drive system and
service is required.
4-8

Electronic Trailer Sway Control
Electronic Trailer Sway Control is integrated into the
StabiliTrak®system of your vehicle. This feature detects
the occurrence of trailer sway that may be caused by
improper trailer weight balance, or excessive vehicle
speed. When the system detects trailer sway, the
StabiliTrak
®system may begin to apply the front brakes,
without you pressing the brake pedal, to help you in
stabilizing the vehicle. The StabiliTrak
®warning light will
ash to indicate that you should reduce vehicle speed.
If the trailer sway continues, StabiliTrak
®will reduce
engine torque as a method to reduce the speed of the
vehicle. Reducing the speed of the vehicle is necessary
to reduce trailer sway. Electronic Trailer Sway Control
is de-activated when StabiliTrak
®is turned off, and is
re-activated when it is turned back on. SeeStabiliTrak®
System on page 4-7.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require heavy
braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You will need more passing distance up ahead when
you are towing a trailer. And, because you are a good
deal longer, you will need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
4-38

Some driving conditions or climates can cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are rst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to torque specications in
Capacities and Specifications on page 5-107.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer/retailer if the brake pedal does not
return to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign that brake service
might be required.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without the
vehicle moving, the brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together if
the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your vehicle
was designed and tested with top-quality brake parts.
When you replace parts of the braking system — forexample, when the brake linings wear down and you
need new ones put in — be sure you get new approved
replacement parts. If you do not, the brakes might not
work properly. For example, if someone puts in brake
linings that are wrong for your vehicle, the balance
between the front and rear brakes can change — for the
worse. The braking performance you have come to
expect can change in many other ways if someone puts
in the wrong replacement brake parts.
Battery
Your vehicle has a maintenance free battery. When it is
time for a new battery, see your dealer/retailer for one
that has the replacement number shown on the original
battery’s label.
For battery replacement, see your dealer/retailer or the
service manual. To purchase a service manual, see
Service Publications Ordering Information on page 7-15.
Warning:Battery posts, terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after
handling.
5-35

Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor System. SeeTire
Pressure Monitor Operation on page 5-63.
Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly
tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and Specifications on page 5-107.
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts
become loose after time. The wheel could
come off and cause an accident. When
you change a wheel, remove any rust or
dirt from places where the wheel attaches
to the vehicle. In an emergency, you can
use a cloth or a paper towel to do this; but
be sure to use a scraper or wire brush later,
if needed, to get all the rust or dirt off. See
Changing a Flat Tire on page 5-76.
When It Is Time for New Tires
Various factors, such as maintenance, temperatures,
driving speeds, vehicle loading, and road conditions,
inuence when you need new tires.
One way to tell when it is
time for new tires is to
check the treadwear
indicators, which appear
when your tires have only
1/16 inch (1.6 mm) or less
of tread remaining. Some
commercial truck tires may
not have treadwear
indicators.
5-68

{CAUTION:
Incorrect or improperly tightened wheel nuts
can cause the wheel to come loose and even
come off. This could lead to a crash. If you
have to replace them, be sure to get new
original equipment wheel nuts. Stop somewhere
as soon as you can and have the nuts tightened
with a torque wrench to the proper torque
specication. SeeCapacities and Specifications
on page 5-107for wheel nut torque
specication.
Notice:Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead
to brake pulsation and rotor damage. To avoid
expensive brake repairs, evenly tighten the wheel
nuts in the proper sequence and to the proper
torque specication. SeeCapacities and
Specifications on page 5-107for the wheel nut
torque specication.16. Tighten the wheel nuts
rmly in a crisscross
sequence, as shown.
17. Lower the jack all the way and remove the jack
from under the vehicle.
18. Tighten the wheel nuts rmly with the wheel
wrench.
When reinstalling the wheel cover or center cap on the
full-size tire, tighten all ve plastic caps hand snug
with the aid of the wheel wrench and tighten them with
the wheel wrench an additional one-quarter of a turn.
Notice:Wheel covers will not t on your vehicle’s
compact spare. If you try to put a wheel cover on
the compact spare, the cover or the spare could be
damaged.
5-85

ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Transmission Fluid
Automatic 5-Speed AF33 Transmission 4.1 qt 3.9 L
Automatic 6-Speed 6T70 Transmission 9.5 qt 9.0 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 Transmission Spark Plug Gap
3.4L V6 F Automatic 0.060 in (1.52 mm)
3.6L V6 7 Automatic 0.040 in (1.01 mm)
5-108