traction control CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2008 1.G Owners Manual

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-8
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Windshield Washer.......................................3-10
Rear Window Wiper/Washer...........................3-10
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Headlamps..................................................3-13
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-13
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-14
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-14
Fog Lamps..................................................3-15
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-15
Dome Lamp.................................................3-16
Entry Lighting...............................................3-16
Map Lamps.................................................3-16
Cargo Lamp.................................................3-16
Electric Power Management...........................3-17
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-17
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-18Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-18
Climate Controls............................................3-19
Climate Control System.................................3-19
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-22
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-22
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-24
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-25
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-26
Trip Odometer..............................................3-26
Tachometer.................................................3-26
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-27
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-27
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-28
Charging System Light..................................3-30
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-31
Antilock Brake System Warning Light...............3-32
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light . . .3-32
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light......3-33
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-33
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-34
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-34
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-37
Change Engine Oil Light................................3-38
Security Light...............................................3-38
Fog Lamp Light............................................3-38
Cruise Control Light......................................3-38
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-22.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
C. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-25.
D. Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever. SeeWindshield
Wipers on page 3-9.
E. Driver Information Center Controls. SeeDIC
Operation and Displays on page 3-43.
F. Hazard Warning Flashers. SeeHazard Warning
Flashers on page 3-6.
G. Passenger Airbag Status Indicator. SeePassenger
Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-28.
H. Rear Window Wiper/Washer Buttons. SeeRear
Window Wiper/Washer on page 3-10. Fog Lamps
Button. SeeFog Lamps on page 3-15.
I. Power Mirror Control. SeeOutside Power Mirrors
on page 2-38.
J. Instrument Panel Brightness Control. See
Instrument Panel Brightness on page 3-15.K. Cruise Controls. SeeCruise Control on page 3-10.
L. Tilt Wheel. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-6.
M. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
N. Audio Steering Wheel Controls. SeeAudio
Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-108.
O. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-64.
P. Shift Lever. SeeShifting Into PARK (P)
on page 2-32.
Q. Traction Control System (TCS) Button. See
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6.
R. Power Window Switches. SeePower Windows
on page 2-16.
S. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System on page 3-19. Heated Seat Buttons
(If Equipped). SeeHeated Seats on page 1-4.
T. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-42.
3-5

{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use your cruise control on winding roads
or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when you
are not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even lose control.
Keep the cruise control switch off until you
want to use cruise control.The cruise control
buttons are located on
the steering wheel.
J(On/Off):Press this button to turn the cruise control
system on and off. The indicator light is on when cruise
control is on and turns off when cruise control is off.
+RES (Resume):Press this button to resume a set
speed and to accelerate the speed.
SET−(Set):Press this button to set a speed and to
decrease the speed.
[(Cancel):Press this button to cancel cruise control
without erasing the set speed from memory.
3-11

Setting Cruise Control
The cruise control light on the instrument panel cluster
comes on after the cruise control has been set to
the desired speed.
1. Press the on/off button to turn cruise control on.
2. Get up to the desired speed.
3. Press the SET−button and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
When the brakes are applied, the cruise control shuts off.
If the vehicle is in cruise control and the Traction
Control System (TCS) begins to limit wheel spin, the
cruise control automatically disengages. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-6. When road
conditions allow, the cruise control can be used again.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is at the set speed desired and the
brakes are applied, the cruise control shuts off. The
cruise symbol in the instrument panel cluster also goes
off indicating cruise is no longer engaged. To return
to your previously set speed, you do not need to
go through the set process again.
Once you are driving about 25 mph (40 km/h) or
more, press the +RES button on your steering wheel.
The vehicle goes back to the previous set speed
and stays there.
Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed.
Press and hold the +RES button on the steering
wheel until the desired speed is reached,
then release it.
To increase vehicle speed in small amounts,
press the +RES button. Each time this is done,
the vehicle goes about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
To reduce your speed while using cruise control:
Press and hold the SET– button on the steering
wheel until the desired lower speed is reached,
then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, push
the SET−button on the steering wheel briey.
Each time this is done, the vehicle goes about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase the vehicle’s
speed. When you take your foot off the pedal, the
vehicle slows down to the cruise control speed
that was set earlier.
3-12

Antilock Brake System
Warning Light
For vehicles with
the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), this
light will come on
briey when you
start the engine.
That is normal. If the light does not come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready to warn you if there
is a problem.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off, if the light
comes on when you are driving, stop as soon as it is
safely possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the
engine again to reset the system. If the ABS light still
stays on, or comes on again while you are driving,
your vehicle needs service. If the regular brake system
warning light is not on, you still have brakes, but you do
not have antilock brakes. If the regular brake system
warning light is also on, you do not have antilock
brakes and there is a problem with your regular brakes.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-31
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC),
seeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-49for
all brake related DIC messages.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
Your vehicle has a
Traction Control
System (TCS)
and StabiliTrak
®
warning light.
When the traction control is activated the light will
ash when the TCS is limiting wheel spin or when the
StabiliTrak
®system is active. You may feel or hear
the system working, but this is normal. This light may
also come on after extended heavy braking indicating
the brakes have become too hot to limit wheel spin.
This light will come on and stay on if the TCS is turned
off using the traction control on/off button, located
next to the gear shift lever.
If the TCS warning light comes on and stays on for
an extended period of time when the system is turned
on, your vehicle needs service. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-6andStabiliTrak
®System
on page 4-7for more information.
3-32

SERVICE STABILITRAK
This message displays if there has been a problem
detected with the StabiliTrak®System. A warning light
also appears on the instrument panel cluster. See
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light on
page 3-32. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-7for
more information.
If this message turns on while you are driving, pull
off the road as soon as possible and stop carefully.
Try resetting the system by turning the ignition off and
then back on. If this message still stays on or turns
back on again while you are driving, your vehicle needs
service. Have the StabiliTrak
®System inspected by
your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
SERVICE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM
This message displays when there is a problem with
the theft-deterrent system. A fault has been detected in
the system which means that the system is disabled
and it is not protecting the vehicle. The vehicle usually
restarts; however, you may want to take the vehicle
to your dealer/retailer before turning off the engine.
SeePASS-Key
®III+ Operation on page 2-18for
more information.
SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM
This message displays if a part on the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS) is not working properly. The tire
pressure light also ashes and then remains on during
the same ignition cycle. SeeTire Pressure Light on
page 3-34. Several conditions may cause this message
to appear. SeeTire Pressure Monitor Operation on
page 5-63for more information. If the warning comes on
and stays on, there may be a problem with the TPMS.
See your dealer/retailer.
SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL
This message displays when the Traction Control
System (TCS) is not functioning properly. A warning
light also appears on the instrument panel cluster.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light
on page 3-32andTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 4-6for more information. Have the TCS
serviced by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON
This message displays when a non-emissions
related malfunction occurs. Have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
3-55

STABILITRAK NOT READY
This message may display and a warning light on the
instrument panel cluster may be on after rst driving the
vehicle and exceeding 30 mph (48 km/h) for 30 seconds.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light on
page 3-32. The StabiliTrak
®System is not functional
until the light has turned off. SeeStabiliTrak®System
on page 4-7for more information.
STABILITRAK OFF
This message displays any time the StabiliTrak®System
turns off. When this message has been displayed,
StabiliTrak
®is no longer available to assist you with
directional control of the vehicle. Adjust your driving
accordingly. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-7.
This message displays only while the ignition is in
ON/RUN.
Any of the following conditions may cause the
StabiliTrak
®System to turn off:
The StabiliTrak®System is turned off by
pressing and holding the traction control button.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-7for more
information.
The battery is low.
There is a StabiliTrak®System failure.
See your dealer/retailer for service.
STARTING DISABLD (Disabled)
SERVICE THRTTLE (Throttle)
This message displays if the starting of the engine is
disabled due to the electronic throttle control system.
Have your vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer
immediately.
This message only appears while the ignition is in
ON/RUN, and will not disappear until the problem
is resolved.
This message cannot be acknowledged.
THEFT ATTEMPTED
This message displays if the content theft-deterrent
system has detected a break-in attempt while you were
away from your vehicle. SeeContent Theft-Deterrent
on page 2-17for more information.
3-56

TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
This message displays when the Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS) is re-learning the tire positions on your
vehicle. The tire positions must be re-learned after
rotating the tires or after replacing a tire or sensor. See
Tire Inspection and Rotation on page 5-67,Tire Pressure
Monitor System on page 5-62, andInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 5-59for more information.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
This message displays when the Traction Control
System (TCS) turns off. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 4-6for more information.
This message only displays while the ignition is in
ON/RUN and disappears after 10 seconds, unless
it is acknowledged or an urgent warning appears.
Any of the following conditions may cause the TCS
to turn off:
The TCS is turned off by pressing the traction
control button. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 4-6for more information.
The battery is low.
There is a TCS failure.
See your dealer/retailer for service.
TRACTION CONTROL ON
This message displays when the Traction Control
System (TCS) turns on. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 4-6for more information.
TURN SIGNAL ON
This message displays as a reminder to turn off the
turn signal if you drive your vehicle for more than
about 0.75 mile (1.2 km) with a turn signal on.
SeeTurn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
This message displays and a chime sounds only
when the ignition is in ON/RUN. The message will not
disappear until the turn signal is manually turned off,
or a turn is completed.
3-57

Stopping and Resuming Playback
To stop playing a DVD without turning off the system,
press the
cbutton on the remote control, or press the
pushbutton located under the stop or the play/pause
symbol tags displayed on the radio. If the radio head is
sourced to something other than DVD-V, press the
DVD/CD AUX button to make DVD-V the active source.
To resume DVD playback, press the play/pause button
on the remote control, or press the pushbutton located
under the play/pause symbol tag displayed on the radio.
The DVD should resume play from where it last stopped if
the disc has not been ejected and the stop button has not
been pressed twice on the remote control. If the disc has
been ejected or the stop button has been pressed twice
on the remote control, the disc resumes playing at the
beginning of the disc.
Ejecting a Disc
Press theZbutton on the radio to eject the disc. If a
disc is ejected from the radio, but not removed, the radio
reloads the disc after a short period of time. The disc is
stored in the radio. The radio does not resume play of the
disc automatically. If the RSA system is sourced to the
DVD, the movie when reloaded into the DVD player
begins to play again. In case loading and reading of a
DVD or CD cannot be completed (unknown format, etc.),
and the disc fails to eject, press and hold the
ZDVD
button more than 5 seconds to force the disc to eject.
DVD Radio Error Messages
Player Error:This message displays when there are
disc load or eject problems.
Disc Format Error:This message displays, if the disc
is inserted with the disc label wrong side up, or if
the disc is damaged.
Disc Region Error:This message displays, if the disc
is not from a correct region.
No Disc Inserted:This message displays, if no disc
is present when the
Zor DVD/CD AUX button
is pressed on the radio.
Using the Auxiliary Input Jack
The radio system has an auxiliary input jack located
on the lower right side of the faceplate. This is not an
audio output; do not plug the headphone set into
the front auxiliary input jack. An external audio device
such as an iPod, laptop computer, MP3 player, CD
changer, etc. can be connected to the auxiliary input
jack for use as another source for audio listening.
Drivers are encouraged to set up any auxiliary device
while the vehicle is in PARK (P). SeeDefensive Driving
on page 4-2for more information on driver distraction.
3-85

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunk Driving.................................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-3
Braking.........................................................4-4
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................4-5
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-6
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-6
StabiliTrak
®System........................................4-7
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System.........................4-8
Steering........................................................4-9
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-12
Passing.......................................................4-12
Loss of Control.............................................4-13Driving at Night............................................4-14
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-14
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-16
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-16
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-16
Winter Driving..............................................4-17
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow...................................................4-21
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-22
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-22
Towing..........................................................4-28
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-28
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-28
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-33
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1