brakes CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2010 2.G Owner's Guide

9-22 Vehicle Care
Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first 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
specifications inCapacities and
Specifications on page 11‑2.
Brake linings should always be
replaced as complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer 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 the brakes are applied,
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. The vehicle was designed
and tested with top-quality brake
parts. When parts of the braking
system are replaced, be sure to get
new, approved replacement parts.
If this is not done, the brakes might
not work properly. For example,
installing disc brake pads that are
wrong for the vehicle, can change
the balance between the front and
rear brakes —for the worse. The
braking performance expected can
change in many other ways if the
wrong replacement brake parts are
installed.
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir
is filled with DOT 3 brake fluid as
indicated on the reservoir cap. See
Engine Compartment Overview
on
page 9‑6for the location of the
reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir
might go down:
.The brake fluid level goes down
because of normal brake lining
wear. When new linings are
installed, the fluid level goes
back up.

Vehicle Care 9-23
.A fluid leak in the brake
hydraulic system can also cause
a low fluid level. Have the brake
hydraulic system fixed, since a
leak means that sooner or later
the brakes will not work well.
Do not top off the brake fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid
when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove brake fluid,
as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
{WARNING
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake fluid only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic
system. When the brake fluid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. See
Brake System Warning
Light on page 4‑19.
What to Add
Use only new DOT 3 brake fluid
from a sealed container. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 10‑7.
Always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it. This
helps keep dirt from entering the
reservoir.{WARNING
With the wrong kind of fluid in the
brake hydraulic system, the
brakes might not work well. This
could cause a crash. Always use
the proper brake fluid. Notice:
.Using the wrong fluid can
badly damage brake
hydraulic system parts. For
example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as
engine oil, in the brake
hydraulic system can
damage brake hydraulic
system parts so badly that
they will have to be replaced.
Do not let someone put in
the wrong kind of fluid.
.If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces,
the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to
spill brake fluid on the
vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately.

Vehicle Care 9-43
(C) Aspect Ratio:A two‐digit
number that indicates the tire
height‐to‐width measurements.
For example, if the tire size
aspect ratio is 60, as shown in
item C of the illustration, it would
mean that the tire's sidewall is
60 percent as high as it is wide.
(D) Construction Code
:A
letter code is used to indicate
the type of ply construction in
the tire. The letter R means
radial ply construction; the
letter D means diagonal or bias
ply construction; and the letter B
means belted‐bias ply
construction.
(E) Rim Diameter
:Diameter of
the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description
:These
characters represent the load
index and speed rating of the
tire. The load index represents
the load carry capacity a tire is certified to carry. The speed
rating is the maximum speed a
tire is certified to carry a load.
Tire Terminology and
Definitions
Air Pressure:The amount of
air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of
the tire. Air pressure is
expressed in psi (pounds per
square inch) or kPa (kilopascal).
Accessory Weight
:This
means the combined weight of
optional accessories. Some
examples of optional
accessories are, automatic
transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows,
power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio
:The relationship
of a tire's height to its width. Belt
:A rubber coated layer of
cords that is located between
the plies and the tread. Cords
may be made from steel or other
reinforcing materials.
Bead
:The tire bead contains
steel wires wrapped by steel
cords that hold the tire onto
the rim.
Bias Ply Tire
:A pneumatic tire
in which the plies are laid at
alternate angles less than
90 degrees to the centerline of
the tread.
Cold Tire Pressure
:The
amount of air pressure in a tire,
measured in psi (pounds per
square inch) or kPa (kilopascal)
before a tire has built up heat
from driving. See Tire Pressure
on page 9‑46.

Vehicle Care 9-55
{WARNING
If you use bias-ply tires on the
vehicle, the wheel rim flanges
could develop cracks after
many miles of driving. A tire
and/or wheel could fail
suddenly, causing a crash.
Use only radial-ply tires with
the wheels on the vehicle.
If you must replace your
vehicle's tires with those that do
not have a TPC Spec number,
make sure they are the same
size, load range, speed rating,
and construction type (radial and
bias‐belted tires) as your
vehicle's original tires.
Vehicles that have a tire
pressure monitoring system
could give an inaccurate
low‐pressure warning if
non‐TPC Spec rated tires are
installed on your vehicle. Non‐TPC Spec rated tires may
give a low‐pressure warning that
is higher or lower than the
proper warning level you would
get with TPC Spec rated tires.
See
Tire Pressure Monitor
System
on page 9‑47.
Your vehicle's original
equipment tires are listed on the
Tire and Loading Information
Label. See Vehicle Load Limits
on page 8‑24, for more
information about the Tire and
Loading Information Label and
its location on your vehicle.
Different Size Tires and
Wheels
If you add wheels or tires that are a
different size than your original
equipment wheels and tires, this
could affect the way your vehicle
performs, including its braking, ride
and handling characteristics,
stability, and resistance to rollover. Additionally, if your vehicle has
electronic systems such as anti‐lock
brakes, rollover airbags, traction
control, and electronic stability
control, the performance of these
systems can be affected.
{WARNING
If you add different sized wheels,
your vehicle may not provide an
acceptable level of performance
and safety if tires not
recommended for those wheels
are selected. You may increase
the chance that you will crash and
suffer serious injury. Only use GM
specific wheel and tire systems
developed for your vehicle, and
have them properly installed by a
GM certified technician.
See Buying New Tires
on
page 9‑54and Accessories and
Modificationson page 9‑4for
additional information.

9-58 Vehicle Care
which can sometimes be repaired).
See your dealer if any of these
conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of
wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the
same load-carrying capacity,
diameter, width, offset, and be
mounted the same way as the one it
replaces.
If you need to replace any of the
wheels, wheel bolts, wheel nuts,
or Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) sensors, replace them only
with new GM original equipment
parts. This way, you will be sure to
have the right wheel, wheel bolts,
wheel nuts, and TPMS sensors for
the vehicle.
{WARNING
Using the wrong replacement
wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel
nuts on your vehicle can be(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
dangerous. It could affect the
braking and handling of your
vehicle, make your tires lose air
and make you lose control. You
could have a collision in which
you or others could be injured.
Always use the correct wheel,
wheel bolts, and wheel nuts for
replacement.
Notice: The wrong wheel can
also cause problems with bearing
life, brake cooling, speedometer
or odometer calibration,
headlamp aim, bumper height,
vehicle ground clearance, and tire
or tire chain clearance to the
body and chassis.
See If a Tire Goes Flat
on
page 9‑59for more information.
Used Replacement Wheels
{WARNING
Putting a used wheel on the
vehicle is dangerous. You cannot
know how it has been used or
how far it has been driven.
It could fail suddenly and cause a
crash. If you have to replace a
wheel, use a new GM original
equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
{WARNING
Do not use tire chains. There is
not enough clearance. Tire chains
used on a vehicle without the
proper amount of clearance can
cause damage to the brakes,
suspension or other vehicle parts.
The area damaged by the tire
(Continued)

12-12 Customer Information
Genuine GM parts or recycled
original GM parts. Remember,
recycled parts will not be covered by
your GM vehicle warranty.
Insurance pays the bill for the repair,
but you must live with the repair.
Depending on your policy limits,
your insurance company may
initially value the repair using
aftermarket parts. Discuss this with
your repair professional, and insist
on Genuine GM parts. Remember if
your vehicle is leased you may be
obligated to have the vehicle
repaired with Genuine GM parts,
even if your insurance coverage
does not pay the full cost.
If another party's insurance
company is paying for the repairs,
you are not obligated to accept a
repair valuation based on that
insurance company's collision policy
repair limits, as you have no
contractual limits with that company.
In such cases, you can have control
of the repair and parts choices as
long as cost stays within reasonable
limits.Service Publications
Ordering Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis
and repair information on engines,
transmission, axle, suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering,
body, etc.
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give additional
technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service
General Motors cars and trucks.
Each bulletin contains instructions
to assist in the diagnosis and
service of your vehicle.
Owner Information
Owner publications are written
specifically for owners and intended
to provide basic operational
information about the vehicle.
The owner manual includes the
Maintenance Schedule for all
models.In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio,
Owner Manual, and Warranty
Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$35.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Without Portfolio: Owner
Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$25.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Current and Past Model Order
Forms
Technical Service Bulletins and
Manuals are available for current
and past model GM vehicles. To
request an order form, specify year
and model name of the vehicle.
ORDER TOLL FREE:
1-800-551-4123 Monday-Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit
Helm, Inc. on the World Wide Web
at: helminc.com

i-2 INDEX
B
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-69
Voltage and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-28
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . . 9-26
Bluetooth . . . . 6-42, 6-43, 6-46, 6-58
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21 Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-38
Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-40
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-40
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-28
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . 8-28
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-34 Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3, 9-31
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Headlamps, Front TurnSignal, Sidemarker, and
Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30 Bulb Replacement (cont.)
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, Stoplamps,
and Backup Lamps . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
California Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . 8-54
Perchlorate Materials
Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Camera, Rear Vision . . . . . . . . . . 8-49
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . iv
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-2
Carbon Monoxide Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-34
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-21 Cargo
Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Cautions, Danger, and Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
CD DVD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-21
CD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-19
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . 3-1
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-58
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . 4-16
Check
Engine Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16
Ignition Transmission Lock . . . 9-25
Child Restraints Infants and YoungChildren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-39
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . 2-45
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-37
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-51, 2-54
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-41
Where to Put the Restraint . . . 2-43

i-4 INDEX
DVDRear Seat Entertainment
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-33
DVD/CD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-21
E
ECO Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-37
Economy Mode Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-37
Electrical Equipment, Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-64
Electrical System Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-34
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-34
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-37
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-13
Check and Service EngineSoon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . 9-6
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-15 Engine (cont.)
Coolant Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-31
Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-14
Cooling System Messages . . . 4-29
Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-9
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-34
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-18
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-30
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-22
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 8-34
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-30
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-11
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-30
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-63
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . 12-15
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . 2-21
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 5-1
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 9-13
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 5-2
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-59
Flat Tire, Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-61
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 9-12
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Fog Lamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . 5-3, 9-31
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-23
Front Seats
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-53 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-55
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
Economy Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-22
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-57
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-56
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . 8-54