service CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2011 2.G Owners Manual

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
2011 Chevrolet Equinox Owner ManualM
Vehicle Care. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-78
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-82
Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . 10-86
Service and Maintenance . . . 11-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Scheduled Maintenance . . . . . . 11-2
Recommended Fluids,
Lubricants, and Parts . . . . . . . 11-6
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . . 11-9 Technical Data
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Identification . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Customer Information . . . . . . . 13-1
Customer Information . . . . . . . . 13-1
Reporting Safety Defects . . . . 13-14
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-15
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i-1

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
Introduction iii
The names, logos, emblems,
slogans, vehicle model names, and
vehicle body designs appearing in
this manual including, but not limited
to, GM, the GM logo, CHEVROLET,
the CHEVROLET Emblem, and
EQUINOX are trademarks and/or
service marks of General Motors
LLC, its subsidiaries, affiliates,
or licensors.
This manual describes features that
may or may not be on your specific
vehicle either because they are
options that you did not purchase or
due to changes subsequent to the
printing of this owner manual.Please refer to the purchase
documentation relating to your
specific vehicle to confirm each of
the features found on your vehicle.
For vehicles first sold in Canada,
substitute the name
“General
Motors of Canada Limited” for
Chevrolet Motor Division wherever
it appears in this manual.
Keep this manual in the vehicle for
quick reference.Manufactured under license
under U.S. Patent #'s: 5,451,942;
5,956,674; 5,974,380; 5,978,762;
6,487,535 & other U.S. and
worldwide patents issued &
pending. DTS and the Symbol are
registered trademarks and DTS
Digital Surround and the DTS logos
are trademarks of DTS, Inc. Product
includes software. All Rights
Reserved.
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 20781752 A First Printing©2010 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
vi Introduction
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead of
text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or
information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gauge, or indicator.
M:This symbol is shown when
you need to see your owner manual
for additional instructions or
information.
*: This symbol is shown when
you need to see a service manual
for additional instructions or
information. Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the Index.
9:
Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel Controls
or OnStar®
$: Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B: Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.: Fuel Gauge
+:Fuses
3: Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j: LATCH System Child
Restraints
*: Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
d:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid

Black plate (20,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
1-20 In Brief
Setting the Time and Date
1. Press the CONFIG button.
2. Select Time and Date Settings.
3. Select Set Time or Set Date.
4. Turn the MENU/SELECT knob toadjust the highlighted value.
5. Press the MENU/SELECT knob to select the next value.
6. To save the time or date and return to the Time and Date
Settings menu, press the BACK
0button at any time or press
the MENU/SELECT knob after
adjusting the minutes or year.
Setting the 12/24 Hour Format
1. Press the CONFIG button.
2. Select Time and Date Settings.
3. Highlight 12/24 Hour Format.
4. Press the MENU/SELECT button to select the 12 hour or
24 hour display format. Setting the Month & Day Format
1. Press the CONFIG button.
2. Select Time and Date Settings.
3. Highlight Month & Day Format.
4. Press the MENU/SELECT knob
to select MM/DD (month/day) or
DD/MM (day/month).
Setting the Auto Time Adjust
1. Press the CONFIG button.
2. Select Time and Date Settings.
3. Highlight Auto Time Adjust.
4. Press the MENU/SELECT knob to turn Auto Time Adjust on
or off.
Satellite Radio
Vehicles with an XM™ Satellite
Radio tuner and a valid XM Satellite
Radio subscription can receive
XM programming.
XM Satellite Radio Service
XM is a satellite radio service based
in the 48 contiguous United States
and 10 Canadian provinces. XM
Satellite Radio has a wide variety of
programming and commercial-free
music, coast to coast, and in
digital-quality sound. A fee is
required to receive the XM service.
For more information refer to:
.www.xmradio.com or call
1-800-929-2100 (U.S.).
.www.xmradio.ca or call
1-877-438-9677 (Canada).
For more information, see Satellite
Radio on page 7‑14.

Black plate (27,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-27
.Replace the vehicle's tires with
the same TPC Spec number
molded into the tire's sidewall
near the size.
.Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Roadside Assistance
Program
U.S.:1-800-243-8872
TTY Users: 1-888-889-2438
Canada: 1-800-268-6800
As the owner of a new Chevrolet,
you are automatically enrolled in the
Roadside Assistance program. This
program provides technically trained
advisors who are available 24 hours
a day, 365 days a year, to give
minor repair information or make
towing arrangements.
For more information see Roadside
Assistance Program on page 13‑6. Roadside Assistance and OnStar
If you have a current OnStar
subscription, press the
Qbutton
and the current GPS location will be
sent to an OnStar advisor who will
assess your problem, contact
Roadside Assistance, and relay
your exact location to get the help
you need.
Online Owner Center
The Online Owner Center is a
complimentary service that includes
online service reminders, vehicle
maintenance tips, online owner
manual, special privileges,
and more.
Sign up today at:
www.chevyownercenter.com
(U.S.) or www.gm.ca (Canada).
OnStar®
For vehicles with an active OnStar
subscription, OnStar uses several
innovative technologies and live
Advisors to provide a wide range of
safety, security, navigation,
diagnostics, and calling services.
Automatic Crash Response
In a crash, built‐in sensors can
automatically alert an OnStar
Advisor who is immediately
connected to the vehicle to see if
you need help.

Black plate (28,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
1-28 In Brief
How OnStar Service Works
Q:Push this blue button to
connect to a specially trained
OnStar Advisor to verify your
account information and to answer
questions.
]: Push this red emergency
button to get priority help from
specially trained OnStar Emergency
Advisors.
X: Push this button for hands‐free,
voice‐activated calling and to give
voice commands for Hands‐Free
Calling and Turn‐by‐Turn
Navigation.
Automatic Crash Response,
Emergency Services, Crisis Assist,
Stolen Vehicle Assistance, Vehicle
Diagnostics, Remote Door Unlock,
Roadside Assistance, Turn‐by‐Turn
Navigation, and Hands‐Free Calling
are available on most vehicles. Not all OnStar services are
available on all vehicles. For more
information, see the OnStar Owner's
Guide; visit www.onstar.com (U.S.)
or www.onstar.ca (Canada); contact
OnStar at 1-888-4-ONSTAR
(1‐888‐466‐7827) or
TTY 1‐877‐248‐2080; or
push the
Qbutton to speak
with an OnStar Advisor 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week.
For a full description of OnStar
services and system limitations, see
the OnStar Owner's Guide in the
glove box.
OnStar service is subject to the
OnStar Terms and Conditions
included in the OnStar Glove
Box Kit. OnStar service requires wireless
communication networks and the
Global Positioning System (GPS)
satellite network. Not all OnStar
services are available everywhere
or on all vehicles at all times.
OnStar service can’t work unless
your vehicle is in a place where
OnStar has an agreement with a
wireless service provider for service
in that area, and the wireless
service provider has coverage,
network capacity, reception, and
technology compatible with OnStar's
service. Service involving location
information about your vehicle can’t
work unless GPS signals are
available, unobstructed, and
compatible with the OnStar
hardware. The vehicle has to have a
working electrical system and
adequate battery power for the
OnStar equipment to operate.

Black plate (29,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-29
OnStar service may not work if the
OnStar equipment isn’t properly
installed or you haven’t maintained
it and your vehicle is in good
working order and in compliance
with all government regulations.
If you try to add, connect, or modify
any equipment or software in your
vehicle, OnStar service may not
work. Other problems OnStar can’t
control may prevent service to you,
such as hills, tall buildings, tunnels,
weather, electrical system design
and architecture of your vehicle,
damage to important parts of your
vehicle in a crash, or wireless phone
network congestion or jamming.
SeeRadio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑17 for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-210/220/310.OnStar Steering Wheel
Controls
This vehicle may have a Talk/Mute
button that can be used to interact
with OnStar Hands-Free calling.
See Steering Wheel Controls on
page 5‑3 for more information.
On some vehicles, the mute button
can be used to dial numbers into
voice mail systems, or to dial phone
extensions. See the OnStar Owner's
Guide for more information.
Your Responsibility
Increase the volume of the radio if
the OnStar Advisor cannot be
heard.
If the light next to the OnStar
buttons is red, the system may
not be functioning properly. Push
the
Qbutton and request a vehicle
diagnostic. If the light appears clear
(no light appears), your OnStar
subscription has expired and all
services have been deactivated.
Push the
Qbutton to confirm that
the OnStar equipment is active.

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System
SeeRadio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑17 for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-210/220/310.
If there is a decrease in the
RKE operating range:
.Check the distance. The
transmitter may be too far from
the vehicle.
.Check the location. Other
vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal.
.Check the transmitter's battery.
See “Battery Replacement” later
in this section.
.If the transmitter is still not
working correctly, see your
dealer or a qualified technician
for service.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation
The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter will work up to 60 m
(195 ft) away from the vehicle.
There are other conditions which
can affect the performance of the
transmitter. See Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System on page 2‑3.
RKE Without Remote Start Shown
The following may be available:
Q(Lock): Press to lock all doors.
The turn signal indicators may flash
and/or the horn may sound to indicate locking. See
“Remote
Lock Feedback” underVehicle
Personalization on page 5‑32. If a
passenger door is open when
Qis
pressed, all doors lock. If the driver
door is open when
Qis pressed, all
doors lock except the driver door.
These settings can be modified.
See “Unlocked Door Anti Lock Out”
under Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑32.
Pressing
Qmay also arm the
theft-deterrent system. See
Anti-Theft Alarm System on
page 2‑12.
K(Unlock): Press to unlock the
driver door or all doors. See
“Remote Door Unlock” under
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑32. The turn signal
indicators flash to indicate unlocking
has occurred. For more information
see “Remote Unlock Light
Feedback” underVehicle
Personalization on page 5‑32.

Black plate (11,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-11
There is a minimum distance that
the power liftgate must already be
open for the system to hold it open.
If movement is stopped below that
minimum, the liftgate closes.
Do not force the liftgate open or
closed during a power cycle.
The power liftgate may be
temporarily disabled under extreme
temperatures or low battery
conditions. If this occurs, the liftgate
can still be operated manually.
If you shift the transmission out of
P (Park) while the power function is
in progress, the liftgate power
function will continue to completion.
If you shift the transmission out of
P (Park) and accelerate before the
power liftgate latch is closed, the
liftgate may reverse to the open
position. Cargo could fall out of the
vehicle. Always make sure the
power liftgate is closed and latched
before you drive away.If you power open the liftgate and
the liftgate support struts have lost
pressure, the turn signals flash and
a chime sounds. The liftgate stays
open temporarily, then slowly
closes. See your dealer for service
before using the liftgate.
Obstacle Detection Features
If the liftgate encounters an obstacle
during a power open or close cycle,
a warning chime will sound and the
liftgate will automatically reverse
direction to the full closed or open
position. After removing the
obstruction, the power liftgate
operation can be used again.
If the liftgate encounters multiple
obstacles on the same power cycle,
the power function will deactivate.
The MANUALLY CLOSE POWER
LIFTGATE warning message in the
Driver Information Center (DIC) will
display. After removing the
obstructions, the liftgate will resume
normal power operation.Pinch sensors are located on the
side edges of the liftgate. If an
object is caught between the liftgate
and the body and presses against
this sensor, the liftgate will reverse
direction and open fully. The liftgate
will remain open until it is activated
again or closed manually.Power Liftgate 3/4 Mode
To program the liftgate opening
height:
1. Turn the liftgate switch to
either the MAX, or the
3/4 mode position and power
open the liftgate.
2. Stop the liftgate movement at the desired height by pressing
any liftgate switch. Manually
adjust the liftgate position if
required.
3. Press and hold the button on the liftgate adjacent to the latch until
the turn signals flash and a beep
sounds to indicate that the new
setting is recorded.

Black plate (14,1)Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual - 2011
2-14 Keys, Doors and Windows
The security light, located in the
instrument panel cluster, comes on
if there is a problem with arming or
disarming the theft-deterrent
system.
When trying to start the vehicle, the
security light comes on briefly when
the ignition is turned on.
If the engine does not start and the
security light stays on, there is a
problem with the system. Turn the
ignition off and try again.If the engine still does not start, and
the key appears to be undamaged
or the light continues to stay on, try
another ignition key. If the engine
does not start with the other key, the
vehicle needs service. If the vehicle
does start, the first key may be
damaged. See your dealer who can
service the theft-deterrent system
and have a new key made.
Do not leave the key or device that
disarms or deactivates the
theft-deterrent system in the vehicle.
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors
{WARNING
A convex mirror can make things,
like other vehicles, look farther
away than they really are. If you
cut too sharply into the right lane,
you could hit a vehicle on the
right. Check the inside mirror or
glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
The passenger side mirror is convex
shaped. A convex mirror's surface is
curved so more can be seen from
the driver seat.