ignition CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2018 Repair Manual

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
264 Driving and Operating
ProblemRecommended
Action
Immediately
after refueling,
message
displays and
stays on. A large amount
of water is in the
fuel tank. Drain
the fuel filter
immediately.
If the message
stays on or
comes back on
without
refueling, then
fuel tank purging
is required. See
your dealer.
If the message
displays and the
engine stalls or
runs rough, do
not drive until
the water
contaminated
fuel is drained.Caution
Driving with this message on can
damage the fuel injection system
and the engine. If the message
comes on right after a refuel,
water was pumped into the fuel
tank. Turn off the engine and
drain the water immediately.
Removing Water from the Fuel
Filter
To drain water: 1. Turn the engine off and apply the parking brake.
2. Place a container under the filter drain valve, which is on
the bottom of the fuel filter.
FWD Shown, AWD Similar
3. Turn the drain plug counterclockwise using a
suitable tool.
4. With the engine off, press and hold ENGINE START/STOP
without applying the brake for
five seconds to place the
vehicle in Service Mode. See
Ignition Positions 0215. Wait
approximately five seconds,
and then press ENGINE
START/STOP again to turn it
off. This operation will enhance
water flow out of the filter. The

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
Driving and Operating 265
filter is drained as soon as
diesel fuel emerges from
the port.
5. Retighten the drain plug by turning it clockwise.
6. Properly dispose of the water contaminated fuel.
7. Start the engine and let it run for a few minutes. During the
draining process, air may have
entered the fuel system. If the
engine stalls, the fuel system
may need to be primed. See
“Fuel Priming” following.
Fuel Priming
For the fuel system to work properly,
air cannot be in the fuel lines. If air
gets in, the engine may not start
and the fuel lines will need to be
primed before operating the vehicle.
If air is present, the following may
have happened:
. The vehicle ran out of fuel.
. The fuel filter was removed.
. The fuel lines were removed or
disconnected. .
The fuel filter water drain valve
was opened while the engine
was running.
To prime the fuel lines: 1. With the engine off, press and hold ENGINE START/STOP
without applying the brake for
five seconds to place the
vehicle in Service Mode. See
Ignition Positions 0215. Wait
approximately five seconds
and press ENGINE START/
STOP again to turn it off. Do
this step three times or more
while the engine is off.
2. Press and hold ENGINE START/STOP while applying
the brake for a maximum of
40 seconds at a time, with
five seconds between attempts,
until the engine starts. If the
engine tries to run, but does
not run smoothly, increase the
rpm’s slightly by using the
accelerator pedal. This will help
force air through the system.
3. Repeat Step 2 if the engine stalls and will not restart. 4. After a few attempts, if the
engine still does not start, see
your dealer.
Running Out of Fuel
(Diesel)
{Warning
Diesel fuel is flammable. It could
start a fire if something ignites it,
and people could be burned. Do
not let it get on hot engine parts,
and keep matches or other
ignition sources away.
If the engine has stalled due to
running out of fuel, add at least
7.6 L (2 gal) of fuel if parked on a
level surface, or up to 18.9 L (5 gal)
of fuel if parked on a slope, and
perform the procedure under “Fuel
Priming” previously in this section.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
266 Driving and Operating
Fuel Filter Replacement
(Diesel)
{Warning
Diesel fuel is flammable. It could
start a fire if something ignites it,
and people could be burned. Do
not let it get on hot engine parts,
and keep matches or other
ignition sources away.
The fuel filter is on the passenger
side, in front of the rear tire. 1. Drain any water from the filter. See “Removing Water from the
Fuel Filter” inWater in Fuel
(Diesel) 0262.
Keep the engine off until the
procedure is completed.
2. Apply the parking brake.
FWD Shown, AWD Similar
3. Remove the filter element cap by turning it counterclockwise.
4. Remove the filter element and o-rings. If there is any dirt on
the filter sealing surface, clean
it off.
5. Install the new filter element and o-rings.
6. Reinstall and tighten the filter cap to the housing.
7. Use the fuel filter priming procedure to prime the fuel
filter. See “Fuel Priming” in
Water in Fuel (Diesel) 0262. 8. Start the engine and let it idle
for five minutes. Check the fuel
filter and air bleed valve for
leaks.
9. Reset the fuel filter monitor. See Driver Information Center
(DIC) 0139.
Filling the Tank
(Gasoline)
{Warning
Fuel vapors and fuel fires burn
violently and can cause injury or
death.
. To help avoid injuries to you
and others, read and follow
all the instructions on the
fuel pump island.
. Turn off the engine when
refueling.
. Keep sparks, flames, and
smoking materials away
from fuel.
(Continued)

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
292 Vehicle Care
containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer's warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your
own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the filter before disposal. Never
dispose of oil by putting it in the
trash or pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or
bodies of water. Recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on a combination of factors which
include engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For
the oil life system to work properly,
the system must be reset every time
the oil is changed.When the system has calculated
that oil life has been diminished, it
indicates that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message comes on.
Change the oil as soon as possible
within the next 1 000 km (600 mi).
It is possible that, if driving under
the best conditions, the oil life
system may indicate that an oil
change is not necessary for up to a
year. The engine oil and filter must
be changed at least once a year
and, at this time, the system must
be reset. Your dealer has trained
service people who will perform this
work and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly
over the course of an oil drain
interval and keep it at the proper
level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change. To reset the
system:
1. Display REMAINING OIL LIFE on the DIC menu. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) 0139.
2. Press and hold
Vfor several
seconds while the Oil Life
display is active to reset the Oil
Life system.
3. REMAINING OIL LIFE 100% will be displayed when the oil
life system is successfully
reset.
The oil life system can also be reset
as follows: 1. Place the ignition in Service Mode. See Ignition Positions
0 215.
2. Display REMAINING OIL LIFE on the DIC menu. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) 0139.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
304 Vehicle Care
leak or unusual noise. If required,
have the transfer case serviced by
your dealer.
Starter Switch Check
{Warning
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Apply both the parking brake and the regular brake.
Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it
starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The vehicle should start
only in P (Park) or N (Neutral). If the vehicle starts in any other
position, contact your dealer for
service.
Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control
Function Check
{Warning
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. It should be
parked on a level surface.
2. Apply the parking brake. Be ready to apply the regular
brake immediately if the vehicle
begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition on, but do not start the
engine. Without applying the regular brake, try to move the
shift lever out of P (Park) with
normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of P (Park), contact
your dealer for service.
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{Warning
When you are doing this check,
the vehicle could begin to move.
You or others could be injured
and property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in front
of the vehicle in case it begins to
roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping
your foot on the regular brake, set
the parking brake.
. To check the parking brake's
holding ability: With the engine
running and the transmission in

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
Vehicle Care 329
combined with the low tire pressure
telltale. When the system detects a
malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then
remain continuously illuminated.
This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as
long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is
illuminated, the system may not be
able to detect or signal low tire
pressure as intended. TPMS
malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation
of replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent
the TPMS from functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction
telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to
ensure that the replacement or
alternate tires and wheels allow the
TPMS to continue to function
properly.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor
Operation 0329.
See Radio Frequency Statement
0 399.Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation
This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The TPMS is designed to warn the
driver when a low tire pressure
condition exists. TPMS sensors are
mounted onto each tire and wheel
assembly, excluding the spare tire
and wheel assembly. The TPMS
sensors monitor the air pressure in
the tires and transmit the tire
pressure readings to a receiver
located in the vehicle.
When a low tire pressure condition
is detected, the TPMS illuminates
the low tire pressure warning light
located on the instrument cluster.
If the warning light comes on, stop as soon as possible and inflate the
tires to the recommended pressure
shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label. See
Vehicle Load
Limits 0210.
A message to check the pressure in
a specific tire displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). The low
tire pressure warning light and the
DIC warning message come on at
each ignition cycle until the tires are
inflated to the correct inflation
pressure. Using the DIC, tire
pressure levels can be viewed. For
additional information and details
about the DIC operation and
displays see Driver Information
Center (DIC) 0139.
The low tire pressure warning light
may come on in cool weather when
the vehicle is first started, and then
turn off as the vehicle is driven. This
could be an early indicator that the
air pressure is getting low and
needs to be inflated to the proper
pressure.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
330 Vehicle Care
A Tire and Loading Information
label, attached to your vehicle,
shows the size of the original
equipment tires and the correct
inflation pressure for the tires when
they are cold. SeeVehicle Load
Limits 0210, for an example of the
Tire and Loading Information label
and its location. Also see Tire
Pressure 0327.
The TPMS can warn about a low
tire pressure condition but it does
not replace normal tire
maintenance. See Tire Inspection
0 333, Tire Rotation 0333 andTires
0 319.
Caution
Tire sealant materials are not all
the same. A non-approved tire
sealant could damage the TPMS
sensors. TPMS sensor damage
caused by using an incorrect tire
sealant is not covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always use only
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
the GM approved tire sealant
available through your dealer or
included in the vehicle.
Factory-installed Tire Inflator Kits
use a GM-approved liquid tire
sealant. Using non-approved tire
sealants could damage the TPMS
sensors. See Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit 0341 for
information regarding the inflator kit
materials and instructions.
TPMS Malfunction Light and
Message
The TPMS will not function properly
if one or more of the TPMS sensors
are missing or inoperable. When the
system detects a malfunction, the
low tire pressure warning light
flashes for about one minute and
then stays on for the remainder of
the ignition cycle. A DIC warning
message also displays. The
malfunction light and DIC warning
message come on at each ignition cycle until the problem is corrected.
Some of the conditions that can
cause these to come on are:
.
One of the road tires has been
replaced with the spare tire. The
spare tire does not have a
TPMS sensor. The malfunction
light and DIC message should
go off after the road tire is
replaced and the sensor
matching process is performed
successfully. See “TPMS Sensor
Matching Process” later in this
section.
. The TPMS sensor matching
process was not done or not
completed successfully after
rotating the tires. The
malfunction light and the DIC
message should go off after
successfully completing the
sensor matching process. See
"TPMS Sensor Matching
Process" later in this section.
. One or more TPMS sensors are
missing or damaged. The
malfunction light and the DIC
message should go off when the
TPMS sensors are installed and

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
332 Vehicle Care
.The battery of the TPMS sensor
is low.
If the tire fill alert does not operate
due to TPMS interference, move the
vehicle about 1 m (3 ft) back or
forward and try again. If the tire fill
alert feature is not working, use a
tire pressure gauge.
TPMS Sensor Matching
Process
Each TPMS sensor has a unique
identification code. The identification
code needs to be matched to a new
tire/wheel position after rotating the
vehicle’s tires or replacing one or
more of the TPMS sensors. The
TPMS sensor matching process
should also be performed after
replacing a spare tire with a road
tire containing the TPMS sensor.
The malfunction light and the DIC
message should go off at the next
ignition cycle. The sensors are
matched to the tire/wheel positions,
using a TPMS relearn tool, in the
following order: driver side front tire,
passenger side front tire, passenger
side rear tire, and driver side rear tire. See your dealer for service or
to purchase a relearn tool. A TPMS
relearn tool can also be purchased.
See Tire Pressure Monitor
Sensor Activation Tool at
www.gmtoolsandequipment.com or
call 1-800-GM TOOLS
(1-800-468-6657).
There are two minutes to match the
first tire/wheel position, and
five minutes overall to match all four
tire/wheel positions. If it takes
longer, the matching process stops
and must be restarted.
The TPMS sensor matching
process is:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Place the vehicle in Service Mode. See Ignition Positions
0 215.
3. Make sure the Tire Pressure info page option is turned on.
The info pages on the DIC can
be turned on and off through
the Options menu. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) 0139. 4. Use the DIC controls on the
right side of the steering wheel
to scroll to the Tire Pressure
screen under the DIC
info page.
5. Press and hold
Vin the center
of the DIC controls.
The horn sounds twice to
signal the receiver is in relearn
mode and the TIRE
LEARNING ACTIVE message
displays on the DIC display.
6. Start with the driver side front tire.
7. Place the relearn tool against the tire sidewall, near the valve
stem. Then press the button to
activate the TPMS sensor.
A horn chirp confirms that the
sensor identification code has
been matched to this tire and
wheel position.
8. Proceed to the passenger side front tire, and repeat the
procedure in Step 7.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
356 Vehicle Care
4. Turn the ignition off. Turn off alllights and accessories in both
vehicles, except the hazard
warning flashers if needed.
{Warning
An electric fan can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing, and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{Warning
Using a match near a battery can
cause battery gas to explode.
People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded.
Use a flashlight if you need more
light.
Battery fluid contains acid that
can burn you. Do not get it on
you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
{Warning
Fans or other moving engine
parts can injure you badly. Keep
your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
5. Connect one end of the red positive (+) cable to the
positive (+) terminal on the
discharged battery.
6. Connect the other end of the red positive (+) cable to the
positive (+) terminal of the good
battery.
7. Connect one end of the black negative (–) cable to the
negative (–) terminal of the
good battery.
8. Connect the other end of the black negative (–) cable to the
negative (–) grounding stud for
the discharged battery.
9. Start the engine in the vehicle with the good battery and run
the engine at idle speed for at
least four minutes. 10. Try to start the vehicle that had
the dead battery. If it will not
start after a few tries, it
probably needs service.
Caution
If the jumper cables are
connected or removed in the
wrong order, electrical shorting
may occur and damage the
vehicle. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always connect and remove the
jumper cables in the correct order,
making sure that the cables do
not touch each other or other
metal.
Jumper Cable Removal
Reverse the sequence exactly when
removing the jumper cables.
After starting the disabled vehicle
and removing the jumper cables,
allow it to idle for several minutes.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
10446639) - 2018 - CRC - 8/18/17
Vehicle Care 359
placing them on a platform trailer
with all four wheels off of the
ground. All other engine/
transmission combinations must be
towed by platform trailer. Also see
the information on dolly towing later
in this section.
For vehicles being dinghy towed,
the vehicle should be run at the
beginning of each day and at each
RV fuel stop for about five minutes.
This will ensure proper lubrication of
transmission components.
To tow the vehicle from the front
with all four wheels on the ground:1. Turn the vehicle on. 2. In vehicles equipped with AWD
engage the AWD system and
confirm that it is on.
3. Position the vehicle to be towed and secure it to the
towing vehicle.
4. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
5. Turn the ignition to ACC/ ACCESSORY.
6. Turn all accessories off.
Caution
If the vehicle is towed without
performing each of the steps
listed under “Dinghy Towing,” the
automatic transmission and AWD
system could be damaged. Be
sure to follow all steps of the
dinghy towing procedure prior to
and after towing the vehicle.
Caution
If 105 km/h (65 mph) is exceeded
while towing the vehicle, it could
be damaged. Never exceed
105 km/h (65 mph) while towing
the vehicle.
Once the destination is reached: 1. Set the parking brake.
2. Shift the transmission to P (Park).
3. Turn the vehicle off.
4. Start the engine and let it idle for more than three minutes
before driving the vehicle.
Caution
Do not tow a vehicle with the front
drive wheels on the ground if one
of the front tires is a compact
spare tire. Towing with two
different tire sizes on the front of
the vehicle can cause severe
damage to the transmission.