check engine light CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2019 User Guide

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12145779) - 2019 - CRC - 7/30/18
144 Instruments and Controls
5. Pressworxto move
through the list of possible
information displays.
6. Press
Vwhile an item is
highlighted to select or
deselect that item. When an
item is selected, a checkmark
will appear next to it.
Info Pages
The following is the list of all
possible DIC info page displays.
Some may not be available for your
particular vehicle. Some items may
not be turned on by default but can
be turned on through the Options
app. See “Info Page Options”
earlier in this section.
Speed : Shows the vehicle speed in
either kilometers per hour (km/h) or
miles per hour (mph).
Trip A or Trip B : Shows the
current distance traveled, in either
kilometers (km) or miles (mi), since
the trip odometer was last reset.
This also shows the approximate
average liters per 100 kilometers
(L/100 km) or miles per gallon (mpg). This number is
calculated based on the number of
L/100 km (mpg) recorded since the
last time this menu item was reset.
This number reflects only the
approximate average fuel economy
that the vehicle has right now, and
will change as driving conditions
change.
Press and hold
Vwhile this display
is active to reset the trip odometer
and the average fuel economy. Trip
A and Trip B can also be reset by
pressing
pand choosing reset.
Fuel Information or Fuel Range :
Shows the approximate distance the
vehicle can be driven without
refueling. LOW will be displayed
when the vehicle is low on fuel. The
fuel range estimate is based on an
average of the vehicle's fuel
economy over recent driving history
and the amount of fuel remaining in
the fuel tank. Oil Life :
Shows an estimate of the
oil's remaining useful life.
If REMAINING OIL LIFE 99% is
displayed, that means 99% of the
current oil life remains.
When the remaining oil life is low,
the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message will appear on the display.
The oil should be changed as soon
as possible. See Engine Oil0285.
In addition to the engine oil life
system monitoring the oil life,
additional maintenance is
recommended. See Maintenance
Schedule 0370.
The Oil Life display must be reset
after each oil change. It will not
reset itself. Do not to reset the Oil
Life display at any time other than
when the oil has just been changed.
It cannot be reset accurately until
the next oil change. To reset the
engine oil life system, press
Vfor
several seconds while the Oil Life
display is active or press
pto open
the menu and select reset. Press
V
to reset. See Engine Oil Life System
0 289.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12145779) - 2019 - CRC - 7/30/18
146 Instruments and Controls
Press and holdVto clear the graph
or press
pto reset through
the menu.
Timer : This display can be used as
a timer. To start the timer, press
V
to open the menu while this display
is active. The display will show the
amount of time that has passed
since the timer was last reset. To
stop the timer, press
Vbriefly while
this display is active and the timer is
running. To reset the timer to zero,
press and hold
Vwhile this display
is active, or press
pand select
reset.
Follow Distance : If equipped, the
current follow time to the vehicle
ahead is displayed as a time value
on this page.
Battery Voltage : Displays the
current battery voltage, if equipped.
Battery voltage changes are normal
while driving. See Charging System
Light 0131. If there is a problem
with the battery charging system, a
DIC will display a message. Coolant Temperature :
Displays
the coolant temperature in degrees
Celsius (°C) or degrees Fahrenheit
(°F).
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Level
(Diesel Engine Only) : If equipped,
the DEF level will be displayed as
either OK, XX%, or LOW. When
LOW appears on the display, add
DEF as soon as possible. See
Diesel Exhaust Fluid 0205.
Oil Pressure : Oil pressure is
displayed in either kilopascal (kPa)
or in pounds per square inch (psi).
Oil pressure can vary with engine
speed, outside temperature, and oil
viscosity. On some models, the oil
pump will vary engine oil pressure
according to engine needs. Oil
pressure may change quickly as the
engine speed or load varies. This is
normal. If the oil pressure warning
light or Driver Information Center
(DIC) message indicates oil
pressure outside the normal
operating range, check the vehicle's
oil as soon as possible.
Driver Information Center
(DIC) (Uplevel)
The DIC displays are shown in the
center of the instrument cluster in
the Info App. See Instrument Cluster
(Base and Midlevel) 0120 or
Instrument Cluster (Uplevel) 0124.
The displays show the status of
many vehicle systems.
worx: Press to move up or
down in a list.
oorp: Press to move between
the interactive display zones in the
cluster.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12145779) - 2019 - CRC - 7/30/18
150 Instruments and Controls
Oil Pressure :Oil pressure is
displayed in either kilopascal (kPa)
or in pounds per square inch (psi).
Oil pressure can vary with engine
speed, outside temperature, and oil
viscosity. On some models, the oil
pump will vary engine oil pressure
according to engine needs. Oil
pressure may change quickly as the
engine speed or load varies. This is
normal. If the oil pressure warning
light or DIC message indicates oil
pressure outside the normal
operating range, check the vehicle's
oil as soon as possible.
Coolant Temperature : Displays
the coolant temperature in degrees
Celsius (°C) or degrees Fahrenheit
(°F).
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Level
Percent (Diesel Engine Only) :
If equipped, the DEF level will be
displayed as either OK, XX%,
or LOW. When LOW appears on the
display, add DEF as soon as
possible. See Diesel Exhaust Fluid
0 205. Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Level
Gauge (Diesel Engine Only) :
If equipped, the DEF level displays
as a horizontal bar gauge with E or
0 and F or 1 at both ends. If more of
the bar is filled green, the vehicle
has a higher level of DEF. When the
estimated level is low, the gauge will
turn red and LOW will display above
the bar. When there is an error, the
bar will be empty and
UNAVAILABLE will appear. When
LOW appears on the display, add
DEF as soon as possible. See
Diesel Exhaust Fluid
0205.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Range
(Diesel Engine Only) : If equipped,
this page displays how far the
vehicle can go before DEF needs to
be replaced. Range is displayed in
mi or km. When the estimated range
is low, LOW will display. If an error
occurs, “−−”will display. When DEF
range is high, a greater than sign is
shown before the range value.
When LOW appears on the display,
add DEF as soon as possible. See
Diesel Exhaust Fluid 0205.Vehicle Messages
Messages displayed on the DIC
indicate the status of the vehicle or
some action that may be needed to
correct a condition. Multiple
messages may appear one after
another.
The messages that do not require
immediate action can be
acknowledged and cleared by
pressing
V. The messages that
require immediate action cannot be
cleared until that action is
performed.
All messages should be taken
seriously; clearing the message
does not correct the problem.
If a SERVICE message appears,
see your dealer.
Follow the instructions given in the
messages. The system displays
messages regarding the following
topics:
. Service Messages
. Fluid Levels
. Vehicle Security

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12145779) - 2019 - CRC - 7/30/18
Driving and Operating 187
of driving conditions and avoid
driving through large puddles and
deep-standing or flowing water.
{Warning
Wet brakes can cause crashes.
They might not work as well in a
quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car/vehicle
wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work
normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
flowing water could cause the
vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be
very cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water
can build up under the vehicle's
tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is
wet enough and you are going fast
enough. When the vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to
slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
. Pass with caution.
. Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
. Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
. Have good tires with proper
tread depth. See Tires0316.
. Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
. Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
. Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill slope
can cause brake overheating, can
reduce brake performance, and
could result in a loss of braking.
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12145779) - 2019 - CRC - 7/30/18
198 Driving and Operating
If you are trying to start the engine
after you have run out of fuel, follow
the steps inRunning Out of Fuel
(Diesel) 0258.
When the engine is cold, let it run
for a few minutes before driving.
This lets oil pressure build up. The
engine will sound louder when it
is cold.
Cold Weather Starting (Diesel
Engine)
Use the recommended engine oil
when the outside temperature drops
below freezing. See Engine Oil
0 285. When the outside
temperature drops below –18°C
(0°F), use of the engine heater is
recommended.
See Fuel for Diesel Engines 0252
for information on what fuel to use in
cold weather.
If the Diesel Engine Will Not
Start
If you have run out of fuel, see
Running Out of Fuel (Diesel) 0258. If the vehicle is not out of fuel, and
the engine will not start:
Press ENGINE START/STOP.
Immediately after the wait-to-start
light goes off, press ENGINE
START/STOP to start the vehicle.
If the light does not go off, wait a
few seconds, then try starting the
engine again. See your dealer for a
starting system check.
If the light comes on and then goes
off, and it is known that the battery
is charged, but the engine still will
not start, the vehicle needs service.
If the light does not come on when
the engine is cold, the vehicle
needs service.
If the battery does not have enough
charge to start the engine, see
Battery - North America
0300.
Check that the correct engine oil
has been used and changed at
appropriate intervals. If the wrong oil
is used, the engine may be harder
to start. Be sure to use the proper fuel for
existing weather conditions. See
Fuel for Diesel Engines
0252.
If the engine starts, runs a short
time, then stops, the vehicle needs
service.
{Warning
Do not use gasoline or starting
aids, such as ether, in the air
intake. They could damage the
engine, which may not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
They could also cause a fire,
which could cause serious
personal injury.
Stop/Start System
If equipped, the Stop/Start system
will shut off the engine to help
conserve fuel. It has components
designed for the increased number
of starts.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12145779) - 2019 - CRC - 7/30/18
Driving and Operating 205
If the vehicle continues to be driven
with the DPF warning message on,
and the exhaust filter is not cleaned
as required, the malfunction
indicator lamp and the ENGINE
POWER IS REDUCED message
will come on. Dealer service is
necessary.
SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) 0132.
{Warning
During DPF self cleaning or
during extended idling while
parked, the exhaust system and
exhaust gases are very hot.
Things that burn could touch hot
exhaust parts under the vehicle
and ignite. You or others could be
burned. Do not park, or idle for an
extended period of time, near or
over papers, leaves, dry grass,
or other things that can burn.
Keep the exhaust area clear of
material that could ignite or burn.
See Parking over Things That
Burn 0202 for more information.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid
{Warning
Avoid getting Diesel Exhaust
Fluid (DEF) on your skin or in
your eyes as it could cause
irritation. For more safety,
handling, and storage information,
see the Diesel Exhaust Fluid
container label.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is used
with diesel engines to reduce the
amount of regulated emissions
produced. Products such as AdBlue
are types of DEF, and are approved
for use in the vehicle as long as
they have an API certification label
or meet ISO 22241.The fluid level in
the DEF tank must be maintained
for the vehicle to run properly. DEF
is not a fuel additive. DEF should
not be mixed with or added to diesel
fuel. DEF freezes when exposed to
temperatures below −11 °C (12 ° F).It is normal to hear the DEF system
purge fluid back into the tank after
the vehicle is shut off.
Locating Diesel Exhaust Fluid
DEF can be purchased at your
dealer. It can also be purchased at
authorized vehicle and truck
dealerships. Additionally, some
diesel truck fueling stations or
retailers may have DEF for
purchase. For vehicles with an
active OnStar or connected services
plan, OnStar can help to locate a
DEF retailer. See
Customer
Assistance Offices 0389 for phone
numbers to assist in contacting a
GM dealer. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0379.
Filling the DEF Tank
Caution
Use only DEF that is GM
approved, or fluid containing the
API certified or ISO 22241 label.
The use of other fluids could (Continued)

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12145779) - 2019 - CRC - 7/30/18
216 Driving and Operating
Electric Parking Brake
The Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
can always be activated, even if the
ignition is off. To prevent draining
the battery, avoid repeated cycles of
the EPB when the engine is not
running.
The system has a
Yor PARK
Electric Parking Brake light and a
8
Service Parking Brake light or
message. See Electric Parking
Brake Light 0134 andService
Electric Parking Brake Light 0135.
There are also parking brake-related
Driver Information Center (DIC) messages. In case of insufficient
electrical power, the EPB cannot be
applied or released.
Before leaving the vehicle, check for
the
Yor PARK light to ensure that
the parking brake is applied.
EPB Apply
To apply the EPB:
1. Be sure the vehicle is at a complete stop.
2. Pull the EPB switch momentarily.
The
Yor PARK light will flash and
then stay on once the EPB is fully
applied. If the
Yor PARK light
flashes continuously, then the EPB
is only partially applied, the vehicle
is in Service Mode, or there is a
problem with the EPB. A DIC
message will display. Release the
EPB switch and try to apply it again.
If the light does not come on,
or keeps flashing, have the vehicle
serviced. Do not drive the vehicle if the
Yor
PARK light is flashing. See your
dealer. See Electric Parking Brake
Light 0134.
If the
8Service Parking Brake light
or message is on or the
Yor
PARK light flashes when the ignition
is turned on, pull the EPB switch.
Continue to hold the switch until
the
Yor PARK light remains on.
If the
8Service Parking Brake light
or message remains on, see your
dealer.
If the EPB switch is pulled while the
vehicle is moving, the vehicle will
decelerate as long as the switch is
pulled. If the switch is pulled until
the vehicle comes to a stop, the
EPB will remain applied.
The EPB applies automatically
when shifting to P (Park) on a steep
incline. The EPB releases as soon
as the vehicle is shifted out of
P (Park) and the vehicle
accelerates.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12145779) - 2019 - CRC - 7/30/18
262 Driving and Operating
{Warning
Overfilling the fuel tank by more
than three clicks of a standard fill
nozzle may cause:. Fuel spills
. Potential fuel fires
Be careful not to spill fuel. Wait a
few seconds after you have finished
pumping before removing the
nozzle. Clean fuel from painted
surfaces as soon as possible. See
Exterior Care 0359.
{Warning
If a fire starts while you are
refueling, do not remove the
nozzle. Shut off the flow of fuel by
shutting off the pump or by
notifying the station attendant.
Leave the area immediately.
Caution
If a new fuel cap is needed, be
sure to get the right type of cap
from your dealer. The wrong type
of fuel cap may not fit properly,
may cause the malfunction
indicator lamp to light, and could
damage the fuel tank and
emissions system. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) 0132.
Diesel fuel can foam when filling the
tank. This can cause the automatic
pump nozzle to shut off, even if the
tank is not full. If this happens, wait
for the foaming to stop, and then fill
the tank more slowly.
{Warning
Heat coming from the engine can
cause the fuel to expand and
force the fuel out of the tank.
If something ignites the fuel, a fire (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
could start. To help avoid this, fill
the tank slowly and only until the
nozzle shuts off. Do not top it off.
Clean up any spilled fuel.
Accidental Refueling with
Gasoline
If the vehicle is accidentally refueled
with gasoline, do not continue
driving the vehicle except to get to a
location where it can be stopped
safely. Driving the vehicle will
damage the fuel system. Have the
vehicle towed to a qualified
technician to have the gasoline
removed from the tank and fuel
system. Flush the fuel system with
Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel to
ensure all gasoline is removed.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12145779) - 2019 - CRC - 7/30/18
Driving and Operating 273
Trailer Lamps
Always check all trailer lamps are
working at the beginning of each
trip, and periodically on longer trips.
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
When properly connected, the trailer
turn signals should will illuminate to
indicate the vehicle is turning,
changing lanes, or stopping. When
towing a trailer, the arrows on the
instrument cluster will illuminate
even if the trailer is not properly
connected or the bulbs are
burned out.
Trailer Tires
Special Trailer (ST) tires differ from
vehicle tires. Trailer tires are
designed with stiff sidewalls to help
prevent sway and to support heavy
loads. These features can make it
difficult to determine if the trailer tire
pressures are low only based on a
visual inspection.Always check all trailer tire
pressures before each trip when the
tires are cool. Low trailer tire
pressure is a leading cause of trailer
tire blow-outs.
Trailer tires deteriorate over time.
The trailer tire sidewall will show the
week and year the tire was
manufactured. Many trailer tire
manufacturers recommend
replacing tires more than six
years old.
Overloading is another leading
cause of trailer tire blow-outs. Never
load your trailer with more weight
than the tires are designed to
support. The load rating is located
on the trailer tire sidewall.
Always know the maximum speed
rating for the trailer tires before
driving. This may be significantly
lower than the vehicle tire speed
rating. The speed rating may be on
the trailer tire sidewall. If the speed
rating is not shown, the default
trailer tire speed rating is 105 km/h
(65 mph).
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is
used for vehicle service
and Emission Inspection/
Maintenance testing. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)
0132.
A device connected to the DLC —
such as an aftermarket fleet or
driver-behavior tracking device —
may interfere with vehicle
systems. This could affect vehicle
operation and cause a crash.
Such devices may also access
information stored in the vehicle’s
systems.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12145779) - 2019 - CRC - 7/30/18
Vehicle Care 275
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 276
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 277
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 289
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 290
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 296
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Battery - North America . . . . . . 300
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301 Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 301
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 301
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 302
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 303
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Front Turn Signal and Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Taillamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 308
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 308
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 309
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309 Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 318
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 336