air bags CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2020 User Guide

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
Seats and Restraints 67
Warning (Continued)
are close to an airbag when it
inflates. Avoid yellow connectors.
They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow
proper service procedures, and
make sure the person performing
work for you is qualified to do so.
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Adding accessories that change the
vehicle's frame, bumper system,
height, front end, or side sheet
metal may keep the airbag system
from working properly.
The operation of the airbag system
can also be affected by changing,
including improperly repairing or
replacing, any parts of the following:
.Airbag system, including airbag
modules, front or side impact
sensors, sensing and diagnostic
module, or airbag wiring .
Front seats, including stitching,
seams or zippers
. Seat belts
. Steering wheel, instrument
panel, overhead console, ceiling
trim, or pillar garnish trim
. Inner door seals, including
speakers
Your dealer and the service manual
have information about the location
of the airbag modules and sensors,
sensing and diagnostic module, and
airbag wiring along with the proper
replacement procedures.
In addition, the vehicle has a
passenger sensing system for the
front outboard passenger position,
which includes sensors that are part
of the passenger seat. The
passenger sensing system may not
operate properly if the original seat
trim is replaced with non-GM
covers, upholstery, or trim; or with
GM covers, upholstery, or trim
designed for a different vehicle. Any
object, such as an aftermarket seat
heater or a comfort-enhancing pad
or device, installed under or on top of the seat fabric, could also
interfere with the operation of the
passenger sensing system. This
could either prevent proper
deployment of the passenger
airbag(s) or prevent the passenger
sensing system from properly
turning off the passenger airbag(s).
See
Passenger Sensing System
0 62.
If the vehicle has rollover roof-rail
airbags, see Different Size Tires
and Wheels 0323 for additional
important information.
If the vehicle must be modified
because you have a disability and
have questions about whether the
modifications will affect the vehicle's
airbag system, or if you have
questions about whether the airbag
system will be affected if the vehicle
is modified for any other reason, call
Customer Assistance. See
Customer Assistance Offices 0379.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
68 Seats and Restraints
Airbag System Check
The airbag system does not need
regularly scheduled maintenance or
replacement. Make sure the airbag
readiness light is working. See
Airbag Readiness Light0112.
Caution
If an airbag covering is damaged,
opened, or broken, the airbag
may not work properly. Do not
open or break the airbag
coverings. If there are any
opened or broken airbag
coverings, have the airbag
covering and/or airbag module
replaced. For the location of the
airbags, see Where Are the
Airbags? 058. See your dealer
for service.
Replacing Airbag System
Parts after a Crash
{Warning
A crash can damage the airbag
systems in the vehicle.
A damaged airbag system may
not properly protect you and your
passenger(s) in a crash, resulting
in serious injury or even death. To
help make sure the airbag
systems are working properly
after a crash, have them
inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as
possible.
If an airbag inflates, you will need to
replace airbag system parts. See
your dealer for service.
If the airbag readiness light stays on
after the vehicle is started or comes
on when you are driving, the airbag
system may not work properly. Have
the vehicle serviced right away. See
Airbag Readiness Light 0112.
Child Restraints
Older Children
Older children who have outgrown
booster seats should wear the
vehicle’s seat belts.
The manufacturer instructions that
come with the booster seat state the
weight and height limitations for that
booster. Use a booster seat with a
lap-shoulder belt until the child
passes the fit test below:

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
Seats and Restraints 85
Securing Child Restraints
(With the Seat Belt in the
Front Seat)
This vehicle has airbags. A rear
seat is a safer place to secure a
forward-facing child restraint. See
Where to Put the Restraint074.
In addition, the vehicle has a
passenger sensing system which is
designed to turn off the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag
under certain conditions. See
Passenger Sensing System 062
and
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
0 113 for more information, including
important safety information.
Never put a rear-facing child seat in
the front. This is because the risk to
the rear-facing child is so great,
if the airbag deploys.
{Warning
A child in a rear-facing child
restraint can be seriously injured
or killed if the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag inflates.
This is because the back of the
rear-facing child restraint would
be very close to the inflating
airbag. A child in a forward-facing
child restraint can be seriously
injured or killed if the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag
inflates and the passenger seat is
in a forward position.
Even if the passenger sensing
system has turned off the front
outboard passenger frontal
airbag, no system is fail-safe. No
one can guarantee that an airbag
will not deploy under some
unusual circumstance, even
though it is turned off.
Secure rear-facing child restraints
in a rear seat, even if the airbag
is off. If you secure a
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
forward-facing child restraint in
the front outboard passenger
seat, always move the seat as far
back as it will go. It is better to
secure the child restraint in a
rear seat.
SeePassenger Sensing System
0 62 for additional information.
If the child restraint uses a top
tether, see Lower Anchors and
Tethers for Children (LATCH
System) 075 for top tether anchor
locations.
Do not secure a child seat in a
position without a top tether anchor
if a national or local law requires
that the top tether be anchored, or if
the instructions that come with the
child restraint say that the top tether
must be anchored.
In Canada, the law requires that
forward-facing child restraints have
a top tether, and that the tether be
attached.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
Instruments and Controls 113
The airbag readiness light comes on
for several seconds when the
vehicle is started. If the light does
not come on then, have it fixed
immediately.
{Warning
If the airbag readiness light stays
on after the vehicle is started or
comes on while driving, it means
the airbag system might not be
working properly. The airbags in
the vehicle might not inflate in a
crash, or they could even inflate
without a crash. To help avoid
injury, have the vehicle serviced
right away.
If there is a problem with the airbag
system, a Driver Information Center
(DIC) message may also come on.
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator
The vehicle has a passenger
sensing system. See Passenger
Sensing System 062 for important safety information. The overhead
console has a passenger airbag
status indicator.
When the vehicle is started, the
passenger airbag status indicator
will light ON and OFF, and the
symbols for on and off, for several
seconds as a system check. Then,
after several more seconds, the
status indicator will light either ON
or OFF, and either the on or off
symbol, to let you know the status of
the front outboard passenger frontal
airbag.
If the word ON, and the on symbol,
are lit on the passenger airbag
status indicator, it means that the
front outboard passenger frontal
airbag is allowed to inflate.
If the word OFF, and the off symbol,
are lit on the passenger airbag
status indicator, it means that the
passenger sensing system has
turned off the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag.
If, after several seconds, both status
indicator lights remain on, or if there
are no lights at all, there may be a
problem with the lights or the
passenger sensing system. See
your dealer for service.
{Warning
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others,
have the vehicle serviced right
away. See
Airbag Readiness
Light 0112 for more information,
including important safety
information.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
Driving and Operating 181
The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter must be in the vehicle for
the system to operate. If the
pushbutton start is not working, the
vehicle may be near a strong radio
antenna signal causing interference
to the Keyless Access system. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation08.
Stopping the Engine/Off (No
Indicator Lights)
When the vehicle is stopped, press
ENGINE START/STOP once to turn
the engine off.
To shift out of P (Park), the vehicle
must be on and the brake pedal
must be applied.
If the vehicle is in P (Park), the
ignition will turn off, and Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) will remain
active. See Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) 0188.
If the vehicle is not in P (Park), the
ignition will return to ACC/
ACCESSORY and display the
message SHIFT TO PARK in the
Driver Information Center (DIC). When the vehicle is shifted into
P (Park), the ignition system will
turn off.
The vehicle may have an electric
steering column lock. The lock is
activated when the vehicle is turned
off and either front door is opened.
A sound may be heard as the lock
actuates or releases. The steering
column lock may not release with
the wheels turned off center. If this
happens, the vehicle may not start.
Move the steering wheel from left to
right while attempting to start the
vehicle. If this does not work, the
vehicle needs service.
Do not turn the engine off when the
vehicle is moving. This will cause a
loss of power assist in the brake
and steering systems and disable
the airbags.
If the vehicle must be turned off in
an emergency:
1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the
brakes repeatedly. This may
deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force. 2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral).
This can be done while the
vehicle is moving. After shifting
to N (Neutral), firmly apply the
brakes and steer the vehicle to
a safe location.
3. Come to a complete stop. Shift to P (Park) and turn the
ignition off.
4. Set the electric parking brake. See Electric Parking Brake
0 205.
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of power
assist in the brake and steering
systems and disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the
vehicle off in an emergency.
If the vehicle cannot be pulled over
and must be turned off while driving,
press and hold ENGINE START/
STOP for longer than two seconds,
or press twice in five seconds.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
Vehicle Care 267
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, seat belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
electronic keys, may contain
perchlorate materials. Perchlorate
Material–special handling may
apply. See www.dtsc.ca.gov/
hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
Accessories and
Modifications
Adding non-dealer accessories or
making modifications to the vehicle
can affect vehicle performance and
safety, including such things as
airbags, braking, stability, ride and
handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and
electronic systems like antilock
brakes, traction control, and stability
control. These accessories or
modifications could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty. Damage to suspension components
caused by modifying vehicle height
outside of factory settings will not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle components
resulting from modifications or the
installation or use of non-GM
certified parts, including control
module or software modifications, is
not covered under the terms of the
vehicle warranty and may affect
remaining warranty coverage for
affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with other
systems on the vehicle. See your
dealer to accessorize the vehicle
using genuine GM Accessories
installed by a dealer technician.
Also, see
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 067.
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own
Service Work
{Warning
It can be dangerous to work on
your vehicle if you do not have
the proper knowledge, service
manual, tools, or parts. Always
follow owner ’s manual procedures
and consult the service manual
for your vehicle before doing any
service work.
If doing some of your own service
work, use the proper service
manual. It tells you much more
about how to service the vehicle
than this manual can. To order the
proper service manual, see
Publication Ordering Information
0 386.
This vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to do your own
service work, see Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 066.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
324 Vehicle Care
brakes, rollover airbags, traction
control, electronic stability control,
or All-Wheel Drive, the performance
of these systems can also be
affected.
{Warning
If different sized wheels are used,
there may not be an acceptable
level of performance and safety if
tires not recommended for those
wheels are selected. This
increases the chance of a crash
and serious injury. Only use GM
specific wheel and tire systems
developed for the vehicle, and
have them properly installed by a
GM certified technician.
See Buying New Tires 0322 and
Accessories and Modifications
0 267.
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading
The following information relates
to the system developed by the
United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA), which grades tires by
treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance. This
applies only to vehicles sold in
the United States. The grades
are molded on the sidewalls of
most passenger car tires. The
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
(UTQG) system does not apply
to deep tread, winter tires,
compact spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited-production
tires.
While the tires available on
General Motors passenger cars
and light trucks may vary with
respect to these grades, they
must also conform to federal safety requirements and
additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC)
standards.
Quality grades can be found
where applicable on the tire
sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
All Passenger Car Tires Must
Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements In Addition To
These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specified government test
course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and
one-half (1½) times as well on
the government course as a tire

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
402 Index
IndexA
About Driving the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . 2
Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . . . 214
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . 263
Additional Information
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
Additional Maintenance
and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
Adjustments Lumbar, Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . . . 280
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . 154, 156
Air Filter, Passenger
Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
How Does an AirbagRestrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Passenger Sensing System . . . . 62
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
What Will You See after an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Airbag System (cont'd)
When Should an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . . 58
Airbags Adding Equipment to theVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Passenger Status Indicator . . . .113
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Servicing Airbag-Equipped Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Alarm Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Alert Lane Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Side Blind Zone (SBZA) . . . . . . 236
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . 204, 291
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . 205
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Appearance Care Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Assistance Program, Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
410 Index
Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30Automatic Dimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241, 242
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369
Records Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . 346
Reimbursement Program, GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Replacement Parts Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
Replacing Airbag System . . . . . . . . 68
Replacing LATCH System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Replacing Seat Belt System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Reporting Safety Defects Canadian Government . . . . . . . . 388
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 388
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387 Restraints
Where to Put . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Reverse Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Roads Driving, Wet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
Roof Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Rotation, Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Routing, Engine Drive Belt . . . . . . 376
Running out of Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
S
Safety Defects ReportingCanadian Government . . . . . . . . 388
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 388
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . . . 383
Sealant Kit, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Seat Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Seat Belts (cont'd)
Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
How to Wear Seat Belts
Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Replacing after a Crash . . . . . . . . 56
Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . 54
Seats Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Heated and Ventilated Front . . . . 43
Heated, Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Lumbar Adjustment, Front . . . . . . 39
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Power Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . 38
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Securing Child Restraints . . . . 83, 85
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Vehicle Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267