climate control CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2020 Owner's Guide

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
Driving and Operating 175
{Warning
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may
cause exhaust gases to get
inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO), which
cannot be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and even
death.
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:. Clear snow from the base of
the vehicle, especially any
blocking the exhaust pipe.
. Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the vehicle side
that is away from the wind,
to bring in fresh air.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Adjust the climate control
system to circulate the air
inside the vehicle and set
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
the fan speed to the highest
setting. See“Climate
Control Systems.”
For more information about CO,
see Engine Exhaust 0190.
To save fuel, run the engine for
short periods to warm the vehicle
and then shut the engine off and
partially close the window. Moving
about to keep warm also helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive,
when running the engine, push the
accelerator pedal slightly so the
engine runs faster than the idle
speed. This keeps the battery
charged to restart the vehicle and to
signal for help with the headlamps.
Do this as little as possible, to
save fuel.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the
traction system off and use the
rocking method. See
Traction
Control/Electronic Stability Control
0 208.
{Warning
If the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you
or others could be injured. The
vehicle can overheat, causing an
engine compartment fire or other
damage. Spin the wheels as little
as possible and avoid going
above 56 km/h (35 mph).
Rocking the Vehicle to Get
it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around the
front wheels. Turn off any traction
system. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a low
forward gear, spinning the wheels
as little as possible. To prevent
transmission wear, wait until the

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
Driving and Operating 185
To maintain vehicle performance,
other conditions may cause the
engine to automatically restart
before the brake pedal is released.
Auto Stops may not occur and/or
auto restarts may occur because:
.The climate control settings
require the engine to be running
to cool or heat the vehicle
interior.
. The vehicle battery charge
is low.
. The vehicle battery has recently
been disconnected.
. Minimum vehicle speed has not
been reached since the last
Auto Stop
. The accelerator pedal is
pressed.
. The engine or transmission is
not at the required operating
temperature.
. The outside temperature is not
in the required operating range.
. The vehicle is in any gear other
than D (Drive). .
Tow/Haul Mode or other driver
modes have been selected.
. The vehicle is on a steep hill or
grade.
. The driver door has been
opened or driver seat belt has
been unbuckled.
. The hood has been opened.
. The Auto Stop has reached the
maximum allowed time.
Winter Cover
If equipped, the winter cover can be
used to enhance heater
performance in extremely cold
conditions below −0 °C (32 °F). The
winter cover installs over the grille
and restricts airflow to the engine
compartment.
Usage Guidelines
The winter cover should only be
used while operating the vehicle in
extremely cold temperatures or in
heavy snow for extended periods. In
these temperatures, the vehicle
does not need a large amount of air
to properly cool the engine. When more airflow is required to cool the
vehicle, the winter cover should not
be used. The following usage
guidelines will allow adequate
airflow for proper radiator and air
cooler performance:
.
Do not use the winter cover if
towing a trailer. The vehicle may
overheat if the radiator is
covered while towing.
. Do not modify the cover. The
winter cover does not cover
some sections of the front of the
vehicle to provide enough
airflow.
. Keep the underside of the winter
cover as clean as possible.
Remove monthly or as
necessary and clean away dust
and debris.
. Do not use the winter cover
above −0 °C (32 °F).
Use only a mild soap to clean. Do
not use harsh soap, strong
detergents, or vinyl protectant/
sealant type products as they may

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
194 Driving and Operating
.The shift lever is in P (Park).
. The fuel tank is at least
one-eighth full.
. All fluids are at the proper level.
. No diagnostic trouble codes
have been set, and the
malfunction indicator lamp is
not on.
. The engine coolant temperature
is above 71 °C (160 °F).
After making sure all safety
conditions have been met, press the
trip odometer reset stem or
thumbwheel on the steering wheel
for at least one second to select
Start on the infotainment display.
Follow the instructions in the DIC
messages. Touch ACCEPT to
acknowledge that all of these safety
conditions have been met and to
activate regeneration.
If the infotainment display returns to
the previous screen, then one or
more of the necessary safety
conditions has not been met. If you
cannot determine which condition has not been met, see
www.gmupfitter.com to contact the
GM Upfitter Integration Group.
Continue to follow the instructions in
the DIC messages. Hold the
exhaust brake switch on the center
stack below the climate controls for
more than three seconds, and then
release it, to begin the regeneration
process.
If the EXHAUST BRAKE ON
message displays, then the switch
was released too soon. Press it
again to turn off the exhaust brake,
then try again when the DIC
message prompts.
When manual regeneration begins,
the engine speed increases, the
engine cooling fan sound increases,
and a DIC message indicates that
cleaning is in progress.
A DIC message will display when
cleaning is complete. Cleaning
could take up to 30 minutes. Upon
completion, the engine will return to
normal idle, but exhaust
components will remain hot for
several minutes. Do not move thevehicle until the exhaust has had
time to cool. Manual regeneration
can be canceled at any time by
pressing the brake pedal or by
turning the engine off. Unusual
noises may be heard if regeneration
is interrupted.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
256 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
.Do not drive with the
liftgate, trunk/hatch,
or rear-most window open.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Adjust the climate control
system to a setting that
brings in only outside air.
See “Climate Control
Systems” in the Index.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust 0190.
Towing a trailer requires experience.
The combination of the vehicle and
trailer is longer and not as
responsive as the vehicle itself. Get
used to the handling and braking of
the combination by driving on a
level road surface before driving on
public roads. The trailer structure, the tires, and
the brakes must be all be rated to
carry the intended cargo.
Inadequate trailer equipment can
cause the combination to operate in
an unexpected or unsafe manner.
Before driving, inspect all trailer
hitch parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connectors, lamps,
tires, and mirrors. See
Towing
Equipment 0261. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start the
combination moving and then
manually apply the trailer brake
controller to check that the trailer
brakes work. During the trip,
occasionally check that the cargo
and trailer are secure and that the
lamps and any trailer brakes are
working.
Towing with a Stability Control
System
When towing, the stability control
system might be heard. The system
reacts to vehicle movement caused
by the trailer, which mainly occurs
during cornering. This is normal
when towing heavier trailers.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving without a trailer. This can
help to avoid heavy braking and
sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed
when towing a trailer. The
combination of the vehicle and
trailer will not accelerate as quickly
and is much longer than the vehicle
alone. It is necessary to go much
farther beyond the passed vehicle
before returning to the lane. Pass
on level roadways. Avoid passing
on hills if possible.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. To move the
trailer to the left, move that hand to
the left. To move the trailer to the
right, move that hand to the right.
Always back up slowly and,
if possible, have someone
guide you.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
Vehicle Care 325
graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of
their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and
differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from
highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent
the tire's ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on
specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not includeacceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A
(the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance
to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead
to sudden tire failure. The grade
C corresponds to a level of
performance which all
passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and
A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum
required by law. Warning: Thetemperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance
The tires and wheels were aligned
and balanced at the factory to
provide the longest tire life and best
overall performance. Adjustments to
wheel alignment and tire balancing
are not necessary on a regular
basis. Consider an alignment check
if there is unusual tire wear or the
vehicle is significantly pulling to one
side or the other. Some slight pull to
the left or right, depending on the
crown of the road and/or other road
surface variations such as troughs
or ruts, is normal. If the vehicle is
vibrating when driving on a smooth

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
404 Index
Child Restraints (cont'd)Lower Anchors and Tethers
for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83, 85
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Cleaning Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 154 Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Dual Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . 102, 106
Cold Weather Operation . . . . . . . . 245
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . 384
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Compartments Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Compressor Kit, Tire Sealant . . . 328
Connected Services Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400
Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401
Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399 Connections
Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . 400
Control Traction and ElectronicStability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Coolant Engine Temperature Gauge . . . 111
Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154, 156
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Courtesy Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Courtesy Transportation
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383
Cover
Cargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Covers Rear Compartment/StoragePanel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212 Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Cruise Control, Adaptive . . . . . . . . 214
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . 380 Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379 Customer Assistance (cont'd)
Text Telephone (TTY)
Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380
Customer Information
Publications OrderingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377
Cybersecurity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . 384
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . 3
Data Collection
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . 390
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . 389
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Diagnostics Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . 401
Diesel Exhaust Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Diesel Particulate Filter . . . . . . . . . 191
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
Index 405
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
DoorDelayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . 376
Drive Systems All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . 204, 291
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . 225
Driver Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123, 129
Driving Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 230
Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . 164
Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 173
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 175
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 Driving the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Dual Automatic Climate
Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
E
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . 205
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . 117
Electrical Equipment,Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Electrical System Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 299
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Emergency OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Check Light (MalfunctionIndicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 270
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282 Engine (cont'd)
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 376
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 191
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Engines Diesel Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 389
Exhaust Fluid Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 144
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
F
Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Replacement (Fuel) . . . . . . . . . . . 249

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555863) - 2020 - CRC - 8/2/19
Index 411
Service (cont'd)Climate Control System . . . . . . . 154
Doing Your Own Work . . . . . . . . 267
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . . 372
Maintenance, General
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Parts Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . 383
Service Electric Parking
Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Services Special Application . . . . . . . . . . . 366
Servicing the Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Shift Lock Control Function Check, Automatic
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . 236
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Spare Tire
Compact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Special Application Services . . . . 366
Specifications and Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 StabiliTrak
OFF Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Start Assist, Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Start Vehicle, Remote . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 Heated Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Storage Areas
Cargo Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Center Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Rear Compartment/StoragePanel Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Sunglasses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . . . 88
Storing the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Struts Gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Sunglass Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
System
Forward CollisionAlert (FCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153, 390
Roof Rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Systems Driver Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
T
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Taillamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . . 380
Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . . . . . 27Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
All-Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Compact Spare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313