CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2021 User Guide

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14420010) - 2021 - CRC - 11/10/20
10 Keys, Doors, and Windows
To turn on or off seeVehicle Personalization
0 108
Keyless Liftgate Opening
When the doors are locked, press the touch
pad on the liftgate handle to open the
liftgate if the RKE transmitter is within
1 m (3 ft).
Key Access
To access a vehicle with a dead transmitter
battery, see Door Locks014.
Programming Transmitters to the Vehicle
Only RKE transmitters programmed to the
vehicle will work. If a transmitter is lost or
stolen, a replacement can be purchased and
programmed through your dealer. The
vehicle can be reprogrammed so that lost or
stolen transmitters no longer work. Each
vehicle can have up to eight transmitters
matched to it.
Programming with Recognized Transmitters
A new transmitter can be programmed to
the vehicle when there are two recognized
transmitters.
To program, the vehicle must be off and all
of the transmitters, both currently
recognized and new, must be with you. 1. Remove the key from the RKE
transmitter.
2. Remove the key lock cylinder cap on the driver door handle. See Door Locks014.
Place the two recognized transmitters in
the cupholder.
3. Insert the vehicle key of the transmitter into the key lock cylinder on the driver
door handle and turn the key,
counterclockwise, to the unlock position
five times within 10 seconds.
The DIC displays READY FOR REMOTE #3,
4, 5, ETC.
4. Place the new transmitter into thecupholder. 5. Press ENGINE START/STOP. When the
transmitter is learned the DIC display
will show that it is ready to program the
next transmitter.
6. Remove the transmitter from the cupholder and press
KorQon the
transmitter.
To program additional transmitters,
repeat Steps 3–5.
When all additional transmitters are
programmed, press and hold ENGINE
START/STOP for 12 seconds to exit
programming mode.
7. Put the key back into the transmitter.
8. Replace the key lock cylinder cap. See Door Locks 014.
Programming without Recognized
Transmitters
If two currently recognized transmitters are
not available, follow this procedure to
program up to eight transmitters. This
feature is not available in Canada. This
procedure will take approximately
30 minutes to complete. The vehicle must
be off and all of the transmitters you wish
to program must be with you.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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1. Remove the key from the RKEtransmitter.
2. Remove the key lock cylinder cap on the driver door handle. See Door Locks014.
Insert the vehicle key of the transmitter
into the key lock cylinder on the driver
door handle and turn the key,
counterclockwise, to the unlock position
five times within 10 seconds.
The DIC displays REMOTE LEARN
PENDING, PLEASE WAIT.
3. Wait for 10 minutes until the DIC displays PRESS ENGINE START BUTTON TO
LEARN and then press ENGINE
START/STOP.
The DIC display will again show REMOTE
LEARN PENDING, PLEASE WAIT.
4. Repeat Step 2 two additional times. After the third time all previously known
transmitters will no longer work with the
vehicle. Remaining transmitters can be
relearned during the next steps.
The DIC display should now show READY
FOR REMOTE # 1.
5. Place the new transmitter into thecupholder.
6. Press ENGINE START/STOP. When the transmitter is learned the DIC display
will show that it is ready to program the
next transmitter.
7. Remove the transmitter from the cupholder and press
KorQon the
transmitter.
To program additional transmitters,
repeat Steps 4–6.
When all additional transmitters are
programmed, press and hold ENGINE
START/STOP for 12 seconds to exit
programming mode.
8. Put the key back into the transmitter. 9. Replace the key lock cylinder cap. See
Door Locks 014.
Starting the Vehicle with a Low
Transmitter Battery
When the vehicle is started, if the
transmitter battery is weak, the DIC may
display NO REMOTE DETECTED or NO
REMOTE KEY WAS DETECTED PLACE KEY IN
TRANSMITTER POCKET THEN START YOUR
VEHICLE. The DIC may also display REPLACE
BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY.
To start the vehicle:
1. Place the transmitter in the cupholder.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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2. With the vehicle in P (Park) orN (Neutral), press the brake pedal and
ENGINE START/STOP.
Replace the transmitter battery as soon
as possible.
Battery Replacement
{Warning
Never allow children to play with the RKE
transmitter. The transmitter contains a
small battery, which can be a choking
hazard. If swallowed, internal burns can
occur, resulting in severe injury or death.
Seek medical attention immediately if a
battery is swallowed.
{Warning
To avoid personal injury, do not touch
metal surfaces on the RKE transmitter
when it has been exposed to extreme
heat. These surfaces can be hot to the
touch at temperatures above 59 °C
(138 °F).
Caution
When replacing the battery, do not touch
any of the circuitry on the transmitter.
Static from your body could damage the
transmitter.
Caution
Always replace the battery with the
correct type. Replacing the battery with
an incorrect type could potentially create
a risk of battery explosion. Dispose of
used batteries according to instructions
and local laws. Do not attempt to burn,
crush, or cut the used battery, and avoid
exposing the battery to environments
with extremely low air pressures or high
temperatures.
Replace the battery if the DIC displays
REPLACE BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY. The battery is not rechargeable. To replace
the battery:
1. Press the button on the side of the RKE
transmitter and pull the key out. Never
pull the key out without pressing the
button.

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2. Separate the two halves of thetransmitter using a flat tool inserted into
the area near the key slot.
3. Remove the battery by pushing on thebattery and sliding it toward the bottom
of the transmitter.
4. Insert the new battery, positive side facing the back cover. Push the battery
down until it is held in place. Replace
with a CR2032 or equivalent battery.
5. Snap the battery cover back on to the transmitter.
6. Reinsert the key.
Remote Vehicle Start
The vehicle may have this feature that
allows you to start the engine from outside
the vehicle.
/: This button will be on the RKE
transmitter if the vehicle has remote start.
The climate control system will use the
previous settings during a remote start. The
rear defog may come on during remote
start based on cold ambient conditions. The
rear defog indicator light does not come on
during remote start.
If the vehicle has heated and ventilated
front seats, they may come on during a
remote start. See Heated and Ventilated
Front Seats 035. Laws in some local communities may restrict
the use of remote starters. For example,
some laws require a person using remote
start to have the vehicle in view. Check local
regulations for any requirements.
Do not use the remote start feature if the
vehicle is low on fuel. The vehicle could run
out of fuel.
Other conditions can affect the performance
of the transmitter. See
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System 07.
Starting the Engine Using Remote Start
1. Press and release
Qon the RKE
transmitter.
2. Immediately press and hold
/for at
least four seconds or until the turn
signal lamps flash. The turn signal lamps
flashing confirms the request to remote
start the vehicle has been received.
The parking lamps will turn on and
remain on as long as the engine is
running. The vehicle's doors will be
locked.
3. Turn the ignition on before driving. The engine will shut off after 15 minutes
unless a time extension is done or the
ignition is turned on.

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Extending Engine Run Time
For a 15-minute extension, after 30 seconds
repeat Steps 1 and 2 while the engine is still
running. The remote start can be
extended once.
When the remote start is extended, the
second 15 minutes will be added for a total
of 30 minutes.
A maximum of two remote starts or a start
with an extension are allowed between
ignition cycles.
The ignition must be turned on and then
back off to use remote start again.
Canceling a Remote Start
To shut off the engine:
.Press and hold/until the parking lamps
turn off.
.Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
.Turn the ignition on and then off.
Conditions in Which Remote Start Will
Not Work
The remote vehicle start feature will not
operate if:
.A transmitter is in the vehicle.
.The vehicle is on.
.The hood is not closed.
.The hazard warning flashers are on.
.There is an emission control system
malfunction.
.The engine coolant temperature is
too high.
.The oil pressure is low.
.Two remote vehicle starts or a start with
an extension have already been used.
.The vehicle is not in P (Park).
Remote Start Ready
If the vehicle does not have the remote
vehicle start feature, it may have the
remote start ready feature. This feature
allows your dealer to add the
manufacturer's remote vehicle start feature.
See your dealer to add the manufacturer's
remote vehicle start feature to the vehicle.
Door Locks
{Warning
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
.Passengers, especially children, can
easily open the doors and fall out of a
moving vehicle. The doors can be (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
unlocked and opened while the vehicle
is moving. The chance of being thrown
out of the vehicle in a crash is
increased if the doors are not locked.
So, all passengers should wear seat
belts properly and the doors should be
locked whenever the vehicle is driven.
.Young children who get into unlocked
vehicles may be unable to get out.
A child can be overcome by extreme
heat and can suffer permanent injuries
or even death from heat stroke.
Always lock the vehicle whenever
leaving it.
.Outsiders can easily enter through an
unlocked door when you slow down
or stop the vehicle. Locking the doors
can help prevent this from happening.
To lock or unlock the doors from the
outside:
.PressQorKon the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter. See Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation 07.
.Use the key in the driver door. The key
lock cylinder is covered with a cap.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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To lock or unlock the doors from the inside:
.PressQorKon the power door lock
switch.
.Push down on the door lock knob to lock
a door.
.Pull the door handle once to unlock the
door. Pull the handle again to unlatch it.
Keyless Access
The RKE transmitter must be within 1 m
(3 ft) of the liftgate or door being opened.
Press the button on the front door handle to
open. See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation 07.
Driver Door Key Lock Cylinder Access (In
Case of Dead Battery)
To access the driver door key lock cylinder:
1. Pull the door handle (1) to the open position and hold it open until cap
removal is complete.
2. Insert the key into the slot (3) on the bottom of the cap (2) and lift the key
upward.
3. Move the cap (2) rearward and remove.
4. Use the key in the cylinder.
To replace the cap: 1. Pull the door handle (1) to the open position and hold it open until cap
installation is complete.
2. Insert the two tabs (6) at the back of thecap between the seal (5) and the metal
base (4).

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3. Slide the cap forward and press theforward edge to install the cap in place.
4. Release the door handle.
5. Check that the cap is secure.
Free-Turning Locks
The door key lock cylinder turns freely when
either the wrong key is used, or the correct
key is not fully inserted. The free-turning
door lock feature prevents the lock from
being forced open. To reset the lock, turn it
to the vertical position with the correct key
fully inserted. Remove the key and insert it
again. If this does not reset the lock, turn
the key halfway around in the cylinder and
repeat the reset procedure.
Power Door Locks
Q: Press to lock the doors. The indicator
light in the switch will come on when the
door is locked.
K: Press to unlock the doors.
Delayed Locking
This feature delays the actual locking of the
doors until five seconds after all doors are
closed.
Delayed locking can only be turned on when
the Open Door Anti-Lockout feature has
been turned off. When
Qis pressed on the power door lock
switch with the door open, a chime will
sound three times indicating that delayed
locking is active.
The doors will then lock automatically
five seconds after all doors are closed. If a
door is reopened before five seconds have
elapsed, the five-second timer will reset once
all the doors are closed again.
Press
Qon the door lock switch again,
or press
Qon the RKE transmitter, to
override this feature and lock the doors
immediately.
Delayed locking can be programmed. See
Vehicle Personalization 0108.
Automatic Door Locks
The doors will lock automatically when all
doors are closed, the ignition is on, and the
vehicle is shifted out of P (Park).
If a vehicle door is unlocked and then
opened and closed, the doors will lock either
when your foot is removed from the brake
or the vehicle speed becomes faster than
13 km/h (8 mph).

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To unlock the doors:
.PressKon the power door lock switch.
.Shift into P (Park).
Automatic door locking cannot be disabled.
Automatic door unlocking can be
programmed. See Vehicle Personalization
0 108.
Lockout Protection
If the ignition is on or in ACC/ACCESSORY
and the power door lock switch is pressed
with the driver door open, all the doors will
lock and only the driver door will unlock.
If the vehicle is off and locking is requested
while a door is open, when all doors are
closed the vehicle will check for RKE
transmitters inside. If an RKE transmitter is
detected and the number of RKE
transmitters inside has not reduced, the
driver door will unlock and the horn will
chirp three times.
Lockout Protection can be manually
overridden by pressing and holding
Qon
the power door lock switch. This does not
apply to Open Door Anti-Lockout. Open Door Anti-Lockout
If Open Door Anti-Lockout is turned on, the
driver door is open, and locking is requested,
all the doors will lock and only the driver
door will unlock. The Open Door
Anti-Lockout feature can be turned on or off.
See
Vehicle Personalization 0108.
Safety Locks
The rear door safety locks prevent
passengers from opening the rear doors
from inside the vehicle.
Manual Safety Locks
The safety lock is on the inside edge of the
rear doors. To use the safety lock:
1. Move the lever forward to the lock position.
2. Close the door.
3. Do the same for the other rear door.
To open a rear door when the safety lock
is on: 1. Unlock the door by activating the inside handle, by pressing the power door lock
switch, or by using the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter.
2. Open the door from the outside.
When the safety lock is enabled, adults and
older children will not be able to open the
rear door from the inside. Cancel the safety
locks to enable the doors to open from the
inside.
To cancel the safety lock: 1. Unlock the door and open it from the outside.
2. Move the lever rearward to unlock. Do the same for the other door.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Doors
Liftgate
{Warning
Exhaust gases can enter the vehicle if it
is driven with the liftgate or trunk/hatch
open, or with any objects that pass
through the seal between the body and
the trunk/hatch or liftgate. Engine
exhaust contains carbon monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle must be driven with the
liftgate or trunk/hatch open:
.Close all of the windows.
.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
and set the fan speed to the highest
setting. See“Climate Control Systems”
in the Index.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.If the vehicle is equipped with a
power liftgate, disable the power
liftgate function.
See Engine Exhaust 0205.
Caution
To avoid damage to the liftgate or
liftgate glass, make sure the area above
and behind the liftgate is clear before
opening it.
Manual Liftgate
To unlock the liftgate, pressKon the
power door lock switch or press
Kon the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter
twice within five seconds. See Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation 07.
To open the liftgate, press the touch pad
under the liftgate handle and lift up.
If equipped with Keyless Access, the liftgate
can be opened when locked if the RKE
transmitter is within 1 m (3 ft) of the
liftgate. See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation 07.
Use the pull cup to lower and close the
liftgate. Do not press the touch pad while
closing the liftgate. This may cause the
liftgate to be unlatched.
The liftgate has an electric latch. If the
battery is disconnected or has low voltage,
the liftgate will not open. The liftgate will
resume operation when the battery is
reconnected and charged.

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Always close the liftgate before driving.
Power Liftgate Operation
{Warning
You or others could be injured if caught
in the path of the power liftgate. Make
sure there is no one in the way of the
liftgate as it is opening and closing.
Caution
Driving with an open and unsecured
liftgate may result in damage to the
power liftgate components.
The power liftgate switch is on the driver
door. The vehicle must be in P (Park). The
taillamps flash when the power liftgate
moves.
The modes are:
.MAX: Opens to maximum height.
.3/4: Opens to a reduced height that can
be set from 3/4 to fully open. Use to
prevent the liftgate from opening into
overhead obstructions such as a garage
door or roof-mounted cargo. The liftgate
can be manually opened all the way.
.OFF: Opens manually only.
To open or close the power liftgate, select
MAX or 3/4 mode.
.Pressbtwice quickly on the RKE
transmitter until the liftgate moves.
.Press8on the driver door. The driver
door must unlocked.
.Press the touch pad under the liftgate
handle after unlocking all doors. A locked
vehicle can be opened if the RKE
transmitter is within 1 m (3 ft) of the
liftgate.
Presslon the bottom of the liftgate
next to the pull cup to close.
Press any liftgate button, the touch pad,
or
bon the RKE transmitter while the
liftgate is moving to stop it. Pressing any
liftgate button or pressing
btwice quickly
on the RKE transmitter again restarts the
operation in the reverse direction. Pressing
the touch pad on the liftgate handle will
restart the motion, but only in the opening
direction.