engine CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2021 Service Manual

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14420010) - 2021 - CRC - 11/10/20
Infotainment System 169
accessory with iPod or iPhone may affect
wireless performance. iPhone, iPod, iPod
classic, iPod nano, iPod shuffle, and iPod
touch are trademarks of Apple Inc.,
registered in the U.S. and other countries.
If you decide to continue service after your
trial, your selected subscription plan will
automatically renew thereafter. You will be
charged at then-current rates. Fees and taxes
apply. Please see the SiriusXM Customer
Agreement at siriusxm.com for complete
terms and how to cancel, which includes
calling SiriusXM at 1-866-635-2349. All fees
and programming are subject to change.
Fees and Taxes: Subscription fee, taxes, one
time activation fee, and other fees may
apply. Subscription fee is consumer only. All
fees and programming subject to change.
Subscriptions subject to Customer
Agreement available at www.siriusxm.com.
SiriusXM service is only available in the
48 contiguous United States and Canada.In Canada: Some deterioration of service
may occur in extreme northern latitudes.
This is beyond the control of SiriusXM
Satellite Radio.
Explicit Language Notice: Channels with
frequent explicit language are indicated with
an
“XL” preceding the channel name.
Channel blocking is available for SiriusXM
Satellite Radio receivers by notifying
SiriusXM:
.USA Customers —See www.siriusxm.com
or call 1-888-601–6296.
.Canada Customers —See
www.siriusxm.ca or call 1-877-438-9677.
It is prohibited to copy, decompile,
disassemble, reverse engineer, hack,
manipulate, or otherwise make available any
technology or software incorporated in
receivers compatible with the SiriusXM
Satellite Radio System or that support the
SiriusXM website, the Online Service or any
of its content. Furthermore, the AMBER voice
compression software included in this
product is protected by intellectual property
rights including patent rights, copyrights,
and trade secrets of Digital Voice
Systems, Inc. General Requirements:
1. A License Agreement from SiriusXM is required for any product that
incorporates SiriusXM Technology and/or
for use of any of the SiriusXM marks to
be manufactured, distributed,
or marketed in the SiriusXM
Service Area.
2. For products to be distributed, marketed, and/or sold in Canada, a separate
agreement is required with Canadian
Satellite Radio Inc. (operating as SiriusXM
Canada).
TouchSense Technology and TouchSense
System 1000 Series Licensed from
Immersion Corporation. TouchSense System
1000 protected under one or more of the
U.S. Patents at the following address
www.immersion.com/patent-marking.html
and other patents pending.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14420010) - 2021 - CRC - 11/10/20
172 Infotainment System
(“VC-1 VIDEO”) AND/OR (ii) DECODE VC-1
VIDEO THAT WAS ENCODED BY A
CONSUMER ENGAGED IN A PERSONAL AND
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OBTAINED FROM A VIDEO PROVIDER
LICENSED TO PROVIDE VC-1 VIDEO. NO
LICENSE IS GRANTED OR SHALL BE IMPLIED
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FROM MPEG LA, LLC. SEE
HTTP://WWW.MPEGLA.COM.
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USE OF THIS PRODUCT IN ANY MANNER
THAT COMPLIES WITH THE MPEG-4 VISUAL
STANDARD IS PROHIBITED, EXCEPT FOR USE
BY A CONSUMER ENGAGING IN PERSONAL
AND NON-COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES.
MP3
MPEG Layer-3 audio coding technology
licensed from Fraunhofer IIS and Thomson.
WMV/WMA
This product includes technology owned by
Microsoft Corporation and under a license
from Microsoft Licensing, GP. Use or
distribution of such technology outside of
this product is prohibited without a license
from Microsoft Corporation and/or Microsoft
Licensing, GP as applicable.Map End User License Agreement
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Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14420010) - 2021 - CRC - 11/10/20
Infotainment System 175
The product you have purchased ("Product")
contains Software (Runtime Configuration
No. 505962; "Software") which is distributed
by or on behalf of the Product manufacturer
"Manufacturer") under license from Software
Systems Co. ("QSSC"). You may only use the
Software in the Product and in compliance
with the license terms below.
Subject to the terms and conditions of this
License, QSSC hereby grants you a limited,
non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use
the Software in the Product for the purpose
intended by the Manufacturer. If permitted
by the Manufacturer, or by applicable law,
you may make one backup copy of the
Software as part of the Product software.
QSSC and its licensors reserve all license+C31
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required by applicable law you may not
reproduce, distribute or transfer,
or de-compile, disassemble or otherwise
attempt to unbundle, reverse engineer,
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cover or alter any proprietary notices, labels
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ensure that all copies bear any noticecontained on the original; and (2) not to
export the Product or the Software in
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FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION, OR ANY AND ALL
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WMA
This product is protected by certain
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or distribution of such technology outside of
this product is prohibited without a license
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For more information on the Software,
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terms (and available source code) as well as
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Runtime Configuration indicated above,
please contact the Manufacturer or contact
QSSC at 175 Terence Matthews Crescent,
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([email protected]).

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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184 Driving and Operating
Driving and Operating
Driving Information
Driver Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Driving Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Vehicle Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 186
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Impaired Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201Winter Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . 204
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . 205
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . 206
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Brakes
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . 209
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Adaptive Cruise Control (Camera) . . . . . . 217
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Assistance Systems for Parking orBacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . 230
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) . . . 232
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Recommended Fuel (LYX - 1.5L L4 Turbo Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . 241

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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186 Driving and Operating
Driving for Better Fuel Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel mileage. Here
are some driving tips to get the best fuel
economy possible:
.Set the climate controls to the desired
temperature after the engine is started,
or turn them off when not required.
.Avoid fast starts and accelerate smoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoid abrupt stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for long periods
of time.
.When road and weather conditions are
appropriate, use cruise control.
.Always follow posted speed limits or
drive more slowly when conditions
require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly inflated.
.Combine several trips into a single trip.
.Replace the vehicle's tires with the same
TPC Spec number molded into the tire's
sidewall near the size.
.Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms and can
take your focus from the task of driving.
Exercise good judgment and do not let other
activities divert your attention away from
the road. Many local governments have
enacted laws regarding driver distraction.
Become familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, keep your eyes
on the road, keep your hands on the
steering wheel, and focus your attention on
driving.
.Do not use a phone in demanding driving
situations. Use a hands-free method to
place or receive necessary phone calls.
.Watch the road. Do not read, take notes,
or look up information on phones or
other electronic devices.
.Designate a front seat passenger to
handle potential distractions.
.Become familiar with vehicle features
before driving, such as programming
favorite radio stations and adjusting
climate control and seat settings. Program
all trip information into any navigation
device prior to driving.
.Wait until the vehicle is parked to
retrieve items that have fallen to the
floor.
.Stop or park the vehicle to tend to
children.
.Keep pets in an appropriate carrier or
restraint.
.Avoid stressful conversations while
driving, whether with a passenger or on a
cell phone.
{Warning
Taking your eyes off the road too long or
too often could cause a crash resulting in
injury or death. Focus your attention on
driving.
Refer to the infotainment section for more
information on using that system and the
navigation system, if equipped, including
pairing and using a cell phone.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always expect the
unexpected.” The first step in driving
defensively is to wear the seat belt. See
Seat Belts 039.

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Driving and Operating 187
.Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers)
are going to be careless and make
mistakes. Anticipate what they may do
and be ready.
.Allow enough following distance between
you and the driver in front of you.
.Focus on the task of driving.
Impaired Driving
Death and injury associated with impaired
driving is a global tragedy.
{Warning
Drinking alcohol or taking drugs and then
driving is very dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and judgment
can be affected by even a small amount
of alcohol or drugs. You can have a
serious—or even fatal —collision if you
drive after drinking or taking drugs.
Do not drive while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs, or ride with a driver
who has been drinking or is impaired by
drugs. Find alternate transportation
home; or if you are with a group,
designate a driver who will remain sober.
Control of a Vehicle
Braking, steering, and accelerating are
important factors in helping to control a
vehicle while driving.
Braking
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time. Deciding to push the brake
pedal is perception time. Actually doing it is
reaction time.
Average driver reaction time is about
three-quarters of a second. In that time, a
vehicle moving at 100 km/h (60 mph) travels
20 m (66 ft), which could be a lot of
distance in an emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in mind include:
.Keep enough distance between you and
the vehicle in front of you.
.Avoid needless heavy braking.
.Keep pace with traffic.
If the engine ever stops while the vehicle is
being driven, brake normally but do not
pump the brakes. Doing so could make the
pedal harder to push down. If the engine
stops, there will be some power brake assist
but it will be used when the brake is applied. Once the power assist is used up, it
can take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Steering
Electric Power Steering
Caution
To avoid damage to the steering system,
do not drive over curbs, parking barriers,
or similar objects at speeds greater than
3 km/h (1 mph). Use care when driving
over other objects such as lane dividers
and speed bumps. Damage caused by
misuse of the vehicle is not covered by
the vehicle warranty.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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190 Driving and Operating
Loading the Vehicle for Off-Road Driving
{Warning
.Unsecured cargo on the load floor can
be tossed about when driving over
rough terrain. You or your passengers
can be struck by flying objects. Secure
the cargo properly.
.Keep cargo in the cargo area as far
forward and as low as possible. The
heaviest things should be on the floor,
forward of the rear axle.
.Heavy loads on the roof raise the
vehicle's center of gravity, making it
more likely to roll over. You can be
seriously or fatally injured if the
vehicle rolls over. Put heavy loads
inside the cargo area, not on the roof.
For more information about loading the
vehicle, see Vehicle Load Limits 0195.
Environmental Concerns
.Always use established trails, roads, and
areas that have been set aside for public
off-road recreational driving and obey all
posted regulations.
.Do not damage shrubs, flowers, trees,
or grasses or disturb wildlife.
.Do not park over things that burn. See
Parking over Things That Burn 0205.
Driving on Hills
Driving safely on hills requires good
judgment and an understanding of what the
vehicle can and cannot do.
{Warning
Many hills are simply too steep for any
vehicle. Driving up hills can cause the
vehicle to stall. Driving down hills can
cause loss of control. Driving across hills
can cause a rollover. You could be injured
or killed. Do not drive on steep hills.
Before driving on a hill, assess the
steepness, traction, and obstructions. If the
terrain ahead cannot be seen, get out of the
vehicle and walk the hill before driving
further.
When driving on hills:
.Use a low gear and keep a firm grip on
the steering wheel.
.Maintain a slow speed.
.When possible, drive straight up or down
the hill.
.Slow down when approaching the top of
the hill.
.Use headlamps even during the day to
make the vehicle more visible.
{Warning
Driving to the top of a hill at high speed
can cause a crash. There could be a
drop-off, embankment, cliff, or even
another vehicle. You could be seriously
injured or killed. As you near the top of a
hill, slow down and stay alert.
.Never go downhill forward or backward
with the transmission in N (Neutral). The
brakes could overheat and you could lose
control.
.When driving down a hill, keep the
vehicle headed straight down. Use a low
gear because the engine will work with
the brakes to slow the vehicle and help
keep the vehicle under control.
{Warning
Heavy braking when going down a hill
can cause your brakes to overheat and
fade. This could cause loss of control and (Continued)

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 191
Warning (Continued)
you or others could be injured or killed.
Apply the brakes lightly when descending
a hill and use a low gear to keep vehicle
speed under control.
If the vehicle stalls on a hill: 1. Apply the brakes to stop the vehicle, and then apply the parking brake.
2. Shift into P (Park) and then restart the engine.
.If driving uphill when the vehicle
stalls, shift to R (Reverse), release the
parking brake, and back
straight down.
.Never try to turn the vehicle around.
If the hill is steep enough to stall the
vehicle, it is steep enough to cause it
to roll over.
.If you cannot make it up the hill,
back straight down the hill.
.Never back down a hill in N (Neutral)
using only the brake. The vehicle can
roll backward quickly and you could
lose control.
.If driving downhill when the vehicle
stalls, shift to a lower gear, release
the parking brake, and drive straight
down the hill.
3. If the vehicle cannot be restarted after stalling, set the parking brake, shift into
P (Park), and turn the vehicle off.
3.1. Leave the vehicle and seek help.
3.2. Stay clear of the path the vehicle would take if it rolled downhill.
.Avoid turns that take the vehicle across
the incline of the hill. A hill that can be
driven straight up or down might be too
steep to drive across. Driving across an
incline puts more weight on the downhill
wheels which could cause a downhill slide
or a rollover.
.Surface conditions can be a problem.
Loose gravel, muddy spots, or even wet
grass can cause the tires to slip sideways,
downhill. If the vehicle slips sideways, it
can hit something that will trip it —a
rock, a rut, etc. —and roll over.
.Hidden obstacles can make the steepness
of the incline more severe. If a rock is
driven across with the uphill wheels, or if
the downhill wheels drop into a rut or
depression, the vehicle can tilt even more.
.If an incline must be driven across, and
the vehicle starts to slide, turn downhill.
This should help straighten out the
vehicle and prevent the side slipping.
{Warning
Getting out of the vehicle on the
downhill side when stopped across an
incline is dangerous. If the vehicle rolls
over, you could be crushed or killed.
Always get out on the uphill side of the
vehicle and stay well clear of the
rollover path.
Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow, or Ice
Use a low gear when driving in mud —the
deeper the mud, the lower the gear. Keep
the vehicle moving to avoid getting stuck.
Traction changes when driving on sand. On
loose sand, such as on beaches or sand
dunes, the tires tend to sink into the sand.
This affects steering, accelerating, and
braking. Drive at a reduced speed and avoid
sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers.
Traction is reduced on hard packed snow
and ice and it is easy to lose control. Reduce
vehicle speed when driving on hard packed
snow and ice.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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192 Driving and Operating
{Warning
Driving on frozen lakes, ponds, or rivers
can be dangerous. Ice conditions vary
greatly and the vehicle could fall through
the ice; you and your passengers could
drown. Drive your vehicle on safe
surfaces only.
Driving in Water
{Warning
Driving through rushing water can be
dangerous. Deep water can sweep your
vehicle downstream and you and your
passengers could drown. If it is only
shallow water, it can still wash away the
ground from under your tires. Traction
could be lost, and the vehicle could roll
over. Do not drive through rushing water.
Caution
Do not drive through standing water if it
is deep enough to cover the wheel hubs,
axles, or exhaust pipe. Deep water can
damage the axle and other vehicle parts.If the standing water is not too deep, drive
through it slowly. At faster speeds, water
can get into the engine and cause it to stall.
Stalling can occur if the exhaust pipe is
under water. Do not turn off the ignition
when driving through water. If the exhaust
pipe is under water, the engine will not
start. When going through water, the brakes
get wet and it may take longer to stop. See
Driving on Wet Roads
0192 later in this
section.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has
collected on the underbody or chassis,
or under the hood. These accumulations can
be a fire hazard.
After operation in mud or sand, have the
brake linings cleaned and checked. These
substances can cause glazing and uneven
braking. Check the body structure, steering,
suspension, wheels, tires, and exhaust
system for damage and check the fuel lines
and cooling system for any leakage.
More frequent maintenance service is
required. See Maintenance Schedule 0323.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle
traction and affect your ability to stop and
accelerate. Always drive slower in these
types 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.

Chevrolet Equinox Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 193
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.
SeeTires 0279.
.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.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or with
the ignition off is dangerous. This can
cause overheating of the brakes and loss
of steering assist. Always have the engine
running and the vehicle in gear.
.Drive at speeds that keep the vehicle in
its own lane. Do not swing wide or cross
the center line.
.Be alert on top of hills; something could
be in your lane (e.g., stalled car, crash).
.Pay attention to special road signs (e.g.,
falling rocks area, winding roads, long
grades, passing or no-passing zones) and
take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and the road
creates less traction or grip, so drive
carefully. Wet ice can occur at about 0 °C
(32 °F) when freezing rain begins to fall.
Avoid driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating too quickly
causes the wheels to spin and makes the
surface under the tires slick.
.Turn on Traction Control. See Traction
Control/Electronic Stability Control 0211.