Chevrolet Equinox manuals

Chevrolet Equinox Owners Manual: Off-Road Driving

All-wheel-drive vehicles can be used for off-road driving. Vehicles without all-wheel drive and vehicles not equipped with All Terrain (AT) or On-Off Road (OOR) tires must not be driven off-road except on a level, solid surface. To contact the tire manufacturer for more information about the original equipment tires, see the warranty manual.

Controlling the vehicle is the key to successful off-road driving. One of the best ways to control the vehicle is to control the speed.

Warning When driving off-road, bouncing and quick changes in direction can easily throw you out of position. This could cause you to lose control and crash. You and your passengers should always wear seat belts.

Before Driving Off-Road

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.

Environmental Concerns

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:

Warning Driving to the top of a hill at high speed can cause an accident.

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.

Warning Heavy braking when going down a hill can cause your brakes to overheat and fade. This could cause loss of control and 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.
  1.  If the vehicle cannot be restarted after stalling, set the parking brake, shift an automatic transmission into P (Park), and turn the vehicle off.
  1.  Leave the vehicle and seek help.
  2.  Stay clear of the path the vehicle would take if it rolled downhill.
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.

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 slowly through it. At faster speeds, water can get into the engine and the vehicle can stall.

Stalling can also occur if the exhaust pipe gets under water. If the exhaust pipe is under water, the engine will not start. When going through water, the brakes get wet, and it might take longer to stop. See Driving on Wet Roads.

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.

Loss of Control
Skidding There are three types of skids that correspond to the vehicle's three control systems:  Braking Skid - wheels are not rolling.  Steering or Cornering Skid - too muc ...

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 a ...

Other materials:

Control Valve Lower Body Assembly Cleaning and Inspection Automatic Transmission Unit
Control Valve Lower Body Assembly Cleaning and InspectionCalloutComponent NameWarning:Valve springs can be tightly compressed. Use care whenremoving retainers and plugs. Personal injury could result.Caution:After cleaning the transmission components, allow to air dry.Do not use cloth or paper towels ...

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