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.

Before Driving Off-Road

•  Have all necessary maintenance and service work completed.
•  Fuel the vehicle, fill fluid levels, and check inflation pressure in all tires, including the spare, if equipped.
•  Read all the information about all-wheel-drive vehicles in this manual.
•  Make sure all underbody shields, if equipped, are properly attached.
•  Know the local laws that apply to off-road driving.

Loading the Vehicle for Off-Road Driving

For more information about loading the vehicle, see Vehicle Load Limits.

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.

Driving on Hills

Driving safely on hills requires good judgment and an understanding of what the vehicle can and cannot do.

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.

• 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.

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 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.

•  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.

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.

Driving in Water

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.