Chevrolet Equinox Owners Manual: Cooling System

1.5L Gas Engine

1. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
2.  Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap

1.6L Diesel Engine

1. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
2.  Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap

2.0L Gas Engine

1. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
2.  Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap

If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down.

The vehicle should be parked on a level surface.

The coolant level should be at the top rib on the middle of the tank. If it is not, the vehicle may have a leak at the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water pump, or somewhere else in the cooling system.

If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check to see if the electric engine cooling fan is running. If the engine is overheating, the fan should be running. If it is not, the vehicle needs service. Turn off the engine.

Engine Coolant

The engine cooling system in the vehicle are filled with dexcool engine coolant mixture. This coolant needs to be checked and changed at appropriate levels.

See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants and Maintenance Schedule.

The following explains the cooling systems and how to check and add coolant when it is low. If there is a problem with engine overheating, see Engine Overheating.

What to Use

Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and dexcool coolant. If using this mixture, nothing else needs to be added.

This mixture:

•  Gives freezing protection down to −37 C (−34 F), outside temperature.
•  Gives boiling protection up to 129 C (265 F), engine temperature.
•  Protects against rust and corrosion.
•  Will not damage aluminum parts.
• Helps keep the proper engine temperature.

Never dispose of engine coolant by putting it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, or pouring into sewers, streams, or bodies of water. Have the coolant changed by an authorized service center, familiar with legal requirements regarding used coolant disposal. This will help protect the environment and your health.

Checking Coolant

The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking the coolant level.

Check to see if coolant is visible in the coolant surge tank. If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down. If coolant is visible but the coolant level mark is not visible, add a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and dexcool coolant at the coolant surge tank to the top rib on the middle of the tank, but be sure the cooling system is cool before this is done. See Engine Overheating.

The coolant surge tank is located in the engine compartment on the driver side of the vehicle. See Engine Compartment Overview.

How to Add Coolant to the Surge Tank

The coolant surge tank pressure cap can be removed when the cooling system, including the surge tank pressure cap and upper radiator hose, is no longer hot.

1.  Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise. If a hiss is heard, wait for that to stop.

   A hiss means there is still some pressure left.

2.  Keep turning the pressure cap slowly and remove it.
3.  Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture to the mark pointed to on the front of the coolant surge tank.
4.  With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the engine and let it run until you can feel the upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the engine cooling fans. By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant surge tank may be lower. If the level is lower, add more of the proper mixture to the coolant surge tank until the level reaches the mark pointed to on the front of the coolant surge tank.
5.  Replace the pressure cap tightly.