2011 Chevrolet Equinox Owners Manual

If another phone is not found, the original phone remains connected.

Storing Name Tags The system can store up to 30 phone numbers as name tags that are shared between the Bluetooth and OnStar systems. The system uses the following commands to store and retrieve phone numbers: . Store . Digit Store . Directory

Infotainment System 7-51

3. Say the complete phone number

to be stored at once with no pauses.

If the system recognizes the number, the response is “OK, Storing.” If the system does not recognize the phone number, the response is “Store . Please say yes or no.” If the number is correct, say “Yes.” If the number is not correct, say “No.” The system will ask for the number again.

4. After the system stores the phone number, it responds “Please say the name tag,” followed by a tone.

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Infotainment System

5. Say a name tag for the phone

number. The name tag is recorded and the system responds “About to store . Does that sound OK?.” If the name tag does not sound correct, say “No” and repeat Step 5. If the name tag sounds correct, say “Yes” and the name tag is stored. After the number is stored the system returns to the main menu.

Using the Digit Store Command The digit store command allows a phone number to be stored by entering the digits individually. 1. Press b / g.

For vehicles without a navigation system, the system responds “Ready,” followed by a tone.

For vehicles with a navigation system, the system responds with a tone. After the tone say “Hands Free.” The system responds “Ready,” followed by a tone.

2. Say “Digit Store.” The system responds with “Please say the first digit to store,” followed by a tone.

3. Say the first digit to be stored.

The system will repeat back the digit it heard followed by a tone. Continue entering digits until the number to be stored is complete.

If an unwanted number is recognized by the system, say “Clear” at any time to clear the last number. To hear all of the numbers recognized by the system, say “Verify” at any time.

4. After the complete number has been entered, say “Store.” The system responds “Please say the name tag,” followed by a tone.

5. Say a name tag for the phone

number. The name tag is recorded and the system responds “About to store . Does that sound OK?.” If the name tag does not sound correct, say “No” and repeat Step 5. If the name tag sounds correct, say “Yes” and the name tag is stored. After the number is stored the system returns to the main menu.

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Using the Directory Command The directory command lists all of the name tags stored by the system. To use the directory command: 1. Press b / g.

For vehicles without a navigation system, the system responds “Ready,” followed by a tone. For vehicles with a navigation system, the system responds with a tone. After the tone say “Hands Free.” The system responds “Ready,” followed by a tone.

2. Say “Directory.” The system

responds “Directory” and lists all stored name tags. The system returns to the main menu when the list is complete.

Deleting Name Tags The system uses the following commands to delete name tags: . Delete . Delete all name tags

Using the Delete Command The delete command is used to delete specific name tags. To delete name tags: 1. Press b / g.

For vehicles without a navigation system, the system responds “Ready,” followed by a tone. For vehicles with a navigation system, the system responds with a tone. After the tone say “Hands Free.” The system responds “Ready,” followed by a tone.

Infotainment System 7-53

2. Say “Delete.” The system

responds “Delete, please say the name tag,” followed by a tone.

3. Say the name tag to be deleted.

The system responds “Would you like to delete, ? Please say yes or no.”

If the name tag is correct, say “Yes” to delete the name tag. The system responds with “OK, deleting , returning to the main menu.” If the name tag is incorrect, say “No.” The system responds with “No. OK, let's try again, please say the name tag.”

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Infotainment System

Using the Delete All Name Tags Command The Delete All Name Tags command deletes all stored phone book name tags and route name tags for OnStar, if stored. To delete all name tags: 1. Press b / g.

For vehicles without a navigation system, the system responds “Ready,” followed by a tone. For vehicles with a navigation system, the system responds with a tone. After the tone say “Hands Free.” The system responds “Ready,” followed by a tone.

2. Say “Delete all name tags.” The system responds “You are about to delete all name tags stored in your phone directory and your route destination directory. Are you sure you want to do this? Please say yes or no.”

Say “Yes” to delete all name tags. Say “No” to cancel the function and return to the main menu.

Making a Call Calls can be made using the following commands: . Dial . Digit Dial . Call . Re‐dial

Using the Dial Command 1. Press b / g.

For vehicles without a navigation system, the system responds “Ready,” followed by a tone. For vehicles with a navigation system, the system responds with a tone. After the tone say “Hands Free.” The system responds “Ready,” followed by a tone.

2. Say “Dial.” The system responds

“Dial using . “Number please,” followed by a tone.

3. Say the entire number without

pausing.

If the system recognizes the number, it responds with “OK, Dialing” and dials the number.

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If the system does not recognize the number, it confirms the numbers followed by a tone. If the number is correct, say “Yes.” The system responds “OK, Dialing” and dials the number. If the number is not correct, say “No.” The system will ask for the number again.

Using the Digit Dial Command 1. Press b / g.

For vehicles without a navigation system, the system responds “Ready,” followed by a tone. For vehicles with a navigation system, the system responds with a tone. After the tone say “Hands Free.” The system responds “Ready,” followed by a tone.

2. Say “Digit Dial.” The system

responds “Digit dial using , please say the first digit to dial,” followed by a tone.

3. Say the digits to be dialed one at a time. The system repeats back the digit it heard followed by a tone.

4. Continue entering digits until the number to be dialed is complete. After the whole number has been entered, say “Dial.” The system responds “OK, Dialing” and dials the number.

If an unwanted number is recognized by the system, say “Clear” at any time to clear the last number. To hear all of the numbers recognized by the system, say “Verify” at any time.

Infotainment System 7-55

Using the Call Command 1. Press b / g.

For vehicles without a navigation system, the system responds “Ready,” followed by a tone. For vehicles with a navigation system, the system responds with a tone. After the tone say “Hands Free.” The system responds “Ready,” followed by a tone.

2. Say “Call.” The system responds

“Call using . Please say the name tag,” followed by a tone.

3. Say the name tag of the person

to call.

If the system recognizes the name tag it responds “OK, calling, ” and dials the number.

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Infotainment System

If the system does not recognize the name tag, it confirms the name tag followed by a tone. If the name tag is correct, say “Yes.” The system responds with “OK, calling, ” and dials the number. If the name tag is not correct, say “No.” The system will ask for the name tag again.

Once connected, the person called will be heard through the audio speakers.

Using the Re‐dial Command 1. Press b / g.

For vehicles without a navigation system, the system responds “Ready,” followed by a tone.

For vehicles with a navigation system, the system responds with a tone. After the tone say “Hands Free.” The system responds with “Ready,” followed by a tone.

2. After the tone, say “Re‐dial.” The

system responds “Re‐dial using ” and dials the last number called from the connected Bluetooth phone.

Once connected, the person called will be heard through the audio speakers. Receiving a Call When an incoming call is received, the audio system mutes and a ring tone is heard in the vehicle. . Press b g to answer the call. . Press $ / i to ignore a call.

Call Waiting Call waiting must be supported on the Bluetooth phone and enabled by the wireless service carrier. . Press b g to answer an

incoming call when another call is active. The original call is placed on hold.

. Press b g again to return to the

original call. To ignore the incoming call, no action is required.

. Press $ / i tto disconnect the current call and switch to the call on hold.

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Three‐Way Calling Three‐way calling must be supported on the Bluetooth phone and enabled by the wireless service carrier. 1. While on a call, press b g. The system responds with “Ready,” followed by a tone.

2. Say “Three‐way call.” The

system responds with “Three‐ way call, please say dial or call.” 3. Use the dial or call command to dial the number of the third party to be called.

4. Once the call is connected, press b g to link all callers together.

Ending a Call Press $ / i to end a call.

Muting a Call During a call, all sounds from inside the vehicle can be muted so that the person on the other end of the call cannot hear them.

To Mute a call 1. Press b g. The system

responds “Ready,” followed by a tone.

2. Say “Mute Call.” The system

responds “Call muted.”

To Cancel Mute 1. Press b g. The system

responds “Ready,” followed by a tone.

2. After the tone, say “Mute Call.”

The system responds “Resuming call.”

Infotainment System 7-57

Transferring a Call Audio can be transferred between the in‐vehicle Bluetooth system and the cell phone.

To Transfer Audio to the Cell Phone During a call with the audio in the vehicle: 1. Press b g. The system

responds “Ready,” followed by a tone.

2. Say “Transfer Call.” The system responds “Transferring call” and the audio transfers to the cell phone.

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Infotainment System

To Transfer Audio to the In-Vehicle Bluetooth System The cell phone must be paired and connected with the Bluetooth system before a call can be transferred. The connection process can take up to two minutes after the ignition is turned to ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY. For vehicles without a navigation system, press b g during a call with the audio on the cell phone. The audio transfers to the vehicle. For vehicles with a navigation system, press b g during a call with the audio on the cell phone. If the audio does not transfer to the vehicle, use the audio transfer feature on the cell phone. See the cell phone manufacturer's user guide for more information.

Voice Pass-Thru Voice pass‐thru allows access to the voice recognition commands on the cell phone. See the cell phone manufacturer's user guide to see if the cell phone supports this feature. To access contacts stored in the cell phone: 1. Press b / g.

For vehicles without a navigation system, the system responds “Ready,” followed by a tone. For vehicles with a navigation system, the system responds with a tone. After the tone say “Hands Free.” The system responds “Ready,” followed by a tone.

2. Say “Bluetooth.” The system responds “Bluetooth ready,” followed by a tone.

3. Say “Voice.” The system responds “OK, accessing .”

The cell phone's normal prompt messages will go through their cycle according to the phone's operating instructions. Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) Tones The in‐vehicle Bluetooth system can send numbers and the numbers stored as name tags during a call. Use this feature when calling a menu‐driven phone system. Account numbers can also be stored for use.

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Sending a Number During a Call 1. Press b g. The system

responds “Ready,” followed by a tone.

2. Say “Dial.” The system responds

“Say a number to send tones,” followed by a tone.

3. Say the number to send.

If the system recognizes the number, it responds “OK, Sending Number” and the dial tones are sent and the call continues. If the system does not recognize the number, it responds “Dial Number, please say yes or no?,” followed by a tone. If the number is correct, say “Yes.” The system responds “OK, Sending Number” and the dial tones are sent and the call continues.

Infotainment System 7-59

Sending a Stored Name Tag During a Call 1. Press b g. The system

responds “Ready,” followed by a tone.

2. Say “Send name tag.” The

system responds “Say a name tag to send tones,” followed by a tone.

3. Say the name tag to send.

Clearing the System Unless information is deleted out of the in‐vehicle Bluetooth system, it will be retained indefinitely. This includes all saved name tags in the phone book and phone pairing information. For information on how to delete this information, see the previous sections on Deleting a Paired Phone and Deleting Name Tags.

If the system recognizes the number, it responds “OK, Sending ” and the dial tones are sent and the call continues. If the system does not recognize the name tag, it responds “Dial , please say yes or no?,” followed by a tone. If the name tag is correct, say “Yes.” The system responds with “OK, Sending ” and the dial tones are sent and the call continues.

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Infotainment System

2 NOTES

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Climate Controls

Climate Control Systems

Climate Controls

8-1

The vehicle's heating, cooling, defrosting, and ventilation can be controlled with this system.

Climate Control Systems

Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Automatic Climate Control

System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3

Air Vents

Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5

Maintenance

Passenger Compartment Air

Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6

A. Fan Control B. Air Delivery Mode Controls C. Temperature Control D. Outside Air

E. Defrost F. Rear Window Defogger G. Recirculation H. Air Conditioning

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8-2

Climate Controls

A (Fan Control): Turn to increase or decrease the fan speed. Turn the knob completely to T to turn the fan off. Temperature Control: Turn to increase or decrease the temperature. Air Delivery Mode Control: To change the current mode, select one of the following: F (Vent): Air is directed to the instrument panel outlets. * (Bi-Level): Air is directed to the instrument panel outlets and the floor outlets. 7 (Floor): Air is directed to the floor outlets. W (Defog): Clears the windows of fog or moisture. Air is directed to the windshield and floor outlets. 0 (Defrost): Clears the windshield of fog or frost more quickly. Air is directed to the windshield and side window outlets.

For best results, clear all snow and ice from the windshield before defrosting. Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear. Air Conditioning # (Air Conditioning): Press to turn the air conditioning on or off. If the fan is turned off or the outside temperature falls below freezing, the air conditioning will not work. h (Recirculation): Press to turn on the recirculation. An indicator light comes on. Air is recirculated inside the vehicle. It helps to quickly cool the air inside the vehicle or prevent outside air and odors from entering. The air conditioning may come on under certain conditions. % (Outside Air): Press to turn on the outside air. An indicator light comes on. Outside air is circulated throughout the vehicle.

Rear Window Defogger < (Rear Defogger): Press to turn the rear window defogger on or off. The rear window defogger turns off after about 10 minutes. It can also be turned off by turning the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY or LOCK/ OFF. If turned on again, it runs for about five minutes before turning off. Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear. Notice: Do not use a razor blade or sharp object to clear the inside rear window. Do not adhere anything to the defogger grid lines in the rear glass. These actions may damage the rear defogger. Repairs would not be covered by your warranty.

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Automatic Climate Control System

The vehicle's heating, cooling, defrosting, and ventilation can be controlled with this system.

A. Fan Control B. AUTO (Automatic Operation) C. Air Delivery Mode Controls D. Defrost E. Recirculation

F. Temperature Control G. Power H. Driver and Passenger Heated

Seats

I. Rear Window Defogger J. Air Conditioning

Climate Controls

8-3

Automatic Operation The system automatically controls the fan speed, air delivery, air conditioning, and recirculation to heat or cool the vehicle to the selected temperature. When the AUTO indicator light is on, the system is in full automatic operation. To place the system in automatic mode: 1. Press AUTO. 2. Set the temperature. Allow the system time to stabilize. Then adjust the temperature as needed.

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8-4

Climate Controls

Manual Operation O (Power): Press to turn the climate control system on or off. A (Fan Control): Turn to increase or decrease the fan speed. Adjusting the fan speed while in automatic mode places the fan under manual control. The AUTO indicator light turns off. The air delivery mode remains in automatic control. Temperature Control: Turn to increase or decrease the temperature inside the vehicle. H / G (Air Delivery Mode Control): Press mode up or mode down to cycle through the different air delivery modes. The current mode is shown on the display.

Select from the following: F (Vent): Air is directed to the instrument panel outlets. * (Bi-Level): Air is directed to the instrument panel outlets and the floor outlets. 7 (Floor): Air is directed to the floor outlets. W (Defog): Clears the windows of fog or moisture. Air is directed to the windshield and floor outlets. 0 (Defrost): Clears the windshield of fog or frost more quickly. Air is directed to the windshield and side window outlets. Selecting defrost disables the automatic mode. For best results, clear all snow and ice from the windshield before defrosting. Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.

Air Conditioning # (Air Conditioning): Press to turn the air conditioning on or off. If the fan is turned off or the outside temperature falls below freezing, the air conditioning will not work. When in AUTO, the air conditioning will come on automatically as needed. h (Recirculation): Press to turn on the recirculation. Press to alternate between recirculation and outside air, if the vehicle does not have a separate outside air button. The indicator light turns on when recirculation is selected. Air is recirculated inside the vehicle. It helps quickly cool the air inside the vehicle or prevent outside air and odors from entering. % (Outside Air, If Equipped): Press to turn on the outside air. An indicator light comes on. Outside air is circulated throughout the vehicle.

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Rear Window Defogger < (Rear Defogger): Press to turn the rear window defogger on or off. The rear window defogger turns off after about 10 minutes. It can also be turned off by turning the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY or LOCK/ OFF. If turned on again, it runs for about five minutes before turning off. Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear. Notice: Do not use a razor blade or sharp object to clear the inside rear window. Do not adhere anything to the defogger grid lines in the rear glass. These actions may damage the rear defogger. Repairs would not be covered by your warranty. L / M (Driver and Passenger Heated Seats): For vehicles with heated seats, see Heated Front Seats on page 3‑8.

Remote Start Climate Control Operation: For vehicles with the remote vehicle start feature, the climate control system may run when the vehicle is started remotely. The system uses the driver's previous settings to heat or cool the inside of the vehicle. The front heated seats will turn on if it is cold outside. The heated seat indicator lights do not come on during a remote start. See Remote Vehicle Start on page 2‑4. Sensors The solar sensor, located on top of the instrument panel near the windshield, monitors the solar heat. The climate control system uses the information to adjust the temperature, fan speed, recirculation, and air delivery mode. Do not cover the solar sensor or the system will not work properly.

Climate Controls

8-5

Air Vents Use the air outlets, located in the center and on the side of the instrument panel, to direct the airflow. Use the thumbwheels located near the center air outlets, to open or close off the airflow.

Operation Tips . Clear away any ice, snow,

or leaves from air inlets at the base of the windshield that could block the flow of air into the vehicle.

. Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects to help circulate the air inside of the vehicle more effectively.

. Use of non‐GM approved hood deflectors can adversely affect the performance of the system. Check with your dealer before adding equipment to the outside of the vehicle.

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8-6

Climate Controls

Maintenance

Passenger Compartment Air Filter The filter removes dust, pollen, and other airborne irritants from outside air that is pulled into the vehicle. The filter should be replaced as part of routine scheduled maintenance. See Scheduled Maintenance on page 11‑2 for replacement intervals. To find out what type of filter to use, see Maintenance Replacement Parts on page 11‑8. The passenger compartment air filter can be accessed by removing the entire glove box. 1. Open the glove box completely

and locate the stop tab on top of the glove box door.

7. Remove the old air filter. 8. 9. Close the service door and

Install the new air filter.

latches.

10. Re‐install the glove box. See your dealer if additional assistance is needed.

2. Push the stop tab upwards until

the stop tab is under the instrument panel assembly and the glove box is released.

3. Unsnap the tabs beneath the

glove box that connects it to the bottom of the instrument panel assembly.

4. Remove the glove box. 5. Locate the service door for the

passenger compartment air filter.

6. Push the two tabs upwards and release the latches holding the service door. Lift the service door.

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Driving and Operating

Driving Information

Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . 9-17
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . 9-18
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 9-18
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-19
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . 9-21
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . 9-21

Starting and Operating

New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . 9-27
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . 9-29

Retained Accessory

Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Engine Coolant Heater . . . . . . . 9-31
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-31
Shifting Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Parking Over Things

That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32

Engine Exhaust

Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Running the Vehicle While

Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33

Automatic Transmission

Automatic Transmission . . . . . 9-34
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-36
Fuel Economy Mode . . . . . . . . . 9-36

Drive Systems

All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-37

Brakes

Antilock Brake

System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-37
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-39
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . 9-39

Driving and Operating

9-1

Ride Control Systems

Traction Control

System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-40
StabiliTrak® System . . . . . . . . . 9-41

Cruise Control

Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42

Object Detection Systems

Ultrasonic Parking Assist . . . . 9-45
Rear Vision

Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-46

Fuel

Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-51
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . 9-51
Gasoline Specifications (U.S.

and Canada Only) . . . . . . . . . . 9-52

California Fuel

Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-52
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 9-52
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-52
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . 9-53
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
Filling a Portable Fuel

Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-56

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9-2

Driving and Operating

Towing

General Towing

Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-57

Driving Characteristics and

Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-57
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-60
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 9-63
Trailer Sway

Control (TSC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-64

Conversions and Add-Ons

Add-On Electrical

Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-64

Driving Information

Defensive Driving Defensive driving means “always expect the unexpected.” The first step in driving defensively is to wear the safety belt. See Safety Belts on page 3‑10.

{ WARNING

Assume that other road users (pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers) are going to be careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what they might do and be ready. In addition:

. Allow enough following

distance between you and the driver in front of you.

. Focus on the task of driving.

(Continued)

WARNING (Continued)

Driver distraction can cause collisions resulting in injury or possible death. These simple defensive driving techniques could save your life.

Drunk Driving

{ WARNING

Drinking and then driving is very dangerous. Your reflexes, perceptions, attentiveness, and judgment can be affected by even a small amount of alcohol. You can have a serious — or even fatal — collision if you drive after drinking. Do not drink and drive or ride with a driver who has been drinking. Ride home in a cab; or if you are with a group, designate a driver who will not drink.

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Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is a global tragedy. Alcohol affects four things that anyone needs to drive a vehicle: judgment, muscular coordination, vision, and attentiveness. Police records show that almost 40 percent of all motor vehicle-related deaths involve alcohol. In most cases, these deaths are the result of someone who was drinking and driving. In recent years, more than 17,000 annual motor vehicle-related deaths have been associated with the use of alcohol, with about 250,000 people injured. For persons under 21, it is against the law in every U.S. state to drink alcohol. There are good medical, psychological, and developmental reasons for these laws. The obvious way to eliminate the leading highway safety problem is for people never to drink alcohol and then drive.

Medical research shows that alcohol in a person's system can make crash injuries worse, especially injuries to the brain, spinal cord, or heart. This means that when anyone who has been drinking — driver or passenger — is in a crash, that person's chance of being killed or permanently disabled is higher than if the person had not been drinking.

Control of a Vehicle The following three systems help to control the vehicle while driving — brakes, steering, and accelerator. At times, as when driving on snow or ice, it is easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires and road can provide. Meaning, you can lose control of the vehicle. See StabiliTrak® System on page 9‑41. Adding non‐dealer accessories can affect vehicle performance. See Accessories and Modifications on page 10‑3.

Driving and Operating

9-3

Braking See Brake System Warning Light on page 5‑15. Braking action involves perception time and reaction time. Deciding to push the brake pedal is perception time. Actually doing it is reaction time. Average reaction time is about three‐fourths of a second. But that is only an average. It might be less with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs, and frustration. But even in three‐fourths of a second, a vehicle moving at 100 km/h (60 mph) travels 20 m (66 ft). That could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so keeping enough space between the vehicle and others is important.

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9-4

Driving and Operating

And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly with the surface of the road, whether it is pavement or gravel; the condition of the road, whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the condition of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle; and the amount of brake force applied. Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is a mistake. The brakes might not have time to cool between hard stops. The brakes will wear out much faster with a lot of heavy braking. Keeping pace with the traffic and allowing realistic following distances eliminates a lot of unnecessary braking. That means better braking and longer brake life.

If the engine ever stops while the vehicle is being driven, brake normally but do not pump the brakes. If the brakes are pumped, the pedal could get harder to push down. If the engine stops, there will still 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. Adding non‐dealer accessories can affect vehicle performance. See Accessories and Modifications on page 10‑3.

Steering

Electric Power Steering (2.4L L4 Engine) If the engine stalls while driving, the power steering assist system will continue to operate until you are

able to stop the vehicle. If power steering assist is lost because the electric power steering system is not functioning, the vehicle can be steered but it will take more effort. If you turn the steering wheel in either direction several times until it stops, or hold the steering wheel in the stopped position for an extended amount of time, you may notice a reduced amount of power steering assist. The normal amount of power steering assist should return shortly after a few normal steering movements. The electric power steering system does not require regular maintenance. If you suspect steering system problems, such as abnormally high steering effort for a prolonged period of time, contact your dealer for service repairs.

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Driving and Operating

9-5

Hydraulic Power Steering (3.0L V6 Engine) If power steering assist is lost because the engine stops or the power steering system is not functioning, the vehicle can be steered but it will take more effort. Steering Tips It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed. Traction in a curve depends on the condition of the tires and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is banked, and vehicle speed. While in a curve, speed is the one factor that can be controlled. If there is a need to reduce speed, do it before entering the curve, while the front wheels are straight. Try to adjust the speed so you can drive through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to accelerate until out of the curve, and then accelerate gently into the straightaway.

Steering in Emergencies There are times when steering can be more effective than braking. For example, you come over a hill and find a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between parked cars and stops right in front of you. These problems can be avoided by braking — if you can stop in time. But sometimes you cannot stop in time because there is no room. That is the time for evasive action — steering around the problem. The vehicle can perform very well in emergencies like these. First apply the brakes. See Braking on page 9‑3. It is better to remove as much speed as possible from a collision. Then steer around the problem, to the left or right depending on the space available.

An emergency like this requires close attention and a quick decision. If holding the steering wheel at the recommended 9 and 3 o'clock positions, it can be turned a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing either hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly, and just as quickly straighten the wheel once you have avoided the object. The fact that such emergency situations are always possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving at all times and wear safety belts properly.

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Driving and Operating

Off-Road Recovery The vehicle's right wheels can drop off the edge of a road onto the shoulder while driving.

If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer so that the vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement. Turn the steering wheel 8 to 13 cm (3 to 5 in), about one-eighth turn, until

the right front tire contacts the pavement edge. Then turn the steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.

Loss of Control Let us review what driving experts say about what happens when the three control systems — brakes, steering, and acceleration — do not have enough friction where the tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked. In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to steer and constantly seek an escape route or area of less danger. Skidding In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle. Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and by not overdriving those conditions. But skids are always possible.

The three types of skids correspond to the vehicle's three control systems. In the braking skid, the wheels are not rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin. If the vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough, the vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a second skid if it occurs. Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice, gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, slow down and adjust your driving to these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery surfaces because stopping distance is longer and vehicle control more limited.

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While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or braking, including reducing vehicle speed by shifting to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide. You might not realize the surface is slippery until the vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning clues — such as enough water, ice, or packed snow on the road to make a mirrored surface — and slow down when you have any doubt. Remember: Antilock brakes help avoid only the braking skid.

Off-Road Driving Vehicles with all‐wheel drive can be used for off‐road driving. Vehicles without all‐wheel drive should not be driven off-road except on a level, solid surface.

Many of the vehicle design features that help make the vehicle more responsive on paved roads during poor weather conditions also help make it better suited for off‐road use than conventional passenger vehicles. The vehicle does not have features usually thought to be necessary for extended or severe off‐road use such as special underbody shielding and transfer case low gear range. The airbag system is designed to work properly under a wide range of conditions, including off‐road usage. Always wear your safety belt and observe safe driving speeds, especially on rough terrain. Drinking and driving can be very dangerous on any road and this is certainly true for off-road driving. At the very time you need special alertness and driving skills, your reflexes, perceptions, and judgment can be affected by even a small

Driving and Operating

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amount of alcohol. You could have a serious — or even fatal — accident if you drink and drive or ride with a driver who has been drinking. Off-roading can be great fun but has some definite hazards. The greatest of these is the terrain itself. When off-road driving, traffic lanes are not marked, curves are not banked, and there are no road signs. Surfaces can be slippery, rough, uphill, or downhill. Avoid sharp turns and abrupt maneuvers. Failure to operate the vehicle correctly off‐road could result in loss of vehicle control or vehicle rollover. Off-roading involves some new skills. That is why it is very important that you read these driving tips and suggestions to help make off-road driving safer and more enjoyable.

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Driving and Operating

Before You Go Off-Roading . Have all necessary maintenance

and service work done.

. Make sure there is enough fuel, that fluid levels are where they should be, and that the spare tire is fully inflated.

. Be sure to read all the

information about all-wheel-drive vehicles in this manual.

. Make sure all underbody

shields, if the vehicle has them, are properly attached.

. Know the local laws that apply to

off-roading where you will be driving or check with law enforcement people in the area.

. Be sure to get the necessary

permission if you will be on private land.

Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving

{ WARNING

. Cargo on the load floor piled

higher than the seatbacks can be thrown forward during a sudden stop. You or your passengers could be injured. Keep cargo below the top of the seatbacks.

. 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.

. 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

(Continued)

WARNING (Continued)

rolls over. Put heavy loads inside the cargo area, not on the roof. Keep cargo in the cargo area as far forward and low as possible.

There are some important things to remember about how to load your vehicle.

The heaviest things should be on the floor, forward of the rear axle. Put heavier items as far forward as you can.

. Be sure the load is properly

secured, so things are not tossed around.

You will find other important information under Vehicle Load Limits on page 9‑21 and Tires on page 10‑43.

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Environmental Concerns Off-road driving can provide wholesome and satisfying recreation. However, it also raises environmental concerns. We recognize these concerns and urge every off-roader to follow these basic rules for protecting the environment: . Always use established trails,

roads, and areas that have been specially set aside for public off-road recreational driving and obey all posted regulations.

. Avoid any driving practice that could damage shrubs, flowers, trees, or grasses or disturb wildlife. This includes wheel-spinning, breaking down trees, or unnecessary driving through streams or over soft ground.

. Always carry a litter bag and

make sure all refuse is removed from any campsite before leaving.

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Take extreme care with open fires (where permitted), camp stoves, and lanterns.

. Never park your vehicle over

dry grass or other combustible materials that could catch fire from the heat of the vehicle's exhaust system.

Traveling to Remote Areas It makes sense to plan your trip, especially when going to a remote area. Know the terrain and plan your route. Get accurate maps of trails and terrain. Check to see if there are any blocked or closed roads. It is also a good idea to travel with at least one other vehicle in case something happens to one of them. For vehicles with a winch, be sure to read the winch instructions. In a remote area, a winch can be handy if you get stuck but you will want to know how to use it properly.

Getting Familiar with Off-Road Driving It is a good idea to practice in an area that is safe and close to home before you go into the wilderness. Off-roading requires some new and different skills. Tune your senses to different kinds of signals. Your eyes need to constantly sweep the terrain for unexpected obstacles. Your ears need to listen for unusual tire or engine sounds. Use your arms, hands, feet, and body to respond to vibrations and vehicle bounce. 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. At higher speeds: . You approach things faster and

have less time to react. There is less time to scan the terrain for obstacles.

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9-10

Driving and Operating

The vehicle has more bounce when driving over obstacles.

. More braking distance is needed, especially on an unpaved surface.

{ WARNING

When you are 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. So, whether you are driving on or off the road, you and your passengers should wear safety belts.

Scanning the Terrain Off-road driving can take you over many different kinds of terrain. Be familiar with the terrain and its many different features.

Surface Conditions: Off-roading surfaces can be hard-packed dirt, gravel, rocks, grass, sand, mud, snow, or ice. Each of these surfaces affects the vehicle's steering, acceleration, and braking in different ways. Depending on the surface, slipping, sliding, wheel spinning, delayed acceleration, poor traction, and longer braking distances can occur. Surface Obstacles: Unseen or hidden obstacles can be hazardous. A rock, log, hole, rut, or bump can startle you if you are not prepared for them. Often these obstacles are hidden by grass, bushes, snow, or even the rise and fall of the terrain itself. Some things to consider:

Is the path ahead clear?

. Will the surface texture change

abruptly up ahead?

. Does the travel take you uphill or

downhill?

. Will you have to stop suddenly

or change direction quickly? When driving over obstacles or rough terrain, keep a firm grip on the steering wheel. Ruts, troughs, or other surface features can jerk the wheel out of your hands. When driving over bumps, rocks, or other obstacles, the wheels can leave the ground. If this happens, even with one or two wheels, you cannot control the vehicle as well or at all. Because you will be on an unpaved surface, it is especially important to avoid sudden acceleration, sudden turns, or sudden braking. Off-roading requires a different kind of alertness from driving on paved roads and highways. There are no road signs, posted speed limits, or signal lights. Use good judgment about what is safe and what is not.

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Driving on Hills Off-road driving often takes you up, down, or across a hill. Driving safely on hills requires good judgment and an understanding of what the vehicle can and cannot do. There are some hills that simply cannot be driven, no matter how well built the vehicle.

{ WARNING

Many hills are simply too steep for any vehicle. If you drive up them, you will stall. If you drive down them, you cannot control your speed. If you drive across them, you will roll over. You could be seriously injured or killed. If you have any doubt about the steepness, do not drive the hill.

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Approaching a Hill When you approach a hill, decide if it is too steep to climb, descend, or cross. Steepness can be hard to judge. On a very small hill, for example, there may be a smooth, constant incline with only a small change in elevation where you can easily see all the way to the top. On a large hill, the incline may get steeper as you near the top, but you might not see this because the crest of the hill is hidden by bushes, grass, or shrubs. Consider this as you approach a hill:

Is there a constant incline, or does the hill get sharply steeper in places? Is there good traction on the hillside, or will the surface cause tire slipping? Is there a straight path up or down the hill so you will not have to make turning maneuvers?

. Are there obstructions on the hill

that can block your path, such as boulders, trees, logs, or ruts? . What is beyond the hill? Is there

a cliff, an embankment, a drop-off, a fence? Get out and walk the hill if you do not know. It is the smart way to find out. Is the hill simply too rough? Steep hills often have ruts, gullies, troughs, and exposed rocks because they are more susceptible to the effects of erosion.

Driving Uphill Once you decide it is safe to drive up the hill: . Use a low gear and get a firm

grip on the steering wheel.

. Get a smooth start up the hill and try to maintain speed. Not using more power than needed can avoid spinning the wheels or sliding.

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Driving and Operating

{ WARNING

{ WARNING

Turning or driving across steep hills can be dangerous. You could lose traction, slide sideways, and possibly roll over. You could be seriously injured or killed. When driving up hills, always try to go straight up.

Try to drive straight up the hill if at all possible. If the path twists and turns, you might want to find another route.

. Ease up on the speed as you

approach the top of the hill.

. Attach a flag to the vehicle to be

more visible to approaching traffic on trails or hills.

. Sound the horn as you approach the top of the hill to let opposing traffic know you are there.

. Use headlamps even during the

day to make the vehicle more visible to oncoming traffic.

Driving to the top (crest) of a hill at full 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.

If the vehicle stalls, or is about to stall, and you cannot make it up the hill: . Push the brake pedal to stop the

vehicle and keep it from rolling backwards and apply the parking brake. If the engine is still running, shift the transmission to R (Reverse), release the parking brake, and slowly back down the hill in R (Reverse).

If the engine has stopped running, you need to restart it. With the brake pedal pressed and the parking brake still applied, shift the transmission to P (Park) and restart the engine. Then, shift to R (Reverse), release the parking brake, and slowly back down the hill as straight as possible in R (Reverse).

. While backing down the hill, put

your left hand on the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position so you can tell if the wheels are straight and can maneuver as you back down. It is best to back down the hill with the wheels straight rather than in the left or right direction. Turning the wheel too far to the left or right will increase the possibility of a rollover.

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Things not to do if the vehicle stalls, or is about to stall, when going up a hill: . Never attempt to prevent a stall

by shifting into N (Neutral) to rev-up the engine and regain forward momentum. This will not work. The vehicle can roll backward very quickly and could go out of control.

. Never try to turn around if about

to stall when going up a hill. 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.

If, after stalling, you try to back down the hill and decide you just cannot do it, set the parking brake, put your transmission in P (Park), and turn off the engine. Leave the vehicle and go get some help. Exit on the uphill side and stay clear of the path the vehicle would take if it rolled downhill.

Driving Downhill When off-roading takes you downhill, consider: . How steep is the downhill? Will I

be able to maintain vehicle control?

. What is the surface like?

Smooth? Rough? Slippery? Hard-packed dirt? Gravel?

. Are there hidden surface obstacles? Ruts? Logs? Boulders?

. What is at the bottom of the hill? Is there a hidden creek bank or even a river bottom with large rocks?

If you decide you can go down a hill safely, try to keep the vehicle headed straight down. Use a low gear so engine drag can help the brakes so they do not have to do all the work. Descend slowly, keeping the vehicle under control at all times.

{ WARNING

Heavy braking when going down a hill can cause your brakes to overheat and fade. This could cause loss of control and a serious accident. Apply the brakes lightly when descending a hill and use a low gear to keep vehicle speed under control.

Things not to do when driving down a hill: . When driving downhill, avoid turns that take you across the incline of the hill. A hill that is not too steep to drive down might be too steep to drive across. The vehicle could roll over.

. Never go downhill with the transmission in N (Neutral), called free-wheeling. The brakes will have to do all the work and could overheat and fade.

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Driving and Operating

Vehicles are much more likely to stall when going uphill, but if it happens when going downhill: 1. Stop the vehicle by applying the

regular brakes and apply the parking brake.

2. Shift to P (Park) and, while still

braking, restart the engine.

3. Shift back to a low gear, release

the parking brake, and drive straight down. If the engine will not start, get out and get help.

4.

Driving Across an Incline An off-road trail will probably go across the incline of a hill. To decide whether to try to drive across the incline, consider the following:

{ WARNING

Driving across an incline that is too steep will make your vehicle roll over. You could be seriously

(Continued)

WARNING (Continued)

injured or killed. If you have any doubt about the steepness of the incline, do not drive across it. Find another route instead.

. A hill that can be driven straight

up or down might be too steep to drive across. When going straight up or down a hill, the length of the wheel base — the distance from the front wheels to the rear wheels — reduces the likelihood the vehicle will tumble end over end. But when driving across an incline, the narrower track width — the distance between the left and right wheels — might not prevent the vehicle from tilting and rolling over. 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 even worse. If you drive across a rock with the uphill wheels, or if the downhill wheels drop into a rut or depression, the vehicle can tilt even more.

For these reasons, carefully consider whether to try to drive across an incline. Just because the trail goes across the incline does not mean you have to drive it. The last vehicle to try it might have rolled over. If you feel the vehicle starting to slide sideways, turn downhill. This should help straighten out the vehicle and prevent the side

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9-15

slipping. The best way to prevent this is to “walk the course” first, so you know what the surface is like before driving it. Stalling on an Incline { WARNING

Getting out on the downhill (low) side of a vehicle stopped across an incline is dangerous. If the vehicle rolls over, you could be crushed or killed. Always get out on the uphill (high) side of the vehicle and stay well clear of the rollover path.

If the vehicle stalls when crossing an incline, be sure you, and any passengers, get out on the uphill side, even if the door there is harder to open. If you get out on the downhill side and the vehicle starts to roll over, you will be right in its path.

If you have to walk down the slope, stay out of the path the vehicle will take if it does roll over. Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow, or Ice When you drive in mud, snow, or sand, the wheels do not get good traction. Acceleration is not as quick, turning is more difficult, and braking distances are longer. It is best to use a low gear when in mud — the deeper the mud, the lower the gear. In really deep mud, keep the vehicle moving so it does not get stuck. When driving on sand, wheel traction changes. On loosely packed sand, such as on beaches or sand dunes, the tires will tend to sink into the sand. This affects steering, accelerating, and braking. Drive at a reduced speed and avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers.

Hard packed snow and ice offer the worst tire traction. On these surfaces, it is very easy to lose control. On wet ice, for example, the traction is so poor that you will have difficulty accelerating. And, if the vehicle does get moving, poor steering and difficult braking can cause it to slide out of control.