Bulletin No.: 17-NA-020
Date: Jan-2017

Subject:

2018 Chevrolet Equinox New Model Features

Brand:

Chevrolet

Model:

Equinox

Model Year:

VIN:

From:

To:

From:

To:

2018

2018

All

All

Engine:

Transmission:

Gasoline, 4
Cylinder, L4, 1.5L,
DI, DOHC, VVT,
Turbocharged —
RPO LYX

Hydra-Matic™
6T40, Automatic,
6- Speed, GEN 3,
VAR1 — RPO
MNH (ATSS
Capable) or RPO
MNK (AWD or
FWD)

Gasoline, 4
Cylinder, L4, 2.0L,
DI, DOHC, VVT,
DCVCP,
Turbocharged —
RPO LTG

Diesel, 4 Cylinder,
L4, 1.6L, DI,
UREA, CRI,
DOHC, VGT
Turbocharged —
RPO LH7

Involved Countries

Hydra-Matic™
9T50, Automatic,
9-Speed, GEN 1 —
RPO M3D (ATSS
Capable) (AWD or
FWD)

Hydra-Matic™
6T45, Automatic,
6-Speed — RPO
MHG (ATSS
Capable) (AWD or
FWD)

United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Israel, China, South America,
Central America, Middle East, Africa, Korea, Eastern Europe, Australia and New Zealand

Overview

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Chevrolet Equinox

Bulletin Purpose
This is a special bulletin to introduce the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The purpose of this bulletin is to help the Service Department Personnel become familiar with
some of the vehicle’s new features and to describe some of the action they will need to take to service this vehicle.

Overview
The all-new 2018 Equinox is sized and designed to meet the needs of the compact SUV customer. It is a five-passenger, four-door, front-wheel-drive (FWD)
vehicle, with available all-wheel-drive (AWD). The 2018 Equinox will be available in L, LS, LT and Premier models. The L model is not available in Canada and
Globally, the all-new Equinox replaces the Captiva and will be offered in LS, LT and Premier models. The Equinox’s exterior has a lean and muscular look
echoing the global Chevrolet design cues and sculpted shapes. Extensive development in the wind tunnel influenced the sleek aerodynamic shape. Projectorbeam headlamps are standard, along with LED daytime running lamps. At the rear, horizontal tail lamps emphasize a wide stance, while uplevel models feature
LED headlamps and tail lamps. The interior takes advantage of the all-new architecture to offer a down-and-away instrument panel, while a low windshield base
provides a commanding outward view. New features such as available denim-style seat fabric blend style with high durability, while a newkneeling rear seat
enhances functionality. The kneeling rear seat bottom cushions tilt forward when the split-folding seatbacks are lowered, allowing a flat floor for easier loading.
Chevrolet’s latest connectivity technologies are front and center, including a seven or eight-inch color diagonal MyLink™ infotainment system (depending on
equipment), designed to support Apple® CarPlay™ and Android™ Auto™. The available eight-inch diagonal touch-screen has a flat design that’s similar to a
tablet, a device which many customers are already familiar with.

Vehicle Highlights
Some of the vehicle highlights are:

•

Equinox is the first Chevrolet model in North America to offer an all turbocharged multi-engine propulsion lineup. A range of three turbocharged engines,
including the compact SUV segment’s first turbo-diesel in North America, provides more choices when it comes to performance, efficiency and
capability. They include a 1.5L turbo with a 6-speed automatic transmission, a 2.0L turbo matched with GM’s new nine-speed automatic transmission
and a 1.6L turbo-diesel matched with a 6-speed automatic transmission, to be available later in the year after the initial model launch.

•

Equinox is approximately 400 pounds (180 kg) lighter than the current model, which is a 10 percent reduction in weight, improving handling performance
and fuel efficiency.

•

Capless fuel system offers convenience and prevents scratching that results from a tethered fuel cap dangling across the vehicle’s paint.

•

Dual rack and pinion electric power steering (EPS).

•

Electronically controlled Aero Shutters in upper and lower grilles.

•

Four link independent rear suspension.

•

Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and ESC; Duralife™ rotors and low-drag calipers.

•

Fuel-saving Stop/Start technology is standard with all three engines.

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•

IntelliBeam™ headlamps are also new, offering automatic high-beam control.

•

MacPherson strut front suspension with side-loaded modules, specifically tuned coil springs and a direct-acting stabilizer bar.

•

The AWD system comes standard with a switchable ON-OFF feature that enhances efficiency by disconnecting from the rear axle when it (AWD) is not
needed.

•

The unique kneeling rear seat enables a flat rear load floor and up to 63.5 cubic feet (1,798 liters) of maximum cargo space.

•

Significantly improved turning circle. The all-new Equinox will have a turning diameter of 37.4 feet (11.4 meters) when equipped with 17-inch tires, 38.4 feet
(11.7 meters) when equipped with 18-inch tires and 41.7 feet (12.7 meters) when equipped with 19-inch tires. All measurements are a significant
improvement, about 10 percent with the 17-inch tire over the current model.

•

17, 18 or 19-inch aluminum wheels depending on model and selected equipment.

Safety Highlights
The Equinox offers a comprehensive suite of available active safety technologies and adaptive crash-avoidance features that provide ease of use when on the
road. Teen Driver is also offered, allowing parents to set controls and review an in-vehicle report card in order to encourage safer driving habits, even when
they are not in the vehicle. All of the Equinox’s crash-avoiding and passenger-protecting technologies are built into a stronger body structure that incorporates
high-strength steel in key areas to help prevent intrusion into the passenger compartment.

•

New Forward Collision Alert (FCA) with Following Distance Indicator.

•

New Lane Keep Assist (LKA) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW).

•

New Low-Speed Forward Automatic Braking (FAB).

•

New Rear Seat Reminder.

•

New Safety Alert Seat.

•

New Surround Vision.

•

Lane Change Alert (LCA) with Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA).

•

Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).

Airbag System
Airbag System
Airbags are designed to supplement the protection provided by seat belts. Even though today's airbags are also designed to help reduce the risk of injury from
the force of an inflating airbag, all airbags must inflate very quickly to do their job. Everyone in the vehicle should wear a seat belt properly, whether or not there
is an airbag for that person. All vehicle airbags have the word AIRBAG on the trim or on a label near the deployment opening. The airbags are located in the
following positions:
–

A frontal airbag for the driver.

–

A frontal airbag for the front outboard passenger.

–

Seat-mounted side impact airbag for the driver.

–

Seat-mounted side impact airbag for the front outboard passenger.

–

A roof-rail airbag for the driver and the passenger seated directly behind the driver.

–

A roof-rail airbag for the front outboard passenger and the passenger seated directly behind the front outboard passenger.

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Airbag Readiness Light
The Airbag Readiness Light displays if there is an electrical problem with the airbag system. The system check includes the airbag sensors, passenger sensing
system, the pretensioners, the airbag modules, the wiring, and the crash sensing and diagnostic module (SDM). The airbag readiness light turns ON for
several seconds when the vehicle is started. If the light does not turn ON, have it repaired immediately.

Brakes
Brakes — Description and Operation
All models have standard four-wheel disc brakes with Duralife™ brake rotors. The vehicle is equipped with a Continental Teves Mk100 with ABS, traction
control, electronic stability control and a hydraulic brake system with diagonal brake circuit split. The electronic brake control module (EBCM) controls the
system functions and detects failures. The EBCM and the brake pressure modulator are serviced separately. The brake pressure modulator uses a four circuit
configuration to control hydraulic pressure to each wheel independently. Brake enhancements include a new brake-apply system and low-drag calipers. A
revised brake pedal system complements the brakes with improved feelings of firmness and smoothness. There is very little pedal travel before the brakes
start to apply.
Depending on equipment, the following vehicle performance enhancement systems are provided:

•

Antilock Brake System: When wheel slip is detected during a brake application, an ABS event occurs. During ABS braking, hydraulic pressure in the
individual wheel circuits is controlled to prevent any wheel from slipping. A separate hydraulic line and specific solenoid valves are provided for each
wheel. The ABS can decrease, hold, or increase hydraulic pressure to each wheel. The ABS does not increase hydraulic pressure above the amount
which is transmitted by the master cylinder during braking.

•

Brake Cleaning: This feature automatically cleans the disc brakes by using the scraping and heat created from applied brake pressure to the brake
pads. This helps to improve the brake system response time, especially in wet road conditions.

•

Dynamic Rear Proportioning: The Dynamic Rear Proportioning is a control system that replaces the mechanical proportioning valve. Under certain
driving conditions the EBCM will reduce the rear wheel brake pressure by commanding the appropriate solenoid valves ON and OFF.

•

Electric Park Brake: An electric park brake comes standard on all trims. It takes the guesswork out of parking on an incline because it eliminates the
need for the driver to determine how much to press the pedal foot brake on a steep incline. Simply set the park brake at the flick of a button and
accelerate to release, which makes hill starts a breeze. The overall braking system is about 15 pounds (6.8 kg) lighter than the one on the current
model, thanks, in part, to a new electric park brake. By making the electric park brake standard, engineers were able to eliminate linkage and cables.
This eliminates the cable drag inside the sheath and the related possible brake drag, which can have a positive impact on fuel economy. The new
electric park brake system has fewer moving components helping to improve reliability and decrease maintenance costs.

•

Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD): Optimizes control of rear brake pressure on all road surfaces and under all vehicle loading conditions.

•

Electronic Stability Control: Electronic Stability Control (ESC) provides added stability during aggressive maneuvers. Yaw rate is the rate of rotation
about the vehicle's vertical axis. The stability control is activated when the EBCM determines that the desired yaw rate does not match the actual yaw
rate as measured by the yaw rate sensor. The difference between the desired yaw rate and the actual yaw rate is the yaw rate error, which is a
measurement of over steer or under steer. When a yaw rate error is detected, the EBCM attempts to correct the vehicle's yaw motion by applying brake
pressure to one or more of the wheels. The amount of brake pressure which is applied varies, depending on the correction required. The engine torque
may be reduced also, if it is necessary to slow the vehicle while maintaining stability. Stability control can be manually disabled or enabled by pressing
and holding the traction control switch for five seconds.

•

Fading Brake Support: In long, hard braking, such as on a lengthy mountainous descent, there is a risk of brake fade. This feature uses the hydraulics
to gradually build brake pressure, maintaining brake pedal feel.

•

Hill Hold Start Assist: The Hill Hold Start Assist allows the driver to launch the vehicle without a roll back while moving the foot from the brake pedal to
the accelerator pedal. The EBCM calculates the brake pressure, which is needed to hold the vehicle on an incline and locks that pressure for a certain
time by commanding the appropriate solenoid valves ON and OFF when the brake pedal is released. Hill Hold Start Assist is activated when the EBCM
determines that the driver wishes to move the vehicle up-hill, either backwards or forwards.

•

Hydraulic Brake Assist: The Hydraulic Brake Assist function is designed to assist the driver in stopping or decreasing vehicle speed in emergency
braking situations. The EBCM receives inputs from the brake pressure sensor. When the EBCM senses an emergency braking situation, it will actively
increase the hydraulic brake pressure to a specific maximum by turning the pump motor ON.

•

Intelligent Brake Assist: The Intelligent Brake Assist function is designed to provide limited braking to help prevent front and rear low speed collisions.
The EBCM receives inputs from the brake pedal position sensor, wheel speed sensors, short range radar and ultrasonic sensors to detect a collision.
When the EBCM senses a possible collision, it will actively increase the hydraulic brake pressure to apply the brakes.

•

Low-Drag Calipers: In a conventional disc brake system, there is always slight contact between brake pads and the rotor, even when the brakes are
released. This creates rotational resistance on the rotor, known as brake drag, which negatively affects fuel economy and can cause uneven rotor
wear that results in vibrations felt by the driver when braking. Low-drag calipers incorporate specially designed components to ensure that the pad-to-

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rotor gap is precisely maintained, and that reduced slide forces are kept throughout the life of the vehicle, contributing to improved fuel economy.

•

Optimized Hydraulic Braking System: On turbocharged equipped engines, the EBCM monitors the vacuum in the brake booster with a vacuum sensor
and controls a brake booster vacuum pump depending on vacuum sensor input. It also has a hydraulic brake boost feature which supplements the
brake system to maintain consistent brake performance under conditions of low brake booster vacuum. Low brake booster vacuum conditions can
include initial start up after the vehicle has been parked for several hours, very frequent brake stops, or high altitude driving. The hydraulic brake boost
system activates only during a brake apply under low vacuum conditions. In this case the EBCM will actively increase and control the hydraulic brake
pressure by turning the pump motor ON and the appropriate solenoid valves ON and OFF. When hydraulic brake boost is active, a series of rapid
pulsations is felt in the brake pedal.

•

Panic Brake Assist: Detects attempted panic braking and provides brake pressure in addition to what’s provided by the conventional brake system.

•

Traction Control: When drive wheel slip is detected, the EBCM will enter traction control mode. First, the EBCM requests the engine control module
(ECM) to reduce the amount of torque to the drive wheels via a serial data message. The ECM reduces torque to the drive wheels and reports the
amount of delivered torque. If the engine torque reduction does not reduce drive wheel slip, the EBCM will actively apply the brakes on the slipping drive
wheel. During traction control braking, hydraulic pressure in each drive wheel circuit is controlled to prevent the drive wheels from slipping. The EBCM
commands the pump motor and appropriate solenoid valves ON and OFF to apply brake pressure to the slipping wheel. Traction control can be
manually disabled or enabled by pressing the traction control switch.

Duralife™ Brake Rotors
The vehicle is equipped with Duralife™ Ferritic Nitro-Carburized brake rotors and low drag brake calipers. Application of the Ferritic Nitro-Carburizing (FNC)
technology involves an additional manufacturing process that heats the rotors at 1,040°F (560°C) for up to 24 hours in a giant oven. Inside the nitrogen-rich
atmosphere, nitrogen atoms bond to the surface of the steel rotor, hardening and strengthening the rotor. This unique surface treatment, equivalent to one-tenth
the width of a human hair, creates sufficient friction and allows for effective braking performance while providing corrosion protection and allowing the brake
rotor to wear much slower. Over time, the buildup of rust can also lead to brake pedal and/or steering wheel shudder. GM is the only company that has found a
way to effectively treat brake rotors using FNC technology.

Electric Power Steering
Electric Power Steering (EPS)
All models feature a standard electric-variable power-assist steering system that helps save fuel by drawing energy only when the steering effort is applied. The
EPS system complements Equinox’s balance of responsiveness and comfort, with a light and direct feel. The EPS system on Equinox also incorporates LeadPull Compensation, which automatically adjusts the steering angle to account for factors like crowned roads or high crosswinds, which can typically cause the
driver to turn the steering wheel slightly to maintain a straight path. Without the driver’s knowledge, sensors detect the steering correction and adjust the torque
applied to the steering system to relieve the effort on the driver, helping to maintain smooth, straight driving with less input. Included is Active Return Assist,
which helps the driver return the steering wheel after a turn and Motor Control Software Algorithms that allow smooth performance on the highway by filtering
out road vibrations.
Additional EPS advantages over a hydraulic system include:

•

Excellent response and on-center characteristics.

•

Power is used only when the vehicle is actually turning, as opposed to a constantly running hydraulic power steering pump, which positively impacts fuel
economy.

•

Variable-effort steering increases the level of power assistance during low-speed maneuvers, such as parking, and decreases the level of power
assistance at higher speeds.

•

No need for a pump, eliminates fluid leaks and the need to check the power steering fluid level.

•

Noise reduction, because there is no pump or fluid flowing through hoses and valves.

Electronic Vehicle Control Features

•

Engine Drag Control: Prevents the wheels in motion from locking on slippery surfaces under the influence of engine braking, which can happen if the
driver releases the accelerator abruptly. The braking effect of the engine may cause the wheels to skid and to temporarily lose traction, making the
vehicle unstable. In such situations, engine drag control maintains directional stability and helps boost safety.

•

Engine Stop/Start Pressure Hold: This feature builds on Equinox’s Stop/Start technology by applying brake pressure as the brake pedal is released and
the engine is in the process of restarting.

•

Hill Start Assist with Automatic Vehicle Hold: With Hill Start Assist (HSA), which is standard across the Equinox lineup, the brakes can hold for up to
four seconds, depending on road grade, when the driver takes his/her foot off the brake pedal. This prevents rollback for a more confident takeoff on
hilly roads or terrain. New for Equinox is the addition of Automatic Vehicle Hold (AVH). With AVH, the brakes can hold for up to five minutes before going

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into the extended hold feature, at which point the electric park brake gets applied.

•

Power Hop Mitigation: Power hop mitigation protects the driveline and engine mounts during a Traction Control event by reducing/transferring engine
torque to the slipping wheel and applying brake pressure.

•

StabiliTrak® Electronic Stability Control System: StabiliTrak® is standard on all models and works with the ABS four-wheel disc brake system and
four-channel individual wheel circuits to provide more precise and controlled ABS stops, greater traction and excellent cornering stability.

•

Steering Torque Overlay: This feature adds or subtracts torque to the steering system to help the driver stay in control of the vehicle during a slip
control (braking) event; i.e., it feels easier to counter steer to correct the slip control event and feels harder to steer into the slip control event. Steering
torque does not move the steering wheel without driver input.

•

Torque Vectoring by Brakes: A StabiliTrak® based feature that enhances vehicle agility by precisely applying the brake on the inside drive axle wheel. It
may also increase engine torque above what the driver requests to accelerate the outside drive axle wheel as the vehicle is turning near the handling
limit of the vehicle.

•

Trailer Sway Control: Uses the StabiliTrak® Electronic Stability Control System to detect trailer instability and apply differential braking to dampen out
trailer oscillation and instability.

Engine — 1.5L Turbocharged Gasoline — RPO LYX
Overview
GM’s versatile and technologically advanced Ecotec family of engines expands in the Equinox with a new 1.5L — RPO LYX turbocharged, power-dense
version. The engine’s wide rpm range for maximum torque, helps it deliver a better driving experience and increased performance. The new 1.5L Turbo engine
was tested under GM’s strict regimen, one of the toughest sets of standards in the industry, which includes a battery of round-the-clock performance and
durability trials. The 1.5-liter shares architecture with other Ecotec engines, but gets its own unique cam timing (later intake valve closure) and an improved
turbocharger to boost performance and economy. It has an aluminum cylinder block and head, which helps reduce the vehicle’s overall mass. Technologies
such as Central Direct Fuel Injection and Continuously Variable Valve Timing (VVT) bring an optimal balance of strong performance and low fuel consumption.
The engine should deliver approximately 31 mpg (7.6 L/100km) of fuel economy on the highway (GM estimate). The trailering capability of the Equinox when
equipped with this engine is 1,500 lbs (680 kg).

Engine and Fuel — 1.5L LYX

•

Camshaft/Camshaft Drive: Two camshafts are used, one for all intake valves, the other for all exhaust valves. The camshafts are assembled with steel
lobes. The engine design uses a chain to drive the dual overhead camshafts (DOHC). The chain is an inverted tooth or silent design with a 6.35 mm
pitch to ensure quiet operation and is hydraulically tensioned to be maintenance-free. The tensioner has a ratchet mechanism to reduce chain
movement during engine starts to eliminate noise. The lightweight plastic/composite chain guides have a unique grooved face design to reduce friction.
Both the crank sprocket and cam sprockets are hardened to prevent wear even with extended oil change intervals.

•

Camshaft Cover: The camshaft cover has a steel crankcase ventilation baffling incorporated. The camshaft cover has mounting locations for the ignition
system.

•

Central Direct Fuel Injection: The engine is equipped with a central direct injection system. The fuel system consists of 4 separate direct injection (DI)
fuel injectors, one high pressure fuel rail, and a high pressure fuel feed pipe that connects the high pressure fuel pump to the fuel rail. The injectors are
each seated into their individual bores in the cylinder head with two combustion seals that provide sealing. The high pressure fuel pump mounts to the
rear of the cylinder head and is driven by the intake camshaft. Motion is transmitted to the pump from a tri-lobe on the rear of the camshaft through a
hydraulic roller lifter.