Towing the Vehicle Chevrolet Equinox
Caution.
Incorrectly transporting a disabled vehicle may cause damage to the vehicle. Use proper tire straps to secure the vehicle to the flatbed tow truck. Do not strap or hook to any frame, underbody, or suspension component not specified below. Do not move vehicles with drive axle tires on the ground. Damage is not covered by the vehicle warranty.
Caution.
The vehicle may be equipped with an electric parking brake and/or a mechanical transmission range select shifter. In the event of a loss of 12-volt battery power, the electric parking brake cannot be released, and the vehicle cannot be shifted to N (Neutral). Tire skates or dollies must be used under the non-rolling tires to prevent damage while loading/unloading the vehicle. Dragging the vehicle will cause damage not covered by the vehicle warranty.
Caution.
The vehicle may be equipped with a tow eye. Improper use of the tow eye may cause damage to the vehicle and is not covered by the vehicle warranty.
If equipped, use the tow eye to load the vehicle onto a flatbed tow truck from a flat road surface, or to move the vehicle a very short distance at a walking pace.
The tow eye is not designed for off-road recovery. The vehicle must be in N (Neutral) with the electric parking brake released when using the tow eye.
Contact a professional towing service if the disabled vehicle must be transported. GM recommends a flatbed tow truck to transport a disabled vehicle. Use ramps to help reduce approach angles, if necessary.
If equipped, a tow eye may be located near the spare tire or emergency jack. Do not use the tow eye to pull the vehicle from the snow, mud, sand, or ditch. Tow eye threads may have right or left-hand threads. Use caution when installing or removing the tow eye.
The vehicle must be in N (Neutral) and the electric parking brake must be released when loading the vehicle onto a flatbed tow truck.
● If the 12-volt battery is dead and/or electric parking brake is not released, the vehicle will not move. Try to jump start the vehicle with a known good 12-volt battery, shift the car into N (Neutral), and release the electric parking brake. Refer to Jump Starting – North America.
● If unsuccessful, the vehicle will not move.
Tire skates or dollies must be used under the non-rolling tires to prevent vehicle damage.
Front Tow Eye.
Carefully open the cover by using the small notch that conceals the front tow eye socket.
Install the tow eye into the socket and turn it until it is fully tightened.
When the tow eye is removed, reinstall the cover with the notch in the original position.
Rear Tow Eye.
If the vehicle is equipped with a hitch, there is no provision to use the tow eye in the rear of the vehicle. The hitch may be used to load the vehicle onto a flatbed tow truck.
If equipped, carefully open the cover by using the small notch that conceals the rear tow eye socket.
Install the tow eye into the socket and turn it until it is fully tightened.
When the tow eye is removed, reinstall the cover with the notch in the original position.
To tow the vehicle behind another vehicle for recreational purposes, such as behind a motor home.
Recreational Vehicle Towing.
Recreational vehicle towing means towing the vehicle behind another vehicle, such as behind a motor home. The two most common types of recreational vehicle towing are known as dinghy towing and dolly towing. Dinghy towing is towing the vehicle with all four wheels on the ground.
Dolly towing is towing the vehicle with two wheels on the ground and two wheels up on a device known as a dolly.
Here are some important things to consider before recreational vehicle towing:.
● Before towing the vehicle, become familiar with the local laws that apply to recreational vehicle towing. These laws may vary by region.
● The towing capacity of the towing vehicle. Be sure to read the tow vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.
● How far the vehicle will be towed. Some vehicles have restrictions on how far and how long they can tow.
● The proper towing equipment. See your dealer or trailering professional for additional advice and equipment recommendations.
● If the vehicle is ready to be towed. Just as preparing the vehicle for a long trip, make sure the vehicle is prepared to be towed.
Dinghy Towing.
All vehicles may be dinghy towed from the front. These vehicles can also be towed by placing them on a platform trailer with all four wheels off of the ground. All other engine/transmission combinations must be towed by platform trailer. Also see the information on dolly towing later in this section.
For vehicles being dinghy towed, the vehicle should be run at the beginning of each day and at each RV fuel stop for about five minutes. This will ensure proper lubrication of transmission components.
To tow the vehicle from the front with all four wheels on the ground:.
1. Position the vehicle to be towed and secure it to the towing vehicle.
2. Start the vehicle.
3. If equipped with AWD, engage the AWD system and confirm that it is on. See All-Wheel Drive.
4. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
5. Then, put the vehicle into ACC/ACCESSORY by pressing ENGINE START/STOP one time without the brake pedal applied. An amber light will appear in the button when in ACC/ACCESSORY.
See Ignition Positions.
The chime will ring continuously for 30 minutes. Leave the transmission in N (Neutral).
6. Turn off all accessories that are not needed.
It is required to charge the battery of the towed vehicle during recreational vehicle towing.
Caution.
If the vehicle is towed without performing each of the steps listed under.
“Dinghy Towing,” the automatic transmission and AWD system could be damaged. Be sure to follow all steps of the dinghy towing procedure prior to and after towing the vehicle.
Caution.
If 105 km/h (65 mph) is exceeded while towing the vehicle, it could be damaged.
Never exceed 105 km/h (65 mph) while towing the vehicle.
Once the destination is reached:.
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Shift the transmission to P (Park).
3. Turn the vehicle off.
4. Start the engine and let it idle for more than three minutes before driving the vehicle.
Caution.
Do not tow a vehicle with the front drive wheels on the ground if one of the front tires is a compact spare tire. Towing with two different tire sizes on the front of the vehicle can cause severe damage to the transmission.
Caution.
Use of a shield mounted in front of the vehicle grille could restrict airflow and cause damage to the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. If using a shield, only use one that attaches to the towing vehicle.
Dolly Towing.
To tow the vehicle from the front with the rear wheels on the ground:.
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
2. Move the shift lever to P (Park).
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Secure the vehicle to the dolly.
5. Follow the dolly manufacturer’s instructions for preparing the vehicle and dolly for towing.
6. Release the parking brake.
For AWD vehicles only, a lubrication cycle is recommended after 2 700 km (1,700 miles) of recreational dolly towing. Drive the vehicle in AWD up to 25 mph for a minimum of.
30. seconds to distribute lubrication throughout the rear drive module and protect the system for additional dolly towing.
Towing the Vehicle from the Rear.
Caution.
Towing the vehicle from the rear could damage it. Also, repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Never have the vehicle towed from the rear.
