2013 chevy equinox 4 cyclinder automatic
Can you tow a 2013 equinox 4 Cylinder automatic with 4 wheels down. Does anybody tow this vehicle?
Forum Discussion
7 Replies
opnspaces wrote:
It looks like you are all either partially correct, or leaving out parts of the procedure. I would take this question as how to properly tow from start to finish, not just how to start pulling it down the road. I copied all the following from the linked owners manual. This is the procedure I would follow as it's the one the GM states should be followed.
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:- Position the vehicle that will be
towed and secure it to the
towing vehicle. - Turn the ignition key to ON/RUN.
- Shift the transmission to
N (Neutral). - Turn the ignition key to ACC/
ACCESSORY. - Turn all accessories off
- To prevent the battery from
draining while the vehicle is
being towed, remove fuse 32,
the Discrete Logic Ignition
Switch fuse, from the instrument
panel fuse block and store it in a
safe location.
Once the destination has been
reached:- Set the parking brake.
- Shift the transmission to
P (Park). - Turn the ignition key to
LOCK/OFF. - Install fuse 32, the Discrete
Logic Ignition Switch fuse. - Start the engine and let it idle for
more than three minutes before
driving the vehicle.
There is also a warning not to exceed 105kph or 65 mph or you could damage the transmission.
You are correct, I did not detail every step recommended. I was merely trying to correct the misinformation regarding steering wheel lock vs transmission lock. We tow a Chevy Malibu and procedure is similar but not identical. I would hope that anyone interested in dingy towing read their owners manual and not rely solely on info provided here. Too many variations in the manufacturers recommended procedure.- Position the vehicle that will be
- It looks like you are all either partially correct, or leaving out parts of the procedure. I would take this question as how to properly tow from start to finish, not just how to start pulling it down the road. I copied all the following from the linked owners manual. This is the procedure I would follow as it's the one the GM states should be followed.
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:- Position the vehicle that will be
towed and secure it to the
towing vehicle. - Turn the ignition key to ON/RUN.
- Shift the transmission to
N (Neutral). - Turn the ignition key to ACC/
ACCESSORY. - Turn all accessories off
- To prevent the battery from
draining while the vehicle is
being towed, remove fuse 32,
the Discrete Logic Ignition
Switch fuse, from the instrument
panel fuse block and store it in a
safe location.
Once the destination has been
reached:- Set the parking brake.
- Shift the transmission to
P (Park). - Turn the ignition key to
LOCK/OFF. - Install fuse 32, the Discrete
Logic Ignition Switch fuse. - Start the engine and let it idle for
more than three minutes before
driving the vehicle.
There is also a warning not to exceed 105kph or 65 mph or you could damage the transmission. - Position the vehicle that will be
lanerd wrote:
mikebreeze wrote:
I believe that I remember seeing that the Equinox can be towed 4 down in the 2013 Motorhome Magazine Towing Guide. However, you have to start the engine, place the shifter in all gears with N being the last, place the key in the acc mode (so that the engine is off but the wheels turn) and then remove the IGN fuse from the fuse box under the hood. Then the Eak is ready to be towed. This procedure has to be repeated every 8 hours.
I have a 2006 Saturn Vue which utilizes the same procedure.
Lots of errors here.
First, yes it can be towed 4-down.
The procedure is to start engine and shift to neutral (no need to go through all the gears prior to putting it in neutral).
Remove Discreet Logic fuse #32 (not the IGN fuse). Most owners place a on/off switch with an inline fuse in place of the fuse in the fuse box. (I did this and with a simple flip of a switch, the fuse is disconnected).
Turn ignition key to ACC (I have heard that you can actually turn the key to off, but not remove it). This is to unlock the steering wheel... has nothing to do with the wheels turning.
GM recommends that whenever you stop, you start the engine and let it run for a couple of minutes. FWIW, I never do this and only start the engine at the end of the day when we disconnect from the motor home. There is no need to "repeat the procedure".
The Equinox (and the half-sister Terrain) make excellent toads. I've got 50,000 miles on our Terrain without one single problem with it. I mean not one!
Hope this helps
Ron
You just added more errors.
You need to turn the key to the RUN position, no need to start the engine, to unlock the transmission so you can place it in neutral. They haven't used steering column locks in years, the key in RUN position allows you to shift the trans out of park. After shifting to neutral you place the key in ACC position. You can't turn the key to off and remove it unless the trans is in PARK. That's why it has to be left in ACC and the fuse removed so the battery isn't drained.- Here is a link to the owners manual. Read section 10-69.
http://www.chevrolet.com/content/dam/Chevrolet/northamerica/usa/nscwebsite/en/Home/Ownership/Manuals%20and%20Videos/02_pdf/2k13equinox.pdf mikebreeze wrote:
I believe that I remember seeing that the Equinox can be towed 4 down in the 2013 Motorhome Magazine Towing Guide. However, you have to start the engine, place the shifter in all gears with N being the last, place the key in the acc mode (so that the engine is off but the wheels turn) and then remove the IGN fuse from the fuse box under the hood. Then the Eak is ready to be towed. This procedure has to be repeated every 8 hours.
I have a 2006 Saturn Vue which utilizes the same procedure.
Lots of errors here.
First, yes it can be towed 4-down.
The procedure is to start engine and shift to neutral (no need to go through all the gears prior to putting it in neutral).
Remove Discreet Logic fuse #32 (not the IGN fuse). Most owners place a on/off switch with an inline fuse in place of the fuse in the fuse box. (I did this and with a simple flip of a switch, the fuse is disconnected).
Turn ignition key to ACC (I have heard that you can actually turn the key to off, but not remove it). This is to unlock the steering wheel... has nothing to do with the wheels turning.
GM recommends that whenever you stop, you start the engine and let it run for a couple of minutes. FWIW, I never do this and only start the engine at the end of the day when we disconnect from the motor home. There is no need to "repeat the procedure".
The Equinox (and the half-sister Terrain) make excellent toads. I've got 50,000 miles on our Terrain without one single problem with it. I mean not one!
Hope this helps
Ron- what does the owner's manual say. that is the only 'valid" source.
bumpy - I believe that I remember seeing that the Equinox can be towed 4 down in the 2013 Motorhome Magazine Towing Guide. However, you have to start the engine, place the shifter in all gears with N being the last, place the key in the acc mode (so that the engine is off but the wheels turn) and then remove the IGN fuse from the fuse box under the hood. Then the Eak is ready to be towed. This procedure has to be repeated every 8 hours.
I have a 2006 Saturn Vue which utilizes the same procedure.
