The Chevrolet Equinox EV features an advanced dashboard alert system that keeps drivers informed about vehicle status, potential issues, and safety concerns. These visual and audible notifications serve as an important communication channel between the vehicle and its operator. Understanding these dashboard alerts is essential for proper vehicle maintenance and safe operation of your electric vehicle.

The Purpose of Dashboard Alerts

The Equinox EV incorporates a sophisticated driver information system that uses a combination of visual displays and auditory signals to convey messages to the driver. These alerts grab attention and ensure you don’t overlook important notifications during operation.

Unlike traditional internal combustion vehicles, electric vehicles like the Equinox EV have unique systems that require specific monitoring. The dashboard alerts in the Equinox EV provide crucial information on battery status, charging conditions, power limitations, and specific system functions related to electric propulsion.

Visual Alert Types and Locations

The Equinox EV dashboard features multiple locations where alerts can appear:

Driver Information Center (DIC): This digital display directly in front of the driver shows critical information, including vehicle speed, battery charge level, range estimates, and active alerts. The DIC uses colour-coding to indicate severity—red for critical warnings, amber/yellow for cautions, and white or green for informational messages.

Center Infotainment Screen: Some alerts may appear on the central touchscreen, particularly those related to vehicle settings, connectivity, or non-critical notifications.

Heads-Up Display (if equipped): The available heads-up display projects essential warning information directly onto the windshield, keeping you informed without taking your eyes off the road.

Critical Battery and Propulsion Alerts

Battery Fault Light: This critical warning appears as a battery symbol with an exclamation mark. It indicates the vehicle has detected a problem with the high-voltage battery system. When this light appears, take the vehicle in for service immediately to avoid damaging expensive components or getting stranded.

Propulsion Power Limited Light: A yellow or amber turtle icon appears to indicate that the vehicle has restricted its power output. The system limits power to protect components from damage when it detects conditions that could worsen under full power. You can continue driving, but you’ll notice reduced acceleration and a lower top speed. The most common causes include an overheating battery or motor, an extremely low battery charge, or system faults.

Service Vehicle Soon/Propulsion System Failure: This alert appears as a vehicle outline with a wrench or exclamation mark. It indicates a detected fault in the propulsion system that requires attention. Depending on the severity, the vehicle may need immediate service or can be driven for a limited time with reduced performance.

Low State of Charge Light: This warning appears when your battery charge drops below a critical threshold. It serves as an urgent reminder to find a charging station. When this light appears, the vehicle will also begin to limit performance to preserve remaining range.

Charging-Related Alerts

Charge Cord Connected Light: This informational indicator uses a vehicle-with-plug icon to show that the charging cable is properly connected. It doesn’t signal a warning—it simply confirms that the vehicle recognizes its connection to a charging source.

Unable to Charge Alert: This warning appears when the vehicle connects to a charging source but does not accept a charge. Communication errors between the charger and vehicle, damaged charging equipment, or internal vehicle issues can trigger it. The system may also display specific error codes to help you diagnose the problem.

Charging Interrupted Alert: This notification appears when your vehicle stops charging before the battery is fully charged. Power outages, charger disconnection, or system faults can cause this. The alert helps you understand why your vehicle didn’t receive the expected charge.

Safety and Driver Assistance Alerts

Lane Departure Warning: This alert appears as a lane line icon when the vehicle detects unintentional lane departure. It may be accompanied by steering wheel vibrations or audible alerts, depending on your settings.

Forward Collision Alert: This critical warning appears as a red vehicle icon with collision lines when the system detects an imminent collision risk. It may be accompanied by rapid audible alerts and, in some cases, automatic braking intervention.

Blind Zone Alert: This safety feature illuminates an icon in the side mirror when another vehicle is detected in your blind spot. It prevents lane-change accidents.

Super Cruise Alerts (if equipped): Super Cruise hands-free driving technology equips vehicles with a light bar on the steering wheel that changes colour to communicate system status—green when the system is active and operating normally, red when it requires the driver’s immediate attention.

System Status Indicators

Vehicle Ready Light: This green indicator appears as “READY” on the dashboard, confirming that the vehicle is on and ready to drive. This is particularly important in electric vehicles, which make no engine noise when powered on.

Drive Mode Indicators: The Equinox EV offers multiple drive modes, including Normal, Sport, and Snow/Ice. Selecting a mode displays its corresponding icon on the dashboard. For example, the “My Mode” setting shows a person and a steering wheel icon.

One-Pedal Driving Indicator: This icon appears when the one-pedal driving feature is activated, allowing you to accelerate and brake primarily using just the accelerator pedal.

Regenerative Braking Status: The dashboard displays the current regenerative braking status, indicating whether energy is being drawn from the battery (a lightning bolt with a minus sign) or returned to the battery through regeneration (a battery with a plus sign).

Common Alerts

You can resolve many Equinox EV dashboard alerts without a dealer visit. Here are some common troubleshooting approaches:

For Battery System Alerts: If you see a red warning icon that looks like a vehicle with an exclamation mark, along with messages like “Service Battery Fault Vehicle Won’t Restart” or “Reduced Acceleration Drive With Care,” try this reset procedure:

1. Park in a safe location
2. If charging, unplug from the charging station
3. Keep the vehicle in PARK and turn it on
4. Wait 10 seconds, then turn it off
5. Wait another 10 seconds, then turn it back on
6. Repeat this process three times

If the warning persists after this procedure, service is required.

For Cooling System Alerts: If you see messages like “Service Vehicle Soon” or “Unable to Charge” along with air conditioning issues:

1. Turn your vehicle off
2. Open and shut the driver door
3. Wait 30 seconds for the system to reset
4. Turn the vehicle back on

If the issue persists after multiple attempts, contact your dealer for service.

Five Facts About Equinox EV Dashboard Alerts

1. The Equinox EV pedestrian warning sound system has been subject to recalls in some regions for being either too quiet or too loud, with different standards applying in other markets.
2. The dashboard’s power flow display shows energy moving in real time, animating whether the battery is supplying power or regenerative braking is returning it.
3. The Equinox EV’s electromagnetic sensors detect when the key fob is left inside the vehicle and trigger a distinct alert to prevent lockouts.
4. Each TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) sensor in the Equinox EV has a unique identification code that allows the vehicle to distinguish its own sensors from those of nearby vehicles.
5. The Equinox EV dashboard can display the estimated carbon emissions saved compared to driving a conventional vehicle, calculated based on your driving patterns and local power grid data.

Questions and Answers About the Equinox EV 

Why does my Equinox EV sometimes show a turtle icon on the dashboard?

• The turtle icon indicates that the vehicle has entered a power-limited mode to protect its systems. This occurs when the battery charge drops extremely low, the battery or motor systems overheat, or the system detects certain faults. The vehicle remains drivable but with reduced acceleration and top speed. If this occurs frequently without an obvious cause like a low battery, the vehicle should be inspected by a service technician.

What does the red lightning bolt symbol on my dashboard mean?

• The red lightning bolt is part of the power flow indicator, not a warning. It shows the vehicle drawing power from the battery. It works with the battery symbol below, which indicates when regenerative braking returns power to the battery. The nearby number (such as “6 kW”) shows the current power being used or regenerated.

How do I know if my Equinox EV is actually charging when plugged in?

• When properly charging, it will display a charge cord connected light (a vehicle with a plug icon) on the dashboard. The driver information center will show the current battery percentage, estimated time to full charge, and charging rate. Additionally, the charge status indicator near the charging port will pulse green when actively charging.

What should I do if my Equinox EV displays “Service High Voltage System”?

• This alert indicates a potential issue with the high-voltage electrical system. First, try the reset procedure: turn the vehicle off, wait 30 seconds, then restart. If the alert persists, avoid driving the vehicle and contact roadside assistance for towing to a dealership. You should not ignore this alert, as it could indicate a serious electrical issue that could affect safety or cause damage to expensive components.

Can I still drive my Equinox EV when the “Propulsion Power Limited” warning appears?

• Yes, you can continue driving when this warning appears, but the vehicle will significantly reduce its performance. The system will limit maximum speed and acceleration to protect itself. Extreme temperatures, very low battery charge, or temporary system anomalies often cause this condition. If the warning persists after you charge the battery and allow the vehicle to reach normal operating temperature, have the vehicle serviced.

Disclaimer: Content contained in this post is for informational purposes only and may include features and options from US or international models. Please contact the dealership for more information or to confirm vehicle, feature availability.