How to use the plus and minus signs on the Equinox gear shift?

[Espírito Santo]

The usage of the plus and minus signs on the Equinox gear shift: When rapid acceleration or uphill driving is required, press the minus (-) sign to lower the transmission gear, quickly increase the engine speed, and instantly enhance the vehicle's torque. The manual mode is referred to as the sport mode, aligning with the driver's intention for a sporty driving experience. The plus (+) sign is used less frequently, as the vehicle can automatically upshift when in D gear. Additional details are as follows: 1. Pull the gear lever downward to engage D gear, then push the lever to the left until 'm/s' lights up, indicating the manual mode is engaged. 2. To increase or decrease gears in this mode, push the lever forward to downshift and pull it backward to upshift. Upshifting is not possible if the vehicle speed and engine speed do not meet the requirements, and each operation must be approved by the transmission control unit. 3. In manual mode, if the vehicle speed is low, the transmission will assist in downshifting. To revert to automatic mode, pull the lever back to the right. Manual and automatic modes can be switched at any time without the need to brake or release the accelerator.

[ArcherAnn]

When I first got my car, I didn’t understand how to use the plus and minus signs next to the gearshift in the Equinox. Turns out, it’s the manual mode! Just shift the lever back to the M position, and the dashboard will display the current gear. Pushing the lever forward shifts up (+ direction), while pulling it back shifts down (- direction). Last time I drove on a winding mountain road, I used this feature—manually downshifting to 2nd gear on steep descents let the engine help control the speed, so I didn’t need to brake at all, saving my brake pads. But in city driving, it’s hardly useful. If you forget to upshift at low speeds, the engine will roar loudly.

[LaAdriana]

Once while driving my friend's Equinox on National Highway 318, he taught me how to use manual mode: after shifting to M gear, each push or pull of the gear lever feels like shifting gears in a game—push forward to upshift and pull back to downshift. This feature is particularly useful when overtaking; preemptively downshifting to rev up to 4000 rpm instantly delivers strong acceleration. On long downhill sections, driving in 3rd gear is much more stable than constantly braking. Just be mindful of the gear display on the dashboard—driving at 40 km/h in 5th gear can make the car shake like a tractor. When done, simply shift back to D mode.

[VanDawson]

The gear shift with plus and minus signs on the Equinox is the manual mode switch. After shifting to M mode, pushing the lever forward shifts up one gear, while pulling it back shifts down one gear. I mainly use it in two situations: first, when going downhill continuously to lock in a lower gear and use engine braking to control speed; second, when overtaking to manually downshift and raise the RPM. Last time on the highway overtaking a large truck, shifting from 4th to 3rd gear instantly revved up to 5000 RPM, and I zoomed past it in no time. Just remember not to let the RPM stay in the redline zone for too long.

[DaisyLynn]

When driving my Equinox into Tibet, I relied entirely on the manual mode of the gear shift. After shifting to M mode, I controlled the gears by pushing and pulling the gear lever—forward to upshift and backward to downshift. The biggest advantage of this manual shifting is protecting the brake system. For example, on a 60-kilometer downhill stretch, I kept it in 3rd gear, letting the engine drag the car without ever touching the brakes. Beginners should note two things: ensure the RPM doesn’t exceed 5500 before downshifting, and if you upshift below 2000 RPM, the car may shudder. It’s rarely needed in city driving—frequent shifting in traffic is exhausting.

[DelAlice]

The '+' and '-' on the Equinox's gear shift are manual shift buttons. After switching to M mode, pushing the lever forward upshifts while pulling it backward downshifts. I use this function twice a month for mine runs: manually locking in 2nd gear when fully loaded uphill prevents upshifting, allowing full-throttle steady climbs; coasting downhill in 4th gear keeps RPM at 3000 for optimal fuel efficiency. But you must monitor the gear display - forgetting to upshift during climbs makes the 6000RPM engine roar loud enough to scare children roadside. For daily driving, D mode remains the worry-free recommendation.