The Chevrolet Equinox nameplate was first introduced for the 2005 model year, with the latest third-generation model going into production for the 2018 model year. Now, the 2021 Chevy Equinox is offered with a Cold Air Grille Shutter designed to keep the powertrain running at peak performance, even in frigid temperatures.
“The new shutter is controlled by shape memory alloy springs, which react to outside air temperature to close the shutter in freezing conditions,” General Motors explains in a statement to GM Authority. “The shutter helps limit ice and moisture accumulation.”
The Cold Air Grille Shutter offered on the 2021 Chevy Equinox is tagged with RPO code VRI, and is included and only available with the engine block heater (RPO code K05).
The feature is available on all 2021 Chevy Equinox trim levels. Additionally, both the Cold Air Grille Shutter and the engine block heater are required on orders in four U.S. states – Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota.
The Cold Air Grille Shutter is different from Active Aero Shutters, the latter of which is designed to improve aerodynamics and fuel efficiency.
The 2021 Chevy Equinox was originally expected to bring a refresh for the nameplate. However, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the model refresh was pushed back to the 2022 model year.
Under the hood, the 2021 Chevy Equinox is equipped with the turbocharged 1.5L LYX I-4 engine, which produces 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, mated to the six-speed MNH automatic transmission. The turbocharged 2.0L LTG I-4 engine and GM nine-speed automatic combo has been dropped for the 2021 model year, as GM Authority exclusively reported back in July. Both FWD and AWD are offered. Under the skin, the 2021 Chevy Equinox rides on the GM D2 platform.
For those buyers living in colder climates where below-freezing weather is a common occurrence, the Cold Air Grille Shutter is a fantastic feature to ensure that the 2021 Chevy Equinox performs exactly as expected, even in extreme temperatures.
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Comments
Every bit of improvement helps to help the Chevrolet Equinox remain one of the top sellers in it’s class.
Didn’t 2020 have this? I just bought mine 2 weeks ago and I have louvers in front of the radiator area.
The louvers on the 2020 are for aerodynamics and change with speed. Many GM cars have had this for several years.
Correct John, we have always built this vehicle at Cami, with the baffle in the front for as long as i can remember. So i don’t know what this articles talking about. But yes maybe they have modified it to react to cold now, and not just for speed and aerodynamics.
Got it thanks!! 🙂
My 2019 Traverse has the shutters (which I love) but GM decided to stop adding them with the 2020 model. My understanding is that GM could not quantify the gas savings so no government subsidies for the feature and that apparently annoyed GM so they made the decision to remove the shutters. So what has changed? Maybe they realized they had to fulfill a contract with an outside supplier ?? 2020 is just a bizarre year. Stay safe.
Active grille shutters change on command from the ECU based based on vehicle speed and engine coolant temperature. It’s not a “government subsidy” but rather a CO2/fuel economy credit based on the computed change in drag and a factor set by the EPA.
This feature is based on passive metal springs and only responds to air temperature. This feature is simpler, cheaper, and lighter. This is to shut off airflow in the extreme cold to prevent engines running undertemp, and I think it allows them to take warmup emissions credits.
I think GM realized it was easier and cheaper to get credits elsewhere than AGS, like climate controlled seats and thermal control glass, which customers like. I think the typical AGS credit relatively small and is about the same as the seats.
GM wants the engine not to run too cold and cause warranty problems from condensation in the oil
I have a 2018 Chevy equinox LT and it has active grill shutters. Stays closed when it’s cold and opens when it’s hot. It even stays closed on highway driving here in Michigan, to keep the temperature optimal.
I have my Equinox here in Brazil, 2.0 motor, and a like it so mach!
2.oL Gonna drop it ..WHY?? MY Family has 3 …The Ride is Terrible..ROAD NOISE is Bad. Hope they improve Equinox
or you can do with the rest of the world is done for the past 50 years for free and that’s to take a piece of cardboard and stick it either in front of, or behind your radiator grill in the winter time.
Where I live those active shutters are often the cause of check engine lights during 5-6 months of snow and ice lodged in there during the Winter. Sounds like more of a fair weather and climate place.
My 2020 2.0 turbo(4000kms) here in Sherwood park alberta Canada has had the updated shutter fix installed for cold temp malfunctions (-15c and lower, windchill factors..etx) Still having dtc with reduced power modes. Under warranty, but in repair shop a lot..techs are trying to stop triggering the same malfunction/(combination mass flow sensor readouts..)with test drives/engineering consults/tsb…etc..this is not a good start to the ownership experience (Payments but no reliability).