What Does "Engine Power Reduced" Mean on Chevy Equinox?

Are you seeing an “Engine Power is Reduced” message inside of your Chevy Equinox? It’s important not to panic, as this message can point to a few separate issues. But, all in all, some issue has occurred that has caused the car to enter Limp Mode. Most new vehicles have a Limp Mode, which gives the car enough power to drive home or another area where it can be safely parked. Getting to a safe place is the first step when you see this message. Read on to learn more from our service center about what you can do next. 

Can You Drive with an “Engine Power Reduced” Message?

You can drive with this message, but again, the purpose of Limp Mode is to provide enough power for you to get to a safe place. You won’t be able to exceed a certain speed, which can put you in a dangerous situation if you try to travel on a busy highway. When you see the message, get home or to an auto shop. Letting your vehicle sit for a while may deactivate Limp Mode, but it’s a temporary solution. You’ll see the message again shortly after, and you’ll still need to get your Chevy Equinox serviced. 

Why Does My Chevy Equinox Say “Engine Power Reduced”?

Typically, when a Chevy Equinox displays an “Engine Power Reduced” message, a dirty throttle body is to blame. There are a few signs that your car has a dirty throttle body, which includes:

• Reduced fuel economy 
• Poor or high idle 
• Slow acceleration
• Electrical problems 
• Inconsistent airflow, caused by a buildup of grime
• “Check engine” light is illuminated

How to Fix “Engine Power Reduced” on Chevy Equinox

The easier way to determine what’s going on with your car is to run a diagnostics scan. This is a job for an OBDII tool. Most people don’t have one of these tools at home, so you’ll need to schedule service as soon as possible. If you have AAA, you can call them and have them tow your car to our service center! We’ll run a full diagnostics check on your Chevy Equinox to figure out what’s wrong with your car. We’ll complete the necessary repairs, so you can get back to living your life around Saugerties! 

Schedule Service with Sawyer Chevrolet, Inc. Today! 

The Chevy-certified service team at Sawyer Chevrolet, Inc. will handle the difficult work for you. We’ll give your car’s throttle body a good clean, or resolve whatever issue is causing the “Engine Power Reduced” message. To learn more about common service issues, and how to resolve them, browse our service and parts tips & tricks hub. If you have questions for our service team, contact us at (866) 618-5022!