2007 GMC ACADIA tires

Towing a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you do not use the correct equipment
and drive properly, you can lose control
when you pull a trailer. For example, if the
trailer is too heavy, the brakes may not
work well — or even at all. You and your
passengers could be seriously injured.
You may also damage your vehicle; the
resulting repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Pull a trailer only if you
have followed all the steps in this section.
Ask your dealer/retailer for advice and
information about towing a trailer with
your vehicle.
To identify the trailering capacity of your vehicle,
you should read the information in “Weight of
the Trailer” that appears later in this section.But trailering is different than just driving your
vehicle by itself. Trailering means changes
in handling, acceleration, braking, durability and
fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes
correct equipment, and it has to be used properly.
That’s the reason for this part. In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety
rules. Many of these are important for your safety
and that of your passengers. So please read
this section carefully before you pull a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as the engine,
transmission, rear axle, wheel assemblies and tires
are forced to work harder against the drag of
the added weight. The engine is required
to operate at relatively higher speeds and under
greater loads, generating extra heat. What’s more,
the trailer adds considerably to wind resistance,
increasing the pulling requirements.
371

If You Do Decide to Pull a Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
There are many different laws, including speed
limit restrictions, having to do with trailering.
Make sure your rig will be legal, not only where
you live but also where you’ll be driving.
A good source for this information can be state
or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control. You can ask a
hitch dealer/retailer about sway controls.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the rst
500 miles (805 km) your new vehicle is driven.
Your engine, axle or other parts could be
damaged.
Then, during the rst 500 miles (805 km) that
you tow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph
(80 km/h) and don’t make starts at full throttle.
This helps your engine and other parts of
your vehicle wear in at the heavier loads.
Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a
trailer. Don’t drive faster than the maximum
posted speed for trailers, or no more than
55 mph (90 km/h), to save wear on your
vehicle’s parts.
You can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to
shift the transmission to a lower gear selection
if the transmission shifts too often (e.g., under
heavy loads and/or hilly conditions). See
“Tow/Haul Mode” later in this section.
Three important considerations have to do with
weight:
the weight of the trailer
the weight of the trailer tongue
and the total weight on your vehicle’s tires
372

You may go further and think you must limit
tongue weight to less than 1,000 lbs (454 kg) to
avoid exceeding GVWR. But, you must still
consider the effect on the rear axle. Because your
rear axle now weighs 3,100 lbs (1 406 kg), you
can only put 900 lbs (408 kg) on the rear axle
without exceeding RGAWR. The effect of tongue
weight is about 1.5 times the actual weight.
Dividing the 900 lbs (408 kg) by 1.5 leaves you
with being able to handle only 600 lbs (272 kg) of
tongue weight. Since tongue weight is usually
at least 10 percent of total loaded trailer weight,
you can expect that the largest trailer your vehicle
can properly handle is 6,000 lbs (2 721 kg).
It is important that you make sure your vehicle
does not exceed any of its ratings — GCWR,
GVWR, RGAWR, Maximum Trailer Rating
or Tongue Weight. The only way to be sure you
are not exceeding any of these ratings is to weigh
your vehicle and trailer.Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inated to the upper
limit for cold tires. You’ll nd these numbers on the
Certication/Tire label. SeeLoading Your Vehicle
on page 361. Then be sure you don’t go over the
GVW limit for your vehicle, including the weight of
the trailer tongue.
Hitches
It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough
roads are a few reasons why you’ll need the
right hitch. Here are some rules to follow:
The rear bumper on your vehicle is not
intended for hitches. Do not attach rental
hitches or other bumper-type hitches to it.
Use only a frame-mounted hitch that does not
attach to the bumper.
Will you have to make any holes in the body of
your vehicle when you install a trailer hitch?
If you do, then be sure to seal the holes later
when you remove the hitch. If you don’t seal
them, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) from your
exhaust can get into your vehicle. SeeEngine
Exhaust on page 138. Dirt and water can, too.
377

Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your
vehicle and your trailer. Cross the safety
chains under the tongue of the trailer so that the
tongue will not drop to the road if it becomes
separated from the hitch. Instructions about safety
chains may be provided by the hitch manufacturer
or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching
safety chains and do not attach them to the
bumper. Always leave just enough slack so you
can turn with your rig. And, never allow safety
chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
If you tow more than 1,000 lbs (450 kg), use trailer
brakes. Because your vehicle has anti-lock brakes,
don’t try to tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic brake
system. If you do, both brake systems won’t
work well, or at all.
Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the
trailer brakes so you’ll be able to install, adjust
and maintain them properly.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of
experience. Before setting out for the open road,
you’ll want to get to know your rig. Acquaint
yourself with the feel of handling and braking with
the added weight of the trailer. And always
keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is
now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving
and then apply the trailer brake controller by hand
to be sure the brakes are working. This lets you
check your electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure
that the load is secure, and that the lamps and any
trailer brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead
as you would when driving your vehicle without
a trailer. This can help you avoid situations
that require heavy braking and sudden turns.
378

Service........................................................ 385
Accessories and Modications................... 385
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 386
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 386
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...................................... 387
Fuel............................................................. 387
Gasoline Octane........................................ 388
Gasoline Specications.............................. 388
California Fuel........................................... 388
Additives................................................... 389
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 390
Filling the Tank......................................... 390
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 393
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 394
Hood Release........................................... 395
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 396
Engine Oil................................................. 397
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 400
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 402
Automatic Transmission Fluid.................... 404
Engine Coolant.......................................... 406
Radiator Pressure Cap.............................. 410
Engine Overheating................................... 410Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 412
Cooling System......................................... 413
Power Steering Fluid................................. 419
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 420
Brakes...................................................... 421
Battery...................................................... 424
Jump Starting............................................ 425
All-Wheel Drive........................................... 430
Headlamp Aiming........................................ 431
Bulb Replacement....................................... 432
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting..... 432
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 432
License Plate Lamp................................... 433
Replacement Bulbs................................... 433
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 434
Tires............................................................ 435
Tire Sidewall Labeling............................... 436
Tire Terminology and Denitions............... 439
Ination - Tire Pressure............................. 442
Tire Pressure Monitor System................... 444
Tire Inspection and Rotation...................... 448
When It Is Time for New Tires.................. 450
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
383

Buying New Tires...................................... 450
Different Size Tires and Wheels................ 452
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..................... 453
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance............ 454
Wheel Replacement.................................. 454
Tire Chains............................................... 456
If a Tire Goes Flat.................................... 457
Changing a Flat Tire................................. 458
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools.......... 459
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire....................................... 463
Secondary Latch System........................... 468
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...... 472
Compact Spare Tire.................................. 477
Appearance Care........................................ 478
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle.......... 478
Fabric/Carpet............................................. 480
Leather...................................................... 481
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces..................................... 481
Care of Safety Belts.................................. 482
Weatherstrips............................................ 482
Washing Your Vehicle............................... 482
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses................ 483Finish Care............................................... 483
Windshield, Backglass, and
Wiper Blades......................................... 484
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels
and Trim................................................ 484
Tires......................................................... 485
Sheet Metal Damage................................. 486
Finish Damage.......................................... 486
Underbody Maintenance............................ 486
Chemical Paint Spotting............................ 486
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials............ 487
Vehicle Identication.................................. 488
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)........... 488
Service Parts Identication Label............... 488
Electrical System........................................ 489
High Voltage Devices and Wiring.............. 489
Add-On Electrical Equipment..................... 489
Windshield Wiper Fuses............................ 490
Power Windows and Other
Power Options....................................... 490
Fuses and Circuit Breakers....................... 490
Instrument Panel Fuse Block..................... 490
Underhood Fuse Block.............................. 493
Capacities and Specications.................... 497
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
384

Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that
make a high-pitched warning sound when the
brake pads are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or be heard all
the time your vehicle is moving, except when you
are pushing on the brake pedal rmly.
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon the brakes will not work well. That
could lead to an accident. When you hear
the brake wear warning sound, have your
vehicle serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly brake repair.Some driving conditions or climates can cause a
brake squeal when the brakes are rst applied
or lightly applied. This does not mean something
is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and evenly tighten
wheel nuts in the proper sequence to torque
specications inCapacities and Specifications on
page 497.
Brake linings should always be replaced as
complete axle sets.Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer/retailer if the brake pedal does
not return to normal height, or if there is a
rapid increase in pedal travel. This could be a sign
that brake service might be required.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without
the vehicle moving, the brakes adjust for wear.
423

Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires
made by a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever
have questions about your tire warranty and where
to obtain service, see your GM Warranty booklet for
details. For additional information refer to the tire
manufacturer’s booklet included with your vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used
tires are dangerous.
Overloading your vehicle’s tires can
cause overheating as a result of too
much friction. You could have an
air-out and a serious accident. See
Loading Your Vehicle on page 361.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Underinated tires pose the same
danger as overloaded tires. The
resulting accident could cause serious
injury. Check all tires frequently to
maintain the recommended pressure.
Tire pressure should be checked when
your vehicle’s tires are cold. See
Inflation - Tire Pressure on page 442.
Overinated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured, or broken by a sudden
impact — such as when you hit a
pothole. Keep tires at the
recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents.
If the tire’s tread is badly worn,
or if your vehicle’s tires have been
damaged, replace them.
435