2008 GMC ACADIA tow

Power Steering Fluid
The power steering uid
reservoir is located toward
the front of the engine
compartment on the
passenger’s side of the
vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-14for reservoir
location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering uid
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A uid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
To check the power steering uid, do the following:
1. Turn the key off and let the engine compartment
cool down.
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.
3. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a
clean rag.
4. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
5. Remove the cap again and look at the uid level on
the dipstick.
The uid level should be somewhere within the
cross-hatched area on the dipstick. If the uid is at the
ADD mark, you should add uid.
What to Use
To determine what kind of uid to use, see
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
Always use the proper uid.
Notice:Use of the incorrect uid may damage your
vehicle and the damages may not be covered by
your warranty. Always use the correct uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
5-33

Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly
tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and Specifications on page 5-107.
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts
become loose after time. The wheel could
come off and cause an accident. When
you change a wheel, remove any rust or
dirt from places where the wheel attaches
to the vehicle. In an emergency, you can
use a cloth or a paper towel to do this;
but be sure to use a scraper or wire brush
later, if needed, to get all the rust or dirt
off. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-72.
Make sure the spare tire is stored securely. Push,
pull, and then try to rotate or turn the tire. If it
moves, tighten the cable. SeeStoring a Flat or
Spare Tire and Tools on page 5-84.
When It Is Time for New Tires
Various factors, such as maintenance, temperatures,
driving speeds, vehicle loading, and road conditions
inuence when you need new tires.
One way to tell when it is
time for new tires is to
check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when your tires
have only 1/16 inch
(1.6 mm) or less of tread
remaining.
5-63

If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout while you are driving,
especially if you maintain your vehicle’s tires properly.
If air goes out of a tire, it is much more likely to leak out
slowly. But if you should ever have a blowout, here
are a few tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the at tire creates a drag that pulls
the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel rmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you would
use in a skid. In any rear blowout remove your foot from
the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control
by steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may
be very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop, well off the road if possible.{CAUTION:
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do
maintenance or repairs is dangerous without
the appropriate safety equipment and training.
The jack provided with your vehicle is
designed only for changing a at tire. If it is
used for anything else, you or others could be
badly injured or killed if the vehicle slips off
the jack. Use the jack provided with your
vehicle only for changing a at tire.
If a tire goes at, the next part shows how to use the
jacking equipment to change a at tire safely.
5-71

When your vehicle has a at tire, use the following
example as a guide to assist you in the placement of
wheel blocks.
The following information tells you how to use the jack
and change a tire.
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The tools needed to remove the spare tire are located
in the storage compartment on the driver side, at
the rear of the vehicle.
1. Open the jack storage compartment by squeezing
down on the latch tab and pulling the cover off.A. Tool Bag
B. Wing Bolt
C. Jack
2. Remove the wing bolt (B) by turning it
counterclockwise
3. Push the jack (C) up out of the holding bracket.
4. Turn the jack on its side, with the bottom facing
toward you.
5. Pull the jack straight out, bottom rst.
5-73

{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts
become loose after time. The wheel could
come off and cause an accident. When you
change a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from
places where the wheel attaches to the vehicle.
In an emergency, you can use a cloth or a
paper towel to do this; but be sure to use a
scraper or wire brush later, if needed, to get all
the rust or dirt off. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on
page 5-72.
{CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts.
Because the nuts might come loose. The
vehicle’s wheel could fall off, causing a crash.10. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces, and
spare wheel.
11. Place the spare tire on the wheel mounting surface.
12. Put the nuts on by hand by turning the clockwise
until the wheel is held against the mounting
surface. Make sure the rounded end is toward the
wheel.
5-79

Secondary Latch System
Your vehicle has an underbody mounted tire hoist
assembly that has a secondary latch system. It is
designed to stop the compact spare tire from suddenly
falling off your vehicle if the cable holding the spare
tire is damaged. For the secondary latch to work, the tire
must be stowed with the valve stem pointing down.
SeeStoring a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools on page 5-84
for instructions on storing the spare tire correctly.
{CAUTION:
Before beginning this procedure read all the
instructions. Failure to read and follow the
instructions could damage the hoist assembly
and you and others could get hurt. Read and
follow the instructions listed next.
To release the spare tire from the secondary latch:
{CAUTION:
Someone standing too close during the
procedure could be injured by the jack. If the
spare tire does not slide off the jack
completely, make sure no one is behind you or
on either side of you as you pull the jack out
from the under spare.
1. If the cable is not visible, start this procedure at
Step 3.
5-81

Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and
Tools
Storing the Spare Tire
{CAUTION:
The underbody-mounted spare tire needs to be
stored with the valve stem pointing down. If
the spare tire is stored with the valve stem
pointing upwards, its secondary latch will not
work properly and the spare tire could loosen
and suddenly fall from your vehicle. If this
happened when your vehicle was being driven,
the tire might contact a person or another
vehicle, causing injury and, of course, damage
to itself as well. Be sure the
underbody-mounted spare tire is stored with
its valve stem pointing down.
{CAUTION:
Storing a jack, a tire, or other equipment in the
passenger compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or collision,
loose equipment could strike someone. Store
all these in the proper place.
To store the spare tire:
1. Lay the compact spare tire near the rear of the
vehicle with the valve stem down.
2. Reinstall the plastic spare tire heat shield on the
compact spare tire.
3. Slide the cable retainer through the center of the
wheel and start to raise the compact spare tire.
Make sure the retainer is fully seated across
the underside of the wheel.
4. When the compact spare tire is almost in the stored
position, turn the tire so the valve is toward the rear
of the vehicle.
This position helps when checking the air pressure
in the compact spare tire.
5-84

5. Raise the tire fully against the underside of the
vehicle. Continue turning the lug wrench until
you feel more than two clicks. This indicates that
the compact spare tire is secure and the cable
is tight. The spare tire hoist cannot be
overtightened.
6. Make sure the tire is stored securely. Push, pull (A),
and then try to turn (B) the tire. If the tire moves,
use the lug wrench to tighten the cable.Storing the Flat Tire
Notice:Storing the full-size at tire in the
underbody hoist system can expose it to heat from
the exhaust system. This can damage the tire
and underbody hoist system. Do not store the
full-size at tire in the underbody hoist system.
1. Remove the cable package from the jack
storage area.
2. Remove the small center cap by tapping the back
of the cap with the extension of the shaft, if the
vehicle has aluminum wheels.
3. Put the at tire in the rear storage area with the
valve stem pointing toward the rear of the vehicle.
5-85