2008 GMC ACADIA octane

Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel.
SeeGasoline Octane on page 5-6. Poor fuel quality
causes the engine not to run as efficiently as
designed. You might notice this as stalling after
start-up, stalling when you put the vehicle into gear,
misring, hesitation on acceleration, or stumbling
on acceleration — these conditions might go away
once the engine is warmed up. This will be detected
by the system and cause the light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least
one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn
off, your dealer/retailer can check the vehicle. Your
dealer/retailer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to x any mechanical or electrical
problems that might have developed.Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have
or might begin programs to inspect the emission
control equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass
this inspection could prevent you from getting a
vehicle registration.
Here are some things you need to know to help
your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
check engine light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
OBD (on-board diagnostic) system determines that
critical emission control systems have not been
completely diagnosed by the system. The vehicle
would be considered not ready for inspection.
This can happen if you have recently replaced the
battery or if the battery has run down. The diagnostic
system is designed to evaluate critical emission
control systems during normal driving. This can take
several days of routine driving. If you have done this
and your vehicle still does not pass the inspection
for lack of OBD system readiness, your dealer/retailer
can prepare the vehicle for inspection.
3-53

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-5
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-6
Fuel................................................................5-6
Gasoline Octane............................................5-6
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-7
Additives.......................................................5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-8
Filling the Tank..............................................5-9
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-12
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-12
Hood Release..............................................5-13
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-14
Engine Oil...................................................5-15
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-20
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-21
Engine Coolant.............................................5-22
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-24
Engine Overheating.......................................5-25
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . .5-26Cooling System............................................5-27
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-33
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-34
Brakes........................................................5-35
Battery........................................................5-38
Jump Starting...............................................5-39
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-43
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-45
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-45
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-45
License Plate Lamp......................................5-46
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-46
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-47
Tires..............................................................5-48
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-49
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-52
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-55
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-57
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................5-58
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-62
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-63
Buying New Tires.........................................5-64
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................5-66
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-67
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-68
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your vehicle can
affect the airow around it. This can cause wind
noise and can affect fuel economy and windshield
washer performance. Check with your dealer/retailer
before adding equipment to the outside of your vehicle.
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an important part of the
proper maintenance of your vehicle. To help keep the
engine clean and maintain optimum vehicle
performance, we recommend the use of gasoline
advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.
Gasoline Octane
Use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 87 or higher. For best performance or
trailer towing, you could choose to use middle grade 89
octane unleaded gasoline. If the octane rating is less
than 87, you might notice an audible knocking noise
when you drive, commonly referred to as spark knock. If
this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher as soon as possible. If you are using gasoline
rated at 87 octane or higher and you hear heavy
knocking, the engine needs service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM specication
D 4814 in the United States or CAN/CGSB-3.5 or
3.511 in Canada. Some gasolines contain an
octane-enhancing additive called methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend
against the use of gasolines containing MMT. See
Additives on page 5-7for additional information.
5-6

Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be covered under your
warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions can contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. We recommend against
the use of such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT can
reduce the life of spark plugs and the performance of the
emission control system could be affected. The
malfunction indicator lamp might turn on. If this occurs,
return to your dealer/retailer for service.Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel might be hard
to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel
not recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper fuel would not
be covered by your warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you will be driving.
5-8

This schedule is for vehicles that:
carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits. You will nd these limits on the Tire and
Loading Information label. SeeLoading Your
Vehicle on page 4-21.
are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.
use the recommended fuel. SeeGasoline Octane
on page 5-6.
The services inScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4
should be performed when indicated. SeeAdditional
Required Services on page 6-6andMaintenance
Footnotes on page 6-7for further information.
{CAUTION:
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle can
be dangerous. In trying to do some jobs, you
can be seriously injured. Do your own
maintenance work only if you have the
required know-how and the proper tools and
equipment for the job.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
If you have any doubt, see your dealer/retailer
to have a qualied technician do the work. See
Doing Your Own Service Work on page 5-5.
Some maintenance services can be complex. So,
unless you are technically qualied and have the
necessary equipment, you should have your
dealer/retailer do these jobs.
When you go to your dealer/retailer for your service
needs, you will know that trained and supported service
technicians will perform the work using genuine parts.
If you want to purchase service information, seeService
Publications Ordering Information on page 7-14.
Owner Checks and Services on page 6-8tells you what
should be checked, when to check it, and what you can
easily do to help keep your vehicle in good condition.
The proper replacement parts, uids, and lubricants to
use are listed inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-12andMaintenance Replacement Parts
on page 6-14. When your vehicle is serviced, make sure
these are used. All parts should be replaced and all
necessary repairs done before you or anyone else
drives the vehicle. We recommend the use of genuine
parts from your dealer/retailer.
6-3

Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-20
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-50
Coolant......................................................5-22
Coolant Heater............................................2-29
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-49
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-49
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-15
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-14
Exhaust.....................................................2-38
Oil .............................................................5-15
Oil Life System...........................................5-18
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-26
Overheating................................................5-25
Running While Parked..................................2-39
Starting......................................................2-27
Entry Lighting.................................................3-17
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-16
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-36
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-20
Finish Damage...............................................5-95
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-9
Flat Tire........................................................5-71
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-72
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-84
Floor Mats.....................................................2-57
Fluid.............................................................5-21
Power Steering...........................................5-33
Windshield Washer......................................5-34
Fog Lamp
Fog ...........................................................3-16
Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-55
Fuel............................................................... 5-6
Additives...................................................... 5-7
California Fuel.............................................. 5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-12
Filling the Tank............................................. 5-9
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-8
Gage.........................................................3-56
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-6
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-6
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-100
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................5-100
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-103
Windshield Wiper.......................................5-100
5

G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-49
Fuel..........................................................3-56
Speedometer..............................................3-41
Tachometer.................................................3-41
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-46
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-50
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-6
Specications............................................... 5-6
Glove Box.....................................................2-55
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-6
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints..............................................1-10
Headlamp
Aiming.......................................................5-45
Headlamps
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-45
Daytime Running Lamps/Automatic
Headlamp System....................................3-16
Delayed.....................................................3-15
Exterior Lamps............................................3-14
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-9Headlamps (cont.)
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-45
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-9
Head-Up Display (HUD)...................................3-20
Heated Seats................................................... 1-5
Heater...........................................................3-26
Heater...........................................................3-29
Height Adjuster, Driver Seat............................... 1-3
High Voltage Devices and Wiring......................5-99
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-55
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-15
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-16
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-12
Release.....................................................5-13
Horn............................................................... 3-6
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-22
I
Ignition Positions.............................................2-26
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-39
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-55
Instrument Panel
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Storage Area..............................................2-55
Instrument Panel (I/P)
Brightness..................................................3-17
Cluster.......................................................3-40
6