2009 GMC ACADIA coolant reservoir

Notice:The engine is designed
to work with the electronics
in the vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could
change the way the engine
operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your
dealer/retailer. If you do not, the
engine might not perform
properly. Any resulting damage
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.Engine Coolant Heater
The engine coolant heater can
provide easier starting and better
fuel economy during engine
warm-up in cold weather conditions
at or below 0°F (−18°C). Vehicles
with an engine coolant heater should
be plugged in at least four hours
before starting. Some models
may have an internal thermostat in
the cord which will prevent
engine coolant heater operation at
temperatures above 0°F (−18°C).
To Use the Engine Coolant
Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the
electrical cord. The cord is
located on the driver side of the
engine compartment. It is
routed around the windshield
washer uid reservoir.
3. Plug the cord into a normal,
grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{CAUTION
Plugging the cord into an
ungrounded outlet could cause an
electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could
overheat and cause a re. You
could be seriously injured. Plug
the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If
the cord will not reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension
cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be
sure to unplug and store the
cord as it was before to keep it
away from moving engine
parts. If you do not, it could be
damaged.
The length of time the heater should
remain plugged in depends on
several factors. Ask a dealer/retailer
in the area where you will be
parking the vehicle for the best
advice on this.
Features and Controls 2-23

A. Radiator Pressure Cap. See
Cooling System on page 5-16.
B. Engine Coolant Recovery Cap.
SeeCooling System on
page 5-16.
C. Remote Negative (−) Terminal.
SeeJump Starting on page 5-28.
D.Underhood Fuse Block on
page 5-92.
E. Remote Positive (+) Terminal.
SeeJump Starting on page 5-28.
F.Power Steering Fluid on
page 5-23.
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” underEngine
Oil on page 5-11.
H. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
“Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 5-11.
I. Automatic Transmission Fluid
Dipstick. See “Checking the
Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-16.
J. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir.
See “Brake Fluid” underBrakes
on page 5-25.K.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 5-15.
L. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-24.
Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the
engine oil every time you get fuel.
In order to get an accurate reading,
the oil must be warm and the
vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle
is a yellow loop. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-10for the location of
the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the
oil several minutes to drain back
into the oil pan. If you do not
do this, the oil dipstick might
not show the actual level.2. Pull out the dipstick and clean
it with a paper towel or cloth,
then push it back in all the way.
Remove it again, keeping the
tip down, and check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick,
add at least one quart/liter of the
recommended oil. This section
explains what kind of oil to use.
For engine oil crankcase capacity,
seeCapacities and Specifications
on page 5-96.
Notice:Do not add too much oil.
If the engine has so much oil
that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows
the proper operating range,
the engine could be damaged.
Service and Appearance Care 5-11

Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode lets
the vehicle be driven to a safe place
in an emergency situation. If an
overheated engine condition exists,
an overheat protection mode which
alternates ring groups of cylinders
helps prevent engine damage. In this
mode, there is a signicant loss in
power and engine performance.
The temperature gage indicates an
overheat condition exists. Driving
extended distances and/or towing a
trailer in the overheat protection
mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the
overheated engine protection
operating mode, to avoid engine
damage, allow the engine to
cool before attempting any repair.
The engine oil will be severely
degraded. Repair the cause
of coolant loss, change the oil
and reset the oil life system.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-11.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering uid reservoir
is located toward the front of the
engine compartment on the
passenger side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 5-10for 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:
1. Turn the key off and let the
engine compartment cool down.
2. Remove engine oil ll cap.
3. Slide engine cover rearward and
lift to remove.
4. Wipe the cap and the top of the
reservoir clean.
5. Unscrew the cap and wipe the
dipstick with a clean rag.
6. Replace the cap and completely
tighten it.
7. Remove the cap again and look
at the uid level on the dipstick.
The uid level should be somewhere
between MAX and MIN line on the
dipstick in room temperature. If the
uid is on or below MIN line, you
should add uid close to MAX Line.
Service and Appearance Care 5-23

What to Use
To determine what kind of uid to
use, seeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-12. Always
use the proper uid.
Notice:Use of the incorrect uid
may damage the vehicle and the
damages may not be covered by
the vehicle’s warranty. Always
use the correct uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-12.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When adding windshield washer
uid, be sure to read the
manufacturer’s instructions before
use. If the vehicle will be operating
in an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use a
uid that has sufficient protection
against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
When the windshield washer uid
reservoir is low, a WASHER FLUID
LOW ADD FLUID message will be
displayed on the Driver Information
Center (DIC). SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-56for more
information.
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer uid
until the tank is full. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-10for reservoir location.Notice:When using concentrated
washer uid, follow the
manufacturer’s instructions
for adding water.
Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer uid.
Water can cause the solution
to freeze and damage your
washer uid tank and other
parts of the washer system.
Also, water does not clean as
well as washer uid.
Fill the washer uid tank only
three-quarters full when it is
very cold. This allows for uid
expansion if freezing occurs,
which could damage the tank
if it is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in your windshield
washer. It can damage the
vehicle’s windshield washer
system and paint.
5-24 Service and Appearance Care

Owner Checks and
Services
These owner checks and services
should be performed at the intervals
specied to help ensure vehicle
safety, dependability, and emission
control performance. Your dealer/
retailer can assist with these checks
and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are
completed at once. Whenever
any uids or lubricants are added to
the vehicle, make sure they are
the proper ones, as shown in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-12.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these
underhood checks at each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Notice:It is important to check
the engine oil regularly and keep it
at the proper level. Failure to keepthe engine oil at the proper level
can cause damage to the engine
not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Check the engine oil level and add
the proper oil if necessary. See
Engine Oil on page 5-11.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level
and add DEX-COOL®coolant
mixture if necessary. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-17.
Windshield Washer Fluid
Level Check
Check the windshield washer uid
level in the windshield washer uid
reservoir and add the proper uid if
necessary.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Inspect the vehicle’s tires and make
sure they are inated to the correct
pressures. Do not forget to check
the spare tire, if the vehicle has one.
SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-41. If the vehicle has a spare
tire, check to make sure it is stored
securely. SeeChanging a Flat Tire
on page 5-69.
Tire Wear Inspection
Tire rotation may be required for high
mileage highway drivers prior to the
Engine Oil Life System service
notication. Check the tires for wear
and, if necessary, rotate the tires.
SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-47.
Maintenance Schedule 6-9