2011 GMC ACADIA towing

Black plate (2,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
10-2 Vehicle Care
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-45
Tire Pressure MonitorSystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-47
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-51
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-52
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-53
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-54
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-56
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-57
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-59
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . 10-59
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-60
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . 10-61 Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . 10-63
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . 10-70
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-71
Secondary Latch System . . . 10-80
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . 10-82
Jump Starting
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-83
Towing
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . 10-87
Recreational Vehicle
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-87
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-90
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-95
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-98
General Information
For service and parts needs,
visit your dealer. You will receive
genuine GM parts and GM-trained
and supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of
these marks:

Black plate (22,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
10-22 Vehicle Care
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 firing groups of cylinders
helps prevent engine damage. In
this mode, there is a significant loss
in power and engine performance.
The temperature gauge 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.
See Engine Oil on page 10‑8.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid reservoir is
located under the engine cover on
the passenger side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6 for reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering
Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly
check power steering fluid unless
you suspect there is a leak in the
system or you hear an unusual
noise. A fluid 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 fluid:
1. Turn the key off and let the
engine compartment cool down.
2. Remove the engine cover. See Engine Cover on page 10‑7.
3. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.
4. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
5. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
6. Remove the cap again and look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
The fluid level should be
somewhere between MAX and
MIN line on the dipstick in room
temperature. If the fluid is on or
below MIN line, you should add
fluid close to MAX Line.

Black plate (87,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-87
Towing
Towing the Vehicle
Notice:To avoid damage,
the disabled vehicle should be
towed with all four wheels off
the ground. Care must be taken
with vehicles that have low
ground clearance and/or special
equipment. Always flatbed on a
car carrier.
Consult your dealer or a
professional towing service if the
disabled vehicle must be towed.
See Roadside Assistance Program
(U.S. and Canada) on page 13‑8
or Roadside Assistance Program
(Mexico) on page 13‑10.
To tow the vehicle behind another
vehicle for recreational purposes,
such as behind a motor home, see
“Recreational Vehicle Towing” in this
section.
Recreational Vehicle
Towing
Recreational vehicle towing
means towing the vehicle behind
another vehicle –such as behind
a motorhome. The two most
common types of recreational
vehicle towing are known as dinghy
towing and dolly towing. Dinghy
towing is towing the vehicle with
all four wheels on the ground.
Dolly towing is towing the vehicle
with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known
as a dolly.
Here are some important things to
consider before recreational vehicle
towing:
.What is the towing capacity
of the towing vehicle?
Be sure to read the tow
vehicle manufacturer's
recommendations.
.What is the distance that will be
travelled? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how
long they can tow.
.Is the proper towing equipment
going to be used? See your
dealer or trailering professional
for additional advice and
equipment recommendations.
.Is the vehicle ready to be
towed? Just as preparing the
vehicle for a long trip, make
sure the vehicle is prepared
to be towed.

Black plate (88,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
10-88 Vehicle Care
Dinghy Towing
If the vehicle is front-wheel‐drive, it
can be dinghy towed from the front.
These vehicles may also be towed
by putting the front wheels on a
dolly. See“Dolly Towing” later in
this section.
If the vehicle is all‐wheel‐drive, it
can be dinghy towed from the front.
These vehicles can also be towed
by placing them on a platform
trailer with all four wheels off of the
ground. These vehicles cannot be
towed using a dolly. For vehicles being dinghy towed,
the vehicle should be run at the
beginning of each day and at each
RV fuel stop for about five minutes.
This will ensure proper lubrication of
transmission components. Re-install
the fuse to start the vehicle.
To tow the vehicle from the front
with all four wheels on the ground:
1. Position the vehicle to be
towed, shift the transmission to
P (Park), and turn the ignition
to LOCK/OFF.
2. Secure the vehicle to the towing vehicle.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Turn the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY.
5. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral). 6. To prevent the battery from
draining while the vehicle is
being towed, remove the 15 amp
ECM fuse and the 50 amp
BATT1 fuse from the underhood
fuse block and store in a
safe location. See Engine
Compartment Fuse Block on
page 10‑33.
7. Release the parking brake.
Notice: If the vehicle is
towed without performing
each of the steps listed under
“Dinghy Towing,” the automatic
transmission could be damaged.
Be sure to follow all steps of the
dinghy towing procedure prior to
and after towing the vehicle.
Notice: If 105 km/h (65 mph)
is exceeded while towing the
vehicle, it could be damaged.
Never exceed 105 km/h (65 mph)
while towing the vehicle.

Black plate (89,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-89
Once the destination is reached:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Reinstall the fuses in theunderhood fuse block.
3. Shift the transmission to P (Park), turn the ignition to
LOCK/OFF and remove the
key from the ignition.
4. Disconnect the vehicle from the towing vehicle.
Notice: Do not tow a vehicle
with the front drive wheels on
the ground if one of the front tires
is a compact spare tire. Towing
with two different tire sizes on the
front of the vehicle can cause
severe damage to the
transmission.Dolly Towing
(All-Wheel‐Drive Vehicles)
All-wheel‐drive vehicles must not
be towed with two wheels on the
ground. To properly tow these
vehicles, they should be placed on
a platform trailer with all four wheels
off of the ground or dinghy towed
from the front.
Dolly Towing
(Front-Wheel‐ Drive
Vehicles Only)
To tow a front-wheel‐drive vehicle
from the front with two wheels on
the ground:
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
2. Move the shift lever to P (Park).
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a
straight-ahead position with a
clamping device designed for
towing.

Black plate (90,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
10-90 Vehicle Care
5. Remove the key from theignition.
6. Secure the vehicle to the dolly.
7. Release the parking brake.
Towing the Vehicle From
the Rear
Notice: Towing the vehicle from
the rear could damage it. Also,
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Never have
the vehicle towed from the rear.
Do not tow the vehicle from the rear.
Appearance Care
Exterior Care
Cleaning Exterior
Lamps/Lenses
Use only lukewarm or cold water, a
soft cloth, and a car washing soap
to clean exterior lamps and lenses.
Follow instructions under “Washing
the Vehicle” later in this section.
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing
of the vehicle by hand may be
necessary to remove residue from
the paint finish. Approved cleaning
products can be obtained from your
dealer.

Black plate (5,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
Service and Maintenance 11-5
.Accelerator pedal check for
damage, high effort, or binding.
Replace if needed.
.If the vehicle has a Tire Sealant
and Compressor Kit, check
the sealant expiration date
printed on the instruction label
of the kit. SeeTire Sealant and
Compressor Kit on page 10‑63.
.Underbody flushing service.
.Hood/Decklid/Liftgate/Liftglass
Support Gas Strut Service:
Visually inspect gas strut,
if equipped, for signs of wear,
cracks, or other damage.
Check the hold open ability
of the gas strut. Contact your
dealer if service is required. First Engine Oil Change After
Every 80 000 km/50,000 Miles
.Engine air cleaner filter
replacement. See
Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 10‑13.
.Automatic transmission fluid
change (severe service)
for vehicles mainly driven
in heavy city traffic in hot
weather, in hilly or mountainous
terrain, when frequently towing
a trailer, or used for taxi,
police, or delivery service.
See Automatic Transmission
Fluid on page 10‑13.
.All‐wheel drive only: Transfer
case fluid change (severe
service) for vehicles mainly
driven when frequently towing
a trailer, or used for taxi, police,
or delivery service. During any
maintenance, if a power washer
is used to clean mud and dirt
from the underbody, care should
be taken to not directly spray
the transfer case output seals.
High pressure water can
overcome the seals and
contaminate the transfer case
fluid. Contaminated fluid will
decrease the life of the transfer
case and should be replaced.

Black plate (10,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
13-10 Customer Information
Services Not Included in
Roadside Assistance
.Impound towing caused by
violation of any laws.
.Legal fines.
.Mounting, dismounting,
or changing of snow tires,
chains, or other traction devices.
.Towing or services for vehicles
driven on a non-public road or
highway.
Services Specific to
Canadian‐Purchased Vehicles
.Fuel Delivery:Reimbursement
is approximately $5 Canadian.
Diesel fuel delivery may be
restricted. Propane and other
fuels are not provided through
this service.
.Lock-Out Service: Vehicle
registration is required.
.Trip Routing Service: Limit of
six requests per year.
.Trip Interruption Benefits
and Assistance: Must be
over 250 kilometres from
where your trip was started
to qualify. General Motors
of Canada Limited requires
pre-authorization, original
detailed receipts, and a copy
of the repair orders. Once
authorization has been received,
the Roadside Assistance advisor
will help to make arrangements
and explain how to receive
payment.
.Alternative Service: If
assistance cannot be provided
right away, the Roadside
Assistance advisor may
give permission to get local
emergency road service.
You will receive payment, up to
$100, after sending the original
receipt to Roadside Assistance.
Mechanical failures may be
covered, however any cost for
parts and labor for repairs not
covered by the warranty are
the owner responsibility.
Roadside Assistance
Program (Mexico)
Roadside Assistance is available
24 hours a day, 365 days of
the year.
For detailed information about
Roadside Assistance, please
see the brochure provided with
your new vehicle or visit our
website at: www.gmc.com.mx.
Navigate the site and click on
“Asistencia en el Camino.” E-mail
correspondence should be
sent to: [email protected].
To contact Roadside Assistance by
phone, use the following numbers:
Mexico
01-800-466-0801
United States
1-866-466-8902
Canada
1-800-268-6800