
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159268) - 2016 - crc - 7/31/15
248 Vehicle Care
Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when through.
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil
depends on both the proper oil
specification and viscosity grade.
SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0330.
Specification
Ask for and use engine oils that
meet the dexos1™ specification.
Engine oils that have been
approved by GM as meeting the
dexos1 specification are marked
with the dexos1 approved logo. See
www.gmdexos.com.
Caution
Failure to use the recommended
engine oil or equivalent can result
in engine damage not covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Viscosity Grade
Use SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade
engine oil.
Cold Temperature Operation: In an
area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below −29 °C
(−20 °F), an SAE 0W-30 oil may be
used. An oil of this viscosity grade
will provide easier cold starting for
the engine at extremely low
temperatures. When selecting an oil
of the appropriate viscosity grade, it
is recommended to select an oil of
the correct specification. See
“Specification” earlier in this section.
Engine Oil Additives/Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils meeting the
dexos1 specification are all that is
needed for good performance and
engine protection.
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer's warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your
own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the filter before disposal. Never
dispose of oil by putting it in the

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159268) - 2016 - crc - 7/31/15
Vehicle Care 249
trash or pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or
bodies of water. Recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on a combination of factors which
include engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For
the oil life system to work properly,
the system must be reset every time
the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated
that oil life has been diminished, it
indicates that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message comes on.
Change the oil as soon as possible
within the next 1 000 km (600 mi).
It is possible that, if driving under
the best conditions, the oil life
system might indicate that an oilchange is not necessary for up to a
year. The engine oil and filter must
be changed at least once a year
and, at this time, the system must
be reset. Your dealer has trained
service people who will perform this
work and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly
over the course of an oil drain
interval and keep it at the proper
level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change. To reset the
system:
1. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN, with the engine off. 2. Press the vehicle information
button until OIL LIFE
REMAINING displays.
3. Press and hold
Vuntil “100%”
is displayed. Three chimes
sound and the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message
goes off.
4. Turn the key to LOCK/OFF.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message comes back on when the
vehicle is started, the engine oil life
system has not been reset. Repeat
the procedure.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only
reason for fluid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to the
dealer and have it repaired as soon
as possible.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159268) - 2016 - crc - 7/31/15
252 Vehicle Care
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is
filled with DEX-COOL®engine
coolant. See Maintenance Schedule
0 321 andRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants 0330.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
see Engine Overheating 0255.
What to Use
{Warning
Adding only plain water or some
other liquid to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water
and other liquids, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The coolant warning system is set
for the proper coolant mixture.
With plain water or the wrong
mixture, the engine could get too
hot but you would not get the
overheat warning. The engine
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
could catch fire and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/
50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. If using this mixture,
nothing else needs to be added.
This mixture:
. Gives freezing protection down
to−37 °C (−34 °F), outside
temperature.
. Gives boiling protection up to
129 °C (265 °F), engine
temperature.
. Protects against rust and
corrosion.
. Will not damage aluminum parts.
. Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Caution
If improper coolant mixture,
inhibitors, or additives are used in
the vehicle cooling system, the
engine could overheat and be
damaged. Too much water in the
mixture can freeze and crack
engine cooling parts. The repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Use only the
proper mixture of engine coolant
for the cooling system. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0330.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on
the ground, or into sewers, streams,
or bodies of water. Have the coolant
changed by an authorized service
center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used
coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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Vehicle Care 257
Caution
After driving in the overheated
engine protection operating
mode, the engine oil will be
severely degraded. Any repairs
performed before the engine is
cool may cause engine damage.
Allow the engine to cool before
attempting any repair. Repair the
cause of coolant loss, change the
oil, and reset the oil life system.
SeeEngine Oil 0246.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid reservoir is
under the engine cover on the
passenger side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0245 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 0246.
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 the MAX and
MIN line on the dipstick in room
temperature. If the fluid is on or
below the MIN line, add fluid close
to the MAX line.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to
use, see
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0330. Always use the
proper fluid.
Caution
Use of the incorrect fluid may
damage the vehicle and the
damages may not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Always use
the correct fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0330.
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When adding windshield washer
fluid, be sure to read the
manufacturer's instructions before

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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Index 363
Driving (cont'd)If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 200
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
E
Electrical Equipment,
Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Electrical System
Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 265
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Emergency OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Check and Service Engine
Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 245
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252 Engine (cont'd)
Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Coolant Temperature
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Cooling System Messages . . . 132
Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Overheated Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . .211
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 348
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 150
F
Features Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 152
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Fluid
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 249
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Fog Lamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Heated and Cooled . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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Index 365
J
Jump Starting - NorthAmerica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
K
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . . . . 134
Keyless EntryRemote (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . 29
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . . . 277
Lamps Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
License Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Malfunction Indicator . . . . . . . . . .117
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Lane Departure Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
LATCH System
Replacing Parts after aCrash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 LATCH, Lower Anchors and
Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Lighting Delayed Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Delayed Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . 153
LED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Parade Dimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Antilock Brake System(ABS) Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Brake System Warning . . . . . . . .118
Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning . . . . . . . 121
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 121
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Front Fog Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
High-Beam On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 150
Lane Departure Warning . . . . . . 120
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . .114
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 Lights (cont'd)
StabiliTrak
®Indicator . . . . . . . . . 120
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Locks Automatic Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Power Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH
System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
M
MaintenanceRecords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Maintenance and Care Additional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . 321
Recommended Fluids andLubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . 117
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11