GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159268) - 2016 - crc - 7/31/15
240 Driving and Operating
.Dark Blue: Trailer Brake Signal
. Black: Ground
The electric trailer brake controller
should be installed by your dealer or
a qualified service center.Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is
used for vehicle service and
Emission Inspection/Maintenance
testing. See Malfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine Light) 0117.
A device connected to the DLC —
such as an aftermarket fleet or
driver-behavior tracking device —
may interfere with vehicle
systems. This could affect vehicle
operation and cause a crash.
Such devices may also access
information stored in the vehicle’s
systems.
Caution
Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle or cause
components to not work and
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always check
with your dealer before adding
electrical equipment.
Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle's 12-volt battery, even if the
vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle 077 and Adding Equipment
to the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
0 77.
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159268) - 2016 - crc - 7/31/15
Vehicle Care 241
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 242
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 242
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Engine Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 249
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 250
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 255
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . 257
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257 Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Battery - North America . . . . . . 260
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 261
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 262
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 262
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 263
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 264
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Electrical System Overload . . . 265
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 265
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266 Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 277
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 293
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159268) - 2016 - crc - 7/31/15
250 Vehicle Care
Change the fluid at the intervals
listed inMaintenance Schedule
0 321, and be sure to use the
transmission fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0330.
Caution
Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission fluid may damage
the vehicle, and the damage may
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always use the
automatic transmission fluid listed
in Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0330.
The transmission fluid will not reach
the end of the dipstick unless the
transmission is at operating
temperature. If you need to check
the transmission fluid level, please
take the vehicle to your dealer.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
See Engine Compartment Overview
0 245 for the location of the engine
air cleaner/filter.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
For intervals on changing and
inspecting the engine air cleaner/
filter, see Maintenance Schedule
0 321.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Do not start the engine or have the
engine running with the engine air
cleaner/filter housing open. Before
removing the engine air cleaner/
filter, make sure that the engine air
cleaner/filter housing and nearby
components are free of dirt and
debris. Remove the engine air
cleaner/filter. Lightly tap and shake
the engine air cleaner/filter (away
from the vehicle), to release loose
dust and dirt. Inspect the engine air
cleaner/filter for damage, and
replace if damaged. Do not clean
the engine air cleaner/filter or
components with water or
compressed air.
To inspect or replace the engine air
cleaner/filter:
1. Air Duct Clamp
2. Electrical Connector
3. Screws
1. Loosen the air duct clamp (1).
2. Disconnect the electrical
connector (2).
3. Remove the screws (3) and lift the cover assembly.
4. Inspect or replace the air cleaner/filter.
5. Reverse Steps 1–4 to reinstall the housing cover and
reconnect the electrical
connector to the sensor.
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159268) - 2016 - crc - 7/31/15
Vehicle Care 305
manual transmission in Neutral
before setting the parking
brake. If one of the vehicles is
a four-wheel-drive vehicle, be
sure the transfer case is not in
Neutral.
Caution
If any accessories are left on or
plugged in during the jump
starting procedure, they could be
damaged. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Whenever possible, turn
off or unplug all accessories on
either vehicle when jump starting.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug unnecessary
accessories plugged into the
cigarette lighter or the
accessory power outlets. Turn
off the radio and all lamps that
are not needed. This will avoid
sparks and help save both
batteries. And it could save the
radio! 4. Open the hoods and locate the
positive (+) and negative (−)
terminal locations on the other
vehicle. Your vehicle has a
remote positive (+) and a
remote negative (−) jump
starting terminal. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0245
for the terminal locations.
{Warning
Using a match near a battery can
cause battery gas to explode.
People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded.
Use a flashlight if you need more
light.
Battery fluid contains acid that
can burn you. Do not get it on
you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
{Warning
Fans or other moving engine
parts can injure you badly. Keep
your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
5. Check that the jumper cables do not have loose or missing
insulation. If they do, you could
get a shock. The vehicles
could be damaged too.
Before you connect the cables,
here are some basic things you
should know. Positive (+) will
go to positive (+) or to a remote
positive (+) terminal if the
vehicle has one. Negative (−)
will go to a heavy, unpainted
metal engine part or to a
remote negative (−) terminal if
the vehicle has one.
Do not connect positive (+) to
negative (−) or you will get a
short that would damage the
battery and maybe other parts
too. And do not connect the
negative (−) cable to the
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159268) - 2016 - crc - 7/31/15
328 Service and Maintenance
.To avoid break-down or failure to
start the vehicle, maintain a
battery with full cranking power.
. Trained dealer technicians have
the diagnostic equipment to test
the battery and ensure that the
connections and cables are
corrosion-free.
Belts
. Belts may need replacing if they
squeak or show signs of
cracking or splitting.
. Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the belts and
recommend adjustment or
replacement when necessary.
Brakes
Brakes stop the vehicle and are
crucial to safe driving.
. Signs of brake wear may include
chirping, grinding, or squealing
noises, or difficulty stopping. .
Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the brakes and
recommend quality parts
engineered for the vehicle.
Fluids
Proper fluid levels and approved
fluids protect the vehicle’s systems
and components. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0330 for GM approved
fluids.
. Engine oil and windshield
washer fluid levels should be
checked at every fuel fill.
. Instrument cluster lights may
come on to indicate that fluids
may be low and need to be
filled.
Hoses
Hoses transport fluids and should
be regularly inspected to ensure
that there are no cracks or leaks.
With a multi-point inspection, your
dealer can inspect the hoses and
advise if replacement is needed. Lamps
Properly working headlamps,
taillamps, and brake lamps are
important to see and be seen on
the road.
.
Signs that the headlamps need
attention include dimming, failure
to light, cracking, or damage.
The brake lamps need to be
checked periodically to ensure
that they light when braking.
. With a multi-point inspection,
your dealer can check the lamps
and note any concerns.
Shocks and Struts
Shocks and struts help aid in control
for a smoother ride.
. Signs of wear may include
steering wheel vibration, bounce/
sway while braking, longer
stopping distance, or uneven
tire wear.
. As part of the multi-point
inspection, trained dealer
technicians can visually inspect
the shocks and struts for signs
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159268) - 2016 - crc - 7/31/15
360 Index
IndexA
Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . 240
Additional Information OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
Additional Maintenance and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Adjustments
Lumbar, Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Agreements Trademarks and License . . . . . 181
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . . . 250
Air Filter, Passenger
Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
How Does an Airbag
Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Passenger Sensing System . . . . 73
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
What Will You See after an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
When Should an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Airbag System (cont'd)
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . . 68
Airbags Adding Equipment to the
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Passenger Status Indicator . . . .115
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Servicing Airbag-Equipped Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Alarm Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Alert Side Blind Zone (SBZA) . . . . . . 226
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . 215, 261
AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Antenna Multi-band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . 215 Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Appearance Care Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .311
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Armrest Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Assistance Program, Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159268) - 2016 - crc - 7/31/15
Index 361
AudioTheft-Deterrent Feature . . . . . . . 158
Audio Players CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
MP3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Automatic Dimming Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211
Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Automatic Transmission
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Shift Lock Control FunctionCheck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Auxiliary Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
B
Battery
Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Voltage and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Battery - North America . . . . 260, 304
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . . . 262
Bluetooth Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . .118 Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 204
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . . . 264
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
California Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
California Proposition
65 Warning . . . . . . . . . .242, 260, 304
Camera Rear Vision (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . 2
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334 Carbon Monoxide
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Cargo Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Management System . . . . . . . . . 100
Tie-Downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Caution, Danger, and Warning . . . . 2
CD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . . 99
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . 116
Check Ignition Transmission Lock . . . 261
Malfunction IndicatorEngine Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Child Restraints Infants and Young Children . . . . . 80
Lower Anchors and Tethersfor Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92, 94
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Cleaning
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .311
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159268) - 2016 - crc - 7/31/15
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