
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159268) - 2016 - crc - 7/31/15
256 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
until there is no sign of steam or
coolant before you open
the hood.
If you keep driving when the
vehicles engine is overheated,
the liquids in it can catch fire. You
or others could be badly burned.
Stop the engine if it overheats,
and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
SeeOverheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode 0256
for information on driving to a
safe place in an emergency.
If No Steam Is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
. Climbs a long hill on a hot day. .
Stops after high-speed driving.
. Idles for long periods in traffic.
. Tows a trailer.
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam: 1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the
highest fan speed. Open the
windows as necessary.
3. When it is safe to do so, pull off the road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral), and let the
engine idle.
If the temperature overheat gauge is
no longer in the overheat zone or an
overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven.
Continue to drive the vehicle slow
for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
vehicle distance from the car in front
of you. If the warning does not come
back on, continue to drive normally
and have the cooling system
checked for proper fill and function. If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle
right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for three minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it
cools down. Also, see
“Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode”
next in this section.
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.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159268) - 2016 - crc - 7/31/15
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/
Mexico-9159268) - 2016 - crc - 7/31/15
258 Vehicle Care
use. If the vehicle will be operating
in an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use a fluid
that has sufficient protection against
freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
When the windshield washer fluid
reservoir is low, a WASHER FLUID
LOW ADD FLUID message will be
displayed on the Driver Information
Center (DIC). SeeWasher Fluid
Messages 0139.
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer fluid until
the tank is full. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0245 for
reservoir location.
Caution
. Do not use washer fluid that
contains any type of water
repellent coating. This can
cause the wiper blades to
chatter or skip.
. Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the
windshield washer. It can
damage the windshield
washer system and paint.
. Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the
solution to freeze and
damage the washer fluid
tank and other parts of the
washer system.
. When using concentrated
washer fluid, follow the
manufacturer instructions for
adding water.
. Fill the washer fluid tank
only three-quarters full when
it is very cold. This allows
for fluid expansion if
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is
completely full.
Brakes
Disc brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or can
be heard all the time when the
vehicle is moving, except when
applying the brake pedal firmly.
{Warning
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
a crash. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159268) - 2016 - crc - 7/31/15
280 Vehicle Care
(4) Construction Code:A letter
code is used to indicate the type
of ply construction in the tire.
The letter R means radial ply
construction; the letter D means
diagonal or bias ply
construction; and the letter B
means belted-bias ply
construction.
(5) Rim Diameter
:Diameter of
the wheel in inches.
(6) Service Description
:These
characters represent the load
index and speed rating of the
tire. The load index represents
the load carrying capacity a tire
is certified to carry. The speed
rating is the maximum speed a
tire is certified to carry a load.
Tire Terminology and
Definitions
Air Pressure:The amount of
air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire. Air pressure is
expressed in kPa (kilopascal)
or psi (pounds per square inch).
Accessory Weight
:The
combined weight of optional
accessories. Some examples of
optional accessories are
automatic transmission, power
windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio
:The relationship
of a tire's height to its width.
Belt
:A rubber coated layer of
cords between the plies and the
tread. Cords may be made from
steel or other reinforcing
materials.
Bead
:The tire bead contains
steel wires wrapped by steel
cords that hold the tire onto
the rim.
Bias Ply Tire
:A pneumatic tire
in which the plies are laid at
alternate angles less than
90 degrees to the centerline of
the tread. Cold Tire Pressure
:The
amount of air pressure in a tire,
measured in kPa (kilopascal)
or psi (pounds per square inch)
before a tire has built up heat
from driving. See Tire Pressure
0 282.
Curb Weight
:The weight of a
motor vehicle with standard and
optional equipment including the
maximum capacity of fuel, oil,
and coolant, but without
passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings
:A code molded
into the sidewall of a tire
signifying that the tire is in
compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation
(DOT) Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards. The DOT code
includes the Tire Identification
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric
designator which can also
identify the tire manufacturer,
production plant, brand, and
date of production.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159268) - 2016 - crc - 7/31/15
322 Service and Maintenance
Engine Oil Change
When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message displays, have the
engine oil and filter changed within
the next 1 000 km/600 mi. If driven
under the best conditions, the
engine oil life system may not
indicate the need for vehicle service
for up to a year.
The engine oil and filter must be
changed at least once a year and
the oil life system must be reset.
Your trained dealer technician can
perform this work. If the engine oil
life system is reset accidentally,
service the vehicle within 5 000 km/
3,000 mi since the last service.
Reset the oil life system when the
oil is changed. SeeEngine Oil Life
System 0249.
Tire Rotation and Required
Services Every 12 000 km/
7,500 mi
Rotate the tires, if recommended for
the vehicle, and perform the
following services. See Tire
Rotation 0288.
. Check engine oil level and oil
life percentage. If needed,
change engine oil and filter, and
reset oil life system. See Engine
Oil 0246 andEngine Oil Life
System 0249.
. Check engine coolant level. See
Engine Coolant 0252.
. Check windshield washer fluid
level. See Washer Fluid 0257.
. Visually inspect windshield wiper
blades for wear, cracking,
or contamination. See Exterior
Care 0311. Replace worn or
damaged wiper blades. See
Wiper Blade Replacement
0 262.
. Check tire inflation pressures.
See Tire Pressure 0282. .
Inspect tire wear. See Tire
Inspection 0287.
. Visually check for fluid leaks.
. Inspect engine air cleaner filter.
See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
0 250.
. Inspect brake system. See
Exterior Care 0311.
. Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damaged, loose,
or missing parts or signs of
wear. See Exterior Care 0311.
. Check restraint system
components. See Safety System
Check 065.
. Visually inspect fuel system for
damage or leaks.
. Visually inspect exhaust system
and nearby heat shields for
loose or damaged parts.
. Lubricate body components. See
Exterior Care 0311.
. Check starter switch. See Starter
Switch Check 0261.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159268) - 2016 - crc - 7/31/15
330 Service and Maintenance
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
UsageFluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil Engine oil meeting the dexos1™ specification of the proper SAE viscosity
grade. AC Delco dexos1 Synthetic Blend is recommended. See Engine Oil
0 246.
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL
®Coolant.
See Engine Coolant 0252.
Hydraulic Brake System DOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid (GM Part No. 19299818, in Canada 19299819).
Windshield Washer Automotive windshield washer fluid that meets regional freeze protection requirements.
Hydraulic Power Steering System DEXRON
®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Automatic Transmission DEXRON
®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Carrier Assembly –Differential (Rear
Drive Module) and Transfer Case (Power Transfer Unit) SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Axle Lubricant (GM Part No. 88900401, in
Canada 89021678).
Hood Latch Assembly, Secondary Latch, Pivots, Spring Anchor, and Release Pawl Lubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM Part No. 89021668, in
Canada 89021674) or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Key Lock Cylinders, Hood and Door Hinges Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159268) - 2016 - crc - 7/31/15
362 Index
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 182Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Dual Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189, 190
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . 343
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Compartments Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Connections OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Control Traction and Electronic
Stability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Controller Rear Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Coolant
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Engine Temperature Gauge . . .113
Engine TemperatureWarning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251 Cooling System (cont'd)
Engine Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Courtesy Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Courtesy Transportation Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Cover Cargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . 338 Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Text Telephone (TTY)
Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Customer Information Service Publications
Ordering Information . . . . . . . . 345
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . 343
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . 2
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . 348
Daytime Running Lamps/Automatic Headlamp
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Delayed Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . 155
Delayed Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Delayed Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Devices
Auxiliary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Diagnostics OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . 335
Drive Systems All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . 215, 261
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Driving Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
For Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 25
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 198

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