GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/30/16
132 Instruments and Controls
Vehicle Reminder
Messages
ICE POSSIBLE DRIVE
WITH CARE
This message displays when the
outside air temperature is cold
enough to create icy road
conditions. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
Vehicle Speed Messages
SPEED LIMITED TO
XXX KM/H (MPH)
This message displays when your
vehicle speed is limited to 128 km/h
(80 mph) because the vehicle
detects a problem in the speed
variable assist steering system.
Have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer.
Washer Fluid Messages
WASHER FLUID LOW ADD
FLUID
This message displays when the
windshield washer fluid is low. Fill
the windshield washer fluid reservoir
as soon as possible. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview 0212 for
the location of the windshield
washer fluid reservoir. Also, see
Washer Fluid 0224 for more
information.
Vehicle
Personalization
Your vehicle may have
customization capabilities that allow
you to program certain features to
one preferred setting. Customization
features can only be programmed to
one setting on the vehicle and
cannot be programmed to a
preferred setting for two different
drivers.
All of the customization options may
not be available on your vehicle.
Only the options available will be
displayed on the DIC.
The default settings for the
customization features were set
when your vehicle left the factory,
but may have been changed from
their default state since then.
The customization preferences are
automatically recalled.
To change customization
preferences, use the following
procedure.
GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/31/16
174 Driving and Operating
race the engine immediately
after starting it. Operate the
engine and transmission gently
to allow the oil to warm up and
lubricate all moving parts.
Caution
Cranking the engine for long
periods of time, by returning the
ignition to the START position
immediately after cranking has
ended, can overheat and damage
the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to let the
cranking motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after five to 10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather
(below −18 °C or 0 °F), it could
be flooded with too much
gasoline. Try pushing the
accelerator pedal all the way to
the floor and holding it there as
you hold the key in START for
up to a maximum of
15 seconds. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try, to allow the cranking motor to
cool down. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and
accelerator. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again,
repeat these steps. This clears
the extra gasoline from the
engine. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and
transmission gently until the oil
warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Engine 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 bundled
cord is located on the driver
side of the engine
compartment, between the
engine air cleaner and the
windshield washer fluid
reservoir. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0212.
Check the heater cord for
damage. If it is damaged, do
not use it. See your dealer for
a replacement. Inspect the
cord for damage yearly.
3. Plug the cord into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/30/16
208 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 209
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 209
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Engine Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 216
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 217
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 222
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . 224
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224 Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Battery - North America . . . . . . 227
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 228
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 229
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 229
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 230
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 231
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Electrical System Overload . . . 232
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 233 Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 244
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 260
GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/30/16
212 Vehicle Care
Engine Compartment Overview
GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/30/16
214 Vehicle Care
.Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine
oil level at each fuel fill. In order to
get an accurate reading, the vehicle
must be on level ground. The
engine oil dipstick handle is a loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
0 212 for the location of the engine
oil dipstick.
Obtaining an accurate oil level
reading is essential:
1. If the engine has been running recently, turn off the engine and
allow several minutes for the oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
Checking the oil level too soon
after engine shutoff will not
provide an accurate oil level
reading.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
2. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean 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
1 L (1 qt) of the recommended oil
and then recheck the level. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil” in
this section for an explanation of what kind of oil to use. For engine
oil crankcase capacity, see
Capacities and Specifications
0302.
Caution
Do not add too much oil. Oil
levels above or below the
acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful
to the engine. If you find that you
have an oil level above the
operating range, i.e., 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. You should drain
out the excess oil or limit driving
of the vehicle and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess amount of oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview
0 212 for the location of the engine
oil fill cap.
GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/30/16
Vehicle Care 217
transmission fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants0298.
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 0298.
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
0 212 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 0289.
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.
GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/30/16
224 Vehicle Care
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 0213.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid reservoir is
under the engine cover on the
passenger side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0212 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 0213.
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 0298. 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 0298.
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When adding windshield washer
fluid, be sure to read the
manufacturer's instructions before
GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/30/16
Vehicle Care 225
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 0132.
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer fluid until
the tank is full. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0212 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.