GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9803770) - 2017 - crc - 7/12/16
Vehicle Care 281
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 282
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 282
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 290
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 292
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 297
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Battery - North America . . . . . . 301
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302 Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 302
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 303
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 303
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 304
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 305
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Electrical System Overload . . . 306
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 307
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315 All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 317
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Tire Terminology and
Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 334
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9803770) - 2017 - crc - 7/12/16
292 Vehicle Care
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
The engine air cleaner/filter is in the
engine compartment on the
passenger side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0285 for location.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
For intervals on changing and
inspecting the engine air cleaner/
filter, see Maintenance
Schedule 0368.
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 air cleaner/
filter:
2.5L L4 Engine
1. Remove the five screws and lift the cover out of the assembly.
2. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/filter. 3. Lower the cover and secure
with the five screws.
3.6L V6 Engine
1. Remove the five screws and lift the cover out of the assembly.
2. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/filter.
3. Lower the cover and secure with the five screws.
{Warning
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/filter off can cause you or
others to be burned. The air
(Continued)
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9803770) - 2017 - crc - 7/12/16
Vehicle Care 299
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.
Caution
Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly
brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and
evenly tighten wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to torque
specifications. See Capacities and
Specifications 0382.
Brake pads should be replaced as
complete sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal
does not return to normal height,
or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign
that brake service may be required.
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9803770) - 2017 - crc - 7/12/16
300 Vehicle Care
Replacing Brake System Parts
Always replace brake system parts
with new, approved replacement
parts. If this is not done, the brakes
may not work properly. The braking
performance expected can change
in many other ways if the wrong
replacement brake parts are
installed or if parts are improperly
installed.
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir
is filled with GM approved DOT 3
brake fluid as indicated on the
reservoir cap. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview 0285 for
the location of the reservoir. Checking Brake Fluid
With the vehicle in P (Park) on a
level surface, the brake fluid level
should be between the minimum
and maximum marks on the brake
fluid reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir may
go down:
.
Normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are installed, the
fluid level goes back up.
. A fluid leak in the brake
hydraulic system. Have the
brake hydraulic system fixed.
With a leak, the brakes will not
work well.
Always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it.
Do not top off the brake fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid
when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove fluid, as
necessary, only when work is done
on the brake hydraulic system.
{Warning
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake fluid only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic
system.
When the brake fluid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. See Brake System Warning
Light 0134.
Brake fluid absorbs water over time
which degrades the effectiveness of
the brake fluid. Replace brake fluid
at the specified intervals to prevent
increased stopping distance. See
Maintenance Schedule 0368.
What to Add
Use only GM approved DOT 3
brake fluid from a clean, sealed
container. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0377.
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9803770) - 2017 - crc - 7/12/16
Vehicle Care 305
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp aim has been preset and
should need no further adjustment.
If the vehicle is damaged in a crash,
the headlamp aim may be affected.
If adjustment to the headlamps is
necessary, see your dealer.
Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement
bulbs, or any bulb changing
procedure not listed in this section,
contact your dealer.
Halogen Bulbs
{Warning
Halogen bulbs have pressurized
gas inside and can burst if you
drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure
to read and follow the instructions
on the bulb package.
LED Lighting
This vehicle has several LED lamps.
For replacement of any LED lighting
assembly, contact your dealer.
License Plate Lamp
To replace one of these bulbs:
Passenger Side Shown, DriverSide Similar
1. Push the left end of the lamp assembly toward the right.
2. Turn the lamp assembly down to remove it from the liftgate.
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9803770) - 2017 - crc - 7/12/16
326 Vehicle Care
When a low tire pressure condition
is detected, the TPMS illuminates
the low tire pressure warning light
located on the instrument cluster.
If the warning light comes on, stop
as soon as possible and inflate the
tires to the recommended pressure
shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label. SeeVehicle Load
Limits 0221.
A message to check the pressure in
a specific tire displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). The low
tire pressure warning light and the
DIC warning message come on at
each ignition cycle until the tires are
inflated to the correct inflation
pressure. Using the DIC, tire
pressure levels can be viewed. For
additional information and details
about the DIC operation and displays see
Driver Information
Center (DIC) (Base and Midlevel)
0 141 orDriver Information Center
(DIC) (Uplevel) 0144.
The low tire pressure warning light
may come on in cool weather when
the vehicle is first started, and then
turn off as the vehicle is driven. This
could be an early indicator that the
air pressure is getting low and
needs to be inflated to the proper
pressure.
A Tire and Loading Information
label, attached to your vehicle,
shows the size of the original
equipment tires and the correct
inflation pressure for the tires when
they are cold. See Vehicle Load
Limits 0221, for an example of the
Tire and Loading Information label
and its location. Also see Tire
Pressure 0323.
The TPMS can warn about a low
tire pressure condition but it does
not replace normal tire
maintenance. See Tire Inspection
0 328, Tire Rotation 0329 and
Tires 0315.
Caution
Tire sealant materials are not all
the same. A non-approved tire
sealant could damage the TPMS
sensors. TPMS sensor damage
caused by using an incorrect tire
sealant is not covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always use only
the GM approved tire sealant
available through your dealer or
included in the vehicle.
Factory-installed Tire Inflator Kits
use a GM-approved liquid tire
sealant. Using non-approved tire
sealants could damage the TPMS
sensors. See Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit 0337 for
information regarding the inflator kit
materials and instructions.
TPMS Malfunction Light and
Message
The TPMS will not function properly
if one or more of the TPMS sensors
are missing or inoperable. When the
system detects a malfunction, the
low tire warning light flashes for
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9803770) - 2017 - crc - 7/12/16
Vehicle Care 327
about one minute and then stays on
for the remainder of the ignition
cycle. A DIC warning message also
displays. The malfunction light and
DIC warning message come on at
each ignition cycle until the problem
is corrected. Some of the conditions
that can cause these to come
on are:
.One of the road tires has been
replaced with the spare tire. The
spare tire does not have a
TPMS sensor. The malfunction
light and DIC message should
go off after the road tire is
replaced and the sensor
matching process is performed
successfully. See “TPMS Sensor
Matching Process” later in this
section.
. The TPMS sensor matching
process was not done or not
completed successfully after
rotating the tires. The
malfunction light and the DIC
message should go off after
successfully completing the
sensor matching process. See
"TPMS Sensor Matching
Process" later in this section. .
One or more TPMS sensors are
missing or damaged. The
malfunction light and the DIC
message should go off when the
TPMS sensors are installed and
the sensor matching process is
performed successfully. See
your dealer for service.
. Replacement tires or wheels do
not match the original equipment
tires or wheels. Tires and wheels
other than those recommended
could prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. See Buying
New Tires 0331.
. Operating electronic devices or
being near facilities using radio
wave frequencies similar to the
TPMS could cause the TPMS
sensors to malfunction.
If the TPMS is not functioning
properly it cannot detect or signal a
low tire condition. See your dealer
for service if the TPMS malfunction
light and DIC message comes on
and stays on.TPMS Sensor Matching
Process
Each TPMS sensor has a unique
identification code. The identification
code needs to be matched to a new
tire/wheel position after rotating the
vehicle’s tires or replacing one or
more of the TPMS sensors. The
TPMS sensor matching process
should also be performed after
replacing a spare tire with a road
tire containing the TPMS sensor.
The malfunction light and the DIC
message should go off at the next
ignition cycle. The sensors are
matched to the tire/wheel positions,
using a TPMS relearn tool, in the
following order: driver side front tire,
passenger side front tire, passenger
side rear tire, and driver side rear.
See your dealer for service or to
purchase a relearn tool. A TPMS
relearn tool can also be purchased.
See Tire Pressure Monitor Sensor
Activation Tool at
www.gmtoolsandequipment.com or
call 1-800-GM TOOLS
(1-800-468-6657).
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9803770) - 2017 - crc - 7/12/16
Vehicle Care 333
most passenger car tires. The
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
(UTQG) system does not apply
to deep tread, winter tires,
compact spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited-production
tires.
While the tires available on
General Motors passenger cars
and light trucks may vary with
respect to these grades, they
must also conform to federal
safety requirements and
additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC)
standards.
Quality grades can be found
where applicable on the tire
sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width. For
example:Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
All Passenger Car Tires Must
Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements In Addition To
These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specified government test
course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and
one-half (1½) times as well on
the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of
their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and
differences in road
characteristics and climate.Traction
The traction grades, from
highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent
the tire's ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on
specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A
(the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance
to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor