2023 GMC ACADIA engine overheat

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16402009) - 2023 - CRC - 3/29/22
208 Driving and Operating
3. Remove the engine heater connectorcover by gently prying with a flat
blade tool.
4. Plug the heater cord into the connectorin the front fascia.
5. Plug the cord into a grounded 110-volt AC outlet that is protected by a ground
fault detection function.
{Warning
Improper use of the heater cord or an
extension cord can damage the cord and
may result in overheating and fire.
.Plug the cord into a three-prong
electrical utility receptacle that is
protected by a ground fault detection
function. An ungrounded outlet could
cause an electric shock.
.Use a weatherproof, heavy-duty,
15 amp-rated extension cord if needed.
Failure to use the recommended
extension cord in good operating
condition, or using a damaged heater
or extension cord, could make it
overheat and cause a fire, property
damage, electric shock, and injury.
.Do not operate the vehicle with the
heater cord permanently attached to
the vehicle. Possible heater cord and
thermostat damage could occur.
.While in use, do not let the heater
cord touch vehicle parts or sharp
edges.
.Before starting the vehicle, unplug the
cord. Keep the cord away from any
moving parts. 6. Before starting the engine, be sure to
unplug and store the cord.
7. Install the engine heater connector cover.
The length of time the heater should remain
plugged in depends on several factors. Ask a
dealer in the area where you will be parking
the vehicle for the best advice on this.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
When the vehicle is turned from on to off,
the following features (if equipped) will
continue to function for up to 10 minutes,
or until the driver door is opened. These
features will also work when the vehicle is
on or in accessory mode:
.Infotainment System
.Power Windows (during RAP this
functionality will be lost when any door
is opened)
.Sunroof (during RAP this functionality will
be lost when any door is opened)
.Auxiliary Power Outlet
.Audio System
.OnStar System

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16402009) - 2023 - CRC - 3/29/22
Driving and Operating 209
Shifting Into Park
{Warning
It can be dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the vehicle is not in P (Park)
with the parking brake set. The vehicle
can roll. If you have left the engine
running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be
sure the vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, use
the steps that follow. If you are pulling a
trailer, seeDriving Characteristics and
Towing Tips 0249.
To shift into P (Park): 1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking brake. See Electric Parking Brake
0 216.
2. Press the P (Park) switch on the center console.
3. Press ENGINE START/STOP to turn the engine off.
If the vehicle is shifted into P (Park) on a
hill, the electric parking brake (EPB) may
apply automatically. The driver may not be able to release the EPB using the EPB
switch. It should automatically release when
the vehicle is shifted out of P (Park).Leaving the Vehicle with the Engine
Running
{Warning
It can be dangerous to leave the vehicle
with the engine running. It could
overheat and catch fire.
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle
if the vehicle is not in P (Park) with the
parking brake set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the engine
is running. If you have left the engine
running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be
sure the vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and shift
the vehicle to P (Park). See
Shifting Into
Park 0209. If you are towing a trailer,
see Driving Characteristics and Towing
Tips 0249. If you have to leave the vehicle with the
engine running, the vehicle must be in
P (Park) with the parking brake set.
Confirm that the vehicle is in P (Park).
Torque Lock
Torque lock is when the weight of the
vehicle puts too much force on the parking
pawl in the transmission. This happens when
parking on a hill and shifting the
transmission into P (Park) is not done
properly and then it is difficult to shift out
of P (Park). To prevent torque lock, set the
parking brake and then shift into P (Park). To
find out how, see
“Shifting Into Park” listed
previously.
On certain steep grades, the transmission
will automatically set the parking brake to
prevent torque lock.
If torque lock does occur, the vehicle may
need to be pushed uphill by another vehicle
to relieve the parking pawl pressure, so you
can shift out of P (Park).
Shifting out of Park
This vehicle is equipped with an electronic
transmission. If the vehicle has an
uncharged battery or a battery with low

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16402009) - 2023 - CRC - 3/29/22
Driving and Operating 251
The trailer structure, the tires, and the
brakes must be all be rated to carry the
intended cargo. Inadequate trailer
equipment can cause the combination to
operate in an unexpected or unsafe manner.
Before driving, inspect all trailer hitch parts
and attachments, safety chains, electrical
connectors, lamps, tires, and mirrors. See
Towing Equipment0255. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start the combination
moving and then manually apply the trailer
brake controller to check the trailer brakes
work. During the trip, occasionally check
that the cargo and trailer are secure and
that the lamps and any trailer brakes are
working.
Towing with a Stability Control System
When towing, the stability control system
might be heard. The system reacts to
vehicle movement caused by the trailer,
which mainly occurs during cornering. This is
normal when towing heavier trailers.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle
ahead as you would when driving without a
trailer. This can help to avoid heavy braking
and sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed when
towing a trailer. The combination of the
vehicle and trailer will not accelerate as
quickly and is much longer than the vehicle
alone. It is necessary to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before returning
to the lane. Pass on level roadways. Avoid
passing on hills if possible.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with
one hand. To move the trailer to the left,
move that hand to the left. To move the
trailer to the right, move that hand to the
right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Caution
Turn more slowly and make wider arcs
when towing a trailer to prevent damage
to your vehicle. Making very sharp turns
could cause the trailer to contact the
vehicle. Make wider turns than normal when towing,
so the trailer will not go over soft shoulders,
over curbs, or strike road signs, trees,
or other objects. Always signal turns well in
advance. Do not steer or brake suddenly.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before starting down a long or steep
downhill grade. If the transmission is not
shifted down, the brakes may overheat and
result in reduced braking efficiency.
The vehicle can tow in D (Drive). Shift the
transmission to a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often under heavy
loads and/or hilly conditions.
When towing at higher altitudes, engine
coolant will boil at a lower temperature
than at lower altitudes. If the engine is
turned off immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the vehicle
could show signs similar to engine
overheating. To avoid this, let the engine
run, preferably on level ground, with the
transmission in P (Park) for a few minutes
before turning the engine off. If the
overheat warning comes on, see
Engine
Overheating 0276.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16402009) - 2023 - CRC - 3/29/22
252 Driving and Operating
Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death,
always park your vehicle and trailer on a
level surface when possible.
When parking your vehicle and your trailer
on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn the wheels into
the curb if facing downhill or into traffic
if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, gradually release the brake pedal to
allow the chocks to absorb the load of
the trailer.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal:
.Start the engine.
.Shift into the desired gear.
.Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
The vehicle needs service more often when
used to tow trailers. See Maintenance
Schedule 0339. It is especially important to
check the engine oil, axle lubricant, belts,
cooling system, and brake system before
and during each trip.
Check periodically that all nuts and bolts on
the trailer hitch are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating conditions.
See Engine Overheating 0276.
Trailer Towing
Caution
Towing a trailer improperly can damage
the vehicle and result in costly repairs
not covered by the vehicle warranty. To
tow a trailer correctly, follow the
directions in this section and see your
dealer for important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
Trailer Weight
{Warning
Never exceed the towing capacity for
your vehicle.
Safe trailering requires monitoring the
weight, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature, dimensions of the front of the
trailer, and how frequently the vehicle is
used to tow a trailer.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16402009) - 2023 - CRC - 3/28/22
Vehicle Care 261
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . 262
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . 262
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . 263
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . 265
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . 270
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . 285
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . 288
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . 290
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
All-Terrain Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . 297
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . 301
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . 302
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305 When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . 306
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . 308
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . 308
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . 309
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . 312
Storing the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . 324
Towing the Vehicle
Transporting a Disabled Vehicle . . . . . . . 326
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16402009) - 2023 - CRC - 3/28/22
Vehicle Care 273
2.0L L4 Engine
1. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
2. Engine Coolant Surge Tank andPressure Cap
3.6L V6 Engine
1. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
2. Engine Coolant Surge Tank andPressure Cap
{Warning
An underhood electric fan can start up
even when the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands, clothing,
and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
{Warning
Do not touch heater or radiator hoses,
or other engine parts. They can be very
hot and can burn you. Do not run the
engine if there is a leak; all coolant could
leak out. That could cause an engine fire
and can burn you. Fix any leak before
driving the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is filled
with DEX-COOL engine coolant. This coolant
needs to be checked and replaced at
appropriate intervals. See Maintenance
Schedule 0339.
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 0276.
What to Use
{Warning
Do not touch heater or radiator hoses,
or other engine parts. They can be very
hot and can burn you. Do not run the
(Continued)

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16402009) - 2023 - CRC - 3/28/22
274 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
engine if there is a leak; all coolant could
leak out. That could cause an engine fire
and can burn you. Fix any leak before
driving the vehicle.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant. 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
Do not use anything other than a mix of
DEX-COOL coolant that meets GM
Standard GMW3420 and clean, drinkable
water. Anything else can cause damage
to the engine cooling system and the
vehicle, which would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. 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.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when
checking the coolant level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the
coolant surge tank. If the coolant inside the
coolant surge tank is boiling, do not do
anything else until it cools down. See
Engine
Overheating 0276. The coolant surge tank is located in the
engine compartment on the driver side of
the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment
Overview 0265.
{Warning
Spilling coolant on hot engine parts can
burn you. Coolant contains ethylene
glycol and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough.
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot
cooling system are under pressure.
Turning the pressure cap, even a little,
can cause them to come out at high
speed and you could be burned. Never
turn the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot. Wait
for the cooling system and pressure cap
to cool.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16402009) - 2023 - CRC - 3/28/22
Vehicle Care 275
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such as
alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. With plain water or
the wrong mixture, the engine could get
too hot but there would not be an
overheat warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be burned.
Caution
Failure to follow the specific coolant fill
procedure could cause the engine to
overheat and could cause system
damage. If coolant is not visible in the
surge tank, contact your dealer.
If no problem is found, check to see if
coolant is visible in the coolant surge tank.
If coolant is visible but the coolant level is
not at or above the indicated mark, add a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL coolant. Be sure the cooling
system, including the coolant surge tank
pressure cap, is cool before you do it.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank (3.6L V6 Engine Only)
1. Remove the coolant surge tank pressure cap when the cooling system, including
the coolant surge tank pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is no longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about one-quarter of a
turn. If you hear a hiss, wait for that to
stop. This will allow any pressure still
left to be vented out the discharge hose.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap slowly and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with theproper mixture to the indicated
level mark.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the engine and let it run until
you can feel the upper radiator hose
getting hot. Watch out for the engine
cooling fan.
By this time, the coolant level inside the
coolant surge tank may be lower. If the
level is lower, add more of the proper
mixture to the coolant surge tank until
the level reaches the indicated
level mark.
5. Replace the pressure cap tightly.