coolant level GMC ACADIA 2008 Owner's Manual

2. Set the driver’s and passenger’s temperature.
To nd your comfort setting, start with a 73°F (22°C)
temperature setting and allow about 20 minutes
for the system to regulate. Use the driver’s or
passenger’s temperature buttons to adjust the
temperature setting as necessary. If you choose
the temperature setting of 60°F (15°C), the system
remains at the maximum cooling setting. If you
choose the temperature setting of 90°F (32°C),
the system remains at the maximum heat setting.
Choosing either maximum setting will not cause
the vehicle to heat or cool any faster.
Do not cover the solar sensor located on the top of
the instrument panel near the windshield. This sensor
regulates air temperature based on sun load and also
turns on your vehicle’s headlamps. For more information
on the solar sensor, see “Sensors” later in this section.
To avoid blowing cold air in cold weather, the system
delays turning on the fan until warm air is available.
The length of delay depends on the engine coolant
temperature. Press the fan switch to override this delay
and change the fan to a selected speed.
O(On/Off):Press this button to turn off the climate
control system. Outside air still enters the vehicle, and
is directed to the oor. This direction can be changed
by pressing the mode button. Recirculation can only
be selected in vent or bi-level mode. The temperature
can also be adjusted using either temperature button.If you adjust the air delivery mode or temperature
settings with the system off, the display comes on
briey to show the settings and then turns off. Press the
on/off button or the up down arrows on the fan switch,
the defrost button, AUTO button, or the air conditioning
button to turn the system on when it is off.
Manual Operation
The air delivery mode or fan speed can be manually
adjusted.
DC(Fan):The buttons with the fan symbols let you
manually adjust the fan speed. Press the up arrow
to increase fan speed and the down arrow to decrease
fan speed.
Pressing a fan button while the system is off will turn
the system on. Pressing a fan button while in automatic
control places the fan under manual control. The fan
setting remains displayed, the word AUTO is no longer
displayed, and the AUTO button indicator light turns
off. The air delivery mode remains in automatic control.
yNz(Mode):Press the mode up and down
buttons to manually change the direction of the airow
in the vehicle. Repeatedly press the button until the
desired mode appears on the display. Pressing a mode
button while the system is off will change air delivery
mode without turning the system on. Pressing one
of these buttons while in automatic control to place
the mode under manual control.
3-31

ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine
is overheating, severe engine damage may occur.
If an overheat warning appears on the instrument
panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the vehicle as soon
as possible. SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-25
for more information.
This message displays and a continuous chime
sounds if the engine cooling system reaches unsafe
temperatures for operation. Stop and turn off the vehicle
as soon as it is safe to do so to avoid severe damage.
This message clears when the engine has cooled
to a safe operating temperature.
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message displays and a chime sounds when
the cooling system temperature gets too hot and the
engine further enters the engine coolant protection
mode. SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-25for
further information.
This message also displays when the vehicle’s engine
power is reduced. Reduced engine power can affect
the vehicle’s ability to accelerate. If this message is on,but there is no reduction in performance, proceed to
your destination. The performance may be reduced
the next time the vehicle is driven. The vehicle may be
driven at a reduced speed while this message is on,
but acceleration and speed may be reduced. Anytime
this message stays on, the vehicle should be taken
to your dealer/retailer for service as soon as possible.
FUEL LEVEL LOW
This message displays and a chime sounds if the
fuel level is low. Refuel as soon as possible. See
Fuel Gage on page 3-56andFuel on page 5-6for
more information.
HEATED WASH (Washer)
FLUID SYSTEM OFF
This message displays when you manually turn off the
heated windshield washer uid system or when the
system automatically turns off. See “Heated Windshield
Washer” underWindshield Washer on page 3-10for
more information. This message clears itself after
10 seconds.
3-69

A. Radiator Pressure Cap (Out of View). SeeRadiator
Pressure Cap on page 5-24.
B. Engine Coolant Recovery Cap. SeeCooling System
on page 5-27.
C. Remote Negative (−) Terminal. SeeJump Starting
on page 5-39.
D. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-103.
E. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-39.
F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Out of View). See
Power Steering Fluid on page 5-33.
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
H. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
I. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-21.
J. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-35.K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20.
L. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-34.
Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-14for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and check the level.
5-15

Notice:If you use an improper coolant mixture,
your engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core, and
other parts.
If coolant needs to be added more than four times a
year, have your dealer/retailer check the cooling system.
Notice:If you use extra inhibitors and/or additives
in your vehicle’s cooling system, you could
damage your vehicle. Use only the proper mixture
of the engine coolant listed in this manual for
the cooling system. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-12for more information.Checking Coolant
The coolant recovery tank
cap has this symbol on it.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-14for
more information on the location of the coolant
recovery tank.
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking
the coolant level.
When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the FULL COLD line or a little higher. When the
engine is warm, the level could be above the FULL
COLD level. The FULL COLD line is marked on
the coolant recovery tank.
5-23

Adding Coolant
If more coolant is needed, add the proper DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture at the coolant recovery tank, but be
careful not to spill it.
If the coolant recovery tank is completely empty, add
coolant to the radiator. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-25.
{CAUTION:
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. With the coolant recovery tank, you will
almost never have to add coolant at the
radiator. Never turn the radiator pressure
cap — even a little — when the engine and
radiator are hot.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
Occasionally check the coolant level in the radiator. For
information on how to add coolant to the radiator,
seeCooling System on page 5-27.
Radiator Pressure Cap
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly and tightly
secured.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-14for
more information on location.
5-24

Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is what
you will see:
A. Engine Coolant Reservoir
B. Radiator Pressure Cap (covered)
C. Engine Cooling Fans{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood
can start up even when the engine is not
running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing, and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
do not do anything else until it cools down. The
vehicle should be parked on a level surface.
5-27

When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
least up to the FULL COLD mark. If it is not, you
may have a leak at the pressure cap or in the radiator
hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water pump or
somewhere else in the cooling system.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Do not touch them. If
you do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you
run the engine, it could lose all coolant. That
could cause an engine re, and you could be
burned. Get any leak xed before you drive the
vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check
to see if the electric engine cooling fans are running.
If the engine is overheating, both fans should be
running. If they are not, your vehicle needs service.
Notice:Engine damage from running the engine
without coolant is not covered by the warranty.Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant could
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by the warranty. Always
use DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in the vehicle.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
Notice:This vehicle has a specic coolant ll
procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could
cause your engine to overheat and be severely
damaged.
If you have not found a problem yet, check to see if
coolant is visible in the coolant recovery tank. If coolant
is visible but the coolant level is not at or above the
FULL COLD mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant at the coolant
recovery tank, but be sure the cooling system,
including the coolant recovery tank pressure cap, is cool
before you do it. SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-22
for more information.
5-28

7. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan.8. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator ller
neck may be lower. If the level is lower, add more of
the proper DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture through the
ller neck until the level reaches the base of the ller
neck. Replace the pressure cap.
At any time during this procedure if coolant begins to
ow out of the ller neck, reinstall the pressure cap. Be
sure to secure it tightly.
5-32

Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and lter. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-15. Reset oil life
system. SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 5-18.An Emission Control
Service.••
Visually check for any leaks or damage.See footnote (g).••
Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary, replace lter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20.See footnote (l).•
Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 5-62and “Tire Wear Inspection” inAt Least Once a Month
on page 6-9.••
Inspect brake system.See footnote (a).••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid levels and add uid as
needed.••
Perform any needed additional services. See “Additional Required Services”
in this section.••
Inspect suspension and steering components.See footnote (b).•
Inspect engine cooling system.See footnote (c).•
Inspect wiper blades.See footnote (d).•
Inspect restraint system components.See footnote (e).•
Lubricate body components.See footnote (f).•
Check transmission uid level and add uid as needed.•
Inspect throttle system.See footnote (j).•
6-5

(i)Drain, flush, and refill cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer/retailer
perform this service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-22
for what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator,
condenser, pressure cap, and filler neck. Pressure test
the cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)Check system for interference or binding and for
damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as needed.
Replace any components that have high effort or
excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator or cruise
control cables.
(k)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive cracks,
or obvious damage. Replace belt if necessary.
(l)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, inspect
the filter at each engine oil change.
Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specied to help ensure the safety,
dependability, and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your dealer/retailer can assist you with these
checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks at
each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Notice:It is important to check the engine oil
regularly and keep it at the proper level. Failure to
keep the engine oil at the proper level can cause
damage to the engine not covered by your warranty.
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-15.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-22.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer uid level in the windshield
washer uid reservoir and add the proper uid if
necessary.
6-8