washer fluid GMC ACADIA 2009 Owner's Manual

Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel
Controls or OnStar®
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gage
+:Fuses
i:Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j:LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
g:Outside Power Foldaway
Mirrors
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
_:Tow/Haul Mode
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
iv Preface

Clear ice and snow from the wiper
blades before using them. If the
blades are frozen to the windshield,
gently loosen or thaw them.
If they become damaged, install
new blades or blade inserts.
SeeWindshield Wiper Blade
Replacement on page 5-34.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the
wipers. A circuit breaker stops
them until the motor cools.
Windshield Washer
J
(Washer Fluid):Press the
button located at the end of the turn
signal/multifunction lever, to spray
washer uid on the windshield.
The wipers clear the windshield and
either stop or return to the preset
speed. The ignition key must
be in ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN for this to work. See
Windshield Washer Fluid on
page 5-24Windshield Washer Fluid.
{CAUTION
In freezing weather, do not use
your washer until the windshield is
warmed. Otherwise the washer
uid can form ice on the
windshield, blocking your vision.
WASHER FLUID LOW ADD
FLUID is displayed on the Driver
Information Center (DIC) when
the washer uid is low. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-56.
Heated Windshield Washer
For vehicles with the heated
windshield washer uid system,
it can be used to help clear
ice, snow, tree sap, or bugs from
the windshield. This feature
only works with the front wiper
system.The button is located to the left
of the steering column below
the instrument panel brightness
control knob.
Press the heated washer uid
button to activate the heated
windshield washer uid system.
This activation begins four heated
wash/wipe cycles. The rst
heated wash/wipe cycle can take up
to 40 seconds to occur, depending
on outside temperature. After the
rst wash/wipe cycle, it can take up
to 20 seconds for each of the
remaining cycles. The system turns
off automatically after four wipe
cycles or the button can be pressed
again to turn it off.
3-8 Instrument Panel

Under certain outside temperature
conditions, steam might ow
out of the washer nozzles for a
short period of time before washer
uid is sprayed. This is normal.
HEATING WASH FLUID WASH
WIPES PENDING is displayed on
the DIC when the washer system is
heating the uid.
WASHER FLUID LOW ADD FLUID
is displayed on the DIC when the
washer uid is low. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on
page 3-56.
Rear Window
Wiper/Washer
The rear wiper and rear wash
button is located on the instrument
panel below the climate control
system.
Z(Rear Wiper):Press to turn the
rear wiper on and off. The wiper
speed cannot be changed.
Y(Wash):Press to spray washer
uid on the rear window. The
window wiper will also come on.
Release the button when enough
uid has been sprayed on the
window. The rear wiper will run a
few more cycles after it is released.
If the rear wiper function was
already on, prior to pressing the
wash button, it stays on until
the wiper button is pressed again.
The rear window washer uses
the same uid that is in the
windshield washer reservoir.
SeeWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-24.Cruise Control
With cruise control, a speed of
about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more can
be maintained without keeping
your foot on the accelerator. Cruise
control does not work at speeds
below about 25 mph (40 km/h).
When the brakes are applied, the
cruise control is disengaged.
{CAUTION
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. So, do not use
the cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.
Instrument Panel 3-9

FUEL LEVEL LOW
This message displays and a chime
sounds if the fuel level is low.
Refuel as soon as possible.
SeeFuel Gage on page 3-45
andFuel on page 5-5for 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 3-8for more information.
This message clears itself after
10 seconds.
HEATING WASH (Washer)
FLUID WASH (Washer) WIPES
PENDING
This message displays when you
turn on the heated windshield
washer uid system. See “Heated
Windshield Washer” under
Windshield Washer on page 3-8
for more information.
HOOD OPEN
On some models, this message
displays and a chime sounds if the
hood is not fully closed. Stop and
turn off the vehicle, check the hood
for obstructions, and close the
hood again. Check to see if the
message still appears on the DIC.
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.
LEFT REAR DOOR OPEN
This message displays and a chime
sounds if the driver side rear
door is not fully closed and the
vehicle is shifted out of P (Park).
Stop and turn off the vehicle, check
the door for obstructions, and
close the door again. Check to see
if the message still appears on
the DIC.
LIFTGATE OPEN
This message displays and a chime
sounds if the liftgate is open
while the ignition is in ON/RUN.
Turn off the vehicle and check the
liftgate. Restart the vehicle and
check for the message on the DIC
display.
Instrument Panel 3-59

TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE
ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle
while the transmission uid is
overheating and the transmission
temperature warning is displayed
on the instrument panel cluster
and/or DIC, you can damage
the transmission. This could lead
to costly repairs that would
not be covered by your warranty.
Do not drive your vehicle with
overheated transmission uid
or while the transmission
temperature warning is displayed.
This message displays and a chime
sounds if the transmission uid in the
vehicle gets hot. Driving with the
transmission uid temperature high
can cause damage to the vehicle.
Stop the vehicle and let it idle to
allow the transmission to cool.
This message clears when the uid
temperature reaches a safe level.
TURN SIGNAL ON
This message displays and a chime
sounds if a turn signal is left on
for 3/4 of a mile (1.2 km). Move the
turn signal/multifunction lever to
the off position.
WASHER FLUID LOW ADD
FLUID
This message displays when the
windshield washer uid is low.
Fill the windshield washer uid
reservoir as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 5-10for the location of
the windshield washer uid
reservoir. Also, seeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-24for more
information.
DIC Vehicle
Customization
(With DIC Buttons)
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.
3-64 Instrument Panel

Before Leaving on a
Long Trip
To prepare your vehicle for a long
trip, consider having it serviced
by your dealer/retailer before
departing.
Things to check on your own
include:
Windshield Washer Fluid:
Reservoir full? Windows
clean — inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:In good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:All
levels checked?
Lamps:Do they all work and are
lenses clean?
Tires:Are treads good? Are tires
inated to recommended
pressure?
Weather and Maps:Safe to
travel? Have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention
to your surroundings while driving.
If you become tired or sleepy,
nd a safe place to park your
vehicle and rest.
Other driving tips include:
Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
Keep interior temperature cool.
Keep your eyes moving — scan
the road ahead and to the sides.
Check the rearview mirror and
vehicle instruments often.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on at or rolling terrain. Tips for
driving in these conditions include:
Keep the vehicle serviced
and in good shape.
Check all uid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
Going down steep or long hills,
shift to a lower gear.
{CAUTION
If you do not shift down, the
brakes could get so hot that they
would not work well. You would
then have poor braking or even
none going down a hill. You could
crash. Shift down to let the engine
assist the brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
4-12 Driving Your Vehicle

Service and
Appearance Care
Service
Service...............................5-3
Accessories and
Modications.....................5-3
California Proposition 65
Warning............................5-3
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements.....5-3
Doing Your Own
Service Work....................5-4
Adding Equipment to the
Outside of the Vehicle......5-4
Fuel
Fuel....................................5-5
Gasoline Octane.................5-5
Gasoline Specications.......5-5
California Fuel....................5-5
Additives.............................5-5
Fuels in Foreign
Countries..........................5-6
Filling the Tank...................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container..........................5-8
Checking Things
Under the Hood
Checking Things Under
the Hood..........................5-9
Hood Release.....................5-9
Engine Compartment
Overview.........................5-10
Engine Oil.........................5-11
Engine Oil Life System.....5-13
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. . .5-15
Automatic Transmission
Fluid................................5-16
Cooling System.................5-16
Engine Coolant.................5-17
Engine Overheating...........5-21
Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode
...............5-23
Power Steering Fluid.........5-23
Windshield Washer Fluid. . .5-24
Brakes..............................5-25
Battery..............................5-28
Jump Starting...................5-28
All-Wheel Drive
All-Wheel Drive.................5-33
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming..............5-33
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement.............5-33
Halogen Bulbs..................5-33
License Plate Lamp..........5-34
Replacement Bulbs...........5-34
Windshield Wiper
Blade Replacement
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement...................5-34
Tires
Tires.................................5-35
Tire Sidewall Labeling.......5-36
Tire Terminology and
Denitions.......................5-38
Ination - Tire Pressure. . . .5-41
Tire Pressure Monitor
System............................5-42
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation........................5-44
Tire Inspection and
Rotation..........................5-47
Service and Appearance Care 5-1

A. Radiator Pressure Cap. See
Cooling System on page 5-16.
B. Engine Coolant Recovery Cap.
SeeCooling System on
page 5-16.
C. Remote Negative (−) Terminal.
SeeJump Starting on page 5-28.
D.Underhood Fuse Block on
page 5-92.
E. Remote Positive (+) Terminal.
SeeJump Starting on page 5-28.
F.Power Steering Fluid on
page 5-23.
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” underEngine
Oil on page 5-11.
H. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
“Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 5-11.
I. Automatic Transmission Fluid
Dipstick. See “Checking the
Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-16.
J. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir.
See “Brake Fluid” underBrakes
on page 5-25.K.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 5-15.
L. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-24.
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. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-10for 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.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick,
add at least one quart/liter of the
recommended oil. This section
explains what kind of oil to use.
For engine oil crankcase capacity,
seeCapacities and Specifications
on page 5-96.
Notice:Do not add too much oil.
If 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.
Service and Appearance Care 5-11

What to Use
To determine what kind of uid to
use, seeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-12. Always
use the proper uid.
Notice:Use of the incorrect uid
may damage the vehicle and the
damages may not be covered by
the vehicle’s warranty. Always
use the correct uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-12.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When adding windshield washer
uid, be sure to read the
manufacturer’s instructions before
use. If the vehicle will be operating
in an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use a
uid that has sufficient protection
against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
When the windshield washer uid
reservoir is low, a WASHER FLUID
LOW ADD FLUID message will be
displayed on the Driver Information
Center (DIC). SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-56for more
information.
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer uid
until the tank is full. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-10for reservoir location.Notice:When using concentrated
washer uid, follow the
manufacturer’s instructions
for adding water.
Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer uid.
Water can cause the solution
to freeze and damage your
washer uid tank and other
parts of the washer system.
Also, water does not clean as
well as washer uid.
Fill the washer uid tank only
three-quarters full when it is
very cold. This allows for uid
expansion if freezing occurs,
which could damage the tank
if it is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in your windshield
washer. It can damage the
vehicle’s windshield washer
system and paint.
5-24 Service and Appearance Care

FusesUsage
A/C
CLUTCH Air Conditioning
Clutch
ABS MTR Antilock Braking
System (ABS) Motor
AFS Adaptive Forward
Lighting System
AIRBAG Airbag SystemFuses Usage
AUX
POWER Auxiliary Power
AUX VAC PUMP Auxiliary Vacuum
Pump
AWD All-Wheel-Drive
System
BATT 1 Battery 1
Fuses Usage
BATT 2 Battery 2
BATT 3 Battery 3
ECM Engine Control
Module
ECM 1 Engine Control
Module 1
EMISSION 1 Emission 1
EMISSION 2 Emission 2 EVEN
COILS Even Injector Coils
FAN 1 Cooling Fan 1
FAN 2 Cooling Fan 2
FOG LAMP Fog Lamps
FSCM Fuel System Control
Module
HORN Horn
HTD WASH Heated Windshield
Washer Fluid
HTD MIR Heated Outside
Rearview Mirror
Service and Appearance Care 5-93