light GMC ACADIA 2007 Owner's Manual

Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and right to clear
the area around the front wheels. Turn the
traction control part of the StabiliTrak
®System off.
SeeStabiliTrak®System on page 337. Then
shift back and forth between REVERSE (R) and a
forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as
possible. To prevent transmission wear, wait until
the wheels stop spinning before shifting gears.
Release the accelerator pedal while you shift, and
press lightly on the accelerator pedal when the
transmission is in gear. By slowly spinning
the wheels in the forward and reverse directions,
you will cause a rocking motion that could free
your vehicle. If that does not get your vehicle out
after a few tries, it might need to be towed
out. If your vehicle does need to be towed out,
seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 367.
Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. This weight is called the
vehicle capacity weight and includes the weight of
all occupants, cargo, and all nonfactory-installed
options. Two labels on your vehicle show how
much weight it may properly carry, the Tire and
Loading Information label and the Certication/Tire
label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do,
parts on your vehicle can break, and it
can change the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten
the life of your vehicle.
361

Tow/Haul Mode
Tow/Haul is a feature that assists when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy load. The purpose
of the Tow/Haul mode is to:
Reduce the frequency and improve the
predictability of transmission shifts when pulling
a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load.
Provide the same solid shift feel when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy load as when
the vehicle is unloaded.
Improve control of vehicle speed while requiring
less throttle pedal activity when pulling a heavy
trailer or a large or heavy load.
Increase the charging system voltage to assist
in recharging a battery installed in a trailer.
Press this button on
the console to
enable/disable the
tow/haul mode.A light on the instrument
panel will come on to
indicate that tow/haul
mode has been
selected.
Tow/Haul may be turned off by pressing the
button again, at which time the indicator light on
the instrument panel will turn off. The vehicle
will automatically turn off Tow/Haul every time
it is started.
Tow/Haul is designed to be most effective when
the vehicle and trailer combined weight is at
least 75 percent of the vehicle’s Gross Combined
Weight Rating (GCWR). See Weight of the Trailer
later in this section. Tow/Haul is most useful
under the following driving conditions:
When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or
heavy load through rolling terrain.
When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or
heavy load in stop and go traffic.
When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy
load in busy parking lots where improved low
speed control of the vehicle is desired.
373

Operating the vehicle in tow/haul when lightly
loaded or with no trailer at all will not cause
damage. However, there is no benet to the
selection of Tow/Haul when the vehicle is
unloaded. Such a selection when unloaded may
result in unpleasant engine and transmission
driving characteristics and reduced fuel economy.
Tow/Haul is recommended only when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy load.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how you plan to use your rig.
For example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used
to pull a trailer are all important. It can also depend
on any special equipment that you have on your
vehicle, and the amount of tongue weight the
vehicle can carry. See “Weight of the Trailer
Tongue” later in this section for more information.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming
only the driver is in the tow vehicle and it
has all the required trailering equipment.The weight of additional optional equipment,
passengers and cargo in the tow vehicle must be
subtracted from the maximum trailer weight.
Look in the following chart to nd the maximum
trailer weight for your vehicle.
PackageMaximum
Trailer Weight*GCWR
Front-Wheel
Drive4,500 lbs
(2 041 kg)9,500 lbs
(4 309 kg)
All-Wheel Drive4,500 lbs
(2 041 kg)9,700 lbs
(4 400 kg)
*The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR)
is the total allowable weight of the completely
loaded vehicle and trailer including any
passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions.
The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
Ask your dealer/retailer for our trailering
information or advice, or write us at our Customer
Assistance Offices. SeeCustomer Assistance
Offices on page 522for more information.
374

Trailer Wiring Harness
Your vehicle is equipped with the following wiring
harness for towing a trailer.
Basic Trailer Wiring
The trailer wiring harness, with a seven-pin
connector, is located at the rear of the vehicle
and is tied to the vehicle’s frame. The harness
connector can be plugged into a seven-pin
universal heavy-duty trailer connector available
through your dealer/retailer.
The seven-wire harness contains the following
trailer circuits:
Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn Signal
Brown: Taillamps
White: Ground
Light Green: Back-up Lamps
Red: Battery Feed*
Dark Blue: Trailer Brake*
*The fuses for these two circuits are installed in
the underhood electrical center, but the wires
are not connected. They should be connected by
your dealer/retailer or a qualied service center.
If you are charging a remote (non-vehicle) battery,
press the tow/haul mode button located at the
end of the shift lever. This will boost the vehicle
system voltage and properly charge the battery.
If the trailer is too light for tow/haul mode, you can
turn on the headlamps (Non-HID only) as a
second way to boost the vehicle system and
charge the battery.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat
during severe operating conditions. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 410.
382

Service........................................................ 385
Accessories and Modications................... 385
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 386
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 386
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...................................... 387
Fuel............................................................. 387
Gasoline Octane........................................ 388
Gasoline Specications.............................. 388
California Fuel........................................... 388
Additives................................................... 389
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 390
Filling the Tank......................................... 390
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 393
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 394
Hood Release........................................... 395
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 396
Engine Oil................................................. 397
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 400
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 402
Automatic Transmission Fluid.................... 404
Engine Coolant.......................................... 406
Radiator Pressure Cap.............................. 410
Engine Overheating................................... 410Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 412
Cooling System......................................... 413
Power Steering Fluid................................. 419
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 420
Brakes...................................................... 421
Battery...................................................... 424
Jump Starting............................................ 425
All-Wheel Drive........................................... 430
Headlamp Aiming........................................ 431
Bulb Replacement....................................... 432
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting..... 432
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 432
License Plate Lamp................................... 433
Replacement Bulbs................................... 433
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 434
Tires............................................................ 435
Tire Sidewall Labeling............................... 436
Tire Terminology and Denitions............... 439
Ination - Tire Pressure............................. 442
Tire Pressure Monitor System................... 444
Tire Inspection and Rotation...................... 448
When It Is Time for New Tires.................. 450
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
383

{CAUTION:
Fuel can spray out on you if you open the
fuel cap too quickly. If you spill fuel and
then something ignites it, you could be
badly burned. This spray can happen if
your tank is nearly full, and is more likely
in hot weather. Open the fuel cap slowly
and wait for any hiss noise to stop.
Then unscrew the cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not top off or overll
the tank and wait a few seconds after you have
nished pumping before removing the nozzle.
Clean fuel from painted surfaces as soon as
possible. SeeWashing Your Vehicle on page 482.
When replacing the fuel cap, turn it clockwise until
it clicks. Make sure the cap is fully installed.
The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left off or improperly installed.
This would allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 226.If your vehicle has a Driver Information Center
(DIC), the TIGHTEN GAS CAP message will be
displayed if the fuel cap is not properly installed.
{CAUTION:
If a re starts while you are refueling, do
not remove the nozzle. Shut off the ow
of fuel by shutting off the pump or by
notifying the station attendant. Leave the
area immediately.
Notice:If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to
get the right type. Your dealer/ retailer can
get one for you. If you get the wrong type,
it may not t properly. This may cause your
malfunction indicator lamp to light and
may damage your fuel tank and emissions
system. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 226.
392

How to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/lter, remove the lter
from the vehicle and lightly shake the lter
(away from vehicle) to release loose dust and dirt.
If the lter remains caked with dirt, a new lter
is required.
To inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/lter,
do the following:
1. Loosen the screws that hold the cover on.
2. Disconnect the electrical connector.
3. Lift off the cover.
4. Remove the engine air cleaner/lter element
and any loose debris that may be found in the
air cleaner base.
5. Inspect or replace the air lter element.
6. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 to reinstall the
cover and reconnect the electrical connector.
{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/lter off can cause you or others
to be burned. The air cleaner not only
cleans the air; it helps to stop ames if
the engine backres. If it is not there and
the engine backres, you could be
burned. Do not drive with it off, and be
careful working on the engine with the
air cleaner/lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre
can cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt
can easily get into your engine, which will
damage it. Always have the air cleaner/lter
in place when you are driving.
403

How to Add Automatic Transmission
Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
what kind of transmission uid to use. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 511.
If the uid level is low, add only enough of the
proper uid to bring the level into the crosshatched
area on the dipstick.
1. Remove the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough uid at
the dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It does not take much uid, generally
less than one half of a pint (0.25 L).
Do not overll.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission uid may damage your vehicle,
and the damages may not be covered by
your warranty. Always use the automatic
transmission uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 511.
3. After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid,” earlier in this section.
4. When the correct uid level is obtained,
twist & lock dipstick cap in place.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is
designed to remain in your vehicle for ve years or
150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever occurs
rst, if you add only DEX-COOL
®extended
life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and
how to add coolant when it is low. If you have
a problem with engine overheating or if you need
to add coolant to the radiator, seeEngine
Overheating on page 410.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to
−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
406

Brakes
Brake Fluid
The brake master
cylinder reservoir is
lled with DOT-3 brake
uid. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 396for the
location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake uid
level in the reservoir might go down. The rst
is that the brake uid goes down to an acceptable
level during normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are put in, the uid level goes back
up. The other reason is that uid is leaking out of
the brake system. If it is, you should have the
brake system xed, since a leak means that
sooner or later the brakes will not work well.So, it is not a good idea to top off the brake uid.
Adding brake uid will not correct a leak. If you
add uid when the linings are worn, then you will
have too much uid when you get new brake
linings. You should add or remove brake uid,
as necessary, only when work is done on
the brake hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has too much brake uid, it
can spill on the engine. The uid will burn
if the engine is hot enough. You or others
could be burned, and your vehicle could
be damaged. Add brake uid only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic
system.
When the brake uid falls to a low level, the brake
warning light comes on. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 222.
421

Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc 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 be heard all
the time your vehicle is moving, except when you
are pushing on the brake pedal rmly.
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon the brakes will not work well. That
could lead to an accident. When you hear
the brake wear warning sound, have your
vehicle serviced.
Notice: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 rst 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
specications inCapacities and Specifications on
page 497.
Brake linings should always be replaced as
complete axle sets.Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer/retailer 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 might be required.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without
the vehicle moving, the brakes adjust for wear.
423