towing GMC ACADIA 2007 Owner's Guide

Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your
vehicle and your trailer. Cross the safety
chains under the tongue of the trailer so that the
tongue will not drop to the road if it becomes
separated from the hitch. Instructions about safety
chains may be provided by the hitch manufacturer
or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching
safety chains and do not attach them to the
bumper. Always leave just enough slack so you
can turn with your rig. And, never allow safety
chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
If you tow more than 1,000 lbs (450 kg), use trailer
brakes. Because your vehicle has anti-lock brakes,
don’t try to tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic brake
system. If you do, both brake systems won’t
work well, or at all.
Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the
trailer brakes so you’ll be able to install, adjust
and maintain them properly.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of
experience. Before setting out for the open road,
you’ll want to get to know your rig. Acquaint
yourself with the feel of handling and braking with
the added weight of the trailer. And always
keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is
now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving
and then apply the trailer brake controller by hand
to be sure the brakes are working. This lets you
check your electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure
that the load is secure, and that the lamps and any
trailer brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead
as you would when driving your vehicle without
a trailer. This can help you avoid situations
that require heavy braking and sudden turns.
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Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a
good deal longer, you’ll need to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before you can
return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with
one hand. Then, to move the trailer to the left,
just move that hand to the left. To move the trailer
to the right, move your hand to the right. Always
back up slowly and, if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while
trailering could cause the trailer to come in
contact with the vehicle. Your vehicle could
be damaged. Avoid making very sharp turns
while trailering.When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider
turns than normal. Do this so your trailer
won’t strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs,
trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal asher and/or extra wiring.
Check with your dealer/retailer. The arrows
on your instrument panel will ash whenever you
signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked
up, the trailer lamps will also ash, telling other
drivers you’re about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your
instrument panel will ash for turns even if the
bulbs on the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may
think drivers behind you are seeing your signal
when they are not. It’s important to check
occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are
still working.
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3. When the chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb
the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake and shift into PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal
down while you:
start your engine,
shift into a gear, and
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
Your vehicle will need service more often
when you’re pulling a trailer. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 502for more information.
Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission uid
(don’t overll), engine oil, axle lubricant, drive
belt, cooling system and brake system. Each of
these is covered in this manual, and the Index will
help you nd them quickly. If you’re trailering,
it’s a good idea to review this information before
you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and
bolts are tight.
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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

Gasoline Octane
Use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted
octane rating of 87 or higher. For best performance
or trailer towing, you could choose to use middle
grade 89 octane unleaded gasoline. If the
octane rating is less than 87, you might notice
an audible knocking noise when you drive,
commonly referred to as spark knock. If this
occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher
as soon as possible. If you are using gasoline
rated at 87 octane or higher and you hear heavy
knocking, the engine needs service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM
specication D 4814 in the United States or
CAN/CGSB-3.5 or 3.511 in Canada. Some
gasolines contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend against the
use of gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives
on page 389for additional information.
California Fuel
If your vehicle is certied to meet California
Emissions Standards, it is designed to operate
on fuels that meet California specications.
See the underhood emission control label.
If this fuel is not available in states adopting
California emissions standards, your vehicle will
operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specications, but emission control system
performance might be affected. The malfunction
indicator lamp could turn on and your vehicle might
fail a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 226. If this occurs, return to
your authorized dealer/retailer for diagnosis.
If it is determined that the condition is caused
by the type of fuel used, repairs might not
be covered by your warranty.
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If you no longer have the overheat warning,
you can drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for
about 10 minutes. If the warning does not
come back on, you can drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park
your vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, idle the engine for
three minutes while you are parked. If you still
have the warning, turn off the engine and
get everyone out of the vehicle until it cools down.
Also, see “Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode” later in this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get
service help right away.Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode lets your vehicle
be driven to a safe place in an emergency situation.
If an overheated engine condition exists, an
overheat protection mode which alternates ring
groups of cylinders helps prevent engine damage.
In this mode, there is a signicant loss in power and
engine performance. The temperature gage
indicates an overheat condition exists. Driving
extended miles (km) and/or towing a trailer in the
overheat protection mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine
damage, allow the engine to cool before
attempting any repair. The engine oil will be
severely degraded. Repair the cause of coolant
loss, change the oil and reset the oil life
system. SeeEngine Oil on page 397.
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(g)A fluid loss in any vehicle system could
indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired and the fluid level checked. Add fluid
if needed.
(h)Change automatic transmission fluid if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more
of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F
(32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police, or
delivery service.
(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 406 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 511.
507

GMC and General Motors of Canada Limited
reserve the right to limit services or reimbursement
to an owner or driver when, in their sole
discretion, the claims become excessive in
frequency or type of occurrence.
Roadside Assistance is not part of or included in
the coverage provided by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty. GMC and General Motors of Canada
reserve the right to make any changes or
discontinue the Roadside Assistance program at
any time without notication.
Towing and Road Service Exclusions
Specically excluded from Roadside Assistance
coverage are towing or services for vehicles
operated on a non-public roadway or highway,
nes, impound towing caused by a violation
of local, Municipal, State, Provincial, or Federal
law, and mounting, dismounting or changing
of snow tires, chains, or other traction devices.
Courtesy Transportation
To enhance your ownership experience, we and
our participating dealers are proud to offer
Courtesy Transportation, a customer support
program for new vehicles.
For warranty repairs during the Bumper-to-Bumper
(U.S.) or Base Warranty Coverage period
(Canada), provided by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty, interim transportation may be available
under the Courtesy Transportation program.
Several courtesy transportation options are
available to assist in reducing your inconvenience
when warranty repairs are required.
Courtesy Transportation is not a part of the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty and is available only
at participating dealers. A separate booklet entitled
“Warranty and Owner Assistance Information”
furnished with each new vehicle provides detailed
warranty coverage information.
527

If your vehicle cannot be driven, know where
the towing service will be taking it. Get a
card from the tow truck operator or write down
the driver’s name, the service’s name, and
the phone number.
Remove any valuables from your vehicle before
it is towed away. Make sure this includes your
insurance information and registration if you
keep these items in your vehicle.
Gather the important information you will need
from the other driver. Things like name,
address, phone number, driver’s license
number, vehicle license plate, vehicle make,
model and model year, Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN), insurance company and policy
number, and a general description of the
damage to the other vehicle.
If possible, call your insurance company from
the scene of the accident. They will walk you
through the information they will need. If they
ask for a police report, phone or go to the police
department headquarters the next day and you
can get a copy of the report for a nominal fee. In
some states/provinces with “no fault” insurance
laws, a report may not be necessary. This is
especially true if there are no injuries and both
vehicles are driveable.
Choose a reputable collision repair facility for
your vehicle. Whether you select a dealer/
retailer or a private collision repair facility to x
the damage, make sure you are comfortable
with them. Remember, you will have to feel
comfortable with their work for a long time.
Once you have an estimate, read it carefully
and make sure you understand what work will
be performed on your vehicle. If you have a
question, ask for an explanation. Reputable
shops welcome this opportunity.
532

Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.... 28
R
Radiator Pressure Cap................................ 410
Radio Frequency Identication (RFID),
Privacy..................................................... 538
Radios........................................................ 264
Care of Your CD and DVD Player............ 328
Care of Your CDs and DVDs................... 328
Navigation/Radio System,
see Navigation Manual......................... 311
Radio with CD......................................... 268
Radio with CD and DVD.......................... 278
Rear Audio Controller (RAC).................... 324
Rear Seat Audio...................................... 322
Setting the Time...................................... 266
Theft-Deterrent......................................... 325
Understanding Reception......................... 326
Reading Lamps........................................... 188
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System ... 211
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System
and Electronic Climate Controls............... 212
Rear Audio Controller (RAC)....................... 324Rear Door Security Locks........................... 108
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides.................. 43
Rear Seat Armrest...................................... 163
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)............................... 322
Rear Seat Entertainment System................. 311
Rear Seat Operation..................................... 18
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts.............. 40
Rear Windshield Washer/Wiper.................... 179
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming
with OnStar
®and Compass..................... 140
Rearview Mirror with OnStar®...................... 140
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 15
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.......... 511
Recreational Vehicle Towing........................ 367
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System............ 98
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System,
Operation................................................. 100
Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire........................... 463
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools............ 459
Replacement Bulbs..................................... 433
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government............................. 534
General Motors........................................ 534
United States Government....................... 533
550