weight GMC ACADIA 2009 User Guide

If you put things inside your
vehicle — like suitcases, tools,
packages, or anything else, they
will go as fast as the vehicle
goes. If you have to stop or turn
quickly, or if there is a crash,
they will keep going.{CAUTION
Things you put inside your
vehicle can strike and injure
people in a sudden stop or
turn, or in a crash.
Put things in the cargo
area of your vehicle. Try to
spread the weight evenly.
Never stack heavier
things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above
the tops of the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured
child restraint in your
vehicle.
When you carry something
inside the vehicle, secure it
whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded
down unless you need to.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
To avoid damage, the disabled
vehicle should be towed with all
four wheels off the ground. Consult
your dealer/retailer or a professional
towing service if the disabled vehicle
must be towed. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program on page 7-6.
To tow the vehicle behind another
vehicle for recreational purposes
(such as behind a motorhome),
see “Recreational Vehicle Towing”
following.
4-20 Driving Your Vehicle

Towing a Trailer
{CAUTION
The driver can lose control when
pulling a trailer if the correct
equipment is not used or the
vehicle is not driven properly.
For example, if the trailer is too
heavy, the brakes may not work
well — or even at all. The driver
and passengers could be
seriously injured. The vehicle may
also be damaged; the resulting
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Pull a trailer
only if all the steps in this section
have been followed. Ask your
dealer/retailer for advice and
information about towing a trailer
with the vehicle.
To identify the trailering capacity of
the vehicle, read the information
in “Weight of the Trailer” that
appears later in this section.Trailering is different than just
driving the vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in
handling, acceleration, braking,
durability and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes
correct equipment, and it has to be
used properly.
The following information has many
time-tested, important trailering
tips and safety rules. Many of these
are important for the safety of the
driver and the passengers. So
please read this section carefully
before pulling a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as
the engine, transmission, rear
axle, wheel assemblies and tires are
forced to work harder against the
drag of the added weight. The
engine is required to operate
at relatively higher speeds and
under greater loads, generating
extra heat. What’s more, the trailer
adds considerably to wind
resistance, increasing the pulling
requirements.
Pulling A Trailer
Here are some important points:
There are many different
laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with
trailering. Make sure the rig will
be legal, not only where you
live but also where you will be
driving. A good source for
this information can be state or
provincial police.
Consider using a sway control.
See “Hitches” later in this section.
Do not tow a trailer at all during
the rst 500 miles (800 km) the
new vehicle is driven. The engine,
axle or other parts could be
damaged.
Then, during the rst 500 miles
(800 km) that a trailer is towed, do
not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)
and do not make starts at full
throttle. This helps the engine and
other parts of the vehicle wear in
at the heavier loads.
4-24 Driving Your Vehicle

Obey speed limit restrictions
when towing a trailer. Do not drive
faster than the maximum posted
speed for trailers, or no more than
55 mph (90 km/h), to save wear
on the vehicle’s parts.
The vehicles 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. See “Tow/Haul
Mode” later in this section.
The vehicle is designed primarily
as a passenger and load carrying
vehicle. If a trailer is towed,
the vehicle will require more
frequent maintenance due to
the additional load.Three important considerations have
to do with weight:
The weight of the trailer.
The weight of the trailer tongue.
And the weight on the
vehicle’s tires
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how the rig is
used. For example, speed, altitude,
road grades, outside temperature
and how much the vehicle is used
to pull a trailer are all important.It can depend on any special
equipment on the 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.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-25

Use the following chart to determine how much the vehicle can weigh, based upon the vehicle model and options.
VehicleMaximum Trailer Weight *GCWR
Front-Wheel Drive 2,000 lbs (907 kg)7,500 lbs (3 402 kg)
Front-Wheel Drive, V92 Trailer Towing Package 4,500 lbs (2 041 kg) 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
All-Wheel Drive 2,000 lbs (907 kg)7,700 lbs (3 493 kg)
All-Wheel Drive, V92 Trailer Towing Package 4,500 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 the vehicle should not be
exceeded.
Ask your dealer/retailer for our
trailering information or advice, or
write us at our Customer Assistance
Offices. See Customer Assistance
Offices on page 7-5 for more
information.
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is
an important weight to measure
because it affects the total gross
weight of the vehicle. The Gross
Vehicle Weight (GVW) includes the
curb weight of the vehicle, any
cargo carried in it, and the people
who will be riding in the vehicle. If there are a lot of options,
equipment, passengers or cargo in
the vehicle, it will reduce the
tongue weight the vehicle can carry,
which will also reduce the trailer
weight the vehicle can tow. If towing
a trailer, the tongue load must be
added to the GVW because
the vehicle will be carrying that
weight, too. See
Loading the Vehicle
on page 4-16 for more information
about the vehicle’s maximum
load capacity. If a weight-carrying hitch or a
weight-distributing hitch is being
used, the trailer tongue (A) should
weigh 10-15 percent of the total
loaded trailer weight (B).
4-26 Driving Your Vehicle

After loading the trailer, weigh the
trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they aren’t, adjustments
might be made by moving some
items around in the trailer.
Trailering may also be limited by the
vehicle’s ability to carry tongue
weight. Tongue weight cannot cause
the vehicle to exceed the GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) or the
RGAWR (Rear Gross Axle Weight
Rating). The effect of additional
weight may reduce the trailering
capacity more than the total of the
additional weight.Consider the following example:
A vehicle model base weight
is 5,500 lbs (2 495 kg); 2,800 lbs
(1 270 kg) at the front axle and
2,700 lbs (1 225 kg) at the rear axle.
It has a GVWR of 7,200 lbs
(3 266 kg), a RGAWR of 4,000 lbs
(1 814 kg) and a GCWR (Gross
Combination Weight Rating)
of 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg). The trailer
rating should be:
Expect tongue weight to be at
least 10 percent of trailer weight
(850 lbs (386 kg)) and because
the weight is applied well behind
the rear axle, the effect on the
rear axle is greater than just
the weight itself, as much as
1.5 times as much. The weight
at the rear axle could be 850 lbs
(386 kg) X 1.5 = 1,275 lbs (578 kg).Since the rear axle already weighs
2,700 lbs (1 225 kg), adding
1,275 lbs (578 kg) brings the total to
3,975 lbs (1 803 kg). This is very
close to, but within the limit for
RGAWR as well. The vehicle is set
to trailer up to 8,500 lbs (3 856 kg).
If the vehicle has many options
and there is a front seat passenger
and two rear seat passengers
with some luggage and gear in the
vehicle as well. 300 lbs (136 kg)
could be added to the front
axle weight and 400 lbs (181 kg) to
the rear axle weight. The vehicle
now weighs:
Weight is still below 7,200 lbs
(3 266 kg) and you might think
700 additional pounds (318 kg)
should be subtracted from the
trailering capacity to stay within
GCWR limits.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-27

The maximum trailer would only be
7,800 lbs (3 538 kg). You may
go further and think the tongue
weight should be limited to less
than 1,000 lbs (454 kg) to avoid
exceeding GVWR. But the effect
on the rear axle must still be
considered. Because the rear axle
now weighs 3,100 lbs (1 406 kg),
900 lbs (408 kg) can be put on
the rear axle without exceeding
RGAWR. The effect of tongue
weight is about 1.5 times the
actual weight. Dividing the 900 lbs
(408 kg) by 1.5 leaves only
600 lbs (272 kg) of tongue weight
that can be handled. Since
tongue weight is usually at least
10 percent of total loaded trailer
weight, expect that the largest
trailer the vehicle can properly
handle is 6,000 lbs (2 721 kg).It is important that the vehicle
does not exceed any of its
ratings —GCWR, GVWR, RGAWR,
Maximum Trailer Rating or Tongue
Weight. The only way to be sure it is
not exceeding any of these ratings is
to weigh the vehicle and trailer.
Total Weight on the
Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure the vehicle’s tires are
inated to the upper limit for cold
tires. These numbers can be found
on the Certication/Tire label.
SeeLoading the Vehicle on
page 4-16. Make sure not to go
over the GVW limit for the vehicle,
including the weight of the trailer
tongue.
Hitches
It is important to have the correct
hitch equipment. Crosswinds,
large trucks going by and rough
roads are a few reasons why
the right hitch is needed. Here
are some rules to follow:
The rear bumper on the vehicle
is not intended for hitches. Do
not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to it. Use
only a frame-mounted hitch
that does not attach to the
bumper.
Will any holes be made in the
body of the vehicle when the
trailer hitch is installed? If there
are, then be sure to seal the
holes later when the hitch
is removed. If the holes are not
sealed, dirt, water, and deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) from
the exhaust can get into
the vehicle. SeeEngine
Exhaust on page 2-30.
4-28 Driving Your Vehicle

Safety Chains
Always attach chains between the
vehicle and the trailer. Cross
the safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer to help prevent the
tongue from contacting 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 the rig can turn. Never allow
safety chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
A loaded trailer that weighs more
than 1,000 lbs (450 kg) needs
to have its own brake system that is
adequate for the weight of the
trailer. Be sure to read and follow
the instructions for the trailer brakes
so they are installed, adjusted
and maintained properly.Because the vehicle has antilock
brakes, do not try to tap into
the vehicle’s hydraulic brake system.
If you do, both brake systems will
not work well, or at all.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. Get to know
the rig before setting out for the open
road. Get acquainted 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 longer and not as
responsive as the vehicle is by itself.
Before starting, check all trailer hitch
parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connectors, lamps,
tires and mirror adjustments. If the
trailer has electric brakes, start the
vehicle and trailer moving and then
apply the trailer brake controller by
hand to be sure the brakes are
working. This checks the electrical
connection at the same time.During the 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 the vehicle without a trailer.
This can help to avoid situations
that require heavy braking and
sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed
when towing a trailer. Because the
rig is longer, it is necessary to go
much farther beyond the passed
vehicle before returning to the lane.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-29

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 located on the
console to turn on and turn off the
Tow/Haul mode.
The Tow/Haul 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 Trailerearlier 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.
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.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-31

Checking Things
Under the Hood
{CAUTION
An electric fan under the hood
can start up and injure you even
when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood
electric fan.
{CAUTION
Things that burn can get on hot
engine parts and start a re.
These include liquids like fuel, oil,
coolant, brake uid, windshield
washer and other uids, and
plastic or rubber. You or others
could be burned. Be careful not to
drop or spill things that will burn
onto a hot engine.
Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the hood release handle with
this symbol on it. It is located
under the instrument panel
on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
2. At the front of the vehicle, pull up
on the center of the hood, and
push the secondary hood release
to the right.
3. After you have partially lifted the
hood, gas struts will automatically
take over to lift and hold the
hood in the fully open position.Before closing the hood, be sure all
ller caps are on properly.
Pull the hood down to close. Lower
the hood until the lifting pressure of
the strut is reduced. Then allow the
hood to fall and latch into place
under its own weight. Check to make
sure the hood is closed. If the hood
does not fully latch, gently push the
hood down at the front and center
of the hood until it is completely
latched.
Service and Appearance Care 5-9

Tire Size
The following illustration shows
an example of a typical
passenger vehicle tire size.
(A) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire
:The United States version of
a metric tire sizing system. The
letter P as the rst character in
the tire size means a passenger
vehicle tire engineered to
standards set by the U.S. Tire
and Rim Association.
(B) Tire Width
:The three-digit
number indicates the tire
section width in millimeters
from sidewall to sidewall.
(C) Aspect Ratio
:A two-digit
number that indicates the tire
height-to-width measurements.For example, if the tire size
aspect ratio is 60, as shown in
item C of the illustration, it would
mean that the tire’s sidewall is
60 percent as high as it is wide.
(D) Construction Code
:A letter
code is used to indicate the type
of ply construction in the tire.
The letter R means radial ply
construction; the letter D means
diagonal or bias ply construction;
and the letter B means
belted-bias ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter
:Diameter of
the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description
:These
characters represent the load
range and speed rating of the
tire. The load index represents
the load carry capacity a tire is
certied to carry. The load index
can range from 1 to 279. The
speed rating is the maximum
speed a tire is certied to carry
a load. Speed ratings range
fromAtoZ.
Tire Terminology and
Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount
of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch
of the tire. Air pressure is
expressed in pounds per square
inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight
:This
means the combined weight
of optional accessories.
Some examples of optional
accessories are, automatic
transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows,
power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio
:The relationship
of a tire’s height to its width.
Belt
:A rubber coated layer of
cords that is located between
the plies and the tread.
Cords may be made from steel
or other reinforcing materials.
5-38 Service and Appearance Care