battery GMC ACADIA 2009 Owner's Guide

To save fuel, run the engine for only
short periods as needed to warm the
vehicle and then shut the engine off
and close the window most of the
way to save heat. Repeat this until
help arrives but only when you feel
really uncomfortable from the cold.
Moving about to keep warm also
helps.
If it takes some time for help to
arrive, now and then when you run
the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs
faster than the idle speed. This
keeps the battery charged to restart
the vehicle and to signal for help with
the headlamps. Do this as little as
possible to save fuel.
If Your Vehicle is
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It
Out on page 4-15.If the vehicle has a traction system,
it can often help to free a stuck
vehicle. Refer to the vehicle’s
traction system in the Index. If stuck
too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the
traction system off and use the
rocking method.
{CAUTION
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin
at high speed, they can explode,
and you or others could be
injured. The vehicle can overheat,
causing an engine compartment
re or other damage. Spin the
wheels as little as possible and
avoid going above 35 mph
(55 km/h) as shown on the
speedometer.
For information about using tire
chains on the vehicle, seeTire
Chains on page 5-54.
Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out
Turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around
the front wheels. Turn off any
traction or stability system. Shift
back and forth between R (Reverse)
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 shifting, and
press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in
gear. Slowly spinning the wheels in
the forward and reverse directions
causes a rocking motion that
could free the vehicle. If that does
not get the vehicle out after a
few tries, it might need to be towed
out. If the vehicle does need to
be towed out, seeTowing Your
Vehicle on page 4-20.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-15

3. Set the parking brake.
4. Turn the ignition to
ACC/ACCESSORY.
5. Shift the transmission to
N (Neutral).
6. To prevent the battery from
draining while the vehicle is being
towed, remove the 50 amp
BATT1 fuse from the underhood
fuse block and store in a safe
location. SeeUnderhood
Fuse Block on page 5-92.
7. Release the parking brake.
Notice:If the vehicle is towed
without performing each of
the steps listed under “Dinghy
Towing,” the automatic
transmission could be damaged.
Be sure to follow all steps of
the dinghy towing procedure prior
to and after towing the vehicle.Notice:If 65 mph (105 km/h) is
exceeded while towing the
vehicle, it could be damaged.
Never exceed 65 mph (105 km/h)
while towing the vehicle.
Once the destination is reached:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Reinstall the 50 amp BATT1 fuse
to the underhood fuse block.
3. Shift the transmission to P (Park),
turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF
and remove the key from
the ignition.
4. Disconnect the vehicle from the
towing vehicle.
Notice:Do not tow a vehicle
with the front drive wheels on the
ground if one of the front tires
is a compact spare tire. Towing
with two different tire sizes on the
front of the vehicle can cause
severe damage to the
transmission.Dolly Towing (All-Wheel-Drive
Vehicles)
All-wheel-drive vehicles must not be
towed with two wheels on the
ground. To properly tow these
vehicles, they should be placed on
a platform trailer with all four
wheels off of the ground or dinghy
towed from the front.
4-22 Driving Your Vehicle

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

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
Black: Ground
Light Green: Back-up Lamps
Red/Black: Battery Feed
Dark Blue: Trailer Brake*
*The fuse for this circuit is 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 the back-up lamp circuit is not
functional, contact your
dealer/retailer.If a remote (non-vehicle) battery is
being charged, press the Tow/Haul
mode switch located on the center
console near the climate controls.
This will boost the vehicle system
voltage and properly charge the
battery. If the trailer is too light for
Tow/Haul mode, 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
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-21.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-33

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

Battery
This vehicle has a maintenance free
battery. When it is time for a new
battery, see your dealer/retailer
for one that has the replacement
number shown on the original
battery’s label.
For battery replacement, see your
dealer/retailer or the service manual.
To purchase a service manual,
seeService Publications Ordering
Information on page 7-15.
Warning:Battery posts, terminals,
and related accessories contain
lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and
reproductive harm. Wash hands
after handling.
Vehicle Storage
{CAUTION
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful. SeeJump Starting
on page 5-28for tips on working
around a battery without
getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: If the vehicle is
driven infrequently, remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery. This helps keep the battery
from running down.
Extended Storage: For extended
storage of the vehicle, remove
the black, negative (−) cable from
the battery or use a battery
trickle charger. This helps maintain
the charge of the battery over
an extended period of time.
Jump Starting
If the vehicle’s battery has run
down, you may want to use another
vehicle and some jumper cables
to start your vehicle. Be sure to use
the following steps to do it safely.
{CAUTION
Batteries can hurt you. They can
be dangerous because:
They contain acid that can
burn you.
They contain gas that can
explode or ignite.
They contain enough
electricity to burn you.
If you do not follow these steps
exactly, some or all of these
things can hurt you.
5-28 Service and Appearance Care

Notice:Ignoring these steps
could result in costly damage to
your vehicle that would not
be covered by your warranty.
Trying to start your vehicle
by pushing or pulling it will
not work, and it could damage
your vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must
have a 12-volt battery with a
negative ground system.
Notice:If the other vehicle’s
system is not a 12-volt system
with a negative ground, both
vehicles can be damaged. Only
use vehicles with 12-volt systems
with negative grounds to jump
start your vehicle.2. Get the vehicles close enough so
the jumper cables can reach, but
be sure the vehicles are not
touching each other. If they are, it
could cause a ground connection
you do not want. You would not
be able to start your vehicle, and
the bad grounding could damage
the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the
vehicles rolling, set the parking
brake rmly on both vehicles
involved in the jump start
procedure. Put an automatic
transmission in P (Park) or a
manual transmission in Neutral
before setting the parking brake.
If one of the vehicles is a
four-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure
the transfer case is not in Neutral.Notice:If you leave the radio
or other accessories on during
the jump starting procedure,
they could be damaged. The
repairs would not be covered
by the warranty. Always turn off
the radio and other accessories
when jump starting the vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both
vehicles. Unplug unnecessary
accessories plugged into the
cigarette lighter or the accessory
power outlets. Turn off the radio
and all lamps that are not needed.
This will avoid sparks and help
save both batteries. And it could
save the radio!
Service and Appearance Care 5-29

4. Open the hoods and locate the
positive (+) and negative (−)
terminal locations on the other
vehicle. Your vehicle has a
remote positive (+) and a
remote negative (−) jump
starting terminal. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-10for more information
on the terminal locations.
{CAUTION
Using a match near a battery can
cause battery gas to explode.
People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded. Use
a ashlight if you need more light.
Be sure the batteries have
enough water. You do not need
to add water to the ACDelco
®
battery (or batteries) installed in
your new vehicle. But if a battery
has ller caps, be sure the right
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
amount of uid is there. If it is
low, add water to take care of that
rst. If you do not, explosive gas
could be present.
Battery uid contains acid that
can burn you. Do not get it on
you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, ush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
{CAUTION
Fans or other moving engine
parts can injure you badly. Keep
your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.5. Check that the jumper cables
do not have loose or missing
insulation. If they do, you could
get a shock. The vehicles
could be damaged too.
Before you connect the cables,
here are some basic things you
should know. Positive (+) will go
to positive (+) or to a remote
positive (+) terminal if the vehicle
has one. Negative (−) will go to a
heavy, unpainted metal engine
part or to a remote negative (−)
terminal if the vehicle has one.
Do not connect positive (+) to
negative (−) or you will get a short
that would damage the battery
and maybe other parts too. And
do not connect the negative (−)
cable to the negative (−) terminal
on the dead battery because this
can cause sparks.
5-30 Service and Appearance Care

6. Connect the red positive (+)
cable to the positive (+) terminal
of the dead battery.
Use a remote positive (+)
terminal if the vehicle has one.7. Do not let the other end
touch metal. Connect it to the
positive (+) terminal of the good
battery. Use a remote positive (+)
terminal if the vehicle has one.
8. Now connect the black
negative (−) cable to the
negative (−) terminal of the
good battery. Use a remote
negative (−) terminal if the
vehicle has one.
Do not let the other end touch
anything until the next step.
The other end of the negative (−)
cable does not go to the dead
battery. It goes to a heavy,
unpainted metal engine part, or to
a remote negative (−) terminal on
the vehicle with the dead battery.9. Connect the other end of the
negative (−) cable at least
18 inches (45 cm) away from
the dead battery, but not near
engine parts that move.
The electrical connection is just
as good there, and the chance
of sparks getting back to the
battery is much less.
Your vehicle has a remote
negative (−) terminal for this
purpose.
Service and Appearance Care 5-31

10. Now start the vehicle with the
good battery and run the
engine for a while.
11. Try to start the vehicle that had
the dead battery. If it will not
start after a few tries, it probably
needs service.
Notice:If the jumper cables
are connected or removed in the
wrong order, electrical shorting
may occur and damage the
vehicle. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Always
connect and remove the jumper
cables in the correct order,
making sure that the cables do not
touch each other or other metal.A. Heavy, Unpainted Metal Engine
Part or Remote Negative (−)
Terminal
B. Good Battery or Remote
Positive (+) and Remote
Negative (−) Terminals
C. Dead Battery or Remote
Positive (+) TerminalTo disconnect the jumper cables
from both vehicles, do the following:
1. Disconnect the black negative (−)
cable from the vehicle that had
the dead battery.
2. Disconnect the black negative (−)
cable from the vehicle with the
good battery.
3. Disconnect the red positive (+)
cable from the vehicle with the
good battery.
4. Disconnect the red positive (+)
cable from the other vehicle. Jumper Cable Removal
5-32 Service and Appearance Care