engine coolant GMC ACADIA 2013 User Guide

Black plate (1,1)Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 12/11/12
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . 10-2
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
Engine Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-7
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 10-9
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-10
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-11
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-12
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-12
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-16 Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-17
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . 10-18
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-19
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-22
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-23
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Windshield Replacement . . . 10-25
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . 10-26
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . 10-39
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-45
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-47
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50

Black plate (6,1)Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 12/11/12
10-6 Vehicle Care
1. Remote Negative (−) Terminal.See Jump Starting on
page 10‑68.
2. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10‑28.
3. Radiator Pressure Cap (Out of View). See Cooling System on
page 10‑12.
4. Engine Coolant Recovery Cap. See Cooling System on
page 10‑12.
5. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting on
page 10‑68.
6. Power Steering Reservoir and Cap (Under Engine Cover). See
Power Steering Fluid on
page 10‑18.
7. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” underEngine
Oil on page 10‑7.
8. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking Engine
Oil” under Engine Oil on
page 10‑7. 9. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of
View). See Cooling System on
page 10‑12.
10. Engine Cover on page 10‑6.
11. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” underBrakes on
page 10‑19.
12. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid on
page 10‑18.
13. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑11.Engine Cover
1. Oil Fill Cap
2. Engine Cover
To remove:
1. Remove the oil fill cap (1).
2. Raise the engine cover (2) to
release it from the retainers.
3. Lift and remove the engine cover.
4. Reverse Steps 1–3 to reinstall engine cover.

Black plate (12,1)Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 12/11/12
10-12 Vehicle Care
Cooling System
The cooling system allows the
engine to maintain the correct
working temperature.
1. Radiator Pressure Cap (UnderSight Shield)
2. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
3. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View)
{WARNING
An electric engine cooling fan
under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can cause injury. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{WARNING
Heater and radiator hoses, and
other engine parts, can be very
hot. Do not touch them. If you do,
you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak. If you run the engine, it
could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you
could be burned. Get any leak
fixed before you drive the vehicle.
Notice: Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL
®can cause premature
engine, heater core, or radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant could require changing
sooner, at 50 000 km (30,000 mi)
or 24 months, whichever occurs
first. Any repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always use DEX-COOL
(silicate-free) coolant in the
vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is
filled with DEX-COOL®engine
coolant. See Maintenance Schedule
on page 11‑2 andRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on
page 11‑12.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
see Engine Overheating on
page 10‑16.

Black plate (13,1)Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 12/11/12
Vehicle Care 10-13
What to Use
{WARNING
Adding only plain water or some
other liquid to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water
and other liquids, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The coolant warning system is set
for the proper coolant mixture.
With plain water or the wrong
mixture, the engine could get too
hot but you would not get the
overheat warning. The engine
could catch fire and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/
50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant.Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. If using this mixture,
nothing else needs to be added.
This mixture:.Gives freezing protection down
to
−37°C (−34°F), outside
temperature.
.Gives boiling protection up to
129°C (265°F), engine
temperature.
.Protects against rust and
corrosion.
.Will not damage aluminum parts.
.Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Notice: If improper coolant
mixture, inhibitors, or additives
are used in the vehicle cooling
system, the engine could
overheat and be damaged. Too
much water in the mixture can
freeze and crack engine cooling
parts. The repairs would not be
covered by the warranty. Use only
the proper mixture of engine coolant for the cooling system.
See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑12.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on
the ground, or into sewers, streams,
or bodies of water. Have the coolant
changed by an authorized service
center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used
coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant recovery tank. If the
coolant inside the coolant recovery
tank is boiling, do not do anything
else until it cools down. If coolant is
visible but the coolant level is not at
or above the FULL COLD mark, add
a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant at the
coolant recovery tank, but be sure

Black plate (14,1)Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 12/11/12
10-14 Vehicle Care
the cooling system is cool before
this is done. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 10‑16.
The coolant recovery tank cap has
this symbol on it.
When the engine is cold, the coolant
level should be at or above the
FULL COLD line marked on the
recovery tank.
When the engine is hot, the level
could be higher than the FULL
COLD line. If the coolant is below
the FULL COLD line when the
engine is hot, there could be a leak
in the cooling system.
If the coolant is low, add the coolant
or take the vehicle to a dealer for
service.
How to Add Coolant to the
Recovery Tank
{WARNING
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
Notice: This vehicle has a
specific coolant fill procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure
could cause the engine to
overheat and be severely
damaged.
If coolant is needed, add the proper
DEX-COOL coolant mixture at the
coolant recovery tank.
How to Add Coolant to the
Radiator
{WARNING
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system can blow out
and burn you badly. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the surge tank pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling
system and surge tank pressure
cap to cool.
If coolant is needed, add the proper
mixture directly to the radiator, but
be sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done.

Black plate (15,1)Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 12/11/12
Vehicle Care 10-15
1. Detach the fasteners and lift offthe panel that covers the
radiator cap.
2. Remove the radiator pressurecap when the cooling system,
including the upper radiator
hose, is no longer hot. Turn the
pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about one
full turn.
If a hiss is heard, wait for that to
stop. A hiss means there is still
some pressure left in the
system.
3. Keep turning the pressure cap slowly and remove it.
4. Fill the radiator to the base of the filler neck with the proper
DEX-COOL coolant mixture.
5. Fill the coolant recovery tank tothe FULL COLD mark.
6. Reinstall the cap on the coolant recovery tank but leave the
radiator pressure cap off.
7. Start the engine and let it run until the upper radiator hose
feels warm. Any time during this
procedure, watch out for the
engine cooling fans.

Black plate (16,1)Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 12/11/12
10-16 Vehicle Care
8. If the coolant level inside theradiator filler neck is low, add
more of the proper DEX-COOL
coolant mixture through the filler
neck until the level is back up to
the base of the filler neck.
9. Replace the pressure cap tightly. At any time during this
procedure if coolant begins to
flow out of the filler neck,
reinstall the pressure cap.
Notice: If the pressure cap is not
tightly installed, coolant loss and
possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has several indicators
to warn of engine overheating.
There is an engine coolant
temperature gauge on the
instrument panel cluster. See
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
on page 5‑12. The vehicle may also display an
ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE
ENGINE and ENGINE
OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE
message in the Driver Information
Center (DIC). See
Engine Cooling
System Messages on page 5‑33.
You may decide not to lift the hood
when this warning appears, but
instead get service help right away.
See Roadside Assistance Program
(Mexico) on page 13‑7 orRoadside
Assistance Program (U.S. and
Canada) on page 13‑10.
If you do decide to lift the hood,
make sure the vehicle is parked on
a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine
cooling fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, both fans
should be running. If they are not,
do not continue to run the engine
and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Running the engine
without coolant may cause
damage or a fire. Vehicle damage
would not be covered by the warranty. See
Overheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode on
page 10‑17 for information on
driving to a safe place in an
emergency.
If Steam Is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
{WARNING
Steam from an overheated engine
can burn you badly, even if you
just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Turn it off
and get everyone away from the
vehicle until it cools down. Wait
until there is no sign of steam or
coolant before you open
the hood.
If you keep driving when the
vehicles engine is overheated,
the liquids in it can catch fire. You
or others could be badly burned.
(Continued)

Black plate (18,1)Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 12/11/12
10-18 Vehicle Care
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. See
Engine Oil on page 10‑7.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid reservoir is
located under the engine cover on
the passenger side of the vehicle.
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑5 for reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering
Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly
check power steering fluid unless
you suspect there is a leak in the
system or you hear an unusual
noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering
Fluid
To check the power steering fluid:
1. Turn the key off and let the
engine compartment cool down.
2. Remove the engine cover. See Engine Cover on page 10‑6.
3. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.
4. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
5. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
6. Remove the cap again and look at the fluid level on the dipstick. The fluid level should be
somewhere between the MAX and
MIN line on the dipstick in room
temperature. If the fluid is on or
below the MIN line, add fluid close
to the MAX Line.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to
use, see
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑12. Always
use the proper fluid.
Notice: Use of the incorrect fluid
may damage the vehicle and the
damages may not be covered by
the vehicle's warranty. Always
use the correct fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑12.
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When adding windshield washer
fluid, be sure to read the
manufacturer's instructions before
use. If the vehicle will be operating
in an area where the temperature

Black plate (19,1)Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 12/11/12
Vehicle Care 10-19
may fall below freezing, use a fluid
that has sufficient protection against
freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
When the windshield washer fluid
reservoir is low, a WASHER FLUID
LOW ADD FLUID message will be
displayed on the Driver Information
Center (DIC). SeeWasher Fluid
Messages on page 5‑41 for more
information.
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer fluid until
the tank is full. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑5 for reservoir location. Notice
.When using concentrated
washer fluid, follow the
manufacturer instructions for
adding water.
.Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the solution
to freeze and damage the
washer fluid tank and other
parts of the washer system.
.Fill the washer fluid tank only
three-quarters full when it is
very cold. This allows for
fluid expansion if freezing
occurs, which could damage
the tank if it is
completely full.
.Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the windshield
washer. It can damage the
windshield washer system
and paint.
Brakes
This vehicle has 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 the vehicle is
moving, except when applying the
brake pedal firmly.
{WARNING
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
a crash. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.
Notice: Continuing to drive with
worn-out brake pads could result
in costly brake repair.

Black plate (3,1)Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 12/11/12
Service and Maintenance 11-3
for more than a year. The engine oil
and filter must be changed at least
once a year and the oil life system
must be reset. Your trained dealer
technician can perform this work.
If the engine oil life system is reset
accidentally, service the vehicle
within 5 000 km/3,000 mi since the
last service. Reset the oil life
system when the oil is changed.
SeeEngine Oil Life System on
page 10‑9.
Tire Rotation and Required
Services Every 12 000 km/
7,500 mi
Rotate the tires, if recommended for
the vehicle, and perform the
following services. See Tire
Rotation on page 10‑50.
.Check engine oil level and oil
life percentage. If needed,
change engine oil and filter, and
reset oil life system. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑7 andEngine Oil
Life System on page 10‑9.
.Check engine coolant level. See
Engine Coolant on page 10‑12.
.Check windshield washer fluid
level. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑18.
.Visually inspect windshield wiper
blades for wear, cracking,
or contamination. See Exterior
Care on page 10‑75. Replace
worn or damaged wiper blades.
See Wiper Blade Replacement
on page 10‑24.
.Check tire inflation pressures.
See Tire Pressure on
page 10‑45.
.Inspect tire wear. See Tire
Inspection on page 10‑50.
.Visually check for fluid leaks.
.Inspect engine air cleaner filter.
See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑11.
.Inspect brake system.
.Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damaged, loose,
or missing parts or signs of
wear. See Exterior Care on
page 10‑75.
.Check restraint system
components. See Safety System
Check on page 3‑22.
.Visually inspect fuel system for
damage or leaks.
.Visually inspect exhaust system
and nearby heat shields for
loose or damaged parts.
.Lubricate body components. See
Exterior Care on page 10‑75.
.Check starter switch. See Starter
Switch Check on page 10‑22.
.Check automatic transmission
shift lock control function. See
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function Check on
page 10‑23.