check engine GMC ACADIA 2020 Owner's Guide

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13687875) - 2020 - CRC - 10/28/19
Vehicle Care 259
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 260
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 261
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 271
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 273
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 279
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282 Battery - North America . . . . . . 283
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 284
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 285
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 285
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 286
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . 288
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 289
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 289
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299 Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 300
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Tire Terminology and
Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Tire Pressure for High-Speed
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 318
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13687875) - 2020 - CRC - 10/28/19
Vehicle Care 269
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0273.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0269.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0269.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 275.
5. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 281.
6. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0282.
7. Battery - North America 0283.
8. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Cooling System 0275.
9. Positive (+) Battery Terminal. See Jump Starting - North
America 0335.
10. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0290.
11. Remote Negative (-) Battery Terminal. See Jump Starting -
North America 0335.Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.
Use engine oil approved to the
proper specification and of the
proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
. Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
. Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System 0271.
. Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly,
every 650 km (400 mi), especially
prior to a long trip. The engine oil dipstick handle is a loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0
264 for the location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
If a low oil Driver Information Center
(DIC) message displays, check the
oil level.
Follow these guidelines:
. To get an accurate reading, park
the vehicle on level ground.
Check the engine oil level after
the engine has been off for at
least two hours. Checking the
engine oil level on steep grades
or too soon after engine shutoff
can result in incorrect readings.
Accuracy improves when
checking a cold engine prior to
starting. Remove the dipstick
and check the level.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13687875) - 2020 - CRC - 10/28/19
270 Vehicle Care
.If unable to wait two hours, the
engine must be off for at least
15 minutes if the engine is
warm, or at least 30 minutes if
the engine is not warm. Pull out
the dipstick, wipe it with a clean
paper towel or cloth, then push it
back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and
check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
2.0L L4 Turbo Engine
2.5L L4 Engine
3.6L V6 Engine
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick and
the engine has been off for at least
15 minutes, add 1 L (1 qt) of the
recommended oil and then recheck
the level. See “Selecting the Right
Engine Oil” later in this section for
an explanation of what kind of oil to
use. For engine oil crankcase
capacity, see Capacities and
Specifications 0366.
Caution
Do not add too much oil. Oil
levels above or below the
acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful
to the engine. If the oil level is
above the operating range (i.e.,
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
the engine has so much oil that
the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows
the proper operating range), the
engine could be damaged. Drain
the excess oil or limit driving of
the vehicle, and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview
0 264 for the location of the engine
oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when through.
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil
depends on both the proper oil
specification and viscosity grade.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0362.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13687875) - 2020 - CRC - 10/28/19
272 Vehicle Care
include engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For
the oil life system to work properly,
the system must be reset every time
the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated
that oil life has been diminished, it
indicates that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message comes on.
Change the oil as soon as possible
within the next 1 000 km (600 mi).
It is possible that, if driving under
the best conditions, the oil life
system might indicate that an oil
change is not necessary for up to a
year. The engine oil and filter must
be changed at least once a year
and, at this time, the system must
be reset. Your dealer has trained
service people who will perform this
work and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly
over the course of an oil drain
interval and keep it at the proper
level.If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change. To reset the
system:
1. Display the REMAINING OIL LIFE on the DIC. See Driver
Information Center (DIC)
(Base) 0137 or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Midlevel and Uplevel) 0139.
2. Press and hold
Von the DIC
while the Oil Life display is
active. The oil life will change
to 100%.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message comes back on when the
vehicle is started, the engine oil life
system has not been reset. Repeat
the procedure.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only
reason for fluid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to the
dealer and have it repaired as soon
as possible.
Change the fluid at the intervals
listed in Maintenance Schedule
0 353, and be sure to use the
transmission fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0362.
Caution
Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission fluid may damage
the vehicle, and the damage may
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always use the correct
automatic transmission fluid. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0362.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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Vehicle Care 273
If you need to check the
transmission fluid level, take the
vehicle to your dealer.
Engine Air Filter Life
System
If equipped, this feature provides
the engine air filter’s remaining life
and best timing for a change. The
timing to change an engine air filter
depends on driving and
environmental conditions.
When to Change Engine Air
Filter
When the Driver Information Center
(DIC) displays a message to replace
the engine air filter at the next oil
change, follow this timing.
When the DIC displays a message
to replace the engine air filter soon,
replace the engine air filter at the
earliest convenience.
The system must be reset after the
engine air filter is changed. If the DIC displays a message to
check the engine air filter system,
see your dealer.
How to Reset Engine Air Filter
Life System
To reset:
1. Place the vehicle in P (Park).
2. Display the Air Filter Life on the DIC. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) (Base) 0137 or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Midlevel and Uplevel) 0139.
3. Press
pto move to the Reset/
Disable display area. Select
Reset then press
V.
4. Press
Vto confirm to reset.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/filter is in the
engine compartment on the
passenger side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0 264 for location.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
If the vehicle is not equipped with
the engine air filter life system, see
Maintenance Schedule 0353 for
intervals on inspecting and
replacing the engine air cleaner/
filter.
If equipped with the engine air filter
life system, see Engine Air Filter
Life System 0273.
How to Inspect/Replace the
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
Do not start the engine or have the
engine running with the engine air
cleaner/filter housing open. Before
removing the engine air cleaner/
filter, make sure that the engine air
cleaner/filter housing and nearby
components are free of dirt and
debris. Do not clean the engine air
cleaner/filter or components with
water or compressed air.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13687875) - 2020 - CRC - 10/28/19
276 Vehicle Care
3.6L V6 Engine
1. Engine Cooling Fan (Outof View)
2. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
{Warning
An underhood electric fan 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
Do not touch heater or radiator
hoses, or other engine parts.
They can be very hot and can
burn you. Do not run the engine if
there is a leak; all coolant could
leak out. That could cause an
engine fire and can burn you. Fix
any leak before driving the
vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is
filled with DEX-COOL engine
coolant. This coolant needs to be
checked and replaced at
appropriate intervals. See
Maintenance Schedule 0353.
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 0279.
What to Use
{Warning
Do not touch heater or radiator
hoses, or other engine parts.
They can be very hot and can
burn you. Do not run the engine if
there is a leak; all coolant could
leak out. That could cause an
engine fire and can burn you. Fix
any leak before driving the
vehicle.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. 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.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13687875) - 2020 - CRC - 10/28/19
Vehicle Care 277
.Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Caution
Do not use anything other than a
mix of DEX-COOL coolant that
meets GM Standard
GMW3420 and clean, drinkable
water. Anything else can cause
damage to the engine cooling
system and the vehicle, which
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
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 surge tank. If the coolant
inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until
it cools down. See Engine
Overheating 0279.
The coolant surge tank is located in
the engine compartment on the
driver side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0 264.
{Warning
Spilling coolant on hot engine
parts can burn you. Coolant
contains ethylene glycol and it will
burn if the engine parts are hot
enough.
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system are under
pressure. Turning the pressure
cap, even a little, can cause them
to come out at high speed and
you could be burned. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
pressure cap to cool.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13687875) - 2020 - CRC - 10/28/19
278 Vehicle Care
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such
as alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will. With
plain water or the wrong mixture,
the engine could get too hot but
there would not be an overheat
warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be
burned.
Caution
Failure to follow the specific
coolant fill procedure could cause
the engine to overheat and could
cause system damage. If coolant
is not visible in the surge tank,
contact your dealer.
If no problem is found, check to see
if coolant is visible in the coolant
surge tank. If coolant is visible but
the coolant level is not at or above
the indicated mark, add a 50/
50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL coolant. Be sure
the cooling system, including the
coolant surge tank pressure cap, is
cool before you do it.
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank (2.5L and
3.6L Engines Only)
1. Remove the coolant surge tank
pressure cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is no
longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about
one-quarter of a turn. If you
hear a hiss, wait for that to
stop. This will allow any
pressure still left to be vented
out the discharge hose. 2. Keep turning the pressure cap
slowly and remove it.3. Fill the coolant surge tank withthe proper mixture to the
indicated level mark.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until you
can feel the upper radiator
hose getting hot. Watch out for
the engine cooling fan.
By this time, the coolant level
inside the coolant surge tank
may be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13687875) - 2020 - CRC - 10/28/19
Vehicle Care 279
mixture to the coolant surge
tank until the level reaches the
indicated level mark.
5. Replace the pressure cap tightly.
6. Verify coolant level after the engine is shut off and the
coolant is cold. If necessary,
repeat coolant fill procedure
Steps 1–6.
If the coolant still is not at the
proper level when the system
cools down again, see your
dealer.
Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and engine
damage may occur. Be sure the
cap is properly and tightly
secured.
Automatic Coolant Service Fill
(2.0L Engine Only)
If equipped, this feature assists in
filling and removing air from the
cooling system after service of
components or when coolant is
added after being too low.
To activate the fill and air removal
process:
1. With a cold system, disconnect the vent line from the port near
the cap on the surge tank. Add
coolant to the indicated mark
on the surge tank.
2. Reconnect the vent line to the surge tank and replace the cap
on the surge tank.
3. Connect the vehicle to a battery charger.
4. Put the vehicle in Service Mode. See Ignition Positions
0 190.
5. Turn off the air conditioning.
6. Set the parking brake. 7. At the same time, press the
accelerator and the brake for
automatic transmission
vehicles for two seconds, then
release.
At the end of the cycle, check the
coolant level in the surge tank and
add coolant, if it is low. Turn off the
vehicle, allow the Engine Control
Module (ECM) to go to sleep, about
two minutes, and repeat steps 3-7.
Listen for pump activation and
movement of the control valves
while watching the level of the tank.
If the tank empties, turn the ignition
off, carefully remove the surge tank
cap, refill to the indicated mark and
repeat steps 3-6. The fill and air
removal process will run for
approximately 10 minutes.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has several indicators
to warn of the engine overheating.
There is an engine coolant
temperature gauge on the
instrument cluster. See Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge 0123.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13687875) - 2020 - CRC - 10/28/19
280 Vehicle Care
The vehicle may also display a
message on the Driver Information
Center (DIC).
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when this warning appears,
get service help right away. See
Roadside Assistance Program
0374.
If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface. Then
check to see if the engine cooling
fan is running. If the engine is
overheating, the fan should be
running. If it is not, do not continue
to run the engine. Have the vehicle
serviced.
Caution
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak in the engine cooling system.
This can cause a loss of all
coolant and can damage the
system and vehicle. Have any
leaks fixed right away.
If Steam Is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system are under
pressure. Turning the pressure
cap, even a little, can cause them
to come out at high speed and
you could be burned. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
pressure cap to cool.
If No Steam Is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
. Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
. Stops after high-speed driving.
. Idles for long periods in traffic. If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam:
1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the
highest fan speed. Open the
windows as necessary.
3. When it is safe to do so, pull off the road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral), and let the
engine idle.
If the engine coolant temperature
gauge is no longer in the
overheated area, the vehicle can be
driven. Continue to drive the vehicle
slowly for about 10 minutes. Keep a
safe distance from the vehicle in
front. If the warning does not come
back on, continue to drive normally
and have the cooling system
checked for proper fill and function.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle
right away.