How to Check Engine Fluids 2007-16 GMC Acadia
Created on: 2016-10-11
How to check and refill the power steering, brake, and washer fluid, coolant, and engine oil on the 12 GMC Acadia
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step 1 :Checking the Brake Fluid
- Twist off the brake fluid reservoir cap
- Check the fluid level using a flashlight
- Check that fluid is clear
- If the fluid is dark or milky, flush and replace it
- Twist on the brake fluid reservoir cap
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step 2 :Checking the Windshield Washer Fluid
- Pull off the windshield washer fluid reservoir cap
- Fill the washer fluid reservoir to the top
- Snap on the washer fluid reservoir cap
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step 3 :Checking the Engine Oil
- Pull out the engine oil dipstick
- Clean off the dipstick
- Reinsert the dipstick
- Pull out the engine oil dipstick
- Check that the oil level is up to the hash marks
- Reinsert the dipstick
- If you need to add oil, twist off the oil fill cap
- Add oil as necessary, using a funnel
- Twist on the oil fill cap
- Recheck the oil level
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step 4 :Checking the Coolant
- Pull off the coolant reservoir cap
- Check the coolant level with a flashlight
- Add coolant as necessary
- Check that the coolant is clear
- If the coolant is dark or contaminated, flush and replace it
Tools needed
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Funnel
Flashlight
Cloth Rags
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In this video, we're going to be working with our 2012 GMC Acadia, 3.6 liter. We're going to show you how to inspect the level and conditions of all your vital under-hood fluids. Keeping these fluids in good shape and at the proper levels is crucial to making sure the systems that use them stay in good shape. If you like this video, please click subscribe. We have a ton more information on this vehicle as well as many other makes and models. If you need parts for your vehicle, follow the link down in the description of the 1AAuto.com.
Under the hood, we have our brake fluid reservoir which is actually down under the cowl here but we can access it and take a peek from where it's at now. We have our washer fluid reservoir. Down low, we have our transmission fill cap and dipstick, our oil dipstick, our oil fill cap and our radiator overflow tank. This radiator appears to be a sealed system, meaning we do not have a radiator cap and any filling and bleeding will take place through this reservoir.
Remove the brake fluid reservoir cap. Now, I like to use a light in the opening to inspect the level of the fluid, and it gives you a good idea of the color as well. Our maximum fill line is here, but we are still above the minimum line, which is normal because as your brake pads wear out, the caliper's piston sits farther and farther out to keep the pad nice and close to the rotor to make sure your brakes are right there when you hit the pedal. This space behind the piston as it moves out is filled with fluid from our reservoir. The only time you want to top up your brake fluid is after you've done new pads and rotors on all four corners and the calipers are completely compressed. Also, we can see that our fluid is pretty clear, doesn't look dark or milky in any way. If our brake fluid were dark or milky, we would want to flush it out and replace it with fresh, clean fluid.
Remove the cap on the windshield washer fluid. Fill it to capacity.
This particular vehicle is a little tricky to check the transmission fluid on, so we're going to make a separate video to show you how to do that.
After the vehicle has been sitting for a little while and on level ground, pull up and remove the oil dipstick. Wipe it off with a clean paper towel or rag. Reinsert it fully into the tube and remove it again. We can see where our dipstick is wet with oil these upper hash marks. They're going to mean that our oil is full. The bottom of the dipstick indicates one quart, so between these hash marks is full. Below means we need to add at least one quart of oil and re-check our level until it's back up in the specified range. Oil becomes dirty almost immediately after running in the vehicle when it's been changed, so you can't judge the condition of the oil based off of the coloration unless it has a milky color, indicating water contamination. If your oil level is down, remove the oil cap here and use the funnel to add oil. If you're below that line, add one quart at a time, and continually re-check until you've topped it up fully.
Just like our brake fluid, we'll open the cap for our coolant reservoir. We'll put the light over the top so we can see more easily where our fluid's at. We can see that it's a nice bright orange which is good. This particular vehicle does use an orange coolant. However, we are well below the full line here on the side of the tank, so we'll have to top that back up with GM-approved coolant.
Thanks for watching. Visit us at 1AAuto.com for quality auto parts, fast and free shipping and the best customer service in the industry.
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