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Angler3041 · 07-20-2011, 07:24 PM

I recently had 2008 Acadia set up to tow 4 down with Blue ox tow bar and Air Force 1. Owners manual says to disconnect battery to prevent drain. Does everyone remove a cable, or is there an easier way?
Thanks in Advance

Gary RVRoamer · 07-20-2011, 08:32 PM

Your manual is out of date. There is a 50A fuse that you pull - GM issued a TSB on that in June 2007 but the manuals did not get updated for some time. Here is the official procedure as shown in GM TSB #07-00-89-021A - (06/27/2007) for 2008 Buick Enclave, 2007 GMC Acadia and 2007 Saturn OUTLOOK

Quote:

Notice: If you tow your vehicle without performing each of the steps listed under "Dinghy Towing," you could damage the automatic transmission. Be sure to follow all steps of the dinghy towing procedure prior to and after towing your vehicle.
Notice: Don't 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.
Important: Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn OUTLOOK vehicles may only be dinghy towed from the front, with all four wheels on the ground.
1. Position the vehicle to tow and then secure it.
2. Shift transmission to PARK (P) and turn the ignition to OFF.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY.
5. Shift your transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
6. To prevent your battery from draining while the vehicle is being towed, remove the 50 amp BATT1 fuse in the UBEC, and store in a safe location.
7. Release the parking brake.
Once you have reached your destination, do the following steps:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Reinstall the BATT1 fuse.
3. Shift the transmission to PARK (P), turn the ignition key to OFF and remove the key from the ignition.
4. Release the parking brake.

The Batt1 fuse is under the hood in the main fuse box.

FlyingDiver · 07-20-2011, 08:33 PM

It's the same as the 2008 Buick Enclave we used to tow. I pulled the Batt # 1 fuse instead of disconnecting the battery. I got a replacement fuse at an auto parts store that was the same size, but a longer body which made it stick up above the other fuses, easier to pull out.

joe

Angler3041 · 07-21-2011, 05:41 AM

Thanks again for all the info. You would just leave the key in the ACC. position?

JDT · 07-21-2011, 01:31 PM

We just sold our 08 Acadia which also had the Blue Ox baseplate and an SMI Air Force One. Sold it to a friend who has a motorhome and wanted to update his toad. It towed very well and the brake system worked flawlessly.

Be sure you turn the key to ACC and not ignition. Even pulling the fuse will not keep the battery up if you turn the key to far. Made that mistake only once. Also, we bought a 2011 Acadia to replace the 08. The instructions now include pulling the 15 amp ECM fuse and the 50 amp Battery 1 fuse. I had already heard about this and started doing it in the 08.

I found a tall version of the 50 amp fuse at a Chrysler dealership which I think is used in a Jeep of some sort. Sure made things easier.