tow GMC ACADIA 2007 User Guide

Keys.............................................................. 97
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System.......... 98
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation............................................... 100
Doors and Locks........................................ 106
Door Locks................................................ 106
Power Door Locks..................................... 107
Delayed Locking........................................ 107
Programmable Automatic Door Locks........ 107
Rear Door Security Locks......................... 108
Lockout Protection..................................... 108
Liftgate...................................................... 109
Power Liftgate........................................... 110
Windows...................................................... 114
Power Windows........................................ 115
Sun Visors................................................ 117Theft-Deterrent Systems............................. 118
Content Theft-Deterrent............................. 118
PASS-Key
®III+......................................... 120
PASS-Key®III+ Operation......................... 121
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle......... 123
New Vehicle Break-In................................ 123
Ignition Positions....................................... 124
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)............. 125
Starting the Engine.................................... 126
Engine Coolant Heater.............................. 127
Automatic Transmission Operation............. 129
Tow/Haul Mode......................................... 133
Parking Brake........................................... 134
Shifting Into Park (P)................................. 135
Shifting Out of Park (P)............................. 137
Parking Over Things That Burn................. 137
Engine Exhaust......................................... 138
Running the Engine While Parked............. 139
Section 2 Features and Controls
95

Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an
elaborate break-in. But it will perform better in
the long run if you follow these guidelines:
If you have all-wheel drive, keep your
speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for
the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not drive at any one constant speed,
fast or slow, for the rst 500 miles
(805 km). Do not make full-throttle starts.
Avoid downshifting to brake, or slow,
the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
the new brake linings are not yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can
mean premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get new brake
linings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. See
Towing a Trailer on page 371for the
trailer towing capabilities of your vehicle
and more information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can
be gradually increased.
123

Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition, you can turn it to four
different positions.
A (OFF):This is the only position in which you
can remove the key. This position locks the ignition
and transmission.
Notice:Using a tool to force the key from the
ignition switch could cause damage or
break the key. Use the correct key and turn the
key only with your hand. Make sure the key
is all the way in. If none of this works,
then your vehicle needs service.B (ACCESSORY):This position allows you to use
things like the radio and the windshield wipers
while the engine is off. This position will also allow
you to turn off the engine. Use ACCESSORY if
you must have your vehicle in motion while
the engine is off, for example, if your vehicle is
being pushed or towed.
C (ON):This is the position that the switch
returns to after you start your engine and release
the key. The switch stays in ON when the
engine is running. But even when the engine is
not running, you can use ON to operate your
electrical power accessories, and to display some
instrument panel warning lights.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key
in the ACCESSORY or ON position with the
engine off. You may not be able to start your
vehicle if the battery is allowed to drain for
an extended period of time.
D (START):This position starts the engine. When
the engine starts, release the key. The ignition
switch will return to ON for normal driving.
124

Automatic Transmission Operation
Your vehicle has an electronic shift position
indicator within the instrument panel cluster.
When using the Electronic Range Select Mode a
number will display next to the L, indicating
the current gear that has been selected.
See Electronic Range Select mode in this section
for more information.
Your automatic transmission has a shift lever
located on the console between the seats.
PARK (P):This position locks your front wheels. It
is the best position to use when you start your
engine because your vehicle cannot move easily.{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake rmly set. Your
vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle will not
move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, always set your parking brake
and move the shift lever to PARK (P). See
Shifting Into Park (P) on page 135.Ifyou
are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer
on page 371.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P)
before starting the engine. Your vehicle has an
automatic transmission shift lock control system.
129

You must fully apply your regular brake rst and
then press the shift lever button before you
can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition key is in
ON. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease
pressure on the shift lever, then push the
shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as you
maintain brake application. Then press the shift
lever button and move the shift lever into another
gear. SeeShifting Out of Park (P) on page 137.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Shift to REVERSE (R) only
after your vehicle is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of
snow, ice or sand without damaging your
transmission, seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 360.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does
not connect with the wheels. To restart when
you are already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Also, use NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is
being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is rmly on
the brake pedal, your vehicle could move
very rapidly. You could lose control and
hit people or objects. Do not shift into a
drive gear while your engine is running at
high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) with the engine running at high
speed may damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Be sure the engine is not running at high
speed when shifting your vehicle.
130

DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving. It
provides the best fuel economy for your vehicle. If
you need more power for passing, and you are:
Going less than 35 mph (56 km/h), push
your accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or more, push
the accelerator all the way down.
Notice:If your vehicle seems to accelerate
slowly or not shift gears when you go faster,
and you continue to drive your vehicle that
way, you could damage the transmission. Have
your vehicle serviced right away. You can
drive in LOW (L) when you are driving less than
35 mph (56 km/h) and DRIVE (D) for higher
speeds until then.
LOW (L):This position gives you access to gear
ranges. This provides more engine braking but
lower fuel economy than DRIVE (D). You can use
it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud.
Electronic Range Select Mode
Electronic Range Selector (ERS) mode allows you
to choose the top-gear limit of the vehicle’s
transmission and the vehicle’s speed while driving
down hill or towing a trailer.
To use this feature, do the following:
1. Move the shift lever to LOW (L).
2. Press the plus/minus
button located on the
shift lever, to
increase or decrease
the gear range
available based
upon your current
driving conditions
and needs.
131

When you shift from DRIVE (D) to LOW (L), the
transmission will shift to a pre-determined
lower gear range. The highest gear available for
this pre-determined range is displayed next to
the L in the DIC. SeeDriver Information Center
(DIC) on page 232andDIC Operation and
Displays (With DIC Buttons) on page 233orDIC
Operation and Displays (Without DIC Buttons)
on page 239for more information. The number
displayed in the DIC is the highest gear that
the transmission will be allowed to operate in.
However, your vehicle can automatically shift to
lower gears as required by various driving
conditions. This means that all gears below that
number are available. For example, when
FOURTH (4) is shown next to the L, FIRST (1)
through FOURTH (4) gears are automatically
shifted by the vehicle. You cannot shift into
FIFTH (5) until the plus (+) button is used or you
shift back into DRIVE (D) mode.While in LOW (L), the transmission will prevent
shifting to a lower gear range if the engine speed
is too high for the gear range you are trying to
select. You have a brief period of time to slow the
vehicle speed. If vehicle speed is not reduced
within the timeframe allowed, the lower gear range
attempted will not be available. The highest
possible gear that is allowed for that engine speed
will display next to the L in the DIC. Try again
to slow the vehicle speed and press the minus (−)
button to the desired lower gear range.
Automatic Engine Grade braking is not available
when the ERS is active. It is available in
DRIVE (D) for both normal and Tow/Haul mode.
While using the ERS, cruise control and the
tow/haul mode can be used. SeeTow/Haul Mode
on page 133for more information.
132

Tow/Haul Mode
Your vehicle may have a Tow/Haul mode.
The button to turn it on
or off is located on
instrument panel under
the climate controls.
Push the button to turn it on, push it again to
deactivate the system. You can use this feature to
assist when towing or hauling a heavy load.
When Tow/Haul is activated the Tow/Haul symbol
will come on the instrument panel cluster. See
Tow/Haul ModeunderTowing a Trailer on
page 371for more information.
Automatic Engine Grade Braking
Automatic Engine Grade Braking assists when
driving on a downhill grade. It maintains the
vehicle’s speed by automatically implementing a
shift schedule that uses the engine and the
transmission to slow the vehicle. This reduces
wear on the brakes system and increases control
of the vehicle. The system constantly monitors
the vehicle’s speed, acceleration, throttle position,
and whether the brake pedal is being pressed,
and determines when to keep the current vehicle
speed or to slow down. The system will then
automatically command downshifts that reduces
the vehicle’s speed, until the brake pedal is
no longer being pressed. This indicates the desired
vehicle speed has been reached.
While in the Electronic Range Select (ERS) mode,
grade braking is deactivated, allowing the driver
to select a range and limiting the highest gear
available. Grade braking is available for normal
driving and in Tow/Haul mode.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation on
page 129.
133

Parking Brake
To set the parking
brake, push down the
parking brake pedal
down with your left foot.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will come on. SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 222.Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause
premature wear or damage to brake system
parts. Verify that the parking brake is fully
released and the brake warning light is
off before driving.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular
brake pedal down with your right foot. Push down
momentarily on the parking brake pedal with
your left foot until you feel the pedal release, then
slowly pull your foot up off the park brake
pedal. If the parking brake is not released when
you begin to drive, the brake system warning light
will be on and a chime will sound warning you
that the parking brake is still on.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on a hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 371.
134

Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly
set. Your vehicle can roll. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground,
use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 371.1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot
and set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding
in the button on the shift lever and pushing
the shift lever all the way toward the front
of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
135