ignition GMC ACADIA 2008 Owner's Guide

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 3-47.Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Make sure
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, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-30.
2-35

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 4-30.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-35for more information.
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 LOCK/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).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is rmly set before you leave it. After you
have moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move
the shift lever away from PARK (P) without rst pushing
the button.
If you can, it means that the shift lever was not fully
locked in PARK (P).
2-36

Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transmission. You may nd it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called torque lock. To
prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver’s
seat. To nd out how, seeShifting Into PARK (P) on
page 2-36.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)beforeyou release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push your vehicle a little uphill to take some of
the pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission,
so you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
This vehicle is equipped with an electronic shift lock
release system. The shift lock release is designed to:
Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift lever is
in PARK (P) with the shift lever button fully released,
and
Prevent movement of the shift lever out of
PARK (P), unless the ignition is in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY and the regular brake pedal is
applied.The shift lock release is always functional except in the
case of an uncharged or low voltage (less than 9 volt)
battery.
If your vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery
with low voltage, try charging or jump starting the
battery. SeeJump Starting on page 5-39for more
information.
To shift out of PARK (P) use the following:
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Then press the shift lever button.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still are unable to shift out of PARK (P):
1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, press the shift
lever button again.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from PARK (P),
consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service.
2-37

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®
When you are sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind your
vehicle. Hold the mirror in the center to move it up or
down and side to side. The day/night adjustment allows
you to adjust the mirror to avoid glare from the lamps
behind you. Move the lever to the right for nighttime use
and to the left for daytime use.
There may also be three OnStar
®buttons located at the
bottom of the mirror face. See your dealer/retailer for
more information on the system and how to subscribe to
OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-47for more
information on the services OnStar®provides.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®and Compass
Your vehicle may have an automatic-dimming rearview
mirror with a compass.There may be three additional buttons for the OnStar
®
system. See your dealer/retailer for more information on
the system and how to subscribe to OnStar®. See
OnStar®System on page 2-47for more information about
the services OnStar®provides.
O(On/Off):This is the on/off button.
Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation
The automatic dimming mirror comes on each time the
ignition is turned to start. To turn the automatic
dimming feature off or back on, press the on/off button.
The indicator light on the mirror is lit when the
automatic dimming feature is on.
Compass Operation
Press the on/off button once to turn the compass on
or off.
There is a compass display in the window in the upper
right corner of the mirror face.
Compass Calibration
Press and hold the on/off button to activate the compass
calibration mode. CAL will be displayed in the compass
window on the mirror.
The compass can be calibrated by driving the vehicle in
circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the display
reads a direction.
2-40

Park Tilt Mirrors
If your vehicle has the memory package, the outside
mirrors are able to perform the park tilt function. This
feature may be useful in allowing the driver to view the
curb when parallel parking. This feature will cause the
passenger’s and/or driver’s mirror to tilt to a preselected
position when the vehicle is in REVERSE (R).
The passenger’s and/or driver’s mirror will return to its
original position when the vehicle is shifted out of
REVERSE (R), or the ignition is turned off or to
OFF/LOCK.
This feature can be turned on or off through the Driver
Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Vehicle
Customization (With DIC Buttons) on page 3-75and
Memory Seat and Mirrors on page 1-6for more
information.
Turn Signal Indicator
Your vehicle may have a turn signal indicator on the
mirror. An arrow on the mirror will ash in the direction
of the turn or lane change.
Outside Convex Mirror
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.
The passenger’s side mirror may have convex glass. A
convex mirror’s surface is curved so more can be
seen from the driver’s seat.
Outside Heated Mirrors
Press the rear window defogger button, located on the
climate control panel, to also turn the outside heated
mirrors on or off. The mirrors will heat to help clear fog
or frost from the surface of the mirror.
See “Rear Window Defogger” underDual Automatic
Climate Control System on page 3-29for more
information.
2-44

Sunroof
The vehicle may have a sunroof over the front seats,
and a rear sunroof over the second row seats. The rear
sunroof does not open. The switches to operate the
front sunroof and rear sunshade are located on
the headliner above the rearview mirror. The ignition
must be in ON or ACCESSORY to operate the sunroof.
SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-26.
Vent:From the closed position, press and hold the
front of the driver’s side switch to vent the sunroof. Press
and hold the rear of the driver’s side switch to close
the sunroof.Express-open/Express-close:From the closed
position, press and release the rear of the driver’s side
switch to express-open the sunroof. Press and
release the front of the driver’s side switch to
express-close the sunroof.
The front sunshade must be opened and closed
manually. Push up on the sunshade handle to open the
sunshade.
Notice:The rear sunshade could be damaged if
you attempt to open or close it manually. Do
not manually open or close the rear sunshade.
To open the rear sunshade, located over the second
row seats, press and release the rear of the passenger’s
side switch. Press and release the front of the switch
to close the sunshade.
2-60

If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows do not go on at all when you
signal a turn, check for burned-out bulbs and then check
the fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 5-100.
Turn Signal On Chime
If either one of the turn signals are left on and you have
drove more than 3/4 mile (1.2 km), a chime will sound.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high beam,
push the turn signal/multifunction lever toward the
front of the vehicle.
This light on the instrument
panel cluster comes on
if the high beam lamps
are turned on while
the ignition is on.
To change the headlamps from high beam to low beam,
pull the turn signal lever toward the rear of the vehicle.
Flash-to-Pass
With the turn signal lever in the low-beam position,
pull the lever toward you momentarily to switch
to high-beam, to signal that you are going to pass.
If the headlamps are on, they will return to low-beam
when the lever is released.
Windshield Wipers
Clear ice and snow from the wiper blades before
using them. If they are frozen to the windshield, gently
loosen or thaw them. Damaged wiper blades may
not clear the windshield well, making it harder to see
and drive safely. If the blades do become damaged,
install new blades or blade inserts. For more information,
seeWindshield Wiper Blade Replacement on page 5-47.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the wiper motor.
A circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools down.
Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.
Turn the band with the wiper symbol to control the
windshield wipers.
3-9

8(Mist):Turn the band to mist for a single wiping
cycle. Hold it there until the wipers start. Then let
go. The wipers stop after one wipe. Hold the band
on mist longer, for more wipe cycles.
9(Off):To stop the wipers, move the band to off.
6(Delay):Turn the band to adjust the delay time.
The delay between wiping cycles becomes shorter
as the band is moved to the top of the lever. This can
be very useful in light rain or snow.
1 (Low Speed):Turn the band away from you to
the rst solid band past the delay settings, for steady
wiping at low speed.
2 (High Speed):Turn the band further, to the second
solid band past the delay settings, for high-speed wiping.
Windshield Washer
J(Washer Fluid):Press the button located at the
end of the turn signal/multifunction lever, to spray
washer uid on the windshield. The wipers clear the
windshield and either stop or return to the preset speed.
The ignition key must be in ACCESSORY or ON for
this to work. SeeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 5-34
Windshield Washer Fluid.
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
WASHER FLUID LOW ADD FLUID is displayed on the
Driver Information Center (DIC) when the washer uid is
low. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-66.
3-10

Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase vehicle speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle
will slow down to the previously set cruise speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon the vehicle speed, load, and the steepness of
the hills. When going up steep hills, you might have to
step on the accelerator pedal to maintain the vehicle
speed. When going downhill, you might have to brake or
shift to a lower gear to keep the vehicle speed down.
Of course, applying the brake turns off the cruise control.
Many drivers nd this to be too much trouble and do
not use cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to end cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal.
Press the[(cancel) button on the steering wheel.
Press theT(on/off) button on the steering wheel.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory is erased by
turning off the cruise control or the ignition.
Exterior Lamps
The exterior lamps
control is located on
the instrument panel
to the left of the
steering wheel.
It controls the following systems:
Headlamps
Taillamps
Parking Lamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
Fog Lamps
The exterior lamps control has four positions:
9(Off):Briey turn the control to this position to
turn off the automatic light control. Briey turn to this
position again to turn automatic light control on again.
3-14

AUTO (Automatic):Turn the control to this position
to automatically turn on the headlamps at normal
brightness, together with the following:
Parking Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
;(Parking Lamps):Turn the control to this position
to turn on the parking lamps together with the
following:
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
2(Headlamps):Turn the control to this position to
turn on the headlamps together with the following lamps
listed below. A warning chime will sound if you open
the driver’s door when the ignition switch is off and the
headlamps are on.
Parking Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
-(Fog Lamps):Push the fog lamps control in
to turn on the fog lamps.
SeeFog Lamps on page 3-16.
Delayed Headlamps
The delayed headlamps feature provides a period of
exterior lighting as you leave the area around your
vehicle. The feature is activated when the headlamps
are on due to the automatic headlamps control
feature described previously in this section, and when
the ignition is turned off. Your headlamps will then
remain on until the exterior lamps control is moved to
the parking lamps position or until the pre-selected
delayed headlamp lighting period has ended.
If you turn off the ignition with the headlamps switch in
the parking lamps or headlamps position, the delayed
headlamps cycle will not occur.
To disable the delayed headlamps feature or change
the time of delay, seeDIC Vehicle Customization
(With DIC Buttons) on page 3-75.
3-15