GMC ACADIA 2009 Repair Manual

When the passenger sensing
system has turned off the right front
passenger frontal airbag, the off
indicator will light and stay lit
to remind you that the airbag is off.
SeePassenger Airbag Status
Indicator on page 3-36.
The passenger sensing system is
designed to turn on (may inate) the
right front passenger frontal airbag
anytime the system senses that a
person of adult size is sitting properly
in the right front passenger seat.
When the passenger sensing
system has allowed the airbag to be
enabled, the on indicator will light
and stay lit to remind you that
the airbag is active.
For some children, including children
in child restraints, and for very small
adults, the passenger sensing
system may or may not turn off the
right front passenger frontal airbag,
depending upon the person’s seating
posture and body build. Everyone in
the vehicle who has outgrown childrestraints should wear a safety belt
properly —whether or not there is an
airbag for that person.
{CAUTION
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have
the vehicle serviced right away.
SeeAirbag Readiness Light on
page 3-36for more information,
including important safety
information.
If the On Indicator is Lit for a
Child Restraint
If a child restraint has been installed
and the on indicator is lit:
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Remove the child restraint from
the vehicle.3. Remove any additional items
from the seat such as blankets,
cushions, seat covers, seat
heaters, or seat massagers.
4. Reinstall the child restraint
following the directions provided
by the child restraint
manufacturer and refer to
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position on
page 1-45.
5. If, after reinstalling the child
restraint and restarting the
vehicle, the on indicator is still lit,
turn the vehicle off. Then
slightly recline the vehicle
seatback and adjust the seat
cushion, if adjustable, to
make sure that the vehicle
seatback is not pushing the child
restraint into the seat cushion.
Also make sure the child restraint
is not trapped under the vehicle
head restraint. If this happens,
adjust the head restraint.
SeeHead Restraints on
page 1-2.
Seats and Restraint System 1-57

6. Restart the vehicle.
The passenger sensing system
may or may not turn off the
airbag for a child in a child
restraint depending upon the
child’s seating posture and body
build. It is better to secure the
child restraint in a rear seat.
If the Off Indicator is Lit for an
Adult-Size Occupant
If a person of adult-size is sitting
in the right front passenger seat,
but the off indicator is lit, it could
be because that person is not
sitting properly in the seat.If this happens, use the following
steps to allow the system to detect
that person and enable the right
front passenger frontal airbag:
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Remove any additional material
from the seat, such as blankets,
cushions, seat covers, seat
heaters, or seat massagers.
3. Place the seatback in the fully
upright position.
4. Have the person sit upright in the
seat, centered on the seat
cushion, with legs comfortably
extended.
5. Restart the vehicle and have the
person remain in this position for
two to three minutes after the
on indicator is lit.
Additional Factors Affecting
System Operation
Safety belts help keep the
passenger in position on the seat
during vehicle maneuvers and
braking, which helps the passenger
sensing system maintain the
passenger airbag status. See
“Safety Belts” and “Child Restraints”
in the Index for additional
information about the importance of
proper restraint use.
A thick layer of additional material,
such as a blanket or cushion, or
aftermarket equipment such as seat
covers, seat heaters, and seat
massagers can affect how well the
passenger sensing system
operates. We recommend that you
not use seat covers or other
aftermarket equipment except when
approved by GM for your specic
vehicle. SeeAdding Equipment
to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 1-60for more information
about modications that can affect
how the system operates.
1-58 Seats and Restraint System

A wet seat can affect the
performance of the passenger
sensing system. Here is how:
The passenger sensing system
may turn off the passenger airbag
when liquid is soaked into the
seat. If this happens, the off
indicator will be lit, and the airbag
readiness light on the instrument
panel will also be lit.
Liquid pooled on the seat that has
not soaked in may make it more
likely that the passenger sensing
system will enable (turn on) the
passenger airbag while a child
restraint or child occupant is on
the seat. If the passenger airbag
is turned on, the on indicator
will be lit.
If the passenger seat gets wet, dry
the seat immediately. If the airbag
readiness light is lit, do not install a
child restraint or allow anyone to
occupy the seat. SeeAirbag
Readiness Light on page 3-36for
important safety information.
{CAUTION
Stowing of articles under the
passenger seat or between the
passenger seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the
proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
Servicing Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle
should be serviced. There are parts
of the airbag system in several
places around the vehicle. Your
dealer/retailer and the service
manual have information about
servicing the vehicle and the airbag
system. To purchase a service
manual, seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 7-15.
{CAUTION
For up to 10 seconds after the
ignition is turned off and the
battery is disconnected, an airbag
can still inate during improper
service. You can be injured if you
are close to an airbag when it
inates. Avoid yellow connectors.
They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow
proper service procedures, and
make sure the person performing
work for you is qualied to do so.
Seats and Restraint System 1-59

Adding Equipment to
Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add
to or change about the
vehicle that could keep the
airbags from working
properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that
change the vehicle’s frame,
bumper system, height, front end
or side sheet metal, they may
keep the airbag system from
working properly. Changing or
moving any parts of the front
seats, safety belts, the airbag
sensing and diagnostic module,
steering wheel, instrument panel,
roof-rail airbag modules, ceiling
headliner or pillar garnish trim,
front sensors, side impact
sensors, rollover sensor module,
or airbag wiring can affect the
operation of the airbag system.In addition, the vehicle has a
passenger sensing system for the
right front passenger position,
which includes sensors that are
part of the passenger seat. The
passenger sensing system may
not operate properly if the original
seat trim is replaced with non-GM
covers, upholstery or trim, or with
GM covers, upholstery or trim
designed for a different vehicle.
Any object, such as an
aftermarket seat heater or a
comfort enhancing pad or device,
installed under or on top of the
seat fabric, could also interfere
with the operation of the
passenger sensing system.
This could either prevent proper
deployment of the passenger
airbag(s) or prevent the
passenger sensing system from
properly turning off the passenger
airbag(s). SeePassenger
Sensing System on page 1-55.If you have questions, call
Customer Assistance. The phone
numbers and addresses for
Customer Assistance are in Step
Two of the Customer Satisfaction
Procedure in this manual. See
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
on page 7-1.
If the vehicle has rollover
roof-rail airbags, seeDifferent
Size Tires and Wheels on
page 5-50for additional
important information.
1-60 Seats and Restraint System

Q:Because I have a disability,
I have to get my vehicle
modied. How can I nd out
whether this will affect my
airbag system?
A:If you have questions, call
Customer Assistance. The phone
numbers and addresses for
Customer Assistance are in Step
Two of the Customer Satisfaction
Procedure in this manual. See
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
on page 7-1.
In addition, your dealer/retailer and
the service manual have information
about the location of the airbag
sensors, sensing and diagnostic
module and airbag wiring.
Restraint System
Check
Checking the Restraint
Systems
Safety Belts
Now and then, check the safety belt
reminder light, safety belts, buckles,
latch plates, retractors, and
anchorages are all working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged
safety belt system parts that might
keep a safety belt system from doing
its job. See your dealer/retailer to
have it repaired. Torn or frayed
safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under
impact forces. If a belt is torn or
frayed, get a new one right away.
Make sure the safety belt reminder
light is working. SeeSafety Belt
Reminders on page 3-35for more
information.Keep safety belts clean and dry.
SeeCare of Safety Belts on
page 5-84.
Airbags
The airbag system does not need
regularly scheduled maintenance or
replacement. Make sure the
airbag readiness light is working.
SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-36for more information.
Notice:If an airbag covering
is damaged, opened, or broken,
the airbag may not work properly.
Do not open or break the airbag
coverings. If there are any opened
or broken airbag covers, have
the airbag covering and/or airbag
module replaced. For the
location of the airbag modules,
seeWhat Makes an Airbag
Inflate? on page 1-53. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
Seats and Restraint System 1-61

Replacing Restraint
System Parts After a
Crash
{CAUTION
A crash can damage the restraint
systems in your vehicle. A
damaged restraint system may
not properly protect the person
using it, resulting in serious injury
or even death in a crash. To help
make sure your restraint systems
are working properly after a crash,
have them inspected and any
necessary replacements made as
soon as possible.If the vehicle has been in a crash,
do you need new safety belts
or LATCH system (if equipped)
parts?
After a very minor crash, nothing
may be necessary. But the
safety belt assemblies that were
used during any crash may
have been stressed or damaged.
See your dealer/retailer to have the
safety belt assemblies inspected
or replaced.
If the vehicle has the LATCH
system and it was being used during
a crash, you may need new
LATCH system parts.New parts and repairs may be
necessary even if the safety belt or
LATCH system (if equipped),
was not being used at the time of
the crash.
If an airbag inates, you will need to
replace airbag system parts. See
the part on the airbag system earlier
in this section.
Have the safety belt pretensioners
checked if the vehicle has been in a
crash, if the airbag readiness light
stays on after the vehicle is started,
or while you are driving. See
Airbag Readiness Light on
page 3-36.
1-62 Seats and Restraint System

Features and
Controls
Keys
Keys...................................2-2
Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System..........2-3
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation. . .2-3
Remote Vehicle Start..........2-5
Doors and Locks
Door Locks.........................2-8
Power Door Locks..............2-8
Delayed Locking.................2-8
Programmable Automatic
Door Locks.......................2-9
Rear Door Security Locks. . .2-9
Lockout Protection..............2-9
Liftgate.............................2-10
Power Liftgate...................2-11
Windows
Windows...........................2-14
Power Windows................2-14
Sun Visors........................2-16
Theft-Deterrent Systems
Theft-Deterrent Systems. . . .2-16
Content Theft-Deterrent.....2-16
PASS-Key®III+ Electronic
Immobilizer......................2-17
PASS-Key®III+ Electronic
Immobilizer Operation......2-18
Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In.......2-20
Ignition Positions...............2-20
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)...................2-21
Starting the Engine...........2-22
Engine Coolant Heater......2-23
Automatic Transmission
Operation........................2-24
Tow/Haul Mode.................2-26
Parking Brake...................2-27
Shifting Into Park..............2-27
Shifting Out of Park..........2-29
Parking Over Things
That Burn........................2-29
Engine Exhaust.................2-30
Running the Vehicle
While Parked..................2-30
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror. . . .2-31
Automatic Dimming
Rearview Mirror...............2-31
Outside Power Mirrors......2-32
Outside Power Foldaway
Mirrors............................2-33
Park Tilt Mirrors................2-33
Outside Convex Mirror......2-34
Outside Heated Mirrors.....2-34
Object Detection
Systems
Ultrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA).................2-34
Rear Vision
Camera (RVC)................2-37
OnStar®System
OnStar®System................2-41
Features and Controls 2-1

Universal Home Remote
System
Universal Home Remote
System............................2-44
Universal Home Remote
System Operation............2-45
Storage Areas
Glove Box.........................2-49
Cupholders.......................2-49
Instrument Panel
Storage...........................2-49
Center Console Storage. . . .2-49
Second Row Center
Console...........................2-50
Floor Mats........................2-50
Luggage Carrier................2-51
Rear Seat Armrest............2-51
Convenience Net..............2-52
Cargo Cover.....................2-52
Cargo Tie Downs..............2-52
Cargo Management
System............................2-52
Sunroof
Sunroof.............................2-53
Keys
{CAUTION
Leaving children in a vehicle with
the ignition key is dangerous for
many reasons, children or others
could be badly injured or even
killed. They could operate the
power windows or other controls
or even make the vehicle move.
The windows will function with the
keys in the ignition and children
could be seriously injured or killed
if caught in the path of a closing
window. Do not leave the keys in
a vehicle with children.The key is used for the ignition and
all door locks.
The key has a bar-coded key tag
that the dealer/retailer or qualied
locksmith can use to make new
keys. Store this information in a safe
place, not in the vehicle.
See your dealer/retailer if a
replacement key or additional
key is needed.
2-2 Features and Controls

Notice:If you ever lock your
keys in the vehicle, you may have
to damage the vehicle to get in.
Be sure you have spare keys.
If you are locked out of the vehicle,
call the Roadside Assistance
Center. SeeRoadside Assistance
Program on page 7-6.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System
The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
system operates on a radio
frequency subject to Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
Rules and with Industry Canada.
This device complies with Part 15
of the FCC Rules. Operation is
subject to the following
two conditions:
1. This device may not cause
interference.
2. This device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause
undesired operation of the device.This device complies with RSS-210
of Industry Canada. Operation
is subject to the following
two conditions:
1. This device may not cause
interference.
2. This device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause
undesired operation of the device.
Changes or modications to this
system by other than an authorized
service facility could void
authorization to use this equipment.
If there is a decrease in the RKE
operating range, try this:
Check the distance. The
transmitter may be too far from
the vehicle. Stand closer
during rainy or snowy weather.
Check the location. Other
vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal. Take a few
steps to the left or right, hold the
transmitter higher, and try again.
Check the transmitter’s battery.
See “Battery Replacement” later
in this section.
If the transmitter is still not
working correctly, see your
dealer/retailer or a qualied
technician for service.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation
The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter functions work up
to 195 feet (60 m) away from the
vehicle.
There are other conditions which
can affect the performance of
the transmitter. SeeRemote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System on page 2-3.
Features and Controls 2-3

/(Remote Vehicle Start):For
vehicles with this feature, see
Remote Vehicle Start on page 2-5
for additional information.
Q(Lock):Press to lock all
the doors.
If enabled through the Driver
Information Center (DIC), the
parking lamps ash once to indicate
locking has occurred. If enabledthrough the DIC, the horn sounds
when
Qis pressed again within
ve seconds. SeeDIC Vehicle
Customization (With DIC Buttons)
on page 3-64for additional
information.
Pressing
Qmay arm the content
theft-deterrent system. SeeContent
Theft-Deterrent on page 2-16.
K(Unlock):Press once to unlock
only the driver door. If
Kis
pressed again within ve seconds,
all remaining doors unlock. The
interior lamps come on and stay on
for 20 seconds or until the ignition
is turned on.
If enabled through the DIC, the
parking lamps ash twice to indicate
unlocking has occurred. SeeDIC
Vehicle Customization (With
DIC Buttons) on page 3-64.Pressing
Kon the RKE transmitter
disarms the content theft-deterrent
system. SeeContent Theft-Deterrent
on page 2-16.
&(Power Liftgate):Press and
hold for about one second to
open and close the liftgate. The
taillamps ash and a chime sounds
to indicate when the liftgate is
opening and closing.
L(Vehicle Locator/Panic
Alarm):Press and release to locate
the vehicle. The parking lamps ash
and the horn sounds three times.
Press and hold
Lfor more than
two seconds to activate the panic
alarm. The parking lamps ash and
the horn sounds repeatedly for
30 seconds. The alarm turns off
when the ignition is moved to
ON/RUN or
Lis pressed again.
The ignition must be in LOCK/OFF
for the panic alarm to work. With Remote Start and Liftgate
(Without Remote Start or Liftgate
Similar)
2-4 Features and Controls