automatic transmission GMC ACADIA 2009 Owner's Manual

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

Pressing the liftgate button on
the center console.
Pressing the touchpad switch on
the outside liftgate handle.
Pressing the buttons, or touchpad
switch a second time while the
liftgate is moving reverses the
direction.The liftgate can also be closed by
pressing the power liftgate button
next to the liftgate latch. Press the
button a second time during liftgate
operation to reverse that operation.
The power liftgate may be
temporarily disabled under extreme
temperatures, or under low battery
conditions. If this occurs, the liftgate
can still be operated manually.
If you shift the transmission out of
(P) Park while the power function is
in progress, the liftgate power
function will continue to completion.
If you shift the transmission out
of (P) Park and accelerate beforethe power liftgate latches closed,
the liftgate may reverse to the open
position. Cargo could fall out of
the vehicle. Always make sure the
power liftgate is closed and
latched before you drive away.
If you power open the liftgate and
the liftgate support struts have lost
pressure, the lights will ash and a
chime will sound. The liftgate will
stay open temporarily, then slowly
close. See your dealer/retailer for
service before using the liftgate.
Obstacle Detection Features
If the liftgate encounters an obstacle
during a power open or close cycle, a
warning chime will sound and the
liftgate will automatically reverse
direction to the full closed or open
position. After removing the
obstruction, the power liftgate
operation can be used again. If the
liftgate encounters multiple obstacles
on the same power cycle, the power
function will deactivate, and you
must manually open or close the
liftgate. The LIFTGATE OPEN Power Liftgate Button on Center
Console
Power Liftgate Button Near
Liftgate Latch
2-12 Features and Controls

Automatic Transmission
Operation
The automatic transmission has a
shift lever located on the console
between the seats.
P (Park):This position locks the
front wheels. It is the best position
to use when starting the engine
because the vehicle cannot
move easily.
{CAUTION
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
rmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the 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 the vehicle will
not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set the
parking brake and move the shift
lever to P (Park). SeeShifting Into
Park on page 2-27. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a
Trailer on page 4-24.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in
P (Park) before starting the engine.
The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control
system. You must fully apply the
regular brake rst and then press theshift lever button before shifting from
P (Park) when the ignition key is in
ON/RUN. If you cannot shift out of
P (Park), ease pressure on the shift
lever, then push the shift lever all the
way into P (Park) as you maintain
brake application. Then press the
shift lever button and move the shift
lever into another gear. SeeShifting
Out of Park on page 2-29.
R (Reverse):Use this gear to
back up.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving
forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse)
only after the vehicle is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and
forth to get out of snow, ice or sand
without damaging the transmission,
seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in
Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on
page 4-15.
2-24 Features and Controls

page 3-46andDIC Operation and
Displays (With DIC Buttons) on
page 3-46orDIC Operation and
Displays (Without DIC Buttons) on
page 3-51for more information. The
number displayed in the DIC is the
highest gear that the transmission
will be allowed to operate in. This
means that all gears below that
number are available. For example,
when 4 (Fourth) is shown next to
the L, 1 (First) through 4 (Fourth)
gears are automatically shifted by
the vehicle. The transmission will not
shift into 5 (Fifth) until the + (Plus)
button is used or you shift back into
D (Drive).
While in L (Low), the transmission
will prevent shifting to a lower
gear range if the engine speed is
too high. You have a brief period of
time to slow the vehicle. If vehicle
speed is not reduced within the time
allowed, the lower gear range
shift will not be completed. You must
further slow the vehicle, then
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 D (Drive) 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 2-26for more information.
Tow/Haul Mode
_
(Tow/Haul):The vehicle may
have a Tow/Haul mode.
The button is located on the
instrument panel under the climate
controls.
Push the button to activate the
system. 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 Mode” underTowing a
Trailer on page 4-24for more
information.
Automatic Engine Grade
Braking
Automatic Engine Grade Braking
assists when driving on a downhill
grade. It maintains vehicle speed by
automatically implementing a shift
schedule that uses the engine and
the transmission to slow the vehicle.
The system will automatically
command downshifts to reduce
vehicle speed, until the brake pedal
is no longer being pressed.
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 2-24.
2-26 Features and Controls

{CAUTION
It can be dangerous to get out of
the vehicle if the automatic
transmission shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
rmly set. The vehicle can roll. Do
not leave the 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 the vehicle will
not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set the
parking brake and move the shift
lever to P (Park).
Follow the proper steps to be sure
the vehicle will not move. See
Shifting Into Park on page 2-27.
If parking on a hill and pulling
a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-24.
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Adjust the inside rearview mirror
to 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 lets you
adjust the mirror to avoid glare from
the headlamps behind you. Move
the lever to the right for nighttime
use and to the left for daytime use.
Vehicles with OnStar
®have
three control buttons located at the
bottom of the mirror. See your
dealer/retailer for more information
about OnStar
®and how to
subscribe to it. SeeOnStar®System
on page 2-41for more information
on the services OnStar
®provides.
Automatic Dimming
Rearview Mirror
The vehicle may have an automatic
dimming rearview mirror.
Vehicles with OnStar
®have
three additional control buttons for
the OnStar
®system. See your
dealer/retailer for more information
about OnStar
®and how to
subscribe to it. SeeOnStar®System
on page 2-41for more information
about the services OnStar
®
provides.
O(On/Off):Press to turn the
dimming feature on or off.
The vehicle may also have a Rear
Vision Camera (RVC). SeeRear
Vision Camera (RVC) on page 2-37
for more information.
If the vehicle has RVC, the
O
(On/Off) button for turning the
automatic dimming feature on or off
will not be available.
Features and Controls 2-31

The three formats are as follows:
Format One:This display gives the
speedometer reading (in English
or metric units), turn signal
indication, high beam indication,
transmission positions, and
the outside air temperature.
Format Two:This display includes
the information in Format One
without the transmission information
and the outside air temperature.Format Three:This display
includes all the information in
Format One along with a circular
tachometer, but without outside air
temperature.
All formats will show the turn-by-turn
navigation information and provide
details about the next driving
maneuver to be made. When you
near your destination, the HUD
will display a distance bar that will
ll in the closer you get to your
destination. All navigation
information is provided to the HUD
by the navigation radio, if the
vehicle has one.The HUD image displayed on the
windshield will automatically dim and
brighten to compensate for outside
lighting.
The HUD image can temporarily
light up depending on the angle and
position of the sunlight on the
HUD display. This is normal and will
change when the angle of the
sunlight on the HUD display
changes.
Polarized sunglasses could make
the HUD image harder to see.
Care of the HUD
Clean the inside of the windshield
as needed to remove any dirt or lm
that could reduce the sharpness
or clarity of the HUD image.
To clean the HUD lens, use a soft,
clean cloth that has household
glass cleaner sprayed on it. Wipe
the HUD lens gently, then dry it.
Do not spray cleaner directly on the
lens because the cleaner could
leak into the unit.
Instrument Panel 3-19

Driver Information
Center (DIC)
Your vehicle has a Driver
Information Center (DIC).
The DIC displays information about
your vehicle. It also displays
warning messages if a system
problem is detected.
All messages will appear in the DIC
display located at the top of the
instrument panel cluster.
The DIC comes on when the
ignition is on. After a short delay,
the DIC will display the information
that was last displayed before
the engine was turned off.
The DIC also displays a shift lever
position indicator on the bottom
line of the display. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Operation on
page 2-24for more information.
The outside air temperature
and compass, if equipped, also
displays on the DIC when viewing
the trip and fuel information.The outside air temperature
automatically appears in the top
right corner of the DIC display.
If there is a problem with the system
that controls the temperature
display, the numbers will be
replaced with dashes. If this occurs,
have the vehicle serviced. The
compass will be shown in the bottom
right corner of the DIC display.
SeeDIC Compass on page 3-54for
more information.
If your vehicle has DIC buttons,
see “DIC Operation and Displays
(With DIC Buttons)” later in this
section andDIC Vehicle
Customization (With DIC Buttons)
on page 3-64for the displays
available.
If your vehicle does not have
DIC buttons, see “DIC Operation
and Displays (Without DIC Buttons)”
later in this section for the displays
available.
DIC Operation and
Displays (With DIC
Buttons)
If your vehicle has DIC buttons, the
information below explains the
operation of this system.
The DIC has different displays
which can be accessed by pressing
the DIC buttons located on the
instrument panel. SeeInstrument
Panel Overview on page 3-4
for more information.
The DIC displays trip, fuel, and
vehicle system information, and
warning messages if a system
problem is detected.
The DIC also allows some features
to be customized. SeeDIC
Vehicle Customization (With DIC
Buttons) on page 3-64for more
information.
If your vehicle has DIC buttons,
you can also use the trip odometer
reset stem to view the odometer
and trip odometers.
3-46 Instrument Panel

The traction control system is
enabled automatically when the
vehicle is started. It will activate and
the StabiliTrak light will ash if it
senses that any of the wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose traction
while driving. If traction control is
turned off, only the brake-traction
control portion of traction control
will work. The engine speed
management will be disabled. In this
mode, engine power is not reduced
automatically and the driven
wheels can spin more freely. This
can cause the brake-traction control
to activate constantly.
Notice:If the wheel(s) of one axle
is allowed to spin excessively
while the StabiliTrak, ABS and
brake warning lights and any
relevant DIC messages are
displayed, the transfer case could
be damaged. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Reduce engine power
and do not spin the wheel(s)
excessively while these lights
and messages are displayed.The traction control system may
activate on dry or rough roads
or under conditions such as heavy
acceleration while turning or
abrupt upshifts/downshifts of the
transmission. When this happens, a
reduction in acceleration may be
noticed, or a noise or vibration may
be heard. This is normal.
If cruise control is being used when
the system activates, the StabiliTrak
light will ash and cruise control
will automatically disengage. Cruise
control may be reengaged when
road conditions allow. SeeCruise
Control on page 3-9.
StabiliTrak may also turn off
automatically if it determines that a
problem exists with the system.
If the problem does not clear itself
after restarting the vehicle, see your
dealer/retailer for service.All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
System
If the vehicle has this feature,
engine power is sent to all four
wheels when extra traction is
needed. This is like four-wheel drive,
but there is no separate lever or
switch to engage or disengage the
axle. It is fully automatic, and
adjusts itself as needed for road
conditions.
When using a compact spare tire
on the AWD equipped vehicle,
the AWD system automatically
detects the presence of the compact
spare and the AWD is disabled.
To restore the AWD operation and
prevent excessive wear on the
AWD system, replace the compact
spare with a full-size tire as
soon as possible. SeeCompact
Spare Tire on page 5-81for more
information.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-7

3. Set the parking brake.
4. Turn the ignition to
ACC/ACCESSORY.
5. Shift the transmission to
N (Neutral).
6. To prevent the battery from
draining while the vehicle is being
towed, remove the 50 amp
BATT1 fuse from the underhood
fuse block and store in a safe
location. SeeUnderhood
Fuse Block on page 5-92.
7. Release the parking brake.
Notice:If the vehicle is towed
without performing each of
the steps listed under “Dinghy
Towing,” the automatic
transmission could be damaged.
Be sure to follow all steps of
the dinghy towing procedure prior
to and after towing the vehicle.Notice:If 65 mph (105 km/h) is
exceeded while towing the
vehicle, it could be damaged.
Never exceed 65 mph (105 km/h)
while towing the vehicle.
Once the destination is reached:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Reinstall the 50 amp BATT1 fuse
to the underhood fuse block.
3. Shift the transmission to P (Park),
turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF
and remove the key from
the ignition.
4. Disconnect the vehicle from the
towing vehicle.
Notice:Do not 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.Dolly Towing (All-Wheel-Drive
Vehicles)
All-wheel-drive vehicles must not be
towed with two wheels on the
ground. To properly tow these
vehicles, they should be placed on
a platform trailer with all four
wheels off of the ground or dinghy
towed from the front.
4-22 Driving Your Vehicle

Tow/Haul Mode
Tow/Haul is a feature that assists
when pulling a heavy trailer or
a large or heavy load. The purpose
of the Tow/Haul mode is to:
Reduce the frequency and
improve the predictability of
transmission shifts when pulling
a heavy trailer or a large or
heavy load.
Provide the same solid shift feel
when pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load as when
the vehicle is unloaded.
Improve control of vehicle speed
while requiring less throttle pedal
activity when pulling a heavy
trailer or a large or heavy load.
Increase the charging system
voltage to assist in recharging
a battery installed in a trailer.Press this button located on the
console to turn on and turn off the
Tow/Haul mode.
The Tow/Haul light on the
instrument panel will come on to
indicate that Tow/Haul mode
has been selected.
Tow/Haul may be turned off by
pressing the button again, at which
time the indicator light on the
instrument panel will turn off. The
vehicle will automatically turn
off Tow/Haul every time it is started.
Tow/Haul is designed to be most
effective when the vehicle and
trailer combined weight is at
least 75 percent of the vehicle’s
Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR). See Weight of the Trailerearlier in this section. Tow/Haul is
most useful under the following
driving conditions:
When pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load through
rolling terrain.
When pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load in stop and
go traffic.
When pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load in busy
parking lots where improved low
speed control of the vehicle is
desired.
Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul
when lightly loaded or with no trailer
at all will not cause damage.
However, there is no benet to the
selection of Tow/Haul when the
vehicle is unloaded. Such a selection
when unloaded may result in
unpleasant engine and transmission
driving characteristics and reduced
fuel economy. Tow/Haul is
recommended only when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy load.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-31