wheel GMC ACADIA 2011 Owner's Guide

Black plate (22,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
5-22 Instruments and Controls
Then start the engine again to reset
the system. If the light still stays on,
or comes on again while driving, the
vehicle needs service. If the regular
brake system warning light is not
on, there are still brakes, but no
antilock brakes. If the regular brake
system warning light is also on,
there are no antilock brakes and
there is a problem with the regular
brakes. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 5‑20.
Tow/Haul Mode Light
This light comes on when the
Tow/Haul mode has been activated.
For more information, see Tow/Haul
Mode on page 9‑28.
StabiliTrak®Indicator
Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer. If the system is working
normally the indicator light goes off.
If it stays on, or comes on while
driving, there could be a problem
with the StabiliTrak system and the
vehicle might need service. When
this warning light is on, the system
is off and will not limit wheel spin.
This light flashes when the
StabiliTrak system is active.
See StabiliTrak
®System on
page 9‑31 for more information.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Light
The engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on briefly when
the engine is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the
system is working normally, the
indicator light then goes off.
If the light comes on and stays on
while driving, the vehicle may have
a problem with the cooling system.
Stop the vehicle and turn off the
engine to avoid damage to the
engine. A warning chime sounds
when this light is on.
SeeEngine Overheating on
page 10‑19 for more information.

Black plate (34,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
5-34 Instruments and Controls
The following indicator lights come
on the instrument panel when
activated and also appear on
the HUD:
.Turn Signal Indicators
.High-Beam Indicator Symbol
The HUD temporarily displays
CHECK GAGES and ICE
POSSIBLE when these messages
are on the DIC trip computer.
The HUD also displays the following
messages on vehicles with these
systems, when they are active:
.TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE
.STABILITRAK ACTIVE
Notice: If you try to use the
HUD image as a parking aid, you
may misjudge the distance and
damage your vehicle. Do not use
the HUD image as a parking aid.
When the HUD is on, the
speedometer reading is continually
displayed. The current radio station or CD track number will display
for a short period of time after
the radio or CD track status
changes. This happens whenever
radio information is changed.
The speedometer size is reduced
when radio, CD information,
warnings, or turn-by-turn navigation
information are displayed on
the HUD.
The HUD control is located to the
right of the steering wheel.
To adjust the HUD image so that
items are properly displayed, do the
following:
1. Adjust the driver's seat to a
comfortable position.
2. Start the engine.
3. Adjust the HUD controls.
Use the following settings to adjust
the HUD.
9 (Off): To turn HUD off, rotate the
dimming knob fully counterclockwise
until the HUD display turns off.
Brightness : Turn the knob
on the HUD control clockwise or
counterclockwise to brighten or
dim the display.
w (Up) : x(Down) : Press the up
or down arrows to center the HUD
image in your view. The HUD image
can only be adjusted up and down,
not side to side.

Black plate (43,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-43
SERVICE TRACTION
CONTROL
This message displays when there
is a problem with the Traction
Control System (TCS). When this
message is displayed, the system
will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your
driving accordingly. See your dealer
for service. SeeStabiliTrak
®System
on page 9‑31 for more information.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
This message displays when the
Traction Control System (TCS)
is turned off. Adjust your driving
accordingly. See StabiliTrak
®
System on page 9‑31 for more
information. This message clears
itself after 10 seconds.
TRACTION CONTROL ON
This message displays when the
Traction Control System (TCS) is
turned on. See StabiliTrak
®System
on page 9‑31 for more information.
This message clears itself after
10 seconds.
Airbag System Messages
SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays if there is a
problem with the airbag system.
Have your dealer inspect the
system for problems. See Airbag
Readiness Light on page 5‑15 and
Airbag System on page 3‑33 for
more information.
Anti-Theft Alarm System
Messages
SERVICE THEFT DETERRENT
SYSTEM
This message displays when there
is a problem with the theft-deterrent
system. The vehicle may or may not
restart so you may want to take the
vehicle to your dealer before turning
off the engine. See Immobilizer
Operation on page 2‑15 for more
information.
THEFT ATTEMPTED
This message displays if the
content theft-deterrent system has
detected a break-in attempt while
you were away from your vehicle.
See Anti-Theft Alarm System on
page 2‑13 for more information.
Service Vehicle Messages
SERVICE A/C
(Air Conditioning)
SYSTEM
This message displays when the
electronic sensors that control
the air conditioning and heating
systems are no longer working.
Have the climate control system
serviced by your dealer if you
notice a drop in heating and air
conditioning efficiency.

Black plate (45,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-45
SERVICE TIRE MONITOR
SYSTEM
On vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this
message displays if a part on the
TPMS is not working properly.
The tire pressure light also flashes
and then remains on during the
same ignition cycle. SeeTire
Pressure Light on page 5‑23.
Several conditions may cause
this message to appear. See Tire
Pressure Monitor Operation on
page 10‑48 for more information.
If the warning comes on and stays
on, there may be a problem with
the TPMS. See your dealer.
TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
This message displays when the
Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) is re-learning the tire
positions on your vehicle. The tire
positions must be re-learned after
rotating the tires or after replacing a
tire or sensor. See Tire Rotation on
page 10‑52, Tire Pressure Monitor
System on page 10‑47, and Tire
Pressure on page 10‑45 for more
information.
Transmission Messages
ALL WHEEL DRIVE OFF
If your vehicle has the All-Wheel
Drive (AWD) system, this message
displays when there is a compact
spare tire on the vehicle, when
the Antilock Brake System (ABS)
warning light comes on, or when the
rear differential fluid is overheating.
This message turns off when the
differential fluid cools. The AWD system is disabled until
the compact spare tire is replaced
by a full-size tire. If the warning
message is still on after putting on
the full-size tire, you need to reset
the warning message. To reset the
warning message, turn the ignition
off and then back on again after
30 seconds. If the message stays
on, see your dealer right away.
See
All-Wheel Drive on page 9‑28
for more information.
SERVICE ALL WHEEL DRIVE
If your vehicle has the All-Wheel
Drive (AWD) system, this message
displays if there is a problem
with this system. If this message
appears, stop as soon as possible
and turn off the vehicle. Restart the
vehicle after 30 seconds and check
for the message on the DIC display.
If the message is still displayed or
appears again when you begin
driving, the AWD system needs
service. See your dealer.

Black plate (1,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
Lighting 6-1
Lighting
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . 6-1
Headlamp High/Low-BeamChanger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)/Automatic
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . 6-3
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Courtesy Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Delayed Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . 6-6
Delayed Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Parade Dimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Battery Load Management . . . . 6-7
Battery Power Protection . . . . . . 6-8
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls
The exterior lamps control is located
on the instrument panel to the left of
the steering wheel.

Black plate (7,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
Infotainment System 7-7
Radio
AM-FM Radio
Radio Data System (RDS)
The Radio Data System (RDS)
feature is available for use only on
FM stations that broadcast RDS
information. This system relies
upon receiving specific information
from these stations and only works
when the information is available.
While the radio is tuned to an
FM-RDS station, the station name
or call letters display. In rare cases,
a radio station could broadcast
incorrect information that causes the
radio features to work improperly.
If this happens, contact the radio
station.
Finding a Station
BAND:Press to switch between
AM, FM, or XM. The selection
displays.
f(Tune): Turn to select radio
stations.
©SEEK¨: Press to go to the
previous or to the next station and
stay there.
To scan stations, press and
hold
©or¨until a beep sounds.
The radio goes to a station, plays
for a few seconds, then goes to
the next station. Press either arrow
again to stop scanning.
The radio only seeks and scans
stations with a strong signal that
are in the selected band.
Storing a Radio Station as a
Favorite
Drivers are encouraged to set up
their radio station favorites while
the vehicle is in P (Park). Tune to
favorite stations using the presets,
favorites button, and steering wheel
controls. See Steering Wheel
Controls on page 5‑2.
FAV (Favorites): A maximum of
36 stations can be programmed
as favorites using the six softkeys
below the radio station frequency
tabs and by using the radio favorites
page button (FAV button). Press
to go through up to six pages of
favorites, each having six favorite
stations available per page. Each
page of favorites can contain any
combination of AM, FM, or XM
stations.

Black plate (10,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
7-10 Infotainment System
Undesired XM categories can be
removed through the setup menu.
To remove an undesired category,
perform the following:
1. Press MENU to display the radiosetup menu.
2. Press the softkey below the XM CAT tab.
3. Turn
fto display the category to
be removed.
4. Press the softkey under the Remove tab until the category
name along with the word
Removed displays.
5. Repeat the steps to remove more categories.
Removed categories can be
restored by pressing the softkey
under the Add tab when a removed
category is displayed or by pressing
the softkey under the Restore
All tab.
Categories cannot be removed or
added while the vehicle is moving
faster than 8 km/h (5 mph).
Storing a Radio Station as a
Favorite
Drivers are encouraged to set up
their radio station favorites while
the vehicle is in P (Park). Tune to
favorite stations using the presets,
favorites button, and steering wheel
controls. See Steering Wheel
Controls on page 5‑2.
FAV (Favorites): A maximum of
36 stations can be programmed
as favorites using the six softkeys
below the radio station frequency
tabs and by using the radio favorites
page button (FAV button). Press
to go through up to six pages of
favorites, each having six favorite
stations available per page. Each
page of favorites can contain any
combination of AM, FM, or XM
stations. The balance/fade and tone settings
that were previously adjusted, are
stored with the favorite stations.
To store a station as a favorite:
1. Tune to the desired radio station.
2. Press FAV to display the page to
store the station.
3. Press and hold one of the six softkeys until a beep sounds.
When that softkey is pressed
and released, the station that
was set, returns.
4. Repeat the steps for each radio station to be stored as a favorite.

Black plate (52,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
7-52 Infotainment System
Audio System
When using the in‐vehicle
Bluetooth system, sound comes
through the vehicle's front audio
system speakers and overrides
the audio system. Use the audio
system volume knob, during a
call, to change the volume level.
The adjusted volume level remains
in memory for later calls. To prevent
missed calls, a minimum volume
level is used if the volume is turned
down too low.
Bluetooth Controls
Use the buttons located on the
steering wheel to operate the
in‐vehicle Bluetooth system.
SeeSteering Wheel Controls on
page 5‑2 for more information.
bg(Push To Talk): Press to
answer incoming calls, confirm
system information, and start
speech recognition.
c x(Phone On Hook): Press to
end a call, reject a call, or cancel an
operation.
Pairing
A Bluetooth cell phone must be
paired to the Bluetooth system
and then connected to the vehicle
before it can be used. See the cell
phone manufacturer's user guide for
Bluetooth functions before pairing
the cell phone. If a Bluetooth phone
is not connected, calls will be made
using OnStar Hands‐Free Calling,
if equipped. Refer to the OnStar
Owner's Guide for more information.
Pairing Information
.Up to five cell phones can be
paired to the Bluetooth system.
.The pairing process is disabled
when the vehicle is moving.
.Pairing only needs to be
completed once, unless the
pairing information on the cell
phone changes or the cell phone
is deleted from the system.
.Only one paired cell phone can
be connected to the Bluetooth
system at a time.
.If multiple paired cell phones
are within range of the system,
the system connects to the first
available paired cell phone in the
order that they were first paired
to the system. To connect to a
different paired phone, see
“Connecting to a Different
Phone” later in this section.
Pairing a Phone
1. Press and hold
b gfor
two seconds.
2. Say “Bluetooth.”
3. Say “Pair.”The system responds
with instructions and a four‐digit
Personal Identification Number
(PIN). The PIN is used in Step 5.

Black plate (12,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
8-12 Climate Controls
N(Air Delivery Mode Control):
Press to manually change the
direction of the airflow. Repeatedly
press the button until the desired
mode appears on the display.
H(Vent): Air is directed through
the overhead outlets.
)(Bi-Level): Air is directed
through the rear floor outlets, as
well as the overhead outlets.
6(Floor): Air is directed through
the floor outlets. The rear system
floor outlets are located under the
third row seats.
Air Vents
Use the slider switch in the center of
the outlet, to change the direction
of the air flow. Use the thumbwheel
near the outlet to control the amount
of air flow or to shut off the airflow.
Keep all outlets open whenever
possible for best system
performance.
Operation Tips
.Clear away any ice, snow,
or leaves from the air inlets at
the base of the windshield that
can block the flow of air into the
vehicle.
.Use of non-GM approved hood
deflectors can adversely affect
the performance of the system.
.Keep the path under all seats
clear of objects to help circulate
the air inside the vehicle more
effectively.
.If fogging reoccurs while in
vent or bi-level modes with
mild temperature throughout
the vehicle, turn on the air
conditioner to reduce windshield
fogging.

Black plate (1,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-1
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . 9-7
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-8
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 9-8
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-9
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . 9-11
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . 9-12
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . 9-17
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-18
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . 9-19
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20
Retained AccessoryPower (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21 Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Shifting Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Parking Over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Running the Vehicle WhileParked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . 9-25
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-29
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Ride Control Systems
StabiliTrak®System . . . . . . . . . 9-31
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Object Detection Systems
Ultrasonic Parking Assist . . . . 9-35
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-37
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Gasoline Specifications (U.S.and Canada Only) . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
California Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-43
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 9-43
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-43
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-44
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-46
Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-46
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-47
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-52
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-56