light GMC ACADIA 2008 Get To Know Guide

Congratulations on your purchase of a GMC Acadia. Please read this information and your Owner Manual to
ensure an outstanding ownership experience. Note that your vehicle may not include all the features described in
this booklet. Keep this booklet with your Owner Manual for easy reference.
DRIVER INFORMATIONInstrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Instrument Panel Cluster . . . . . . .3
Driver Information Center . . . . . . .4
Head-Up Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
SAFETY & SECURITYRemote Keyless Entry . . . . . . . . .6
OnStar® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Child Restraints (LATCH) . . . . . . .7
COMFORT Seat Adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
2nd-Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
3rd-Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Heated Seat Controls . . . . . . . . . .9
Memory Seats and Mirrors . . . . . .9
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . .10
Dual Automatic Climate
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Manual Climate Controls . . . . . .11
Rear Seat Climate Controls . . . .12
ENTERTAINMENT Audio System Features . . . . . . .12
XM®Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . .14
Touch Screen Navigation
Entertainment System . . . . . . . .14
Rear Seat Audio and DVD
Rear Seat Entertainment
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Audio Steering Wheel Controls .16
Rear Audio Controller . . . . . . . . .16
CONVENIENCE Automatic Headlamp System . . .17
Interior Lighting Features . . . . . .17
Outside Power Foldaway
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Power Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Windshield Wipers and Washer .18
Heated Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . .19
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19Center Console Features . . . . . .20
Rear Convenience Center . . . . .20
115-Volt Outlet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Ultrasonic Rear Park Assist . . . .20
Power Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . .21
PERFORMANCE & MAINTENANCE Refueling the Vehicle . . . . . . . . .22
Automatic Transmission
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
StabiliTrak
® – Stability Control
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . .23
Resetting the Oil Life System . .23
OWNER INFORMATIONRoadside Assistance . . . . . . . . .24
My GMLink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

3
See Section 3 of your Owner Manual.
Your vehicle’s instrument panel is
equipped with this cluster or one very
similar to it. The instrument panel cluster
includes these key features:
A. Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
B. Tachometer
C. Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)
D. Tire Pressure Warning Light
E. Driver Information Center
F. Fuel Gauge
G. Speedometer
H. Security LightI. Cruise Control Set Light
J. Antilock Brake System Warning Light
K. StabiliTrak Warning Light
L. Voltmeter
Note:The instrument panel cluster is
designed to let you know about many
important aspects of your vehicle’s opera-
tion. It is important to read your Owner
Manual and become familiar with the
information being relayed to you by the
lights, gauges and indicators, as well as
what action can be taken to ensure safety
and to prevent damage.
Instrument Panel Cluster
ABCDEFGHIKJL

Your vehicle’s Driver Information Center
(DIC) provides vehicle information, vehi-
cle feature customization, and vehicle
warning messages. The DIC messages
will be shown on the instrument panel
cluster display.
DIC Reset Stem
On vehicles with the base DIC, press
the reset stem located on the instru-
ment panel cluster while the vehicle is
parked to display the Odometer, Trip
Odometers, Oil Life, Park Assist (if
equipped), Tire Pressure System
Programming, Units and Display
Language.
DIC Buttons (if equipped)
The uplevel DIC includes the following
buttons located below the radio on the
instrument panel:
(Set/Reset):Press this button to set
or reset DIC information while it is dis-
played or to acknowledge a warning
message.
Getting to Know Your Acadia4
(Customization):Press this button
to scroll through the following custom-
ization settings:
• Display Language
• Auto Door Lock
• Auto Door Unlock
• Remote Door Lock
• Remote Door Unlock
• Delay Door Lock
• Exit Lighting
• Approach Lighting
• Chime Volume
• Park Tilt Mirrors (if equipped)
• Easy Exit Seat (if equipped)
• Memory Seat Recall (if equipped)
• Remote Start (if equipped)
• Factory Settings
(Vehicle Information):Press this
button to display the following vehicle
information:
• Oil Life
• Park Assist (if equipped)
• Units
• Tire Pressure
• Tire Pressure System Programming
• Remote Keyless Entry Programming
(Trip/Fuel):Press this button to
display the following trip and fuel
information:
• Odometer
• Trip Odometers
• Fuel Range
• Average Economy
• Timer
• Fuel Used
• Average SpeedDriver Information Center

Getting to Know Your Acadia6
If you change your seat position, you
may have to readjust the HUD image for
proper viewing.
(Page):Press and hold this button to
change the display format. Release the
button when the desired display is
shown.
If the ignition is on and you cannot see
the HUD image, check to see whether:
• Something is covering the HUD lens
• The brightness is adjusted properly
• The HUD image is adjusted to the
proper height
• The windshield and HUD lens are
clean (do not spray glass cleaner
directly on the HUD lens)
• You are wearing polarized sunglass-
es, which could make the image
harder to see
• A fuse is blown (see your Owner
Manual)
See Section 3 of your Owner Manual.
and/or horn chirp) can be programmed
using the Driver Information Center (DIC).
(Unlock):Press this button to unlock
the driver’s door. Press it again within
five seconds to unlock all remaining
doors. RKE feedback (light flash) can be
programmed using the DIC.
(Power Liftgate)(if equipped):
Press and hold this button until the lift-
gate starts moving to open and close
the liftgate. The taillamps will flash and
a chime will sound when the liftgate is
moving.
(Vehicle Locator/Panic Alarm):
Press and release this button to locate
your vehicle. The turn signal lamps will
flash and the horn will sound three
times.
Press and hold the button to activate the
panic alarm. The turn signal lamps will
flash and the horn will sound for 30 sec-
onds. Press the button again or turn the
ignition to On to cancel the panic alarm.
See Section 2 of your Owner Manual.
Remote Keyless Entry
SAFETY & SECURITY
The Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter
allows you to lock and
unlock your vehicle and
perform other functions
while up to approximate-
ly 195 feet away from
the vehicle. RKE functions include:
(Remote Vehicle Start)(if
equipped): This feature can be used to
start the engine from outside the vehicle.
(See Remote Vehicle Start.)
(Lock):Press this button to lock all
the doors. RKE feedback (light flash
OnStar® (if equipped)
Your vehicle may feature the OnStar
Safe & Sound Plan or the uplevel
OnStar Directions & Connections Plan,
with one year of OnStar service from the
date you purchased your new vehicle.
OnStar offers a variety of capabilities,
such as Remote Door Unlock, Automatic
Notification of Airbag Deployment, and
Hands-Free Calling. In addition, most
vehicles can get driving directions using
Turn-by-Turn Navigation. Press the
OnStar button to ask an OnStar Advisor
about the service plan you have or to
upgrade your plan.

9
3rd-Row Seats
The 3rd-row 60/40 split bench seat
features folding seatbacks. Prior to fold-
ing a seatback, make sure all of the
safety belts are unbuckled, nothing is on
the 3rd-row seat, and the 2nd-row seat
is not reclined.
Lift the lever (A) on the upper-back out-
board corner of the seatback until the
head restraint folds forward, and then
fold down the seatback.
To return the seatback to the upright
position, pull the seatback strap (B) from
the rear of the vehicle or lift up the seat-
back from inside the vehicle. Pull on the
seatback to make sure it is locked in
place. Lift up the head restraint to lock it
in place.
See Section 1 of your Owner Manual.
The following heated front seat controls
are located on the center console in
front of the shift lever:
(Heated Seat/Seatback):Press the
bottom button to turn on the heated seat
cushion and seatback.
(Heated Seatback):Press the top
button to turn on the heated seatback.
Heated Seat Controls
(if equipped)
Memory settings can be programmed for
the position of the driver’s seat and out-
side mirrors. The memory buttons are
located on the driver’s door.
To save memory settings:
1. Adjust the driver’s seat and outside
mirrors to the desired position.
2. Press and hold button 1 until two
beeps sound.
Repeat these steps using button 2 for a
second driver.
To recall the memory settings, press
button 1 or 2 with the vehicle in Park.
The memory seat setting also can be
programmed in the DIC to be recalled
automatically when using the Remote
Keyless Entry transmitter.
Easy Exit Seat
With the vehicle in Park, press the
(Easy Exit Seat) button to recall the exit
position for the driver’s seat. The easy
exit seat setting also can be pro-
grammed in the DIC to be recalled when
removing the key from the ignition.
See Section 1 of your Owner Manual.
Memory Seats and Mirrors
(if equipped)
Continue to press the desired button to
cycle through the temperature settings
of High (three indicator lights), Medium
(two indicator lights), Low (one indicator
light), and Off (no indicator lights).
See Section 1 of your Owner Manual.
A
B

17
The Automatic
Headlamp
System turns
on the Daytime
Running Lamps
in the daytime
and the head-
lamps and other
exterior lamps at
night or when necessary.
The system uses a light sensor, located
on top of the instrument panel, to deter-
mine light conditions. For proper opera-
tion, avoid placing any objects on or
near the sensor.
Exterior Lamps Control
The exterior lamps can be operated
using the control knob located on the left
side of the instrument panel. The knob
can be rotated to the following positions:
AUTO (Automatic Lamp Control):
This position enables the Automatic
Headlamp System.
(On/Off):Momentarily turn the knob
to this position to turn the Automatic
Headlamp System off or on again.
(Parking Lamps):This position
turns on the parking lamps and
taillamps.
(Headlamps):This position turns
on the headlamps, parking lamps and
taillamps.
(Fog Lamps)(if equipped): Press
this button on the exterior lamps control
knob to turn the fog lamps on or off.
See Section 3 of your Owner Manual.
Automatic Headlamp System
CONVENIENCEInterior Lighting Features
Instrument Panel Brightness
The (Instrument Panel Brightness)
control knob is located on the left side of
the instrument panel. To brighten or dim
the instrument panel lights, press the
knob; it will pop out. Turn the knob to
adjust the intensity of the lights.
Dome Lamps
The dome lamps will come on when a
door is open. The lamps also can be
turned on by fully rotating the instrument
panel brightness control knob clockwise.
To disable the dome lamps, press the
(Dome Lamp Override) button
located above the instrument panel
brightness control knob.
See Section 3 of your Owner Manual.
Outside Power Foldaway
Mirrors (if equipped)
The following
power fold-
away mirror
controls are
located on the
driver’s door:
(Mirror Selector):Press the left side
of this switch (A) to select the driver’s
side mirror or the right side of this switch
to select the passenger’s side mirror.
(Mirror Adjustment):Press the
four-way control pad (B) to adjust the
selected mirror.
(Foldaway Mirrors)(if equipped):
Press the right side of this switch (C) to
fold the mirrors, and press the left side
of this switch to unfold the mirrors.
See Section 2 of your Owner Manual.
B AC

Getting to Know Your Acadia18
The following sunroof and sunshade
switches are located on the headliner
above the rearview mirror:
Express-Open/Express-Close:From
the closed position, press the rear of the
driver’s side switch (A) to express-open
the sunroof. Press the front of the switch
to express-close the sunroof.
Vent: From the closed position, press
and hold the front of the driver’s side
switch (A) to vent the sunroof. Press
and hold the rear of the switch to close
the sunroof.
Front Sunshade: Push up and slightly
forward on the sunshade handle and
then release it rearward to open the
manual sunshade.
Rear Sunshade:Press and release the
rear of the passenger’s side switch (B)
to express-open the sunshade over the
2nd-row seats. Press and release the
front of the switch to express-close the
sunshade.
See Section 2 of your Owner Manual.
Sunroof (if equipped)
AB
Windshield Wipers and Washer
The wiper
controls,
located on
the multi-
function
lever on the
left side of
Power Windows
All four power window switches are
located on the driver’s door armrest.
In addition, each passenger door has a
switch for its own window.
Express-Down Windows
To operate the driver or front passenger
express-down window (if equipped),
press the switch completely and the
window will go all the way down auto-
matically. Press the switch partway to
open the window a small amount. To
stop the window, pull up on the switch
momentarily.
Express-Up Window (if equipped)
To operate the driver express-up
window, pull up the switch completely
and the window will go all the way up
automatically. To stop the window, push
down on the switch momentarily.
Window Lockout
Press the (Window Lockout) switch
on the driver’s door armrest to prevent
the rear windows from operating except
from the driver’s position. Press the
switch again to turn off the lockout
feature.
See Section 2 of your Owner Manual.

Getting to Know Your Acadia20
To adjust the position of the center
console/armrest while in the driver’s
seat, pull up and hold the larger lever
(A) located on the right front of the
console and slide the console forward
or backward.
To open the console storage area, press
the smaller button (B) located on the left
front of the console.
Slide the console back to operate the
tambour sliding door. Remove the tray
under the door to access an additional
accessory power outlet or for more
storage space.
See Section 2 of your Owner Manual.
The 115-volt
power outlet is
located on the
back of the
center console.
With the igni-
tion turned to
Accessory or On, it provides convenient
plug-in power to run electronic equip-
ment such as video games or a cell
phone charger.
See Section 3 of your Owner Manual.
115-Volt Outlet (if equipped)
Center Console Features
AB
The rear convenience center, located
behind the 3rd-row seats, features addi-
tional storage compartments. To open,
pull the handle up and lift the cover.
See Section 2 of your Owner Manual.
Rear Convenience Center
Ultrasonic Rear Park Assist
(if equipped)
This feature
uses ultrasonic
sensors on the
rear bumpers to
help you avoid
colliding with
objects when
parking the vehicle. It operates only at
speeds less than 5 mph.
The rear parking assist display is locat-
ed near the rear window and provides
the following indicators when an object
is detected:
• At 8 ft. (2.5 m), one light illuminates.
• At 40 in. (1.0 m), two lights illuminate.
• At 23 in. (0.6 m), all three lights
illuminate.
• At 12 in. (0.3 m), a chime sounds and
all three lights flash.
Use the Driver Information Center to
turn off the system when towing. The
system automatically turns back on after
each vehicle start.
RES+ (Resume):Press this button to
resume a set speed. If the system is
active, press and release this button to
increase speed 1 mph, or press and
hold the button to increase speed more
than 1 mph.
(Cancel): Press this button to can-
cel the cruise control but retain the set
speed in memory.
See Section 3 of your Owner Manual.

21
There are several ways to open and
close the power liftgate:
• Press and hold the (Power
Liftgate) button on the Remote
Keyless Entry transmitter until the
liftgate starts moving. Press it again
to reverse operation.
• Press the (Power Liftgate) button
on the center console in front of the
shift lever. Press it again to reverse
operation.
• Press the touchpad on the liftgate
handle to open. Press it again to
reverse operation.
• Press the
button on the
bottom of the
liftgate, next to
the liftgate
latch, to close.
Press it again to reverse operation.
To disable all power liftgate controls,
switch the button on the center
console to the OFF position. The liftgate
can be opened and closed manually.
See Section 2 of your Owner Manual.
Power Liftgate (if equipped)
Remote Vehicle Start
(if equipped)
This feature allows you to start the
engine from outside the vehicle by using
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) trans-
mitter. The remote start capability must
be turned on using the Driver Information
Center.
The vehicle’s automatic climate control
system (if equipped) will default to a
heating or cooling mode based on
outside temperature, and the manual
climate control system will turn on at the
same setting as when the vehicle was
last turned off.
Starting the Vehicle
To remote-start the vehicle:
1. Aim the RKE transmitter at the
vehicle. (Transmitter range is within
approximately 195 feet of the vehicle.)
2. Press and release the (Lock)
button on the transmitter.
3. Immediately press and hold the
(Remote Start) button for about four
seconds. When the vehicle starts, the
parking lamps will light and remain on
while the engine is running. The enginewill continue running for 10 minutes.
4. Repeat these steps for a 10-minute
time extension. Only two consecutive
remote starts are allowed.
When you enter the vehicle after a
remote start, the key must be inserted in
the ignition and turned to the On position
before driving.
Note:The Remote Vehicle Start feature
will not operate if the key is in the igni-
tion, the hood or liftgate is open, or the
Check Engine light is illuminated on the
instrument panel cluster.
Rear View Camera (if equipped)
The rear view camera displays a view
of the area behind the vehicle on the
navigation system screen when the
vehicle is shifted into Reverse. The rear
park assist indicators will appear on the
screen, indicating the distance and posi-
tion of an object behind the vehicle.
See Section 3 of your Owner Manual.

Getting to Know Your Acadia22
PERFORMANCE & MAINTENANCE
Refueling the Vehicle
To open the fuel door, press the center
of the rear edge of the door and it will
pop open slightly. Pull the door to open
it fully.
When closing the fuel door, press the
center of the rear edge of the door until
it is flush with the side of the vehicle.
See Section 5 of your Owner Manual.
Automatic Transmission
Operation
The automatic transmission has an
Electronic Range Select mode that
enables the driver to select the top-gear
limit desired for
the current driving
conditions, such
as when driving
on downhill
grades. This pro-
vides engine brak-
ing and reduces
brake wear.
StabiliTrak®– Stability Control
System
StabiliTrak is an advanced computer-
controlled vehicle stability and traction
enhancement system that assists with
directional control of the vehicle in
difficult driving conditions. It turns on
automatically every time you start your
vehicle.
To limit wheelspin and help maintain
directional control, you should always
leave the system on. However, if your
vehicle becomes stuck and rocking the
vehicle is required,
the system should be
turned off.
To turn off the traction
control part of the
system, press the
(Traction Control) button located on the
center console in front of the shift lever.
When the system is turned off, the
Traction Control light will illuminate.
See Section 4 of your Owner Manual.
To use this feature, move the shift lever
to the Low (L) range position and select
a lower or higher driving gear using the
+ / – button on the side of the shift lever.
The display on the instrument panel clus-
ter will show the current gear selection.
The transmission will be limited to the
gear selected and lower gears. Gears
higher than the gear selected will not be
available.
If current vehicle speed is too high or
too low for the requested gear, the shift
will not occur.
See Section 2 of your Owner Manual.
Canceling a Remote Start
If you wish to turn off the engine instead
of driving after a remote start, perform
one of the following functions:
• Press and hold the (Remote Start)
button until the parking lamps turn off.
• Press and release the Hazard
Warning Flashers button. Press it
again to turn off the flashers.
• Turn the key in the ignition switch to
the On position and then off.
See Section 2 of your Owner Manual.