ignition GMC ACADIA 2008 Owner's Guide

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)/
Automatic Headlamp System
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier
for others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in
the short periods after dawn and before sunset.
Fully functional daytime running lamps are required
on all vehicles rst sold in Canada.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes
the DRL work, so be sure it is not covered.
The DRL system’s automatic headlamp control will
make the low-beam headlamps come on at a reduced
brightness when the following conditions are met:
The ignition is in the ON/RUN position.
The exterior lamps control is in AUTO.
The engine is running.
When the DRL are on, only the low-beam headlamps,
at a reduced level of brightness, will be on. The
headlamps, taillamps, sidemarker, and other lamps
will not be on. The instrument panel and cluster will
also not be lit.
When it is dark enough outside, the low-beam
headlamps will turn off and the headlamps and parking
lamps will turn on. The other lamps that come on
with the headlamps will also come on.When it is bright enough outside, the headlamps will
go off and the DRL will come on.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when it is needed.
Fog Lamps
Use the fog lamps for better vision in foggy or misty
conditions.
-(Fog Lamps):The fog lamps button is located on
the exterior lamps control. The exterior lamps control
is located on the instrument panel to the left of the
steering column.
The ignition must be on for the fog lamps to work.
Press the exterior lamps button to turn the fog lamps
on or off. A light will come on in the instrument
panel cluster when the fog lamps are in use.
When the headlamps are changed to high-beam, the
fog lamps will turn off. The fog lamps come back
on again when the high-beam headlamps are turned off.
Some localities have laws that require the headlamps
to be on along with the fog lamps.
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Entry lighting includes a feature called theater dimming.
With theater dimming, the lamps do not turn off at the end
of the delay time. Instead, they slowly dim after the delay
time until they go out. The delay time is canceled if you
turn the ignition key to ON/RUN or press the power door
lock switch. The lamps will dim right away.
When the ignition is on, illuminated entry is inactive,
which means the courtesy lamps will not come on
unless a door is opened.
Delayed Entry Lighting
Delayed entry lighting illuminates the interior for a
period of time after all the doors have been closed.
The ignition must be off for delayed entry lighting
to work. Immediately after all the doors have been
closed, the delayed entry lighting feature will continue
to work until one of the following occurs:
The ignition is in ON/RUN.
The doors are locked.
An illumination period of 25 seconds has elapsed.
If during the illumination period a door is opened,
the timed illumination period will be canceled and the
interior lamps will remain on because a door is open.
Delayed Exit Lighting
This feature illuminates the interior for a period of time
after the key is removed from the ignition.
The ignition must be off for delayed exit lighting to
work. When the key is removed, interior illumination
will activate and remain on until one of the following
occurs:
The ignition is in ON/RUN.
The power door locks are activated.
An illumination period of 20 seconds has elapsed.
If during the illumination period a door is opened,
the timed illumination period will be canceled and the
interior lamps will remain on because a door is open.
Parade Dimming
The instrument panel has an added feature called
parade mode. It automatically prohibits the dimming
of the instrument panel displays during the daylight
while the headlamps are on so that you will still be
able to see the displays.
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Battery Run-Down Protection
This vehicle has a feature to help prevent the battery
from being drained, if the interior courtesy lamps,
reading/map lamps, visor vanity lamps or trunk lamp
are accidentally left on. If any of these lamps are
left on, they will automatically turn off after 10 minutes,
if the ignition is off. The lamps will not come back
on again until one of the following occurs:
The ignition is turned on.
The exterior lamps control is turned off,
then on again.
The headlamps will timeout after 10 minutes, if they
are manually turned on before the ignition is off.
Head-Up Display (HUD)
{CAUTION:
If the HUD image is too bright or too high in
your eld of view, it may take you more time
to see things you need to see when it is dark
outside. Be sure to keep the HUD image dim
and placed low in your eld of view.
If the vehicle has the Head-Up Display (HUD),
some information concerning the operation of the
vehicle is projected onto the windshield. This includes
the speedometer reading, RPM reading, transmission
position, outside air temperature, the tap shift gear,
and a brief display of the current radio station,
including XM information or CD track. It will also
display turn-by-turn navigation information if the
vehicle has a navigation radio. The images are
projected by the HUD lens located on the driver’s
side of the instrument panel.
The tap shift gear will also appear on the HUD if
the vehicle has tap shift and it is active.
3-20

The HUD information can be displayed in one of
three languages, English, French, or Spanish. The
speedometer reading and other numerical values
can be displayed in either English or metric units.
The language selection and the units of measurement
are changed through the trip computer in the
Driver Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Vehicle
Customization (With DIC Buttons) on page 3-75.
The HUD information appears as an image focused
out toward the front of the vehicle.When the ignition key is turned to RUN, the HUD will
display an introductory message for a short time,
until the HUD is ready.
The following indicator lights come on the instrument
panel when activated and will also appear on the HUD:
Turn Signal Indicators
High-Beam Indicator Symbol
The HUD will temporarily display CHECK GAGES and
ICE POSSIBLE when there are messages on the
DIC trip computer.
The HUD will also display 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 will
continually be 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 will happen whenever radio information is changed.
The speedometer size will be reduced when radio,
CD information, warnings, or turn-by-turn navigation
information are displayed on the HUD.
3-21

If You Cannot See the HUD Image
When the Ignition Is On
Is anything covering the HUD lens?
Is the HUD dimmer setting bright enough?
Is the HUD image adjusted to the proper height?
Are you wearing polarized sunglasses?
Still no HUD image? Check the fuse in the
instrument panel fuse block. SeeInstrument
Panel Fuse Block on page 5-100.
If the HUD Image Is Not Clear
Is the HUD image too bright?
Are the windshield and HUD lens clean?
If the HUD image is not correct, contact your
dealer/retailer.
Keep in mind that the windshield is part of the
HUD system.
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
The accessory power outlets can be used to connect
electrical equipment such as a cellular phone or
CB radio.
Your vehicle may have four accessory power outlets.
They are located on the instrument panel below
the climate controls, inside the front center console
storage bin, at the rear of the center console, and in
the rear cargo area.
To use the outlets, remove the cover. When not in
use, always cover the outlet with the protective cap.
Notice:Leaving electrical equipment on for
extended periods will drain the battery. Always
turn off electrical equipment when not in use
and do not plug in equipment that exceeds the
maximum amperage rating of 20 amperes.
3-24

Certain electrical accessories may not be compatible
with the accessory power outlets and could result
in blown vehicle or adapter fuses. If you experience
a problem, see your dealer/retailer for additional
information on the accessory power outlet.
Notice:Adding any electrical equipment to your
vehicle may damage it or keep other components
from working as they should. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Do not use equipment
exceeding maximum amperage rating of 20 amperes.
Check with your dealer/retailer before adding
electrical equipment.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow the
installation instructions included with the equipment.
Notice:Improper use of the power outlet can
cause damage not covered by your warranty.
Do not hang any type of accessory or accessory
bracket from the plug because the power outlets
are designed for accessory power plugs only.Power Outlet 115 Volt Alternating
Current
Your vehicle may have a power outlet that can be
used to plug in electrical equipment that uses a
maximum limit of 150 watts.
The power outlet is
located on the rear
of the center console.
An indicator light on the outlet turns on to show it
is in use. The light comes on when the ignition is in
ON/RUN and equipment requiring less than 150 watts is
plugged into the outlet, and no system fault is detected.
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The indicator light does not come on when the ignition
is in LOCK/OFF or if no equipment is plugged into
the outlet.
If you try to connect equipment using more than
150 watts or a system fault is detected, a protection
circuit shuts off the power supply and the indicator
light turns off. To reset the circuit, unplug the item
and plug it back in or turn the Remote Accessory Power
(RAP) off and then back on. SeeRetained Accessory
Power (RAP) on page 2-27. The power restarts
when equipment using 150 watts or less is plugged
into the outlet and a system fault is not detected.
The power outlet is not designed for the following
electrical equipment and may not work properly if
these items are plugged into the power outlet:
Equipment with high initial peak wattage such
as: compressor-driven refrigerators and electric
power tools.
Other equipment requiring an extremely stable
power supply such as: microcomputer-controlled
electric blankets, touch sensor lamps, etc.
SeeHigh Voltage Devices and Wiring on page 5-99.
Climate Controls
Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling,
defrost, defog, and ventilation of the vehicle.
Manual Operation
9
(Fan):Turn the left knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan speed.
Turn the knob all the way counterclockwise to turn the
front system off.
Temperature Control:Turn the center knob clockwise
or counterclockwise to increase or decrease the
temperature of the air owing from the system.
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If, after several seconds, both status indicator lights
remain on, or if there are no lights at all, there may
be a problem with the lights or the passenger sensing
system. See your dealer/retailer for service.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the instrument
panel cluster ever comes on and stays on,
it means that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. If this ever happens, have
the vehicle serviced promptly, because an
adult-size person sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat may not have the protection
of the airbag(s). SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-42for more on this, including
important safety information.
Charging System Light
This light will come on
briey when you turn
on the ignition, but
the engine is not
running, as a check to
show you it is working.
It should go out once the engine is running. If it stays
on, or comes on while you are driving, you may have
a problem with the charging system. A charging system
Driver Information Center (DIC) message may also
appear. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-66
for more information. This light could indicate that
you have problems with a generator drive belt, or
another electrical problem. Have it checked right away.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on,
be certain to turn off all your accessories, such as
the radio and air conditioner.
3-45

Voltmeter Gage
When the engine is not
running, but the ignition
is turned on, this gage
shows the battery’s state
of charge in DC volts.
When the engine is running, this gage shows the
condition of the charging system. The vehicle’s
charging system regulates voltage based on the state
of charge of the battery. The voltmeter may uctuate.
This is normal. Readings between the low and high
warning zones indicate the normal operating range.Readings in the low warning zone may occur when a
large number of electrical accessories are operating
in the vehicle and the engine is left idling for an
extended period.
If there is a problem with the battery charging system,
a SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM message
will appear in the Driver Information Center (DIC)
and/or the charging system light will come on. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-66and
Charging System Light on page 3-45for more
information.
However, readings in either warning zone may
indicate a possible problem in the electrical system.
Have the vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
3-46

Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part is not working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though,
you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on briey when you turn the
ignition key to ON. If it does not come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
This light may also come on due to low brake uid.
SeeBrakes on page 5-35for more information.When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake.
The light will stay on if your parking brake does
not release fully. If it stays on after your parking brake
is fully released, it means you have a brake problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off
the road and stop carefully. Make sure the parking brake
is fully released. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push or, the pedal may go closer to the oor.
It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have
the vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle
on page 4-26.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on after you
have pulled off the road and stopped carefully,
have the vehicle towed for service. United StatesCanada
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