tow GMC ACADIA 2008 Owner's Guide

The air delivery mode setting remains displayed,
the word AUTO is no longer displayed, and the
AUTO button indicator light turns off.
H(Vent):This setting delivers air to the instrument
panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets and to the oor outlets. A little air is
directed towards the windshield and side window outlets.
Cooler air is directed to the upper outlets and warmer
air to the oor outlets.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to
the oor outlets, with some of the air directed to the
windshield, side window outlets, and second row
oor outlets. In this mode, the system automatically
selects outside air. Recirculation cannot be selected
in oor mode.
-(Defog):See “Defogging and Defrosting” later
in this section.
@(Recirculation):Press this button to turn the
recirculation mode on. When the button is pressed,
an indicator light comes on.
This mode keeps outside air from entering the vehicle.
It can be used to reduce outside air and prevent
odors from entering your vehicle. Recirculation also
helps to quickly cool the warmer air inside your vehicle.
The recirculation mode cannot be used with oor, defrost,
or defogging modes. If you try to select recirculation in
one of those modes, the indicator ashes three times and
turns off. The air conditioning compressor also comes on
when this mode is activated. While in recirculation mode
the windows may fog when the weather is cold and damp.
To clear the fog, select either the defog or defrost mode
and increase the fan speed.
Press the button again to turn off the recirculation mode.
It automatically turns off when the engine is turned off and
must be re-selected when the engine is turned on again.
3-32

To clear fog from the rear seat side windows, select the
bi-level mode on the rear climate control system and
direct the headliner outlets toward the side windows.
0(Defrost):Press this button to remove fog or
frost from the windshield more quickly. This mode
directs most of the air to the windshield and side window
vents and some to the oor vents. In this mode, the
system automatically forces outside air into the vehicle.
The recirculation mode cannot be selected while in
the defrost mode. The air conditioning compressor
runs automatically in this setting, unless the outside
temperature is close to freezing. Do not drive the
vehicle until all the windows are clear.
While in defrost mode, if the PASS button is pressed,
the PASS button indicator will ash three times to
let you know that the passenger climate control system
cannot be activated. If the passenger temperature
buttons are adjusted while in defrost mode, the driver
temperature indicator will change. The passenger
temperature will not be displayed.
AUX (Auxiliary):Press this button to turn the
rear heating and air conditioning on. SeeRear Air
Conditioning and Heating System on page 3-36or
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System and
Electronic Climate Controls on page 3-38.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
<(Rear Window Defogger):Press this button to
turn the rear window defogger on or off. The rear
window defogger stays on for about 10 minutes after
the button is pressed, before turning off. The defogger
can also be turned off by pressing the button again
or by turning off the engine. Do not drive the vehicle
until all the windows are clear.
If your vehicle has heated outside rearview mirrors,
the mirrors will heat to help clear fog or frost from the
surface of the mirror when the rear window defog
button is pressed.
Notice:Do not use a razor blade or sharp object
to clear the inside rear window. Do not adhere
anything to the defogger grid lines in the rear glass.
These actions may damage the rear defogger.
Repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
3-35

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
3-47

If the Light is Flashing
The following can prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light stops ashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park the vehicle.
Turn the ignition off, wait at least 10 seconds, and restart
the engine. If the light remains on steady, see “If the
Light Is On Steady” following. If the light is still ashing,
follow the previous steps and see your dealer/retailer
for service as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You might be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully
install the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 5-9.
The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap
has been left off or improperly installed. A loose
or missing fuel cap allows fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. A few driving trips with the cap properly
installed should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your vehicle’s electrical system might be wet.
The condition is usually corrected when the electrical
system dries out. A few driving trips should turn the
light off.
3-52

Fog Lamp Light
The fog lamp light will
come on when the fog
lamps are in use.
The light will go out when the fog lamps are turned off.
SeeFog Lamps on page 3-16for more information.
Cruise Control Light
This light comes on
whenever you set the
cruise control.
The light goes out when the cruise control is turned off.
SeeCruise Control on page 3-12for more information.
Highbeam On Light
This light comes on when
the high-beam headlamps
are in use.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on page 3-9
for more information.
Tow/Haul Mode Light
This light comes on when
the Tow/Haul mode has
been activated.
For more information, seeTow/Haul Mode on page 2-34.
3-55

Problem Recommended Action
No power. The ignition might not be
turned ON/RUN or in
ACC/ACCESSORY.
The picture does not ll
the screen. There are
black borders on the
top and bottom or on
both sides or it looks
stretched out.Check the display mode
settings in the setup
menu by pressing the
display menu button on
the remote control.
In auxiliary mode, the
picture moves or scrolls.Check the auxiliary
input connections at
both devices.
The remote control
does not work.Check to make sure there
is no obstruction between
the remote control and
the transmitter window.
Check the batteries to
make sure they are
not dead or installed
incorrectly.
After stopping the player,
I push Play but sometimes
the DVD starts where
I left off and sometimes
at the beginning.If the stop button was
pressed one time, the
DVD player resumes
playing where the DVD
was stopped. If the stop
button was pressed
two times the DVD player
begins to play from the
beginning of the DVD.Problem Recommended Action
The auxiliary source
is running but there is
no picture or sound.Check that the RSE
video screen is in the
auxiliary source mode.
Check the auxiliary
input connections at
both devices.
Sometimes the wireless
headphone audio cuts
out or buzzes.Check for obstructions,
low batteries, reception
range, and interference
from cellular telephone
towers or by using
your cellular telephone
in the vehicle.
Check that the
headphones are on
correctly using the
L (left) and R (right)
on the headphones.
I lost the remote and/or
the headphones.See your dealer/retailer
for assistance.
The DVD is playing,
but there is no picture
or sound.Check that the RSE
video screen is sourced
to the DVD player.
3-123

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunk Driving.................................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-3
Braking.........................................................4-4
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................4-5
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-6
StabiliTrak
®System........................................4-6
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System.........................4-9
Steering........................................................4-9
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-11
Passing.......................................................4-11
Loss of Control.............................................4-12
Driving at Night............................................4-13Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-14
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-15
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-15
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-16
Winter Driving..............................................4-17
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow...................................................4-20
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-21
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-21
Towing..........................................................4-26
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-26
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-26
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-30
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and right to clear
the area around the front wheels. Turn the traction
control part of the StabiliTrak
®System off. See
StabiliTrak®System on page 4-6. Then shift back and
forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as possible. To prevent
transmission wear, wait until the wheels stop spinning
before shifting gears. Release the accelerator pedal
while you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear. By slowly spinning
the wheels in the forward and reverse directions, you will
cause a rocking motion that could free your vehicle. If
that does not get your vehicle out after a few tries,
it might need to be towed out. If your vehicle does need
to be towed out, seeTowing Your Vehicle on
page 4-26.
Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. This weight is called the
vehicle capacity weight and includes the weight of
all occupants, cargo, and all nonfactory-installed
options. Two labels on your vehicle show how
much weight it may properly carry, the Tire and
Loading Information label and the Certication/Tire
label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do,
parts on your vehicle can break, and it
can change the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten
the life of your vehicle.
4-21

5.Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in
Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load
from your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage
load capacity for your vehicle.
SeeTowing a Trailer on page 4-30for important
information on towing a trailer, towing safety rules,
and trailering tips.
Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity
Weight for
Example 1=1,000 lbs
(453 kg)
BSubtract Occupant
Weight 150 lbs
(68 kg)×2=300 lbs (136 kg)
CAvailable Occupant
and Cargo Weight=700 lbs (317 kg) Example 1
4-23

If you put things inside your vehicle — like
suitcases, tools, packages, or anything else, they
will go as fast as the vehicle goes. If you have
to stop or turn quickly, or if there is a crash, they
will keep going.
{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can
strike and injure people in a sudden stop
or turn, or in a crash.
Put things in the cargo area of your
vehicle. Try to spread the weight
evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above the tops of
the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded down
unless you need to.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service if you need to have your disabled vehicle towed.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-6.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another vehicle
for recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),
see “Recreational Vehicle Towing” following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your vehicle
behind another vehicle – such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as “dinghy towing” (towing your vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground) and “dolly towing”
(towing your vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known as a “dolly”).
With the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See “Dinghy
Towing” and “Dolly Towing” following in this section.
4-26