cruise control GMC ACADIA 2009 User Guide

Driving Your
Vehicle
Your Driving, the Road,
and the Vehicle
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy...........................4-1
Defensive Driving................4-2
Drunk Driving.....................4-2
Control of a Vehicle............4-3
Braking...............................4-3
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)...................4-4
Braking in Emergencies......4-5
StabiliTrak®System............4-5
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
System.............................4-7
Steering..............................4-8
Off-Road Recovery.............4-9
Passing..............................4-9
Loss of Control...................4-9
Driving at Night.................4-10
Driving in Rain and on
Wet Roads......................4-11
Before Leaving on a
Long Trip........................4-12
Highway Hypnosis.............4-12
Hill and Mountain Roads. . .4-12
Winter Driving...................4-13
If Your Vehicle is Stuck
in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow
..........................4-15
Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out.......................4-15
Loading the Vehicle..........4-16
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle.........4-20
Recreational Vehicle
Towing............................4-21
Towing a Trailer................4-24
Your Driving, the
Road, and the Vehicle
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving
tips to get the best fuel economy
possible.
Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
Brake gradually and avoid
abrupt stops.
Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
When road and weather
conditions are appropriate, use
cruise control, if equipped.
Always follow posted speed limits
or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-1

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

Keep the windshield and all glass
on your vehicle clean — inside
and out.
Keep your eyes moving,
especially during turns or curves.
No one can see as well at night as
in the daytime. But, as we get
older, these differences increase.
A 50-year-old driver might need
at least twice as much light to see
the same thing at night as a
20-year-old.
Driving in Rain and on
Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce
vehicle traction and affect your
ability to stop and accelerate.
Always drive slower in these types
of driving conditions and avoid
driving through large puddles and
deep-standing or owing water.
{CAUTION
Wet brakes can cause crashes.
They might not work as well in a
quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car/vehicle
wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work
normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
owing water could cause your
vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be
very cautious about trying to drive
through owing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water
can build up under your vehicle’s
tires so they actually ride on
the water. This can happen if the
road is wet enough and you
are going fast enough. When your
vehicle is hydroplaning, it has little or
no contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is
to slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
Allow extra following distance.
Pass with caution.
Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
Keep the windshield washer uid
reservoir lled.
Have good tires with proper tread
depth. SeeTires on page 5-35.
Turn off cruise control.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-11

The surface of a curve or an
overpass can remain icy when the
surrounding roads are clear.
Avoid sudden steering maneuvers
and braking while on ice.
Turn off cruise control, if equipped,
on slippery surfaces.
Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be in a
serious situation. Stay with the
vehicle unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use theRoadside
Assistance Program on page 7-6.
To get help and keep everyone
in the vehicle safe:
Turn on theHazard Warning
Flashers on page 3-5.
Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{CAUTION
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may cause
exhaust gases to get inside.
Engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle is stuck in the snow:
Clear away snow from
around the base of your
vehicle, especially any that is
blocking the exhaust pipe.
Check again from time to
time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
Open a window about two
inches (5 cm) on the side of
the vehicle that is away from
the wind to bring in fresh air.
Fully open the air outlets on or
under the instrument panel.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
Adjust the Climate Control
system to a setting that
circulates the air inside the
vehicle and set the fan speed
to the highest setting. See
Climate Control System in
the Index.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, seeEngine
Exhaust on page 2-30.
Snow can trap exhaust gases
under your vehicle. This can cause
deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside. CO could overcome
you and kill you. You cannot see it
or smell it, so you might not know it
is in your vehicle. Clear away snow
from around the base of your
vehicle, especially any that is
blocking the exhaust.
Run the engine for short periods
only as needed to keep warm,
but be careful.
4-14 Driving Your Vehicle

(e)Make sure the safety belt
reminder light and safety belt
assemblies are working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged
safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt
system from doing its job, have it
repaired. Have any torn or frayed
safety belts replaced. Also see
Checking the Restraint Systems on
page 1-61.
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders,
hood latch assemblies, secondary
latches, pivots, spring anchor and
release pawl, hood and door hinges,
rear folding seats, and liftgate
hinges. More frequent lubrication
may be required when exposed to a
corrosive environment. Applying
silicone grease on weatherstrips with
a clean cloth will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or
squeak.
(g)A fluid loss in any vehicle
system could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected
and repaired and the fluid level
checked. Add fluid if needed.(h)Change automatic transmission
fluid if the vehicle is mainly
driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the
outside temperature regularly
reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer
towing.
Uses such as found in taxi,
police, or delivery service.
(i)Drain, flush, and refill cooling
system. This service can be
complex; you should have your
dealer/retailer perform this service.
See Engine Coolant on page 5-17 for
what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean
radiator, condenser, pressure cap,
and filler neck. Pressure test the
cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)Check system for interference or
binding and for damaged or missing
parts. Replace parts as needed.
Replace any components that havehigh effort or excessive wear. Do not
lubricate accelerator or cruise control
cables.
(k)Visually inspect belt for fraying,
excessive cracks, or obvious
damage. Replace belt if necessary.
(l)If driving regularly under dusty
conditions, inspect the filter at each
engine oil change.
(m)Change transfer case fluid if the
vehicle is mainly driven under
one or more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where
the outside temperature regularly
reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer
towing.
Uses such as found in taxi,
police, or delivery service.
6-8 Maintenance Schedule

Cleaning
Aluminum or
Chrome-Plated Wheels . . . 5-86
Exterior Lamps/Lenses......5-85
Fabric/Carpet...................5-83
Finish Care......................5-85
Instrument Panel, Vinyl,
and Other Plastic
Surfaces......................5-84
Interior............................5-81
Leather...........................5-83
Tires...............................5-87
Underbody Maintenance....5-88
Washing Your Vehicle........5-84
Weatherstrips...................5-84
Windshield, Backglass,
and Wiper Blades..........5-86
Climate Control System.........3-22
Dual Automatic.................3-25
Outlet Adjustment.............3-30
Rear Air Conditioning and
Heating System.............3-31
Rear Air Conditioning and
Heating System,
Electronic.....................3-32
Clock, Setting......................3-73
Collision Damage Repair.......7-10
Compact Spare Tire.............5-81
Compass............................3-54Compressor Kit
Storing............................5-68
Compressor Kit,
Tire Sealant.....................5-56
Content Theft-Deterrent.........2-16
Control of a Vehicle............... 4-3
Convenience Net.................2-52
Coolant
Engine............................5-17
Engine
Temperature Gage.........3-40
Engine Temperature
Warning Light...............3-40
Cooled Seats........................ 1-6
Cooling System...................5-16
Courtesy Lamps
...................3-14
Cruise Control....................... 3-9
Cruise Control Light..............3-44
Cupholders.........................2-49
Customer Assistance
Information
Courtesy Transportation....... 7-9
Customer Assistance for
Text Telephone (TTY)
Users............................ 7-4
Customer Assistance
Offices........................... 7-5
Customer Satisfaction
Procedure...................... 7-1Customer Assistance Information
(cont.)
GM Mobility Reimbursement
Program........................ 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects
to General Motors.........7-14
Reporting Safety Defects
to the Canadian
Government..................7-14
Reporting Safety Defects
to the United States
Government..................7-14
Roadside Assistance
Program........................ 7-6
Service Publications
Ordering Information......7-15
D
Daytime Running Lamps/
Automatic Headlamp
System...........................3-13
Defensive Driving................... 4-2
Delayed Entry Lighting..........3-15
Delayed Exit Lighting............3-15
Delayed Headlamps.............3-12
Delayed Locking.................... 2-8
DIC Compass......................3-54
Disc, MP3...................3-89, 3-93
INDEX i-3

Hood
Checking Things Under....... 5-9
Release............................ 5-9
Horn .................................... 3-5
How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly..........................1-18
I
Ignition Positions..................2-20
Infants and Young Children,
Restraints........................1-31
Ination - Tire Pressure.........5-41
Inator Kit, Tire....................5-56
Instrument Panel
Brightness.......................3-14
Cluster............................3-34
Overview........................... 3-4
Storage Area....................2-49
J
Jump Starting......................5-28
K
Keyless Entry System............ 2-3
Keys.................................... 2-2
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall..........5-36
Lamp
Malfunction Indicator.........3-41
Lamps
Courtesy.........................3-14
Dome .............................3-14
Dome Lamp Override........3-14
Reading..........................3-15
Lap-Shoulder Belt................1-23
LATCH System for Child
Restraints........................1-37
License Plate Lamps............5-34
Liftgate
Carbon Monoxide.............2-10
Liftgate, Power....................2-11
Light
Airbag Readiness.............3-36
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning..............3-39
Brake System Warning......3-38
Charging System..............3-37
Cruise Control..................3-44
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning.....3-40
Fog Lamp ........................3-44
Highbeam On...................3-45Light (cont.)
Oil Pressure.....................3-44
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator.......................3-36
Safety Belt Reminders.......3-35
Security...........................3-44
StabiliTrak
®Indicator.........3-39
Tire Pressure...................3-41
Tow/Haul Mode................3-45
Lighting
Delayed Entry..................3-15
Delayed Exit....................3-15
Entry..............................3-14
Parade Dimming...............3-15
Lights
Exterior Lamps.................3-11
Flash-to-Pass..................... 3-7
High/Low Beam Changer..... 3-7
Loading Your Vehicle............4-16
Lockout Protection................. 2-9
Locks
Delayed Locking................. 2-8
Door ................................. 2-8
Lockout Protection.............. 2-9
Power Door....................... 2-8
Programmable Automatic
Door Locks.................... 2-9
Rear Door Security Locks.... 2-9
i-6 INDEX