climate controls GMC ACADIA 2011 User Guide

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 (1,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
Climate Controls 8-1
Climate Controls
Climate Control Systems
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Dual Automatic Climate ControlSystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
Rear Climate Control System (Rear Climate
Control Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-10
Rear Climate Control System (Rear Climate with
Rear Seat Audio) . . . . . . . . . . . 8-11
Air Vents
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-12
Maintenance
Passenger Compartment AirFilter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-13
Climate Control Systems
The heating, cooling, and ventilation in the vehicle can be controlled with
this system.
A. Fan Control
B. Temperature Control
C. Air Delivery Mode Control
D. Air Conditioning
E. REAR (Rear Climate Control)
F. Recirculation
G. Rear Window Defogger9(Off): Turn the fan control all the
way counterclockwise to turn the
front climate control system off.
9(Fan Control): Turn clockwise
or counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the fan speed.

Black plate (2,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
8-2 Climate Controls
Temperature Control:Turn
clockwise or counterclockwise
to increase or decrease the
temperature of the air flowing
from the system.
Air Delivery Mode Control: Turn
clockwise or counterclockwise to
change the current airflow mode.
By positioning the right knob
between two modes, a combination
of those two modes is selected.
H(Vent): Air is directed to the
instrument panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level): Air is divided
between the instrument panel
and floor outlets. Some air is
directed towards the windshield
and side window outlets. Cooler
air is directed to the upper outlets
and warmer air to the floor outlets.
6(Floor): Air is directed to the
floor outlets, with some of the air
directed to the windshield, side
window, and second row floor
outlets. In this mode, the system
automatically selects outside air.
Recirculation cannot be selected
while in floor mode.
-(Defog): This clears the
windows of fog or moisture.
Air is directed to the windshield,
floor outlets, and side window
vents. When this mode is selected,
the system turns off recirculation
and runs the air conditioning unless
the outside temperature is less than
4°C (40°F). Recirculation cannot be
selected while in the defog mode.
Do not drive the vehicle until all
the windows are clear.
0(Defrost): This clears the
windshield of fog or frost, more
quickly. Air is directed to the
windshield and side window vents,
with some to the floor vents. In this
mode, outside air is pulled inside
the vehicle. Recirculation cannot be
selected while in the defrost mode.
The air conditioning system runs
automatically in this setting, unless
the outside temperature is less than
4°C (40°F). Do not drive the vehicle
until all the windows are clear.
#(Air Conditioning): Press to
turn the air conditioning system on
or off. An indicator light comes on
when A/C is on. The air conditioning
system does not operate when
the outside temperature is below
4°C (40°F). The indicator light
flashes three times and turns off
when outside conditions affect air
conditioning operation. This is
normal.

Black plate (3,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
Climate Controls 8-3
For quicker cool down on hot days:
1. Open the windows to let hot airescape.
2. Select
Hmode.
3. Select
#.
4. Select the coolest temperature.
5. Select the highest fan speed.
6. Close the windows after the hot air has escaped.
7. Once the vehicle's interior temperature is below the outside
temperature, select
@mode
for faster cooling.
Using recirculation for long periods
of time could cause the air inside
of the vehicle to become too dry. To
prevent this from happening, after
the inside of the vehicle has cooled,
turn the recirculation mode off.
The air conditioning system
removes moisture from the air,
so water might drip under the
vehicle while idling or after turning
off the engine. This is normal.
@(Recirculation): Press to turn
the recirculation mode on or off.
An indicator light comes on when
recirculation is on. When the engine
is turned off, the recirculation mode
automatically turns off and must
be re‐selected when the engine
is turned on again.
This mode recirculates and helps
to quickly cool the air inside the
vehicle. It can be used to prevent
outside air and odors from entering
the vehicle.
The recirculation mode cannot be
used with floor, defrost, or defogging
modes. If recirculation is selected in
these modes, the indicator flashes
three times and turns off. The air
conditioning also comes on when
this mode is activated unless the
outside air temperature is less than
4°C (40°F). While in recirculation
mode the windows can fog when
the weather is cold and damp.
To clear the fog, select either the
defog or defrost mode and increase
the fan speed. REAR (Rear Climate Control):
Press to turn the rear heating
and air conditioning on or off.
See
Rear Climate Control System
(Rear Climate Control Only) on
page 8‑10 orRear Climate Control
System (Rear Climate with Rear
Seat Audio) on page 8‑11.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a
warming grid to remove fog from
the rear window.
<(Rear Window Defogger):
Press to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. The rear
window defogger stays on
for about 10 minutes, before
automatically turning off.
The defogger will also turn off
when the engine is turned off.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the
windows are clear.

Black plate (4,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
8-4 Climate Controls
For vehicles with heated outside
rearview mirrors, fog or frost is
cleared from the surface of the
mirror when
Notice: Do not use anything
sharp on the inside of the rear
window. If you do, you could
cut or damage the warming grid,
and the repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Do not attach a temporary vehicle
license, tape, a decal, or anything
similar to the defogger grid.
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
The heating, cooling, and ventilation in the vehicle can be controlled with
this system.
A. Fan Control
B. AUTO (Automatic Operation)
C. Defrost
D. Recirculation
E. REAR (Rear Climate Control)
F. Air Delivery Mode Control
G. Driver Side Temperature Control H. Display
I. Power (On/Off)
J. Rear Window Defogger
K. Air Conditioning
L. PASS (Passenger)
M. Passenger Side Temperature
Control

Black plate (5,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
Climate Controls 8-5
Display Function
Each time the temperature, mode,
or fan control buttons are pressed,
the climate control display shows
that function along with the inside
temperature setting. The outside
temperature is displayed on the
instrument panel cluster.
O(On/Off):Press to turn the
climate control system on or off.
While the system is off, outside air
still enters through the floor outlets,
but the air delivery mode can be
adjusted.
The climate control system will
also turn on if either the fan control,
defrost, AUTO, or air conditioning
buttons are pressed.
Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic): The system
automatically controls the inside
temperature, the air delivery, and
the fan speed.
To use automatic mode:
1. Press the AUTO button.
When AUTO is selected,
the current temperature(s)
selected and AUTO is shown
on the display. The current air
delivery mode and fan speed
also appear for approximately
five seconds.
When AUTO is selected,
the air conditioning and air
inlet are automatically controlled.
The air conditioning runs when
the outside temperature is over
4°C (40°F). The system is
automatically set to outside
air, unless it is hot outside and
then the air inlet changes to
recirculation mode to help quickly cool the vehicle.
The recirculation indicator
light will come on.
2. Set the temperature for the driver and passenger.
To find a comfortable setting,
start with a 22°C (73°F)
temperature setting and
allow about 20 minutes
for the system to regulate.
Use the driver's side or
passenger side temperature
buttons to adjust the
temperature setting as
necessary. The system will
remain at the selected setting.
Choosing the warmest or
coolest temperatures does
not cause the vehicle to heat
or cool more quickly.
To avoid blowing cold air in
cold weather, the system delays
turning on the fan until warm
air is available. Press the fan
control to override this delay
and select the fan speed.

Black plate (6,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
8-6 Climate Controls
Temperature Control
The driver and passenger side
temperature buttons are used
to adjust the temperature of the
air coming through the system.
The temperature can be adjusted
even if the system is turned
off since outside air still enters
the vehicle, unless the
recirculation mode is selected.
See“Recirculation” later in this
section.
Driver Side Temperature
Control: Press the + or −buttons
to increase or decrease the driver
side temperature. The driver side
temperature display will show the
temperature setting.
Passenger Side Temperature
Control: Press the + or −buttons
to increase or decrease the
passenger side temperature.
The passenger side display will
show the temperature setting. PASS (Passenger):
Press to
set the passenger temperature
to match the driver temperature
setting. The PASS indicator will
turn off. When the passenger
temperature setting is different
than the driver setting, the PASS
indicator comes on.
Manual Operation
The air delivery mode or fan speed
can be manually adjusted.
D/C(Fan Control): Press to
increase or decrease the fan speed.
Pressing
DorCwhile in automatic
control places the fan speed under
manual control.
The air delivery mode remains in
automatic control. The fan setting
still displays, but the word AUTO
no longer displays, and the AUTO
button indicator light turns off.
H/G(Air Delivery Mode
Control): Press to change the
direction of the airflow in the vehicle.
Repeatedly press
HorGuntil
the desired mode appears on the
display. Pressing a mode button
while the system is off changes the
air delivery mode without turning
the system on. Press a mode button
while in automatic control to place
the system into manual control.
The air delivery mode setting still
displays, but the word AUTO no
longer displays, and the AUTO
button indicator light turns off.
H(Vent): Air is directed to the
instrument panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level): Air is divided
between the instrument panel and
floor outlets. Some air is directed
towards the windshield and side
window outlets. Cooler air is
directed to the upper outlets and
warmer air to the floor outlets.

Black plate (7,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
Climate Controls 8-7
6(Floor):Air is directed to the
floor outlets, with some of the air
directed to the windshield, side
window, and second row floor
outlets. In this mode, the system
uses outside air.
-(Defog): This mode clears the
windows of fog or moisture. Air is
directed to the windshield, floor
outlets, and side window vents.
When this mode is selected, the
system turns off recirculation and
runs the air conditioning compressor
unless the outside temperature is
less than 4°C (40°F). Do not drive
the vehicle until all the windows are
clear.
0(Defrost): Press to turn the
defrost on or off. This mode quickly
clears the windshield of fog or frost.
Air is directed to the windshield,
side window, and floor vents.
In this mode, outside air is pulled inside the vehicle. The air
conditioning system runs
automatically in this setting,
unless the outside temperature
is less than 4°C (40°F).
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 flashes three
times to show 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.
When returning to bi-level, vent,
or floor mode, the previous
temperature settings displays in
place of any change made while
in defrost mode.
Air Conditioning
#(Air Conditioning):
Press to
turn the air conditioning (A/C) on
and off. An indicator light comes
on when A/C is on.
The A/C does not work when the
outside temperature is below 4°C
(40°F). If
#is pressed the indicator
flashes three times and turns off
to show that the A/C mode is not
available. If the A/C is on and the
outside temperature drops below a
temperature which is too cool for air
conditioning to be effective, the A/C
indicator turns off to show that the
A/C mode has been canceled.
On hot days, open the windows
briefly to let hot inside air escape.
This helps reduce the time it takes
for the interior of the vehicle to
cool down.

Black plate (8,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
8-8 Climate Controls
The air conditioning system
removes moisture from the air, so
water might drip under the vehicle
while idling or after turning off the
engine. This is normal.
@(Recirculation):Press to turn
the recirculation mode on or off.
An indicator light comes on when
recirculation is on. When the engine
is turned off, the recirculation mode
automatically turns off and must
be re‐selected when the engine is
turned on again.
This mode recirculates and helps
to quickly cool the air inside the
vehicle. It can be used to prevent
outside air and odors from entering
the vehicle. The recirculation mode cannot be
used with floor, defog, or defrosting
modes. If recirculation is selected in
these modes, the indicator flashes
three times and turns off. The air
conditioning compressor also comes
on when this mode is activated.
While in recirculation mode the
windows can fog when the weather
is cold and damp. To clear the fog,
select either the defog or defrost
mode and increase the fan speed.
REAR:
Press to turn the rear
heating and air conditioning on
or off. See Rear Climate Control
System (Rear Climate Control Only)
on page 8‑10 orRear Climate
Control System (Rear Climate with
Rear Seat Audio) on page 8‑11.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a
warming grid to remove fog from the
rear window.
<(Rear Window Defogger):
Press to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. The rear
window defogger stays on for
about 10 minutes, before turning
off. The defogger also turns off
when the engine is turned off.
Do not drive the vehicle until
all the windows are clear.
For vehicles with heated outside
rearview mirrors, fog or frost is
cleared 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.

Black plate (9,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
Climate Controls 8-9
Sensors
The solar sensor, located in the
defrost grille in the middle of the
instrument panel, monitors the solar
heat. Do not cover the solar sensor
or the system will not work properly.
The interior temperature sensor
located on the instrument panel to
the right of the steering column,
measures the temperature of the
air inside the vehicle.There is also an exterior
temperature sensor located
behind the front grille. This sensor
reads the outside air temperature
and helps maintain the temperature
inside the vehicle. Any cover on
the front of the vehicle could cause
a false reading in the displayed
temperature.
The climate control system uses
the information from these sensors
to maintain comfort settings by
adjusting the temperature, fan
speed, and the air delivery mode.
The system may also supply cooler
air to the side of the vehicle facing
the sun. The recirculation mode will
also be used as needed to maintain
cool outlet temperatures.