climate control GMC ACADIA 2011 Owner's Manual

Black plate (1,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
2011 GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner ManualM
In Brief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Performance and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Keys, Doors and Windows . . . 2-1
Keys and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Exterior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Interior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-33
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-48 Storage
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 4-1
Additional Storage Features . . . 4-3
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Instruments and Controls . . . . 5-1
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-37
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 5-47
Universal Remote System . . . . 5-55
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Lighting Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14
Rear Seat Infotainment . . . . . . . 7-39
Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-50 Climate Controls
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-12
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-13
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 9-17
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 9-25
Drive Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-29
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-31
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Object Detection Systems . . . . 9-35
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-46
Conversions and Add-Ons . . . 9-56
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31

Black plate (1,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-1
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Second Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Third Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Heated and Ventilated Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9 Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . 1-9
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Sensing System for
Passenger Airbag . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Steering Wheel
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 1-13
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Vehicle Features
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . 1-18
Bluetooth
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . 1-18 Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Navigation System . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Storage Compartments . . . . . . 1-19
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Performance and Maintenance
StabiliTrak®System . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . 1-21
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 1-21
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23

Black plate (3,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-3
A.Air Vents on page 8‑12.
B. Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5‑5.
C. Instrument Cluster on
page 5‑12.
D. Head-Up Display (HUD) on
page 5‑33 (If Equipped).
E. Instrument Panel Storage on
page 4‑1.
USB Port (Inside IP Storage).
See Auxiliary Devices on
page 7‑37.
F. Infotainment on page 7‑1.
Navigation/Radio System
(If Equipped). See Navigation
System manual.
G. Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 6‑1.
H. Hood Release. See Hood on
page 10‑5.
I. Instrument Panel Illumination
Control on page 6‑5. J. Data Link Connector (DLC)
(Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 5‑18.
K. Cruise Control on page 9‑33.
L. Steering Wheel Adjustment on
page 5‑2.
M. Horn on page 5‑4.
N. Steering Wheel Controls on
page 5‑2.
O. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons (If Equipped).
See Driver Information Center
(DIC) (With DIC Buttons) on
page 5‑25 orDriver Information
Center (DIC) (Without DIC
Buttons) on page 5‑30.
P. Dual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8‑4.
Q. Console Shift Lever (If Equipped). See “Console
Shift Lever” underShifting
Into Park on page 9‑21.
R. Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 6‑3. S.
Cupholders on page 4‑1.
T. Power Outlets on page 5‑9.
U. Rear Window Wiper/Washer on
page 5‑6.
Traction Control System
(TCS) Disable Button.
See StabiliTrak
®System on
page 9‑31.
Tow/Haul Button (If Equipped).
See Tow/Haul Mode on
page 9‑28.
Power Liftgate Button
(If Equipped). See Liftgate on
page 2‑10.
V. Heated and Ventilated
Front Seats on page 3‑9
(If Equipped).
W. Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator on page 5‑16
(If Equipped).
X. Glove Box on page 4‑1.

Black plate (5,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-5
Remote Vehicle Start
Starting the Vehicle
With this feature the engine can be
started from outside of the vehicle.
1. Aim the RKE transmitter at thevehicle.
2. Press
Q.
3. Immediately after completing Step 2, press and hold
/until
the parking lamps flash.
When the vehicle starts, the parking
lamps will turn on and remain on
as long as the engine is running.
The doors will be locked and the
climate control system may
come on.
The engine will continue to run for
10 minutes. Repeat the steps for a
10-minute time extension. Remote
start can be extended only once.
Canceling a Remote Start
To cancel a remote start:
.Aim the RKE transmitter at
the vehicle and press and
hold
/until the parking
lamps turn off.
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Turn the ignition switch on and
then off.
See Remote Vehicle Start on
page 2‑5.
Door Locks
To lock or unlock a door manually:
.From the inside use the door
lock knob on the window sill.
.From the outside turn the key
toward the front or rear of the
vehicle, or press the
QorK
button on the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter.
Power Door Locks
On vehicles with power door locks,
the controls are located on the
front doors.
K: Press to unlock the doors.
Q:Press to lock the doors.
See Power Door Locks on page 2‑8.
Liftgate
To open the liftgate the vehicle must
be in P (Park). Press the touchpad
under the liftgate handle. To close
the liftgate, use the pull cup or pull
strap as an aid.

Black plate (14,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
1-14 In Brief
Windshield Washer
J:Press the button at the end
of the turn signal/lane change
lever to spray washer fluid on
the windshield.
Rear Window Wiper/Washer
The rear wiper and rear wash button
is located on the instrument panel
below the climate control system.
Z (Rear Wiper): Press to turn the
rear wiper on and off. The wiper
speed cannot be changed.
Y (Wash): Press to spray
washer fluid on the rear window.
The window wiper will also
come on.
See Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5‑5 andRear Window Wiper/
Washer on page 5‑6.
Climate Controls
A. Fan Control
B. Temperature Control
C. Air Delivery Mode Control
D. Air Conditioning E. REAR (Rear Climate Control)
F. Air Recirculation
G. Rear Window Defogger

Black plate (15,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-15
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System
A. Fan Control
B. AUTO (Auto Operation)
C. Defrost
D. Air 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
See Climate Control Systems on
page 8‑1 orDual Automatic
Climate Control System on page 8‑4
(If Equipped). For more information
about the rear climate control, see
Rear Climate Control System (Rear
Climate Control Only) on page 8‑10 or
Rear Climate Control System
(Rear Climate with Rear Seat Audio)
on page 8‑11.
Transmission
Electronic Range Select
(ERS) Mode
ERS mode allows you to choose the
top-gear limit of the transmission
and the vehicle's speed while
driving down hill or towing a trailer.
The vehicle has an electronic
shift position indicator within the
instrument panel cluster. When
using the ERS Mode a number will
display next to the L, indicating the
current gear that has been selected.
To use this feature:
1. Move the shift lever to L (Low).
2. Press the plus/minus button located on the shift lever, to
increase or decrease the gear
range available.
See Manual Mode on page 9‑27.

Black plate (20,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
1-20 In Brief
Power Outlets
The vehicle has three 12‐volt
accessory power outlets which
can be used to plug in electrical
equipment, such as a cell phone
or MP3 player.
The power outlets are located:
.On the instrument panel below
the climate controls.
.At the rear of the center floor
console.
.In the rear cargo area.
To use the outlets, remove the
cover.
See Power Outlets on page 5‑9.
Sunroof
The ignition must be in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY to operate the
sunroof and power sunshade. See
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
on page 9‑21.
The switch to operate the front
sunroof is on the headliner above
the rearview mirror.
Vent: Press the front or rear of the
switch to vent or close the sunroof.
Express-open/Express-close:
From the closed position, press
and release the rear or front of
the switch to express-open or
express-close the sunroof.
For more information see Sunroof
on page 2‑22.
Performance and
Maintenance
StabiliTrak®System
The traction control system limits
wheel spin and the StabiliTrak
system assists with directional
control of the vehicle in difficult
driving conditions. Both systems
turn on automatically every time
the vehicle is started.
.To turn off the traction control
part of StabiliTrak, press and
release
5located on the
instrument panel and the
appropriate DIC message
is displayed. See Vehicle
Messages on page 5‑37.
.The StabiliTrak system
remains on.
For more information, see
StabiliTrak
®System on page 9‑31.

Black plate (6,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
2-6 Keys, Doors and Windows
If the vehicle has the remote
start feature, the RKE transmitter
functions have an increased range
of operation. However, the range
may be less while the vehicle is
running.
There are other conditions which
can affect the performance of the
transmitter, seeRemote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System on page 2‑2
for additional information.
Starting the Engine Using
Remote Start
To start the vehicle:
1. Aim the RKE transmitter at the vehicle.
2. Press
Qon the RKE transmitter.
3. Immediately after completing Step 2, press and hold
/until
the parking lamps flash. If the
vehicle's lights can not be seen,
press and hold
/for at least
four seconds. When the vehicle starts the parking
lamps will turn on and remain on
as long as the engine is running.
The doors will be locked and the
climate control system will operate
automatically if the vehicle has the
automatic system, or at the same
setting as when the vehicle was
last turned off.
If the vehicle has an automatic
climate control system and heated
seats, the heated seats turn on
during colder outside temperatures
and shut off when the key is turned
to ON/RUN. See
Heated and
Ventilated Front Seats on page 3‑9
for more information. The rear window defogger and
heated mirrors, if the vehicle has
them, turn on during colder outside
temperatures and turn off when the
key is turned to ON/RUN.
After entering the vehicle during a
remote start, insert and turn the key
to the ON/RUN position to drive the
vehicle.
If the vehicle is left running it
automatically shuts off after
10 minutes unless a time
extension has been done.

Black plate (10,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
2-10 Keys, Doors and Windows
Doors
Liftgate
Manual Liftgate Operation
{WARNING
Exhaust gases can enter the
vehicle if it is driven with the
liftgate, trunk/hatch open, or
with any objects that pass
through the seal between the
body and the trunk/hatch or
liftgate. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO) which
cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness
and even death.
If the vehicle must be driven with
the liftgate, or trunk/hatch open:
.Close all of the windows.
.Fully open the air outlets
on or under the instrument
panel.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Adjust the Climate Control
system to a setting that
brings in only outside air
and set the fan speed to the
highest setting. See Climate
Control System in the Index.
.If the vehicle is equipped with
a power liftgate, disable the
power liftgate function.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9‑24.
To unlock the liftgate, use the
power door lock switch or press
the door unlock button on the
RKE transmitter twice. See Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 2‑3. To open the liftgate, press the
touchpad under the liftgate handle.
The vehicle must be in P (Park)
to open the liftgate. To close the
liftgate, use the pull cup or pull
strap as an aid.
The liftgate will not open if the
battery is disconnected or has low
voltage. The liftgate will resume
operation when the battery is
reconnected and charged.
If the battery is properly connected
and has adequate voltage, and the
liftgate still will not function, the
vehicle should be taken to a dealer
for service.

Black plate (18,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
2-18 Keys, Doors and Windows
Resetting the Power Foldaway
Mirrors
Reset the power foldaway mirrors if:
.The mirrors are accidentally
obstructed while folding.
.They are accidentally manually
folded/unfolded.
.The mirrors vibrate at normal
driving speeds.
Fold and unfold the mirrors one time
using the mirror controls to reset
them to their normal position.
A popping noise may be heard
during the resetting of the power
foldaway mirrors. This sound is
normal after a manual folding
operation.
Heated Mirrors
For vehicles with heated mirrors:
<(Rear Window Defogger):
Press to heat the mirrors.
See “Rear Window Defogger” under
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8‑4 for more
information.
Automatic Dimming
Mirror
If the vehicle has the automatic
dimming mirror, the driver outside
mirror automatically adjusts for the
glare of headlamps behind you.
This feature is controlled by the
on and off setting on the inside
rearview mirror. See Automatic
Dimming Rearview Mirror on
page 2‑19 for more information.
Park Tilt Mirrors
If the vehicle has the memory
package, the outside mirrors have
a park tilt feature. This feature tilts
the outside mirrors to a preselected
position when the vehicle is in
R (Reverse). This allows the driver
to view the curb for parallel parking.
The passenger and/or driver mirror
returns to its original position
when the vehicle is shifted out
of R (Reverse), or the ignition is
turned off or to OFF/LOCK.
This feature can be turned on or
off through the Driver Information
Center (DIC). See Vehicle
Personalization (With DIC Buttons)
on page 5‑47 for more information.