ignition GMC ACADIA 2012 Workshop Manual

Black plate (8,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
6-8 Lighting
EPM works to prevent excessive
discharge of the battery. It does this
by balancing the generator's output
and the vehicle's electrical needs.
It can increase engine idle speed to
generate more power whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce
the power demands of some
accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in
steps or levels, without being
noticeable. In rare cases at the
highest levels of corrective action,
this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a DIC message might
be displayed, such as BATTERY
SAVER ACTIVE, BATTERY
VOLTAGE LOW, or LOW BATTERY.
If one of these messages displays,
it is recommended that the driver
reduce the electrical loads as much
as possible. SeeDriver Information
Center (DIC) (Without DIC Buttons)
on page 5‑30 orDriver Information
Center (DIC) (With DIC Buttons) on
page 5‑25.Battery Power Protection
This feature helps prevent the
battery from being drained, if the
interior courtesy lamps or reading
lamps are accidentally left on.
If any of these lamps are left on,
they 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 time out after
10 minutes, if they are manually
turned on while the ignition is on
or off.

Black plate (2,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
7-2 Infotainment System
For more information, seeDefensive
Driving on page 9‑3.
The vehicle has Retained
Accessory Power (RAP). With RAP,
the audio system can be played
even after the ignition is turned off.
See Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) on page 9‑20 for more
information.
Navigation/Radio System
For vehicles with a navigation radio
system, see the separate navigation
manual.
Theft-Deterrent Feature
TheftLock®is designed to
discourage theft of the vehicle's
radio by learning a portion of the
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
The radio does not operate if it is
stolen or moved to a different
vehicle.
Operation
Radio with CD, Radio with CD/USB Similar

Black plate (4,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
7-4 Infotainment System
Playing the Radio
O(Power/Volume):Press to turn
the system on and off. Turn to
increase or decrease the volume.
For vehicles with a Rear Seat
Entertainment (RSE) System,
press and hold for more than
two seconds to turn off the entire
radio and RSE system and to
start the parental control feature.
Parental control prevents the rear
seat occupant from operating the
Rear Seat Audio (RSA) system or
remote control.
A lock symbol displays next to the
clock display while the parental
control feature is being used.
The feature remains on until
Ois
pressed and held for more than
two seconds, or the driver turns the
ignition off and exits the vehicle.
4(Information): Press to switch
the display between the radio
station frequency and the time.
When the ignition is in the OFF
position, press
4to display the time.
For vehicles with XM, MP3, WMA,
or RDS features, press
4to display
additional text information related to
the current FM-RDS or XM station;
or CD, MP3, or WMA song.
If information is available during XM,
CD, MP3, or WMA playback, the
song title information displays on
the top line of the display and artist
information displays on the bottom
line. When information is not
available, “NO INFO” displays.
Auto Text (Satellite Radio Service,
CD, MP3, and WMA features):
If additional information is available
for the current song being played,
Auto Text will automatically
page/scroll the information every
five seconds above the FAV presets
on the radio display. To activate Auto Text:
1. Press MENU to display the radio
setup menu.
2. Press the softkey under the AUTO TXT tab on the radio
display.
3. Press the softkey under the ON tab on the radio display.
If
4is pressed and the song title or
artist information is longer than
what can be displayed, the extra
information will page every
five seconds when Auto Text is
activated.
Speed Compensated Volume
(SCV): The Speed Compensated
Volume (SCV) feature automatically
adjusts the radio volume to
compensate for road and wind noise
as the vehicle speeds up or slows
down, so that the volume level is
consistent.

Black plate (15,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
Infotainment System 7-15
Playing an MP3/WMA CD-R or
CD-RW Disc
The radio has the capability of
playing an MP3/WMA CD-R or
CD-RW disc. For more information
on how to play an MP3/WMA CD-R
or CD-RW disc, seeMP3 (Radios
with CD/DVD) on page 7‑29 or
MP3 (Radios with CD/USB) on
page 7‑23.
CD Messages
Check Disc: Radios with a single
CD player display Check Disc
and/or eject the CD if an error
occurs.
Optical Error: The disc was
inserted upside down.
Disk Read Error: A disc was
inserted with an invalid or unknown
format. Player Error:
There are disc LOAD
or disc EJECT problems.
.It is very hot. When the
temperature returns to normal,
the CD should play.
.The road is very rough. When
the road becomes smoother,
the CD should play.
.The CD is dirty, scratched, wet,
or upside down.
.The air is very humid. If so, wait
about an hour and try again.
.There was a problem while
burning the CD.
.The label is caught in the
CD player.
If the CD is not playing correctly for
any other reason, try a known
good CD.
If any error occurs repeatedly or if
an error cannot be corrected,
contact your dealer. If the radio
displays an error message, write it
down and provide it to your dealer
when reporting the problem.
CD/DVD Player
Playing a CD (In Either the
DVD or CD Slot)
Insert a CD partway into the slot,
label side up. The player pulls it in
and the CD should begin playing.
(Loading a disc into the system,
depending on media type and
format, ranges from five to
20 seconds for a CD, and
up to 30 seconds for a DVD to
begin playing.)
If the ignition or radio is turned off
while a CD is in the player, it stays
in the player. When the ignition or
radio is turned on, the CD starts
playing where it stopped, if it was
the last selected audio source.
The CD is controlled by the
buttons on the radio faceplate
or by the RSA unit. See Rear
Seat Audio (RSA) System on
page 7‑47 for more information.

Black plate (45,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
Infotainment System 7-45
Tips and Troubleshooting Chart
ProblemRecommended Action
There is no power. The ignition might not be turned to ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY.
The picture does not fill the screen. There are
black borders on the top and bottom or on both
sides, or the picture 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, and pushing Play,
sometimes the DVD starts where it 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.
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 use a cellular
telephone in the vehicle.
Check that the headphones are on correctly using the
L (left) and R (right) on the headphones.

Black plate (55,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
Infotainment System 7-55
.Pressb/gagain to return to
the original call.
.To ignore the incoming call, no
action is required.
.Pressc/xto disconnect the
current call and switch to the call
on hold.
Three‐Way Calling
Three‐way calling must be
supported on the cell phone and
enabled by the wireless service
carrier.
1. While on a call, press
b/g.
2. Say “Three‐way call.”
3. Use the dial or call command to dial the number of the third party
to be called.
4. Once the call is connected, press
b/gto link all callers
together.
Ending a Call
Pressc/xto end a call.
Muting a Call
During a call, all sounds from inside
the vehicle can be muted so that the
person on the other end of the call
cannot hear them.
.To mute a call, pressb/g, and
then say “Mute call.”
.To cancel mute, pressb/g,
and then say “Un‐mute call.”
Transferring a Call
Audio can be transferred between
the Bluetooth system and the cell
phone.
The cell phone must be paired and
connected with the Bluetooth
system before a call can be
transferred. The connection process
can take up to two minutes after the
ignition is turned to ON/RUN. Transferring Audio from the
Bluetooth System to a Cell Phone
During a call with the audio in the
vehicle:
1. Press
b/g.
2. Say “Transfer Call.”
Transferring Audio to the
Bluetooth System from a Cell
Phone
During a call with the audio on the
cell phone, press
b/g. The audio
transfers to the vehicle. If the audio
does not transfer to the vehicle,
use the audio transfer feature on
the cell phone. See your cell phone
manufacturer's user guide for more
information.

Black plate (1,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-1
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 9-7
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-8
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 9-10
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . 9-10
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . 9-15
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-16
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . 9-18
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-19
Retained AccessoryPower (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20 Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Running the Vehicle WhileParked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . 9-23
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-29
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . 9-29
Ride Control Systems
StabiliTrak®System . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Object Detection Systems
Ultrasonic Parking Assist . . . . 9-34
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-40
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . 9-40
Gasoline Specifications(U.S. and Canada Only) . . . . 9-40
California Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-40
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 9-41
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-41
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-44
Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-44
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-45
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-49
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 9-51
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-53

Black plate (7,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-7
.Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
.Have good tires with proper
tread depth. SeeTires on
page 10‑37.
.Turn off cruise control.
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to
your surroundings while driving.
If you become tired or sleepy, find a
safe place to park the vehicle
and rest.
Other driving tips include:
.Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
.Keep the interior
temperature cool.
.Keep your eyes moving —scan
the road ahead and to the sides.
.Check the rearview mirror and
vehicle instruments often.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for
driving in these conditions include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
.Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{WARNING
If you do not shift down, the
brakes could get so hot that they
would not work well. You would
then have poor braking or even
none going down a hill. You could
crash. Shift down to let the engine
assist the brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
{WARNING
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. The brakes will have
to do all the work of slowing down
and they could get so hot that
they would not work well. You
would then have poor braking or
even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle in
gear when going downhill.
.Stay in your own lane. Do not
swing wide or cut across the
center of the road. Drive at
speeds that let you stay in your
own lane.
.Be alert on top of hills;
something could be in your lane
(stalled car, accident).
.Pay attention to special road
signs (falling rocks area, winding
roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take
appropriate action.

Black plate (16,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
9-16 Driving and Operating
Ignition Positions
The ignition switch has four different
positions.
In order to shift out of P (Park),
the ignition must be in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY and the brake
pedal must be applied.
Notice:Using a tool to force the
key to turn in the ignition could
cause damage to the switch or
break the key. Use the correct
key, make sure it is all the way in, and turn it only with your hand.
If the key cannot be turned by
hand, see your dealer.
((STOPPING THE ENGINE/
LOCK/OFF): When the vehicle is
stopped, turn the ignition switch to
LOCK/OFF to turn the engine off.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
will remain active. See Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) on
page 9‑20.
This position locks the ignition
and transmission. The key can be
removed in LOCK/OFF.
Do not turn the engine off when the
vehicle is moving. This will cause a
loss of power assist in the brake
and steering systems and disable
the airbags.
If the vehicle must be shut off in an
emergency:
1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the
brakes repeatedly. This may
deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force. 2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral).
This can be done while the
vehicle is moving. After shifting
to N (Neutral), firmly apply the
brakes and steer the vehicle to a
safe location.
3. Come to a complete stop, shift to P (Park), and turn the ignition
to LOCK/OFF. On vehicles with
an automatic transmission, the
shift lever must be in P (Park) to
turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK/OFF position.
4. Set the parking brake. See Parking Brake on
page 9‑28.
{WARNING
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of power
assist in the brake and steering
systems and disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the
vehicle off in an emergency.

Black plate (17,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-17
If the vehicle cannot be pulled
over, and must be shut off while
driving, turn the ignition to
ACC/ACCESSORY.
The steering can bind with the
wheels turned off center. If this
happens, move the steering wheel
from right to left while turning the
key to ACC/ACCESSORY. If this
does not work, then the vehicle
needs service.
ACC (ACC/ACCESSORY):This is
the position in which you can
operate the electrical accessories or
items plugged into the accessory
power outlets. This position unlocks
the ignition and steering wheel. Use
this position if the vehicle must be
pushed or towed.
R(ON/RUN): This position can be
used to operate the electrical
accessories and to display some
instrument panel warning and indicator lights. This position can
also be used for service and
diagnostics, and to verify the
proper operation of the malfunction
indicator lamp as may be required
for emission inspection purposes.
The switch stays in this position
when the engine is running.
The transmission is also unlocked
in this position. If you leave the
key in the ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN position with the engine
off, the battery could be drained.
You may not be able to start the
vehicle if the battery is allowed to
drain for an extended period of time.
/(START):
This is the position
that starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key.
The ignition switch will return to
ON/RUN for driving.
Key Lock Release
Vehicles with an automatic
transmission are equipped with an
electronic key lock release system.
This system is to prevent ignition
key removal unless the shift lever is
in P (Park).
The key lock release will not work
if the battery is charged less than
9‐volts, or uncharged. Try charging
or jump starting the battery. See
Jump Starting on page 10‑78.