manual transmission GMC ACADIA LIMITED 2017 Owner's Guide

GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/31/16
180 Driving and Operating
{Warning
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift
into a drive gear while the engine
is running at high speed.
Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the
engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle.D :
This position is for normal
driving. It provides the best fuel
economy. If you need more power
for passing, and you are:
. Going less than 56 km/h
(35 mph), push the accelerator
pedal about halfway down.
. Going about 56 km/h (35 mph) or
more, push the accelerator all
the way down.
Caution
If the vehicle does not shift gears,
the transmission could be
damaged. Have the vehicle
serviced right away.
If the vehicle is stopped on a hill,
with your foot off the brake pedal,
the vehicle may roll. This is normal
and is due to the torque converter
designed to improve fuel economy
and performance. Use the brake to
hold the vehicle on a hill. Do not use
the accelerator pedal.
L : This position gives you access
to gear ranges. This provides more
engine braking but lower fuel economy than D (Drive). You can
use it on very steep hills, or in deep
snow or mud. See
Manual
Mode 0180.
Manual Mode
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 downhill or towing a trailer.
The vehicle has an electronic shift
position indicator within the
instrument cluster. When using the
ERS mode a number will display
next to the L, indicating the current
gear that has been selected.

GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/31/16
Driving and Operating 181
To use this feature:1. Move the shift lever to L (Low).
2. Press + (Plus) or −(Minus) on
the shift lever to increase or
decrease the gear range
available.
When you shift from D (Drive) to
L (Low), the transmission will shift to
a pre-determined lower gear range.
The highest gear available for this
pre-determined range is displayed
next to the L in the DIC. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) 0116. The
number displayed in the DIC is the
highest gear that the transmission
will be allowed to operate in. This
means that all gears below that number are available. For example,
when 4 (Fourth) is shown next to the
L, 1 (First) through 4 (Fourth) gears
are automatically shifted by the
vehicle. The transmission will not
shift into 5 (Fifth) until the + (Plus)
button is used or you shift back into
D (Drive).
While in L (Low), the transmission
will prevent shifting to a lower gear
range if the engine speed is too
high. You have a brief period of time
to slow the vehicle. If vehicle speed
is not reduced within the time
allowed, the lower gear range shift
will not be completed. You must
further slow the vehicle, then press
the
−(Minus) button to the desired
lower gear range.
Automatic Engine Grade Braking is
not available when the ERS is
active. It is available in D (Drive) for
both normal and Tow/Haul Mode.
While using the ERS, cruise control
and the Tow/Haul Mode can be
used. See “Tow/Haul Mode”
following.
Tow/Haul Mode
_
Mode : If equipped with Tow/
Haul mode, the button is on the
center stack under the climate
controls.
Press the button to activate the
system. Press it again to deactivate
the system. This feature can assist
when towing or hauling a
heavy load.
When Tow/Haul is activated, the
Tow/Haul symbol will come on in the
instrument cluster. See Driving
Characteristics and Towing
Tips 0200.
Automatic Engine Grade
Braking
Automatic Engine Grade Braking
assists when driving on a downhill
grade. It maintains vehicle speed by
automatically implementing a shift
schedule that uses the engine and
the transmission to slow the vehicle.
The system will automatically
command downshifts to reduce
vehicle speed, until the brake pedal
is no longer being pressed.

GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/31/16
182 Driving and Operating
While in the Electronic Range
Select (ERS) mode, grade braking
is deactivated, allowing the driver to
select a range and limiting the
highest gear available. Grade
braking is available for normal
driving and in Tow/Haul Mode.
SeeAutomatic Transmission 0179.Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive
Vehicles with this feature transfer
engine power, as required, to all
four wheels. It is fully automatic, and
adjusts itself as needed for road
conditions.
When using a compact spare tire on
an AWD vehicle, the system
automatically detects the compact
spare and reduces AWD
performance to protect the system.
To restore full AWD operation and
prevent excessive wear on the
system, replace the compact spare
with a full-size tire as soon as
possible. See Compact Spare
Tire 0270.
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has an Antilock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that helps
prevent a braking skid.
When the vehicle begins to drive
away, ABS checks itself.
A momentary motor or clicking noise
may be heard while this test is going
on, and it may even be noticed that
the brake pedal moves a little. This
is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. See Antilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning
Light 0112.

GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/31/16
188 Driving and Operating
Passing Another Vehicle While
Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to
increase the vehicle speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, the
vehicle will slow down to the
previously set cruise speed. While
pressing the accelerator pedal or
shortly following the release to
override cruise control, briefly
pressing SET–will result in cruise
control set to the current vehicle
speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control will work
on hills depends upon the vehicle
speed, load, and the steepness of
the hills. When going up steep hills,
you might have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your
speed. When going downhill, you
might have to brake or shift to a
lower gear to keep your speed
down. If the brake pedal is applied
cruise control will disengage. Ending Cruise Control
There are four ways to end cruise
control:
.
Step lightly on the brake pedal.
. Press
[.
. Shift the transmission to
N (Neutral).
. To turn off the cruise control,
press
I.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is
erased from memory if
Iis
pressed or the ignition is turned off.
Driver Assistance
Systems
Rear Vision
Camera (RVC)
The vehicle may have an RVC
system. Read this entire section
before using it.
{Warning
The camera(s) do not display
children, pedestrians, bicyclists,
crossing traffic, animals, or any
other object outside of the
cameras’ field of view, below the
bumper, or under the vehicle.
Shown distances may be different
from actual distances. Do not
drive or park the vehicle using
only these camera(s). Always
check behind and around the
vehicle before driving. Failure to
use proper care may result in
injury, death, or vehicle damage.

GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/31/16
200 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
.Place the container on the
ground.
. Place the nozzle inside the
fill opening of the container
before dispensing fuel, and
keep it in contact with the fill
opening until filling is
complete.
. Fill the container no more
than 95% full to allow for
expansion.
. Do not smoke, light
matches, or use lighters
while pumping fuel.
. Avoid using cell phones or
other electronic devices.
Trailer Towing
General Towing
Information
Only use towing equipment that has
been designed for the vehicle.
Contact your dealer or trailering
dealer for assistance with preparing
the vehicle for towing a trailer. Read
the entire section before towing a
trailer.
For towing a disabled vehicle, see
Towing the Vehicle 0274. For
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle such as a motor home, see
Recreational Vehicle Towing 0275.
Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips
Driving with a Trailer
When towing a trailer:
.
Become familiar with the state
and local laws that apply
specifically to trailer towing. .
Do not tow a trailer during the
first 800 km (500 mi), to prevent
damage to the engine, axle or
other parts.
. Then, during the first 800 km
(500 mi) trailer towing, do not
drive over 80 km/h (50 mph) and
do not make starts at full throttle.
. The vehicle can tow in D (Drive)
but M (Manual Mode) is
recommended. See Manual
Mode 0180. Use a lower gear if
the transmission shifts too often.
. Turn off Park Assist when
towing.
{Warning
When towing a trailer, exhaust
gases may collect at the rear of
the vehicle and enter if the
liftgate, trunk/hatch, or rear-most
window is open.
(Continued)

GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/31/16
202 Driving and Operating
When turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal so the
trailer will not strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other
objects. Use the turn signal well in
advance and avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers.
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
The turn signal indicators on the
instrument cluster flash whenever
signaling a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer
lamps also flash, telling other
drivers the vehicle is turning,
changing lanes or stopping.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on
the instrument cluster flash for turns
even if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. Check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gear before starting down a long or
steep downgrade. If the
transmission is not shifted down, thebrakes might have to be used so
much that they would get hot and no
longer work well.
The vehicle can tow in D (Drive).
Use a lower gear if the transmission
shifts too often.
The Tow/Haul Mode may be used if
the transmission shifts too often.
See
Tow/Haul Mode 0181.
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, engine coolant
boils at a lower temperature than at
normal altitudes. If the engine is
turned off immediately after towing
at high altitude on steep uphill
grades, the vehicle could show
signs similar to engine overheating.
To avoid this, let the engine run
while parked, preferably on level
ground, with the transmission in
P (Park) for a few minutes before
turning the engine off. If the
overheat warning comes on, see
Engine Overheating 0222.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic if
facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the brake pedal
until the chocks absorb
the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and
shift into P (Park).

GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/31/16
Driving and Operating 203
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedalwhile you:
.Start the engine.
. Shift into a gear.
. Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See the
Maintenance Schedule 0289.
Things that are especially important
in trailer operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle
lubricant, belts, cooling system and
brake system. Inspect these before
and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. See Engine
Overheating 0222.
Trailer Towing
Three important considerations
have to do with weight:
.
The weight of the trailer.
. The weight of the trailer tongue.
. The total weight on the vehicle's
tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
Speed, altitude, road grades,
outside temperature, special
equipment, and the amount of
tongue weight the vehicle can carry
must be considered. See “Weight of
the Trailer Tongue” later in this
section for more information.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated
assuming only the driver is in the
tow vehicle and it has all the required trailering equipment. The
weight of additional optional
equipment, passengers and cargo in
the tow vehicle must be subtracted
from the maximum trailer weight.
Use the following chart to determine
how much the vehicle can weigh,
based upon the vehicle model and
options.

GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/30/16
208 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 209
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 209
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Engine Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 216
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 217
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 222
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . 224
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224 Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Battery - North America . . . . . . 227
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 228
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 229
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 229
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 230
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 231
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Electrical System Overload . . . 232
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 233 Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 244
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 260

GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/30/16
216 Vehicle Care
trash or pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or
bodies of water. Recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on a combination of factors which
include engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For
the oil life system to work properly,
the system must be reset every time
the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated
that oil life has been diminished, it
indicates that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message comes on.
Change the oil as soon as possible
within the next 1 000 km (600 mi).
It is possible that, if driving under
the best conditions, the oil life
system might indicate that an oilchange is not necessary for up to a
year. The engine oil and filter must
be changed at least once a year
and, at this time, the system must
be reset. Your dealer has trained
service people who will perform this
work and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly
over the course of an oil drain
interval and keep it at the proper
level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change. To reset the
system:
1. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN, with the engine off. 2. Press the vehicle information
button until OIL LIFE
REMAINING displays.
3. Press and hold
Vuntil “100%”
is displayed. Three chimes
sound and the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message
goes off.
4. Turn the key to LOCK/OFF.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message comes back on when the
vehicle is started, the engine oil life
system has not been reset. Repeat
the procedure.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only
reason for fluid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to the
dealer and have it repaired as soon
as possible.
Change the fluid at the intervals
listed in Maintenance Schedule
0 289, and be sure to use the

GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/30/16
Vehicle Care 217
transmission fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants0298.
Caution
Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission fluid may damage
the vehicle, and the damage may
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always use the
automatic transmission fluid listed
in Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0298.
The transmission fluid will not reach
the end of the dipstick unless the
transmission is at operating
temperature. If you need to check
the transmission fluid level, please
take the vehicle to your dealer.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
See Engine Compartment Overview
0 212 for the location of the engine
air cleaner/filter.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
For intervals on changing and
inspecting the engine air cleaner/
filter, see Maintenance
Schedule 0289.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Do not start the engine or have the
engine running with the engine air
cleaner/filter housing open. Before
removing the engine air cleaner/
filter, make sure that the engine air
cleaner/filter housing and nearby
components are free of dirt and
debris. Remove the engine air
cleaner/filter. Lightly tap and shake
the engine air cleaner/filter (away
from the vehicle), to release loose
dust and dirt. Inspect the engine air
cleaner/filter for damage, and
replace if damaged. Do not clean
the engine air cleaner/filter or
components with water or
compressed air. To inspect or replace the engine air
cleaner/filter:
1. Air Duct Clamp
2. Electrical Connector
3. Screws
1. Loosen the air duct clamp (1).
2. Disconnect the electrical
connector (2).
3. Remove the screws (3) and lift the cover assembly.
4. Inspect or replace the air cleaner/filter.