2008 GMC ACADIA tow

{CAUTION:
Stowing of articles under the passenger’s seat
or between the passenger’s seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the proper
operation of the passenger sensing system.
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Airbags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the airbag system in several places
around your vehicle. Your dealer/retailer and the service
manual have information about servicing your vehicle
and the airbag system. To purchase a service manual,
seeService Publications Ordering Information on
page 7-14.
{CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an
airbag can still inate during improper service.
You can be injured if you are close to an
airbag when it inates. Avoid yellow
connectors. They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is qualied to do so.
1-75

Keys...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System................2-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation...................................................2-5
Remote Vehicle Start......................................2-7
Doors and Locks............................................2-10
Door Locks..................................................2-10
Power Door Locks........................................2-11
Delayed Locking...........................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks..............2-11
Rear Door Security Locks..............................2-11
Lockout Protection........................................2-12
Liftgate........................................................2-13
Power Liftgate..............................................2-14
Windows........................................................2-18
Power Windows............................................2-19
Sun Visors...................................................2-21
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-21
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-21
PASS-Key
®III+............................................2-23
PASS-Key®III+ Operation..............................2-23
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-25
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-25
Ignition Positions..........................................2-26Retained Accessory Power (RAP)...................2-27
Starting the Engine.......................................2-27
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-29
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-30
Tow/Haul Mode............................................2-34
Parking Brake..............................................2-35
Shifting Into PARK (P)...................................2-36
Shifting Out of PARK (P)...............................2-37
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-38
Engine Exhaust............................................2-38
Running the Engine While Parked...................2-39
Mirrors...........................................................2-40
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®..............2-40
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®and Compass...............................2-40
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-42
Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors.....................2-43
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-44
Outside Heated Mirrors..................................2-44
Object Detection Systems...............................2-45
Ultrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA)...........................................2-45
Rear Vision Camera......................................2-47
OnStar
®System.............................................2-47
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines:
If you have all-wheel drive, keep your speed at
55 mph (88 km/h) or less for the rst 500 miles
(805 km).
Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast or
slow, for the rst 500 miles (805 km). Do not
make full-throttle starts. Avoid downshifting to
brake or slow the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time the new brake
linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops with new
linings can mean premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this breaking-in guideline
every time you get new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. SeeTowing a
Trailer on page 4-30for the trailer towing
capabilities of your vehicle and more
information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can be
gradually increased.
2-25

Automatic Transmission Operation
Your vehicle has an electronic shift position indicator
within the instrument panel cluster.
When using the Electronic Range Select Mode a
number will display next to the L, indicating the current
gear that has been selected.
See Electronic Range Select mode in this section for
more information.
Your automatic transmission has a shift lever located on
the console between the seats.
PARK (P):This position locks your front wheels. It is
the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle cannot move easily.{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To
be sure your vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground, always set your
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P). SeeShifting Into PARK (P) on
page 2-36. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-30.
2-30

Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system. You must fully
apply your regular brake rst and then press the
shift lever button before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition key is in ON. If you cannot shift out of
PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever, then
push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as you
maintain brake application. Then press the shift
lever button and move the shift lever into another gear.
SeeShifting Out of PARK (P) on page 2-37.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transmission,
seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
on page 4-20.NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake pedal, your
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
with the engine running at high speed may damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not
running at high speed when shifting your vehicle.
2-31

DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving. It
provides the best fuel economy for your vehicle. If you
need more power for passing, and you are:
Going less than 35 mph (56 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
Notice:If your vehicle seems to accelerate slowly
or not shift gears when you go faster, and you
continue to drive your vehicle that way, you could
damage the transmission. Have your vehicle
serviced right away. You can drive in LOW (L) when
you are driving less than 35 mph (56 km/h) and
DRIVE (D) for higher speeds until then.
LOW (L):This position gives you access to gear
ranges. This provides more engine braking but lower
fuel economy than DRIVE (D). You can use it on
very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud.
Electronic Range Select Mode
Electronic Range Selector (ERS) mode allows you to
choose the top-gear limit of the vehicle’s transmission
and the vehicle’s speed while driving down hill or towing
a trailer.
To use this feature, do the following:
1. Move the shift lever to LOW (L).
2. Press the plus/minus
button located on the
shift lever, to increase
or decrease the
gear range available
based upon your
current driving
conditions and needs.
2-32

When you shift from DRIVE (D) to LOW (L), 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) on page 3-57andDIC
Operation and Displays (With DIC Buttons) on
page 3-57orDIC Operation and Displays (Without DIC
Buttons) on page 3-63for more information. The
number displayed in the DIC is the highest gear that the
transmission will be allowed to operate in. However,
your vehicle can automatically shift to lower gears
as required by various driving conditions. This means
that all gears below that number are available. For
example, when FOURTH (4) is shown next to the L,
FIRST (1) through FOURTH (4) gears are automatically
shifted by the vehicle. You cannot shift into FIFTH (5)
until the plus (+) button is used or you shift back
into DRIVE (D) mode.While in LOW (L), the transmission will prevent shifting
to a lower gear range if the engine speed is too high
for the gear range you are trying to select. You have a
brief period of time to slow the vehicle speed. If
vehicle speed is not reduced within the timeframe
allowed, the lower gear range attempted will not be
available. The highest possible gear that is allowed for
that engine speed will display next to the L in the
DIC. Try again to slow the vehicle speed and 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 DRIVE (D) for
both normal and Tow/Haul mode. While using the ERS,
cruise control and the tow/haul mode can be used.
SeeTow/Haul Mode on page 2-34for more information.
2-33

Tow/Haul Mode
Your vehicle may have a Tow/Haul mode.
The button to turn it on or
off is located on instrument
panel under the climate
controls.
Push the button to turn it on, push it again to deactivate
the system. You can use this feature to assist when
towing or hauling a heavy load.
When Tow/Haul is activated the Tow/Haul symbol will
come on the instrument panel cluster. SeeTow/Haul
ModeunderTowing a Trailer on page 4-30for
more information.
Automatic Engine Grade Braking
Automatic Engine Grade Braking assists when driving
on a downhill grade. It maintains the vehicle’s speed by
automatically implementing a shift schedule that uses
the engine and the transmission to slow the vehicle. This
reduces wear on the brakes system and increases
control of the vehicle. The system constantly monitors
the vehicle’s speed, acceleration, throttle position,
and whether the brake pedal is being pressed, and
determines when to keep the current vehicle speed or
to slow down. The system will then automatically
command downshifts that reduces the vehicle’s speed,
until the brake pedal is no longer being pressed.
This indicates the desired vehicle speed has been
reached.
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 Operation on page 2-30.
2-34