2008 GMC ACADIA transmission

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

Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transmission. You may nd it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called torque lock. To
prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver’s
seat. To nd out how, seeShifting Into PARK (P) on
page 2-36.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)beforeyou release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push your vehicle a little uphill to take some of
the pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission,
so you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
This vehicle is equipped with an electronic shift lock
release system. The shift lock release is designed to:
Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift lever is
in PARK (P) with the shift lever button fully released,
and
Prevent movement of the shift lever out of
PARK (P), unless the ignition is in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY and the regular brake pedal is
applied.The shift lock release is always functional except in the
case of an uncharged or low voltage (less than 9 volt)
battery.
If your vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery
with low voltage, try charging or jump starting the
battery. SeeJump Starting on page 5-39for more
information.
To shift out of PARK (P) use the following:
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Then press the shift lever button.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still are unable to shift out of PARK (P):
1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, press the shift
lever button again.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from PARK (P),
consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service.
2-37

Universal Home Remote System
Operation (With One Triangular LED)
If there is one triangular Light Emitting Diode (LED)
indicator light above the Universal Home Remote
buttons, follow the instructions below.
This system provides a way to replace up to three
remote control transmitters used to activate devices
such as garage door openers, security systems,
and home automation devices.
Do not use the Universal Home Remote with any
garage door opener that does not have the stop and
reverse feature. This includes any garage door opener
model manufactured before April 1, 1982.
Read the instructions completely before attempting to
program the Universal Home Remote. Because of
the steps involved, it may be helpful to have another
person available to assist you in the programming
the Universal Home Remote.Keep the original hand-held transmitter for use in other
vehicles as well as for future Universal Home Remote
programming. It is also recommended that upon the sale
of the vehicle, the programmed Universal Home
Remote buttons should be erased for security purposes.
See “Erasing Universal Home Remote Buttons” later
in this section.
When programming a garage door, park outside of the
garage. Park directly in line with and facing the
garage door opener motor-head or gate motor-head. Be
sure that people and objects are clear of the garage
door or gate you are programming.
It is recommended that a new battery be installed in
your hand-held transmitter for quicker and more
accurate transmission of the radio-frequency signal.
Programming the Universal Home
Remote System
If you have questions or need help programming the
Universal Home Remote System, call 1-800-355-3515 or
go to www.homelink.com.
Programming a garage door opener involves
time-sensitive actions, so read the entire procedure
before you begin. If you do not follow these actions, the
device will time out and you will have to repeat the
procedure.
2-51

Gate Operator and Canadian
Programming
If you have questions or need help programming the
Universal Home Remote System, call 1-800-355-3515 or
go to www.homelink.com.
Canadian radio-frequency laws require transmitter
signals to time out or quit after several seconds of
transmission. This may not be long enough for Universal
Home Remote to pick up the signal during programming.
Similarly, some U.S. gate operators are manufactured to
time out in the same manner.
If you live in Canada, or you are having difficulty
programming a gate operator or garage door opener by
using the “Programming Universal Home Remote”
procedures, regardless of where you live, replace Step 3
under “Programming Universal Home Remote” with the
following:
Continue to press and hold the Universal Home Remote
button while you press and release every two seconds
(cycle) the hand-held transmitter button until the
frequency signal has been successfully accepted by the
Universal Home Remote. The Universal Home Remote
indicator light will ash slowly at rst and then rapidly.
Proceed with Step 4 under “Programming Universal
Home Remote” to complete.
Using Universal Home Remote
Press and hold the appropriate Universal Home Remote
button for at least half of a second. The indicator light
will come on while the signal is being transmitted.
Erasing Universal Home Remote
Buttons
Erase the programmed buttons when you sell or
terminate your lease.
To erase all programmed buttons on the Universal
Home Remote device:
1. Press and hold down the two outside buttons until
the indicator light begins to ash, after 20 seconds.
2. Release both buttons.
2-54

Battery Run-Down Protection
This vehicle has a feature to help prevent the battery
from being drained, if the interior courtesy lamps,
reading/map lamps, visor vanity lamps or trunk lamp
are accidentally left on. If any of these lamps are
left on, they will 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 timeout after 10 minutes, if they
are manually turned on before the ignition is off.
Head-Up Display (HUD)
{CAUTION:
If the HUD image is too bright or too high in
your eld of view, it may take you more time
to see things you need to see when it is dark
outside. Be sure to keep the HUD image dim
and placed low in your eld of view.
If the vehicle has the Head-Up Display (HUD),
some information concerning the operation of the
vehicle is projected onto the windshield. This includes
the speedometer reading, RPM reading, transmission
position, outside air temperature, the tap shift gear,
and a brief display of the current radio station,
including XM information or CD track. It will also
display turn-by-turn navigation information if the
vehicle has a navigation radio. The images are
projected by the HUD lens located on the driver’s
side of the instrument panel.
The tap shift gear will also appear on the HUD if
the vehicle has tap shift and it is active.
3-20

The HUD control is
located to the right
of the steering wheel.
To adjust the HUD image so that items are properly
displayed, do the following:
1. Adjust the driver’s seat to a comfortable position.
2. Start the engine.
3. Adjust the HUD controls.
Use the following settings to adjust the HUD.
9(Off):To turn HUD off, rotate the dimming knob fully
counterclockwise until the HUD display turns off.
Brightness:Turn the knob on the HUD control
clockwise to brighten the display and counterclockwise
to dim it.
w(Up):x(Down):Press the up or down arrows to
center the HUD image in your view. The HUD image
can only be adjusted up and down, not side to side.
?(Page):Press this button to select the display
formats. Release the page button when the format
number with the desired display is shown on the HUD.
The three formats are as follows:
Format One:This display gives the speedometer
reading (in English or metric units), turn signal indication,
high beam indication, transmission positions, and the
outside air temperature.
3-22

Format Two:This display includes the information
in Format One without the transmission information
and the outside air temperature.
Format Three:This display includes all the information
in Format One along with a circular tachometer, but
without outside air temperature.
All formats will show the turn-by-turn navigation
information and provide details about the next driving
maneuver to be made. When you near your destination,the HUD will display a distance bar that will ll in the
closer you get to your destination. All navigation
information is provided to the HUD by the navigation
radio, if the vehicle has one.
The HUD image displayed on the windshield will
automatically dim and brighten to compensate for
outside lighting.
The HUD image can temporarily light up depending
on the angle and position of the sunlight on the
HUD display. This is normal and will change when
the angle of the sunlight on the HUD display changes.
Polarized sunglasses could make the HUD image
harder to see.
Care of the HUD
Clean the inside of the windshield as needed to remove
any dirt or lm that could reduce the sharpness or
clarity of the HUD image.
To clean the HUD lens, use a soft, clean cloth that has
household glass cleaner sprayed on it. Wipe the HUD
lens gently, then dry it. Do not spray cleaner directly on
the lens because the cleaner could leak into the unit.
3-23