2008 GMC ACADIA tow

Parking Brake
To set the parking brake,
push down the parking
brake pedal down
with your left foot.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will
come on. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-47.Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Make sure
that the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot. Push down momentarily
on the parking brake pedal with your left foot until you
feel the pedal release, then slowly pull your foot up
off the park brake pedal. If the parking brake is
not released when you begin to drive, the brake system
warning light will be on and a chime will sound
warning you that the parking brake is still on.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on a hill, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-30.
2-35

Shifting Into PARK (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be 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. 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, use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-30.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-35for more information.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding in the
button on the shift lever and pushing the shift lever
all the way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is rmly set before you leave it. After you
have moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move
the shift lever away from PARK (P) without rst pushing
the button.
If you can, it means that the shift lever was not fully
locked in PARK (P).
2-36

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

Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-38.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard. See
Winter Driving on page 4-17.
{CAUTION:
It can be 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 the
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into PARK (P) on page 2-36.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-30.
2-39

Outside Power Mirrors
If your vehicle is equipped
with outside power mirrors,
the controls are located
on the driver’s door
armrest.
Press (A) to select the driver’s side mirror or (B) to
select the passenger’s side mirror. Press either (A) or
(B) again to deselect the mirror.
To adjust each mirror, press one of the four arrows
located on the control pad to move the mirror in
the direction you want it to go. Adjust each outside
mirror so that you can see a little of your vehicle, and
the area behind your vehicle. SeeMemory Seat
and Mirrors on page 1-6for more information.The mirrors can be manually folded inward to prevent
damage when going through an automatic car wash. To
fold, push the mirror toward the vehicle. To return the
mirror to its original position, push outward. Be sure
to return both mirrors to their original unfolded position
before driving.
The use of hood-mounted air deectors and add-on
convex mirror attachments may adversely affect mirror
performance.
Turn Signal Indicator
Your vehicle may have a turn signal indicator on the
mirror. An arrow on the mirror will ash in the direction
of the turn or lane change.
2-42

When the System Does Not Seem to
Work Properly
The driver disables the system.
The parking brake pedal is depressed.
The ultrasonic sensors are not clean. Keep your
vehicle’s rear bumper free of mud, dirt, snow,
ice and slush. For cleaning instructions, see
Washing Your Vehicle on page 5-92.
A trailer was attached to your vehicle, or a bicycle
or an object was hanging out of your liftgate
during your last drive cycle, the red light may
illuminate in the rear display. Once the attached
object is removed, URPA will return to normal
operation.
A tow bar is attached to your vehicle.
The vehicle’s bumper is damaged. Take the vehicle
to your dealer/retailer to repair the system.
Other conditions may affect system performance,
such as vibrations from a jackhammer or the
compression of air brakes on a very large truck.
If the system is still disabled, after driving forward at
least 15 mph (25 km/h), take your vehicle to your
dealer/retailer.
Rear Vision Camera
Your vehicle may have a Rear Vision Camera system.
Read the entire section before using the system.
The rear vision camera system is designed to help the
driver when backing up. See “Rear Vision Camera”
in the Index of the navigation manual.
OnStar®System
OnStar uses several innovative technologies and live
advisors to provide you with a wide range of safety,
security, information, and convenience services. If your
airbags deploy, the system is designed to make an
automatic call to OnStar Emergency advisors who can
request emergency services be sent to your location.
If you lock your keys in the vehicle, call OnStar at
1-888-4-ONSTAR and they can send a signal to unlock
your doors. If you need roadside assistance, press
the OnStar button and they can contact Roadside
Service for you.
2-47

To access the upper storage area, press the upper
button (2) and lift up. To access the lower storage area,
press the lower button (3) and lift up. The top of the
console can be folded forward for increased storage
area. Lift up on handle on the rear of the console (1) and
pull forward.
{CAUTION:
Never open more than one of the three latches
at a time. This is to help avoid personal injury
and damage to the console.
Notice:Slide the front console as far forward as it
will go before folding the second row console
forward. This will help prevent damage to the
consoles.
Floor Mats
There is a grommet in the driver side oor mat that
attaches to a hook on the oor of the vehicle to hold the
oor mat in place. To remove the oor mat, pull the
mat towards the rear of the vehicle until the grommet
can be removed from the hook.
2-57

Cargo Tie Downs
Cargo tie-downs located in the rear of the vehicle are
used to secure small loads.
Cargo Management System
Your vehicle has a cargo management system located
in the rear of the vehicle. To open, pull the handle
toward the rear of the vehicle and lift the cover up.
There is an additional storage compartment on each
side of the system. To open, unlatch and lift the
panel up.To remove the cargo management system:
1. Open the lid.
2. Remove the side panels and place inside the bin.
3. Loosen the retaining nuts on each side of the
system by turning them counterclockwise.
4. Close the lid.
5. Pull up on the system by using the built in handles
and remove it from the vehicle.
2-59