2008 GMC ACADIA power steering

Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition,
you can turn it to four
different positions.
In order to shift out of PARK (P), ignition must be in
ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY and the regular brake
pedal must be applied.
Notice:Using a tool to force the key from the
ignition switch could cause damage or break the key.
Use the correct key and turn the key only with your
hand. Make sure the key is all the way in. If none of
this works, then your vehicle needs service.
A (LOCK/OFF):This is the only position in which you
can remove the key. This position locks the ignition and
transmission. If the steering wheel is locked, move it from
right to left and turn the key to ACC/ACCESSORY. If
none of this works, then your vehicle needs service.B (ACC/ACCESSORY):This position allows you to use
things like the radio and the windshield wipers while
the engine is off. This position will also allow you to turn
off the engine.
C (ON/RUN):This is the position that the switch returns
to after you start your engine and release the key.
The switch stays in ON/RUN when the engine is
running. But even when the engine is not running, you
can use ON/RUN to operate your electrical power
accessories, and to display some instrument panel
warning lights.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key in the
ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN position with the
engine off. You may not be able to start your vehicle if
the battery is allowed to drain for an extended period
of time.
D (START):This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch
will return to ON/RUN for normal driving.
2-26

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel...................3-6
Power Tilt Wheel and Telescopic Steering
Column......................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-8
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-9
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-9
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Windshield Washer.......................................3-10
Rear Window Wiper/Washer...........................3-11
Cruise Control..............................................3-12
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-14
Delayed Headlamps......................................3-15
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)/
Automatic Headlamp System.......................3-16
Fog Lamps..................................................3-16
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-17
Courtesy Lamps...........................................3-17
Dome Lamps...............................................3-17
Dome Lamp Override....................................3-17
Entry Lighting...............................................3-17
Delayed Entry Lighting...................................3-18
Delayed Exit Lighting.....................................3-18Parade Dimming...........................................3-18
Reading Lamps............................................3-19
Electric Power Management...........................3-19
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-20
Head-Up Display (HUD).................................3-20
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-24
Power Outlet 115 Volt Alternating Current........3-25
Climate Controls............................................3-26
Climate Control System.................................3-26
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-29
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-36
Rear Air Conditioning and
Heating System.........................................3-36
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System and
Electronic Climate Controls.........................3-38
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators.............................................3-39
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-40
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-41
Tachometer.................................................3-41
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-41
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-42
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-43
Charging System Light..................................3-45
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-46
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-47
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of your instrument panel are listed here:
A. Air Vent. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-36.
B. Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn Signal/Multifunction
Lever on page 3-8.
Windshield Wipers. SeeTurn Signal/Multifunction
Lever on page 3-8.
C. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-40.
D. Head-Up Display (HUD) Buttons. SeeHead-Up
Display (HUD) on page 3-20.
E. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-84.
Navigation/Radio System (If Equipped). See
Navigation/Radio System on page 3-115.
F. Exterior Lamps Control. SeeExterior Lamps
on page 3-14.
G. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-13.
H. Dome Lamp Override Button. SeeDome Lamp
Override on page 3-17. Instrument Panel Brightness
Control. SeeInstrument Panel Brightness on
page 3-17.
I. Cruise Control Buttons. SeeCruise Control
on page 3-12.
J. Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel. SeeTilt and
Telescopic Steering Wheel on page 3-6. Power
Tilt Wheel and Telescopic Steering (If Equipped).
SeePower Tilt Wheel and Telescopic Steering
Column on page 3-7.
K. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.L. Audio Steering Wheel Control Buttons. SeeAudio
Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-128.
M. Driver Information Center. SeeDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 3-57.
N. Dual Automatic Climate Controls. SeeDual
Automatic Climate Control System on page 3-29.
O. Center Console Shift Lever (If Equipped).
See “Console Shift Lever” underShifting Into
PARK (P) on page 2-36.
P. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
Q. Cupholders. SeeCupholder(s) on page 2-55.
R. Accessory Power Outlets. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 3-24.
S. Rear Window Wiper/Washer. SeeRear Window
Wiper/Washer on page 3-11. Traction Control
System (TCS) Disable Button. SeeStabiliTrak
®
System on page 4-6. Tow/Haul Selector Button
(If Equipped). SeeTow/Haul Mode on page 2-34.
Power Liftgate Button (If Equipped). SeePower
Liftgate on page 2-14.
T. Heated Seats Button. SeeHeated Seats on
page 1-5.
U. Passenger Air Bag status Indicator. SeePassenger
Sensing System on page 1-70.
V. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-55.
3-5

To tilt and telescope the steering wheel, pull down
the lever. Then move the steering wheel up or down
or backward or forward into a comfortable position.
Pull the lever up to lock the steering wheel in place.
Do not adjust the tilt and telescope lever while driving.
Power Tilt Wheel and Telescopic
Steering Column
If your vehicle has this
feature, the power tilt
wheel control is located
on the left side of the
steering column.
To operate the power tilt feature, push the control up
and the steering wheel will tilt up. Push the control
down and the steering wheel will go down.
Push the control forward and the steering wheel
moves toward the front of the vehicle. Push the control
rearward and the steering wheel moves toward the
rear of the vehicle.
3-7

SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays if there is a problem with the
airbag system. Have your dealer/retailer inspect
the system for problems. SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-42andAirbag System on page 1-61for
more information.
SERVICE ALL WHEEL DRIVE
If your vehicle has the All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system,
this message displays if there is a problem with this
system. If this message appears, stop as soon as
possible and turn off the vehicle. Restart the vehicle
after 30 seconds and check for the message on the
DIC display. If the message is still displayed or appears
again when you begin driving, the AWD system
needs service. See your dealer/retailer.
SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING
SYSTEM
On some vehicles, this message displays if there is a
problem with the battery charging system. Under certain
conditions, the charging system light may also turn
on in the instrument panel cluster. SeeCharging System
Light on page 3-45. Driving with this problem could
drain the battery. Turn off all unnecessary accessories.
Have the electrical system checked as soon as
possible. See your dealer/retailer.
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
This message displays along with the brake system
warning light if there is a problem with the brake system.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-47. If this
message appears, stop as soon as possible and turn
off the vehicle. Restart the vehicle and check for
the message on the DIC display. If the message is
still displayed or appears again when you begin driving,
the brake system needs service as soon as possible.
See your dealer/retailer.
SERVICE PARK ASSIST
If your vehicle has the Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist
(URPA) system, this message displays if there is a
problem with the URPA system. Do not use this
system to help you park. SeeUltrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA) on page 2-45for more information.
See your dealer/retailer for service.
SERVICE POWER STEERING
This message displays when a problem is detected
with the power steering system. When this message
is displayed, you may notice that the effort required to
steer the vehicle increases or feels heavier, but you
will still be able to steer the vehicle. Have your vehicle
serviced by your dealer/retailer immediately.
3-72

Audio System(s)
Determine which radio your vehicle has and then
read the pages following to familiarize yourself with
its features.
{CAUTION:
This system provides you with far greater
access to audio stations and song listings.
Giving extended attention to entertainment
tasks while driving can cause a crash and
you or others can be injured or killed.
Always keep your eyes on the road and
your mind on the drive — avoid engaging
in extended searching while driving.
Keeping your mind on the drive is important for
safe driving. SeeDefensive Driving on page 4-2.
Here are some ways in which you can help avoid
distraction while driving.While your vehicle is parked:
Familiarize yourself with all of its controls.
Familiarize yourself with its operation.
Set up your audio system by presetting your
favorite radio stations, setting the tone, and
adjusting the speakers. Then, when driving
conditions permit, you can tune to your favorite
radio stations using the presets and steering
wheel controls if the vehicle has them.
Notice:Before adding any sound equipment to
your vehicle, such as an audio system, CD player,
CB radio, mobile telephone, or two-way radio,
make sure that it can be added by checking with
your dealer/retailer. Also, check federal rules
covering mobile radio and telephone units. If sound
equipment can be added, it is very important to
do it properly. Added sound equipment may
interfere with the operation of your vehicle’s engine,
radio, or other systems, and even damage them.
Your vehicle’s systems may interfere with the
operation of sound equipment that has been added.
Your vehicle has a feature called Retained Accessory
Power (RAP). With RAP, the audio system can be
played even after the ignition is turned off. SeeRetained
Accessory Power (RAP) on page 2-27for more
information.
3-84

Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same time. In
many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.
Panic Brake Assist
Your vehicle has a Panic Brake Assist feature designed
to assist the driver in stopping or decreasing vehicle
speed in emergency driving conditions. This feature uses
the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) hydraulic brake
control module to supplement the power brake system
under conditions where the driver has quickly and
forcefully applied the brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle. The ESC hydraulic brake
control module increases brake pressure at each corner
of the vehicle until the Antilock Brake System (ABS)
activates. Minor brake pedal pulsations or pedal
movement during this time is normal and the driver
should continue to apply the brake pedal as the driving
situation dictates. The Panic Brake Assist feature will
automatically disengage when the brake pedal is
released or brake pedal pressure is quickly decreased.
StabiliTrak®System
Your vehicle has the StabiliTrak®system which
combines antilock brake, traction and stability control
systems and helps the driver maintain directional control
of the vehicle in most driving conditions.
When you rst start your vehicle and begin to drive
away, the system performs several diagnostic checks to
ensure there are no problems. You may hear or feel
the system working. This is normal and does not mean
there is a problem with your vehicle. The system
should initialize before the vehicle reaches 20 mph
(32 km/h). In some cases, it may take approximately
two miles of driving before the system initializes.
If the system fails to turn on or activate, the StabiliTrak
®
light along with one of the following messages will be
displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC):
TRACTION CONTROL OFF, SERVICE TRACTION
CONTROL, SERVICE STABILITRAK. If you see these
conditions, turn the vehicle off, wait 15 seconds, and then
turn it back on again to reset the system. If any of these
messages still appear on the Driver Information Center
(DIC), your vehicle should be taken in for service. For
more information on the DIC messages, seeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-57.
4-6

All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System
If your vehicle has this feature, engine power is sent to all
four wheels when extra traction is needed. This is like
four-wheel drive, but there is no separate lever or switch
to engage or disengage the front axle. It is fully automatic,
and adjusts itself as needed for road conditions.
When using a compact spare tire on your AWD
equipped vehicle, the AWD system automatically detects
the presence of the compact spare and the AWD is
disabled. To restore the AWD operation and prevent
excessive wear on the clutch in your AWD system,
replace the compact spare with a full-size tire as soon
as possible. SeeCompact Spare Tire on page 5-88
for more information.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Variable Effort Steering
If your vehicle has this steering system, the system
continuously adjusts the effort you feel when steering at
all vehicle speeds. It provides ease when parking,
yet a rm, solid feel at highway speeds.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves.
The traction of the tires against the road surface makes
it possible for the vehicle to change its path when
you turn the front wheels. If there is no traction, inertia
will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If
you have ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you
will understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of the tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While
you are in a curve, speed is the one factor you
can control.
Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems — steering and acceleration — have to do their
work where the tires meet the road. Adding the
sudden acceleration can demand too much of those
places. You can lose control. SeeStabiliTrak
®System
on page 4-6.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on
the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you
want it to go, and slow down.
4-9