Seats and Restraint
System............................... 1-1
Head Restraints
.............. 1-2
Front Seats
.................... 1-3
Rear Seats
...................1-10
Safety Belts
..................1-15
Child Restraints
.............1-29
Airbag System
..............1-48
Restraint System
Check
......................1-61
Features and Controls...... 2-1
Keys
............................. 2-2
Doors and Locks
............ 2-8
Windows
......................2-14
Theft-Deterrent
Systems
...................2-16
Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle
.............2-20
Mirrors
.........................2-31
Object Detection
Systems
...................2-34
OnStar
®System
............2-41Universal Home Remote
System
.....................2-44
Storage Areas
...............2-49
Sunroof
........................2-53
Instrument Panel............... 3-1
Instrument Panel
Overview
.................... 3-4
Climate Controls
............3-22
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators
............3-33
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
.............3-46
Audio System(s)
............3-72
Driving Your Vehicle......... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road,
and the Vehicle
........... 4-1
Towing
........................4-20
Service and
Appearance Care............... 5-1
Service
.......................... 5-3
Fuel
.............................. 5-5
Checking Things Under
the Hood
.................... 5-9All-Wheel Drive
.............5-33
Headlamp Aiming
..........5-33
Bulb Replacement
.........5-33
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
.............5-34
Tires
...........................5-35
Appearance Care
..........5-81
Vehicle Identi cation
......5-88
Electrical System
...........5-89
Capacities and
Speci cations
............5-96
Maintenance Schedule...... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
..... 6-1
Customer Assistance
Information........................ 7-1
Customer Assistance and
Information
................. 7-1
Reporting Safety
Defects
.....................7-14
Vehicle Data Recording
and Privacy
...............7-16
Index....................................i-1
2009 GMC Acadia Owner ManualM
Power Lumbar
If the seats have power lumbar,
the controls used to operate
this feature are located on the
outboard side of the seats. See
“Power Lumbar” underPower Seats
on page 1-4for more information.
To increase or decrease lumbar
support, press and hold the front
or rear of the control (C).
Release the control when the
seatback reaches the desired
level of lumbar support.
The lumbar support may need
to be adjusted when changing
the seating position.
Heated Seats
On vehicles with heated front seats,
the controls are located on the center
console. To operate the heated seats
the engine must be running.
I(Heated Seatback):Press to
turn on the heated seatback.
J(Heated Seat and Seatback):
Press to turn on or off the heated
seat and seatback.
The light on the button will come
on to indicate that the feature is on.
Each time the button is pressed,
the temperature settings change
from high, to medium, to low, to
off. Indicator lights above the button
will show the level of heat selected:
three for high, two for medium,
and one for low.The passenger seat may take
longer to heat up.
If the vehicle has remote vehicle
start and is started using the remote
keyless entry transmitter, the front
heated seats will be turned on to the
high setting if it is cold outside.
See “Remote Vehicle Start” under
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2-3.
When the ignition is turned on, the
heated seat feature will turn off.
To turn the heated seat feature back
on, press the desired button.
Seats and Restraint System 1-5
The rear window defogger and
heated mirrors, if the vehicle has
them, turn on during colder outside
temperatures and turn off when
the key is turned to ON/RUN.
Laws in some communities may
restrict the use of remote starters.
For example, some laws may
require a person using the remote
start to have the vehicle in view
when doing so. Check local
regulations for any requirements on
remote starting of vehicles.
Do not use the remote start feature
if the vehicle is low on fuel. The
vehicle could run out of fuel.
If the vehicle has the remote start
feature, the RKE transmitter
functions have an increased range
of operation. However, the range
may be less while the vehicle
is running.There are other conditions which
can affect the performance of
the transmitter, seeRemote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System on page 2-3
for additional information.
/(Remote Start):This button is
located on the RKE transmitter
if the vehicle has remote start.
To start the vehicle:
1. Aim the transmitter at the
vehicle.
2. Press and release
Q, then
immediately press and hold
/
until the parking lamps ash. If the
vehicle’s lights can not be seen,
press and hold
/for at least
four seconds. The vehicle’s doors
lock. When the vehicle starts, the
parking lamps turn on and remain
on while the vehicle is running.
Pressing
/again, after the
vehicle has started, shuts the
vehicle off.3. If it is the rst remote start since
the vehicle has been driven,
repeat these steps while the
engine is still running, to extend
the time by 10 minutes for the
engine to continue to run. Remote
start can be extended one time.
After entering the vehicle during a
remote start, insert and turn the key
to the ON/RUN position to drive
the vehicle.
If the vehicle is left running it
automatically shuts off after
10 minutes unless a time extension
has been done.
To manually shut off a remote start:
Aim the RKE transmitter at the
vehicle and press
/until the
parking lamps turn off.
Turn on the hazard warning
ashers.
Turn the ignition switch on and
then off.
2-6 Features and Controls
Pressing the liftgate button on
the center console.
Pressing the touchpad switch on
the outside liftgate handle.
Pressing the buttons, or touchpad
switch a second time while the
liftgate is moving reverses the
direction.The liftgate can also be closed by
pressing the power liftgate button
next to the liftgate latch. Press the
button a second time during liftgate
operation to reverse that operation.
The power liftgate may be
temporarily disabled under extreme
temperatures, or under low battery
conditions. If this occurs, the liftgate
can still be operated manually.
If you shift the transmission out of
(P) Park while the power function is
in progress, the liftgate power
function will continue to completion.
If you shift the transmission out
of (P) Park and accelerate beforethe power liftgate latches closed,
the liftgate may reverse to the open
position. Cargo could fall out of
the vehicle. Always make sure the
power liftgate is closed and
latched before you drive away.
If you power open the liftgate and
the liftgate support struts have lost
pressure, the lights will ash and a
chime will sound. The liftgate will
stay open temporarily, then slowly
close. See your dealer/retailer for
service before using the liftgate.
Obstacle Detection Features
If the liftgate encounters an obstacle
during a power open or close cycle, a
warning chime will sound and the
liftgate will automatically reverse
direction to the full closed or open
position. After removing the
obstruction, the power liftgate
operation can be used again. If the
liftgate encounters multiple obstacles
on the same power cycle, the power
function will deactivate, and you
must manually open or close the
liftgate. The LIFTGATE OPEN Power Liftgate Button on Center
Console
Power Liftgate Button Near
Liftgate Latch
2-12 Features and Controls
warning message in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) will indicate
that the liftgate is open. After
removing the obstructions, manually
open the liftgate to the full open
position or close the liftgate to the
fully closed and latched position. The
liftgate will now resume normal
power operation.
Your vehicle has pinch sensors
located on the side edges of
the liftgate. If an object is caught
between the liftgate and the
body and presses against this
sensor, the liftgate will reverse
direction and open fully. The liftgate
will remain open until it is activated
again or closed manually. Do
not force the liftgate open or closed
during a power cycle.Manual Operation of Power
Liftgate
To change the liftgate to manual
operation, press the switch on
the center console to the OFF
position.
With the power liftgate disabled and
all of the doors unlocked, the liftgate
can be manually opened and closed.
To open the liftgate, press the
touchpad on the handle on the
outside of the liftgate, and lift the
gate open. To close the liftgate, use
the pull cup to lower the liftgate andclose. The liftgate latch will power
close. Always close the liftgate
before driving.
If the RKE button or the power close
button on the liftgate is pressed while
power operation is disabled, the
lights will ash three times, but the
liftgate will not move.
It is not recommended that you drive
with the liftgate open, however, if you
must drive with the liftgate open, the
liftgate should be set to manual
operation by pressing the OFF
switch on the center console.
The liftgate has an electric latch. If
the battery is disconnected or
has low voltage, the liftgate will not
open. The liftgate will resume
operation when the battery is
reconnected and charged.
If the battery is properly connected
with adequate voltage, the switch
is not disabled, and the liftgate
still will not function, your vehicle
should be taken to a dealer/retailer
for service.
Features and Controls 2-13
windows from operating the
windows, except from the driver
position. Press the switch to turn the
lockout feature on or off. An
indicator light will come on to show
the lockout feature is on.
Sun Visors
Pull the sun visor down to block
glare. Detach the sun visor from the
center mount and slide it along
the rod from side-to-side to cover
the driver or passenger side of
the front window. Swing the
sun visor to the side to cover the
side window. It can be moved along
the rod from side-to-side in this
position also.
Lighted Visor Vanity Mirror
The vehicle has lighted visor vanity
mirrors on both the driver and
passenger sun visors. Pull the sun
visor down and lift the mirror
cover to turn the lamps on.
Theft-Deterrent
Systems
Vehicle theft is big business,
especially in some cities. This
vehicle has theft-deterrent features,
however, they do not make it
impossible to steal.
Content Theft-Deterrent
This vehicle may have a content
theft-deterrent alarm system.
To activate the theft-deterrent
system, do one of the following:
PressQon the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter or the
power door lock switch when any
door is open.
The security light ashes.When the door is closed, the
security light stops ashing and
stays on solid for approximately
30 seconds. The content
theft deterrent alarm is not armed
until the security light goes off.
If the delayed locking feature is
active, the alarm is not activated
until all doors are closed and the
security light goes off.
PressQwhen the driver door is
closed. The security light comes
on solid for approximately
30 seconds and then goes off.
The content theft deterrent alarm
is not armed until the security light
goes off.
The theft-deterrent system will not
activate if the doors are locked
with the vehicle’s key or the manual
door lock.
If a locked door is opened without
using the RKE transmitter, a
ten second pre-alarm occurs. The
horn chirps and the lights ash.
2-16 Features and Controls
Notice:Using a tool to force the
key to turn in the ignition could
cause damage to the switch or
break the key. Use the correct key,
make sure it is all the way in, and
turn it only with your hand. If the
key cannot be turned by hand, see
your dealer/retailer.
((LOCK/OFF):This position
locks the ignition and transmission.
The key can be removed in
LOCK/OFF.
The shift lever must be in P (Park)
to turn the ignition switch to
LOCK/OFF.
The steering can bind with the
wheels turned off center. If
this happens, move the steering
wheel from right to left while turning
the key to ACC/ACCESSORY. If
this doesn’t work, then the vehicle
needs service.
ACC (ACC/ACCESSORY):This is
the position in which you can
operate the electrical accessories or
items plugged into the accessorypower outlets. This position unlocks
the ignition and steering wheel.
Use this position if the vehicle must
be pushed or towed.
R(ON/RUN):This position can be
used to operate the electrical
accessories and to display some
instrument panel warning and
indicator lights. The switch stays in
this position when the engine is
running. The transmission is also
unlocked in this position. If you leave
the key in the ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN position with the engine off,
the battery could be drained. You
may not be able to start the vehicle if
the battery is allowed to drain for an
extended period of time.
/(START):This is the position
that starts the engine. When
the engine starts, release the key.
The ignition switch will return to
ON/RUN for driving.
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories can be
used for up to 10 minutes after
the ignition key is turned off:
Audio System
Power Windows
Sunroof (if equipped)
Power to the windows and sunroof
will work up to 10 minutes or
until a door is opened.
The radio continues to work for
10 minutes or until the driver’s door
is opened.
For an additional 10 minutes of
operation, close all the doors and
turn the key to ON/RUN and
then back to LOCK/OFF.
All these features will work when
the key is in the ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY positions.
Features and Controls 2-21
{CAUTION
The Ultrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA) system does not
replace driver vision. It cannot
detect:
objects that are below the
bumper, underneath the
vehicle, or if they are too
close or far from the vehicle
children, pedestrians,
bicyclists, or pets.
If you do not use proper care
before and while backing; vehicle
damage, injury, or death could
occur. Even with URPA, always
check behind the vehicle before
backing up. While backing, be
sure to look for objects and check
the vehicle’s mirrors.The display is located in the
headliner and can be seen by
looking over your right shoulder.
URPA uses three color-coded lights
to provide distance and system
information.
How the System Works
URPA comes on automatically
when the shift lever is moved into
R (Reverse). The rear display brie y
illuminates to indicate the system
is working.
URPA operates only at speeds less
than 5 mph (8 km/h). If the vehicle
is above this speed, the red light on
the rear display will ash.To be detected, objects must be at
least 10 inches (25.4 cm) off the
ground and below liftgate level.
Objects must also be within 8 feet
(2.5 m) from the rear bumper.
This distance may be less during
warmer or humid weather.
A single beep will sound the rst
time an object is detected. Beeping
may occur beginning at 23 inches
(0.6 m). Beeping will occur for
a short time when the vehicle is
closer than 1 foot (0.3 m) from the
object.
Features and Controls 2-35