2009 GMC ACADIA ABS

Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control
of the vehicle. Defensive drivers
avoid most skids by taking
reasonable care suited to existing
conditions, and by not overdriving
those conditions. But skids are
always possible.
The three types of skids correspond
to the vehicle’s three control
systems. In the braking skid, the
wheels are not rolling. In the steering
or cornering skid, too much speed
or steering in a curve causes tires
to slip and lose cornering force.
And in the acceleration skid, too
much throttle causes the driving
wheels to spin.
If the vehicle starts to slide, ease
your foot off the accelerator
pedal and quickly steer the way you
want the vehicle to go. If you
start steering quickly enough, the
vehicle may straighten out. Always
be ready for a second skid if it
occurs.Of course, traction is reduced when
water, snow, ice, gravel, or other
material is on the road. For safety,
slow down and adjust your
driving to these conditions. It is
important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping
distance is longer and vehicle
control more limited.
While driving on a surface with
reduced traction, try your best to
avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle
speed by shifting to a lower gear.
Any sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide. You might not
realize the surface is slippery until
the vehicle is skidding. Learn to
recognize warning clues — such as
enough water, ice, or packed snow
on the road to make a mirrored
surface — and slow down when you
have any doubt.
Remember: Any Antilock Brake
System (ABS) helps avoid only the
braking skid.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than
day driving because some drivers
are likely to be impaired — by alcohol
or drugs, with night vision problems,
or by fatigue.
Night driving tips include:
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Reduce headlamp glare by
adjusting the inside rearview
mirror.
Slow down and keep more space
between you and other vehicles
because headlamps can only
light up so much road ahead.
Watch for animals.
When tired, pull off the road.
Do not wear sunglasses.
Avoid staring directly into
approaching headlamps.
4-10 Driving Your Vehicle

{CAUTION
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or
with the ignition off is dangerous.
The brakes will have to do all the
work of slowing down and they
could get so hot that they would
not work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none
going down a hill. You could crash.
Always have the engine running
and the vehicle in gear when going
downhill.
Stay in your own lane. Do not
swing wide or cut across the
center of the road. Drive at
speeds that let you stay in your
own lane.
Top of hills: Be alert — something
could be in your lane (stalled car,
accident).
Pay attention to special road
signs (falling rocks area, winding
roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take
appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow
or ice between the tires and the
road, creating less traction or
grip. Wet ice can occur at about
32°F (0°C) when freezing rain
begins to fall, resulting in even
less traction. Avoid driving on wet
ice or in freezing rain until roads
can be treated with salt or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the
condition. Accelerate gently so
traction is not lost. Accelerating too
quickly causes the wheels to spin
and makes the surface under the
tires slick, so there is even less
traction.Try not to break the fragile traction.
If you accelerate too fast, the drive
wheels will spin and polish the
surface under the tires even more.
TheStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-5
improves the ability to accelerate on
slippery roads, but slow down and
adjust your driving to the road
conditions. When driving through
deep snow, turn off the traction
control part of the StabiliTrak
®
System to help maintain vehicle
motion at lower speeds.
TheAntilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 4-4improves vehicle
stability during hard stops on a
slippery roads, but apply the brakes
sooner than when on dry pavement.
Allow greater following distance
on any slippery road and watch
for slippery spots. Icy patches
can occur on otherwise clear
roads in shaded areas.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-13

Parking on Hills
{CAUTION
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a at surface.
If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do
not shift into P (Park) yet.
Turn the wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic
if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks
under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in
place, release the brake pedal
until the chocks absorb the load.4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then
apply the parking brake and
shift the transmission into
P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking
on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal
while you:
start the engine,
shift into a gear, and
release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is
clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up
and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-3for more information.
Things that are especially important
in trailer operation are automatic
transmission uid, engine oil,
axle lubricant, belts, cooling system
and brake system. It is a good
idea to inspect these before and
during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Trailer Wiring Harness
The vehicle is equipped with the
following wiring harness for towing
a trailer.
4-32 Driving Your Vehicle

13. Disconnect the air only hose (G)
from the tire valve stem, by
turning it counterclockwise, and
replace the tire valve stem cap.
14. Replace the air only hose (G)
and the power plug (H) and
cord back in its original location.
15. Place the equipment in
the original storage location
in the vehicle.
The tire sealant and compressor kit
has an accessory adapter located
in a compartment on the bottom
of its housing that may be used to
inate air mattresses, balls, etc.Removal and Installation of
the Sealant Canister
To remove the sealant canister:
1. Unwrap the sealant hose.
2. Press the canister release button.
3. Pull up and remove the canister.
4. Replace with a new canister
which is available from your
dealer/retailer.
5. Push the new canister into place.
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit Storage
The tire sealant and compressor
kit is located in the storage
compartment on the driver side,
at the rear of the vehicle.1. Press down on the latch tab and
pull the cover off to access the
storage compartment.
2. Press the two tabs on the quick
release buckle to release the
tire sealant and compressor
kit strap.
3. Remove the sealant and
compressor kit from its tray.
To store the tire sealant and
compressor kit, reverse the steps.
5-68 Service and Appearance Care

Fabric/Carpet
Use a vacuum cleaner with a
soft brush attachment frequently
to remove dust and loose dirt.
A canister vacuum with a beater bar
in the nozzle may only be used on
oor carpet and carpeted oor mats.
For any soil, always try to remove it
rst with plain water or club soda.
Before cleaning,gently remove as
much of the soil as possible using
one of the following techniques:
For liquids: gently blot the
remaining soil with a paper towel.
Allow the soil to absorb into the
paper towel until no more can be
removed.
For solid dry soils: remove as
much as possible and then
vacuum.
To clean:
1. Saturate a lint-free, clean white
cloth with water or club soda.
2. Wring the cloth to remove excess
moisture.3. Start on the outside edge of the
soil and gently rub toward the
center. Continue cleaning, using
a clean area of the cloth each
time it becomes soiled.
4. Continue to gently rub the soiled
area until the cleaning cloth
remains clean.
5. If the soil is not completely
removed, use a mild soap
solution and repeat the cleaning
process that was used with
plain water.
If any of the soil remains, a
commercial fabric cleaner or spot
lifter may be necessary. When a
commercial upholstery cleaner or
spot lifter is to be used, test a small
hidden area for colorfastness rst.
If the locally cleaned area gives any
impression that a ring formation may
result, clean the entire surface.
After the cleaning process has been
completed, a paper towel can be
used to blot excess moisture
from the fabric or carpet.
Leather
A soft cloth dampened with water
can be used to remove dust.
If a more thorough cleaning is
necessary, a soft cloth dampened
with a mild soap solution can be
used. Allow the leather to dry
naturally. Do not use heat to dry.
Never use steam to clean leather.
Never use spot lifters or spot
removers on leather. Many
commercial leather cleaners and
coatings that are sold to preserve
and protect leather may permanently
change the appearance and feel
of the leather and are not
recommended. Do not use silicone
or wax-based products, or those
containing organic solvents to clean
the vehicle’s interior because they
can alter the appearance by
increasing the gloss in a non-uniform
manner. Never use shoe polish on
leather.
Service and Appearance Care 5-83

FusesUsage
A/C
CLUTCH Air Conditioning
Clutch
ABS MTR Antilock Braking
System (ABS) Motor
AFS Adaptive Forward
Lighting System
AIRBAG Airbag SystemFuses Usage
AUX
POWER Auxiliary Power
AUX VAC PUMP Auxiliary Vacuum
Pump
AWD All-Wheel-Drive
System
BATT 1 Battery 1
Fuses Usage
BATT 2 Battery 2
BATT 3 Battery 3
ECM Engine Control
Module
ECM 1 Engine Control
Module 1
EMISSION 1 Emission 1
EMISSION 2 Emission 2 EVEN
COILS Even Injector Coils
FAN 1 Cooling Fan 1
FAN 2 Cooling Fan 2
FOG LAMP Fog Lamps
FSCM Fuel System Control
Module
HORN Horn
HTD WASH Heated Windshield
Washer Fluid
HTD MIR Heated Outside
Rearview Mirror
Service and Appearance Care 5-93

A
Accessories and
Modications...................... 5-3
Accessory Power Outlets......3-20
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle....1-60
Additives, Fuel...................... 5-5
Add-On Electrical
Equipment.......................5-89
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.......5-15
Air Conditioning...........3-22, 3-25
Airbag
Passenger Status
Indicator.......................3-36
Readiness Light................3-36
Airbag System.....................1-48
Adding Equipment to
Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle........................1-60
How Does an Airbag
Restrain?.....................1-53
Passenger Sensing
System........................1-55
Servicing Your
Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle........................1-59Airbag System (cont.)
What Makes an Airbag
Inate?........................1-53
What Will You See After
an Airbag Inates?........1-54
When Should an
Airbag Inate?..............1-51
Where Are the Airbags?.....1-50
All-Wheel Drive....................5-33
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD)
System............................. 4-7
Antilock Brake
System (ABS).................... 4-4
Antilock Brake, System
Warning Light...................3-39
Appearance Care
Aluminum or
Chrome-Plated Wheels . . . 5-86
Care of Safety Belts..........5-84
Chemical Paint Spotting.....5-88
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/
Lenses........................5-85
Fabric/Carpet...................5-83
Finish Care......................5-85
Finish Damage.................5-88
Instrument Panel, Vinyl,
and Other Plastic
Surfaces......................5-84Appearance Care (cont.)
Interior Cleaning...............5-81
Leather...........................5-83
Sheet Metal Damage........5-87
Tires...............................5-87
Underbody Maintenance....5-88
Washing Your Vehicle........5-84
Weatherstrips...................5-84
Windshield, Backglass,
and Wiper Blades..........5-86
Appointments, Scheduling
Service............................. 7-8
Audio System......................3-72
Audio Steering Wheel
Controls.....................3-121
Navigation/Radio System,
see Navigation Manual . . . 3-99
Radio Reception.............3-121
Rear Audio
Controller (RAC)..........3-120
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)....3-118
Setting the Clock..............3-73
Theft-Deterrent Feature....3-120
Audio System(s)..................3-74
Automatic Transmission
Fluid...............................5-16
Operation........................2-24
INDEX i-1

Hood
Checking Things Under....... 5-9
Release............................ 5-9
Horn .................................... 3-5
How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly..........................1-18
I
Ignition Positions..................2-20
Infants and Young Children,
Restraints........................1-31
Ination - Tire Pressure.........5-41
Inator Kit, Tire....................5-56
Instrument Panel
Brightness.......................3-14
Cluster............................3-34
Overview........................... 3-4
Storage Area....................2-49
J
Jump Starting......................5-28
K
Keyless Entry System............ 2-3
Keys.................................... 2-2
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall..........5-36
Lamp
Malfunction Indicator.........3-41
Lamps
Courtesy.........................3-14
Dome .............................3-14
Dome Lamp Override........3-14
Reading..........................3-15
Lap-Shoulder Belt................1-23
LATCH System for Child
Restraints........................1-37
License Plate Lamps............5-34
Liftgate
Carbon Monoxide.............2-10
Liftgate, Power....................2-11
Light
Airbag Readiness.............3-36
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning..............3-39
Brake System Warning......3-38
Charging System..............3-37
Cruise Control..................3-44
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning.....3-40
Fog Lamp ........................3-44
Highbeam On...................3-45Light (cont.)
Oil Pressure.....................3-44
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator.......................3-36
Safety Belt Reminders.......3-35
Security...........................3-44
StabiliTrak
®Indicator.........3-39
Tire Pressure...................3-41
Tow/Haul Mode................3-45
Lighting
Delayed Entry..................3-15
Delayed Exit....................3-15
Entry..............................3-14
Parade Dimming...............3-15
Lights
Exterior Lamps.................3-11
Flash-to-Pass..................... 3-7
High/Low Beam Changer..... 3-7
Loading Your Vehicle............4-16
Lockout Protection................. 2-9
Locks
Delayed Locking................. 2-8
Door ................................. 2-8
Lockout Protection.............. 2-9
Power Door....................... 2-8
Programmable Automatic
Door Locks.................... 2-9
Rear Door Security Locks.... 2-9
i-6 INDEX