2009 GMC ACADIA warning

If the vehicle has a voltmeter gage
or a voltage display on the Driver
Information Center (DIC), you
may see the voltage move up or
down. This is normal. If there
is a problem, an alert will be
displayed.
The battery can be discharged at
idle if the electrical loads are
very high. This is true for all
vehicles. This is because the
generator (alternator) may not be
spinning fast enough at idle to
produce all the power that is needed
for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when
several of the following are on, such
as: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger,
climate control fan at high speed,
heated seats, engine cooling
fans, trailer loads, and loads
plugged into accessory power
outlets.EPM works to prevent excessive
discharge of the battery. It does this
by balancing the generator’s
output and the vehicle’s electrical
needs. It can increase engine
idle speed to generate more power,
whenever needed. It can temporarily
reduce the power demands of
some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in
steps or levels, without being
noticeable. In rare cases at the
highest levels of corrective action,
this action may be noticeable
to the driver. If so, a Driver
Information Center (DIC) message
might be displayed, such as
BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE,
BATTERY VOLTAGE LOW, or
LOW BATTERY. If this message is
displayed, it is recommended
that the driver reduce the electrical
loads as much as possible. See
DIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-56.Battery Run-Down
Protection
This feature helps 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 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.
3-16 Instrument Panel

The HUD temporarily displays
CHECK GAGES and ICE
POSSIBLE when these messages
are on the DIC trip computer.
The HUD also displays the following
messages on vehicles with these
systems, when they are active:
TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE
STABILITRAK ACTIVE
Notice:If you try to use the HUD
image as a parking aid, you may
misjudge the distance and
damage your vehicle. Do not use
the HUD image as a parking aid.
When the HUD is on, the
speedometer reading is continually
displayed. The current radio
station or CD track number will
display for a short period of
time after the radio or CD track
status changes. This happens
whenever radio information is
changed. The speedometer sizeis reduced when radio, CD
information, warnings, or
turn-by-turn navigation information
are displayed on the HUD.
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 or
counterclockwise to brighten or dim
the display.
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.
3-18 Instrument Panel

H(Vent):Air is directed through
the overhead outlets.
)(Bi-Level):Air is directed
through the rear oor outlets, as
well as the overhead outlets.
6(Floor):Air is directed through
the oor outlets. The rear system
oor outlets are located under
the third row seats.
Warning Lights,
Gages, and Indicators
Warning lights and gages can
signal that something is wrong
before it becomes serious enough
to cause an expensive repair or
replacement. Paying attention to the
warning lights and gages could
prevent injury.
Warning lights come on when there
may be or is a problem with one
of the vehicle’s functions. Some
warning lights come on briey when
the engine is started to indicate
they are working.Gages can indicate when there may
be or is a problem with one of the
vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to
indicate a problem with the vehicle.
When one of the warning lights
comes on and stays on while
driving, or when one of the gages
shows there may be a problem,
check the section that explains what
to do. Follow this manual’s advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be
costly and even dangerous.
Instrument Panel 3-33

Speedometer and
Odometer
The speedometer shows the
vehicle’s speed in both miles per
hour (mph) and kilometers per
hour (km/h).
The odometer shows how far the
vehicle has been driven, in either
miles or kilometers.
This vehicle has a tamper-resistant
odometer. If the vehicle needs a
new odometer installed, the new one
will be set to the mileage total of
the old odometer. If this is not
possible, it will be set at zero and a
label must be put on the driver’s
door to show the old mileage
reading when the new odometer
was installed. If the mileage is
unknown, the label should then
indicate “previous mileage
unknown”.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the
engine speed in revolutions per
minute (rpm).
Safety Belt Reminders
Driver Safety Belt Reminder
Light
There is a driver safety belt reminder
light on the instrument panel cluster.
When the engine is started this light
and chime come on and stay on
for several seconds to remind
the driver to fasten the safety belt.
The light also begins to ash.
This cycle repeats if the driver
remains unbuckled and the vehicle
is moving.
If the driver’s safety belt is already
buckled, neither the light nor
chime comes on.
Passenger Safety Belt
Reminder Light
When the engine is started this light
and chime comes on and stays
on for several seconds to remind the
passenger to fasten their safety
belt. The light also begins to ash.
This cycle repeats if the passenger
remains unbuckled and the
vehicle is moving.
If the passenger safety belt is
buckled, neither the chime nor the
light comes on.
The front passenger safety belt
warning light and chime may turn on
if an object is put on the seat
such as a briefcase, handbag, or
grocery bag. To turn off the warning
light and/or chime, remove the
object from the seat or buckle the
safety belt
Instrument Panel 3-35

vehicle from a distance, if equipped,
you may not see the system
check. Then, after several more
seconds, the status indicator
will light either ON or OFF, or either
the on or off symbol to let you
know the status of the right front
passenger frontal airbag.
If the word ON or the on symbol is
lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the right front
passenger frontal airbag is enabled
(may inate).
If the word OFF or the off symbol is
lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the
passenger sensing system has
turned off the right front passenger
frontal airbag.
If, after several seconds, both status
indicator lights remain on, or if
there are no lights at all, there may
be a problem with the lights or
the passenger sensing system.
See your dealer/retailer for service.{CAUTION
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have
the vehicle serviced right away.
SeeAirbag Readiness Light on
page 3-36for more information,
including important safety
information.
Charging System Light
The charging system light comes on
briey when the ignition is turned
on, but the engine is not running,
as a check to show the light is
working. It should go out when the
engine is started.If the light stays on, or comes on
while driving, there may be a
problem with the electrical charging
system. Have it checked by your
dealer/retailer. Driving while this light
is on could drain the battery.
When this light comes on, the Driver
Information Center (DIC) will also
display the SERVICE BATTERY
CHARGING SYSTEM message.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-56for more information.
If a short distance must be driven
with the light on, be sure to turn off
all accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
Instrument Panel 3-37

Voltmeter Gage
When the engine is not running, but
the ignition is turned on, this
gage shows the battery’s state of
charge in DC volts.
When the engine is running, this
gage shows the condition of the
charging system. The vehicle’s
charging system regulates voltage
based on the state of charge of the
battery. The voltmeter may uctuate.
This is normal. Readings between
the low and high warning zones
indicate the normal operating range.
Readings in the low warning zone
may occur when a large number of
electrical accessories are operating
in the vehicle and the engine is
left idling for an extended period.If there is a problem with the battery
charging system, a SERVICE
BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM
message will appear in the
Driver Information Center (DIC)
and/or the charging system light will
come on. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-56and
Charging System Light on page 3-37
for more information.
However, readings in either warning
zone may indicate a possible
problem in the electrical system.
Have the vehicle serviced as soon
as possible.
Brake System Warning
Light
This vehicle’s hydraulic brake
system is divided into two parts.
If one part is not working, the other
part can still work and stop the
vehicle. For good braking both parts
need to be working.If the warning light comes on, there
is a brake problem. Have the
brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on briey
when the ignition key is turned
to ON/RUN. If it does not come on
then, have it xed so it will be
ready to warn if there is a problem.
This light may also come on due
to low brake uid. SeeBrakes
on page 5-25for more information.
When the ignition is on, the
brake system warning light will also
come on when the parking brake
is set. The light will stay on if
the parking brake does not release
fully. If it stays on after the
parking brake is fully released, it
means there is a brake problem.
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3-38 Instrument Panel

If the light comes on while driving,
pull off the road and stop carefully.
Make sure the parking brake is
fully released. The pedal may be
harder to push or, the pedal may go
closer to the oor. It may take
longer to stop. If the light is still on,
have the vehicle towed for service.
SeeTowing Your Vehicle on
page 4-20.
{CAUTION
The brake system might not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning
light on can lead to a crash. If the
light is still on after the vehicle
has been pulled off the road and
carefully stopped, have the
vehicle towed for service.
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
For vehicles with the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), this light comes
on briey when the engine is started.
That is normal. If the light does
not come on then, have it xed so it
will be ready to warn if there is a
problem.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the
ignition off. If the light comes
on while driving, stop as soon as it
is safely possible and turn the
ignition off. A chime may also sound
when the light comes on steady.
Then start the engine again to reset
the system. If the ABS light stays
on, or comes on again while driving,
the vehicle needs service. If the
regular brake system warning light
is not on, the vehicle still has
brakes, but not antilock brakes.If the regular brake system warning
light is also on, the vehicle does
not have antilock brakes and there
is a problem with the regular
brakes. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-38.
For vehicles with a Driver Information
Center (DIC), seeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-56for all brake
related DIC messages.
StabiliTrak®Indicator
Light
This light comes on briey while
starting the engine. If it does
not, have the vehicle serviced by
your dealer/retailer. If the system is
working normally the indicator light
will then go off.
If it stays on, or comes on while
driving, there may be a problem with
the StabiliTrak system and the
Instrument Panel 3-39

vehicle may need service. When
this warning light is on, the system is
off and will not limit wheel spin.
This light will also ash when the
StabiliTrak system is active.
If the StabiliTrak system warning light
comes on and stays on for an
extended period of time when the
system is turned on, the vehicle
needs service. SeeStabiliTrak
®
System on page 4-5for more
information.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Light
The engine coolant temperature
warning light will come on when the
engine has overheated.If this happens pull over and turn off
the engine as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-21for more information.
Notice:Driving with the engine
coolant temperature warning light
on could cause the vehicle to
overheat. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-21. The vehicle’s
engine could be damaged, and it
might not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Never drive with
the engine coolant temperature
warning light on.
This light will also come on briey
when starting the vehicle. If it
does not, see your delear/retailer.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant
temperature. Under normal driving
conditions the gage will read
approximately 210°F (100 °C) or
less. If the gage pointer is near
260°F (125 °C), the engine is
too hot.
It means that the engine coolant
has overheated. If the vehicle
has been operating under normal
driving conditions, pull off the
road, stop the vehicle and turn off
the engine as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-21for more information.
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3-40 Instrument Panel