2009 GMC ACADIA mileage

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

To use the retro-active reset feature,
press and hold the set/reset button
for at least four seconds. The trip
odometer will display the number of
miles (mi) or kilometers (km) driven
since the ignition was last turned on
and the vehicle was moving. Once
the vehicle begins moving, the trip
odometer will accumulate mileage.
For example, if the vehicle was
driven 5 miles (8 km) before it is
started again, and then the
retro-active reset feature is activated,
the display will show 5 miles (8 km).
As the vehicle begins moving, the
display will then increase to 5.1 miles
(8.2 km), 5.2 miles (8.4 km), etc.
If the retro-active reset feature is
activated after the vehicle is started,
but before it begins moving, the
display will show the number
of miles (mi) or kilometers (km) that
were driven during the last ignition
cycle.RANGE
Press the trip/fuel button until
RANGE displays. This display
shows the approximate number
of remaining miles (mi) or
kilometers (km) the vehicle can be
driven without refueling. The
display will show LOW if the fuel
level is low.
The fuel range estimate is based on
an average of the vehicle’s fuel
economy over recent driving history
and the amount of fuel remaining
in the fuel tank. This estimate
will change if driving conditions
change. For example, if driving
in traffic and making frequent stops,
this display may read one number,
but if the vehicle is driven on a
freeway, the number may change
even though the same amount
of fuel is in the fuel tank. This is
because different driving conditions
produce different fuel economies.
Generally, freeway driving produces
better fuel economy than city
driving. Fuel range cannot be reset.AVG (Average) ECONOMY
Press the trip/fuel button until AVG
ECONOMY displays. This display
shows the approximate average
miles per gallon (mpg) or liters per
100 kilometers (L/100 km). This
number is calculated based on
the number of mpg (L/100 km)
recorded since the last time this
menu item was reset. To reset
AVG ECONOMY, press and hold
the set/reset button.
TIMER
Press the trip/fuel button until
TIMER displays. This display
can be used as a timer.
To start the timer, press the
set/reset button while TIMER is
displayed. The display will show the
amount of time that has passed
since the timer was last reset, not
including time the ignition is off.
Time will continue to be counted as
long as the ignition is on, even if
another display is being shown on
the DIC. The timer will record
3-50 Instrument Panel

TRIP A or TRIP B
Press the trip odometer reset stem
until TRIP A or TRIP B displays.
This display shows the current
distance traveled in either miles (mi)
or kilometers (km) since the last
reset for each trip odometer. Both
trip odometers can be used at
the same time.
Each trip odometer can be reset to
zero separately by pressing and
holding the trip odometer reset stem
while the desired trip odometer is
displayed.
The trip odometer has a feature
called the retro-active reset.
This can be used to set the trip
odometer to the number of miles
(kilometers) driven since the ignition
was last turned on. This can be
used if the trip odometer is not reset
at the beginning of the trip.
To use the retro-active reset feature,
press and hold the trip odometer
reset stem for at least four seconds.
The trip odometer will display the
number of miles (mi) orkilometers (km) driven since the
ignition was last turned on and the
vehicle was moving. Once the
vehicle begins moving, the
trip odometer will accumulate
mileage. For example, if the vehicle
was driven 5 miles (8 km) before
it is started again, and then
the retro-active reset feature is
activated, the display will show
5 miles (8 km). As the vehicle begins
moving, the display will then
increase to 5.1 miles (8.2 km),
5.2 miles (8.4 km), etc.
If the retro-active reset feature is
activated after the vehicle is started,
but before it begins moving, the
display will show the number
of miles (mi) or kilometers (km) that
were driven during the last ignition
cycle.
OIL LIFE
To access this display, the vehicle
must be in P (Park). Press the
trip odometer reset stem until
OIL LIFE REMAINING displays.This display shows an estimate of
the oil’s remaining useful life. If you
see 99% OIL LIFE REMAINING on
the display, that means 99% of the
current oil life remains. The engine
oil life system will alert you
to change the oil on a schedule
consistent with your driving
conditions.
When the remaining oil life is low,
the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message will appear on the
display. See “CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON” underDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-56.
You should change the oil as soon
as you can. SeeEngine Oil on
page 5-11. In addition to the engine
oil life system monitoring the oil
life, additional maintenance is
recommended in the Maintenance
Schedule in this manual. See
Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-3
for more information.
Remember, you must reset the OIL
LIFE display yourself after each oil
change. It will not reset itself. Also,
be careful not to reset the OIL LIFE
3-52 Instrument Panel

Driving Your
Vehicle
Your Driving, the Road,
and the Vehicle
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy...........................4-1
Defensive Driving................4-2
Drunk Driving.....................4-2
Control of a Vehicle............4-3
Braking...............................4-3
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)...................4-4
Braking in Emergencies......4-5
StabiliTrak®System............4-5
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
System.............................4-7
Steering..............................4-8
Off-Road Recovery.............4-9
Passing..............................4-9
Loss of Control...................4-9
Driving at Night.................4-10
Driving in Rain and on
Wet Roads......................4-11
Before Leaving on a
Long Trip........................4-12
Highway Hypnosis.............4-12
Hill and Mountain Roads. . .4-12
Winter Driving...................4-13
If Your Vehicle is Stuck
in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow
..........................4-15
Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out.......................4-15
Loading the Vehicle..........4-16
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle.........4-20
Recreational Vehicle
Towing............................4-21
Towing a Trailer................4-24
Your Driving, the
Road, and the Vehicle
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving
tips to get the best fuel economy
possible.
Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
Brake gradually and avoid
abrupt stops.
Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
When road and weather
conditions are appropriate, use
cruise control, if equipped.
Always follow posted speed limits
or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-1

Doing Your Own
Service Work
{CAUTION
You can be injured and the
vehicle could be damaged if you
try to do service work on a vehicle
without knowing enough about it.
Be sure you have sufficient
knowledge, experience, the
proper replacement parts, and
tools before attempting any
vehicle maintenance task.
Be sure to use the proper
nuts, bolts, and other
fasteners. English and metric
fasteners can be easily
confused. If the wrong
fasteners are used, parts
can later break or fall off.
You could be hurt.If doing some of your own service
work, use the proper service
manual. It tells you much more
about how to service the vehicle
than this manual can. To order
the proper service manual,
seeService Publications Ordering
Information on page 7-15.
This vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to do your
own service work, seeServicing
Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
on page 1-59.
Keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date
of any service work performed. See
Maintenance Record on page 6-16.
Adding Equipment to the
Outside of the Vehicle
Things added to the outside of the
vehicle can affect the airow
around it. This can cause wind
noise and can affect fuel economy
and windshield washer performance.
Check with your dealer/retailer
before adding equipment to
the outside of the vehicle.
5-4 Service and Appearance Care

Notice:Use only engine oil
identied as meeting GM Standard
GM6094M and showing the
American Petroleum Institute
Certied For Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. Failure to use
the recommended oil can result
in engine damage not covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Cold Temperature Operation
If in an area of extreme cold,
where the temperature falls
below−20°F (−29°C), use either
an SAE 5W-30 synthetic oil or an
SAE 0W-30 engine oil. Both provide
easier cold starting for the engine at
extremely low temperatures. Always
use an oil that meets the required
specication, GM6094M. See “What
Kind of Engine Oil to Use” for more
information.
Engine Oil Additives / Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil.
The recommended oils with
the starburst symbol that meet
GM Standard GM6094M are all
that is needed for good performance
and engine protection.
Engine oil system ushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and lter. This is based
on engine revolutions and engine
temperature, and not on mileage.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably.
For the oil life system to work
properly, the system must be reset
every time the oil is changed.When the system has calculated
that oil life has been diminished,
it indicates that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message comes on. Change
the oil as soon as possible within
the next 600 miles (1 000 km). It is
possible that, if driving under the best
conditions, the oil life system might
not indicate that an oil change is
necessary for over a year. However,
the engine oil and lter must be
changed at least once a year and at
this time the system must be reset.
Your dealer/retailer has trained
service people who will perform this
work using genuine parts and reset
the system. It is also important to
check the oil regularly and keep it
at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be changed
at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since the
last oil change. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever the oil is
changed.
Service and Appearance Care 5-13

Owner Checks and
Services
These owner checks and services
should be performed at the intervals
specied to help ensure vehicle
safety, dependability, and emission
control performance. Your dealer/
retailer can assist with these checks
and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are
completed at once. Whenever
any uids or lubricants are added to
the vehicle, make sure they are
the proper ones, as shown in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-12.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these
underhood checks at each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Notice:It is important to check
the engine oil regularly and keep it
at the proper level. Failure to keepthe engine oil at the proper level
can cause damage to the engine
not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Check the engine oil level and add
the proper oil if necessary. See
Engine Oil on page 5-11.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level
and add DEX-COOL®coolant
mixture if necessary. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-17.
Windshield Washer Fluid
Level Check
Check the windshield washer uid
level in the windshield washer uid
reservoir and add the proper uid if
necessary.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Inspect the vehicle’s tires and make
sure they are inated to the correct
pressures. Do not forget to check
the spare tire, if the vehicle has one.
SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-41. If the vehicle has a spare
tire, check to make sure it is stored
securely. SeeChanging a Flat Tire
on page 5-69.
Tire Wear Inspection
Tire rotation may be required for high
mileage highway drivers prior to the
Engine Oil Life System service
notication. Check the tires for wear
and, if necessary, rotate the tires.
SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-47.
Maintenance Schedule 6-9

STEP TWO:If after contacting a
member of dealership management,
it appears your concern cannot be
resolved by the dealership without
further help, in the U.S., call the GMC
Consumer Relations Manager at
1-800-GMC-8782 (1-800-462-8782,
Customer Assistance prompt).
In Canada, call General Motors of
Canada Customer Communication
at 1-800-263-3777 (English) or
1-800-263-7854 (French).
We encourage you to call the toll-free
number in order to give your inquiry
prompt attention. Have the following
information available to give the
Customer Assistance
Representative:
Vehicle Identication Number
(VIN). This is available from the
vehicle registration or title, or the
plate at the top left of the
instrument panel and visible
through the windshield.
Dealership name and location.
Vehicle delivery date and present
mileage.When contacting GMC, remember
that your concern will likely be
resolved at a dealer’s facility.
That is why we suggest following
Step One rst.
STEP THREE — U.S. Owners:Both
General Motors and your dealer are
committed to making sure you are
completely satised with your new
vehicle. However, if you continue to
remain unsatised after following the
procedure outlined in Steps One and
Two, you can le with the Better
Business Bureau (BBB) Auto Line
Program to enforce your rights.
The BBB Auto Line Program is an
out of court program administered by
the Council of Better Business
Bureaus to settle automotive
disputes regarding vehicle repairs or
the interpretation of the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty. Although you may
be required to resort to this informal
dispute resolution program prior to
lling out a court action, use of the
program is free of charge and yourcase will generally be heard within
40 days. If you do not agree with the
decision given in your case, you may
reject it and proceed with any other
venue for relief available to you.
You may contact the BBB Auto Line
Program using the toll-free telephone
number or write them at the following
address:
BBB Auto Line Program
Council of Better Business
Bureaus, Inc.
4200 Wilson Boulevard
Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203-1838
Telephone: 1-800-955-5100
dr.bbb.org/goauto
This program is available in all
50 states and the District of
Columbia. Eligibility is limited by
vehicle age, mileage, and other
factors. General Motors reserves the
right to change eligibility limitations
and/or discontinue its participation
in this program.
7-2 Customer Assistance Information