2011 GMC ACADIA instrument cluster

Black plate (37,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-37
Vehicle Messages
Messages are displayed on the DIC
to notify the driver that the status of
the vehicle has changed and that
some action may be needed by
the driver to correct the condition.
Multiple messages may appear
one after another.
Some messages may not require
immediate action, but you can
press any of the DIC buttons
on the instrument panel or the
trip odometer reset stem on
the instrument panel cluster to
acknowledge that you received
the messages and to clear them
from the display.
Some messages cannot be cleared
from the DIC display because they
are more urgent. These messages
require action before they can becleared. You should take any
messages that appear on the
display seriously and remember
that clearing the messages will
only make the messages disappear,
not correct the problem.
The following are the possible
messages that can be displayed
and some information about them.
Battery Voltage and
Charging Messages
BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE
This message displays when the
system detects that the battery
voltage is dropping below expected
levels. The battery saver system
starts reducing certain features of
the vehicle that you may be able
to notice. At the point that the
features are disabled, this message
is displayed. It means that the
vehicle is trying to save the charge
in the battery.Turn off all unnecessary
accessories to allow the battery
to recharge.
The normal battery voltage range is
11.5 to 15.5 volts.
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.
See
Charging System Light on
page 5‑17. 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.

Black plate (39,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-39
PASSENGER DOOR OPEN
This message displays and a chime
sounds if the passenger door is
not fully closed and the vehicle is
shifted out of P (Park). Stop and turn
off the vehicle, check the door for
obstructions, and close the door
again. Check to see if the message
still appears on the DIC.
POWER LIFTGATE OFF
This message displays when the
power liftgate has been turned off
by pressing the power liftgate button
on the center console.
RIGHT REAR DOOR OPEN
This message displays and a chime
sounds if the passenger side rear
door is not fully closed and the
vehicle is shifted out of P (Park).
Stop and turn off the vehicle, check
the door for obstructions, and close
the door again. Check to see if the
message still appears on the DIC.
Engine Cooling System
Messages
ENGINE HOT A/C
(Air Conditioning) OFF
This message displays when the
engine coolant becomes hotter than
the normal operating temperature.
SeeEngine Coolant Temperature
Gauge on page 5‑14. To avoid
added strain on a hot engine,
the air conditioning compressor
automatically turns off. When
the coolant temperature returns
to normal, the air conditioning
compressor turns back on.
You can continue to drive
your vehicle.
If this message continues to appear,
have the system repaired by your
dealer as soon as possible to avoid
damage to the engine.
ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE
ENGINE
Notice: If you drive the vehicle
while the engine is overheating,
severe engine damage may
occur. If an overheat warning
appears on the instrument panel
cluster and/or DIC, stop the
vehicle as soon as possible.
Do not increase the engine
speed above normal idling speed.
See Engine Overheating on
page 10‑19 for more information.
This message displays when the
engine coolant temperature is too
hot. Stop and allow the vehicle to
idle until it cools down. See Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge on
page 5‑14.
See Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode on page 10‑22 for
information on driving to a safe
place in an emergency.

Black plate (40,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
5-40 Instruments and Controls
ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP
ENGINE
Notice:If you drive the vehicle
while the engine is overheating,
severe engine damage may
occur. If an overheat warning
appears on the instrument panel
cluster and/or DIC, stop the
vehicle as soon as possible.
Do not increase the engine speed
above normal idling speed.
See Engine Overheating on
page 10‑19 for more information.
This message displays and a
continuous chime sounds if the
engine cooling system reaches
unsafe temperatures for operation.
Stop and turn off the vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so to avoid
severe damage. This message
clears when the engine has cooled
to a safe operating temperature.
Engine Oil Messages
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
This message displays when the
engine oil needs to be changed.
When you change the engine oil,
be sure to reset the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message.
See Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑11 for information on how
to reset the message. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑8 andScheduled
Maintenance on page 11‑2 for
more information.
OIL PRESSURE LOW STOP
ENGINE
Notice: If you drive the vehicle
while the engine oil pressure
is low, severe engine damage
may occur. If a low oil pressure
warning appears on the
instrument panel cluster and/or
DIC, stop the vehicle as soon
as possible. Do not drive the
vehicle until the cause of the
low oil pressure is corrected.
See Engine Oil on page 10‑8
for more information.
This message displays if low oil
pressure levels occur. Stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible
and do not operate it until the cause
of the low oil pressure has been
corrected. Check the oil as soon
as possible and have your vehicle
serviced by your dealer. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑8.

Black plate (41,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-41
Engine Power Messages
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message displays and a
chime sounds when the cooling
system temperature gets too hot
and the engine further enters the
engine coolant protection mode.
SeeEngine Overheating on
page 10‑19 for further information.
This message also displays when
the vehicle's engine power is
reduced. Reduced engine power
can affect the vehicle's ability
to accelerate. If this message
is on, but there is no reduction
in performance, proceed to your
destination. The performance
may be reduced the next time
the vehicle is driven. The vehicle
may be driven at a reduced speed
while this message is on, but
acceleration and speed may be
reduced. Anytime this message
stays on, the vehicle should be
taken to your dealer for service
as soon as possible.
Fuel System Messages
FUEL LEVEL LOW
This message displays and a
chime sounds if the fuel level is
low. Refuel as soon as possible.
See Fuel Gauge on page 5‑13
and Fuel on page 9‑42 for more
information.
TIGHTEN GAS CAP
This message may display along
with the check engine light on
the instrument panel cluster if the
vehicle's fuel cap is not tightened
properly. See Malfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 5‑18. Reinstall the
fuel cap fully. See Filling the Tank
on page 9‑44. The diagnostic
system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left off or improperly
installed. A loose or missing fuel
cap allows fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. A few driving trips with
the cap properly installed should
turn this light and message off.
Key and Lock Messages
REPLACE BATTERY IN
REMOTE KEY
This message displays if a Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter
battery is low. The battery needs
to be replaced in the transmitter.
See “Battery Replacement” under
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2‑3.
Lamp Messages
AUTOMATIC LIGHT
CONTROL OFF
This message displays when the
automatic headlamps are turned
off. This message clears itself after
10 seconds.
AUTOMATIC LIGHT
CONTROL ON
This message displays when the
automatic headlamps are turned
on. This message clears itself after
10 seconds.

Black plate (46,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
5-46 Instruments and Controls
SERVICE TRANSMISSION
This message displays when there
is a problem with the transmission.
See your dealer for service.
TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE
ENGINE
Notice:If you drive the vehicle
while the transmission fluid is
overheating and the transmission
temperature warning is displayed
on the instrument panel cluster
and/or DIC, you can damage the
transmission. This could lead to
costly repairs that would not be
covered by the warranty. Do not
drive the vehicle with overheated
transmission fluid or while the
transmission temperature
warning is displayed. This message displays and a chime
sounds if the transmission fluid in
the vehicle gets hot. Driving with the
transmission fluid temperature high
can cause damage to the vehicle.
Stop the vehicle and let it idle to
allow the transmission to cool.
This message clears when the fluid
temperature reaches a safe level.
Vehicle Reminder
Messages
ICE POSSIBLE DRIVE
WITH CARE
This message displays when
the outside air temperature is
cold enough to create icy road
conditions. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
Vehicle Speed Messages
SPEED LIMITED TO
XXX MPH (KM/H)
This message displays when
your vehicle speed is limited to
128 km/h (80 mph) because the
vehicle detects a problem in the
speed variable assist steering
system. Have your vehicle serviced
by your dealer.
Washer Fluid Messages
WASHER FLUID LOW ADD
FLUID
This message displays when the
windshield washer fluid is low.
Fill the windshield washer fluid
reservoir as soon as possible.
See
Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6 for the location
of the windshield washer fluid
reservoir. Also, see Washer
Fluid on page 10‑23 for more
information.

Black plate (2,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
6-2 Lighting
It controls the following systems:
.Headlamps
.Taillamps
.Parking Lamps
.License Plate Lamps
.Instrument Panel Lights
.Fog Lamps
The exterior lamps control has
four positions:
O(Off): Briefly turn to this position
to turn the automatic light control off
or on again.
AUTO (Automatic): Turns the
headlamps on automatically at
normal brightness, together with
the following:
.Parking Lamps
.Taillamps
.License Plate Lamps
.Instrument Panel Lights
;(Parking Lamps): Turns the
parking lamps on together with the
following:
.Taillamps
.License Plate Lamps
.Instrument Panel Lights
5(Headlamps): Turns the
headlamps on together with the
following lamps listed below.
A warning chime sounds if the
driver's door is opened when
the ignition switch is off and
the headlamps are on.
.Parking Lamps
.Taillamps
.License Plate Lamps
.Instrument Panel Lights
#(Fog Lamps): Turns on the fog
lamps (if equipped).
See Fog Lamps on page 6‑4.
Headlamp
High/Low-Beam
Changer
2 3
Headlamp High/Low‐Beam
Changer: Push the turn signal/lane
change lever away from you to turn
the high beams on.
Pull the lever toward you to return to
low beams.
This indicator light turns on in the
instrument panel cluster when the
high‐beam headlamps are on.

Black plate (3,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
Lighting 6-3
Flash-to-Pass
This feature is used to signal to
the vehicle ahead that you want
to pass.
If the headlamps are off or in
the low‐beam position, pull the
turn signal lever toward you to
momentarily switch to high‐beams.
Release the lever to turn the
high-beam headlamps off.
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)/Automatic
Headlamp System
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can
make it easier for others to see the
front of your vehicle during the day.
Fully functional daytime running
lamps are required on all vehicles
first sold in Canada.The DRL system makes either
the low-beam headlamps come
on at a reduced brightness or
the DRL lights, for vehicles with
High Intensity Discharge (HID)
headlamps when the following
conditions are met:
.The ignition is in the ON/RUN
position.
.The exterior lamps control is
in AUTO.
.The engine is running.
When the DRL are on, the regular
headlamps, taillamps, sidemarker,
and other lamps will not be on.
The instrument panel and cluster
will also not be lit.
For vehicles with HID headlamps,
if the DRL are on and the left or
right turn signal lamp is turned on,
the left or right DRL will go off.
The headlamps automatically
change from DRL to the regular
headlamps depending on the darkness of the surroundings.
The other lamps that come on with
the headlamps will also come on.
When it is bright enough outside,
the headlamps will go off and the
DRL will come on.
The regular headlamp system
should be turned on when needed.
Do not cover the light sensor on top
of the instrument panel because it
works with the DRL.
Hazard Warning Flashers
|
Hazard Warning Flasher:
Press this button located on the
instrument panel below the audio
system, to make the front and rear
turn signal lamps flash on and off.
This warns others that you are
having trouble. Press again to turn
the flashers off.
The turn signals do not work while
the hazard warning flashers are on.

Black plate (4,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
6-4 Lighting
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
An arrow on the instrument panel
cluster flashes in the direction of the
turn or lane change.
Move the lever all the way up or
down to signal a turn.
Raise or lower the lever until the
arrow starts to flash to signal a lane
change. Hold it there until the lane
change is completed. If the lever is
briefly pressed and released, the
turn signal flashes three times.The lever returns to its starting
position whenever it is released.
If after signaling a turn or lane
change the arrow flashes rapidly
or does not come on, a signal bulb
might be burned out.
Have the bulbs replaced. If the bulb
is not burned out, check the fuse.
See
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 10‑32.
Turn Signal On Chime
If either one of the turn signals are
left on and the vehicle has been
driven more than 1.2 km (3/4 mile),
a chime will sound.
Fog Lamps
Use the fog lamps for better vision
in foggy or misty conditions.
The fog lamps button is on the
exterior lamps control to the left
of the steering column.
#(Fog Lamps): Press the exterior
lamps button to turn the fog lamps
on or off. A light comes on in the
instrument panel cluster when the
fog lamps are in use. The ignition
must be on for the fog lamps
to work.
When the headlamps are changed
to high-beam, the fog lamps turn off.
The fog lamps come back on again
when the high-beam headlamps are
turned off.
Some localities have laws that
require the headlamps to be on
along with the fog lamps.