Page 21 of 478

Black plate (15,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-15
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System
A. Fan Control
B. AUTO (Auto Operation)
C. Defrost
D. Air Recirculation
E. REAR (Rear Climate Control)
F. Air Delivery Mode Control
G. Driver Side Temperature Control
H. Display
I. Power (On/Off)J. Rear Window Defogger
K. Air Conditioning
L. PASS (Passenger)
M. Passenger Side Temperature
Control
See Climate Control Systems on
page 8‑1 orDual Automatic
Climate Control System on page 8‑4
(If Equipped). For more information
about the rear climate control, see
Rear Climate Control System (Rear
Climate Control Only) on page 8‑10 or
Rear Climate Control System
(Rear Climate with Rear Seat Audio)
on page 8‑11.
Transmission
Electronic Range Select
(ERS) Mode
ERS mode allows you to choose the
top-gear limit of the transmission
and the vehicle's speed while
driving down hill or towing a trailer.
The vehicle has an electronic
shift position indicator within the
instrument panel cluster. When
using the ERS Mode a number will
display next to the L, indicating the
current gear that has been selected.
To use this feature:
1. Move the shift lever to L (Low).
2. Press the plus/minus button located on the shift lever, to
increase or decrease the gear
range available.
See Manual Mode on page 9‑27.
Page 26 of 478

Black plate (20,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
1-20 In Brief
Power Outlets
The vehicle has three 12‐volt
accessory power outlets which
can be used to plug in electrical
equipment, such as a cell phone
or MP3 player.
The power outlets are located:
.On the instrument panel below
the climate controls.
.At the rear of the center floor
console.
.In the rear cargo area.
To use the outlets, remove the
cover.
See Power Outlets on page 5‑9.
Sunroof
The ignition must be in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY to operate the
sunroof and power sunshade. See
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
on page 9‑21.
The switch to operate the front
sunroof is on the headliner above
the rearview mirror.
Vent: Press the front or rear of the
switch to vent or close the sunroof.
Express-open/Express-close:
From the closed position, press
and release the rear or front of
the switch to express-open or
express-close the sunroof.
For more information see Sunroof
on page 2‑22.
Performance and
Maintenance
StabiliTrak®System
The traction control system limits
wheel spin and the StabiliTrak
system assists with directional
control of the vehicle in difficult
driving conditions. Both systems
turn on automatically every time
the vehicle is started.
.To turn off the traction control
part of StabiliTrak, press and
release
5located on the
instrument panel and the
appropriate DIC message
is displayed. See Vehicle
Messages on page 5‑37.
.The StabiliTrak system
remains on.
For more information, see
StabiliTrak
®System on page 9‑31.
Page 42 of 478

Black plate (10,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
2-10 Keys, Doors and Windows
Doors
Liftgate
Manual Liftgate Operation
{WARNING
Exhaust gases can enter the
vehicle if it is driven with the
liftgate, trunk/hatch open, or
with any objects that pass
through the seal between the
body and the trunk/hatch or
liftgate. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO) which
cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness
and even death.
If the vehicle must be driven with
the liftgate, or trunk/hatch open:
.Close all of the windows.
.Fully open the air outlets
on or under the instrument
panel.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Adjust the Climate Control
system to a setting that
brings in only outside air
and set the fan speed to the
highest setting. See Climate
Control System in the Index.
.If the vehicle is equipped with
a power liftgate, disable the
power liftgate function.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9‑24.
To unlock the liftgate, use the
power door lock switch or press
the door unlock button on the
RKE transmitter twice. See Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 2‑3. To open the liftgate, press the
touchpad under the liftgate handle.
The vehicle must be in P (Park)
to open the liftgate. To close the
liftgate, use the pull cup or pull
strap as an aid.
The liftgate will not open if the
battery is disconnected or has low
voltage. The liftgate will resume
operation when the battery is
reconnected and charged.
If the battery is properly connected
and has adequate voltage, and the
liftgate still will not function, the
vehicle should be taken to a dealer
for service.
Page 47 of 478

Black plate (15,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-15
Immobilizer
SeeRadio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑20 for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission
(FCC) rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-210/220/310.
Immobilizer Operation
This vehicle has PASS-Key®III+
(Personalized Automotive Security
System) theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key
®III+ is a passive
theft-deterrent system.
The system is automatically armed
when the key is removed from the
ignition.
The system is automatically
disarmed when the key is turned
to ON/RUN, ACC/ACCESSORY
or START from the LOCK/OFF
position.
You do not have to manually arm or
disarm the system. The security light comes on if
there is a problem with arming
or disarming the theft-deterrent
system.
When the PASS-Key
®III+ system
senses an incorrect key, the vehicle
does not start. Anyone using a
trial-and-error method to start the
vehicle will be discouraged because
of the high number of electrical key
codes.
If the engine does not start and
the security light on the instrument
panel comes on when trying to start
the vehicle, there may be a problem
with your theft-deterrent system.
Turn the ignition off and try again.
If the engine still does not start,
and the key appears to be
undamaged, try another ignition
key and check the fuses. See Fuses
and Circuit Breakers on page 10‑32
for additional information. If the
engine still does not start with the
other key, the vehicle needs service.
If the vehicle does start, the first key
may be faulty. See your dealer who can service the PASS-Key
®III+
to have a new key made. In an
emergency, contact Roadside
Assistance. See Roadside
Assistance Program (U.S. and
Canada) on page 13‑8 orRoadside
Assistance Program (Mexico) on
page 13‑10.
It is possible for the PASS-Key
®III+
decoder to learn the transponder
value of a new or replacement key.
Up to 10 keys may be programmed
to the vehicle. The following
procedure is for programming
additional keys only. If all the
currently programmed keys are
lost or do not operate, you must
see your dealer or a locksmith who
can service PASS-Key
®III+ to have
keys made and programmed to the
system.
See your dealer or a locksmith who
can service PASS-Key
®III+ to get a
new key blank that is cut exactly as
the ignition key that operates the
system.
Page 74 of 478
Black plate (18,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
3-18 Seats and Restraints
The person keeps going until
stopped by something. In a real
vehicle, it could be the windshield...or the instrument panel...or the safety belts!
With safety belts, you slow down
as the vehicle does. You get more
time to stop. You stop over more
distance, and your strongest bones
take the forces. That is why safety
belts make such good sense.
Page 89 of 478

Black plate (33,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-33
Airbag System
The vehicle has the following
airbags:
.A frontal airbag for the driver.
.A frontal airbag for the right front
passenger.
.A seat-mounted side impact
airbag for the driver.
.A seat-mounted side impact
airbag for the right front
passenger.
.A roof-rail airbag for the driver,
passenger seated directly
behind the driver, and the
third row outboard passenger
position.
.A roof-rail airbag for the right
front passenger, passenger
seated directly behind the
right front passenger, and the
third row outboard passenger
position.All of the airbags in the vehicle will
have the word AIRBAG embossed
in the trim or on an attached label
near the deployment opening.
For frontal airbags, the word
AIRBAG will appear on the middle
part of the steering wheel for the
driver and on the instrument panel
for the right front passenger.
With seat-mounted side impact
airbags, the word AIRBAG will
appear on the side of the seatback
closest to the door.
With roof-rail airbags, the word
AIRBAG will appear along the
headliner or trim.
Airbags are designed to supplement
the protection provided by safety
belts. Even though today's airbags
are also designed to help reduce
the risk of injury from the force of an
inflating bag, all airbags must inflate
very quickly to do their job.
Here are the most important things
to know about the airbag system:
{WARNING
You can be severely injured or
killed in a crash if you are not
wearing a safety belt
—even if
the vehicle has airbags. Airbags
are designed to work with safety
belts, but do not replace them.
Also, airbags are not designed to
deploy in every crash. In some
crashes safety belts are the only
restraint. See When Should an
Airbag Inflate? on page 3‑36.
Wearing a safety belt during a
crash helps reduce your chance
of hitting things inside the vehicle
or being ejected from it. Airbags
are “supplemental restraints” to
the safety belts. Everyone in the
vehicle should wear a safety belt
properly —whether or not there is
an airbag for that person.
Page 90 of 478

Black plate (34,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
3-34 Seats and Restraints
{WARNING
Airbags inflate with great force,
faster than the blink of an eye.
Anyone who is up against, or
very close to, any airbag when it
inflates can be seriously injured
or killed. Do not sit unnecessarily
close to any airbag, as you would
be if you were sitting on the edge
of the seat or leaning forward.
Safety belts help keep you in
position before and during a
crash. Always wear a safety belt,
even with airbags. The driver
should sit as far back as possible
while still maintaining control of
the vehicle.
Occupants should not lean on or
sleep against the door or side
windows in seating positions with
seat-mounted side impact airbags
and/or roof-rail airbags.
{WARNING
Children who are up against,
or very close to, any airbag
when it inflates can be seriously
injured or killed. Airbags plus
lap-shoulder belts offer protection
for adults and older children, but
not for young children and infants.
Neither the vehicle's safety belt
system nor its airbag system
is designed for them. Young
children and infants need the
protection that a child restraint
system can provide. Always
secure children properly in
the vehicle. To read how, see
Older Children on page 3‑48or
Infants and Young Children on
page 3‑51.
There is an airbag readiness light
on the instrument panel cluster,
which shows the airbag symbol.
The system checks the airbag
electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an
electrical problem. See Airbag
Readiness Light on page 5‑15
for more information.
Page 91 of 478
Black plate (35,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-35
Where Are the Airbags?
The driver frontal airbag is in the
middle of the steering wheel.
The right front passenger frontal
airbag is in the instrument panel on
the passenger side.Driver Side shown,
Passenger Side similar
The seat-mounted side impact
airbags for the driver and right front
passenger are in the side of the
seatbacks closest to the door.