2011 GMC ACADIA park assist

Black plate (18,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
9-18 Driving and Operating
Ignition Positions
The ignition switch has four different
positions.
In order to shift out of P (Park),
the ignition must be in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY and the brake
pedal must be applied.Notice:
Using a tool to force the
key to turn in the ignition could
cause damage to the switch or
break the key. Use the correct
key, make sure it is all the way in,
and turn it only with your hand.
If the key cannot be turned by
hand, see your dealer.
((STOPPING THE ENGINE/
LOCK/OFF): When the vehicle is
stopped, turn the ignition switch to
LOCK/OFF to turn the engine off.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
will remain active. See Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) on
page 9‑21.
This position locks the ignition
and transmission. The key can
be removed in LOCK/OFF.
Do not turn the engine off when the
vehicle is moving. This will cause
a loss of power assist in the brake
and steering systems and disable
the airbags. In an emergency:
1. Brake using a firm and steady
pressure. Do not pump the
brakes repeatedly. This may
deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be done while the
vehicle is moving. After shifting
to N (Neutral), firmly apply the
brakes and steer the vehicle to
a safe location.
3. Come to a complete stop, shift to P (Park), and turn the ignition
to LOCK/OFF. On vehicles with
an automatic transmission, the
shift lever must be in P (Park) to
turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK/OFF position.
4. Set the parking brake. See Parking Brake on
page 9‑30.

Black plate (19,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-19
The steering can bind with the
wheels turned off center. If this
happens, move the steering wheel
from right to left while turning the
key to ACC/ACCESSORY. If this
doesn't work, then the vehicle
needs service.
ACC (ACC/ACCESSORY):This
is the position in which you can
operate the electrical accessories
or items plugged into the accessory
power outlets. This position unlocks
the ignition and steering wheel. Use
this position if the vehicle must be
pushed or towed.
R(ON/RUN): This position can
be used to operate the electrical
accessories and to display some
instrument panel warning and
indicator lights. The switch stays
in this position when the engine
is running. The transmission is
also unlocked in this position. If you leave the key in the
ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN
position with the engine off, the
battery could be drained. You may
not be able to start the vehicle if
the battery is allowed to drain for
an extended period of time.
/(START):
This is the position
that starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key.
The ignition switch will return to
ON/RUN for driving.
Starting the Engine
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). The engine will not start
in any other position. To restart the
engine when the vehicle is already
moving, use N (Neutral) only.
Notice: Do not try to shift to
P (Park) if the vehicle is moving.
If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to P (Park)
only when the vehicle is stopped. Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition to START.
When the engine starts, let go
of the key. The idle speed
will slow down as the engine
warms. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and
transmission gently to allow
the oil to warm up and lubricate
all moving parts.
The vehicle has a
Computer-Controlled
Cranking System. This feature
assists in starting the engine
and protects components.
If the ignition key is turned to
the START position, and then
released when the engine
begins cranking, the engine
will continue cranking for a few
seconds or until the vehicle
starts. If the engine does not
start and the key is held in
START, cranking will be stopped
after 15 seconds to prevent
cranking motor damage.

Black plate (30,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
9-30 Driving and Operating
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the
regular brake pedal down, then
push the parking brake pedal down.
If the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light will come on.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 5‑20. Notice:
Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the brake
system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system
parts. Make sure that the parking
brake is fully released and the
brake warning light is off before
driving.
To release the parking brake, hold
the regular brake pedal down, then
push down momentarily on the
parking brake pedal until you feel
the pedal release. Slowly pull your
foot up off the park brake pedal.
If the parking brake is not released
when you begin to drive, the brake
system warning light will be on and
a chime will sound warning you that
the parking brake is still on.
If you are towing a trailer and
are parking on a hill, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips on
page 9‑47.
Brake Assist
This vehicle has a brake assist
feature designed to assist the
driver in stopping or decreasing
vehicle speed in emergency
driving conditions. This feature
uses the stability system hydraulic
brake control module to supplement
the power brake system under
conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle.
The stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates.
Minor brake pedal pulsation or
pedal movement during this time
is normal and the driver should
continue to apply the brake pedal
as the driving situation dictates.
The brake assist feature will
automatically disengage when
the brake pedal is released or
brake pedal pressure is quickly
decreased.

Black plate (35,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-35
When going up steep hills,
you might have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain
the vehicle speed. When going
downhill, you might have to brake
or shift to a lower gear to keep the
vehicle speed down. When the
brakes are applied the cruise
control is disengaged.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to end cruise
control:
.Step lightly on the brake pedal.
.Press the[button.
.To turn off the cruise control,
press
Ton the steering wheel.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is
erased from memory by pressing
the
Tbutton or if the ignition is
turned off.
Object Detection
Systems
Ultrasonic Parking Assist
For vehicles with the Ultrasonic
Rear Parking Assist (URPA) system,
it operates at speeds less than
8 km/h (5 mph), and assists the
driver with parking and avoiding
objects while in R (Reverse).
The sensors on the rear bumper are
used to detect the distance to an
object up to 2.5 m (8 ft) behind the
vehicle, and at least 25.4 cm (10 in)
off the ground.
{WARNING
The Ultrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA) system does not
replace driver vision. It cannot
detect:
.Objects that are below the
bumper, underneath the
vehicle, or too close or far
from the vehicle.
.Children, pedestrians,
bicyclists, or pets.
If you do not use proper care
before and while backing, vehicle
damage, injury, or death could
occur. Even with URPA, always
check behind the vehicle before
backing up. While backing, be
sure to look for objects and check
the vehicle's mirrors.

Black plate (36,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
9-36 Driving and Operating
How the System Works
URPA comes on automatically
when the shift lever is moved into
R (Reverse). A single tone sounds
to indicate the system is working.
URPA operates only at speeds less
than 8 km/h (5 mph).
An obstacle is indicated by audible
beeps. The interval between the
beeps becomes shorter as the
vehicle gets closer to the obstacle.
When the distance is less than
30 cm (12 in) the beeps are
continuous.
To be detected, objects must be at
least 25.4 cm (10 in) off the ground
and below liftgate level. Objects
must also be within 2.5 m (8 ft) from
the rear bumper. This distance may
be less during warmer or humid
weather.
The system can be disabled through
the Driver Information Center (DIC).
See“Park Assist” underVehicle
Personalization (With DIC Buttons)
on page 5‑47 for more information.
When the System Does Not
Seem to Work Properly
If the URPA system does not
activate due to a temporary
condition, the message PARK
ASSIST OFF or PARK ASST
BLOCKED SEE OWNERS
MANUAL will be displayed
on the DIC.
SERVICE PARK ASSIST: If this
message occurs, take the vehicle
to your dealer to repair the system.
PARK ASSIST OFF: This message
occurs if the driver disables the
system.
PARK ASST BLOCKED SEE
OWNERS MANUAL: This
message can occur under the
following conditions:
.The ultrasonic sensors are not
clean. Keep the vehicle's rear
bumper free of mud, dirt, snow,
ice and slush. For cleaning
instructions, see Exterior Care
on page 10‑90.
.The park assist sensors are
covered by frost or ice. Frost or
ice can form around and behind
the sensors and may not always
be seen; this can occur after
washing the vehicle in cold
weather. The message may
not clear until the frost or ice
has melted.
.A trailer was attached to the
vehicle, or a bicycle or an
object was hanging out of the
liftgate during the last drive
cycle. Once the attached object
is removed, URPA will return
to normal operation.
.A tow bar is attached to the
vehicle.
.The vehicle's bumper is
damaged. Take the vehicle to
your dealer to repair the system.
.Other conditions may affect
system performance, such as
vibrations from a jackhammer or
the compression of air brakes on
a very large truck.

Black plate (39,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-39
The delay that is received after
shifting out of R (Reverse) is
approximately 10 seconds.
The delay can be cancelled by
performing one of the following:
.Pressing a hard key on the
navigation system.
.Shifting in to P (Park).
.Reach a vehicle speed of
5 mph (8 km/h).
There is a message on the rear
vision camera screen that states
“Check Surroundings for Safety”.
Adjusting the Brightness and
Contrast of the Screen
To adjust the brightness and
contrast of the screen, press the
MENU button while the rear vision
camera image is on the display.
Any adjustments made will only
affect the rear vision camera screen.
](Brightness) : Touch the
+ (plus) or –(minus) screen
buttons to increase or decrease
the brightness of the screen.
_(Contrast) : Touch the + (plus)
or –(minus) screen buttons to
increase or decrease the contrast
of the screen.
Symbols
The navigation system may have
a feature that lets the driver view
symbols on the navigation screen
while using the rear vision camera.
The Ultrasonic Rear Park Assist
(URPA) system must not be
disabled to use the caution symbols.
If URPA has been disabled and
the symbols have been turned on,
the Rear Parking Assist Symbols
Unavailable error message may
display. See Ultrasonic Parking
Assist on page 9‑35. The symbols appear when an object
has been detected by the URPA
system. The symbol may cover the
object when viewing the navigation
screen.
To turn the symbols on or off:
1. Make sure that URPA has not
been disabled.
2. Shift into P (Park).
3. Press the MENU hard key to enter the configure menu
options, then press the MENU
hard key repeatedly until Display
is selected or touch the Display
screen button.
4. Select the Rear Camera Options screen button. The Rear Camera
Options screen will display.
5. Touch the Symbols screen button. The screen button will
be highlighted when on.

Black plate (49,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-49
Towing with a Stability Control
System
When towing, the sound of the
stability control system might be
heard. The system is reacting to the
vehicle movement caused by the
trailer, which mainly occurs during
cornering. This is normal when
towing heavier trailers.
Tow/Haul Mode
Tow/Haul assists when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy
load. The purpose of the Tow/Haul
mode is to:
.Reduce the frequency and
improve the predictability of
transmission shifts.
.Provide the same solid shift feel
as when the vehicle is unloaded.
.Improve control of vehicle speed
while requiring less throttle pedal
activity.
.Increase the charging system
voltage to assist in recharging
a battery installed in a trailer.
Press this button located on the
console to turn on and turn off the
Tow/Haul mode. SeeTow/Haul
Mode on page 9‑28.
The Tow/Haul light on the
instrument panel comes on to
indicate that Tow/Haul mode
has been selected.
Tow/Haul may be turned off by
pressing the button again, at
which time the indicator light on
the instrument panel will turn off.
The vehicle will automatically turn
off Tow/Haul every time it is started. Tow/Haul is designed to be most
effective when the vehicle and
trailer combined weight is at least
75 percent of the vehicle's Gross
Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
See
Trailer Towing on page 9‑52.
Tow/Haul is most useful when
pulling a heavy trailer or a large
or heavy load under the following
driving conditions:.Travelling through rolling terrain.
.Travelling in stop and go traffic.
.Travelling in busy parking lots
where improved low speed
control of the vehicle is desired.
Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul
when lightly loaded or with no trailer
will not cause damage but there is
no benefit. Such a selection when
unloaded may result in unpleasant
engine and transmission driving
characteristics and reduced fuel
economy.

Black plate (62,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
10-62 Vehicle Care
{WARNING
Changing a tire can be
dangerous. The vehicle can
slip off the jack and roll over
or fall causing injury or death.
Find a level place to change the
tire. To help prevent the vehicle
from moving:1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put an automatic transmission shift lever in
P (Park), or shift a manual
transmission to 1 (First) or
R (Reverse).
3. Turn off the engine and do not restart while the vehicle
is raised.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
4. Do not allow passengers toremain in the vehicle.
5. Place wheel blocks on both sides of the tire at the
opposite corner of the tire
being changed.
This vehicle may come with a jack
and spare tire or a tire sealant
and compressor kit. To use the
jacking equipment to change
a spare tire safely, follow the
instructions below. Then see Tire
Changing on page 10‑71. To use
the tire sealant and compressor kit,
see Tire Sealant and Compressor
Kit on page 10‑63. When the vehicle has a flat tire (B),
use the following example as a
guide to assist you in the placement
of wheel blocks (A).
A. Wheel Block
B. Flat Tire
The following information explains
how to repair or change a tire.