2011 GMC ACADIA Transmission

Black plate (1,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
2011 GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner ManualM
In Brief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Performance and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Keys, Doors and Windows . . . 2-1
Keys and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Exterior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Interior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-33
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-48 Storage
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 4-1
Additional Storage Features . . . 4-3
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Instruments and Controls . . . . 5-1
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-37
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 5-47
Universal Remote System . . . . 5-55
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Lighting Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14
Rear Seat Infotainment . . . . . . . 7-39
Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-50 Climate Controls
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-12
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-13
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 9-17
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 9-25
Drive Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-29
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-31
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Object Detection Systems . . . . 9-35
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-46
Conversions and Add-Ons . . . 9-56
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31

Black plate (1,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-1
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Second Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Third Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Heated and Ventilated Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9 Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . 1-9
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Sensing System for
Passenger Airbag . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Steering Wheel
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 1-13
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Vehicle Features
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . 1-18
Bluetooth
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . 1-18 Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Navigation System . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Storage Compartments . . . . . . 1-19
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Performance and Maintenance
StabiliTrak®System . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . 1-21
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 1-21
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23

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.

Black plate (12,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
2-12 Keys, Doors and Windows
The power liftgate may be
temporarily disabled under extreme
temperatures or under low battery
conditions. If this occurs, the liftgate
can still be operated manually.
If the transmission is shifted out of
P (Park) while the power function
is in progress, the liftgate power
function will continue to completion.
If the transmission is shifted out of
P (Park) and the vehicle accelerates
before the power liftgate latches
closed, the liftgate may reverse to
the open position. Cargo could fall
out of the vehicle. Always make
sure the power liftgate is closed
and latched before you drive away.
If you power open the liftgate and
the liftgate support struts have lost
pressure, the lights will flash and a
chime will sound. The liftgate will
stay open temporarily, then slowly
close. See your dealer for service
before using the liftgate if this
occurs.Obstacle Detection Features
A warning chime will sound and the
liftgate will automatically reverse
direction to the full closed or open
position if the liftgate encounters
an obstacle during a power open
or close cycle. After removing the
obstruction, the power liftgate
operation can be used again.
If the liftgate comes across more
obstacles on the same power cycle,
the power function deactivates,
and you must manually open or
close the liftgate. A message
displays, LIFTGATE OPEN, to
indicate that the liftgate is open.
See
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(With DIC Buttons) on page 5‑25
or Driver Information Center (DIC) (Without DIC Buttons) on page 5‑30
for more information. After removing
the obstructions, manually open the
liftgate to the full open position or
close the liftgate to the fully closed
and latched position. The liftgate
resumes normal power operation.
The vehicle has pinch sensors
located on the side edges of the
liftgate. If an object is caught
between the liftgate and the body
and presses against this sensor,
the liftgate will reverse direction and
open fully. The liftgate will remain
open until it is activated again or
closed manually. Do not force the
liftgate open or closed during a
power cycle.

Black plate (2,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
5-2 Instruments and Controls
Ride Control SystemMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-42
Airbag System Messages . . . . 5-43
Anti-Theft Alarm System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Service Vehicle Messages . . . 5-43
Tire Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-44
Transmission Messages . . . . . 5-45
Vehicle Reminder Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-46
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . 5-46
Washer Fluid Messages . . . . . 5-46
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization (With DIC Buttons) . . . . . . . . . 5-47
Universal Remote System
Universal Remote System . . . 5-55
Universal Remote SystemProgramming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-55
Universal Remote System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-59
Controls
Steering Wheel
Adjustment
To adjust the steering wheel:
1. Pull the lever (A) down.
2. Move the steering wheel up
or down.
3. Pull or push the steering wheel closer or away from you.
4. Push the lever (A) up to lock the steering wheel in place.
Do not adjust the steering wheel
while driving.
Steering Wheel Controls
Vehicles with audio steering wheel
controls could differ depending on
the vehicle's options. Some audio
controls can be adjusted at the
steering wheel.
w/c x(Next / Previous):
Press to select preset or favorite
radio stations, select tracks on a
CD/DVD, or to select tracks and
navigate folders on an iPod
®or
USB device.

Black plate (18,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
5-18 Instruments and Controls
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp
A computer system called OBD II
(On-Board Diagnostics-Second
Generation) monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition, and emission
control systems. It ensures that
emissions are at acceptable levels
for the life of the vehicle, helping to
produce a cleaner environment.
This light should come on when the
ignition is on, but the engine is not
running, as a check to show it is
working. If it does not, have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.If the malfunction indicator lamp
comes on and stays on while the
engine is running, this indicates that
there is an OBD II problem and
service is required.
Malfunctions often are indicated by
the system before any problem is
apparent. Being aware of the light
can prevent more serious damage
to the vehicle. This system assists
the service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:
If the vehicle is
continually driven with this light
on, after a while, the emission
controls might not work as well,
the vehicle fuel economy might
not be as good, and the engine
might not run as smoothly.
This could lead to costly repairs
that might not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Notice:
Modifications made
to the engine, transmission,
exhaust, intake, or fuel system
of the vehicle or the replacement
of the original tires with other
than those of the same Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC)
can affect the vehicle's emission
controls and can cause this
light to come on. Modifications
to these systems could lead to
costly repairs not covered by
the vehicle warranty. This could
also result in a failure to
pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance
test. See Accessories and
Modifications on page 10‑3.
This light comes on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing: A misfire condition
has been detected. A misfire
increases vehicle emissions and
could damage the emission control
system on the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.

Black plate (25,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-25
Information Displays
Driver Information Center
(DIC) (With DIC Buttons)
If your vehicle has DIC buttons,
the information below explains the
operation of this system.
The DIC displays information
about your vehicle. It also displays
warning messages if a system
problem is detected.
All messages will appear in the DIC
display located at the top of the
instrument panel cluster.
The DIC comes on when the ignition
is on. After a short delay, the DIC
will display the information that was
last displayed before the engine
was turned off.
The DIC also displays a shift lever
position indicator on the bottom
line of the display. SeeAutomatic
Transmission on page 9‑25 for more
information. The outside air temperature and
compass, if equipped, also display
on the DIC when viewing the trip
and fuel information. The outside
air temperature automatically
appears in the top right corner
of the DIC display. If there is a
problem with the system that
controls the temperature display,
the numbers will be replaced with
dashes. If this occurs, have the
vehicle serviced. The compass will
be shown in the bottom right corner
of the DIC display. See
Compass on
page 5‑6 for more information.
The DIC has different displays
which can be accessed by pressing
the DIC buttons located on the
instrument panel.
The DIC also allows some features
to be customized. See Vehicle
Personalization (With DIC Buttons)
on page 5‑47 for more information.
If your vehicle has DIC buttons, you
can also use the trip odometer reset
stem to view the odometer and trip
odometers. DIC Buttons
The buttons are the set/reset,
customization, vehicle information,
and trip/fuel buttons. The button
functions are detailed in the
following pages.
V(Set/Reset):
Press this button to
set or reset certain functions and to
turn off or acknowledge messages
on the DIC.
U(Customization): Press
this button to customize the
feature settings on your vehicle.
See Vehicle Personalization (With
DIC Buttons) on page 5‑47 for more
information.

Black plate (33,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-33
Head-Up Display (HUD)
{WARNING
If the HUD image is too bright or
too high in your field of view, it
may take you more time to see
things you need to see when it is
dark outside. Be sure to keep the
HUD image dim and placed low in
your field of view.
For vehicles with the Head-Up
Display (HUD), some information
concerning the operation of the
vehicle is projected onto the
windshield. This includes the
speedometer reading, RPM reading,
transmission position, outside air
temperature, the tap shift gear,
and a brief display of the current
radio station, including XM information or CD track. It will also
display turn-by-turn navigation
information if the vehicle has a
navigation radio. The images are
projected by the HUD lens located
on the driver's side of the instrument
panel.
The tap shift gear will also appear
on the HUD if the vehicle has tap
shift and it is active.
The HUD information can be
displayed in one of three languages,
English, French, or Spanish.
The speedometer reading and other
numerical values can be displayed
in either English or metric units.
The language selection and the
units of measurement are changed
through the trip computer in the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
See
Vehicle Personalization (With
DIC Buttons) on page 5‑47.
HUD Display on the Vehicle
Windshield
The HUD information appears as an
image focused out toward the front
of the vehicle.
When the ignition key is turned to
ON/RUN, the HUD will display an
introductory message for a short
time, until the HUD is ready.