Black plate (24,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
9-24 Driving and Operating
{WARNING
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running unless you
have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park).
SeeShifting Into Park on
page 9‑20. If you are pulling a
trailer, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips on page 9‑45. Make sure the shift lever is fully in
P (Park) before starting the engine.
The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control
system. You must fully apply the
regular brake first and then press
the shift lever button before shifting
from P (Park) when the ignition key
is in ON/RUN. If you cannot shift out
of P (Park), ease pressure on the
shift lever, then push the shift lever
all the way into P (Park) as you
maintain brake application. Then
press the shift lever button and
move the shift lever into another
gear. See
Shifting out of Park on
page 9‑21.
R (Reverse): Use this gear to
back up.
Notice: Shifting to R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving
forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse)
only after the vehicle is stopped. To rock the vehicle back and forth to
get out of snow, ice, or sand without
damaging the transmission, see
If the Vehicle Is Stuck on page 9‑10.
N (Neutral):
In this position, the
engine does not connect with the
wheels. To restart the engine when
the vehicle is already moving, use
N (Neutral) only. Also, use
N (Neutral) when the vehicle is
being towed.
{WARNING
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift
into a drive gear while the engine
is running at high speed.
Black plate (36,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
9-36 Driving and Operating
When the key is in the ON/RUN
position and the driver shifts the
vehicle into R (Reverse), the video
image automatically appears on the
inside rear view mirror. Once the
driver shifts out of R (Reverse),
the video image automatically
disappears from the inside rear view
mirror.
Turning the Rear Vision Camera
System Off or On
To turn off the rear vision camera
system, press and hold
z, located
on the inside rearview mirror, until
the left indicator light turns off.
The rear vision camera display is
now disabled.
To turn the rear vision camera
system on again, press and
hold
zuntil the left indicator light
illuminates. The rear vision camera
system display is now enabled and
the display will appear in the mirror
normally.
Vehicles with Navigation
System
The rear vision camera system is
designed to help the driver when
backing up by displaying a view
of the area behind the vehicle.
When the driver shifts the vehicle
into R (Reverse), the video image
automatically appears on the
navigation screen. Once the driver
shifts out of R (Reverse), the
navigation screen will go back to the
last screen that had been displayed,
after a delay.
Turning the Rear Vision Camera
System On or Off
To turn the rear vision camera
system on or off:
1. Shift into P (Park).
2. Press the MENU button to enter the configure menu options,
then press the MENU hard key
to select Display or touch the
Display screen button. 3. Select the Rear Camera Options
screen button. The Rear Camera
Options screen displays.
4. Select the Video screen button.
When the Video screen button
is highlighted the RVC system
is on.
Black plate (37,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-37
The delay received after shifting out
of R (Reverse) is approximately
10 seconds. The delay can be
canceled by performing one of the
following:
.Pressing a hard key on the
navigation system.
.Shifting into 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 9‑34. 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 (3,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-3
California Proposition
65 Warning
Most motor vehicles, including this
one, contain and/or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and systems,
many fluids, and some component
wear by-products contain and/or
emit these chemicals.
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, safety belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
Remote Keyless Entry transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Accessories and
Modifications
Adding non‐dealer accessories or
making modifications to the vehicle
can affect vehicle performance and
safety, including such things as
airbags, braking, stability, ride and
handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and
electronic systems like antilock
brakes, traction control, and stability
control. These accessories or
modifications could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty.Damage to vehicle components
resulting from modifications or the
installation or use of non‐GM
certified parts, including control
module or software modifications, is
not covered under the terms of the
vehicle warranty and may affect
remaining warranty coverage for
affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with other
systems on the vehicle. See your
dealer to accessorize the vehicle
using genuine GM Accessories
installed by a dealer technician.
Also, see
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 3‑36.
Black plate (11,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-11
It is possible that, if driving under
the best conditions, the oil life
system might indicate that an oil
change is not necessary for up to a
year. The engine oil and filter must
be changed at least once a year
and, at this time, the system must
be reset. Your dealer has trained
service people who will perform this
work and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly
over the course of an oil drain
interval and keep it at the proper
level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change. To reset the
system:
If the vehicle does not have Driver
Information Center (DIC) buttons:
1. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN,with the engine off. The vehicle
must be in P (Park) to access
this display. Press the trip
odometer reset stem until OIL
LIFE REMAINING displays.
2. Press and hold the trip odometer reset stem until OIL LIFE
REMAINING shows “100%.”
Three chimes sound and the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message goes off. 3. Turn the key to LOCK/OFF.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message comes back on
when the vehicle is started, the
engine oil life system has not
been reset. Repeat the
procedure.
If the vehicle has Driver Information
Center (DIC) buttons:
1. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN, with the engine off.
2. Press the vehicle information button until OIL LIFE
REMAINING displays.
3. Press and hold the set/reset button until “100%”is displayed.
Three chimes sound and the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message goes off.
4. Turn the key to LOCK/OFF.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message comes back on when the
vehicle is started, the engine oil life
system has not been reset. Repeat
the procedure.
Black plate (21,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-21
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid reservoir is
located under the engine cover on
the passenger side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6 for reservoir location.
When to Check Power
Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly
check power steering fluid unless
you suspect there is a leak in the
system or you hear an unusual
noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired.
How to Check Power
Steering Fluid
Notice:Extremely small amounts
of contamination can cause
steering system damage and
cause it to not work properly.
Do not allow contaminants to
contact the fluid side of the
reservoir cap/dipstick or to
enter the reservoir.
To check the power steering fluid:
1. Turn the key off and let the engine compartment cool down.
2. Remove the engine cover. See Engine Cover on page 10‑8.
3. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.
4. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
5. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
6. Remove the cap again and look at the fluid level on the dipstick. The fluid level should be
somewhere between the MAX and
MIN line on the dipstick in room
temperature. If the fluid is on or
below the MIN line, add fluid close
to the MAX Line.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to
use, see
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑12. Always
use the proper fluid.
Notice: Use of the incorrect
fluid may damage the vehicle
and the damages may not be
covered by the vehicle's warranty.
Always use the correct fluid listed
in Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑12.
Black plate (27,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-27
Ignition Transmission
Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking
brake set, try to turn the ignition to
LOCK/OFF in each shift lever
position.
.The ignition should turn to
LOCK/OFF only when the shift
lever is in P (Park).
.The ignition key should come
out only in LOCK/OFF.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this check,
the vehicle could begin to move.
You or others could be injured
and property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in front
of the vehicle in case it begins to
roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move. Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping
your foot on the regular brake, set
the parking brake.
.To check the parking brake's
holding ability: With the engine
running and the transmission in
N (Neutral), slowly remove foot
pressure from the regular brake
pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
.To check the P (Park)
mechanism's holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to
P (Park). Then release the
parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.
Black plate (49,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-49
TPMS sensor. The malfunction
light and the DIC message should
go off at the next ignition cycle.
The sensors are matched to the
tire/wheel positions, using a TPMS
relearn tool, in the following order:
driver side front tire, passenger side
front tire, passenger side rear tire,
and driver side rear. See your
dealer for service or to purchase a
relearn tool.
There are two minutes to match
the first tire/wheel position, and
five minutes overall to match all
four tire/wheel positions. If it takes
longer, the matching process stops
and must be restarted.
The TPMS sensor matching
process is:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUNwith the engine off. 3. Press the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter's LOCK and
UNLOCK buttons at the same
time for approximately
five seconds. The horn sounds
twice to signal the receiver is in
relearn mode and TIRE
LEARNING ACTIVE message
displays on the DIC screen.
4. Start with the driver side front tire.
5. Place the relearn tool against the tire sidewall, near the valve
stem. Then press the button to
activate the TPMS sensor.
A horn chirp confirms that the
sensor identification code has
been matched to this tire and
wheel position.
6. Proceed to the passenger side front tire, and repeat the
procedure in Step 5. 7. Proceed to the passenger side
rear tire, and repeat the
procedure in Step 5.
8. Proceed to the driver side rear tire, and repeat the procedure in
Step 5. The horn sounds two
times to indicate the sensor
identification code has been
matched to the driver side rear
tire, and the TPMS sensor
matching process is no longer
active. The TIRE LEARNING
ACTIVE message on the DIC
display screen goes off.
9. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
10. Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure
level as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information label.