Black plate (4,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
8-4 Climate Controls
Do not drive the vehicle until all
windows are clear.
For vehicles with heated outside
rearview mirrors, fog or frost is
cleared from the surface of the
mirror when
1is pressed.
Notice: Do not use anything
sharp on the inside of the rear
window. If you do, you could cut
or damage the warming grid, and
the repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do not
attach a temporary vehicle
license, tape, a decal, or anything
similar to the defogger grid.
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
The heating, cooling, and ventilation in the vehicle can be controlled with
this system.
A. Fan Control
B. AUTO (Automatic Operation)
C. Defrost
D. 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
Black plate (5,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
Climate Controls 8-5
Display Function
Each time the temperature, mode,
or fan control buttons are pressed,
the climate control display shows
that function along with the inside
temperature setting. The outside
temperature is displayed on the
instrument panel cluster.
O(On/Off):Press to turn the
climate control system on or off.
While the system is off, outside air
still enters through the floor outlets,
but the air delivery mode can be
adjusted.
The climate control system will also
turn on if either the fan control,
defrost, AUTO, or air conditioning
buttons are pressed.
Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic): The system
automatically controls the inside
temperature, the air delivery, and
the fan speed. To use automatic mode:
1. Press the AUTO button.
When AUTO is selected, the
current temperature(s) selected
and AUTO is shown on the
display. The current air delivery
mode and fan speed also
appear for approximately
five seconds.
When AUTO is selected,
the air conditioning and air inlet
are automatically controlled.
The air conditioning runs when
the outside temperature is over
4°C (40°F). The system is
automatically set to outside air,
unless it is hot outside and
then the air inlet changes to
recirculation mode to help
quickly cool the vehicle.
The recirculation indicator light
will come on. 2. Set the temperature for the
driver and passenger.
To find a comfortable setting,
start with a 22°C (73°F)
temperature setting and allow
about 20 minutes for the
system to regulate. Use the
driver side or passenger side
temperature buttons to adjust
the temperature setting as
necessary. The system will
remain at the selected setting.
Choosing the warmest or coolest
temperatures does not cause
the vehicle to heat or cool more
quickly.
To avoid blowing cold air in
cold weather, the system delays
turning on the fan until warm air
is available. Press the fan
control to override this delay
and select the fan speed.
Black plate (6,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
8-6 Climate Controls
Temperature Control
The driver and passenger side
temperature buttons are used to
adjust the temperature of the air
coming through the system. The
temperature can be adjusted even
if the system is turned off since
outside air still enters the vehicle,
unless the recirculation mode is
selected. See“Recirculation” later
in this section.
Driver Side Temperature
Control: Press the + or −buttons
to increase or decrease the driver
side temperature. The driver side
temperature display will show the
temperature setting.
Passenger Side Temperature
Control: Press the + or −buttons
to increase or decrease the
passenger side temperature.
The passenger side display will
show the temperature setting. PASS (Passenger):
Press to set
the passenger temperature to match
the driver temperature setting.
The PASS indicator will turn off.
When the passenger temperature
setting is different than the driver
setting, the PASS indicator
comes on.
Manual Operation
The air delivery mode or fan speed
can be manually adjusted.
D/C(Fan Control): Press to
increase or decrease the fan speed.
Pressing
DorCwhile in automatic
control places the fan speed under
manual control.
The air delivery mode remains in
automatic control. The fan setting
still displays, but the word AUTO
no longer displays, and the AUTO
button indicator light turns off.
H/G(Air Delivery Mode
Control): Press to change the
direction of the airflow in the vehicle.
Repeatedly press
HorGuntil the
desired mode appears on the
display. Pressing a mode button
while the system is off changes the
air delivery mode without turning the
system on. Press a mode button
while in automatic control to place
the system into manual control.
The air delivery mode setting still
displays, but the word AUTO no
longer displays, and the AUTO
button indicator light turns off.
H(Vent): Air is directed to the
instrument panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level): Air is divided
between the instrument panel and
floor outlets. Some air is directed
towards the windshield and side
window outlets. Cooler air is
directed to the upper outlets and
warmer air to the floor outlets.
Black plate (7,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
Climate Controls 8-7
6(Floor):Air is directed to the
floor outlets, with some of the air
directed to the windshield, side
window, and second row floor
outlets. In this mode, the system
uses outside air.
-(Defog): This mode clears the
windows of fog or moisture. Air is
directed to the windshield, floor
outlets, and side window vents.
When this mode is selected, the
system turns off recirculation and
runs the air conditioning compressor
unless the outside temperature is
less than 4°C (40°F). Do not drive
the vehicle until all the windows
are clear.
0(Defrost): Press to turn the
defrost on or off. This mode quickly
clears the windshield of fog or frost.
Air is directed to the windshield,
side window, and floor vents.
In this mode, outside air is
pulled inside the vehicle. The air conditioning system runs
automatically in this setting,
unless the outside temperature is
less than 4°C (40°F).
Do not drive the vehicle until all the
windows are clear.
While in defrost mode, if the PASS
button is pressed, the PASS button
indicator flashes three times to
show that the passenger climate
control system cannot be activated.
If the passenger temperature
buttons are adjusted while in
defrost mode, the driver
temperature indicator will change.
The passenger temperature will not
be displayed.
When returning to bi-level, vent,
or floor mode, the previous
temperature settings displays in
place of any change made while in
defrost mode.
Air Conditioning
#(Air Conditioning):
Press to
turn the air conditioning (A/C) on
and off. An indicator light comes on
when A/C is on.
The A/C does not work when the
outside temperature is below 4°C
(40°F). If
#is pressed the indicator
flashes three times and turns off to
show that the A/C mode is not
available. If the A/C is on and the
outside temperature drops below a
temperature which is too cool for
air conditioning to be effective, the
A/C indicator turns off to show that
the A/C mode has been canceled.
On hot days, open the windows
briefly to let hot inside air escape.
This helps reduce the time it takes
for the interior of the vehicle to
cool down.
Black plate (9,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
Climate Controls 8-9
Sensors
The solar sensor, located in the
defrost grille in the middle of the
instrument panel, monitors the solar
heat. Do not cover the solar sensor
or the system will not work properly.The interior temperature sensor
located on the instrument panel to
the right of the steering column,
measures the temperature of the
air inside the vehicle.There is also an exterior
temperature sensor located behind
the front grille. This sensor reads
the outside air temperature and
helps maintain the temperature
inside the vehicle. Any cover on the
front of the vehicle could cause a
false reading in the displayed
temperature.
The climate control system uses the
information from these sensors to
maintain comfort settings by
adjusting the temperature, fan
speed, and air delivery mode.
The system may also supply cooler
air to the side of the vehicle facing
the sun. The recirculation mode will
also be used as needed to maintain
cool outlet temperatures.
Black plate (11,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
Climate Controls 8-11
Rear Climate Control System (Rear Climate with Rear
Seat Audio)
A. Fan Control
B. Air Delivery Mode Control
C. Temperature Control
For vehicles with the rear climate
control system, the controls are
located on the rear of the center
console.Press the REAR button on the
front climate control system to turn
the rear climate control system on
or off. The system also turns on if
any of the rear controls, except
C,
are pressed. An indicator comes on
when the rear system is on.
The system can also be turned off,
by pressing and holding
C. Mimic Mode:
This mode matches
the rear climate control to the front
climate control settings. It comes on
when REAR is pressed.
Independent Mode: This mode
directs rear seating airflow
according to the settings of the
rear controls. It comes on when
any rear control is adjusted.
DandC(Fan Control): Press the
fan up or down buttons to increase
or decrease the fan speed.
Temperature Control: Press +
or −to increase or decrease
the air temperature. The
temperature settings will display
in 0‐12 increments, going from the
coolest (0) to the warmest (12)
setting.
Black plate (12,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
8-12 Climate Controls
N(Air Delivery Mode Control):
Press to manually change the
direction of the airflow. Repeatedly
press the button until the desired
mode appears on the display.
H(Vent): Air is directed through
the overhead outlets.
)(Bi-Level): Air is directed
through the rear floor outlets, as
well as the overhead outlets.
6(Floor): Air is directed through
the floor outlets. The rear system
floor outlets are located under the
third row seats.
Air Vents
Use the slider switch in the center of
the outlet, to change the direction of
the airflow. Use the thumbwheel
near the outlet to control the amount
of airflow or to shut off the airflow.
Keep all outlets open whenever
possible for best system
performance.
Operation Tips
.Clear away any ice, snow,
or leaves from the air inlets at
the base of the windshield that
can block the flow of air into the
vehicle.
.Use of non-GM approved hood
deflectors can adversely affect
the performance of the system.
.Keep the path under all seats
clear of objects to help circulate
the air inside the vehicle more
effectively.
.If fogging reoccurs while in
vent or bi-level modes with
mild temperature throughout
the vehicle, turn on the air
conditioner to reduce windshield
fogging.
Black plate (17,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-17
If the vehicle cannot be pulled
over, and must be shut off while
driving, turn the ignition to
ACC/ACCESSORY.
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
does not 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. This position can
also be used for service and
diagnostics, and to verify the
proper operation of the malfunction
indicator lamp as may be required
for emission inspection purposes.
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.
Key Lock Release
Vehicles with an automatic
transmission are equipped with an
electronic key lock release system.
This system is to prevent ignition
key removal unless the shift lever is
in P (Park).
The key lock release will not work
if the battery is charged less than
9‐volts, or uncharged. Try charging
or jump starting the battery. See
Jump Starting on page 10‑78.