
Black plate (4,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
2-4 Keys, Doors, and Windows
K(Unlock):Press once to unlock
only the driver door. If
Kis pressed
again within five seconds, all
remaining doors unlock. The interior
lamps come on and stay on for
20 seconds or until the ignition is
turned on.
If enabled through the DIC, the
parking lamps flash twice to indicate
unlocking has occurred. See Vehicle
Personalization (With DIC Buttons)
on page 5‑46.
Pressing
Kon the RKE transmitter
disarms the content theft‐deterrent
system. See Anti-theft Alarm
System on page 2‑13.
8(Power Liftgate): Press and
hold until the liftgate begins to
move to open or close the liftgate.
The taillamps flash and a chime
sounds to indicate when the liftgate
is opening or closing.
L(Vehicle Locator/Panic
Alarm): Press and release to
locate the vehicle. The parking
lamps flash and the horn sounds
three times.
Press and hold
Lfor more than
two seconds to activate the panic
alarm. The parking lamps flash and
the horn sounds repeatedly for
30 seconds. The alarm turns off
when the ignition is moved to
ON/RUN or
Lis pressed again.
The ignition must be in LOCK/OFF
for the panic alarm to work.
Programming Transmitters to
the Vehicle
Only RKE transmitters programmed
to this vehicle will work. If a
transmitter is lost or stolen, a
replacement can be purchased and
programmed through your dealer. When the replacement transmitter
is programmed to this vehicle, all
remaining transmitters must also be
reprogrammed. Any lost or stolen
transmitters will no longer work
once the new transmitter is
programmed. Each vehicle can
have up to eight transmitters
programmed to it. See your dealer
to program transmitters to this
vehicle.
Battery Replacement
Replace the battery if the REPLACE
BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY
message displays in the DIC.
Notice:
When replacing the
battery, do not touch any of the
circuitry on the transmitter.
Static from your body could
damage the transmitter.

Black plate (6,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
2-6 Keys, Doors, and Windows
When the vehicle starts, the parking
lamps will turn on and remain on as
long as the engine is running.
The doors will be locked and the
climate control system will operate
automatically if the vehicle has the
automatic system, or at the same
setting as when the vehicle was last
turned off.
If the vehicle has an automatic
climate control system and heated
seats, the heated seats turn on
during colder outside temperatures
and shut off when the key is turned
to ON/RUN. SeeHeated and
Ventilated Front Seats on page 3‑9
for more information.
The rear window defogger and
heated mirrors, if the vehicle has
them, turn on during colder outside
temperatures and turn off when the
key is turned to ON/RUN. After entering the vehicle during a
remote start, insert and turn the key
to the ON/RUN position to drive the
vehicle.
If the vehicle is left running it
automatically shuts off after
10 minutes unless a time extension
has been done.
Extending Engine Run Time
To extend the engine run time
by 10 minutes, repeat Steps 1
through 3 while the engine is still
running. The engine run time can
only be extended if it is the first
remote start since the vehicle has
been driven. Remote start can be
extended one time.
If the remote start procedure is
used again before the first
10-minute time frame has ended,
the first 10 minutes will immediately
expire and the second 10-minute
time frame will start.For example, if
Qand then/are
pressed again after the vehicle
has been running for five minutes,
10 minutes are added, allowing
the engine to run for a total of
15 minutes.
A maximum of two remote starts or
remote start attempts are allowed
between ignition cycles.
After the vehicle's engine has been
started two times using the remote
start button, the ignition must be
turned on and then back off before
the remote start procedure can be
used again.

Black plate (7,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-7
Shutting the Engine Off After a
Remote Start
To manually shut off a remote start:
.Aim the RKE transmitter at the
vehicle and press
/until the
parking lamps turn off.
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Turn the ignition switch on and
then off.
Conditions in Which the
Remote Start Will Not Work
The vehicle cannot be started using
the remote start feature if the key is
in the ignition, the hood is open, or if
there is an emission control system
malfunction.
The engine turns off during a remote
start if the coolant temperature
gets too high or if the oil pressure
gets low.
Door Locks
{WARNING
Unlocked doors can be
dangerous.
.Passengers, especially
children, can easily open the
doors and fall out of a moving
vehicle. When a door is
locked, the handle will not
open it. The chance of being
thrown out of the vehicle in a
crash is increased if the
doors are not locked. So,
all passengers should wear
safety belts properly and the
doors should be locked
whenever the vehicle is
driven.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Young children who get into
unlocked vehicles may be
unable to get out. A child can
be overcome by extreme heat
and can suffer permanent
injuries or even death from
heat stroke. Always lock the
vehicle whenever leaving it.
.Outsiders can easily enter
through an unlocked door
when you slow down or stop
the vehicle. Locking the doors
can help prevent this from
happening.
To lock or unlock a door, use the
key from the outside or the door
lock from the inside.

Black plate (8,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
2-8 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Power Door Locks
Base Model
Uplevel Model
K(Unlock):Press to unlock the
doors.
Q(Lock): Press to lock the doors.
Delayed Locking
When locking the doors with the
power lock switch and a door or the
liftgate is open, the doors will lock
five seconds after the last door is
closed. You will hear three chimes
to signal that the delayed locking
feature is in use.
Pressing the power lock switch
twice or the lock button on the RKE
transmitter twice will override the
delayed locking feature and
immediately lock all the doors.
This feature will not operate if the
key is in the ignition.
This feature can be programmed by
using the Driver Information Center
(DIC). See “DELAY DOOR LOCK”
under Vehicle Personalization
(With DIC Buttons) on page 5‑46.

Black plate (9,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-9
Automatic Door Locks
Vehicles with an automatic
lock/unlock feature enable you to
program the vehicle's power door
locks. This feature can be
programmed through the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See
Vehicle Personalization (With DIC
Buttons) on page 5‑46for more
information.
Lockout Protection
This feature protects you from
locking the key in the vehicle when
the key is in the ignition and a front
door is open. If the driver side power door lock
switch is pressed when the driver
door is open and the key is in the
ignition, all of the doors will lock and
then the driver door will unlock.
If the passenger side power door
lock switch is pressed when the
front passenger door is open and
the key is in the ignition, all of the
doors will lock and then the front
passenger door will unlock.Safety Locks
The vehicle has rear door security
locks to prevent passengers from
opening the rear doors from the
inside.
Open the rear doors to access the
security locks on the inside edge of
each door.
To set the locks, insert a key into
the slot and turn it to the horizontal
position. The door can only be
opened from the outside with the
door unlocked. To return the door to
normal operation, turn the slot to the
vertical position.

Black plate (10,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
2-10 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Doors
Liftgate
{WARNING
Exhaust gases can enter the
vehicle if it is driven with the
liftgate or 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 Systems” 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 9‑22.
Notice: If you open the liftgate
without checking for overhead
obstructions such as a garage
door, you could damage the
liftgate or the liftgate glass.
Always check to make sure the
area above and behind the liftgate
is clear before opening it.
Manual Liftgate
To unlock the liftgate, press the
power door lock switch or
press
"on the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter twice.
See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2‑3.
To open the liftgate, press the touch
pad under the liftgate handle and lift
up. The vehicle must be in P (Park)
and the battery must be charged.
Use the pull handle to lower and
close the liftgate.
Always close the liftgate before
driving.

Black plate (13,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-13
With the liftgate in manual mode
and all of the doors unlocked, the
liftgate can be manually opened
and closed.
To open the liftgate, press the touch
pad on the outside of the liftgate
handle and lift up. Use the pull
handle to lower and close the
liftgate, the liftgate latch will power
close.
Always close the liftgate before
driving.
If
8on the RKE transmitter or the
lon the liftgate is pressed while
in manual operation mode, the
taillamps will flash three times, but
the liftgate will not move.
It is not recommended to drive with
the liftgate open. However, if the
vehicle must be driven with the
liftgate open, the liftgate should be
set to manual operation.
Vehicle Security
This vehicle has theft-deterrent
features; however, they do not make
it impossible to steal.
Anti-theft Alarm System
On vehicles with an anti-theft alarm
system, to activate the system:
.PressQon the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter or the
power door lock switch when
any door is open.
The security light flashes.
When the door is closed, the
security light stops flashing and
stays on solid for approximately
30 seconds. The content
theft-deterrent alarm is not
armed until the security light
goes off. If the delayed locking feature is
active, the alarm is not activated
until all doors are closed and the
security light goes off.
.PressQwhen the driver door
is closed. The security light
comes on solid for approximately
30 seconds and then goes off.
The content theft-deterrent alarm
is not armed until the security
light goes off.
The theft-deterrent system will not
activate if the doors are locked with
the vehicle's key or the manual
door lock.
If a locked door is opened
without using the RKE transmitter,
a 10-second pre-alarm occurs.
The horn chirps and the lights flash.
If the key is not placed in the
ignition and turned to START or
the door is not unlocked by
pressing
Qduring the 10-second
pre-alarm, the alarm goes off.

Black plate (14,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
2-14 Keys, Doors, and Windows
The headlamps flash and the horn
sounds for about 30 seconds, then
turns off to save the battery power.
The vehicle can be started with the
correct ignition key if the alarm has
been set off.
To avoid setting off the alarm by
accident:
.Lock the vehicle with the door
key after the doors are closed.
.Unlock the door with the RKE
transmitter. Unlocking a door any
other way sets off the alarm if
the system has been armed.
Press
Kor place the key in the
ignition and turn it to START to turn
off the alarm.
Testing the Alarm
To test the alarm:
1. From inside the vehicle, lower the driver side window, and open
the driver door.
2. Press
Q.
3. Get out of the vehicle, close the door, and wait for the security
light to go out.
4. Reach in through the window, unlock the door with the manual
door lock, and open the door.
This should set off the alarm.
If the alarm does not sound when it
should, but the headlamps flash,
check to see if the horn works.
The horn fuse may be blown.
To replace the fuse, see Fuses and
Circuit Breakers on page 10‑31.
If the alarm does not sound or the
headlamps do not flash, see your
dealer for service.
Immobilizer
See Radio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑22 for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-GEN/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.