Page 42 of 468

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.
Page 43 of 468

Black plate (11,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-11
Power Liftgate
On vehicles with a power liftgate,
the vehicle must be in P (Park) to
operate. The taillamps flash and a
chime sounds when the power
liftgate moves.
{WARNING
You or others could be injured if
caught in the path of the power
liftgate. Make sure there is no one
in the way of the liftgate as it is
opening and closing.
The power liftgate can be power
opened and closed in the
following ways:
.Press and hold8on the
RKE transmitter. See Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 2‑3.
.PressO.
.Press the touch pad on the
outside liftgate handle.
Pressing the buttons or touch pad a
second time while the liftgate is
moving reverses the direction.
Power Liftgate Touch Pad
The liftgate can also be closed by
pressing
lnext to the liftgate
latch. Press
la second time
during the liftgate operation to
reverse the operation.
The power liftgate may be
temporarily disabled under extreme
temperatures or under low battery
conditions. If this occurs, the liftgate
can be operated manually.
If the vehicle is shifted out of
P (Park) while the liftgate power
function is in progress, it will
Page 44 of 468

Black plate (12,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
2-12 Keys, Doors, and Windows
continue to completion. If the
vehicle is shifted out of P (Park)
and accelerated before the power
liftgate latch closes, 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
driving away.
If the power liftgate is used and the
liftgate support struts have lost
pressure, the taillamps will flash and
a chime will sound. The liftgate will
stay open temporarily, and then
slowly close. See a 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 an obstacle is
encountered during a power open or
close cycle. After removing the
obstacle the liftgate will resume
normal operation.If more obstacles are encountered
on the same power cycle, the power
function deactivates, and the liftgate
must be opened or closed manually.
A message displays on the Driver
Information Center (DIC) to indicate
that the liftgate is open. See
Driver
Information Center (DIC) (Without
DIC Buttons) on page 5‑30 or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(With DIC Buttons) on page 5‑25.
After removing the obstacles,
manually open the liftgate fully or
close and latch the liftgate.
The liftgate will resume 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 of
the vehicle and presses against a
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.Manual Operation of Power
Liftgate
To change the liftgate to manual
operation, press OFF on the power
liftgate switch. A message displays
on the DIC indicating manual
operation mode. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) (Without
DIC Buttons) on page 5‑30 orDriver
Information Center (DIC) (With DIC
Buttons) on page 5‑25.
Page 48 of 468

Black plate (16,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
2-16 Keys, Doors, and Windows
If the PASS-Key III+ key is lost or
damaged, see your dealer or a
locksmith to have a new key made.
The SERVICE THEFT
DETERRENT SYSTEM message
displays on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) when there is a
problem with the theft-deterrent
system. SeeAnti-theft Alarm
System Messages on page 5‑42
for additional information.
Do not leave the key or device
that disarms or deactivates the
theft-deterrent system in the
vehicle.Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors
{WARNING
A convex mirror can make things,
like other vehicles, look farther
away than they really are. If you
cut too sharply into the right lane,
you could hit a vehicle on the
right. Check the inside mirror or
glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
The passenger side mirror is convex
shaped. A convex mirror's surface is
curved so more can be seen from
the driver seat.
Power Mirrors
Base Model
To adjust the mirrors:
1. Press
oorpto select a mirror.
2. Press the control pad to adjust the mirror.
3. Return the switch to the center to deselect the mirror.
Page 52 of 468

Black plate (20,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
2-20 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Automatic Dimming
Rearview Mirror
The vehicle may have an automatic
dimming inside rearview mirror.
Automatic dimming reduces the
glare from the headlamps of the
vehicle behind you. The dimming
feature comes on and the indicator
light illuminates each time the
ignition is turned to start.
O(On/Off):Press to turn the
dimming feature on or off.
The vehicle may also have a Rear
Vision Camera (RVC). See Rear
Vision Camera (RVC) on page 9‑35
for more information. If the vehicle has a RVC, the
O
button for turning the dimming
feature on or off will not be
available.
Vehicles with OnStar have three
additional control buttons for the
OnStar system. See
OnStar
Overview on page 14‑1.
Cleaning the Mirror
Do not spray glass cleaner directly
on the mirror. Use a soft towel
dampened with water.
Windows
{WARNING
Leaving children, helpless adults,
or pets in a vehicle with the
windows closed is dangerous.
They can be overcome by the
extreme heat and suffer
permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke. Never leave a
child, a helpless adult, or a pet
alone in a vehicle, especially with
the windows closed in warm or
hot weather.
Page 53 of 468

Black plate (21,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-21
The vehicle aerodynamics are
designed to improve fuel economy
performance. This may result in a
pulsing sound when a window is
partially open. To reduce the sound,
open another window or the sunroof
(if equipped).
Power Windows
{WARNING
Leaving children in a vehicle with
the keys is dangerous for many
reasons. Children or others could
be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate the power
windows or other controls or
even make the vehicle move.
The windows will function and
they could be seriously injured or
killed if caught in the path of a
closing window. Do not leave
keys in a vehicle with children.
When there are children in the
rear seat use the window lockout
button to prevent unintentional
operation of the windows.
Uplevel Shown, Base Similar
The driver door also has switches
that control the passenger and
rear windows. The power windows
work with the ignition in ACC/
ACCESSORY, ON/RUN or when
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
is active. See Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) on page 9‑20.
Press the switch to lower the
window. Pull up on the front edge of
the switch to raise the window.
Page 58 of 468
Black plate (2,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
3-2 Seats and Restraints
Head Restraints
The vehicle's front seats have
adjustable head restraints in the
outboard seating positions.
{WARNING
With head restraints that are
not installed and adjusted
properly, there is a greater
chance that occupants will suffer
a neck/spinal injury in a crash.
Do not drive until the head
restraints for all occupants are
installed and adjusted properly.
Adjust the head restraint so that the
top of the restraint is at the same
height as the top of the occupant's
head. This position reduces the
chance of a neck injury in a crash.1. Pull the head restraint up toraise it. To lower the head
restraint, press the release
button, located on the head
restraint post on the top of the
seatback, while you push the
head restraint down.
2. Push down on the head restraint after the button is released to
make sure that it is locked in
place.
Page 59 of 468
Black plate (3,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
Seats and Restraints 3-3
The vehicle's second‐row seats
have head restraints in the outboard
seating positions that cannot be
adjusted.
The vehicle's third‐row seats have
headrests in the outboard seating
positions that cannot be adjusted.
The vehicle's head restraints and
headrests are not designed to be
removed.Front Seats
Seat Adjustment
{WARNING
You can lose control of the
vehicle if you try to adjust a
manual driver seat while the
vehicle is moving. The sudden
movement could startle and
confuse you, or make you push a
pedal when you do not want to.
Adjust the driver seat only when
the vehicle is not moving.
A. Seat Adjustment Handle
B. Driver Seat Height AdjustmentLever
C. Seatback Lever
To adjust a manual seat:
1. Lift the handle (A) under the seat to unlock it.
2. Slide the seat to the desired position, and then release the
handle.
3. Try to move the seat back and forth to be sure it is locked in
place.