
Black plate (8,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
9-8 Driving and Operating
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow
or ice between the tires and the
road, creating less traction or grip.
Wet ice can occur at about 0°C
(32°F) when freezing rain begins to
fall, resulting in even less traction.
Avoid driving on wet ice or in
freezing rain until roads can be
treated with salt or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the
condition. Accelerate gently so
traction is not lost. Accelerating too
quickly causes the wheels to spin
and makes the surface under the
tires slick, so there is even less
traction.Try not to break the fragile traction.
If you accelerate too fast, the drive
wheels will spin and polish the
surface under the tires even more.
The
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 9‑27 improves vehicle
stability during hard stops on
slippery roads, but apply the brakes
sooner than when on dry pavement.
Allow greater following distance on
any slippery road and watch for
slippery spots. Icy patches can
occur on otherwise clear roads in
shaded areas. The surface of a
curve or an overpass can remain icy
when the surrounding roads are
clear. Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
Turn off cruise control on slippery
surfaces.
Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be a
serious situation. Stay with the
vehicle unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use the Roadside
Assistance Program (U.S. and
Canada) on page 13‑8 orRoadside
Assistance Program (Mexico) on
page 13‑10. To get help and keep
everyone in the vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{WARNING
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may
cause exhaust gases to get
inside. Engine exhaust contains
(Continued)

Black plate (34,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
9-34 Driving and Operating
Object Detection
Systems
Ultrasonic Parking Assist
If available, the Ultrasonic Rear
Parking Assist (URPA) system
assists the driver with parking
and avoiding objects while in
R (Reverse). URPA operates at
speeds less than 8 km/h (5 mph).
The sensors on the rear bumper
are used to detect objects up to
2.5 m (8 ft) behind the vehicle, and
at least 25 cm (10 in) off the ground.
{WARNING
The URPA system does not
detect pedestrians, bicyclists,
animals, or any other objects
located below the bumper or that
are too close or too far from the(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
vehicle. To prevent injury, death,
or vehicle damage, even with
URPA, always check behind the
vehicle and check all mirrors
before backing.
How the System Works
URPA comes on automatically
when the shift lever is moved into
R (Reverse). A single tone sounds
to indicate the system is working.
URPA operates only at speeds less
than 8 km/h (5 mph).
An obstacle is indicated by audible
beeps. The interval between the
beeps becomes shorter as the
vehicle gets closer to the obstacle.
When the distance is less than
30 cm (12 in) the beeping is a
continuous tone for five seconds. To be detected, objects must be at
least 25 cm (10 in) off the ground
and below liftgate level. Objects
must also be within 2.5 m (8 ft) from
the rear bumper. This distance may
be less during warmer or humid
weather.
Turning the System On and Off
The system can be disabled through
the Driver Information Center (DIC).
See
“Park Assist” underVehicle
Personalization (With DIC Buttons)
on page 5‑46 for more information.
URPA defaults to the on setting
each time the vehicle is started.
When the System Does Not
Seem to Work Properly
The following messages may be
displayed on the DIC:
SERVICE PARK ASSIST: If this
message occurs, take the vehicle to
your dealer to repair the system.

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 (39,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-39
When the System Does Not
Seem To Work Properly
The rear vision camera system
might not work properly or display
a clear image if:
.The RVC is turned off.
See“Turning the Rear Camera
System On or Off” earlier in this
section.
.It is dark.
.The sun or the beam of
headlights is shining directly
into the camera lens.
.Ice, snow, mud, or anything else
builds up on the camera lens.
Clean the lens, rinse it with
water, and wipe it with a soft
cloth.
.The back of the vehicle is in an
accident. The position and
mounting angle of the camera
can change or the camera can
be affected. Be sure to have the
camera and its position and
mounting angle checked at
your dealer.
.There are extreme temperature
changes.
The rear vision camera system
display in the rearview mirror
may turn off or not appear as
expected due to one of the following
conditions. If this occurs the left
indicator light on the mirror will
flash.
.A slow flash may indicate a
loss of video signal, or no
video signal present during the
reverse cycle.
.A fast flash may indicate that
the display has been on for
the maximum allowable time
during a reverse cycle, or the
display has reached an Over
Temperature limit.
The fast flash conditions are
used to protect the video
device from high temperature
conditions. Once conditions
return to normal the device will
reset and the green indicator
will stop flashing.
During any of these fault conditions,
the display will be blank and the
indicator will continue to flash as
long as the vehicle is in R (Reverse)
or until the conditions return to
normal.
Pressing and holding
zwhen the
left indicator light is flashing will turn
off the video display along with the
left indicator light.

Black plate (46,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
9-46 Driving and Operating
Pulling a Trailer
Here are some important points:
.There are many laws, including
speed limit restrictions that apply
to trailering. Check for legal
requirements.
.Consider using sway control.
SeeTowing Equipment on
page 9‑51.
.Do not tow a trailer at all during
the first 800 km (500 miles)
the new vehicle is driven.
The engine, axle, or other parts
could be damaged.
.During the first 800 km
(500 miles) that a trailer is
towed, do not drive over 80 km/h
(50 mph) and do not make starts
at full throttle. This reduces wear
on the vehicle.
.The vehicle can tow in D (Drive).
Use a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often.
See “Tow/Haul Mode” later in
this section.
.Obey speed limit restrictions
when towing a trailer.
.The vehicle is designed primarily
as a passenger and load
carrying vehicle. If a trailer is
towed, the vehicle will require
more frequent maintenance due
to the additional load.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires experience.
Get familiar with handling and
braking with the added trailer
weight. The vehicle is now longer
and not as responsive as the
vehicle is by itself.
Check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains,
electrical connectors, lamps, tires
and mirror adjustments. If the trailer
has electric brakes, start the vehicle
and trailer moving and then apply
the trailer brake controller by hand
to be sure the brakes are working. During the trip, check regularly to be
sure that the load is secure, and the
lamps and trailer brakes are working
properly.
Towing with a Stability Control
System
When towing, the sound of the
stability control system might be
heard. The system is reacting to the
vehicle movement caused by the
trailer, which mainly occurs during
cornering. This is normal when
towing heavier trailers.
Tow/Haul Mode
Tow/Haul assists when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy
load. The purpose of the Tow/Haul
mode is to:
.Reduce the frequency and
improve the predictability of
transmission shifts.
.Provide the same solid shift feel
as when the vehicle is unloaded.

Black plate (33,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-33
FusesUsage
ECM 1 Engine Control
Module 1
EMISSION 1 Emission 1
EMISSION 2 Emission 2
EVEN COILS Even Injector Coils
FAN 1 Cooling Fan 1
FAN 2 Cooling Fan 2
FOG LAMP Fog Lamps
FSCM Fuel System
Control Module
HORN Horn
HTD MIR Heated Outside
Rearview Mirror
HUMIDITY/ MAF Humidity Sensor/
MAF Sensor
HVAC BLWR Heating,
Ventilation, and
Air Conditioning
Blower Fuses
Usage
LT HI BEAM Left High-Beam
Headlamp
LT LO BEAM Left Low‐Beam
Headlamp
LT PRK Left Parking Lamp
LT TRLR
STOP/TRN Trailer Left
Stoplamp and
Turn Signal
ODD COILS Odd Injector Coils
PCM IGN Powertrain Control
Module Ignition
PWR L/GATE Power Liftgate PWR
OUTLET Power Outlet
REAR
CAMERA Rear Vision
Camera
RR APO Rear Accessory
Power Outlet
RR DEFOG Rear Defogger Fuses
Usage
RR HVAC Rear Climate
Control System
RT HI BEAM Right High‐Beam
Headlamp
RT LO BEAM Right Low‐Beam
Headlamp
RT PRK Right
Parking Lamp
RT TRLR
STOP/TRN Trailer Right
Stoplamp and
Turn Signal
RVC SNSR Regulated Voltage
Control Sensor
S/ROOF/
SUNSHADE Sunroof
SERVICE Service Repair SPARE SpareSTOP
LAMPS
(China Only) Stoplamps
(China Only)

Black plate (35,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-35
Fuse Side
The vehicle may not be equipped
with all of the fuses, relays, and
features shown. Fuses Usage
AIRBAG Airbag AMP Amplifier
BCK/UP/ STOP Back‐up Lamp/
Stoplamp
BCM Body Control
Module
CNSTR/ VENT Canister Vent
CTSY Courtesy Lamps
DR/LCK Door Locks
DRL Daytime Running
Lamps
DRL 2/
RR Fog GMC HID Only
(If Equipped)/
Rear Fog Lamps
(China Only)
DSPLY Display
FRT/WSW Front Windshield
Washer
HTD/COOL SEAT Heated/Cooling
Seats Fuses Usage
HVAC Heating,
Ventilation, and
Air Conditioning
INADV/
PWR/LED Inadvertent
Power LED
INFOTMNT Infotainment
LT/TRN/SIG Driver Side Turn
Signal
MSM Memory Seat
Module
PDM Power Mirrors,
Liftgate Release
PWR MODE Power Mode
PWR/MIR Power Mirrors RDO Radio
REAR WPR Rear Wiper
RT/TRN/SIG Passenger Side
Turn Signal
SPARE Spare
STR/WHL/ ILLUM Steering Wheel
Illumination

Black plate (1,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
INDEX i-1
A
Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-53
Additional Information,
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-5
Adjustments Lumbar, Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . 10-12
Air Filter, Passenger
Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-13
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-12
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-37
How Does an Airbag
Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-29
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-31
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-29 Airbag System (cont'd)
What Will You See after an
Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-29
When Should an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . 3-26
Airbags Adding Equipment to theVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-36
Passenger Status Indicator . . . 5-17
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Servicing Airbag-Equipped Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24
Alarm System Anti-theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . 9-27, 10-26
AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7
Antenna Multi-band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-13
Anti-theft Alarm System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Alarm System Messages . . . . . 5-42 Antilock Brake
System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Appearance Care Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-86
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-89
Armrest Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Assistance Program,
Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-8, 13-10
Audio Controller, Rear (RAC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-48
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-13 CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-13
CD/DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15
MP3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-23, 7-29
Audio System
Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12
Rear Seat (RSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-47
Theft-Deterrent Feature . . . . . . . . 7-2
Automatic Dimming Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . 10-12