
Black plate (17,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-17
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator
The vehicle has a passenger
sensing system. SeePassenger
Sensing System on page 3‑31 for
important safety information.
The instrument panel has a
passenger airbag status indicator.
United States
Canada and Mexico When the vehicle is started, the
passenger airbag status indicator
will light ON and OFF, or the symbol
for on and off, for several seconds
as a system check. If you use
remote start, if equipped, to start the
vehicle, you may not see the system
check. Then, after several more
seconds, the status indicator will
light either ON or OFF, or either the
on or off symbol to let you know
the status of the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag.
If the word ON or the on symbol is
lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag
is allowed to inflate.
If the word OFF or the off symbol
is lit on the passenger airbag
status indicator, it means that the
passenger sensing system has
turned off the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag. If, after several seconds, both status
indicator lights remain on, or if
there are no lights at all, there
may be a problem with the lights or
the passenger sensing system.
See your dealer for service.
{WARNING
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others,
have the vehicle serviced right
away. See
Airbag Readiness
Light on page 5‑16 for more
information, including important
safety information.

Black plate (42,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
5-42 Instruments and Controls
SERVICE PARK ASSIST
This message displays if there is a
problem with the Ultrasonic Rear
Parking Assist (URPA) system.
Do not use this system to help you
park. SeeUltrasonic Parking Assist
on page 9‑34 for more information.
See your dealer for service.
Ride Control System
Messages
SERVICE STABILITRAK
This message displays if there is
a problem with the StabiliTrak®
system. If this message appears,
try to reset the system. Stop; turn off
the engine for at least 15 seconds;
then start the engine again. If this
message still comes on, it means
there is a problem. See your dealer
for service. The vehicle is safe to
drive, however, you do not have the
benefit of StabiliTrak, so reduce
your speed and drive accordingly.
SERVICE TRACTION
CONTROL
This message displays when there
is a problem with the Traction
Control System (TCS). When this
message is displayed, the system
will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your
driving accordingly. See your dealer
for service. See StabiliTrak
®System
on page 9‑30 for more information.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
This message displays when the
Traction Control System (TCS) is
turned off. Adjust your driving
accordingly. See StabiliTrak
®
System on page 9‑30 for more
information. This message clears
itself after 10 seconds.
TRACTION CONTROL ON
This message displays when the
Traction Control System (TCS) is
turned on. See StabiliTrak
®System
on page 9‑30 for more information.
This message clears itself after
10 seconds.
Airbag System Messages
SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays if there is a
problem with the airbag system.
Have your dealer inspect the
system for problems. See Airbag
Readiness Light on page 5‑16 and
Airbag System on page 3‑24 for
more information.
Anti-theft Alarm System
Messages
SERVICE THEFT DETERRENT
SYSTEM
This message displays when there
is a problem with the theft-deterrent
system. The vehicle may or may not
restart so you may want to take the
vehicle to your dealer before turning
off the engine. See Immobilizer
Operation on page 2‑14 for more
information.

Black plate (16,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
9-16 Driving and Operating
Ignition Positions
The ignition switch has four different
positions.
In order to shift out of P (Park),
the ignition must be in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY and the brake
pedal must be applied.
Notice:Using a tool to force the
key to turn in the ignition could
cause damage to the switch or
break the key. Use the correct
key, make sure it is all the way in, and turn it only with your hand.
If the key cannot be turned by
hand, see your dealer.
((STOPPING THE ENGINE/
LOCK/OFF): When the vehicle is
stopped, turn the ignition switch to
LOCK/OFF to turn the engine off.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
will remain active. See Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) on
page 9‑20.
This position locks the ignition
and transmission. The key can be
removed in LOCK/OFF.
Do not turn the engine off when the
vehicle is moving. This will cause a
loss of power assist in the brake
and steering systems and disable
the airbags.
If the vehicle must be shut off in an
emergency:
1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the
brakes repeatedly. This may
deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force. 2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral).
This can be done while the
vehicle is moving. After shifting
to N (Neutral), firmly apply the
brakes and steer the vehicle to a
safe location.
3. Come to a complete stop, shift to P (Park), and turn the ignition
to LOCK/OFF. On vehicles with
an automatic transmission, the
shift lever must be in P (Park) to
turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK/OFF position.
4. Set the parking brake. See Parking Brake on
page 9‑28.
{WARNING
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of power
assist in the brake and steering
systems and disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the
vehicle off in an emergency.

Black plate (53,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-53
*The fuse for this circuit is installed
in the underhood electrical center,
but the wires are not connected.
They should be connected by your
dealer or a qualified service center.
If the back-up lamp circuit is not
functional, contact your dealer.
If a remote (non-vehicle) battery is
being charged, press the Tow/Haul
mode switch located on the center
console near the climate controls.
This will boost the vehicle system
voltage and properly charge the
battery. If the trailer is too light for
Tow/Haul mode, turn on the
headlamps (non‐HID only) as a
second way to boost the vehicle
system and charge the battery.Electric Trailer Brake Control
Wiring Provisions
These wiring provisions for an
electric trailer brake controller are
included with the vehicle as part
of the trailer wiring package.
The instrument panel contains
blunt cut wires behind the steering
column for the electric trailer brake
controller. The harness contains the
following wires:
.Red/Black: Power Supply
.White: Brake Switch Signal
.Gray: Illumination
.Dark Blue: Trailer Brake Signal
.Black: Ground
The electric trailer brake controller
should be installed by your dealer or
a qualified service center.
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
Notice: Do not add anything
electrical to the vehicle unless
you check with your dealer first.
Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle and the
damage would not be covered
by the vehicle's warranty. Some
add-on electrical equipment can
keep other components from
working as they should.
Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle's 12‐volt battery, even if the
vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 3‑35 andAdding
Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 3‑36.

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 (4,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
10-4 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own
Service Work
{WARNING
It can be dangerous to work on
your vehicle if you do not have
the proper knowledge, service
manual, tools, or parts. Always
follow owner manual procedures
and consult the service manual
for your vehicle before doing any
service work.If doing some of your own service
work, use the proper service
manual. It tells you much more
about how to service the vehicle
than this manual can. To order the
proper service manual, see
Service
Publications Ordering Information
on page 13‑18.
This vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to do your own
service work, see Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 3‑35.
Keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date
of any service work performed.
See Maintenance Records on
page 11‑14.
Hood
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the hood release handle with this symbol on it. It is
located under the instrument
panel on the driver's side of the
vehicle.
2. At the front of the vehicle, pull up on the center of the hood,
and push the secondary hood
release to the right.
3. After you have partially lifted the hood, gas struts will
automatically take over to lift and
hold the hood in the fully open
position.

Black plate (32,1)GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2012
10-32 Vehicle Care
The vehicle may not be equipped
with all of the fuses, relays, and
features shown.Fuses Usage
A/C CLTCH Air Conditioning
Clutch
ABS MTR Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
Motor
AFS Adaptive Forward
Lighting System
AIRBAG Airbag System
AUX POWER Auxiliary Power
AUX
VAC PUMP Auxiliary
Vacuum Pump
AWD All-Wheel-Drive
System
BATT 1 Battery 1
BATT 2 Battery 2
BATT 3 Battery 3 CIGAR
LIGHTER Cigarette Lighter
ECM Engine Control
Module

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