
Black plate (22,1)Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 12/11/12
9-22 Driving and Operating
{WARNING
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park).
SeeShifting Into Park on
page 9‑18 andDriving
Characteristics and Towing Tips
on page 9‑43.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in
P (Park) before starting the engine.
The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control
system. With the ignition in ON/
RUN, fully apply the regular brake, then press the button on the back of
the shift lever before shifting from
P (Park). If you cannot shift out of
P (Park), ease pressure on the shift
lever, then push the shift lever all
the way into P (Park) as you
maintain brake application. Then
press the shift lever button and
move the shift lever into another
gear. See
Shifting out of Park on
page 9‑19.
R (Reverse): Use this gear to
back up.
Notice: Shifting to R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving
forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only
after the vehicle is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to
get out of snow, ice, or sand without
damaging the transmission, see If
the Vehicle Is Stuck on page 9‑9.
N (Neutral): In this position, the
engine does not connect with the
wheels. To restart the engine when the vehicle is already moving, use
N (Neutral) only. Also, use
N (Neutral) when the vehicle is
being towed.
{WARNING
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift
into a drive gear while the engine
is running at high speed.
Notice: Shifting out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the
engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle.

Black plate (26,1)Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 12/11/12
9-26 Driving and Operating
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to
stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly and let
ABS work. You might hear the ABS
pump or motor operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsate, but this is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows you to steer and brake
at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
more than even the very best
braking.
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the
regular brake pedal down, then
push the parking brake pedal down.
If the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light will come on.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 5‑18. Notice:
Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the brake
system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system
parts. Make sure that the parking
brake is fully released and the
brake warning light is off before
driving.
To release the parking brake, hold
the regular brake pedal down, then
push down momentarily on the
parking brake pedal until you feel
the pedal release. Slowly pull your
foot up off the park brake pedal.
If the parking brake is not released
when you begin to drive, the brake
system warning light will be on and
a chime will sound warning you that
the parking brake is still on.
If you are towing a trailer and are
parking on a hill, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips on
page 9‑43.

Black plate (31,1)Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 12/11/12
Driving and Operating 9-31
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is
already activated:
.Press and hold the SET–button
on the steering wheel until the
lower speed desired is reached,
then release it.
.To slow down in small amounts,
press the SET– button briefly.
Each time this is done, the
vehicle goes about 1.6 km/h
(1 mph) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While
Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to
increase vehicle speed. When you
take your foot off the pedal, the
vehicle will slow down to the
previously set cruise speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control will work
on hills depends upon the vehicle
speed, load, and the steepness of
the hills. When going up steep hills, you might have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain the
vehicle speed. When going
downhill, you might have to brake or
shift to a lower gear to keep the
vehicle speed down. When the
brakes are applied the cruise control
is disengaged.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to end cruise
control:
.Step lightly on the brake pedal.
.Press the[button.
.To turn off the cruise control,
press
Ton the steering wheel.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is
erased from memory by pressing
Tor if the ignition is turned off.
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
and below liftgate level.
{WARNING
The URPA system does not
detect children, pedestrians,
bicyclists, animals, or objects
below the bumper or that are too
close or too far from the vehicle.
It is not available at speeds
greater than 8 km/h (5 mph). To (Continued)

Black plate (1,1)Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 12/11/12
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . 10-2
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
Engine Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-7
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 10-9
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-10
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-11
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-12
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-12
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-16 Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-17
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . 10-18
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-19
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-22
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-23
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Windshield Replacement . . . 10-25
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . 10-26
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . 10-39
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-45
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-47
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50

Black plate (10,1)Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 12/11/12
10-10 Vehicle Care
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change. To reset the
system:
If the vehicle does not have Driver
Information Center (DIC) buttons:
1. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN,with the engine off. The vehicle
must be in P (Park) to access
this display. Press the trip
odometer reset stem until OIL
LIFE REMAINING displays.
2. Press and hold the trip odometer reset stem until OIL LIFE
REMAINING shows “100%.”
Three chimes sound and the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message goes off.
3. Turn the key to LOCK/OFF. If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message comes back on
when the vehicle is started, the engine oil life system has not
been reset. Repeat the
procedure.
If the vehicle has Driver Information
Center (DIC) buttons:
1. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN, with the engine off.
2. Press the vehicle information button until OIL LIFE
REMAINING displays.
3. Press and hold the set/reset button until “100%”is displayed.
Three chimes sound and the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message goes off.
4. Turn the key to LOCK/OFF.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message comes back on when the
vehicle is started, the engine oil life
system has not been reset. Repeat
the procedure.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only
reason for fluid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to the
dealer and have it repaired as soon
as possible.
Change the fluid at the intervals
listed in Maintenance Schedule on
page 11‑2, and be sure to use the
transmission fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑12.
Notice: Use of the incorrect
automatic transmission fluid may
damage the vehicle, and the
damages may not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Always use
the automatic transmission fluid
listed in Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11‑12.
The transmission fluid will not reach
the end of the dipstick unless the
transmission is at operating

Black plate (23,1)Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 12/11/12
Vehicle Care 10-23
Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control
Function Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. It should be
parked on a level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. See Parking Brake on
page 9‑26.
Be ready to apply the regular
brake immediately if the vehicle
begins to move. 3. With the engine off, turn the
ignition on, but do not start the
engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the
shift lever out of P (Park) with
normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of P (Park), contact
your dealer for service.
Ignition Transmission
Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking
brake set, try to turn the ignition to
LOCK/OFF in each shift lever
position.
.The ignition should turn to
LOCK/OFF only when the shift
lever is in P (Park).
.The ignition key should come
out only in LOCK/OFF.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this check,
the vehicle could begin to move.
You or others could be injured
and property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in front
of the vehicle in case it begins to
roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping
your foot on the regular brake, set
the parking brake.
.To check the parking brake's
holding ability: With the engine
running and the transmission in
N (Neutral), slowly remove foot
pressure from the regular brake
pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.

Black plate (30,1)Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 12/11/12
10-30 Vehicle Care
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* Headlamp Washer (China)/Fog
Lamps (GMC)
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
RR APO Rear Accessory Power Outlet
RR DEFOG Rear Defogger RR HVAC Rear Climate Control System
RT HI BEAM Right High-Beam Headlamp Fuses
Usage
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 Spare
STOP
LAMPS
(China Only) Stoplamps
(China Only)
STRTR Starter TCM Transmission Control Module
TRANS Transmission

Black plate (31,1)Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 12/11/12
Vehicle Care 10-31
FusesUsage
TRLR
BCK/UP Trailer Back-up
Lamps
TRLR BRK Trailer Brake TRLR
PRK LAMP Trailer Parking
Lamps
TRLR PWR Trailer Power WPR/WSW Windshield Wiper/ Washer
Relays Usage
A/C
CMPRSR CLTCH Air Conditioning
Compressor Clutch
AUX
VAC PUMP Auxiliary
Vacuum Pump
CRNK Switched Power FAN 1 Cooling Fan 1
FAN 2 Cooling Fan 2
FAN 3 Cooling Fan 3 Relays
Usage
HDLP WASH (CHINA)
FOG
LAMP (GMC) Headlamp Washer
(China)/Fog
Lamps (GMC)
HI BEAM High-Beam Headlamps
HID/
LO BEAM High Intensity
Discharge (HID)
Low-Beam
Headlamps
HORN Horn IGN Ignition Main
LT TRLR
STOP/TRN Trailer Left
Stoplamp and Turn
Signal Lamp
PRK LAMP Parking Lamp
PWR/TRN Powertrain
RR DEFOG Rear Window Defogger
RT TRLR
STOP/TRN Trailer Right
Stoplamp and Turn
Signal Lamp Relays
Usage
Stop Lamps
(China Only) Stop Lamps
(China Only)
TRLR
BCK/UP Trailer Back-up
Lamps
WPR Windshield Wiper
WPR HI Windshield Wiper High Speed