
GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/31/16
Driving and Operating 183
If driving safely on a wet road and it
becomes necessary to slam on the
brakes and continue braking to
avoid a sudden obstacle, a
computer senses the wheels are
slowing down. If one of the wheels
is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at
each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
you steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls
braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
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 may hear the ABS
pump or motor operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsate. 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 0111.
Caution
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 parking 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.

GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/31/16
184 Driving and Operating
If you are towing a trailer and are
parking on a hill, seeDriving
Characteristics and Towing
Tips 0200.
Brake Assist
The Brake Assist feature is
designed to assist the driver in
stopping or decreasing vehicle
speed in emergency driving
conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake
control module to supplement the
power brake system under
conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle. The
stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates.
Minor brake pedal pulsation or
pedal movement during this time is
normal and the driver should
continue to apply the brake pedal as
the driving situation dictates. The
Brake Assist feature will
automatically disengage when the brake pedal is released or brake
pedal pressure is quickly
decreased.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
This vehicle has a Hill Start Assist
(HSA) feature, which may be useful
when the vehicle is stopped on a
grade sufficient enough to activate
HSA. This feature is designed to
prevent the vehicle from rolling,
either forward or rearward, during
vehicle drive off. After the driver
completely stops and holds the
vehicle in a complete standstill on a
grade, HSA will be automatically
activated. During the transition
period between when the driver
releases the brake pedal and starts
to accelerate to drive off on a grade,
HSA holds the braking pressure for
a maximum of two seconds to
ensure that there is no rolling. The
brakes will automatically release
when the accelerator pedal is
applied within the two-second
window. It will not activate if the
vehicle is in a drive gear and facing
downhill, or if the vehicle is facing
uphill and in R (Reverse).
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and StabiliTrak®, an
electronic stability control system.
These systems help limit wheel slip
and assist the driver in maintaining
control, especially on slippery road
conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any
of the drive wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, TCS applies the brakes to
the spinning wheels and reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak activates when the
vehicle senses a difference between
the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak selectively applies
braking pressure to any one of the

GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/31/16
202 Driving and Operating
When turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal so the
trailer will not strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other
objects. Use the turn signal well in
advance and avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers.
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
The turn signal indicators on the
instrument cluster flash whenever
signaling a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer
lamps also flash, telling other
drivers the vehicle is turning,
changing lanes or stopping.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on
the instrument cluster flash for turns
even if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. Check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gear before starting down a long or
steep downgrade. If the
transmission is not shifted down, thebrakes might have to be used so
much that they would get hot and no
longer work well.
The vehicle can tow in D (Drive).
Use a lower gear if the transmission
shifts too often.
The Tow/Haul Mode may be used if
the transmission shifts too often.
See
Tow/Haul Mode 0181.
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, engine coolant
boils at a lower temperature than at
normal altitudes. If the engine is
turned off immediately after towing
at high altitude on steep uphill
grades, the vehicle could show
signs similar to engine overheating.
To avoid this, let the engine run
while parked, preferably on level
ground, with the transmission in
P (Park) for a few minutes before
turning the engine off. If the
overheat warning comes on, see
Engine Overheating 0222.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic if
facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the brake pedal
until the chocks absorb
the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and
shift into P (Park).

GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/30/16
Vehicle Care 227
{Warning
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake fluid only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic
system.
When the brake fluid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. See Brake System Warning
Light 0111.
Brake fluid absorbs water over time
which degrades the effectiveness of
the brake fluid. Replace brake fluid
at the specified intervals to prevent
increased stopping distance. See
Maintenance Schedule 0289.
What to Add
Use only GM approved DOT 3
brake fluid from a clean, sealed
container. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0298.
{Warning
The wrong or contaminated brake
fluid could result in damage to the
brake system. This could result in
the loss of braking leading to a
possible injury. Always use the
proper GM approved brake fluid.
Caution
If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces, the
paint finish can be damaged.
Immediately wash off any painted
surface.
Battery - North America
The original equipment battery is
maintenance free. Do not remove
the cap and do not add fluid.
Refer to the replacement number on
the original battery label when a
new battery is needed.
{Warning
WARNING: Battery posts,
terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Batteries also
contain other chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer. WASH HANDS AFTER
HANDLING.
See California Proposition
65 Warning 0209.
Vehicle Storage
{Warning
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful. See Jump Starting -
North America 0271 for tips on
working around a battery without
getting hurt.

GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/30/16
Vehicle Care 229
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 (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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.
. To check the P (Park)
mechanism's holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to
P (Park). Then release the
parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.
Wiper Blade Replacement
Front Wiper Blade
Windshield wiper blades should be
inspected for wear or cracking. See
Maintenance Schedule 0289.
Replacement blades come in
different types and are removed in
different ways. For the proper type
and size, see Maintenance
Replacement Parts 0299.
To replace the wiper blade
assembly: 1. Pull the windshield wiper assembly away from the
windshield.
2. Squeeze the tabs on each side
of the wiper blade assembly
and slide the assembly off the
end of the wiper arm.

GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/30/16
230 Vehicle Care
3. Install the new blade onto thearm connector and make sure
the tabs are fully set in the
locked position.
Allowing the wiper blade arm to
touch the windshield when no
wiper blade is installed could
damage the windshield. Any
damage that occurs would not
be covered by your warranty.
Do not allow the wiper blade
arm to touch the windshield.
4. Repeat the steps for the other blade.
Rear Wiper Blade
To replace the rear wiper blade:
1. Pull the wiper blade assembly away from the backglass. The rear wiper blade will not
lock in a vertical position so
care should be used when
pulling it away from the vehicle.
2. Push the release lever (2) to
disengage the hook and push
the wiper arm (1) out of the
blade assembly (3).
3. Push the new blade assembly securely in the wiper arm hook
until the release lever clicks
into place.
4. Return the wiper arm and blade assembly to the rest
position on the glass.
Windshield Replacement
The windshield is part of the HUD
system. If the vehicle has to have
the windshield replaced, get one
that is designed for HUD or the
HUD image may look out of focus.

GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/30/16
234 Vehicle Care
Acadia with HID Lighting
The vehicle may not be equipped
with all of the fuses, relays, and
features shown.Fuses Usage
A/C CLTCH A/C clutch ABS MTR ABS system motor
AFS Adaptive forward lighting system
AIRBAG Airbag system
AUX POWER Auxiliary power AUX
VAC PUMP Auxiliary
vacuum pump
AWD AWD system
BATT 1 Battery 1
BATT 2 Battery 2
BATT 3 Battery 3 CIGAR
LIGHTER Cigarette lighter
ECM 1 Engine control module 1
ECM/
FPM IGN Engine control
module/Fuel pump
control module/
Ignition
EMISSION 1 Emission 1
EMISSION 2 Emission 2

GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/30/16
Vehicle Care 237
Acadia with Halogen Lighting
The vehicle may not be equipped
with all of the fuses, relays, and
features shown.Fuses Usage
A/C CLTCH A/C clutch ABS MTR ABS system motor
AIRBAG Airbag system
AUX POWER Auxiliary power AUX
VAC PUMP Auxiliary
vacuum pump
AWD AWD system
BATT 1 Battery 1
BATT 2 Battery 2
BATT 3 Battery 3 CIGAR
LIGHTER Cigarette lighter
ECM 1 Engine control module 1
ECM/
FPM IGN Engine control
module/Fuel pump
power module/
Ignition
EMISSION 1 Emission 1
EMISSION 2 Emission 2
EVEN COILS Injector coils –even