
GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/31/16
Driving and Operating 173
R(ON/RUN) :This position can be
used to operate the electrical
accessories and to display some
instrument panel warning and
indicator lights. This position can
also be used for service and
diagnostics, and to verify the proper
operation of the malfunction
indicator lamp as may be required
for emission inspection purposes.
The switch stays in this position
when the engine is running. The
transmission is also unlocked in this
position. If you leave the key in the
ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN
position with the engine off, the
battery could be drained. You may
not be able to start the vehicle if the
battery is allowed to drain for an
extended period of time.
/(START) : This is the position
that starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The
ignition switch will return to ON/RUN
for driving.
Key Lock Release
The vehicle has an electronic key
lock release system. This system is
to prevent ignition key removal
unless the shift lever is in P (Park).
The key lock release will not work if
the battery is charged less than
9-volts, or uncharged. Try charging
or jump starting the battery. See
Jump Starting - North
America 0271
Starting the Engine
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). The engine will not start
in any other position. To restart the
engine when the vehicle is already
moving, use N (Neutral) only.
Caution
Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving. If you do, you
could damage the transmission.
Shift to P (Park) only when the
vehicle is stopped.
Caution
If you add electrical parts or
accessories, you could change
the way the engine operates. Any
resulting damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
See Add-On Electrical
Equipment 0207.
Caution
If the steering wheel is turned
until it reaches the end of its
travel, and is held in that position
while starting the vehicle, damage
may occur to the hydraulic power
steering system and there may be
loss of power steering assist.
Starting Procedure 1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition to START. When the
engine starts, let go of the key.
The idle speed will slow down
as the engine warms. Do not

GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/31/16
174 Driving and Operating
race the engine immediately
after starting it. Operate the
engine and transmission gently
to allow the oil to warm up and
lubricate all moving parts.
Caution
Cranking the engine for long
periods of time, by returning the
ignition to the START position
immediately after cranking has
ended, can overheat and damage
the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to let the
cranking motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after five to 10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather
(below −18 °C or 0 °F), it could
be flooded with too much
gasoline. Try pushing the
accelerator pedal all the way to
the floor and holding it there as
you hold the key in START for
up to a maximum of
15 seconds. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try, to allow the cranking motor to
cool down. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and
accelerator. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again,
repeat these steps. This clears
the extra gasoline from the
engine. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and
transmission gently until the oil
warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Engine Heater
The engine coolant heater can
provide easier starting and better
fuel economy during engine
warm-up in cold weather conditions
at or below 0 °F (−18 °C). Vehicles
with an engine coolant heater
should be plugged in at least four
hours before starting. Some models
may have an internal thermostat in
the cord which will prevent engine
coolant heater operation at
temperatures above 0 °F (−18 °C).
To Use the Engine Coolant
Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the
electrical cord. The bundled
cord is located on the driver
side of the engine
compartment, between the
engine air cleaner and the
windshield washer fluid
reservoir. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0212.
Check the heater cord for
damage. If it is damaged, do
not use it. See your dealer for
a replacement. Inspect the
cord for damage yearly.
3. Plug the cord into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.

GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/31/16
Driving and Operating 177
If torque lock does occur, your
vehicle may need to be pushed
uphill by another vehicle to relieve
the parking pawl pressure, so you
can shift out of P (Park).
Shifting out of Park
The vehicle is equipped with an
electronic shift lock release system.
The shift lock release is
designed to:
.Prevent ignition key removal
unless the shift lever is in
P (Park) with the shift lever
button fully released, and
. Prevent movement of the shift
lever out of P (Park), unless the
ignition is in ON/RUN or ACC/
ACCESSORY and the regular
brake pedal is applied.
The shift lock release is always
functional except in the case of an
uncharged or low voltage (less than
9-volt) battery. If the vehicle has an uncharged
battery or a battery with low voltage,
try charging or jump starting the
battery. See
Jump Starting - North
America 0271 for more information.
To shift out of P (Park):
1. Place the ignition in ON/RUN.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Press the shift lever button.
4. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still are unable to shift out of
P (Park): 1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, press the shift lever
button again.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still cannot move the shift
lever from P (Park), see your dealer.
Parking over Things
That Burn
{Warning
Things that can burn could touch
hot exhaust parts under the
vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass,
or other things that can burn.

GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/30/16
Vehicle Care 209
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 270
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - NorthAmerica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Recreational VehicleTowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
General Information
For service and parts needs, visit
your dealer. You will receive
genuine GM parts and GM-trained
and supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of
these marks:
California Proposition
65 Warning
WARNING: Most motor vehicles,
including this one, as well as many
of its service parts and fluids,
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.
See
Battery - North America 0227
and Jump Starting - North
America 0271.
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

GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/30/16
276 Vehicle Care
For vehicles being dinghy towed,
the vehicle should be run at the
beginning of each day and at each
RV fuel stop for about five minutes.
This will ensure proper lubrication of
transmission components. Reinstall
the fuse to start the vehicle.
To tow the vehicle from the front
with all four wheels on the ground:1. Position the vehicle to be towed, shift the transmission to
P (Park), and turn the ignition
to LOCK/OFF.
2. Secure the vehicle to the towing vehicle.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Turn the ignition to ACC/ ACCESSORY.
5. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
6. To prevent the battery from draining while the vehicle is
being towed, remove the
15 amp ECM fuse and the
15 amp OnStar fuse. These
are in the battery compartment
behind the passenger seat on
the floor. Also, remove the 50 amp BATT1 fuse from the
engine compartment fuse block
and store all fuses in a safe
location. See
Engine
Compartment Fuse
Block 0233.
7. Release the parking brake.
Caution
If the vehicle is towed without
performing each of the steps
listed under “Dinghy Towing,” the
automatic transmission could be
damaged. Be sure to follow all
steps of the dinghy towing
procedure prior to and after
towing the vehicle.
Caution
If 105 km/h (65 mph) is exceeded
while towing the vehicle, it could
be damaged. Never exceed
105 km/h (65 mph) while towing
the vehicle. Once the destination is reached:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Reinstall the fuses.
3. Shift the transmission to P (Park), turn the ignition to
LOCK/OFF, and remove the
key from the ignition.
4. Disconnect the vehicle from the towing vehicle.
Caution
Do not tow a vehicle with the front
drive wheels on the ground if one
of the front tires is a compact
spare tire. Towing with two
different tire sizes on the front of
the vehicle can cause severe
damage to the transmission.

GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/30/16
OnStar 319
.Obtain and customize the Wi-Fi®
hotspot name or SSID and
password, if equipped.
Press
Qto connect to an
Advisor to:
. Verify account information or
update contact information.
. Get driving directions.
. Receive a Diagnostic check of
the vehicle's key operating
systems.
. Receive Roadside Assistance.
. Manage Wi-Fi Settings,
if equipped.
Press
>to get a priority connection
to an OnStar Advisor available 24/
7 to:
. Get help for an emergency.
. Be a Good Samaritan or
respond to an AMBER Alert.
. Get assistance in severe
weather or other crisis situations
and find evacuation routes.
OnStar Services
Emergency
Emergency Services require an
active, OnStar service plan
(excludes Basic Plan). With
Automatic Crash Response, built-in
sensors can automatically alert a
specially trained OnStar Advisor
who is immediately connected in to
the vehicle to help.
Press
>for a priority connection to
an OnStar Advisor who can contact
emergency service providers, direct
them to your exact location, and
relay important information.
With OnStar Crisis Assist, specially
trained Advisors are available
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to
provide a central point of contact,
assistance, and information during a
crisis.
With Roadside Assistance, Advisors
can locate a nearby service provider
to help with a flat tire, a battery
jump, or an empty gas tank.
Security
If equipped, OnStar provides these
services:
. With Stolen Vehicle Assistance,
OnStar Advisors can use GPS to
pinpoint the vehicle and help
authorities quickly recover it.
. With Remote Ignition Block™,
if equipped, OnStar can block
the engine from being restarted.
. With Stolen Vehicle Slowdown
®,
if equipped, OnStar can work
with law enforcement to
gradually slow the vehicle down.
Theft Alarm Notification
If equipped, if the doors are locked
and the vehicle alarm sounds, a
notification by text, e-mail, or phone
call will be sent. If the vehicle is
stolen, an OnStar Advisor can work
with authorities to recover the
vehicle.

GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
2017 - crc - 3/30/16
Index 335
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . 68
Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements, California . . . . . . 209
Personalization Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Protection, Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . . 175
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Pregnancy, Using Safety Belts . . . 59
Privacy Vehicle Data Recording . . . . . . . 316
Program Courtesy Transportation . . . . . . 310
Proposition 65 Warning,
California . . . . . . . . . . . .209, 227, 271
R
Radio Frequency Statement . . . . 314
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Rear Climate Control
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156, 157
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . 188
Rear Window Washer/Wiper . . . . . 99
Rearview Mirrors
Automatic Dimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Records Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . 275
Reimbursement Program, GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Replacement Parts Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Replacing Airbag System . . . . . . . . 73
Replacing LATCH System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Replacing Safety Belt System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government . . . . . . . . 315
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315 Restraints
Where to Put . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Ride Control Systems Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Roads
Driving, Wet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Roof
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Rotation, Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Routing, Engine Drive Belt . . . . . . 303
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
S
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Replacing after a Crash . . . . . . . . 61
Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . 59