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120 Instruments and Controls
the DIC. The timer will record up to
99 hours, 59 minutes and
59 seconds (99:59:59) after which
the display will return to zero.
To stop the timer, press the set/reset
button briefly while TIMER is
displayed.
To reset the timer to zero, press and
hold the set/reset button while
TIMER is displayed.
FUEL USED
Press the trip/fuel button until FUEL
USED displays. This display shows
the number of liters (L) or
gallons (gal) of fuel used since the
last reset of this menu item. To reset
the fuel used information, press and
hold the set/reset button while FUEL
USED is displayed.
AVG (Average) SPEED
Press the trip/fuel button until AVG
SPEED displays. This display
shows the average speed of the
vehicle in kilometers per hour (km/h)
or miles per hour (mph). This
average is calculated based on the
various vehicle speeds recordedsince the last reset of this value. To
reset the value to zero, press and
hold the set/reset button.
Blank Display
This display shows no information.
Head-Up Display (HUD)
{Warning
If the HUD image is too bright or
too high in your field of view, it
may take you more time to see
things you need to see when it is
dark outside. Be sure to keep the
HUD image dim and placed low in
your field of view.
If equipped with the HUD, some
information concerning the
operation of the vehicle is projected
onto the windshield. This includes
the speedometer reading, rpm
reading, transmission position,
outside air temperature, the manual
mode gear range, and a brief
display of the current radio station,
including SiriusXM (if equipped) information or CD track. It will also
display Turn-By-Turn navigation
information if equipped with a
navigation radio. The images are
projected by the HUD lens on the
driver side of the instrument panel.
The language of the HUD
information displayed can be
changed and the speedometer
reading can be shown in either
English or metric units.
The language selection and the
units of measurement are changed
through the trip computer in the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
See
Vehicle Personalization 0132.

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126 Instruments and Controls
unsafe temperatures for operation.
Stop and turn off the vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so to avoid
severe damage. This message
clears when the engine has cooled
to a safe operating temperature.
Engine Oil Messages
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
This message displays when
service is required for the vehicle.
See your dealer. SeeEngine Oil
0 213 andMaintenance
Schedule 0289.
Acknowledging the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message will
not reset the OIL LIFE REMAINING.
See “Oil Life” underDriver
Information Center (DIC) 0116 and
Engine Oil Life System 0216.
ENGINE OIL LOW —ADD OIL
On some vehicles, this message
displays when the engine oil level
may be too low. Check the oil level
before filling to the recommended
level. If the oil is not low and this message remains on, take the
vehicle to your dealer for service.
See
Engine Oil 0213.
OIL PRESSURE LOW STOP
ENGINE
This message displays when the
vehicle's engine oil pressure is low.
The oil pressure light also appears
on the instrument cluster. See
Engine Oil Pressure Light 0114.
Stop the vehicle immediately, as
engine damage can result from
driving a vehicle with low oil
pressure. Have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer as soon as possible
when this message is displayed.
Engine Power Messages
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message displays and a chime
sounds when the cooling system
temperature gets too hot and the
engine further enters the engine
coolant protection mode. See
Engine Overheating 0222 for
further information. This message also displays when
the vehicle's engine power is
reduced. Reduced engine power
can affect the vehicle's ability to
accelerate. If this message is on,
but there is no reduction in
performance, proceed to your
destination. The performance may
be reduced the next time the vehicle
is driven. The vehicle may be driven
at a reduced speed while this
message is on, but acceleration and
speed may be reduced. Anytime
this message stays on, the vehicle
should be taken to your dealer for
service as soon as possible.
Fuel System Messages
FUEL LEVEL LOW
This message displays and a chime
sounds if the fuel level is low. Refuel
as soon as possible. See
Fuel
Gauge 0105 and Fuel 0197 for
more information.
TIGHTEN GAS CAP
This message may display along
with the check engine light on the
instrument cluster if the vehicle's

GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
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Instruments and Controls 127
fuel cap is not tightened properly.
SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) 0109.
Reinstall the fuel cap fully. See
Filling the Tank 0198. The
diagnostic system can determine if
the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap allows fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap
properly installed should turn this
light and message off.
Key and Lock Messages
REPLACE BATTERY IN
REMOTE KEY
This message displays if a Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter
battery is low. The battery needs to
be replaced in the transmitter. See
“Battery Replacement” under
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation 025.
Lamp Messages
AUTOMATIC LIGHT
CONTROL OFF
This message displays when the
automatic headlamps are turned off.
This message clears itself after
10 seconds.
AUTOMATIC LIGHT
CONTROL ON
This message displays when the
automatic headlamps are turned on.
This message clears itself after
10 seconds.
TURN SIGNAL ON
This message displays and a chime
sounds if a turn signal is left on for
1.2 km (0.75 mi). Move the turn
signal lever to the off position.
Object Detection System
Messages
FORWARD COLLISION ALERT
UNAVAILABLE
This message displays when
attempting to activate the Forward
Collision Alert (FCA) system when it
is temporarily unavailable. The FCA
system does not need service.
This message could be due to the
camera being blocked. Cleaning the
outside of the windshield behind the
rearview mirror may correct the
issue.
FRT CAMERA BLOCKED
CLEAN WINDSHIELD
This message displays when the
camera is blocked. Cleaning the
outside of the windshield behind the
rearview mirror may correct the
issue. The Lane Departure Warning
system will not operate. Forward
Collision Alert (FCA) may not work
or may not work as well.

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Instruments and Controls 139
Exiting the Feature
Settings Menu
The feature settings menu will be
exited when any of the following
occurs:
.The vehicle is shifted out of
P (Park).
. The vehicle is no longer in
ON/RUN.
. The trip/fuel or vehicle
information DIC buttons are
pressed.
. The end of the feature settings
menu is reached and exited.
. A 40-second time period has
elapsed with no selection made.
Universal Remote
System
See Radio Frequency
Statement 0314.
Universal Remote System
Programming
If equipped, these buttons are in the
overhead console.
This system can replace up to three
remote control transmitters used to
activate devices such as garage
door openers, security systems, and
home automation devices. These
instructions refer to a garage door
opener, but can be used for other
devices.
Do not use the Universal Remote
system with any garage door opener
that does not have the stop and reverse feature. This includes any
garage door opener model
manufactured before April 1, 1982.
Read these instructions completely
before programming the Universal
Remote system. It may help to have
another person assist with the
programming process.
Keep the original hand-held
transmitter for use in other vehicles
as well as for future programming.
Erase the programming when
vehicle ownership is terminated.
See
“Erasing Universal Remote
System Buttons” later in this
section.
To program a garage door opener,
park outside directly in line with and
facing the garage door opener
receiver. Clear all people and
objects near the garage door.
Make sure the hand-held transmitter
has a new battery for quicker and
more accurate transmission of the
radio-frequency signal.

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160 Driving and Operating
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 164
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 165
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 167
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 171
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Retained AccessoryPower (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Running the Vehicle WhileParked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 179
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 184
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Driver Assistance Systems
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . 188
Parking Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192 Side Blind Zone
Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
California FuelRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 198
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Trailer Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207

GMC Acadia Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-10283134) -
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166 Driving and Operating
.The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) improves vehicle stability
during hard stops, but the
brakes should be applied sooner
than when on dry pavement.
See Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 0182.
. Allow greater following distance
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.
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and
signal for help. Stay with the vehicle
unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use Roadside
Assistance. See Roadside
Assistance Program 0308. 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
carbon monoxide (CO), which
cannot be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and even
death.
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:
. Clear snow from the base of
the vehicle, especially any
blocking the exhaust pipe.
. Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the vehicle side
that is away from the wind,
to bring in fresh air.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Adjust the climate control
system to circulate the air
inside the vehicle and set
the fan speed to the highest
setting. See “Climate
Control Systems.”
For more information about CO,
see Engine Exhaust 0178.
To save fuel, run the engine for
short periods to warm the vehicle
and then shut the engine off and
partially close the window. Moving
about to keep warm also helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive,
when running the engine, push the
accelerator pedal slightly so the
engine runs faster than the idle
speed. This keeps the battery
charged to restart the vehicle and to
signal for help with the headlamps.
Do this as little as possible, to
save fuel.

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170 Driving and Operating
Example 3
1.Vehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 3 = 453 kg
(1,000 lbs).
2.Subtract Occupant
Weight @ 91 kg
(200 lbs) × 5 = 453 kg
(1,000 lbs).
3.Available Cargo Weight
= 0 kg (0 lbs).
Refer to the vehicle's tire and
loading information label for
specific information about the
vehicle's capacity weight and
seating positions. The combined weight of the driver, passengers,
and cargo should never exceed
the vehicle's capacity weight.
Certification/Tire Label
Label Example
A vehicle-specific Certification/
Tire label is attached to the
center pillar (B-pillar).
The label may show the size of
the vehicle's original tires and
the inflation pressures needed to
obtain the gross weight capacity
of the vehicle. The label shows
the gross weight capacity of the
vehicle. This is called the GrossVehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
The GVWR includes the weight
of the vehicle, all occupants,
fuel, and cargo.
The Certification/Tire label may
also show the maximum weights
for the front and rear axles,
called the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). To find out the
actual loads on the front and
rear axles, weigh the vehicle at
a weigh station. Your dealer can
help with this. Be sure to spread
the load equally on both sides of
the centerline.
CautionOverloading the vehicle may
cause damage. Repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Do not overload the
vehicle.

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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.