GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9803770) - 2017 - crc - 7/12/16
Introduction 3
{Danger
Danger indicates a hazard with a
high level of risk which will result
in serious injury or death.
{Warning
Warning indicates a hazard that
could result in injury or death.
Caution
Caution indicates a hazard that
could result in property or vehicle
damage.
A circle with a slash through it is a
safety symbol which means“Do
Not,” “Do not do this,” or“Do not let
this happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead of
text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or
information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gauge, or indicator.
M: Shown when the owner
manual has additional instructions
or information.
*: Shown when the service
manual has additional instructions
or information.
0: Shown when there is more
information on another page —
“see page.”
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the Index.
9: Airbag Readiness Light
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
%:Audio Steering Wheel Controls
or OnStar®(if equipped)
$: Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I: Cruise Control
`:Do Not Puncture
^:Do Not Service
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
_: Flame/Fire Prohibited
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gauge
+: Fuses
3:Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j: LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
g:Outside Power Foldaway
Mirrors
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9803770) - 2017 - crc - 7/12/16
38 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Key Cylinder Access
To access the key cylinder:
1. Pull the door handle (1) to theopen position.
2. Insert the key into the slot (3) on the bottom of the cap (2)
and pry outward.
3. Move the cap (2) rearward and remove.
4. Use the key in the cylinder. To replace the cap:
1. Pull the door handle to the
open position.
2. Insert the two tabs (6) at the back of the cap (7) between
the seal (4) and the metal
base (5).
3. Move the cap forward andpress to snap the cap in place.
4. Release the door handle.
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9803770) - 2017 - crc - 7/12/16
114 Instruments and Controls
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 115
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 116
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 116
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 117
Rear Window Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . 130
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 131 Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 132
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 132
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Service Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . 136
Hill Descent Control Light . . . . 136
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . 136
Pedestrian Ahead Indicator . . . 137
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
StabiliTrak®OFF Light . . . . . . . . 137
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak
®Light . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 138
Low Fuel Warning Light (Base Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Low Fuel Warning Light (Midlevel and Uplevel) . . . . . . 139
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 140 Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . 140
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 140
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 140
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Base and Midlevel) . . . . . . . . . 141
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Battery Voltage and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Brake System Messages . . . . . 148
Compass Messages . . . . . . . . . . 149
Cruise Control Messages . . . . . 149
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . 149
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . 150
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 151
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . . 151
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 151
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Ride Control System
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Airbag System Messages . . . . 155
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9803770) - 2017 - crc - 7/12/16
Instruments and Controls 135
{Warning
The brake system might not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on.
Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after
the vehicle has been pulled off
the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for
service.
Electric Parking Brake
Light
MetricEnglish
This light comes on when the
parking brake is applied. If the light
continues flashing after the parking
brake is released, or while driving,
there is a problem with the Electric Parking Brake system or another
system. A message may also
display in the Driver Information
Center (DIC). See
Brake System
Messages 0148.
If the light does not come on,
or remains flashing, see your dealer.
Service Electric Parking
Brake Light
This light should come on briefly
when starting the vehicle. If it does
not come on, have it fixed so it will
be ready to warn if there is a
problem.
If this light stays on, take the vehicle
to your dealer as soon as possible.
See the information for the Electric
Parking Brake under Electric
Parking Brake 0237. If a message displays in the Driver Information
Center (DIC), see
Brake System
Messages 0148.
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
This light comes on briefly when the
engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have it
fixed so it will be ready to warn if
there is a problem.
If the light comes on while driving,
stop as soon as it is safely possible
and turn off the vehicle. Then start
the engine again to reset the
system. If the ABS light stays on,
or comes on again while driving, the
vehicle needs service. A chime may
also sound when the light comes on
steady.
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9803770) - 2017 - crc - 7/12/16
136 Instruments and Controls
If the ABS light is the only light on,
the vehicle has regular brakes, but
the antilock brakes are not
functioning.
If both the ABS and the brake
system warning light are on, the
vehicle's antilock brakes are not
functioning and there is a problem
with the regular brakes. See your
dealer for service.
SeeBrake System Warning Light
0 134 andBrake System
Messages 0148.
Tow/Haul Mode Light
For vehicles with the Tow/Haul
Mode feature, this light comes on
when the Tow/Haul Mode has been
activated.
See Tow/Haul Mode 0236.
Hill Descent Control Light
If equipped, the Hill Descent Control
light comes on when the system is
ready for use. When the light
flashes, the system is active.
See Hill Descent Control
(HDC) 0242.
Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
Light
This light is green if LKA is available
to assist. LKA may assist by gently turning
the steering wheel if the vehicle
approaches a detected lane marking
without using the turn signal in that
direction. The LKA light will turn
amber.
This light is amber and flashes as a
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
alert, to indicate that the lane
marking has been crossed.
See
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) 0267.
Vehicle Ahead Indicator
If equipped, this indicator will
display green when a vehicle is
detected ahead and amber when
you are following a vehicle ahead
much too closely.
See Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0259.
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9803770) - 2017 - crc - 7/12/16
Driving and Operating 209
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 218
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 218
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 220
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 225
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Retained AccessoryPower (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 231 Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 233
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . 237
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Automatic Vehicle Hold (AVH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/ElectronicStability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Hill Descent Control (HDC) . . . 242
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . 242
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244 Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . 246
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 254
Assistance Systems for
Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 255
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Forward Automatic Braking (FAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . 265
Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . 267
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
California Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 270
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9803770) - 2017 - crc - 7/12/16
212 Driving and Operating
Steering
Electric Power Steering
The vehicle has electric power
steering. It does not have power
steering fluid. Regular maintenance
is not required.
If power steering assist is lost due
to a system malfunction, the vehicle
can be steered, but may require
increased effort.
See your dealer if there is a
problem.
If the steering wheel is turned until it
reaches the end of its travel and is
held against that position for an
extended period of time, power
steering assist may be reduced.
If the steering assist is used for an
extended period of time, power
assist may be reduced.
Normal use of the power steering
assist should return when the
system cools down.
See specific vehicle steering
messages underService Vehicle
Messages 0155. See your dealer if
there is a problem.
Curve Tips
. Take curves at a reasonable
speed.
. Reduce speed before entering a
curve.
. Maintain a reasonable steady
speed through the curve.
. Wait until the vehicle is out of
the curve before accelerating
gently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
.There are some situations when
steering around a problem may
be more effective than braking.
. Holding both sides of the
steering wheel allows you to turn
180 degrees without removing
a hand.
. The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) allows steering while
braking.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can drop
off the edge of a road onto the
shoulder while driving. Follow
these tips:
1. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the
way, steer the vehicle so that it
straddles the edge of the
pavement.
2. Turn the steering wheel about one-eighth of a turn, until the
right front tire contacts the
pavement edge.
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9803770) - 2017 - crc - 7/12/16
Driving and Operating 219
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill slope
can cause brake overheating, can
reduce brake performance, and
could result in a loss of braking.
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. This can cause
overheating of the brakes and
loss of steering. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle
in gear.
. Drive at speeds that keep the
vehicle in its own lane. Do not
swing wide or cross the
center line. .
Be alert on top of hills;
something could be in your lane
(e.g., stalled car, accident).
. Pay attention to special road
signs (e.g., falling rocks area,
winding roads, long grades,
passing or no-passing zones)
and take appropriate action.
. Select All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
Mode. See Driver Mode Control
0 242 andAll-Wheel
Drive 0236.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and
the road creates less traction or
grip, so drive carefully. Wet ice can
occur at about 0 °C (32 °F) when
freezing rain begins to fall. Avoid
driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.
Accelerate gently. Accelerating
too quickly causes the wheels to
spin and makes the surface
under the tires slick. .
Turn on Traction Control. See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0240.
. 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) 0236.
. 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.
. Select All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
Mode for vehicles equipped with
AWD. Select Snow/Ice Mode for
FWD only vehicles. See Driver
Mode Control 0242 and
All-Wheel Drive 0236.