2018 GMC ACADIA ECO mode

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349114) - 2018 - crc - 9/21/17
Driving and Operating 225
Engine Heater
The engine 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 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 heater operation at
temperatures above 0 °F (−18 °C).
{Warning
Do not plug in the engine block
heater while the vehicle is parked
in a garage or under a carport.
Property damage or personal
injury may result. Always park the
vehicle in a clear open area away
from buildings or structures.
To Use the Engine Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap theelectrical cord. The bundled
cord is on the driver side of the
engine compartment, in front of
the battery. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0283.
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.
{Warning
Improper use of the heater cord
or an extension cord can damage
the cord and may result in
overheating and fire.
. Plug the cord into a
three-prong electrical utility
receptacle that is protected
by a ground fault detection
function. An ungrounded
outlet could cause an
electric shock.
. Use a weatherproof,
heavy-duty, 15 amp-rated
extension cord if needed.
Failure to use the
recommended extension
cord in good operating
condition, or using a
damaged heater or
extension cord, could make
(Continued)

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349114) - 2018 - crc - 9/21/17
Driving and Operating 231
Caution
A transmission hot message may
display if the automatic
transmission fluid is too hot.
Driving under this condition can
damage the vehicle. Stop and idle
the engine to cool the automatic
transmission fluid. This message
clears when the transmission fluid
has cooled sufficiently.
D : This position is for normal
driving. If more power is needed for
passing, press the accelerator
pedal down.
Caution
If the vehicle does not shift gears,
the transmission could be
damaged. Have the vehicle
serviced right away.
If the vehicle is stopped on a hill,
with your foot off the brake pedal,
the vehicle may roll. This is normal
and is due to the torque converter designed to improve fuel economy
and performance. Use the brake to
hold the vehicle on a hill. Do not use
the accelerator pedal.
L :
This position gives you access
to gear ranges. This provides more
engine braking but lower fuel
economy than D (Drive). You can
use it on very steep hills, or in deep
snow or mud. See Manual Mode
0 231.
Operating Modes : The
transmission may operate in a lower
gear than normal to improve vehicle
performance. The engine speed
may be higher and there may be an
increase in noise during the
following conditions:
. When climbing a grade.
. When driving downhill.
. When driving in hot
temperatures, or at high altitude.
Manual Mode
Electronic Range Select
(ERS) Mode
ERS mode allows you to choose the
top-gear limit of the transmission
and the vehicle's speed while
driving downhill or towing a trailer.
The vehicle has an electronic shift
position indicator within the
instrument cluster. When using the
ERS mode a number will display
next to the L, indicating the highest
gear available for the range
selected.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349114) - 2018 - crc - 9/21/17
232 Driving and Operating
To use this feature:1. Move the shift lever to L (Manual Mode).
2. Press + (Plus) or −(Minus) on
the shift lever to increase or
decrease the gear range
available.
When you shift from D (Drive) to
L (Manual Mode), the transmission
will shift to a pre-determined lower
gear range. The highest gear
available for this pre-determined
range is displayed next to the L in
the DIC. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) (Base and Midlevel)
0 145 orDriver Information Center
(DIC) (Uplevel) 0148. The number
displayed in the DIC is the highest
gear that the transmission will be
allowed to operate in. This means
that all gears below that number are
available. For example, when
4 (Fourth) is shown next to the L,
1 (First) through 4 (Fourth) gears are
automatically shifted by the vehicle.
The transmission will not shift into
5 (Fifth) until the + (Plus) button is
used or you shift back into D (Drive). If the transmission is in 6 (Sixth)
gear when L (Manual Mode) is
selected, a downshift to 4 (Fourth)
will be commanded. If in 5 (Fifth)
through 2 (Second) a single
downshift will occur.
While in L (Manual Mode), the
transmission will prevent shifting to
a lower gear range if the engine
speed is too high. You have a brief
period of time to slow the vehicle.
If vehicle speed is not reduced
within the time allowed, the lower
gear range shift will not be
completed. You must further slow
the vehicle, then press
−(Minus) to
the desired lower gear range.
Automatic Engine Grade Braking is
not available when the ERS is
active. It is available in D (Drive) for
both normal driving and Tow/Haul
Mode. While using the ERS, cruise
control and the Tow/Haul Mode can
be used. See Tow/Haul Mode 0232.
Tow/Haul Mode
See Driver Mode Control 0238.
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive
Vehicles with this feature can
operate in AWD Mode. See Driver
Mode Control 0238.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349114) - 2018 - crc - 9/21/17
Driving and Operating 235
PARK light is off. If either light stays
on after release is attempted, see
your dealer.
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.
Automatic EPB Release
The EPB will automatically release if
the vehicle is running, placed into
gear, and an attempt is made to
drive away. Avoid rapid acceleration
when the EPB is applied, to
preserve parking brake lining life.
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 thestability 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)
Hill Start Assist (HSA) will activate
when the vehicle is stopped on a
moderate to steep grade to help
prevent it from rolling in an
unintended direction. After the brake
pedal has been released and before
the accelerator pedal has been
pressed, HSA uses braking
pressure to hold the vehicle
stationary. If HSA is holding the
vehicle, a DIC message displays.
HSA will not activate in a forward
drive gear when facing downhill,
or in R (Reverse) when facing uphill.
Select the duration of the HSA
feature through vehicle
personalization. See
”Extended Hill
Start Assist” under“Comfort and
Convenience” inVehicle
Personalization 0152. When
Standard Hold is selected, the
vehicle is held stationary for up to
two seconds after the brake pedal is
released. When Extended Hold is
selected, the vehicle is held
stationary for up to five minutes
after the brake pedal is released. In
either case, override the hold
feature by pressing the accelerator
pedal and attempting to drive away.
If Standard Hold is selected, it will
hold the vehicle for two seconds
unless the driver door is opened or
the driver seat belt is unbuckled
after releasing the brake pedal.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349114) - 2018 - crc - 9/21/17
238 Driving and Operating
To turn TCS and StabiliTrak on
again, press and release
g. The
Traction Off light
iand StabiliTrak
OFF light
gin the instrument cluster
turn off.
Adding accessories can affect the
vehicle performance. See
Accessories and Modifications
0 281.
Hill Descent
Control (HDC)
If equipped, HDC can be used when
driving downhill. It sets and
maintains vehicle speed while
descending a very steep incline in a
forward or reverse gear.
The HDC switch is on the center
console, behind the transmission
shift lever.
Press
5to enable or disable HDC.
Vehicle speed must be below
50 km/h (31 mph).
A blinking HDC light indicates the
system is actively applying the
brakes to maintain vehicle speed.
HDC can maintain vehicle speeds
between 3 and 22 km/h (2 and
14 mph) on an incline greater than
or equal to a 10% grade.
When HDC is activated, the initial
HDC speed is set to the current
driving speed. It can be increased or
decreased by pressing the RES+ or
SET– steering wheel controls or by
applying the accelerator or brake
pedal. This adjusted speed
becomes the new set speed.
HDC will remain enabled between
22 and 60 km/h (14 and 37 mph);
however vehicle speed cannot be
set or maintained in this range.
It will automatically disable if the
vehicle speed is above 80 km/h (50 mph) or above 60 km/h
(37 mph) for at least 30 seconds.
Press
5again to re-enable HDC.
Driver Mode Control
If equipped, the Driver Mode Control
has the following Modes: Tour
(FWD), Sport, All-Wheel Drive
(AWD), Snow/Ice, Tow/Haul, and
Off-Road. Rotate the Driver Mode
Control knob on the center console
to make a mode selection. Continue
turning the knob through the
available modes. The selected
mode’s icon will light up on
the knob.
If the vehicle is in Tour (FWD) or
AWD, it will stay in that mode
through future ignition cycles. If the
vehicle is in any other mode, it will
revert back to Tour (FWD) when the
vehicle is restarted.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349114) - 2018 - crc - 9/21/17
Driving and Operating 239
Driver Mode Control Knob
5orqTour (FWD) :Vehicle is
in Tour (FWD) Mode. Use this mode
during normal driving conditions.
See Driving for Better Fuel
Economy 027. Tour (FWD) Mode
operates in Front-Wheel Drive to
improve fuel economy.
8Sport : Sport Mode improves
vehicle handling and acceleration
on dry pavement. When active,
Sport Mode modifies steering
efforts, transmission shifting, AWD
torque, and suspension tuning
(when properly equipped). For AWD
vehicles, choosing Sport Mode also
engages AWD Mode.
4AWD (AWD Only) : AWD Mode
provides drive torque to all four
wheels. Select AWD to improve
traction and control on slippery road
surfaces, such as gravel, sand, wet
pavement, snow, and ice. When in
AWD Mode, the AWD Mode
indicator will be on. The AWD Mode
will stay selected until the mode is
changed.
AWD is active in AWD, Sport, Tow/
Haul, and Off-Road Modes.
Sport, Tow/Haul, and Off-Road
Modes are cancelled with each
ignition cycle and will return to Tour
(FWD) Mode.
When using a compact spare tire on
an AWD vehicle, the system
automatically detects the compact
spare and reduces AWD
performance to protect the system.
To restore full AWD operation and
prevent excessive wear on the
system, replace the compact spare
with a full-size tire as soon as
possible. See Compact Spare Tire
0 350.6Snow/Ice (FWD Only) : Snow/
Ice Mode improves vehicle
acceleration on snow and ice
covered roads.
_Tow/Haul : This feature can
assist when towing or hauling a
heavy load. Use this mode to assist
in maintaining desired vehicle
speeds when driving on downhill
grades by using the engine and
transmission. For AWD vehicles,
choosing Tow/Haul Mode also
engages AWD mode. See Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips
0 270.
Automatic Engine Grade Braking
Automatic Engine Grade Braking
assists when driving downhill.
It maintains vehicle speed by
automatically implementing a shift
pattern that uses the engine and the
transmission to slow the vehicle.
The system will automatically
command downshifts to reduce
vehicle speed. The normal shift
pattern will return once the vehicle
is on a low grade or when the
accelerator pedal is pressed.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349114) - 2018 - crc - 9/21/17
244 Driving and Operating
already activated. To decrease
speed by 1 km/h (1 mph), press
SET−to the first detent. To
decrease speed to the next 5 km/h
(5 mph) mark on the speedometer,
press SET− to the second detent.
*:Press to disengage ACC
without erasing the selected set
speed.
[: Press to select a following gap
time (or distance) setting for ACC of
Far, Medium, or Near.
Switching Between ACC and
Regular Cruise Control
To switch between ACC and regular
cruise control, press and hold
*.
A Driver Information Display (DIC)
message displays. See Vehicle
Messages 0151.
ACC IndicatorRegular Cruise
Control Indicator When ACC is engaged, a green
]
indicator will be lit on the instrument
cluster. When the regular cruise
control is engaged, a green
J
indicator will be lit on the instrument
cluster.
When the vehicle is turned on, the
cruise control mode will be set to
the last mode used before the
vehicle was turned off.
{Warning
Always check the cruise control
indicator on the instrument cluster
to determine which mode cruise
control is in before using the
feature. If ACC is not active, the
vehicle will not automatically
brake for other vehicles, which
could cause an accident if the
brakes are not applied manually.
You and others could be seriously
injured or killed.
Setting Adaptive Cruise Control
If
Jis on when not in use, it could
get pressed and go into cruise when
not desired. Keep
Joff when
cruise is not being used.
Select the set speed desired for
cruise. This is the vehicle speed
when no vehicle is detected in
its path.
ACC will not set at a speed less
than 25 km/h (15 mph), although it
can be resumed when driving at
lower speeds.
To set ACC:
1. Press
J.
2. Get up to the desired speed.
3. Press and release SET–.
4. Remove foot from the accelerator.
After ACC is set, it may immediately
apply the brakes if a vehicle ahead
is detected closer than the selected
following gap.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349114) - 2018 - crc - 9/21/17
Driving and Operating 271
.Do not tow a trailer during the
first 800 km (500 mi), to prevent
damage to the engine, axle or
other parts.
. Then, during the first 800 km
(500 mi) trailer towing, do not
drive over 80 km/h (50 mph) and
do not make starts at full throttle.
. The vehicle can tow in D (Drive)
but Manual Mode is
recommended. See Manual
Mode 0231. Use a lower gear if
the transmission shifts too often.
. Turn off Parking Assist and Rear
Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) when
towing.
. Turn off Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
when towing.
. Do not use Adaptive Cruise
Control (ACC) when towing a
trailer.{Warning
When towing a trailer, exhaust
gases may collect at the rear of
the vehicle and enter if the
liftgate, trunk/hatch, or rear-most
window is open.
When towing a trailer:
. Do not drive with the
liftgate, trunk/hatch,
or rear-most window open.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Also adjust the climate
control system to a setting
that brings in only outside
air. See “Climate Control
Systems” in the Index.
For information about carbon
monoxide, see Engine Exhaust
0 228.
Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. The
combination you are driving is longer and not as responsive as the
vehicle itself. Get acquainted with
the handling and braking of the rig
before setting out for the open road.
Before starting, check all trailer hitch
parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connectors, lamps,
tires, and mirrors. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start the
combination moving and then apply
the trailer brake controller by hand
to be sure the brakes work.
During the trip, check occasionally
to be sure that the load is secure
and the lamps and any trailer
brakes still work.
Towing with a Stability Control
System
When towing, the sound of the
stability control system might be
heard. The system is reacting to the
vehicle movement caused by the
trailer, which mainly occurs during
cornering. This is normal when
towing heavier trailers.