GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13687875) - 2020 - CRC - 10/28/19
Instruments and Controls 147
The menu may contain the
following:
Rear Seat Reminder
This allows for a chime and a
message when the rear door has
been opened before or during
operation of the vehicle.
Touch Off or On.
Climate and Air Quality
Touch and the following may
display:
.Auto Fan Speed
. Auto Cooled Seats
. Auto Heated Seats
. Auto Defog
. Auto Rear Defog
Auto Fan Speed
This setting specifies the amount of
airflow when the climate control fan
setting is Auto Fan.
Touch Low, Medium, or High. Auto Cooled Seats
This setting automatically turns on
and regulates the ventilated seats
when the cabin temperature is
warm. See
Heated and Ventilated
Front Seats 049.
Touch Off or On.
Auto Heated Seats
This setting automatically turns on
and regulates the heated seats
when the cabin temperature is cool.
The auto heated seats can be
turned off by using the heated seat
buttons on the center stack. See
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats
0 49.
If equipped with Auto Heated
Steering Wheel, this feature will turn
on when the Auto Heated Seats
turn on.
Touch Off or On.
Auto Defog
This setting automatically turns the
front defogger on when the engine
is started.
Touch Off or On. Auto Rear Defog
This setting automatically turns the
rear defogger on when the engine is
started.
Touch Off or On.
Collision / Detection Systems
Touch and the following may
display:
.
Alert Type
. Forward Collision System
. Front Pedestrian Detection
. Adaptive Cruise Go Notifier
. Lane Change Alert
. Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Alert Type
This setting specifies the type of
vehicle feedback provided, either a
beep or seat vibration, when you
are in danger of colliding with an
object.
Touch Beeps or Safety Alert Seat.
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13687875) - 2020 - CRC - 10/28/19
Instruments and Controls 149
the ground near the rear wheels.
They will return to their previous
driving position when the vehicle is
shifted out of R (Reverse) or the
engine is turned off. SeeReverse
Tilt Mirrors 033.
Touch Off, On - Driver and
Passenger, On - Driver, or On -
Passenger.
Remote Mirror Folding
When on, the outside mirrors will
automatically fold or unfold when
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter
QorKis pressed and
held on.
Touch Off or On.
Auto Wipe in Reverse Gear
When on and the front wiper is on,
the rear wiper will automatically
activate when the vehicle is shifted
to R (Reverse).
Select Off or On.
Extended Hill Start Assist
This allows the duration of the Hill
Start Assist to be changed. Touch Extended Hold or
Standard Hold.
Lighting
Touch and the following may
display:
.
Vehicle Locator Lights
. Exit Lighting
Vehicle Locator Lights
This setting flashes the headlamps
of your vehicle when you press
K
on the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter.
Touch Off or On.
Exit Lighting
This setting specifies how long the
headlamps stay on after the vehicle
is turned off and exited.
Touch Off, 30 Seconds, 60 Seconds,
or 120 Seconds.
Power Door Locks
Touch and the following may
display:
. Open Door Anti Lock Out .
Auto Door Unlock
. Delayed Door Lock
Open Door Anti Lock Out
This setting prevents the driver door
from locking when the door is open.
If this setting is on, the Delayed
Door Lock menu will not be
available.
Touch Off or On.
Auto Door Unlock
This setting allows selection of
which doors will automatically
unlock when the vehicle is shifted
into P (Park).
Touch Off, All Doors, or Driver Door.
Delayed Door Lock
This setting delays the locking of
the vehicle’ s doors.
Touch Off or On.
Remote Lock, Unlock, Start
Touch and the following may
display:
. Remote Unlock Light Feedback
. Remote Lock Feedback
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13687875) - 2020 - CRC - 10/28/19
Instruments and Controls 151
Seating Position
Touch and the following may
display:
.Seat Entry Memory
. Seat Exit Memory
Seat Entry Memory
This feature automatically recalls
the previously stored 1 or 2 button
positions when the ignition is
changed from off to on or ACC/
ACCESSORY. See Memory Seats
0 46.
Touch Off or On.
Seat Exit Memory
This feature automatically recalls
the previously stored exit button
positions when the ignition is
changed from on or ACC/
ACCESSORY to off if the driver
door is open or opened. See
Memory Seats 046.
Touch Off or On.
Teen Driver
See “Teen Driver” under“Settings”
in the infotainment manual.
Valet Mode
This will lock the infotainment
system and steering wheel controls.
It may also limit access to vehicle
storage locations, if equipped.
To enable valet mode:
1. Enter a four-digit code on the keypad.
2. Touch Enter to go to the confirmation screen.
3. Re-enter the four-digit code.
Touch Lock or Unlock to lock or
unlock the system. Touch Back to
go back to the previous menu.
Universal Remote
System
See Radio Frequency Statement
0 380.
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
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13687875) - 2020 - CRC - 10/28/19
160 Lighting
When the headlamps are changed
to high beam, the fog lamps turn off.
The fog lamps come back on again
when the high-beam headlamps are
turned off.
Some localities have laws that
require the headlamps to be on
along with the fog lamps.Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel
Illumination Control
The brightness of the instrument
panel lighting and steering wheel
controls can be adjusted.
D:Move the thumbwheel up or
down to brighten or dim the lights.
Courtesy Lamps
The courtesy lamps come on when
any door is opened unless the dome
lamp override is activated. To
deactivate the dome lamp override,
press
jOFF and the indicator
light on the button will turn off.
Dome Lamps
The dome lamp is in the overhead
console.
To operate, press the following
buttons:
jOFF : Press to turn off the
dome lamps when a door is open.
An indicator light on the button will
turn on when the dome lamp
override is activated. Press
j
OFF again to deactivate this feature
and the indicator light will turn off.
The dome lamps will come on when
the doors are opened.
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13687875) - 2020 - CRC - 10/28/19
Driving and Operating 173
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better FuelEconomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 182
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 183
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 185
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 190
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Active Fuel Management . . . . . 199
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 201
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Brakes
Electric Brake Boost . . . . . . . . . . 206
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . 207
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 209
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Hill Descent Control (HDC) . . . 211
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . 212
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . 216
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 225
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 227
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . 238
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . 240
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . 242
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13687875) - 2020 - CRC - 10/28/19
178 Driving and Operating
Defensive drivers avoid most skids
by taking reasonable care suited to
existing conditions, and by not
overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible.
If the vehicle starts to slide, follow
these suggestions:
.Ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and steer the
way you want the vehicle to go.
The vehicle may straighten out.
Be ready for a second skid if it
occurs.
. Slow down and adjust your
driving according to weather
conditions. Stopping distance
can be longer and vehicle
control can be affected when
traction is reduced by water,
snow, ice, gravel, or other
material on the road. Learn to
recognize warning clues —such
as enough water, ice, or packed
snow on the road to make a
mirrored surface —and slow
down when you have any doubt.
. Try to avoid sudden steering,
acceleration, or braking,
including reducing vehicle speed by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help
avoid only the braking skid.
Off-Road Driving
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles can
be used for off-road driving.
Vehicles without AWD and vehicles
not equipped with All Terrain (AT) or
On-Off Road (OOR) tires must not
be driven off-road except on a level,
solid surface. To contact the tire
manufacturer for more information
about the original equipment tires,
see the warranty manual.
Controlling the vehicle is the key to
successful off-road driving. One of
the best ways to control the vehicle
is to control the speed.
{Warning
When driving off-road, bouncing
and quick changes in direction
can easily throw you out of (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
position. This could cause you to
lose control and crash. You and
your passengers should always
wear seat belts.
Before Driving Off-Road
.Have all necessary maintenance
and service work completed.
. Fuel the vehicle, fill fluid levels,
and check inflation pressure in
all tires, including the spare,
if equipped.
. Read all the information about
AWD vehicles in this manual.
. Make sure all underbody
shields, if equipped, are properly
attached.
. Know the local laws that apply to
off-road driving.
To gain more ground clearance if
needed, it may be necessary to
remove the front fascia lower air
dam. However, driving without the
air dam reduces fuel economy.
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13687875) - 2020 - CRC - 10/28/19
Driving and Operating 181
3. If the vehicle cannot berestarted after stalling, set the
parking brake, shift into
P (Park), and turn the
vehicle off.
3.1. Leave the vehicle and seek help.
3.2. Stay clear of the path the vehicle would take if it
rolled downhill.
. Avoid turns that take the vehicle
across the incline of the hill.
A hill that can be driven straight
up or down might be too steep to
drive across. Driving across an
incline puts more weight on the
downhill wheels which could
cause a downhill slide or a
rollover.
. Surface conditions can be a
problem. Loose gravel, muddy
spots, or even wet grass can
cause the tires to slip sideways,
downhill. If the vehicle slips
sideways, it can hit something
that will trip it —a rock, a rut,
etc. —and roll over. .
Hidden obstacles can make the
steepness of the incline more
severe. If a rock is driven across
with the uphill wheels, or if the
downhill wheels drop into a rut
or depression, the vehicle can tilt
even more.
. If an incline must be driven
across, and the vehicle starts to
slide, turn downhill. This should
help straighten out the vehicle
and prevent the side slipping.
{Warning
Getting out of the vehicle on the
downhill side when stopped
across an incline is dangerous.
If the vehicle rolls over, you could
be crushed or killed. Always get
out on the uphill side of the
vehicle and stay well clear of the
rollover path.
Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow,
or Ice
Use a low gear when driving in mud
—the deeper the mud, the lower
the gear. Keep the vehicle moving
to avoid getting stuck.
Traction changes when driving on
sand. On loose sand, such as on
beaches or sand dunes, the tires
tend to sink into the sand. This
affects steering, accelerating, and
braking. Drive at a reduced speed
and avoid sharp turns or abrupt
maneuvers.
Traction is reduced on hard packed
snow and ice and it is easy to lose
control. Reduce vehicle speed when
driving on hard packed snow
and ice.
{Warning
Driving on frozen lakes, ponds,
or rivers can be dangerous. Ice
conditions vary greatly and the
vehicle could fall through the ice;
(Continued)
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13687875) - 2020 - CRC - 10/28/19
186 Driving and Operating
between R (Reverse) and a low
forward gear, spinning the wheels
as little as possible. To prevent
transmission wear, wait until the
wheels stop spinning before shifting
gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while shifting, and press
lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear.
Slowly spinning the wheels in the
forward and reverse directions
causes a rocking motion that could
free the vehicle. If that does not get
the vehicle out after a few tries, it
might need to be towed out. If the
vehicle does need to be towed out,
seeTowing the Vehicle 0338.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how
much weight the vehicle can
carry. This weight is called the
vehicle capacity weight and
includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options.
Two labels on the vehicle may
show how much weight it may properly carry, the Tire and
Loading Information label and
the Certification/Tire label.
{Warning
Do not load the vehicle any
heavier than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the
maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
This can cause systems to
break and change the way the
vehicle handles. This could
cause loss of control and a
crash. Overloading can also
reduce stopping distance,
damage the tires, and shorten
the life of the vehicle.
Tire and Loading Information
Label
Example Label
A vehicle-specific Tire and
Loading Information label is
attached to the center pillar
(B-pillar). The tire and loading
information label shows the
number of occupant seating
positions (1), and the maximum
vehicle capacity weight (2) in
kilograms and pounds.