2020 GMC ACADIA 136

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13687875) - 2020 - CRC - 10/28/19
Driving and Operating 209
movement during this time may
occur. Continue to apply the brake
pedal as the driving situation
dictates. Brake Assist disengages
when the brake pedal is released.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
{Warning
Do not rely on the HSA feature.
HSA does not replace the need to
pay attention and drive safely.
You may not hear or feel alerts or
warnings provided by this system.
Failure to use proper care when
driving may result in injury, death,
or vehicle damage. See
Defensive Driving0175. When the vehicle is stopped on a
grade, Hill Start Assist (HSA)
prevents the vehicle from rolling in
an unintended direction during the
transition from brake pedal release
to accelerator pedal apply. The
brakes release when the accelerator
pedal is applied. If the accelerator
pedal is not applied within a few
minutes, the Electric Parking Brake
will apply. The brakes may also
release under other conditions. Do
not rely on HSA to hold the vehicle.
HSA is available when the vehicle is
facing uphill in a forward gear,
or when facing downhill in
R (Reverse). The vehicle must
come to a complete stop on a grade
for HSA to activate.
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
an electronic stability control
system. These systems help limit
wheel spin and assist the driver in
maintaining control, especially on
slippery road conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any
of the drive wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, TCS applies the brakes to
the spinning wheels and reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak/ESC activates when the
vehicle senses a difference between
the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak/ESC selectively applies
braking pressure to any one of the

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13687875) - 2020 - CRC - 10/28/19
210 Driving and Operating
vehicle wheel brakes to assist the
driver in keeping the vehicle on the
intended path.
If cruise control is being used and
TCS or StabiliTrak/ESC begins to
limit wheel spin, cruise control will
disengage. Cruise control may be
turned back on when road
conditions allow. TCS and
StabiliTrak/ESC will automatically
turn on when cruise control is set.
Both systems come on
automatically when the vehicle is
started and begins to move. The
systems may be heard or felt while
they are operating or while
performing diagnostic checks. This
is normal and does not mean there
is a problem with the vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both
systems on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn TCS off if the vehicle gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
SeeIf the Vehicle Is Stuck 0185
and “Turning the Systems Off and
On” later in this section.
The indicator light for both systems
is in the instrument cluster. This
light:
.
Will flash when TCS is limiting
wheel spin
. Will flash when StabiliTrak/ESC
is activated
. Will turn on and stay on when
either system is not working
. May flash when ABS is active
If either system fails to turn on or to
activate, a message may display in
the Driver Information Center (DIC),
and
dcomes on and stays on to
indicate that the system is inactive
and is not assisting the driver in
maintaining control. The vehicle is
safe to drive, but driving should be
adjusted accordingly. If
dcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
4. Drive the vehicle.
If
dcomes on and stays on, the
vehicle may need more time to
diagnose the problem. If the
condition persists, see your dealer.
Turning the Systems Off
and On

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13687875) - 2020 - CRC - 10/28/19
Driving and Operating 211
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or
accelerate heavily when TCS is
off. The vehicle driveline could be
damaged.
To turn off only TCS, press and
release
g. The Traction Off lighti
displays in the instrument cluster
and a DIC message may display.
To turn TCS on again, press and
release
g. The Traction Off lighti
displayed in the instrument cluster
will turn off.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
g
is pressed, the system will not turn
off until the wheels stop spinning.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak/
ESC, press and hold
guntil the
Traction Off light
iand StabiliTrak/
ESC OFF light
gcome on and stay
on in the instrument cluster. A DIC
message may display. To turn TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC on
again, press and release
g. The
Traction Off light
iand StabiliTrak/
ESC OFF light
gin the instrument
cluster turn off.
StabiliTrak will automatically turn on
if the vehicle exceeds 56 km/h
(35 mph). Traction control will
remain off.
Adding accessories can affect the
vehicle performance. See
Accessories and Modifications
0 261.
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.
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 3–22 km/h (2–14 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
22–60 km/h (14–37 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

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13687875) - 2020 - CRC - 10/28/19
212 Driving and Operating
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
and there may be additional
messages in the Driver Information
Center (DIC) and indicators in the
instrument cluster.
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.
Driver Mode Control Knob (AWD)
Driver Mode Control Knob (FWD)
5orqTour (FWD) : Vehicle is in
Tour (FWD) Mode. Use this mode
during normal driving conditions.
See Driving for Better Fuel
Economy 0174. 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.
The Performance Algorithm Liftfoot
(PAL) feature is enabled in Sport
Mode. PAL allows the transmission
to hold the current gear after a quick
release of a heavily applied
accelerator pedal. This provides
greater engine braking and
enhanced vehicle control.
When PAL is activated, there may
be an additional green gear symbol
which appears in the instrument
cluster display. See Gear Shifting
Light 0131.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13687875) - 2020 - CRC - 10/28/19
Driving and Operating 213
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
0 334.6Snow/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
0 246.
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. While in the Electronic Range
Select (ERS) mode, grade braking
is deactivated, allowing the driver to
select a range and limiting the
highest gear available. Grade
braking is available for normal
driving and in Tow/Haul Mode.
See
Automatic Transmission 0201.
7Off-Road (AWD Only) : Use this
mode for off-road recreational
driving. Choosing Off-Road Mode
also engages AWD Mode. For more
information on Off-Road Mode, see
Off-Road Driving 0178.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13687875) - 2020 - CRC - 10/28/19
214 Driving and Operating
Cruise Control
{Warning
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. Do not use
cruise control on winding roads or
in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.
With cruise control, a speed of
about 40 km/h (25 mph) or more can
be maintained without keeping your
foot on the accelerator. Cruise
control does not work at speeds
below about 40 km/h (25 mph). If the StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) system begins to limit
wheel spin while using cruise
control, the cruise control
automatically disengages. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control
0209. If a collision alert
occurs when cruise control is
activated, cruise control is
disengaged. See Forward Collision
Alert (FCA) System 0231. When
road conditions allow the cruise
control to be safely used, cruise
control can be turned back on.
Turning off the TCS or StabiliTrak/
ESC system will disengage the
cruise control.
If the brakes are applied, cruise
control disengages.
J: Press to turn the system on
and off. A white indicator appears in
the instrument cluster when cruise
is turned on.
RES+ : If there is a set speed in
memory, press briefly to resume to
that speed or press and hold to
accelerate. If the cruise control is
already active, use to increase
vehicle speed.
SET− :Press briefly to set the
speed and activate cruise control.
If the cruise control is already
active, use to decrease vehicle
speed.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13687875) - 2020 - CRC - 10/28/19
Driving and Operating 215
*:Press to disengage cruise
control without erasing the set
speed from memory.
Setting Cruise Control
If
Jis on when not in use, SET− or
RES+ could get pressed and go into
cruise when not desired. Keep
J
off when cruise is not being used.
1. Press
J.
2. Get up to the desired speed.
3. Press and release SET−. The desired set speed briefly
appears in the instrument
cluster.
4. Remove your foot from the accelerator.
When the cruise control has been
set to the desired speed, a green
cruise control indicator appears on
the instrument cluster. Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a
desired speed and then the brakes
are applied or
*is pressed, the
cruise control is disengaged without
erasing the set speed from memory.
Once the vehicle speed reaches
about 40 km/h (25 mph) or more,
press RES+ briefly. The vehicle
returns to the previous set speed.
Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is
already activated:
. Press and hold RES+ up until
the desired speed is reached,
then release it.
. To increase vehicle speed in
small increments, briefly press
RES+. For each press, the
vehicle goes about 1 km/h
(1 mph) faster. The speedometer reading can be
displayed in either English or metric
units. See
Instrument Cluster (Base
and Midlevel) 0115 or
Instrument Cluster (Uplevel) 0119.
The increment value used depends
on the units displayed.
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is
already activated:
. Press and hold SET− until the
desired lower speed is reached,
then release it.
. To decrease the vehicle speed in
small increments, briefly press
SET−. For each press, the
vehicle goes about 1 km/h
(1 mph) slower.
The speedometer reading can be
displayed in either English or metric
units. See Instrument Cluster (Base
and Midlevel) 0115 or
Instrument Cluster (Uplevel) 0119.
The increment value used depends
on the units displayed.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13687875) - 2020 - CRC - 10/28/19
216 Driving and Operating
Passing Another Vehicle While
Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to
increase the vehicle speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, the
vehicle will slow down to the
previous set cruise speed.
While pressing the accelerator pedal
or shortly following the release to
override cruise, briefly applying SET
−will result in cruise set to the
current vehicle speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control will work
on hills depends upon the vehicle
speed, load, and the steepness of
the hills. When going up steep hills,
you might have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your
speed. When going downhill, you
may have to brake or shift to a lower
gear to keep your speed down.
If the brake pedal is applied, cruise
control disengages. Ending Cruise Control
There are four ways to end cruise
control:
.
Step lightly on the brake pedal.
. Press
*.
. Shift the transmission to
N (Neutral).
. Press
J.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is
erased from memory if
Jis
pressed or if the ignition is
turned off.
Adaptive Cruise Control
If equipped with Adaptive Cruise
Control (ACC), it allows the driver to
select the cruise control set speed
and following gap. Read this entire
section before using this system.
The following gap is the following
time between your vehicle and a
vehicle detected directly ahead in
your path, moving in the same
direction. If no vehicle is detected in
your path, ACC works like regular cruise control. ACC uses camera
and radar sensors. See
Radio
Frequency Statement 0380.
If a vehicle is detected in your path,
ACC can apply acceleration or
limited, moderate braking to
maintain the selected following gap.
To disengage ACC, apply the brake.
If ACC is controlling your vehicle
speed when the Traction Control
System (TCS) or StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
system activates, the ACC may
automatically disengage. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0209. When road
conditions allow ACC to be safely
used, the ACC can be turned
back on.
Turning off the TCS or StabiliTrak/
ESC system will disengage the
cruise control.
ACC is intended for use on
expressways, freeways, and
interstate highways. ACC may be
used on other roads, but it may not
be able to handle all driving
situations.