2021 GMC ACADIA Owner's Manual

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
8 Keys, Doors, and Windows
With Remote Start Shown, Without Similar
Q:Press to lock all doors. The turn signal
indicators may flash and/or the horn may
sound on the second press to indicate
locking. See Vehicle Personalization 0123.
If the driver door is open when
Qis pressed
and Open Door Anti Lockout is enabled, all
doors will lock and then the driver door will
immediately unlock. See Vehicle
Personalization 0123. If the passenger door
is open when
Qis pressed, all doors lock.
Pressing
Qmay also arm the theft-deterrent
system. See Vehicle Alarm System 025.
K:Press to unlock the driver door. Press
again within five seconds to unlock all
doors. The RKE transmitter can be
programmed to unlock all doors on the first
button press. See Vehicle Personalization
0 123. When remotely unlocking the vehicle
at night the fog lamps and back-up lamps
will come on for about 30 seconds to light
your approach to the vehicle. The turn
signal indicators may flash to indicate
unlocking. See Vehicle Personalization 0123.
Pressing
Kwill disarm the theft-deterrent
system. See Vehicle Alarm System 025.
If equipped, pressing and holding
Kwill
open the windows, if enabled. See Vehicle
Personalization 0123.
/:If equipped, press and releaseQand
then immediately press and hold
/for at
least four seconds to start the engine from
outside the vehicle using the RKE
transmitter. See Remote Vehicle Start 013.
7:Press and release one time to initiate
vehicle locator. The exterior lamps flash and
the horn chirps three times. Press and hold
7for three seconds to sound the panic alarm. The horn sounds and the turn signal
lamps flash for 30 seconds, or until
7is
pressed again or the vehicle is started.
b: Press twice quickly to open or close
the liftgate.
Press once to stop the liftgate from moving.
Keyless Access Operation
With the Keyless Access system, you can
lock and unlock the doors and access the
liftgate without removing the RKE
transmitter from your pocket, purse,
briefcase, etc. The RKE transmitter should be
within 1 m (3 ft) of the liftgate or door being
opened.
Keyless Access can be programmed to
unlock all doors on the first lock/unlock
press from the driver door. Keyless Access
can also be turned off. See Vehicle
Personalization 0123.
If equipped with memory seats, RKE
transmitters 1 and 2 are linked to seating
positions of memory 1 or 2. See Memory
Seats 039.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
Keys, Doors, and Windows 9
Keyless Unlocking/Locking from the
Driver Door
When the doors are locked and the RKE
transmitter is within 1 m (3 ft) of the driver
door handle, pressing the lock/unlock button
on the driver door handle will unlock the
driver door. If the lock/unlock button is
pressed again within five seconds, all
passenger doors will unlock.
Driver Shown, Passenger Similar
Pressing the lock/unlock button will cause
all doors to lock if any of the following
occur:
.It has been more than five seconds since
the first lock/unlock button press.
.Two lock/unlock button presses were
used to unlock all doors.
.Any vehicle door has opened and all
doors are now closed.
Keyless Unlocking/Locking from Passenger
Doors
When the doors are locked and the RKE
transmitter is within 1 m (3 ft) of the door
handle, pressing the lock/unlock button on
that door handle will unlock all doors.
Pressing the lock/unlock button will cause
all doors to lock if any of the following
occur:
.The lock/unlock button was used to
unlock all doors.
.Any vehicle door has opened and all
doors are now closed.
Disable/Enable Keyless Unlocking of Exterior
Door Handles and Liftgate
If equipped, keyless unlocking of the exterior
door handles and liftgate can be disabled
and enabled.
Disabling Keyless Unlocking:
With the vehicle off, press and hold
Qand
Kon the RKE transmitter at the same time
for approximately three seconds. The turn
signal lamps will flash four times quickly to indicate access is disabled. Using any
exterior handle to unlock the doors or open
the liftgate will cause the turn signal lamps
to flash four times quickly, indicating access
is disabled. If disabled, disarm the alarm
system before starting the vehicle.
Enabling Keyless Unlocking:
With the vehicle off, press and hold
Qand
Kon the RKE transmitter at the same time
for approximately three seconds. The turn
signal lamps will flash twice quickly to
indicate access is enabled.
Passive Locking
The vehicle will lock several seconds after all
doors are closed if the vehicle is off and at
least one RKE transmitter has been removed
or none remain in the interior.
If other electronic devices interfere with the
RKE transmitter signal, the vehicle may not
detect the RKE transmitter inside the vehicle.
If passive locking is enabled, the doors may
lock with the RKE transmitter inside the
vehicle. Do not leave the RKE transmitter in
an unattended vehicle.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
10 Keys, Doors, and Windows
To customize the doors to automatically lock
when exiting the vehicle, see“Remote Lock,
Unlock, Start” underVehicle Personalization
0 123.
Temporary Disable of Passive Locking
Temporarily disable passive locking by
pressing and holding
Kon the interior door
switch with a door open for at least
four seconds, or until three chimes are
heard. Passive locking will then remain
disabled until
Qon the interior door is
pressed, or until the vehicle is turned on.
Remote Left in Vehicle Alert
When the vehicle is turned off and an RKE
transmitter is left in the vehicle, the horn
will chirp three times after all doors are
closed. To turn on or off, see Vehicle
Personalization 0123.
Remote No Longer in Vehicle Alert
If the vehicle is on with a door open, and
then all doors are closed, the vehicle will
check for RKE transmitters inside. If an RKE
transmitter is not detected, the Driver
Information Center (DIC) will display NO
REMOTE DETECTED and the horn will chirp
three times. This occurs only once each time
the vehicle is driven. To turn on or off, see
Vehicle Personalization
0 123.
Keyless Liftgate Opening
Press the touch pad on the liftgate handle
to open the liftgate if the RKE transmitter is
within 1 m (3 ft).
Key Access
To access a vehicle with a dead transmitter
battery, see Door Locks015.Programming Transmitters to the Vehicle
Only RKE transmitters programmed to the
vehicle will work. If a transmitter is lost or
stolen, a replacement can be purchased and
programmed through your dealer. The
vehicle can be reprogrammed so that lost or
stolen transmitters no longer work. Each
vehicle can have up to eight transmitters
matched to it.
Programming with Recognized Transmitters
A new transmitter can be programmed to
the vehicle when there are two recognized
transmitters.
To program, the vehicle must be off and all
of the transmitters, both currently
recognized and new, must be with you. 1. Place the two recognized transmitters in
the cupholder.
2. Remove the key lock cylinder cap on the driver door handle. See Door Locks015.
Insert the vehicle key of the new
transmitter into the key lock cylinder on
the driver door handle and turn the key,
counterclockwise, to the unlock position
five times within 10 seconds.
The DIC displays READY FOR REMOTE #3,
4, ETC.
3. Place the new transmitter into the
transmitter pocket. The transmitter
pocket is under the liner on the bottom
of the center console storage area. Lift
up the liner and set it aside.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
Keys, Doors, and Windows 11
4. Press ENGINE START/STOP. When thetransmitter is learned, the DIC will
display that it is ready to program the
next transmitter.
5. Remove the transmitter from the transmitter pocket and press the
transmitter
KorQbutton.
To program additional transmitters,
repeat Steps 3–5.
When all additional transmitters are
programmed, press and hold ENGINE
START/STOP for 12 seconds to exit
programming mode.
6. Put the key back into the transmitter.
7. Replace the key lock cylinder cap. See Door Locks 015.
Programming without Recognized
Transmitters
If two currently recognized transmitters are
not available, follow this procedure to
program up to eight transmitters. This
feature is not available in Canada. This
procedure will take approximately
30 minutes to complete. The vehicle must
be off and all of the transmitters you wish
to program must be with you. 1. Remove the key lock cylinder cap on the
driver door handle. See Door Locks015.
Insert the vehicle key of the transmitter
into the key lock cylinder on the driver
door handle and turn the key,
counterclockwise, to the unlock position
five times within 10 seconds.
The DIC displays REMOTE LEARN
PENDING, PLEASE WAIT.
2. Wait for 10 minutes until the DIC displays PRESS ENGINE START BUTTON TO
LEARN and then press ENGINE
START/STOP.
The DIC will again display REMOTE LEARN
PENDING, PLEASE WAIT.
3. Repeat Step 2 two additional times. After the third time all previously known
transmitters will no longer work with the
vehicle. Remaining transmitters can be
relearned during the next steps.
The DIC should now display READY FOR
REMOTE # 1.
4. Place the new transmitter into thetransmitter pocket. The transmitter
pocket is under the liner on the bottom
of the center console storage area. Lift
up the liner and set it aside.
5. Press ENGINE START/STOP. When the transmitter is learned, the DIC will
display that it is ready to program the
next transmitter.
6. Remove the transmitter from the transmitter pocket and press the
transmitter
KorQbutton.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
12 Keys, Doors, and Windows
To program additional transmitters,
repeat Steps 4–6.
When all additional transmitters are
programmed, press and hold ENGINE
START/STOP for 12 seconds to exit
programming mode.
7. Put the key back into the transmitter.
8. Replace the key lock cylinder cap. See Door Locks 015.
Starting the Vehicle with a Low
Transmitter Battery
When the vehicle is started, if the
transmitter battery is weak, the DIC may
display NO REMOTE DETECTED or NO
REMOTE KEY WAS DETECTED PLACE KEY IN
TRANSMITTER POCKET THEN START YOUR
VEHICLE. The DIC may also display REPLACE
BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY.
To start the vehicle:
1. Open the center console storage area by opening the armrest.2. Lift up the liner from the bottom of thecenter console storage area and set it
aside, exposing the transmitter pocket.
3. Place the transmitter in the transmitter pocket.
4. With the vehicle in P (Park) or N (Neutral), press the brake pedal and
ENGINE START/STOP.
Replace the transmitter battery as soon
as possible.
Battery Replacement
{Warning
Never allow children to play with the RKE
transmitter. The transmitter contains a
small battery, which can be a choking
hazard. If swallowed, internal burns can
occur, resulting in severe injury or death.
Seek medical attention immediately if a
battery is swallowed.
{Warning
To avoid personal injury, do not touch
metal surfaces on the RKE transmitter
when it has been exposed to extreme
heat. These surfaces can be hot to the
touch at temperatures above 59 °C
(138 °F).

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
Keys, Doors, and Windows 13
Caution
When replacing the battery, do not touch
any of the circuitry on the transmitter.
Static from your body could damage the
transmitter.
Caution
Always replace the battery with the
correct type. Replacing the battery with
an incorrect type could potentially create
a risk of battery explosion. Dispose of
used batteries according to instructions
and local laws. Do not attempt to burn,
crush, or cut the used battery, and avoid
exposing the battery to environments
with extremely low air pressures or high
temperatures.
Replace the battery in the transmitter soon
if the DIC displays REPLACE BATTERY IN
REMOTE KEY. To replace the battery:
1. Press the button on the side of the RKE
transmitter near the bottom and pull the
key out. Never pull the key out without
pressing the button.
2. Insert a flat, thin object in the center of the transmitter to separate and remove
the back cover.
3. Lift the battery with a non-metal flatobject.
4. Remove the battery.
5. Insert the new battery, positive side toward the back cover. Replace with a
CR2032 or equivalent battery.
6. Push together the transmitter and reinsert the key.
Remote Vehicle Start
If equipped, this feature allows the engine
to be started from outside of the vehicle.
/:This button will be on the RKE
transmitter if the vehicle has remote start.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
14 Keys, Doors, and Windows
The climate control system will use the
previous settings during a remote start. The
rear defog may come on during a remote
start based on cold ambient conditions. The
rear fog indicator light does not come on
during a remote start.
If the vehicle has heated or ventilated seats,
they may come on during a remote start.
SeeHeated and Ventilated Front Seats 041.
If equipped with a remote start heated
steering wheel, the heated wheel will turn
on automatically in remote start along with
the heated seats when it is cold outside. See
Heated Steering Wheel 090.
Laws in some local communities may restrict
the use of remote starters. For example,
some laws may require a person using
remote start to have the vehicle in view.
Check local regulations for any
requirements.
Do not use remote start if the vehicle is low
on fuel as it may run out of fuel.
Other conditions can affect the performance
of the transmitter. See Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System 07. Starting the Engine Using Remote Start
1. Press and release
Qon the RKE
transmitter.
2. Immediately press and hold
/for at
least four seconds or until the turn
signal lamps flash. The turn signal lamps
flashing confirms the request to remote
start the vehicle has been received.
During the remote start the doors will be
locked and the parking lamps will remain
on as long as the engine is running.
The engine will shut off after 15 minutes
unless a time extension is done or the
vehicle is started.
3. With the RKE transmitter in the vehicle, press the brake pedal and start the
vehicle to drive.
Extending Engine Run Time
The engine run time can also be extended
by another 15 minutes, if during the first
15 minutes Steps 1 and 2 are repeated while
the engine is still running. An extension can
be requested 30 seconds after starting. This
provides a total of 30 minutes.
The remote start can only be extended once. When the remote start is extended, the
second 15-minute period is added on to the
first 15 minutes for a total of 30 minutes.
A maximum of two remote starts, or a
remote start with an extension, are allowed
between ignition cycles.
The vehicle must be started and then turned
off before the remote start procedure can be
used again.
Canceling a Remote Start
To cancel a remote start, do any of the
following:
.Press and hold/until the parking lamps
turn off.
.Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
.Turn the vehicle on and then off.
Conditions in Which Remote Start Will
Not Work
The remote start will not operate if any of
the following occur:
.A transmitter is in the vehicle.
.The ignition is on.
.The hood is not closed.
.The hazard warning flashers are on.
.There is an emission control system
malfunction.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
Keys, Doors, and Windows 15
.The engine coolant temperature is
too high.
.The oil pressure is low.
.Two remote vehicle starts or a start with
an extension have already been used.
.The vehicle is not in P (Park).
Door Locks
{Warning
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
.Passengers, especially children, can
easily open the doors and fall out of a
moving vehicle. The doors can be
unlocked and opened while the vehicle
is moving. The chance of being thrown
out of the vehicle in a crash is
increased if the doors are not locked.
So, all passengers should wear seat
belts properly and the doors should be
locked whenever the vehicle is driven.
.Young children who get into unlocked
vehicles may be unable to get out.
A child can be overcome by extreme
heat and can suffer permanent injuries
or even death from heat stroke.
Always lock the vehicle whenever
leaving it.(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Outsiders can easily enter through an
unlocked door when you slow down
or stop the vehicle. Locking the doors
can help prevent this from happening.
To lock or unlock the door from the outside:
.PressQorKon the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter. See Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation 07.
.Use the key in the driver door. The key
lock cylinder is covered with a cap.
To lock or unlock the door from the inside:
.PressQorKon the power door lock
switch.
.Push down on the door lock knob to lock
a door.
.Pull the door handle once to unlock the
door. Pull the handle again to unlatch it. Keyless Access
The RKE transmitter must be within 1 m
(3 ft) of the liftgate or door being opened.
Press the button on the door handle to
open. See
“Keyless Access Operation” in
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation 07.