
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
132 Lighting
Driving with IntelliBeam
The system only activates the high beams
when driving over 40 km/h (25 mph).
The blue high-beam on light appears on the
instrument cluster when the high beams
are on.
There is a sensor near the top center of the
windshield that automatically controls the
system. Keep this area of the windshield
clear of debris to allow for best system
performance.
The high-beam headlamps remain on, under
the automatic control, until one of the
following situations occurs:
.The system detects an approaching
vehicle's headlamps.
.The system detects a preceding vehicle's
taillamps.
.The outside light is bright enough that
high-beam headlamps are not required.
.The vehicle's speed drops below 20 km/h
(12 mph).
.The IntelliBeam system is disabled by the
button on the turn signal lever. If this
happens, press the button on the end of
the turn signal lever when the exterior
lamp control is in the AUTO or
2
position. The instrument cluster light will
come on to indicate the IntelliBeam
system is reactivated.
The high beams may not turn off
automatically if the system cannot detect
another vehicle's lamps because of any of
the following:
.The other vehicle's lamps are missing,
damaged, obstructed from view,
or otherwise undetected.
.The other vehicle's lamps are covered
with dirt, snow, and/or road spray.
.The other vehicle's lamps cannot be
detected due to dense exhaust, smoke,
fog, snow, road spray, mist, or other
airborne obstructions.
.The vehicle's windshield is dirty, cracked,
or obstructed by something that blocks
the view of the light sensor.
.The vehicle is loaded such that the front
end points upward, causing the light
sensor to aim high and not detect
headlamps and taillamps.
.The vehicle is being driven on winding or
hilly roads.
The automatic high-beam headlamps may
need to be disabled if any of the above
conditions exist.
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder
A warning chime sounds if the driver door is
opened while the ignition is off and the
exterior lamps are on.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
Push the turn signal lever away from you
and release, to turn the high beams on. To
return to low beams, push the lever again
or pull it toward you and release.
This indicator light turns on in the
instrument cluster when the high-beam
headlamps are on.
Flash-to-Pass
To flash the high beams, pull the turn signal
lever toward you, and release.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
134 Lighting
Hazard Warning Flashers
|:Press this button to make the front
and rear turn signal lamps flash on and off.
This warns others that you are having
trouble. Press again to turn the flashers off.
The turn signals do not work while the
hazard warning flashers are on.
The hazard warning flashers turn on
automatically if the airbags deploy.
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
Move the lever all the way up or down to
signal a turn.
An arrow on the instrument cluster will
flash in the direction of the turn or lane
change.
Raise or lower the lever until the arrow
starts to flash to signal a lane change. Hold
it there until the lane change is complete.
If the lever is moved momentarily to the
lane change position, the arrow will flash
three times. It will flash six times if Tow/
Haul Mode is active.
The lever returns to its starting position
when it is released.
If after signaling a turn or lane change, the
arrow flashes rapidly or does not come on, a
signal bulb may be burned out.
Have any burned out bulbs replaced. If a
bulb is not burned out, check the fuse. See
Instrument Panel Fuse Block 0296.
Fog Lamps
Use the fog lamps for better vision in foggy
or misty conditions.
To turn on the fog lamps, the ignition and
the headlamps or parking lamps must be on.
#:Turn the band down and release to
turn the fog lamps on or off. A light comes
on in the instrument cluster when the fog
lamps are in use. The ignition must be on
for the fog lamps to work.
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.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
136 Lighting
Rear Reading Lamps
Press the buttons to turn the rear passenger
reading lamps on or off.
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting
Some exterior lamps turn on briefly at
night, or in areas with limited lighting,
when
Kis pressed on the RKE transmitter.
After about 30 seconds the exterior lamps
turn off. Entry lighting can be disabled
manually by turning the ignition on or to
ACC/ACCESSORY, or by pressing
Qon the
RKE transmitter. When any door is opened,
the remote unlock is pressed, or when the
ignition is switched off, all interior lights
turn on and then interior lamps dim to off
within 20 seconds after all doors are closed. The entry lighting feature for exterior
lighting can be changed. See
“Vehicle
Locator Lights” underVehicle Personalization
0 123.
Exit Lighting
Some exterior lamps come on at night, or in
areas with limited lighting, when the driver
door is opened after the ignition is turned
off. The dome lamp comes on when any
door is opened or after the ignition is
turned off. The exterior lamps and dome
lamp remain on after the door is closed for
a set amount of time, then automatically
turn off.
The exterior lamps turn off immediately by
turning the exterior lamp control off.
The exit lighting for exterior lights can be
changed. See Vehicle Personalization 0123.
Battery Load Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management
(EPM) that estimates the battery's
temperature and state of charge. It then
adjusts the voltage for best performance
and extended life of the battery. When the battery's state of charge is low,
the voltage is raised slightly to quickly bring
the charge back up. When the state of
charge is high, the voltage is lowered
slightly to prevent overcharging. If the
vehicle has a voltmeter gauge or a voltage
display on the Driver Information Center
(DIC), you may see the voltage move up or
down. This is normal. If there is a problem,
an alert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the
electrical loads are very high. This is true for
all vehicles. This is because the generator
(alternator) may not be spinning fast
enough at idle to produce all of the power
needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of
the following are on, such as: headlamps,
high beams, rear window defogger, climate
control fan at high speed, heated seats,
engine cooling fans, trailer loads, and loads
plugged into accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of
the battery. It does this by balancing the
generator's output and the vehicle's
electrical needs. It can increase engine idle
speed to generate more power whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce the power
demands of some accessories.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
Infotainment System 179
.Set Number of Audio Favorites: Touch to
select how many favorites pages can be
viewed from the audio application. The
Auto setting will automatically adjust this
number based on the number of favorites
you have saved. Touch Auto, 5, 10, 15, 20,
25, 30, 35, or 40.
.RDS: If equipped, this allows the Radio
Data System (RDS) to be turned on or off.
Touch the controls on the infotainment
display to disable or enable.
.HD Radio: This allows HD Radio reception
to be turned on or off.
Touch the controls on the infotainment
display to disable or enable.
.Explicit Content Filter: This setting allows
access to explicit content SiriusXM
channels.
Touch Off or On.
.Manage Phones: Select to connect to a
different phone source, disconnect a
phone, or delete a phone.
.Reset Music Index: This allows the music
index to be reset if you are having
difficulty accessing all of the media
content on your device.
Touch Yes or No.Climate
Touch and the following may display:
.Auto Fan Speed: This setting specifies the
amount of airflow when the climate
control fan setting is Auto Fan.
Touch Low, Medium, or High.
.Air Quality Sensor: This setting switches
the system into Recirculation Mode based
on the quality of the outside air.
Touch Off, Low Sensitivity, or High
Sensitivity.
.Auto Cooled Seats: This setting
automatically turns on and regulates the
ventilated seats when the cabin
temperature is warm.
Touch the controls on the infotainment
display to disable or enable.
.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
controls on the center stack.
Touch the controls on the infotainment
display to disable or enable.
.Auto Defog: This setting automatically
turns the front defogger on when the
vehicle engine is started. Touch the controls on the infotainment
display to disable or enable.
.Auto Rear Defog: This setting
automatically turns the rear window
defogger on when the vehicle engine is
started.
Touch the controls on the infotainment
display to disable or enable.
Navigation
Touch and the following may display:
.Destination Card Preferences
.Map Preferences
.Route Preferences
.Navigation Voice Control
.Traffic Preferences
.Alert Preferences
.Fuel Grade Preferences
.Manage History
.Predictive Navigation
.About
See Using the Navigation System 0152.
Phone
Touch and the following may display:
.My Number: Displays the cell phone
number of the Bluetooth connected
device.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
192 Climate Controls
Climate Controls
Climate Control Systems
Dual Automatic Climate ControlSystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Rear Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . 196
Air Vents
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Maintenance
Passenger Compartment Air Filter . . . . . 197
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Climate Control Systems
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
With this system the heating, cooling, and ventilation in the vehicle can be controlled.
1. Driver Temperature Control
2. A/C (Air Conditioning)
3. Air Delivery Mode Controls
4. Fan Control
5. Defrost
6. Passenger Temperature Control 7. SYNC (Synchronized Temperature)
8. Rear Window Defogger
9. Power Button
10. Air Recirculation
11. AUTO (Automatic Operation)

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
194 Climate Controls
To improve fuel efficiency and to cool the
vehicle faster, recirculation may be
automatically selected in warm weather.
The recirculation light will not come on
when automatically controlled. Press
@to
manually select recirculation; press it again
to select outside air.
Do not cover the solar sensor on the top of
the instrument panel near the windshield.
This sensor regulates air temperature based
on sun load. See “Sensors”later in this
section.
Manual Operation
O: Press to turn the climate control system
on or off. When the system is off, outside
air will be prevented from entering the
vehicle. When the system is on, a button is
pressed, or knob is turned, the climate
control system will turn on and deliver
airflow per the current setting.
9: Turn clockwise or counterclockwise to
increase or decrease the fan speed. Press the
knob to turn the fan off.
Press AUTO to return to automatic
operation. Driver and Passenger Temperature Control :
The temperature can be adjusted separately
for the driver and passenger.
Turn the knob clockwise or counterclockwise
to increase or decrease the driver or
passenger temperature setting.
SYNC :
Press to link the passenger and rear
climate temperature settings, if equipped, to
the driver setting. The SYNC indicator light
will turn on. When the passenger or rear
climate temperature settings are adjusted,
the SYNC indicator light is off.
The driver side or passenger side
temperature display shows the temperature
setting increasing or decreasing.
Air Delivery Mode Control : Press
Y,\,
[, or-to change the direction of the
airflow. An indicator light comes on in the
selected mode button.
Changing the mode cancels the automatic
operation and the system goes into manual
mode. Press AUTO to return to automatic
operation.
Y: Air is directed to the instrument panel
outlets.
\: Air is divided between the instrument
panel and floor outlets. Some air is directed
toward the windshield and side window
outlets.
[: Air is directed to the floor outlets,
with some to the windshield, side window
outlets, and second row floor outlets.
-: This mode clears the windows of fog or
moisture. Air is directed to the windshield,
floor outlets, and side window vents. The
system automatically forces outside air into
the vehicle and the air conditioning
compressor will run, unless the outside
temperature is close to freezing.
0: Press to clear the windshield of fog or
frost more quickly. Air is directed to the
windshield and the side window vents. The
air conditioning compressor also comes on,
unless the outside temperature is below
freezing.
Do not drive the vehicle until all windows
are clear.
See Air Vents 0197.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
Climate Controls 195
A/C :Press to turn the air conditioning
system on or off. An indicator light comes
on to show that the air conditioning is
enabled. If the fan is turned off, the air
conditioner will not run. The A/C light will
stay on even if the outside temperatures are
below freezing.
@: Press to turn on recirculation. An
indicator light comes on. Air is recirculated
to quickly cool the inside of the vehicle.
It can also be used to help reduce outside
air and odors that enter the vehicle. The air
conditioning compressor also comes on
when this mode is activated.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming
grid to remove fog from the rear window.
K: Press to turn the rear window defogger
on or off. An indicator light on the button
comes on to show that the rear window
defogger is on.
The rear window defogger only works when
the ignition is on. The defogger turns off if
the ignition is turned to off or ACC/
ACCESSORY.
Caution
Using a razor blade or sharp object to
clear the inside rear window can damage
the rear window defogger. Repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Do not clear the inside rear window with
sharp objects.
Heated Mirror : If equipped with heated
outside mirrors, the mirrors heat to help
clear fog or frost from the surface of the
mirror when the rear window defog button
is pressed. See Heated Mirrors 028.
Remote Start Climate Control Operation :
If equipped with remote start, the climate
control system may run when the vehicle is
started remotely. The rear defog may come
on during remote start based on cold
ambient conditions. The rear defog indicator
light does not come on during a remote
start.
If equipped, the heated seats will turn on if
it is cold outside or the ventilated seats will
turn on if it is hot outside. The heated and
ventilated seat indicator lights may not
come on during a remote start. If equipped,
the heated steering wheel will come on in a remote start if it is cold outside. The heated
steering wheel indicator light may not
come on.
Sensors
The solar sensor, located in the defrost grille
in the middle of the instrument panel,
monitors the solar heat. Do not cover the
solar sensor or the system will not work
properly.
There is also an exterior temperature sensor
behind the front grille. This sensor reads the
outside air temperature and helps maintain
the temperature inside the vehicle. Any
cover on the front of the vehicle, could
cause a false reading in the displayed
temperature.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
Climate Controls 197
SYNC button will be lit. Adjust the rear
climate control temperature to change the
linked temperature. The SYNC button
turns off.
Rear Control Lockout :Touch Rear Control
Lockout on the display to lock or unlock
control of the rear climate control system
from the front seat. When locked the rear
climate control cannot be adjusted from the
rear climate controls.
Automatic Operation
AUTO : Touch AUTO or Rear Auto on the
display to automatically control air delivery
and fan speed. A is indicated in the display
when automatic operation is active. If any
of the climate control settings are manually
adjusted, this cancels full automatic
operation.
The display only indicates climate control
functions when the system is in rear
independent mode. When SYNC is active the
display is not shown.
Manual Operation
9: Turn the knob clockwise or
counterclockwise, or touch and hold the fan
control on the display to increase or
decrease the fan speed. TEMP :
Turn the knob clockwise or
counterclockwise, or touch and hold the
temperature controls on the display to
adjust the rear passenger temperature. If
SYNC is lit, the rear climate temperature is
linked to the driver temperature setting.
Y/\/Yor MODE : Touch the desired
mode button on the display or press MODE
on the rear climate controls to change the
direction of the airflow in the rear seating
area. Repeatedly touch MODE until the
desired mode appears on the display.
MorL: If equipped, pressMorLto
heat the left or right outboard seat. See
Heated Rear Seats 045.
Air Vents
To adjust the center and side air outlets on
the instrument panel, use the slider switch
in the center of the outlet to change the
direction of the airflow and also to shut off
the airflow.
There may be outlets overhead in the rear
passenger area; adjust as needed.
Keep all outlets open whenever possible for
best system performance.
Operation Tips
.Clear away any ice, snow, or leaves from
the air inlets at the base of the
windshield that can block the flow of air
into the vehicle.
.Clear snow off the hood to improve
visibility and help decrease moisture
drawn into the vehicle.
.Use of non-GM approved hood deflectors
can adversely affect the performance of
the system.
.Keep the path under all seats clear of
objects to help circulate the air inside the
vehicle more effectively.
.If fogging reoccurs while inYor\
modes with mild temperature throughout
the vehicle, turn on the air conditioner to
reduce windshield fogging.
Maintenance
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
The passenger compartment air filter
reduces dust, pollen, and other airborne
irritants from outside air that is pulled into
the vehicle. The filter will need to be
replaced periodically. See Maintenance
Schedule 0346.