GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
108 Instruments and Controls
If the light continues to flash, find a safe
place to park. Turn the vehicle off and wait
at least 10 seconds before restarting the
engine. If the light is still flashing, follow
the previous guidelines and see your dealer
for service as soon as possible.
If the light is on steady :A malfunction has
been detected. Diagnosis and service may be
required.
Check the following:
.If fuel has been added to the vehicle
using the capless fuel funnel adapter,
make sure that it has been removed. See
“Filling the Tank with a Portable Gas Can”
under Filling the Tank 0254. The
diagnostic system can detect if the
adapter has been left installed in the
vehicle, allowing fuel to evaporate into
the atmosphere. A few driving trips with
the adapter removed may turn off the
light.
.Poor fuel quality can cause inefficient
engine operation and poor driveability,
which may go away once the engine is
warmed up. If this occurs, change the fuel
brand. It may require at least one full
tank of the proper fuel to turn the light
off. See Recommended Fuel 0253.
If the light remains on, see your dealer.
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs
If the vehicle requires an Emissions
Inspection/Maintenance test, the test
equipment will likely connect to the
vehicle's Data Link Connector (DLC).
The DLC is under the instrument panel to
the left of the steering wheel. Connecting
devices that are not used to perform an
Emissions Inspection/Maintenance test or to
service the vehicle may affect vehicle
operation. See Add-On Electrical Equipment
0 266. See your dealer if assistance is
needed.
The vehicle may not pass inspection if:
.The light is on when the engine is
running.
.The light does not come on when the
ignition is in Service Mode.
.Critical emission control systems have not
been completely diagnosed. If this
happens, the vehicle would not be ready
for inspection and might require
several days of routine driving before the
system is ready for inspection. This can
happen if the 12-volt battery has recently
been replaced or run down, or if the
vehicle has been recently serviced.
See your dealer if the vehicle will not pass
or cannot be made ready for the test.
Brake System Warning Light
MetricEnglish
This light should come on briefly when the
vehicle is turned on. If it does not come on
then, have it fixed so it will be ready to
warn you if there is a problem.
If the light comes on and stays on at start
up, there is a brake problem. Have the brake
system inspected right away.
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
200 Driving and Operating
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . 256
Trailer Towing
General Towing Information . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Driving Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . 266
Driving Information
Driving for Better Fuel Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel mileage. Here
are some driving tips to get the best fuel
economy possible.
.Set the climate controls to the desired
temperature after the engine is started,
or turn them off when not required.
.On AWD vehicles, see Driver Mode Control
0 228.
.Avoid fast starts and accelerate smoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoid abrupt stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for long periods
of time.
.When road and weather conditions are
appropriate, use cruise control.
.Always follow posted speed limits or
drive more slowly when conditions
require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly inflated.
.Combine several trips into a single trip.
.Replace the vehicle's tires with the same
TPC Spec number molded into the tire's
sidewall near the size.
.Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms and can
take your focus from the task of driving.
Exercise good judgment and do not let other
activities divert your attention away from
the road. Many local governments have
enacted laws regarding driver distraction.
Become familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, keep your eyes
on the road, keep your hands on the
steering wheel, and focus your attention on
driving.
.Do not use a phone in demanding driving
situations. Use a hands-free method to
place or receive necessary phone calls.
.Watch the road. Do not read, take notes,
or look up information on phones or
other electronic devices.
.Designate a front seat passenger to
handle potential distractions.
.Become familiar with vehicle features
before driving, such as programming
favorite radio stations and adjusting
climate control and seat settings. Program
all trip information into any navigation
device prior to driving.
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
254 Driving and Operating
Do not use any fuel labeled E85 or FlexFuel.
Do not use gasoline with ethanol levels
greater than 15% by volume.
Prohibited Fuels
Caution
Do not use fuels with any of the
following conditions; doing so may
damage the vehicle and void its
warranty:
.For vehicles that are not FlexFuel, fuel
labeled greater than 15% ethanol by
volume, such as mid-level ethanol
blends (16–50% ethanol), E85,
or FlexFuel.
.Fuel with any amount of methanol,
methylal, ferrocene, and aniline. These
fuels can corrode metal fuel system
parts or damage plastic and rubber
parts.
.Fuel containing metals such as
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT), which can damage
the emissions control system and
spark plugs.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
.Fuel with a posted octane rating of
less than the recommended fuel. Using
this fuel will lower fuel economy and
performance, and may decrease the
life of the emissions catalyst.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
The U.S., Canada, and Mexico post fuel
octane ratings in anti-knock index (AKI). For
fuel not to use in a foreign country, see
Prohibited Fuels0254.
Fuel Additives
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is highly
recommended for use with your vehicle.
If your country does not have TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline, add ACDelco Fuel
System Treatment Plus−Gasoline to the
vehicle’s gasoline fuel tank at every oil
change or 15 000 km (9,000 mi), whichever
occurs first. TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline and
ACDelco Fuel System Treatment Plus
−Gasoline will help keep your vehicle’s
engine fuel deposit free and performing
optimally.
Filling the Tank
An arrow on the fuel gauge indicates which
side of the vehicle the fuel door is on. See
Fuel Gauge 0102.
{Warning
Fuel vapors and fuel fires burn violently
and can cause injury or death.
Follow these guidelines to help avoid
injuries to you and others:
.Read and follow all the instructions on
the fuel pump island.
.Turn off the engine when refueling.
.Keep sparks, flames, and smoking
materials away from fuel.
.Do not leave the fuel pump
unattended.
.Avoid using electronic devices while
refueling.
.Do not re-enter the vehicle while
pumping fuel.
.Keep children away from the fuel
pump and never let children
pump fuel.
(Continued)
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
Driving and Operating 255
Warning (Continued)
.Before touching the fill nozzle, touch a
metallic object to discharge static
electricity from your body.
.Fuel can spray out if the fill nozzle is
inserted too quickly. This spray can
happen if the tank is nearly full, and is
more likely in hot weather. Insert the
fill nozzle slowly and wait for any hiss
noise to stop before beginning to
flow fuel.
To open the fuel door, push and release the
rearward center edge of the door.The capless refueling system does not have
a fuel cap. Fully insert and latch the fill
nozzle, then begin fueling.
{Warning
Overfilling the fuel tank by more than
three clicks of a standard fill nozzle may
cause:
.Vehicle performance issues, including
engine stalling and damage to the fuel
system.
.Fuel spills.
.Under certain conditions, fuel fires.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Wait five seconds
after you have finished pumping before
removing the fill nozzle. Clean fuel from
painted surfaces as soon as possible. See
Exterior Care 0337. Push the fuel door
closed until it latches.
{Warning
If a fire starts while you are refueling, do
not remove the fill nozzle. Shut off the
flow of fuel by shutting off the pump or
by notifying the station attendant. Leave
the area immediately. Filling the Tank with a Portable Fuel
Container
If the vehicle runs out of fuel and must be
filled from a portable fuel container:
1. Locate the capless funnel adapter from
the rear cargo area under the load floor.
2. Insert and latch the funnel into the capless fuel system.
{Warning
Attempting to refuel from a portable fuel
container without using the funnel
adapter may cause fuel spillage and
damage the capless fuel system. This
could cause a fire. You or others could be
badly burned and the vehicle could be
damaged.
3. Remove and clean the funnel adapter and return it to the storage location.
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
Vehicle Care 285
6. Verify coolant level after the engine isshut off and the coolant is cold.
If necessary, repeat coolant fill procedure
Steps 1–6.
If the coolant still is not at the proper
level when the system cools down again,
see your dealer.
Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly and
tightly secured.
Automatic Coolant Service Fill (2.0L
Engine Only)
If equipped, this feature assists in filling and
removing air from the cooling system after
service of components or when coolant is
added after being too low.
To activate the fill and air removal process:
1. With a cold system, disconnect the vent line from the port near the cap on the
surge tank. Add coolant to the indicated
mark on the surge tank.
2. Reconnect the vent line to the surge tank and replace the cap on the
surge tank. 3. Connect the vehicle to a battery charger.
4. Put the vehicle in Service Mode. See
Ignition Positions 0213.
5. Turn off the air conditioning.
6. Set the parking brake.
7. At the same time, press the accelerator and the brake for automatic transmission
vehicles for two seconds, then release.
At the end of the cycle, check the coolant
level in the surge tank and add coolant, if it
is low. Turn off the vehicle, allow the Engine
Control Module (ECM) to go to sleep, about
two minutes, and repeat steps 3-7.
Listen for pump activation and movement of
the control valves while watching the level
of the tank. If the tank empties, turn the
ignition off, carefully remove the surge tank
cap, refill to the indicated mark and repeat
steps 3-6. The fill and air removal process
will run for approximately 10 minutes.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has several indicators to warn of
the engine overheating. There is an engine coolant temperature
gauge on the instrument cluster. See
Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge 0104. The
vehicle may also display a message on the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
If the decision is made not to lift the hood
when this warning appears, get service help
right away. See Roadside Assistance Program
0 366.
If the decision is made to lift the hood,
make sure the vehicle is parked on a level
surface. Then check to see if the engine
cooling fan is running. If the engine is
overheating, the fan should be running. If it
is not, do not continue to run the engine.
Have the vehicle serviced.
Caution
Do not run the engine if there is a leak
in the engine cooling system. This can
cause a loss of all coolant and can
damage the system and vehicle. Have
any leaks fixed right away.
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/-
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
Index 387
Fuel (cont'd)Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Management, Active . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Top Tier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Fuses Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . 293
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . 298
G
Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Gauges Engine Coolant Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Engine Oil Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Voltmeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Gauges (cont'd)
Warning Lights and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . 96
Gear Shifting Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
General Information Service and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Global Positioning System (GPS) . . . . . . . . . . 161
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
Guidance
Problems with the Route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134
HD Radio Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Head-up Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
HeadlampsAiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . 133
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 Headlamps (cont'd)
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Heated Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats . . . . . . . .41
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Heater Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192, 196
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Hill Descent Control (HDC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Hill Descent Control Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91
How to Wear Seat Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . 48
HVAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192, 196
I
If the System Needs Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Indicator Pedestrian Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Vehicle Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111