GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
Introduction 5
1.Air Vents 0197.
2. Exterior Lamp Controls 0131.
Turn Signal Lever. See Turn and
Lane-Change Signals 0134.
3. Instrument Cluster (Base and Midlevel)
097 or
Instrument Cluster (Uplevel) 0100.
4. Windshield Wiper/Washer 091.
Rear Window Wiper/Washer 092.
5. Light Sensor. See Automatic Headlamp
System 0133.
6. Infotainment. See Overview0139.
7. Dual Automatic Climate Control System
0192.
8. USB Port 0147 (If Equipped).
9. Wireless Charging 094 (If Equipped).
10. Heated and Ventilated Front Seats 041
(If Equipped).
11.
|Hazard Warning Flashers 0134.
gTraction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0226.
XPark Assist Switch. See Assistance
Systems for Parking or Backing 0241 (If
Equipped). 12.
Driver Mode Control 0228.
13.
ALane Keep Assist (LKA) 0252 (If
Equipped).
5Hill Descent Control (HDC) 0228 (If
Equipped).
14.
hAuto Stop Disable Button. See Stop/
Start System 0215 (If Equipped).
15. Power Outlets 093.
16. Shift Switches. See Automatic
Transmission 0220.
17. ENGINE START/STOP Button. See Starting
the Engine 0214.
18. Steering Wheel Controls 090 (If
Equipped).
Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons.
See Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base)
0 115 or
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Midlevel
and Uplevel) 0117.
19. Horn 091.
20. Steering Wheel Adjustment 090. 21.
Cruise Control 0230.
Adaptive Cruise Control (Advanced) 0232
(If Equipped).
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System
0 245 (If Equipped).
Heated Steering Wheel 090 (If
Equipped).
22. Hood Release. See Hood0270.
23. Instrument Panel Illumination Control
0135 (Out of View).
Head-Up Display (HUD) 0119 (If
Equipped).
24. Data Link Connector (DLC) (Out of View). SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp (Check
Engine Light) 0107.
25. Electric Parking Brake 0224.
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
Instruments and Controls 91
If equipped with auto heated seats, the
heated steering wheel will turn on when the
auto heated seat is activated. The heated
steering wheel indicator will display the
state of the steering wheel heat.
SeeHeated and Ventilated Front Seats 041
and
Vehicle Personalization 0123.
Horn
Pressaon the steering wheel pad to
sound the horn.
Windshield Wiper/Washer
With the ignition on or in ACC/ACCESSORY,
move the windshield wiper lever to select
the wiper speed.
HI : Use for fast wipes.
LO : Use for slow wipes.
INT : Move the windshield wiper lever to
INT. Turn the band up for more frequent
wipes or down for less frequent wipes.
OFF : Use to turn the wipers off.
1X : For a single wipe, briefly move the
wiper lever down. For several wipes, hold
the wiper lever down.
f: Pull the windshield wiper lever
toward you to spray windshield washer fluid
and activate the windshield wipers. The
wipers will continue until the lever is
released or the maximum wash time is
reached. When the windshield wiper lever is
released, additional wipes may occur
depending on how long the windshield
washer had been activated. See Washer
Fluid 0286 for information on filling the
windshield washer fluid reservoir.
{Warning
In freezing weather, do not use the
washer until the windshield is warmed.
Otherwise the washer fluid can form ice
on the windshield, blocking your vision.
{Warning
Before driving the vehicle, always clear
snow and ice from the hood, windshield,
roof, and rear of the vehicle, including all
lamps and windows. Reduced visibility
from snow and ice buildup could lead to
a crash.
Clear snow and ice from the wiper blades
and windshield before using them. If frozen
to the windshield, carefully loosen or thaw
them. Damaged blades should be replaced.
See Wiper Blade Replacement 0290.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the wiper
motor. See Electrical System Overload 0292.
Wiper Parking
If the ignition is turned off while the wipers
are on LO, HI, or INT, they will
immediately stop.
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
Driving and Operating 215
to the floor and holding it there as you
press ENGINE START/STOP, for up to a
maximum of 15 seconds. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try, to allow
the cranking motor to cool down. When
the engine starts, let go of the button
and the accelerator. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the
same thing. This clears the extra gasoline
from the engine. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it. Operate
the engine and transmission gently until
the oil warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Stop/Start System
The Stop/Start system will shut off the
engine to help conserve fuel. It has
components designed for the increased
number of starts.
{Warning
The automatic engine Stop/Start feature
causes the engine to shut off while the
vehicle is still on. Do not exit the vehicle
before shifting to P (Park). The vehicle
may restart and move unexpectedly.
Always shift to P (Park), and then turn
the ignition off before exiting the vehicle.Auto Engine Stop/Start
When the brakes are applied and the vehicle
is at a complete stop, the engine may turn
off. When stopped, the tachometer displays
AUTO STOP. See
Tachometer0102. When
the brake pedal is released or the
accelerator pedal is pressed, the engine will
restart.
To maintain vehicle performance, other
conditions may cause the engine to
automatically restart before the brake pedal
is released.
Auto Stops may not occur and/or auto
restarts may occur because:
.The climate control settings require the
engine to be running to cool or heat the
vehicle interior.
.The vehicle battery charge is low.
.The vehicle battery has recently been
disconnected.
.Minimum vehicle speed has not been
reached since the last Auto Stop
.The accelerator pedal is pressed.
.The engine or transmission is not at the
required operating temperature.
.The outside temperature is not in the
required operating range.
.The transmission is shifted out of
D (Drive) to any gear other than P (Park).
.Tow/Haul Mode or other driver modes
have been selected.
.The vehicle is on a steep hill or grade.
.The driver door has been opened or driver
seat belt has been unbuckled.
.The hood has been opened.
.The Auto Stop has reached the maximum
allowed time.
Auto Stop/Start Disable Switch
The automatic engine Stop/Start feature can
be disabled and enabled by pressing
h.
Auto Stop/Start is enabled each time you
start the vehicle.
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
270 Vehicle Care
Hood
{Warning
For vehicles with auto engine stop/start,
turn the vehicle off before opening the
hood. If the vehicle is on, the engine will
start when the hood is opened. You or
others could be injured.
{Warning
Components under the hood can get hot
from running the engine. To help avoid
the risk of burning unprotected skin,
never touch these components until they
have cooled, and always use a glove or
towel to avoid direct skin contact.
Clear any snow from the hood before
opening. To open the hood:
1. Pull the hood release lever with the
isymbol. It is on the lower left side
of the instrument panel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle and locate the secondary release lever under the
front center of the hood. Push the
secondary hood release lever to the right
to release.
3. After you have partially lifted the hood, the gas strut system will automatically
lift the hood and hold it in the fully
open position. To close the hood:
1. Before closing the hood, be sure all filler caps are on properly, and all tools are
removed.
2. Pull the hood down until the strut system is no longer holding up the hood.
3. Allow the hood to fall. Check to make sure the hood is latched completely.
Repeat this process with additional force
if necessary.
{Warning
Do not drive the vehicle if the hood is
not latched completely. The hood could
open fully, block your vision, and cause a
crash. You or others could be injured.
Always close the hood completely before
driving.
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
336 Vehicle Care
The vehicle is neither designed nor intended
to be towed with all four wheels on the
ground. If the vehicle must be towed, a
dolly should be used. See the following
information on dolly towing.
Dolly Towing
Driving onto a Dolly1. Park the vehicle on level ground in front of the dolly and turn the vehicle off.
2. Make sure the parking brake is released.
3. Press and hold ENGINE START/STOP with your foot off the brake for five seconds.
4. Hold the brake pedal and press the parking brake switch for 15 seconds until
the service parking brake light flashes. 5. While the service parking brake light is
still flashing, remove your foot from the
brake pedal and release the parking
brake switch.
6. Immediately press and release the parking brake switch again while the
service park brake light is still flashing.
7. Start the vehicle and drive onto the dolly.
8. Place the vehicle in P (Park).
9. Turn off the vehicle.
10. Open the hood.
11. Exit the vehicle and secure the vehicle onto the dolly.
12. Disconnect the negative (–) terminal connector from the 12-volt battery.
13. Close the hood of the vehicle.
Removing the Vehicle from a Dolly1. Make sure the vehicle is secured to the dolly.
2. Open the door and open the hood of the vehicle.
3. Connect the negative (–) terminal connector from the 12-volt battery.
4. Press and hold ENGINE START/STOP with your foot off the brake for five seconds. 5. Hold the brake pedal and press the
parking brake switch for five seconds
until the parking brake light flashes.
6. Turn the vehicle off.
7. Unsecure the vehicle and remove it from the dolly.
8. Do not drive in Service Mode with the parking brake set.
Towing the Vehicle from the Rear
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
354 Service and Maintenance
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name or specification, including fluids or lubricants not listed here, can be obtained from your dealer.Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Automatic Transmission DEXRON-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid. Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL Coolant. See Cooling
System 0281.
Engine Oil Engine oil meeting the dexos1 specification of the proper SAE viscosity grade. ACDelco
dexos1 full synthetic is recommended. See Engine Oil0276.
Hood Latch Assembly, Secondary Latch, Pivots, Spring Anchor, and Release Pawl Lubriplate Lubricant Aerosol or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB
or GC-LB.
Hydraulic Brake System DOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid.
Key Lock Cylinders, Hood and Door Hinges Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube. See your dealer. Windshield Washer Automotive windshield washer fluid that meets regional freeze protection requirements.