
GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
Keys, Doors, and Windows 25
Vehicle Security
This vehicle has theft-deterrent features;
however, they do not make the vehicle
impossible to steal.
Vehicle Alarm System
This vehicle has an anti-theft alarm system.
The indicator light, on the instrument panel
near the windshield, indicates the status of
the system.
Off :Alarm system is disarmed.
On Solid : Vehicle is secured during the
delay to arm the system. Fast Flash :
Vehicle is unsecured. A door, the
hood, or the liftgate is open.
Slow Flash : Alarm system is armed.
Arming the Alarm System
1. Close the liftgate and the hood. Turn off
the vehicle.
2. Lock the vehicle in one of three ways:
.Use the RKE transmitter.
.Use the Keyless Access system.
.With a door open, press the
inside
Q.
3. After 30 seconds the alarm system will arm, and the indicator light will begin to
slowly flash indicating the alarm system
is operating. Pressing
Qon the RKE
transmitter a second time will bypass
the 30-second delay and immediately
arm the alarm system.
The vehicle alarm system will not arm if the
doors are locked with the key.
If the driver door is opened without first
unlocking with the RKE transmitter, the horn
will chirp and the lights will flash to indicate
pre-alarm. If the vehicle is not started, or the door is not unlocked by pressing
K
on the RKE transmitter during the 10-second
pre-alarm, the alarm will be activated.
The alarm will also be activated if a
passenger door, the liftgate, or the hood is
opened without first disarming the system.
When the alarm is activated, the turn
signals flash and the horn sounds for about
30 seconds. The alarm system will then
re-arm to monitor for the next unauthorized
event.
Disarming the Alarm System
To disarm the alarm system or turn off the
alarm if it has been activated:
.PressKon the RKE transmitter.
.Unlock the vehicle using the Keyless
Access system.
.Start the vehicle.
To avoid setting off the alarm by accident:
.Lock the vehicle after all occupants have
left the vehicle and all doors are closed.
.Always unlock a door with the RKE
transmitter or use the Keyless Access
system.
Unlocking the driver door with the key will
not disarm the system or turn off the alarm.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
26 Keys, Doors, and Windows
How to Detect a Tamper Condition
IfKis pressed and the horn chirps and the
lights flash three times, the alarm was
activated while the alarm system was
armed.
If the alarm system has been activated, a
message will appear on the Driver
Information Center (DIC).
Immobilizer
See Radio Frequency Statement 0371.
Immobilizer Operation
This vehicle has a passive theft-deterrent
system.
The system does not have to be manually
armed or disarmed.
The vehicle is automatically immobilized
when the vehicle is turned off.
The immobilization system is disarmed
when the ignition is on or in ACC/
ACCESSORY and a valid transmitter is
present in the vehicle.
The security light, in the instrument cluster,
comes on if there is a problem with arming
or disarming the theft-deterrent system.
The system has one or more RKE
transmitters matched to an immobilizer
control unit in your vehicle. Only a correctly
matched RKE transmitter will start the
vehicle. If the transmitter is ever damaged,
you may not be able to start your vehicle.
When trying to start the vehicle, the
security light may come on briefly when the
ignition is turned on.
If the engine does not start and the security
light stays on, there is a problem with the
system. Turn the ignition off and try again.
If the vehicle will not change ignition modes
(ACC/ACCESSORY, on, off), and the RKE
transmitter appears to be undamaged, try
another transmitter. Or, you may try placing
the transmitter in the transmitter pocket
located in the center console. See Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation 07. If the ignition mode will not change with
the other transmitter or in the transmitter
pocket, your vehicle needs service. If the
ignition does change modes, the first
transmitter may be faulty. See your dealer
who can service the theft-deterrent system
and have a new RKE transmitter
programmed to the vehicle.
It is possible for the immobilizer system to
learn new or replacement RKE transmitters.
Up to eight transmitters can be
programmed for the vehicle. To program
additional transmitters, see
“Programming
Transmitters to the Vehicle” underRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation 07.
Do not leave the transmitter or device that
disarms or deactivates the theft-deterrent
system in the vehicle.
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors
{Warning
A convex mirror can make things, like
other vehicles, look farther away than
they really are. If you cut too sharply (Continued)

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
42 Seats and Restraints
Heated and Ventilated Seat Buttons Shown,Heated Seat Buttons Similar
If equipped, the buttons are near the
climate controls on the center stack. To
operate, the engine must be running.
Press
Ior+, if available, to heat the
driver or passenger seatback only.
Press
Jorzto heat the driver or
passenger cushion and seatback.
Press
Cor{, if available, to ventilate the
driver or passenger seat. A ventilated seat
has a fan that pulls or pushes air through
the seat. The air is not cooled. When a heated seat is turned on, the
indicator on button turns red. When a
ventilated seat is turned on, the indicator on
button turns blue.
Press the button once for the highest
setting. With each press of the button, the
seat will change to the next lower setting,
and then to the off setting. The indicator
lights next to the buttons indicate three for
the highest setting and one for the lowest.
If the front heated seats are on high, the
level may automatically be lowered after
approximately 30 minutes.
The passenger seat may take longer to
heat up.
Auto Heated and Ventilated Seats
If the vehicle is equipped with auto heated
or ventilated seats, and the engine is
running, this feature will automatically
activate the heated or ventilated seats at
the level required by the vehicle's interior
temperature.
The active high, medium, low, or off heated
or ventilated seat level will be indicated by
the manual heated and ventilated seat
buttons on the center stack. Use the manual
heated and ventilated seat buttons on the
center stack to turn auto heated orventilated seats off. If the passenger seat is
unoccupied, the auto heated or ventilated
seats feature will not activate that seat. The
auto heated and ventilated seats feature can
be programmed to always be enabled when
the vehicle is on. If equipped with a heated
steering wheel, the auto heated steering
wheel activation will follow the heated seat
auto activation and the heated wheel
indicator will follow the state of the steering
wheel heat.
See
Vehicle Personalization 0123.
Remote Start Heated and Ventilated Seats
During a remote start, the heated or
ventilated seats, if equipped, can be turned
on automatically. When it is cold outside,
the heated seats will turn on followed by
the heated steering wheel, if equipped.
When it is hot outside, the ventilated seats
turn on. The heated or ventilated seats are
canceled when the ignition is turned on.
Press the heated or ventilated seat button
to use the heated or ventilated seats after
the vehicle is started.
The heated or ventilated seat indicator lights
do not turn on during a remote start.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
46 Seats and Restraints
If equipped, the buttons are on the rear of
the center console.
With the engine running, press
MorLto
heat the left or right outboard seat cushion.
On vehicles with rear climate controls, an
indicator on the climate control display
appears when this feature is on.
Press the button again to turn this feature
off. The light on the button will turn off. On
vehicles with rear climate controls, this
feature turns on at the highest setting. With
each press of the button, the heated seat
changes to the next lower setting, and then
the off setting. Three lights indicate the
highest setting, and one light indicates the lowest. If the heated seats are on high, the
level may automatically be lowered after
approximately 30 minutes.
Third Row Seats
{Warning
Using the third row seating position
while the second row is folded, or pushed
forward in the entry position, could cause
injury in a sudden stop or crash. Be sure
to return the seat to the passenger
seating position. Push and pull on the
seat to make sure it is locked into place.
Folding the Seatback
Caution
Folding a rear seat with the seat belts
still fastened may cause damage to the
seat or the seat belts. Always unbuckle
the seat belts and return them to their
normal stowed position before folding a
rear seat. To fold the third row seatback:
1. Remove objects on the floor in front of or on the second row seat, or in the seat
tracks on the floor.
2. If the second row seat is in the full rear position, adjust it forward to allow the
third row seat to fold fully flat.
3. Remove anything on or under the seat.
4. Pull the strap on the seatback.
5. Push the seatback forward to lay flat.
6. Repeat for the other seatback, if necessary.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
Instruments and Controls 89
Instruments and Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Rear Window Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Instrument Cluster (Base and Midlevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Instrument Cluster (Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Engine Oil Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . 103
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . 104
Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . 106
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check
Engine Light) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . 108
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Service Electric Parking Brake Light
(Uplevel and Midlevel
Cluster Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Gear Shifting Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Hill Descent Control Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Light . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Pedestrian Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Information Displays
Driver Information Center
(DIC) (Base) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Midlevel and Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Head-Up Display (HUD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Engine Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Universal Remote System
Universal Remote System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Universal Remote System Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Universal Remote System Operation . . . 129

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
96 Instruments and Controls
Freescale-WCT library
Copyright (c) 2012-2014 Freescale
Semiconductor, Inc.. All rights reserved.1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this
list of conditions and the following
disclaimer.
2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice,
this list of conditions and the following
disclaimer in the documentation and/or
other materials provided with the
distribution.
3. Neither the name of the copyright holder nor the names of its contributors may be
used to endorse or promote products
derived from this software without
specific prior written permission. THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE
COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
"AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED
WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED
TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN
NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER
OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY
DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL,
EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
(INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR
SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS;
OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER
CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY,
WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR
TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR
OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF
THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF
ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
DAMAGE.Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning lights and gauges can signal that
something is wrong before it becomes
serious enough to cause an expensive repair
or replacement. Paying attention to the
warning lights and gauges could prevent
injury.
Some warning lights come on briefly when
the engine is started to indicate they are
working. When one of the warning lights
comes on and stays on while driving,
or when one of the gauges shows there
may be a problem, check the section that
explains what to do. Waiting to do repairs
can be costly and even dangerous.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
106 Instruments and Controls
the airbag modules, the wiring, and the
crash sensing and diagnostic module. For
more information on the airbag system, see
Airbag System054.
The airbag readiness light comes on for
several seconds when the vehicle is started.
If the light does not come on then, have it
fixed immediately.
{Warning
If the airbag readiness light stays on
after the vehicle is started or comes on
while driving, it means the airbag system
might not be working properly. The
airbags in the vehicle might not inflate in
a crash, or they could even inflate
without a crash. To help avoid injury,
have the vehicle serviced right away.
If there is a problem with the airbag
system, a Driver Information Center (DIC)
message may also come on.
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
The vehicle has a passenger sensing system.
See Passenger Sensing System 059 for
important safety information. The overhead
console has a passenger airbag status
indicator.
When the vehicle is started, the passenger
airbag status indicator will light ON and OFF,
or the symbol for on and off, for several
seconds as a system check. Then, after
several more seconds, the status indicator
will light either ON or OFF, or either the on
or off symbol, to let you know the status of
the front outboard passenger frontal airbag.
If the word ON, or the on symbol, is lit on
the passenger airbag status indicator, it
means that the front outboard passenger
frontal airbag is allowed to inflate. If the word OFF, or the off symbol, is lit on
the passenger airbag status indicator, it
means that the passenger sensing system
has turned off the front outboard passenger
frontal airbag.
If, after several seconds, both status
indicator lights remain on, or if there are no
lights at all, there may be a problem with
the lights or the passenger sensing system.
See your dealer for service.
{Warning
If the airbag readiness light ever comes
on and stays on, it means that
something may be wrong with the airbag
system. To help avoid injury to yourself
or others, have the vehicle serviced right
away. See
Airbag Readiness Light 0105
for more information, including important
safety information.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14608671) - 2021 - CRC - 10/26/20
Instruments and Controls 125
Chime Volume
This determines the chime volume level.
Touch the controls on the infotainment
display to adjust the volume.
Hands Free Liftgate/Trunk Control
The liftgate may be operated with a kicking
motion under the rear bumper between the
left exhaust pipe and the license plate. See
Liftgate018.
Touch Off, On-Open and Close,
or On-Open Only.
Reverse Tilt Mirror
When on, the driver, passenger, or both
driver and passenger outside mirrors will tilt
downward when the vehicle is shifted into
R (Reverse) to improve visibility of the
ground near the rear wheels. They may
move from their tilted position when the
vehicle is shifted out of R (Reverse) or
turned off. See Reverse Tilt Mirrors 028.
Touch Off, On - Driver and Passenger, On -
Driver, or On - Passenger. Remote Mirror Folding
When on, the outside mirrors will
automatically fold or unfold when the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter
Q
orKis pressed and held on.
Touch Off or On.
Auto Wipe in Reverse Gear
When on and the front wiper is on, the rear
wiper will automatically activate when the
vehicle is shifted to R (Reverse).
Touch Off or On.
Extended Hill Start Assist
This allows the duration of the Hill Start
Assist to be changed.
Touch Extended Hold or Standard Hold.
Lighting
Touch and the following may display:
.Vehicle Locator Lights
.Exit Lighting Vehicle Locator Lights
This feature will flash the exterior lamps and
allows some of the exterior lamps and most
of the interior lamps to turn on briefly
when
Kon the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter is pressed to locate the vehicle.
Touch Off or On.
Exit Lighting
This allows the selection of how long the
exterior lamps stay on when leaving the
vehicle when it is dark outside.
Touch Off, 30 Seconds, 60 Seconds,
or 120 Seconds.
Power Door Locks
Touch and the following may display:
.Open Door Anti Lockout
.Auto Door Unlock
.Delayed Door Lock
Open Door Anti Lock Out
This setting prevents the driver door from
locking when the door is open. If this
setting is on, the Delayed Door Lock menu
will not be available.
Touch Off or On.