2022 GMC ACADIA traction control

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-15170041) - 2022 - CRC - 10/6/21
Driving and Operating 209
Warning (Continued)
.Adjust the climate control system to
circulate the air inside the vehicle and
set the fan speed to the highest
setting. See“Climate Control Systems.”
For more information about CO, see
Engine Exhaust 0220.
To save fuel, run the engine for short
periods to warm the vehicle and then shut
the engine off and partially close the
window. Moving about to keep warm also
helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive, when
running the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs faster than
the idle speed. This keeps the battery
charged to restart the vehicle and to signal
for help with the headlamps. Do this as
little as possible, to save fuel.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to
free the vehicle when stuck in sand, mud,
ice, or snow. If stuck too severely for the traction system
to free the vehicle, turn the traction system
off and use the rocking method. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control
0
227.
{Warning
If the vehicle's tires spin at high speed,
they can explode, and you or others
could be injured. The vehicle can
overheat, causing an engine compartment
fire or other damage. Spin the wheels as
little as possible and avoid going above
56 km/h (35 mph).
Select All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Mode. See
Driver Mode Control 0229 and
All-Wheel Drive 0224.
Rocking the Vehicle to Get it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and right to
clear the area around the front wheels. Turn
off any traction system. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a low forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as possible. To
prevent transmission wear, wait until the
wheels stop spinning before shifting gears.
Release the accelerator pedal while shifting,
and press lightly on the accelerator pedal when the transmission is in gear. Slowly
spinning the wheels in the forward and
reverse directions causes a rocking motion
that could free the vehicle. If that does not
get the vehicle out after a few tries, it
might need to be towed out. If the vehicle
does need to be towed out, see
Towing the
Vehicle 0334.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how much
weight the vehicle can carry. This
weight is called the vehicle capacity
weight and includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options. Two labels
on the vehicle may show how much
weight it may properly carry, the Tire
and Loading Information label and the
Certification/Tire label.
{Warning
Do not load the vehicle any heavier
than the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the maximum
front or rear Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). This can cause
(Continued)

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-15170041) - 2022 - CRC - 10/6/21
Driving and Operating 227
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control System
(TCS) and StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability
Control (ESC), an electronic stability control
system. These systems help limit wheel spin
and assist the driver in maintaining control,
especially on slippery road conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any of the
drive wheels are spinning or beginning to
lose traction. When this happens, TCS
applies the brakes to the spinning wheels
and reduces engine power to limit
wheel spin.
StabiliTrak/ESC activates when the vehicle
senses a difference between the intended
path and the direction the vehicle is actually
traveling. StabiliTrak/ESC selectively applies
braking pressure to any one of the vehicle
wheel brakes to assist the driver in keeping
the vehicle on the intended path.
If cruise control is being used and TCS or
StabiliTrak/ESC begins to limit wheel spin,
cruise control will disengage. Cruise controlmay be turned back on when road
conditions allow. TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC will
automatically turn on when cruise control
is set.
Both systems come on automatically when
the vehicle is started and begins to move.
The systems may be heard or felt while
they are operating or while performing
diagnostic checks. This is normal and does
not mean there is a problem with the
vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both systems on
for normal driving conditions, but it may be
necessary to turn TCS off if the vehicle gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. See
If the
Vehicle Is Stuck 0209 and“Turning the
Systems Off and On” later in this section.
The indicator light for both systems is in the
instrument cluster. This light:
.Will flash when TCS is limiting wheel spin
.Will flash when StabiliTrak/ESC is
activated
.Will turn on and stay on when either
system is not working
.May flash when ABS is active
If either system fails to turn on or to
activate, a message may display in the
Driver Information Center (DIC), and
d
comes on and stays on to indicate that the
system is inactive and is not assisting the
driver in maintaining control. The vehicle is
safe to drive, but driving should be adjusted
accordingly.
If
dcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
4. Drive the vehicle.
If
dcomes on and stays on, the vehicle
may need more time to diagnose the
problem. If the condition persists, see your
dealer.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-15170041) - 2022 - CRC - 10/6/21
228 Driving and Operating
Turning the Systems Off and On
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or accelerate
heavily when TCS is off. The vehicle
driveline could be damaged.
To turn off only TCS, press and release
g.
The Traction Off light
idisplays in the
instrument cluster and a DIC message may
display.
To turn TCS on again, press and release
g.
The Traction Off light
idisplayed in the
instrument cluster will turn off. If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
gis
pressed, the system will not turn off until
the wheels stop spinning.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC,
press and hold
guntil the Traction Off light
iand StabiliTrak/ESC OFF lightgcome on
and stay on in the instrument cluster. A DIC
message may display.
To turn TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC on again,
press and release
g. The Traction Off light
iand StabiliTrak/ESC OFF lightgin the
instrument cluster turn off.
StabiliTrak will automatically turn on if the
vehicle exceeds 56 km/h (35 mph). Traction
control will remain off.
Adding accessories can affect the vehicle
performance. See Accessories and
Modifications 0270.
Hill Descent Control (HDC)
If equipped, HDC can be used when driving
downhill. It sets and maintains vehicle speed
while descending a very steep incline in a
forward or reverse gear.
The HDC switch is on the center console. Press
5to enable or disable HDC. Vehicle
speed must be below 50 km/h (31 mph).
A blinking HDC light indicates the system is
actively applying the brakes to maintain
vehicle speed.
HDC can maintain vehicle speeds between
3–22 km/h (2–14 mph) on an incline greater
than or equal to a 10% grade.
When HDC is activated, the initial HDC
speed is set to the current driving speed.
It can be increased or decreased by pressing
the RES+ or SET– steering wheel controls or
by applying the accelerator or brake pedal.
This adjusted speed becomes the new set
speed.
HDC will remain enabled between
22–60 km/h (14–37 mph); however vehicle
speed cannot be set or maintained in this
range. It will automatically disable if the
vehicle speed is above 80 km/h (50 mph) or
above 60 km/h (37 mph) for at least
30 seconds. Press
5again to re-enable HDC.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-15170041) - 2022 - CRC - 10/6/21
Driving and Operating 229
Driver Mode Control
If equipped, the Driver Mode Control has the
following Modes: Tour (FWD), Sport,
All-Wheel Drive (AWD), Snow/Ice, Tow/Haul,
and Off-Road. Rotate the Driver Mode
Control knob on the center console to make
a mode selection. Continue turning the knob
through the available modes. The selected
mode’s icon will light up on the knob and
there may be additional messages in the
Driver Information Center (DIC) and
indicators in the instrument cluster.
If the vehicle is in Tour (FWD) or AWD, it
will stay in that mode through future
ignition cycles. If the vehicle is in any other
mode, it will revert back to Tour (FWD)
when the vehicle is restarted.
Driver Mode Control Knob (AWD)
Driver Mode Control Knob (FWD)
5orqTour (FWD) :Vehicle is in Tour
(FWD) Mode. Use this mode during normal
driving conditions. See Driving for Better Fuel
Economy 0200. Tour (FWD) Mode operates
in Front-Wheel Drive to improve fuel
economy.
8Sport : Sport Mode improves vehicle
handling and acceleration on dry pavement.
When active, Sport Mode modifies steering
efforts, transmission shifting, and suspension
tuning (when equipped). For AWD vehicles,
choosing Sport Mode also engages
AWD Mode.
The Performance Algorithm Liftfoot (PAL)
feature is enabled in Sport Mode. PAL allows
the transmission to hold the current gear
after a quick release of a heavily applied
accelerator pedal. This provides greater
engine braking and enhanced vehicle control.
4AWD (AWD Only) : AWD Mode
provides drive torque to all four wheels.
Select AWD to improve traction and control
on slippery road surfaces, such as gravel,
sand, wet pavement, snow, and ice. When in
AWD Mode, the AWD Mode indicator will be
on. The AWD Mode will stay selected until
the mode is changed.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-15170041) - 2022 - CRC - 10/6/21
230 Driving and Operating
AWD is active in AWD, Sport, and Off-Road
Modes.
Sport, Tow/Haul, and Off-Road Modes are
cancelled with each ignition cycle and will
return to Tour (FWD) Mode.
6Snow/Ice (FWD Only) :Snow/Ice Mode
improves vehicle acceleration on snow and
ice covered roads.
_Tow/Haul : This feature can assist
when towing a heavy load. Use this mode
to assist in maintaining desired vehicle
speeds when driving on downhill grades by
using the engine and transmission. When
active, Tow/Haul Mode modifies
transmission shifting, suspension tuning,
steering effort, and Trailer Sway Control. For
AWD vehicles, choosing Tow/Haul Mode also
engages AWD Mode. See Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips 0258.
Automatic Engine Grade Braking
Automatic Engine Grade Braking assists
when driving downhill. It maintains vehicle
speed by automatically implementing a shift
pattern that uses the engine and the
transmission to slow the vehicle. The system
will automatically command downshifts to
reduce vehicle speed. The normal shift pattern will return once the vehicle is on a
low grade or when the accelerator pedal is
pressed.
While in the Electronic Range Select (ERS)
mode, grade braking is deactivated, allowing
the driver to select a range and limiting the
highest gear available. Grade braking is
available for normal driving and in
Tow/Haul Mode.
See
Automatic Transmission 0220.
7Off-Road (AWD Only) : Use this mode
for off-road recreational driving. When
active, Off-Road Mode modifies accelerator
pedal response, ABS, TCS, steering effort,
suspension tuning, and the StabiliTrak/ESC
system. Choosing Off-Road Mode also
engages AWD Mode. For more information
on Off-Road Mode, see Off-Road Driving
0 203.
Cruise Control
{
Warning
Cruise control can be dangerous where
you cannot drive safely at a steady
speed. Do not use cruise control on
winding roads or in heavy traffic. (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast
changes in tire traction can cause
excessive wheel slip, and you could lose
control. Do not use cruise control on
slippery roads.
With cruise control, a speed of about
40 km/h (25 mph) or more can be
maintained without keeping your foot on
the accelerator. Cruise control does not work
at speeds below about 40 km/h (25 mph).
If the StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) system begins to limit wheel spin
while using cruise control, the cruise control
automatically disengages. See Traction
Control/Electronic Stability Control 0227. If a
collision alert occurs when cruise control is
activated, cruise control is disengaged. See
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System 0246.
When road conditions allow the cruise
control to be safely used, cruise control can
be turned back on.
Turning off the TCS or StabiliTrak/ESC
system will disengage the cruise control.
If the brakes are applied, cruise control
disengages.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-15170041) - 2022 - CRC - 10/6/21
232 Driving and Operating
The speedometer reading can be displayed
in either English or metric units. See
Instrument Cluster (Base and Midlevel)098
or
Instrument Cluster (Uplevel) 0101. The
increment value used depends on the units
displayed.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise
Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase the
vehicle speed. When you take your foot off
the pedal, the vehicle will slow down to the
previous set cruise speed.
While pressing the accelerator pedal or
shortly following the release to override
cruise, briefly applying SET− will result in
cruise set to the current vehicle speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control will work on
hills depends upon the vehicle speed, load,
and the steepness of the hills. When going
up steep hills, you might have to step on
the accelerator pedal to maintain your
speed. When going downhill, you may have
to brake or shift to a lower gear to keep
your speed down. If the brake pedal is
applied, cruise control disengages. Ending Cruise Control
There are four ways to end cruise control:
.Step lightly on the brake pedal.
.Press*.
.Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
.PressJ.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is erased from
memory if
Jis pressed or if the ignition is
turned off.
Adaptive Cruise Control
(Advanced)
If equipped with Adaptive Cruise Control
(ACC), it allows the driver to select the
cruise control set speed and following gap.
Read this entire section before using this
system. The following gap is the following
time between your vehicle and a vehicle
detected directly ahead in your path,
moving in the same direction. If no vehicle
is detected in your path, ACC works like
regular cruise control. ACC uses camera and
radar sensors. See Radio Frequency
Statement 0373. If a vehicle is detected in your path, ACC can
apply acceleration or limited, moderate
braking to maintain the selected following
gap. To disengage ACC, apply the brake.
If ACC is controlling your vehicle speed
when the Traction Control System (TCS) or
StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
system activates, the ACC may automatically
disengage. See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0227. When road
conditions allow ACC to be safely used, the
ACC can be turned back on.
Disabling the TCS or StabiliTrak/ESC system
will disengage and prevent engagement
of ACC.
ACC can reduce the need for you to
frequently brake and accelerate, especially
when used on expressways, freeways, and
interstate highways. When used on other
roads, you may need to take over the
control of braking or acceleration more
often.
{Warning
ACC has limited braking ability and may
not have time to slow the vehicle down
enough to avoid a collision with another
vehicle you are following. This can occur
(Continued)

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-15170041) - 2022 - CRC - 10/6/21
Driving and Operating 233
Warning (Continued)
when vehicles suddenly slow or stop
ahead, or enter your lane. Also see
“Alerting the Driver”in this section.
Complete attention is always required
while driving and you should be ready to
take action and apply the brakes. See
Defensive Driving 0201.
{Warning
ACC will not detect or brake for children,
pedestrians, animals, or other objects.
Do not use ACC when:
.On winding and hilly roads or when
the sensors are blocked by snow, ice,
or dirt. The system may not detect a
vehicle ahead. Keep the entire front of
the vehicle clean.
.Visibility is low, such as in fog, rain,
or snow conditions. ACC performance
is limited under these conditions.
.On slippery roads where fast changes
in tire traction can cause excessive
wheel slip.
J:Press to turn the system on or off. The
indicator turns white on the instrument
cluster when ACC is turned on.
RES+ : Press briefly to resume the previous
set speed or to increase vehicle speed if ACC
is already activated. To increase speed by
1 km/h (1 mph), briefly press RES+. To
increase speed to the next 5 km/h (5 mph)
mark on the speedometer, press and hold
RES+, then release.
SET– :Press briefly to set the speed and
activate ACC or to decrease vehicle speed if
ACC is already activated. To decrease speed
by 1 km/h (1 mph), briefly press SET−. To
decrease speed to the next 5 km/h (5 mph)
mark on the speedometer, press and hold
SET−, then release.
*: Press to disengage ACC without erasing
the selected set speed.
[: Press to select a following gap time
(or distance) setting for ACC of Far, Medium,
or Near.
Switching Between ACC and Regular Cruise
Control
To switch between ACC and regular cruise
control, press and hold
*. A Driver
Information Display (DIC) message displays.
See Vehicle Messages 0123.
ACC IndicatorRegular Cruise Control
Indicator
When ACC is engaged, a green
]indicator
will be lit on the instrument cluster. When
the regular cruise control is engaged, a
green
Jindicator will be lit on the
instrument cluster.

GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-15170041) - 2022 - CRC - 10/6/21
Driving and Operating 237
Stationary or Very Slow-Moving Objects
{Warning
ACC may not detect and react to stopped
or slow-moving vehicles ahead of you. For
example, the system may not brake for a
vehicle it has never detected moving. This
can occur in stop-and-go traffic or when a
vehicle suddenly appears due to a vehicle
ahead changing lanes. Your vehicle may
not stop and could cause a crash. Use
caution when using ACC. Your complete
attention is always required while driving
and you should be ready to take action
and apply the brakes.
Irregular Objects Affecting ACC
ACC may have difficulty detecting the
following objects:
.Vehicles with cargo extending from the
back end.
.Non-standard shaped vehicles, such as
vehicle transport, vehicles with a side car
fitted, or horse carriages.
.Objects that are close to the front of your
vehicle. ACC Automatically Disengages
ACC may automatically disengage and the
driver will need to manually apply the
brakes to slow the vehicle when:
.The sensors are blocked.
.The Traction Control System (TCS) or
StabiliTrak/ESC system has activated or
been disabled.
.There is a fault in the system.
.The radar may falsely report a blockage
when driving in a desert or remote area
with no other vehicles or roadside objects.
.A DIC message may display to indicate
that ACC is temporarily unavailable.
The ACC indicator will turn white when ACC
is no longer active.
In some cases, when ACC is temporarily
unavailable, regular cruise control may be
used. See “Switching Between ACC and
Regular Cruise Control” in this section.
Always consider driving conditions before
using either cruise control system.
Notification to Resume ACC
ACC will maintain a follow gap behind a
detected vehicle and slow your vehicle to a
stop behind that vehicle. If the stopped vehicle ahead has driven
away and ACC has not resumed, the vehicle
ahead indicator will flash as a reminder to
check traffic ahead before proceeding. In
addition, the left and right sides of the
Safety Alert Seat will pulse three times,
or three beeps will sound. See
“Alert Type”
and “Adaptive Cruise Go Notifier” in
“Collision/Detection Systems” underVehicle
Personalization 0124.
When the vehicle ahead drives away, press
RES+ or the accelerator pedal to resume
cruise control. If stopped for more than
two minutes or if the driver door is opened
and the driver seat belt is unbuckled, the
ACC automatically applies the Electric
Parking Brake (EPB) to hold the vehicle. The
EPB status light will turn on. See Electric
Parking Brake 0225. To resume ACC and
release the EPB, press the accelerator pedal.
A DIC warning message may display
indicating to shift to P (Park) before exiting
the vehicle. See Vehicle Messages 0123.
{Warning
If ACC has stopped the vehicle, and if ACC
is disengaged, turned off, or canceled, the
vehicle will no longer be held at a stop.
(Continued)