2011 GMC Acadia Owner's Manual - Page 299

Driving and Operating This is normal and is due to the torque converter designed to improve fuel economy and performance. Use the brake to hold the vehicle on a hill. Do not use the accelerator pedal. L (Low): This position gives you access to gear ranges. This provides more engine braking but lower fuel economy than D (Drive). You can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. To use this feature: 1. Move the shift lever to L (Low). 2. Press the plus/minus button located on the shift lever, to increase or decrease the gear range available. When you shift from D (Drive) to L (Low), the transmission will shift to a pre-determined lower gear range. The highest gear available for this pre-determined range is displayed next to the L in the DIC. See Driver Information Center (DIC) (With DIC Buttons) on page 5‑25 or Driver Information Center (DIC) (Without DIC Buttons) on page 5‑30 for more information. The number displayed in the DIC is the highest gear that the transmission will be allowed to operate in. This means that all gears below that number are available. For example, when 4 (Fourth) is shown next to the L, 1 (First) through 4 (Fourth) gears are automatically shifted by the vehicle. 9-27 The transmission will not shift into 5 (Fifth) until the + (Plus) button is used or you shift back into D (Drive). While in L (Low), the transmission will prevent shifting to a lower gear range if the engine speed is too high. You have a brief period of time to slow the vehicle. If vehicle speed is not reduced within the time allowed, the lower gear range shift will not be completed. You must further slow the vehicle, then press the − (Minus) button to the desired lower gear range. Automatic Engine Grade braking is not available when the ERS is active. It is available in D (Drive) for both normal and Tow/Haul mode. While using the ERS, cruise control and the tow/haul mode can be used. See Tow/Haul Mode following. Manual Mode Electronic Range Select (ERS) Mode ERS mode allows you to choose the top-gear limit of the transmission and the vehicle's speed while driving down hill or towing a trailer. The vehicle has an electronic shift position indicator within the instrument panel cluster. When using the ERS Mode a number will display next to the L, indicating the current gear that has been selected.