Instrument Cluster: 2021 GMC Acadia Dashboard Guide
The 2021 GMC Acadia’s instrument cluster is where all of the important information for the driver is kept. It does this by combining important vehicle data and features into a dashboard-style that is both easy to understand and use. The instrument cluster has a modern look and a digital display that can show a lot of different things. It shows the speed of the vehicle, the engine’s RPM, the fuel level, the temperature, and other information. It also has features that help the driver, like navigation prompts, audio controls, and safety alerts. Its easy-to-use interface lets drivers quickly look at important information while keeping their eyes on the road ahead. This makes it safer and more convenient. With its sleek design and wide range of features, the 2021 GMC Acadia’s instrument cluster changes the way driving is done by putting unmatched ease of use, clarity, and control right at the driver’s fingers.
2023 GMC ACADIA Specs, Price, Features and Mileage (Brochure)
Instrument Cluster (Base and Midlevel)
- Fuel Gauge
- Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
- Speedometer
- Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base) or Driver Information Center (DIC) (Midlevel and Uplevel)
- Tachometer
Base Cluster Menu
There is an interactive display area in the center of the instrument cluster.
Use the right steering wheel control to open and scroll through the different items and displays.
Press
to access the cluster applications. Use 
the list of available applications. Not all applications will be available on all vehicles.
- Info App. This is where the selected Driver Information Center (DIC) displays can be viewed.
- Options
Options
Press
to select the Options app, then press
to enter the Options menu. Use to scroll through items in the Options menu.
Units: Press while Units is displayed to enter the Units menu. Choose English or Metric units by pressing V while the desired item is highlighted.
Info Pages: Press while Info Pages is displayed to enter the Info Pages menu and select the items to be displayed in the Info app.
Speed Warning: The Speed Warning display allows you to set a speed not to be exceeded. To set, press when Speed Warning is displayed. Scroll to adjust the value. Press to set the speed. Once the speed is set, this feature can be turned off by pressing while viewing this page. If the selected speed limit is exceeded, a pop-up warning is displayed with a chime.
Midlevel Cluster Menu
There is an interactive display area in the center of the instrument cluster.
Use the right steering wheel control to open and scroll through the different items and displays. Press 
to change between the cluster applications. Use it to scroll through the list of available features within each application. Not all applications will be available on all vehicles. Some may be temporarily restricted when the vehicle is off or in ACC/ACCESSORY.
- Home Page
- Info App. This is where the selected Driver Information Center (DIC) displays can be viewed. See “Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base and Midlevel)” in the Index.
- Audio
- Navigation
- Phone
- Options
Home
The information displayed here can be customized from the Options menu.
Speedometer: Displays how fast the vehicle is moving in either kilometers per hour (km/h) or miles per hour (mph).
Speed Sign: Shows sign information, which comes from a roadway database in the onboard navigation if equipped.
Time: Displays the current time.
Fuel Range: Displays the approximate distance the vehicle can be driven without refueling. The fuel range estimate is based on an average of the vehicle’s fuel economy over recent driving history and the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank. The fuel range cannot be reset.
Audio
Use to scroll through options, browse for music, select from favorites, or change the audio source. In the main view, scroll to change the station, or go to the next or previous track.
Navigation
In the Navigation menu, if there is no active route, press to access Recents or Favorites. If there is an active route, press to cancel or resume route guidance, mute or unmute voice guidance, or access Recents or Favorites.
Phone
In the Phone menu, if there is no active phone call, view recent calls, scroll through contacts, select from the favorites, or change the phone source. If there is an active call, mute the phone or switch to handset operation.
Options
Use to scroll through items in the Options menu. Press to select the item. Press to exit the item.
Units: Choose US or Metric units. A selected mark will be displayed next to the selected item.
Info Page Options: Select the items to be displayed in the Info app. A selected mark will be displayed next to the selected item.
Home Page Options: Select the available elements to display. Not all elements will be available on all vehicles: Speedometer, Active Safety, Speed Sign, Time, and Fuel Range.
Speed Warning: Allows you to set a speed not to be exceeded. To set it, press when a Speed Warning is displayed. Use to adjust the value. Press to set the speed. Once the speed is set, this feature can be turned off by pressing the while viewing this page. If the selected speed limit is exceeded, a pop-up warning is displayed with a chime.
Software Information: Displays open-source software information.
Instrument Cluster (Uplevel)
- Engine Oil Temperature Gauge
- Speedometer
- Voltmeter Gauge
- Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
- Fuel Gauge
- Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base) or Driver Information Center (DIC) (Midlevel and Uplevel)
- Tachometer
Cluster Menu
There is an interactive display area in the center of the instrument cluster.
Use the right steering wheel control to open and scroll through the different items and displays. Press to access the cluster applications. Use to scroll through the list of available applications. Press to select. Not all applications will be available on all vehicles.
- Info App. This is where the selected Driver Information Center (DIC) displays can be viewed.
- Audio
- Phone
- Navigation
- Options
Audio
Press to select the Audio app, then press to enter the Audio menu. In the Audio menu browse for music, select from the favorites, or change the audio source. Use to change the station or go to the next or previous track.
Phone
Press to select the Phone app, then press to enter the Phone menu. In the Phone menu, if there is no active phone call, view recent calls, or scroll through contacts. If there is an active call, mute the phone or switch to handset operation.
Navigation
Press the to select the Navigation app, then press to enter the Navigation menu. If there is no active route, you can resume the last route and turn the voice prompts on/off. If there is an active route, press to cancel or resume route guidance or turn the voice prompts on or off.
Options
Press the to select the Options app, then press to enter the Options menu. Use to scroll through items in the Options menu.
Units: Press while Units is displayed to enter the Units menu. Choose English or Metric units by pressing while the desired item is highlighted.
Display Themes: There are two instrument cluster display configurations to choose from: Sport and Touring.
Info Pages: Press while Info Pages is displayed to enter the Info Pages menu and select the items to be displayed in the Info app.
Speed Warning: The Speed Warning display allows you to set a speed not to be exceeded. To set, press when Speed Warning is displayed. Scroll to set speed and press. Scroll to adjust the value and press the to set the speed. Once the speed is set, this feature can be turned off by pressing while viewing this page. If the selected speed limit is exceeded, a pop-up warning is displayed with a chime.
Software Information: Displays open-source software information.
Speedometer
The speedometer shows the vehicle’s speed in either kilometers per hour (km/h) or miles per hour (mph).
Odometer
The odometer shows how far the vehicle has been driven, in either kilometers or miles.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer shows how far the vehicle has been driven since the trip odometer was last reset. The trip odometer is accessed and reset through the Driver Information Center (DIC).
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine speed in revolutions per minute (rpm). For vehicles with the Stop/Start system, when the ignition is on, the tachometer indicates the vehicle status. When pointing to AUTO STOP, the engine is off but the vehicle is on and can move. The engine could auto-start at any time. When the indicator points to OFF, the vehicle is off. When the engine is on, the tachometer will indicate the engine’s revolutions per minute (rpm). The tachometer may vary by several hundred rpm, during Auto Stop mode, when the engine is shutting off and restarting.
Fuel Gauge
When the ignition is on, the fuel gauge indicates how much fuel is left in the tank. An arrow on the fuel gauge indicates the side of the vehicle the fuel door is on. When the indicator is empty, the low fuel light comes on. There is a small amount of fuel left, but the fuel tank should be filled soon. Here are three things that some owners ask about.
None of these show a problem with the fuel gauge:
- It takes a little more, or less fuel to fill up than the gauge indicated. For example, the gauge may have indicated the tank was half full, but it actually took a little more, or less than half the tank’s capacity to fill the tank.
- The gauge moves a little while turning a corner, speeding up or braking.
- The gauge takes a few seconds to stabilize after the ignition is turned on and goes back to empty when the ignition is turned off.
Engine Oil Temperature Gauge
This gauge shows the engine oil temperature. If the gauge pointer moves into the high end, it means that the engine oil has overheated. If the vehicle has been operated under normal driving conditions, pull off the road, stop the vehicle, and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
This gauge shows the engine coolant temperature. If the pointer moves toward the warning area at the high end of the gauge, the engine is too hot. If the engine coolant has overheated and the vehicle has been operating under normal driving conditions, pull off the road, stop the vehicle, and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
Voltmeter Gauge
When the ignition is on, this gauge indicates the battery voltage. When the engine is running, this gauge shows the condition of the charging system. The gauge can transition from a higher to lower or a lower to higher reading. This is normal. If the vehicle is operating outside the normal operating range, the charging system light comes on. Readings outside the normal operating range can also occur when a large number of electrical accessories are operating in the vehicle and the engine is left idling for an extended period. This condition is normal since the charging system is not able to provide full power at engine idle. As engine speeds are increased, this condition should correct itself as higher engine speeds allow the charging system to create maximum power. The vehicle can only be driven for a short time with the readings outside the normal operating range. If the vehicle must be driven, turn off all accessories, such as the radio and air conditioner, and unplug all chargers and accessories. Readings outside the normal operating range indicate a possible problem in the electrical system. Have the vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
FAQs
The instrument cluster of the 2021 GMC Acadia displays essential vehicle data such as speed, RPM, fuel level, temperature, and various driver-assist features including navigation prompts and safety alerts.
Navigation through the menus on the instrument cluster of the 2021 GMC Acadia is typically done using buttons or controls located on the steering wheel or dashboard.
Yes, the display settings of the instrument cluster in the 2021 GMC Acadia may be customizable to suit individual preferences and needs.
The instrument cluster of the 2021 GMC Acadia provides warning messages and alerts for various issues such as low fuel, tire pressure, engine problems, and safety system malfunctions.
The instrument cluster of the 2021 GMC Acadia enhances driver convenience and safety by providing easy access to important vehicle information and alerts, allowing drivers to stay informed without diverting their attention from the road.
Yes, drivers can typically adjust the brightness of the instrument cluster display in the 2021 GMC Acadia to suit different lighting conditions and personal preferences.
Yes, the instrument cluster of the 2021 GMC Acadia may display maintenance reminders for tasks such as oil changes, tire rotations, and scheduled inspections.
Yes, the instrument cluster of the 2021 GMC Acadia often includes a trip computer that tracks various trip-related data such as mileage, average fuel economy, and trip duration.
The readings provided by the instrument cluster of the 2021 GMC Acadia are generally accurate, although it’s essential to occasionally cross-reference them with physical inspections or diagnostics.
Some diagnostic information may be accessible through the instrument cluster of the 2021 GMC Acadia, such as warning lights indicating potential issues that require further attention.
Yes, drivers can often reset or clear warning messages on the instrument cluster of the 2021 GMC Acadia by following specific procedures outlined in the vehicle’s manual.
Depending on the model and trim level, the instrument cluster of the 2021 GMC Acadia may support smartphone integration features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which can display compatible apps and features directly on the cluster.
If you encounter a malfunction with the instrument cluster of your 2021 GMC Acadia, it’s advisable to have it inspected and repaired by a certified technician to ensure accurate and reliable operation.
While customization options may vary depending on the model and trim level, some versions of the 2021 GMC Acadia may offer limited customization for the layout or design of the instrument cluster display.
Useful Links
View Full PDF: GMC Acadia 2021 User Manual | Auto User Guide
2023 GMC ACADIA Specs, Price, Features and Mileage (Brochure)