GMC launches rear-seat alert in 2017 Acadia

DETROIT -- As the temperatures rise outside, children, pets and other personal items can be mistakenly left in a vehicle with blistering heat.

GMC is looking to change that.

Dubbed the “Rear Seat Reminder,” the feature was designed to remind drivers to check their back seat as they exit their Acadia.

Rear Seat Reminder is standard on the redesigned 2017 Acadia. It is not available on the 2017 Acadia Limited, which is the older version.

General Motors said it intends to roll out the technology in other vehicles, but didn't offer specific nameplates.

The feature -- designed, engineered in-house and patented by GM -- works by monitoring the Acadia’s rear doors. It’s intended to activate when either rear door is opened and closed within 10 minutes before the vehicle is started, or if they are opened and closed while the vehicle is running, GMC said in a statement.

When that happens, the next time the Acadia is turned off, after a door activation, five audible chimes will sound and display a message in the dash that says “Rear Seat Reminder Look in Rear Seat.”

Rear Seat Reminder does not apply to the third row, however.

“Whether it’s your lunch, laptop, pet or most importantly, your child, it’s easier than it seems to forget what’s in the back seat when moving between life’s events,” said Tricia Morrow, GM global safety strategy engineer, in a statement. “With this new feature, we are leading the charge to address this ongoing problem.”