2010 GMC TERRAIN traction control

Introduction v
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel Controls
or OnStar®
$: Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B: Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.: Fuel Gauge
+:Fuses
i: Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j: LATCH System Child
Restraints
*: Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid

Instruments and Controls 4-1
Instruments and
Controls
Instrument Panel Overview
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . 4-4
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 4-6
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 4-6
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . 4-7
Rear Window Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
Clock (With Date Display) . . . . . 4-9
Clock (Without Date Display) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . 4-14
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . 4-14
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . 4-15
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
Charging System Light . . . . . . 4-16
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19 Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-20
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-21
StabiliTrak®OFF Light . . . . . . . 4-21
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak
®Light . . . . 4-21
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . 4-22
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 4-23
Fuel Economy Light . . . . . . . . . 4-23
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 4-24
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-24
High-Beam on Light . . . . . . . . . 4-24
Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-25
Lamps on Reminder . . . . . . . . . 4-25
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . 4-25
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-25

Instruments and Controls 4-21
Traction Off Light
This light comes on if the Traction
Control System (TCS) either has
a problem or is turned off. DIC
messages appear in the DIC display
to help explain. SeeRide Control
System Messages
on page 4‑33for more information.
See Traction Control System (TCS)
on page 8‑41andStabiliTrak
Systemon page 8‑42for more
information.
StabiliTrak®OFF Light
This light comes on when the
StabiliTrak system is turned off.
If the Traction Control System (TCS)
is off, wheel spin is not limited. If the
StabiliTrak system is off, the system
does not assist in controlling the
vehicle. Turn on the TCS and the
StabiliTrak system and the warning
light turns off.
Check the DIC for applicable
messages. See Ride Control
System Messages
on page 4‑33for more information.
See Traction Control System (TCS)
on page 8‑41andStabiliTrak
Systemon page 8‑42for more
information.
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak®Light
The StabiliTrak®system or the
Traction Control System (TCS)
indicator/warning light comes on
briefly while starting the engine.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer/retailer.
If the system is working normally
the indicator light then goes off.

4-22 Instruments and Controls
The indicator/warning light flashes
while the StabiliTrak or TCS system
is working to control the vehicle on
a low traction surface.
If the TCS warning light comes on
and stays on while driving, the
vehicle needs service.
Check the Driver Information Center
(DIC) for applicable messages. See
Ride Control System Messages
on
page 4‑33for more information.
See Traction Control System (TCS)
on page 8‑41andStabiliTrak
Systemon page 8‑42for more
information.
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with a tire pressure
monitoring system, this light comes
on briefly when the engine is
started. It provides information
about tire pressures and the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System.
When the Light is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of
the tires are significantly
underinflated. A tire pressure message in the
Driver Information Center (DIC), can
accompany the light. See
Tire
Messages
on page 4‑35for more
information. Stop as soon as
possible, and inflate the tires to the
pressure value shown on the tire
loading information label. See Tire
Pressure
on page 9‑52for more
information.
When the Light Flashes First and
Then is On Steady
This indicates that there may be a
problem with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System. The light flashes
for about a minute and stays on
steady for the remainder of the
ignition cycle. This sequence
repeats with every ignition cycle.
See Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation
on page 9‑55for
more information.

Instruments and Controls 4-33
Key and Lock Messages
Replace Battery In Remote Key
This message displays when the
battery in the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter needs to be
replaced.
Transport Mode On
This message displays when the
ignition is held in START for
15 seconds. The battery light may
also be flashing when this message
is displayed. To turn this message
off, start the vehicle and hold the
key in the START position for
15 seconds.
Object Detection System
Messages
Park Assist Off
This message is displayed when the
park assist system has been turned
off. SeeUltrasonic Parking Assist
on page 8‑47.
Service Park Assist
This message is displayed if there is
a problem with the park assist
system. Take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer for service.
Ride Control System
Messages
All Wheel Drive Off
If your vehicle has the All-Wheel
Drive (AWD) system, this message
displays when the rear drive system
is overheating. This message turns
off when the rear drive system cools
down. If the warning message stays
on for a while, you need to reset the
warning message. To reset the
warning message, turn the ignition
off and then back on again. If the
message stays on, see your dealer/
retailer right away. See All-Wheel
Drive
on page 8‑38for more
information.
Service All Wheel Drive
If your vehicle has the All-Wheel
Drive (AWD) system, this message
displays if a problem occurs with
this system. If this message
appears, stop as soon as possible
and turn off the vehicle. Restart the
vehicle and check for the message
on the DIC display. If the message
is still displayed or appears again
when you begin driving, the AWD
system needs service. See your
dealer/retailer.
Service Traction Control
This message displays when there
is a problem with the Traction
Control System (TCS). When this
message is displayed, the system
will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your
driving accordingly. See your dealer/
retailer for service.

4-34 Instruments and Controls
Service Stabilitrak
This message displays if there is a
problem with the StabiliTrak®
system. If this message appears, try
to reset the system. Stop; turn off
the engine for at least 15 seconds;
then start the engine again. If this
message still comes on, it means
there is a problem. See your dealer/
retailer for service. The vehicle is
safe to drive, however, you do not
have the benefit of StabiliTrak, so
reduce your speed and drive
accordingly.
Stabilitrak Off
This message displays when the
StabiliTrak system is turned off. See
StabiliTrak System
on page 8‑42for more information.
Traction Control Off
This message displays when the
Traction Control System (TCS) is
turned off. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
Traction Control On
This message displays when the
Traction Control System (TCS) is
first turned on. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS)
on page 8‑41for
more information.
Airbag System Messages
Service Airbag
This message is displayed if there is
a problem with the airbag system.
Take the vehicle to your dealer/
retailer for service.
Safety Belt Messages
Buckle Seatbelt
This message displays as a
reminder when the safety belt is
not buckled.
Anti-Theft Alarm System
Messages
Theft Attempted
This message displays if the vehicle
detects a tamper condition.
Service Vehicle Messages
Service AC System
This message is displayed if there is
a problem with the air conditioning
system. Take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer for service.
Service Power Steering
This message is displayed if there is
a problem with the power steering
system. Take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer for service.
Service Vehicle Soon
This message is displayed if there is
a problem with the vehicle. Take the
vehicle to your dealer/retailer for
service.

Driving and Operating 8-1
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better FuelEconomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-7
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-7
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . 8-18
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . 8-18
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 8-19
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-20
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . 8-22
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . 8-22
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . 8-27
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-28
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-29
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . 8-29
Engine Coolant Heater . . . . . . . 8-31
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-32
Shifting Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . 8-33
Parking Over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-33
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-34
Running the Vehicle WhileParked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-34
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . 8-35
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-37
Fuel Economy Mode . . . . . . . . . 8-38
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-38
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-39
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-40
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-40
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . 8-41
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-41
StabiliTrak System . . . . . . . . . . . 8-42
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-44
Object Detection Systems
Ultrasonic Parking Assist . . . . 8-47
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-50
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-54
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . 8-54
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . 8-54

Driving and Operating 8-5
If the engine ever stops while the
vehicle is being driven, brake
normally but do not pump the
brakes. If the brakes are pumped,
the pedal could get harder to push
down. If the engine stops, there will
still be some power brake assist but
it will be used when the brake is
applied. Once the power assist is
used up, it can take longer to stop
and the brake pedal will be harder
to push.
Adding non‐dealer/non‐retailer
accessories can affect vehicle
performance. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 9‑3.
Steering
Electric Power Steering
(2.4L L4 Engine)
If the engine stalls while driving, the
power steering assist system will
continue to operate until you are
able to stop the vehicle. If power steering assist is lost because the
electric power steering system is not
functioning, the vehicle can be
steered but it will take more effort.
If you turn the steering wheel in
either direction several times until
it stops, or hold the steering wheel
in the stopped position for an
extended amount of time, you may
notice a reduced amount of power
steering assist. The normal amount
of power steering assist should
return shortly after a few normal
steering movements.
The electric power steering
system does not require regular
maintenance. If you suspect
steering system problems, such as
abnormally high steering effort for a
prolonged period of time, contact
your dealer/retailer for service
repairs.
Hydraulic Power Steering
(3.0L V6 Engine)
If power steering assist is lost
because the engine stops or the
power steering system is not
functioning, the vehicle can be
steered but it will take more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a
reasonable speed.
Traction in a curve depends on the
condition of the tires and the road
surface, the angle at which the
curve is banked, and vehicle speed.
While in a curve, speed is the one
factor that can be controlled.
If there is a need to reduce speed,
do it before entering the curve, while
the front wheels are straight.
Try to adjust the speed so you can
drive through the curve. Maintain a
reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until out of the curve, and
then accelerate gently into the
straightaway.