2011 GMC TERRAIN Owner's Manual

Black plate (39,1)GMC Terrain Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-39
Brake Assist
This vehicle has a brake assist
feature designed to assist the driver
in stopping or decreasing vehicle
speed in emergency driving
conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake
control module to supplement
the power brake system under
conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle. The
stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates.
Minor brake pedal pulsation or
pedal movement during this time
is normal and the driver should
continue to apply the brake pedal
as the driving situation dictates.
The brake assist feature will
automatically disengage when the
brake pedal is released or brake
pedal pressure is quickly
decreased.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
This vehicle has a Hill Start Assist
(HSA) feature, which may be useful
when the vehicle is stopped on a
grade. This feature is designed to
prevent the vehicle from rolling,
either forward or rearward, during
vehicle drive off. After the driver
completely stops and holds the
vehicle in a complete standstill on
a grade, HSA will be automatically
activated. During the transition
period between when the driver
releases the brake pedal and starts
to accelerate to drive off on a grade,
HSA holds the braking pressure to
ensure that there is no rolling. The
brakes will automatically release
when the accelerator pedal is
applied within the two‐second
window. It will not activate if the
vehicle is in a drive gear and facing
downhill or if the vehicle is facing
uphill and in R (Reverse).
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control
System (TCS)
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) that limits wheel spin.
On a front-wheel-drive vehicle, the
system operates if it senses that
one or both of the front wheels
are spinning or beginning to lose
traction. On an All-Wheel-Drive
(AWD) vehicle, the system will
operate if it senses that any of the
wheels are spinning or beginning to
lose traction. When this happens,
the system brakes the spinning
wheel(s) and/or reduces engine
power to limit wheel spin.
The system may be heard or felt
while it is working, but this is
normal.

Black plate (40,1)GMC Terrain Owner Manual - 2011
9-40 Driving and Operating
TCS is on whenever the vehicle
is started. To limit wheel spin,
especially in slippery road
conditions, the system should
always be left on. But, TCS can
be turned off if needed.
dflashes to indicate that the
traction control system is active.
If there is a problem detected
with TCS, SERVICE TRACTION
CONTROL and SERVICE
STABILITRAK may be displayed
on the Driver Information Center
(DIC) and
dwill be on. See Ride
Control System Messages on
page 5‑27. When this message is
displayed and
dcomes on and stays on, the vehicle is safe to drive
but the system is not operational.
Driving should be adjusted
accordingly.
Notice:
Do not repeatedly brake
or accelerate heavily when TCS is
off. The vehicle's driveline could
be damaged.
If
dcomes on and stays on, reset
the system by:
1. Stopping the vehicle.
2. Turning the engine off and waiting 15 seconds.
3. Starting the engine.
If
dstill comes on and stays on at a
speed above 20 km/h (13 mph), see
your dealer for service.
A chime may also sound when the
light comes on steady.
The
gis located on the console.
The TCS off light comes on and
TRACTION CONTROL OFF is
displayed on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) to indicate that the
traction control system has been
turned off. See Ride Control System
Messages on page 5‑27.
TCS can be turned off by
pressing and releasing
g.
When TCS is turned off,
icomes
on and the system will not limit
wheel spin. Driving should be
adjusted accordingly. Press and
release
gagain to turn the system
back on.
When TCS is turned off on AWD
vehicles, the system may still make
noise. This is normal and necessary
with AWD hardware.

Black plate (41,1)GMC Terrain Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-41
It may be necessary to turn the
system off if the vehicle ever gets
stuck in sand, mud, or snow and
rocking the vehicle is required. See
If the Vehicle is Stuck on page 9‑21
for more information. See also
Winter Driving on page 9‑19for
information on using TCS when
driving in snowy or icy conditions.
If cruise control is being used when
TCS activates, cruise control will
automatically disengage. Press the
cruise control button to re‐engage
when road conditions allow. See
Cruise Control on page 9‑42.
Adding non‐GM accessories can
affect the vehicle's performance.
See Accessories and Modifications
on page 10‑3 for more information.StabiliTrak®System
The vehicle has a vehicle stability
enhancement system called
StabiliTrak. It is an advanced
computer controlled system that
assists with directional control of the
vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
StabiliTrak activates when the
computer senses a difference
between the intended path and the
direction the vehicle is actually
traveling. StabiliTrak selectively
applies braking pressure to the
vehicle's brakes to help steer the
vehicle in the intended direction.
StabiliTrak is on automatically
whenever the vehicle is started. To
assist with directional control of the
vehicle, the system should always
be left on.
When the stability control system
activates, the Traction Control
System (TCS)/StabiliTrak light will
flash on the instrument panel. This
also occurs when traction control is
activated. A noise may be heard or
vibration may be felt in the brake
pedal. This is normal. Continue to
steer the vehicle in the intended
direction.
If there is a problem detected
with StabiliTrak, SERVICE
STABILITRAK is displayed
on the Driver Information Center
(DIC) and
dwill stay on. See
Vehicle Messages on page 5‑24.

Black plate (42,1)GMC Terrain Owner Manual - 2011
9-42 Driving and Operating
When this message is displayed
and/or
dcomes on and stays
on, the vehicle is safe to drive
but the system is not operational.
Driving should be adjusted
accordingly. See Ride Control
System Messages on page 5‑27.
If
dcomes on and stays on, reset
the system by:
1. Stopping the vehicle.
2. Turning the engine off and waiting 15 seconds.
3. Starting the engine.
If
dstill comes on and stays on at a
speed above 20 km/h (13 mph), see
your dealer for service.
gis located on the console.
Both StabiliTrak and Traction
Control can be turned off if
needed by pressing and
holding
guntilgandicome
on the instrument panel. When
StabiliTrak is turned off, the system
will not assist with directional
control of the vehicle or limit
wheel spin. Driving should be
adjusted accordingly. Press and
release
gagain to turn the system
back on.
If cruise control is being used when
StabiliTrak activates, the cruise
control will automatically disengage.
Press the cruise control button to
re‐engage when road conditions
allow. See Cruise Control on
page 9‑42 for more information.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, the vehicle can
maintain a speed of about 40 km/h
(25 mph) or more without keeping
your foot on the accelerator. Cruise
control does not work at speeds
below 40 km/h (25 mph).
If the brakes are applied, the cruise
control is disengaged.
If the vehicle has the StabiliTrak
®
system and begins to limit wheel
spin while using cruise control,
the cruise control automatically
disengages. See StabiliTrak
®
System on page 9‑41 orTraction
Control System (TCS) on
page 9‑39. When road conditions
allow you to safely use it again,
the cruise control can be turned
back on.

Black plate (43,1)GMC Terrain Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-43
{WARNING
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. So, do not use
the cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
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.
1(On/Off):Press to turn the
cruise control system on and off.
*(Cancel): Press to disengage
cruise control without erasing the
set speed from memory.
RES/+ (Resume/Accel): Move the
thumbwheel up toward RES/+ to
make the vehicle resume to a
previously set speed or to
accelerate. SET/−
(Set/Coast): Move the
thumbwheel down toward SET/- to
set a speed and activate cruise
control, or to make the vehicle
decelerate.
Setting Cruise Control
If the cruise button is on when not in
use, it could get bumped and go into
cruise when not desired. Keep the
cruise button turned off when cruise
control is not being used.
1. Press
1.
2. Get to the speed desired.
3. Press the thumbwheel and release it. The desired set speed
briefly appears in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) display.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.

Black plate (44,1)GMC Terrain Owner Manual - 2011
9-44 Driving and Operating
Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a
desired speed and then the brakes
are applied, the cruise control is
disengaged without erasing the set
speed from memory.
Once the vehicle reaches about
40 km/h (25 mph) or more, move
the thumbwheel up toward RES/+
briefly. The vehicle returns to the
previous set speed and stays there.
Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is
already activated,
.Move the thumbwheel up toward
RES/+ and hold it until the
vehicle accelerates to the
desired speed, and then
release it.
.To increase the speed in small
amounts, move the thumbwheel
up toward RES/+ briefly and
then release it. Each time this is
done, the vehicle goes about
1.6 km/h (1 mph) faster.Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is
already activated,
.Move the thumbwheel toward
SET/−
and hold until the desired
lower speed is reached, then
release it.
.To slow down in small amounts,
move the thumbwheel toward
SET/− briefly. Each time this is
done, the vehicle goes about
1.6 km/h (1 mph) slower.
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.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control works
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
the vehicle speed. When going
downhill, you might have to brake or
shift to a lower gear to maintain the
vehicle's speed. When the brakes
are applied the cruise control is
disengaged.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to end cruise
control:
.To disengage cruise control;
step lightly on the brake pedal
or clutch, the indicator light will
go off.
.Press*.
.To turn off the cruise control,
press
1. The cruise control
cannot be resumed.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is
erased from memory if
1is pressed
or if the vehicle is turned off.

Black plate (45,1)GMC Terrain Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-45
Object Detection
Systems
Ultrasonic Parking Assist
For vehicles with the Ultrasonic
Rear Parking Assist (URPA) system,
it assists the driver with parking
and avoiding objects while in
R (Reverse). URPA operates at
speeds less than 8 km/h (5 mph),
and the sensors on the rear bumper
detect objects up to 2.5 m (8 ft)
behind the vehicle, and at least
20 cm (8 in) off the ground.
{WARNING
The Ultrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA) system does not
replace driver vision. It cannot
detect:
.Objects that are below the
bumper, underneath the
vehicle, or too close or far
from the vehicle.
.Children, pedestrians,
bicyclists, or pets.
If you do not use proper care
before and while backing, vehicle
damage, injury, or death could
occur. Even with URPA, always
check behind the vehicle before
backing up. While backing, be
sure to look for objects and check
the vehicle's mirrors.
How the System Works
URPA comes on automatically
when the shift lever is moved into
R (Reverse). A single tone sounds
to indicate the system is working.
URPA operates only at speeds less
than 8 km/h (5 mph).
An obstacle is indicated by audible
beeps. The interval between the
beeps becomes shorter as the
vehicle gets closer to the obstacle.
When the distance is less than
30 cm (12 in) the beeping is
continuous for 5 seconds.
To be detected, objects must be at
least 20 cm (8 in) off the ground and
below taillamp level. Objects must
also be within 2.5 m (8 ft) from the
rear bumper. The distance objects
can be detected may be less during
warmer or humid weather.

Black plate (46,1)GMC Terrain Owner Manual - 2011
9-46 Driving and Operating
PARK ASSIST OFF displays on the
Driver Information Center (DIC) to
indicate that URPA is off. The
message disappears after a short
period of time.
SeeObject Detection System
Messages on page 5‑27 for URPA
messages.
Turning the System On and Off
The URPA system can be turned
on and off using the infotainment
system controls. See Vehicle
Personalization on page 5‑30 for
more information.
URPA defaults to the on setting
each time the vehicle is started.
When the System Does Not
Seem to Work Properly
If the URPA system does not
activate due to a temporary
condition, the message PARK
ASSIST OFF displays on the DIC.
See Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 5‑20 for more information.
This can occur under the following
conditions:
.The driver has disabled the
system.
.The ultrasonic sensors are not
clean. Keep the vehicle's rear
bumper free of mud, dirt, snow,
ice, and slush. For cleaning
instructions, see Exterior Care
on page 10‑82.
.The park assist sensors are
covered by frost or ice, which
can occur after washing the
vehicle in cold weather. Keep
the sensors free of frost or ice.
.A trailer was attached to the
vehicle, or an object was
hanging out of the trunk during
the last drive cycle. Once the
object is removed, URPA will
return to normal operation.
.The vehicle's bumper is
damaged. Take the vehicle to
your dealer to repair the system.
.Other conditions may affect
system performance, such as
vibrations from a jackhammer or
the compression of air brakes on
a very large truck.