
Black plate (1,1)GMC Terrain Owner Manual - 2011
2011 GMC Terrain Owner ManualM
In Brief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Performance and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Keys, Doors and Windows . . . 2-1
Keys and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Exterior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Interior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-40 Storage
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 4-1
Additional Storage Features . . . 4-2
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Instruments and Controls . . . . 5-1
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 5-30
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Lighting Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-11
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-19
Rear Seat Infotainment . . . . . . . 7-33
Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-45 Climate Controls
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 9-26
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 9-34
Drive Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-37
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-37
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-39
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Object Detection Systems . . . . 9-45
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-52
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-57
Conversions and
Add-Ons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-64

Black plate (1,1)GMC Terrain Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-1
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Heated Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11 Sensing System for
Passenger Airbag . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 1-14
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Vehicle Features
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . 1-19
Bluetooth
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . 1-20
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Navigation System . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21 Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . 1-21
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Ultrasonic Parking Assist . . . . 1-22
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
StabiliTrak
®System . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . 1-24
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 1-24
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . 1-24
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26

Black plate (22,1)GMC Terrain Owner Manual - 2011
1-22 In Brief
.Power Door Locks
.Remote Lock/Unlock/Start
.Return to Factory Settings
See Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑30.
Rear Vision
Camera (RVC)
If available, the rear vision camera
displays a view of the area behind
the vehicle when the vehicle is
shifted into R (Reverse). The
display will appear on either the
inside rearview mirror or navigation
screen, if equipped.
To clean the camera lens, located
above the license plate, rinse it with
water and wipe it with a soft cloth.
See Rear Vision Camera (RVC) on
page 9‑47.
Ultrasonic Parking Assist
If available, Ultrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA) uses sensors on the
rear bumper to detect objects while
parking the vehicle. URPA comes
on automatically when the shift lever
is moved into R (Reverse) and
operates at speeds less than 8 km/h
(5 mph). URPA uses audio beeps
to provide distance and system
information.
Keep the sensors on the vehicle's
rear bumper clean to ensure proper
operation.
The URPA system can be turned
on and off using the infotainment
system controls. See Vehicle
Personalization on page 5‑30 for
more information.
See Ultrasonic Parking Assist on
page 9‑45 for more information.
Roof Rack System
The roof rack cross rails can be
locked in four positions along the
roof rack side rails. Lift the lever to
release and move the cross rail.
Push the lever down to completely
engage into the side rail holes. Slide
the cross rails back and forth until
the lock pins engage in the holes
and a click is heard.
When the roof rack is not in use,
lock one cross rail at the furthest
forward position and lock the other
cross rail at the furthest rearward
position to reduce wind noise. See
Roof Rack System on page 4‑2.

Black plate (19,1)GMC Terrain Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-19
.Press and hold the front or
rear of the driver side switch
to open or close the sunroof.
The sunshade automatically
opens with the sunroof, but must
be closed manually.
.Press and hold the rear of the
passenger side switch to vent
the sunroof. Press and hold the
front of the switch to close.
Express-open/Express-close
Press and release the front or
rear of the driver side switch to
express-open or express-close the
sunroof.
Anti-Pinch Feature
If an object is in the path of the
sunroof when it is closing, the
anti-pinch feature detects the object
and stops the sunroof from closing
at the point of the obstruction. The
sunroof then returns to the full-open
position.
Dirt and debris may collect on the
sunroof seal or in the track. This
could cause an issue with sunroof
operation, noise, or plugging the
water drainage system. Periodically
open the sunroof and remove any
obstacles or loose debris. Wipe the
sunroof seal and roof sealing area
using a clean cloth, mild soap, and
water. Do not remove grease from
the sunroof.

Black plate (1,1)GMC Terrain Owner Manual - 2011
Storage 4-1
Storage
Storage Compartments
Instrument Panel Storage . . . . 4-1
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Center Console Storage . . . . . . 4-1
Additional Storage Features
Cargo Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Cargo Tie-Downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Roof Rack System
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Storage
Compartments
Instrument Panel Storage
There may be a storage
compartment on the instrument
panel. Pull the handle to open.
Glove Box
Open the glove box by lifting up on
the lever.
Cupholders
Two cupholders are in the center
console. Cupholders may be located
in the second row seat armrest. To
access, pull the armrest down.
Center Console Storage
For vehicles with a center console
storage, use the lever (A) on the
front to open.

Black plate (2,1)GMC Terrain Owner Manual - 2011
4-2 Storage
Additional Storage
Features
Cargo Cover
For vehicles with a cargo cover, use
it to cover items in the rear of the
vehicle.
To remove the cover from the
vehicle, pull both ends toward each
other. To reinstall, place each end of
the cover in the holes behind the
rear seat.
Cargo Tie-Downs
The vehicle may be equipped with
four cargo tie downs (A) located in
the rear compartment.
Convenience Net
This vehicle may have a
convenience net located in the rear
of the vehicle. Attach it to the cargo
tie‐downs for storing small loads.
Do not use the net to store heavy
loads.
Roof Rack System
{WARNING
If something is carried on top of
the vehicle that is longer or wider
than the roof rack—like paneling,
plywood, or a mattress —the
wind can catch it while the vehicle
is being driven. The item being
carried could be violently torn off,
and this could cause a collision
and damage the vehicle. Never
carry something longer or wider
than the roof rack on top of the
vehicle unless using a GM
certified accessory carrier.
This vehicle may be equipped with
a roof rack. For roof racks that
do not have cross rails included,
GM certified cross rails can be
purchased as an accessory.
See your dealer for additional
information.

Black plate (3,1)GMC Terrain Owner Manual - 2011
Storage 4-3
Notice:Loading cargo on the
roof rack that weighs more than
100 kg (220 lbs) or hangs over the
rear or sides of the vehicle may
damage the vehicle. Load cargo
so that it rests evenly between
the crossrails, making sure to
fasten cargo securely.
To prevent damage or loss of cargo
when driving, check to make sure
cross rails and cargo are securely
fastened. Loading cargo on the roof
rack will make the vehicle's center
of gravity higher. Avoid high speeds,
sudden starts, sharp turns, sudden
braking, or abrupt maneuvers;
otherwise it may result in loss of
control. If driving for a long distance,
on rough roads, or at high speeds,
occasionally stop the vehicle to
make sure the cargo remains in its
place. Do not exceed the maximum
vehicle capacity when loading the
vehicle. For more information on
vehicle capacity and loading, see
Vehicle Load Limits on page 9‑21.
The roof rack cross rails can be
locked in four positions along the
roof rack side rails. These are the
only positions that the cross rails
will lock.Lift the lever to release and move
the cross rail.
Position the cross rail on both sides
of the vehicle at the same time.

Black plate (4,1)GMC Terrain Owner Manual - 2011
4-4 Storage
Push the lever down to completely
engage into the side rail holes. If the
lever is not tight, then the cross rail
is not engaged in a side rail hole.
Slide the cross rails back and forth
until the lock pins engage in the
holes and a click is heard as the
pins align and the cross rail locks.Try sliding the cross rails forward
and backward to ensure that they
are correctly secured and that the
levers stay tight to the cross rails.
Do not stand on the plastic lower
body panels when loading cargo on
the roof rack.
When the roof rack is not in use,
lock one cross rail at the furthest
forward position and lock the other
cross rail at the furthest rearward
position to reduce wind noise.