Black plate (34,1)GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-7707484) - 2015 - crc - 10/1/14
9-34 Driving and Operating
{Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or
accelerate heavily when TCS is
off. The vehicle driveline could be
damaged.
To turn off only TCS, press and
release the
gbutton. The traction
off light
idisplays in the instrument
cluster and the appropriate DIC
message displays. See Ride Control
System Messages on page 5-28.
To turn TCS on again, press and
release the
gbutton. The traction
off light
idisplayed in the
instrument cluster will turn off.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
the
gbutton is pressed, the system
will not turn off until the wheels stop
spinning. To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak,
press and hold the
gbutton until
the traction off light
iand
StabiliTrak OFF light
gcome on
and stay on in the instrument
cluster. The appropriate DIC
message displays. See Ride Control
System Messages on page 5-28.
To turn TCS and StabiliTrak on
again, press and release the
g
button. The traction off lightiand
StabiliTrak OFF light
gin the
instrument cluster turn off.
Adding accessories can affect the
vehicle performance. See
Accessories and Modifications on
page 10-2.
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).
{Warning
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. Do not use
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.
If equipped with the StabiliTrak
®
system, the system may begin to
limit wheel spin while you are using
cruise control. If this happens, the
Black plate (35,1)GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-7707484) - 2015 - crc - 10/1/14
Driving and Operating 9-35
cruise control will automatically
disengage. SeeTraction Control/
Electronic Stability Control on
page 9-32. If a collision alert occurs
when cruise control is activated,
cruise control is disengaged. See
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System on page 9-37. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it
again, cruise control can be turned
back on.
If the brakes are applied, cruise
control is disengaged.o(On/Off): Press to turn cruise
control on or off.
n(Cancel): Press to disengage
cruise control without erasing the
set speed from memory.
RES/+ (Resume/Accel): If there is
a set speed in memory, move the
thumbwheel up briefly to resume to
that speed or hold upward to
accelerate. If cruise control is
already active, use to increase
vehicle speed.
SET/− (Set/Coast): Move the
thumbwheel down briefly to set the
speed and activate cruise control.
If cruise control is already active,
use to decrease speed.
Setting Cruise Control
If the
obutton is on when not in
use, SET/− or RES/+ could get
bumped and go into cruise when not
desired. Keep
oturned off when
cruise control is not being used.
1. Press
oto turn the cruise
system on. 2. Get up to the speed desired.
3. Move the thumbwheel toward
SET/− and release it. The
desired set speed briefly
appears in the Driver Information
Center (DIC) display.
4. Remove foot from the accelerator.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a
desired speed and then the brakes
are applied or
nis pressed, 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
previously set speed.
Black plate (36,1)GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-7707484) - 2015 - crc - 10/1/14
9-36 Driving and Operating
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, then release it.
.To increase vehicle speed in
small increments, move the
thumbwheel up toward RES/+
briefly. For each press, the
vehicle goes about 1.6 km/h
(1 mph) faster.
The speedometer reading can be
displayed in either English or metric
units. See Instrument Cluster on
page 5-7. The increment value used
depends on the units displayed. 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 decrease the vehicle speed in
small increments, move the
thumbwheel toward SET/−
briefly. For each press, the
vehicle goes about 1.6 km/h
(1 mph) slower.
The speedometer reading can be
displayed in either English or metric
units. See Instrument Cluster on
page 5-7. The increment value used
depends on the units displayed. 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 slows down to the previously
set cruise control speed. While
pressing the accelerator pedal or
shortly following the release to
override cruise control, briefly
moving the thumbwheel toward
SET/−
will result in cruise set to the
current vehicle 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 speed. When the brakes are
applied, the cruise control is
disengaged.
Black plate (37,1)GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-7707484) - 2015 - crc - 10/1/14
Driving and Operating 9-37
Ending Cruise Control
There are four ways to end cruise
control:
.Step lightly on the brake pedal.
.Pressn.
.Shift the transmission to
N (Neutral).
.To turn off cruise control,
press
o.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is
erased from memory if
ois
pressed or if the vehicle is
turned off.
Driver Assistance
Systems
Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) System
If equipped, the FCA system may
help to avoid or reduce the harm
caused by front-end crashes. When
approaching a vehicle ahead too
quickly, FCA provides a red flashing
alert and rapidly beeps. FCA also
lights a red visual alert if following
another vehicle much too closely.
FCA detects vehicles within a
distance of approximately 60 m
(197 ft) and operates at speeds
above 40 km/h (25 mph).
{Warning
FCA is a warning system and
does not apply the brakes. When
approaching a slower-moving or
stopped vehicle ahead too rapidly,
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
or when following a vehicle too
closely, FCA may not provide a
warning with enough time to help
avoid a crash. FCA does not warn
of pedestrians, animals, signs,
guardrails, bridges, construction
barrels, or other objects. Be ready
to take action and apply the
brakes. For more information, see
Defensive Driving on page 9-3.
FCA can be disabled with the FCA
steering wheel control.
Detecting the Vehicle Ahead
FCA warnings will not occur unless
the FCA system detects a vehicle
ahead. When a vehicle is detected,
Black plate (38,1)GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-7707484) - 2015 - crc - 10/1/14
9-38 Driving and Operating
the vehicle-ahead indicator will
display green. Vehicles may not be
detected on curves, highway exit
ramps, or hills; or due to poor
visibility. FCA will not detect another
vehicle ahead until it is completely
in the driving lane.
{Warning
FCA does not provide a warning
to help avoid a crash, unless it
detects a vehicle. FCA may not
detect a vehicle ahead if the FCA
sensor is blocked by dirt, snow,
or ice, or if the windshield is
damaged. It may also not detect a
vehicle on winding or hilly roads,
or in conditions that can limit
visibility such as fog, rain,
or snow, or if the headlamps or
windshield are not cleaned or in
proper condition. Keep the
windshield, headlamps, and FCA
sensors clean and in good repair.Collision Alert
When your vehicle approaches
another detected vehicle too rapidly,
the red FCA display will flash and
sound several high-pitched beeps
from the front. When this Collision
Alert occurs, the brake system may
prepare for driver braking to occur
more rapidly which can cause a
brief, mild deceleration. Continue to
apply the brake pedal as needed.
Cruise control may be disengaged
when the Collision Alert occurs.
Tailgating Alert
The red Collision Alert display will
stay continuously illuminated when
following a detected vehicle ahead
much too closely.
Selecting the Alert Timing
The Collision Alert control is on the
steering wheel. Press COLLISION
ALERT to set the FCA timing to far,
medium, near, or off. The first button
press shows the current control
setting on the DIC. Additional button
presses will change this setting. The
chosen setting will remain until it is
changed and will affect both the
Collision Alert and the Tailgating
Alert features. The timing of both
alerts will vary based on vehicle
speed. The faster the vehicle speed,
the farther away the alert will occur.
Black plate (40,1)GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-7707484) - 2015 - crc - 10/1/14
9-40 Driving and Operating
Turn RPA off when towing a trailer.
When the System Does Not
Seem to Work Properly
The following messages may be
displayed on the DIC:
SERVICE PARKING ASSIST:If
this message occurs, check the
following conditions:
.The 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 10-73.
.The park assist sensors are
covered by frost or ice. Frost or
ice can form around and behind
the sensors and may not always
be seen; this can occur after
washing the vehicle in cold
weather. The message may not
clear until the frost or ice has
melted.
If the above conditions do not exist,
take the vehicle to your dealer to
repair the system. PARK ASSIST OFF:
If the RPA
system does not activate due to a
temporary condition, the message
displays on the DIC. This can occur
under the following conditions:
.The driver has disabled the
system.
.A trailer was attached to the
vehicle, or an object was
hanging out of the liftgate during
the last drive cycle. Once the
object is removed, RPA will
return to normal operation.
.A tow bar is attached to the
vehicle.
.The bumper is damaged. Take
the vehicle to your dealer to
repair the system.
.Other conditions, such as
vibrations from a jackhammer or
the compression of air brakes on
a very large truck, are affecting
system performance.
Side Blind Zone
Alert (SBZA)
If equipped, the SBZA system is a
lane-changing aid that assists
drivers with avoiding crashes that
occur with vehicles in the side blind
zone (or spot) areas. The SBZA
warning display will light up in the
corresponding outside side mirror
and will flash if the turn signal is on.
{Warning
SBZA does not alert the driver to
vehicles rapidly approaching
outside of the side blind zones,
pedestrians, bicyclists,
or animals. It may not provide
alerts when changing lanes under
all driving conditions. Failure to
use proper care when changing
lanes may result in injury, death,
or vehicle damage. Before
making a lane change, always
(Continued)
Black plate (52,1)GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-7707484) - 2015 - crc - 10/1/14
9-52 Driving and Operating
Before starting, check all trailer hitch
parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connectors, lamps,
tires and mirrors. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start the
combination moving and then apply
the trailer brake controller by hand
to be sure the brakes work.
During the trip, check occasionally
to be sure that the load is secure
and the lamps and any trailer
brakes still work.
Towing with a Stability Control
System
When towing, the sound of the
stability control system might be
heard. The system is reacting to the
vehicle movement caused by the
trailer, which mainly occurs during
cornering. This is normal when
towing heavier trailers.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving the vehicle without a trailer.
This can help to avoid situations
that require heavy braking and
sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed
when towing a trailer. Because the
rig is longer, it is necessary to go
farther beyond the passed vehicle
before returning to the lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. To move the
trailer to the left, move your hand to
the left. To move the trailer to the
right, move your hand to the right.
Always back up slowly and,
if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making Turns
{Caution
Making very sharp turns while
trailering could cause the trailer to
come in contact with the vehicle.
The vehicle could be damaged.
Avoid making very sharp turns
while trailering.
When turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal so the
trailer will not strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other
objects. Use the turn signal well in
advance and avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers.
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
The turn signal indicators on the
instrument panel flash whenever
signaling a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer
Black plate (53,1)GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-7707484) - 2015 - crc - 10/1/14
Driving and Operating 9-53
lamps also flash, telling other
drivers the vehicle is turning,
changing lanes or stopping.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on
the instrument panel flash for turns
even if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. Check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gear before starting down a long or
steep downgrade. If the
transmission is not shifted down, the
brakes might have to be used so
much that they would get hot and no
longer work well.
The vehicle can tow in D (Drive).
Use a lower gear if the transmission
shifts too often.
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, engine coolant
boils at a lower temperature than at
normal altitudes. If the engine is
turned off immediately after towing
at high altitude on steep uphillgrades, the vehicle could show
signs similar to engine overheating.
To avoid this, let the engine run
while parked, preferably on level
ground, with the transmission in
P (Park) for a few minutes before
turning the engine off. If the
overheat warning comes on, see
Engine Overheating on page 10-18.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do
not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if facing
downhill or into traffic if facing
uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the brake pedal
until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift
into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal while you:
.Start the engine.
.Shift into a gear.
.Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.