2016 GMC TERRAIN engine coolant

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9234776) - 2016 - crc - 10/12/15
Vehicle Care 197
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 198
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 198
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Engine Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 207
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 208
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 214
Power Steering Fluid (2.4L L4 Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Power Steering Fluid (3.6L V6 Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Battery - North America . . . . . . 218
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 219
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 220
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 220
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps, and
Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 225
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Electrical System
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226 Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 233
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 248
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 250

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9234776) - 2016 - crc - 10/12/15
202 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0208.
2. Engine Cover 0204.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See Engine Oil0204.
4. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0204.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0217.
6. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0226.
7. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting - North
America 0258. 8. Remote Negative (−) Terminal.
See Jump Starting - North
America 0258.
9. Battery - North America 0218
(Out of View).
10. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant 0210.
11. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer
Fluid 0216.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9234776) - 2016 - crc - 10/12/15
204 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0208.
2. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Under Engine Cover). See
Power Steering Fluid (2.4L L4
Engine) 0215 orPower
Steering Fluid (3.6L
V6 Engine) 0215.
3. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0204.
4. Engine Cover 0204.
5. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See Engine Oil0204.
6. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0217.
7. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0226.
8. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting - North
America 0258.
9. Remote Negative (−) Terminal. See Jump Starting - North
America 0258.
10. Battery - North America 0218
(Out of View). 11. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant 0210.
12. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer
Fluid 0216.
Engine Cover
Engine Cover 3.6L V6
1. Oil Fill Cap
2. Engine Cover Bolt
3. Engine Cover
To remove:
1. Remove the oil fill cap (1). 2. Remove the engine cover
bolt (2).
3. Raise the engine cover (3) to release from the retainers.
4. Lift and remove the engine cover.
5. Reverse Steps 1–4 to reinstall engine cover.
Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.Use engine oil approved to the
proper specification and of the
proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
. Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9234776) - 2016 - crc - 10/12/15
Vehicle Care 209
3. Remove the four air cleaner/filter housing cover screws.
4. Pull straight up on the cover, and while holding the cover,
remove the air cleaner/filter.
5. Inspect or replace the air cleaner/filter.
How to Reinstall Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
1. Install the air cleaner/filter intothe air cleaner/filter housing.
The outer air cleaner/filter seal
must be fitted properly in the
air cleaner/filter housing. 2. Align the air cleaner/filter
housing cover tabs to the air
cleaner/filter housing.
3. Install the air cleaner/filter housing cover using the four
screws.
{Warning
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/filter off can cause you or
others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air; it
helps to stop flames if the engine
backfires. Use caution when
working on the engine and do not
drive with the air cleaner/filter off.
Caution
If the air cleaner/filter is off, dirt
can easily get into the engine,
which could damage it. Always
have the air cleaner/filter in place
when you are driving.
Cooling System
2.4L L4 Engine
1. Engine Cooling Fan (Out
of View)
2. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9234776) - 2016 - crc - 10/12/15
210 Vehicle Care
3.6L V6 Engine
1. Engine Cooling Fans (Outof View)
2. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
{Warning
An electric engine cooling fan
under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can cause injury. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan. If the coolant inside the coolant
surge tank is boiling, do not do
anything else until it cools down.
The vehicle should be parked on a
level surface.
The coolant level should be at the
COLD FILL line. If it is not, the
vehicle may have a leak at the
radiator hoses, heater hoses,
radiator, water pump, or somewhere
else in the cooling system.
{Warning
Heater and radiator hoses, and
other engine parts, can be very
hot. Do not touch them. If you do,
you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak. If you run the engine, it
could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you
could be burned. Get any leak
fixed before you drive the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with
the engine on, check to see if the
electric engine cooling fan is
running. If the engine is overheating, the fan should be
running. If it is not, the vehicle
needs service. Turn off the engine.
Caution
Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL®can cause
premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition,
the engine coolant could require
changing sooner. Any repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL (silicate-free) coolant
in the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is
filled with DEX-COOL®engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in the vehicle for 5 years or
240 000 km (150,000 mi), whichever
occurs first.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9234776) - 2016 - crc - 10/12/15
Vehicle Care 211
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
seeEngine Overheating 0214.
What to Use
{Warning
Adding only plain water or some
other liquid to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water
and other liquids, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The coolant warning system is set
for the proper coolant mixture.
With plain water or the wrong
mixture, the engine could get too
hot but you would not get the
overheat warning. The engine
could catch fire and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/
50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. If using this mixture,
nothing else needs to be added.
This mixture:
.
Gives freezing protection down
to−37 °C (−34 °F), outside
temperature.
. Gives boiling protection up to
129 °C (265 °F), engine
temperature.
. Protects against rust and
corrosion.
. Will not damage aluminum parts.
. Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Caution
If improper coolant mixture,
inhibitors, or additives are used in
the vehicle cooling system, the
engine could overheat and be
damaged. Too much water in the
mixture can freeze and crack
engine cooling parts. The repairs
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Use only the
proper mixture of engine coolant
for the cooling system. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants0283.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on
the ground, or into sewers, streams,
or bodies of water. Have the coolant
changed by an authorized service
center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used
coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant surge tank. If the coolant
inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until
it cools down. If coolant is visible

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9234776) - 2016 - crc - 10/12/15
212 Vehicle Care
but the coolant level is not at or
above the COLD FILL line, add a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant at the
coolant surge tank, but be sure the
cooling system is cool before this is
done. SeeEngine
Overheating 0214.
The coolant surge tank is in the
engine compartment on the driver
side of the vehicle. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0201.
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank
Caution
This vehicle has a specific
coolant fill procedure. Failure to
follow this procedure could cause
the engine to overheat and be
severely damaged.
If you have not found a problem yet,
check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant surge tank. If coolant is
visible but the coolant level is not at
the COLD FILL line, add a 50/
50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL coolant at the
coolant surge tank, but be sure the
cooling system, including the
coolant surge tank pressure cap, is
cool before you do it. See
Engine
Overheating 0214 for more
information.
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system can blow out
and burn you badly. They are
under pressure, and if you turn
the coolant surge tank pressure
cap —even a little —they can
come out at high speed. Never
turn the cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
coolant surge tank pressure cap
to cool if you ever have to turn
the pressure cap.
{Warning
Adding only plain water or some
other liquid to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water
and other liquids, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The coolant warning system is set
for the proper coolant mixture.
With plain water or the wrong
mixture, the engine could get too
hot but you would not get the
overheat warning. The engine
could catch fire and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/
50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant.
{Warning
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9234776) - 2016 - crc - 10/12/15
Vehicle Care 213
Caution
In cold weather, water can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator,
heater core, and other parts. Use
the recommended coolant and
the proper coolant mixture.
1. Remove the coolant surge tankpressure cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is no
longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about
one-quarter of a turn. If you
hear a hiss, wait for that to
stop. This will allow any
pressure still left to be vented
out the discharge hose. 2. Keep turning the pressure cap
slowly, and remove it.3. Fill the coolant surge tank withthe proper DEX-COOL coolant
mixture, to the COLD FILL line.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until the
upper radiator hose can be felt
getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan(s). By this time, the coolant level
inside the coolant surge tank
may be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper
DEX-COOL coolant mixture to
the coolant surge tank until the
level reaches the COLD
FILL line.
5. Replace the pressure cap. Be sure the pressure cap is
hand-tight.
Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and
possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
Check the level in the coolant surge
tank when the cooling system has
cooled down. If the coolant is not at
the proper level, repeat
Steps 1-3 and reinstall the pressure
cap. If the coolant still is not at the
proper level when the system cools
down again, see your dealer.