GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9234776) - 2016 - crc - 10/12/15
Introduction 3
Danger, Warning, and
Caution
Warning messages found on vehicle
labels and in this manual describe
hazards and what to do to avoid or
reduce them.
{Danger
Danger indicates a hazard with a
high level of risk which will result
in serious injury or death.
{Warning
Warning indicates a hazard that
could result in injury or death.
Caution
Caution indicates a hazard that
could result in property or vehicle
damage.
A circle with a slash through it is a
safety symbol which means“Do
Not,” “Do not do this,” or“Do not let
this happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead of
text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or
information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gauge, or indicator.
M: Shown when the owner
manual has additional instructions
or information.
*: Shown when the service
manual has additional instructions
or information.
0: Shown when there is more
information on another page —
“see page.” 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)
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I: Cruise Control
`:Do Not Puncture
^:Do Not Service
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
_: Flame/Fire Prohibited
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gauge
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9234776) - 2016 - crc - 10/12/15
92 Instruments and Controls
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . 93
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . 93
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . 93
Rear Window Wiper/Washer . . . 94
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . 101
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 101
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 103 Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 103
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . 107
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
StabiliTrak
®OFF Light . . . . . . . . 107
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak
®Light . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 108
Fuel Economy Light . . . . . . . . . . 109
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 109
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 110
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . 110
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 110
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Battery Voltage and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Brake System Messages . . . . . 114
Compass Messages . . . . . . . . . . 114
Cruise Control Messages . . . . . 114
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . 114
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . 115
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 116
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . . 116
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . . 116
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Ride Control System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Airbag System Messages . . . . . 118
Security Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Service Vehicle Messages . . . . 118
Tire Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Transmission Messages . . . . . . 119
Vehicle Reminder Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9234776) - 2016 - crc - 10/12/15
Instruments and Controls 103
Warning (Continued)
Light0101 for more information,
including important safety
information.
Charging System Light
The charging system light comes on
briefly when the ignition is turned
on, but the engine is not running, as
a check to show the light is working.
The light turns off when the engine
is started. If it does not, have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the light stays on, or comes on
while driving, there may be a
problem with the electrical charging
system. Have it checked by your
dealer. Driving while this light is on
could drain the battery. When this light comes on, the Driver
Information Center (DIC) also
displays a message.
See
Battery Voltage and Charging
Messages 0114.
If a short distance must be driven
with the light on, be sure to turn off
all accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine
Light)
This light is part of the vehicle’s
emission control on-board
diagnostic system. If this light is on
while the engine is running, a
malfunction has been detected and
the vehicle may require service. The
light should come on to show that it
is working when the ignition is in
ON/RUN and the engine is not
running. See Ignition
Positions 0160.
Malfunctions are often indicated by
the system before any problem is
noticeable. Being aware of the light
and seeking service promptly when
it comes on may prevent damage.
Caution
If the vehicle is driven continually
with this light on, the emission
control system may not work as
well, the fuel economy may be
lower, and the vehicle may not
run smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs that might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9234776) - 2016 - crc - 10/12/15
114 Instruments and Controls
Battery Voltage and
Charging Messages
BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE
This message displays when the
vehicle has detected that the battery
voltage is dropping beyond a
reasonable point. The battery saver
system starts reducing features of
the vehicle that may be noticed. At
the point that features are disabled,
this message displays. Turn off
unnecessary accessories to allow
the battery to recharge.
LOW BATTERY
This message is displayed when the
battery voltage is low. SeeBattery -
North America 0218.
SERVICE BATTERY
CHARGING SYSTEM
This message is displayed when
there is a fault in the battery
charging system. Take the vehicle to
your dealer for service.
Brake System Messages
BRAKE FLUID LOW
This message is displayed when the
brake fluid level is low; see Brake
Fluid 0217.
RELEASE PARKING BRAKE
This message is displayed as a
reminder that the parking brake is
on. Release it before you attempt to
drive.
Compass Messages
CAL
This message is displayed when the
compass needs to be calibrated.
See Compass 095.
– –
Dashes will be displayed if the
compass needs service. See your
dealer for service.
Cruise Control Messages
APPLY BRAKE BEFORE
CRUISE
If this message displays when
attempting to activate cruise control,
apply the brake pedal and try again.
CRUISE SET TO XXX
This message displays when the
cruise control is set and shows the
speed it was set to. See Cruise
Control 0174.
Door Ajar Messages
DOOR OPEN
A door open symbol will be
displayed on the DIC showing which
door is open. If the vehicle has been
shifted out of P (Park), a DOOR
OPEN message will also be
displayed. Close the door
completely.
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9234776) - 2016 - crc - 10/12/15
134 Lighting
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting
The dome lamp, cargo lamp, and
foot lamp inside the vehicle come
on when any door is opened, if the
dome lamp is in the door position. In
addition, these lamps come on
when the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) unlock button is pressed.
They stay on for 20 seconds or until
a door is opened. After the door is
opened and then closed, the light
remains on for 20 seconds, or until
the ignition is turned to ON/RUN.
This feature can be changed. See
“Vehicle Locator Lights”under
Vehicle Personalization 0120.
Exit Lighting
Some exterior lamps and interior
lamps come on at night, or in areas
with limited lighting, when the key is
removed from the ignition. The
dome lamp comes on after the
ignition is changed to the OFF
position. The exterior lamps and dome lamp remain on for a set
amount of time, then automatically
turn off.
The exterior lamps turn off
immediately by turning the exterior
lamp control off.
This feature can be changed. See
Vehicle Personalization
0120.
Battery Load
Management
The vehicle has Electric Power
Management (EPM) that estimates
the battery's temperature and state
of charge. It then adjusts the voltage
for best performance and extended
life of the battery.
When the battery's state of charge
is low, the voltage is raised slightly
to quickly bring the charge back up.
When the state of charge is high,
the voltage is lowered slightly to
prevent overcharging. If the vehicle
has a voltmeter gauge or a voltage
display on the Driver Information
Center (DIC), you may see the voltage move up or down. This is
normal. If there is a problem, an
alert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at
idle if the electrical loads are very
high. This is true for all vehicles.
This is because the generator
(alternator) may not be spinning fast
enough at idle to produce all of the
power needed for very high
electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when
several of the following are on, such
as: headlamps, high beams, rear
window defogger, climate control fan
at high speed, heated seats, engine
cooling fans, trailer loads, and loads
plugged into accessory power
outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive
discharge of the battery. It does this
by balancing the generator's output
and the vehicle's electrical needs.
It can increase engine idle speed to
generate more power whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce
the power demands of some
accessories.
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9234776) - 2016 - crc - 10/12/15
Lighting 135
Normally, these actions occur in
steps or levels, without being
noticeable. In rare cases at the
highest levels of corrective action,
this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a DIC message might
be displayed and it is recommended
that the driver reduce the electrical
loads as much as possible. See
Battery Voltage and Charging
Messages0114.
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9234776) - 2016 - crc - 10/12/15
316 Index
Automatic TransmissionManual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
B
BatteryLoad Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Voltage and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Battery - North America . . . . 218, 258
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . . . 220
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . 105
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216 Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 160
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . . . 225 Bulb Replacement (cont'd)
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, Stoplamps,
and Backup Lamps . . . . . . . . . . 222
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
California Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Perchlorate Materials
Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
California Proposition
65 Warning . . . . . . . . . .198, 218, 258
Camera Rear Vision (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . 2
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Carbon Monoxide Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Cargo Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Tie-Downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Caution, Danger, and Warning . . . . 3
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . . 89 Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . 103
Check
Ignition Transmission Lock . . . 219
Malfunction IndicatorEngine Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Child Restraints
Infants and Young Children . . . . . 73
Lower Anchors and Tethersfor Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83, 86
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Cleaning Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 137 Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . 298
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Compartments
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9234776) - 2016 - crc - 10/12/15
320 Index
LATCH, Lower Anchors andTethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Lighting Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Antilock Brake System(ABS) Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Brake System Warning . . . . . . . 105
Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 108
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
High-Beam On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 130
Lane Departure Warning . . . . . . 106
Low Fuel Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . 101
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
StabiliTrak
®OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak
®. . . . . . . . . . 107
Traction Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Locks
Automatic Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Power Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . 109
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH
System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
M
MaintenanceRecords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Maintenance and Care Additional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . 274
Recommended Fluids andLubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . 103
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Memory Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Messages Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118 Messages (cont'd)
Battery Voltage and
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Engine Cooling System . . . . . . . .115
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Engine Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Fuel System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Key and Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Object Detection System . . . . . .116
Ride Control System . . . . . . . . . . .117
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Service Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Vehicle Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Mirrors Automatic DimmingRearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Convex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Manual Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Tilt in Reverse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Mirrors, Interior Rearview . . . . . . . . 39