GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9234776) - 2016 - crc - 10/12/15
16 In Brief
Climate Controls
The vehicle's heating, cooling, defrosting, and ventilation can be controlled
with these systems.
Climate Control System
1. Fan Control
2. Air Delivery Mode Controls
3. Temperature Control
4. A/C (Air Conditioning)5. Recirculation
6. Rear Window Defogger
7. Front Defrost
8. Outside Air
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 115
MANUALLY CLOSE THE
POWER LIFTGATE
This message will display if the
power liftgate encounters multiple
obstacles on the same power cycle.
After removing the obstructions, the
liftgate will resume normal power
operation.
REAR ACCESS OPEN
This message will display along with
a symbol when the liftgate is open.
Close the liftgate completely.
Engine Cooling System
Messages
A/C OFF DUE TO HIGH
ENGINE TEMP
This message displays when the
engine coolant becomes hotter than
the normal operating temperature.
To avoid added strain on a hot
engine, the air conditioning
compressor automatically turns off.
When the coolant temperature
returns to normal, the airconditioning compressor turns back
on. The vehicle can continue to be
driven.
If this message continues to appear,
have the system repaired by your
dealer as soon as possible to avoid
damage to the engine.
COOLANT LEVEL LOW ADD
COOLANT
This message will display if the
coolant is low. See
Engine
Coolant 0210.
ENGINE OVERHEATED —
IDLE ENGINE
This message displays when the
engine coolant temperature is too
hot. Stop and allow the vehicle to
idle until it cools down.
ENGINE OVERHEATED —
STOP ENGINE
This message displays and a
continuous chime sounds if the
engine cooling system reaches
unsafe temperatures for operation.
Stop and turn off the vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so to avoid severe damage. This message
clears when the engine has cooled
to a safe operating temperature.
HIGH COOLANT
TEMPERATURE
This message may display if the
coolant temperature is hot. See
Engine Overheating
0214.
Engine Oil Messages
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
This message displays when the
engine oil needs to be changed.
When you change the engine oil, be
sure to reset the oil life system. See
Engine Oil Life System 0207, Driver
Information Center (DIC) 0110,
Engine Oil 0204, and Maintenance
Schedule 0274.
ENGINE OIL HOT, IDLE
ENGINE
This message displays when the
engine oil temperature is too hot.
Stop and allow the vehicle to idle
until it cools down.
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
Climate Controls 137
Climate Controls
Climate Control Systems
Climate Control Systems . . . . . 137
Automatic Climate ControlSystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Air Vents
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Maintenance
Passenger Compartment AirFilter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Climate Control Systems
The vehicle's heating, cooling, defrosting, and ventilation can be controlled
with this system.
1. Fan Control
2. Air Delivery Mode Controls
3. Temperature Control
4. A/C (Air Conditioning)
5. Recirculation
6. Rear Window Defogger
7. Front Defrost
8. Outside AirA(Fan Control) : Turn to increase
or decrease the fan speed. Turn the
knob all the way counterclockwise
to turn the fan off.
Temperature Control : Turn to
increase or decrease the
temperature.
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9234776) - 2016 - crc - 10/12/15
Climate Controls 139
Caution
Do not use a razor blade or sharp
object to clear the inside rear
window. Do not adhere anything
to the defogger grid lines in the
rear glass. These actions may
damage the rear defogger.
Repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Automatic Climate Control System
The vehicle's heating, cooling, defrosting, and ventilation can be controlled
with this system.
1. Fan Control
2. AUTO (Automatic Operation)
3. Air Delivery Mode Controls
4. Front Defrost
5. Recirculation
6. Temperature Control
7. A/C (Air Conditioning)
8. Driver and Passenger HeatedSeats (If Equipped) 9. Rear Window Defogger
10. Power
Automatic Operation
The system automatically controls
the fan speed, air delivery, air
conditioning, and recirculation to
heat or cool the vehicle to the
selected temperature.
When the AUTO indicator light is
on, the system is in full automatic
operation.
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9234776) - 2016 - crc - 10/12/15
152 Driving and Operating
braking. Drive at a reduced speed
and avoid sharp turns or abrupt
maneuvers.
Traction is reduced on hard packed
snow and ice and it is easy to lose
control. Reduce vehicle speed when
driving on hard packed snow
and ice.
{Warning
Driving on frozen lakes, ponds,
or rivers can be dangerous. Ice
conditions vary greatly and the
vehicle could fall through the ice;
you and your passengers could
drown. Drive your vehicle on safe
surfaces only.
Driving in Water
{Warning
Driving through rushing water can
be dangerous. Deep water can
sweep your vehicle downstream
and you and your passengers(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
could drown. If it is only shallow
water, it can still wash away the
ground from under your tires.
Traction could be lost, and the
vehicle could roll over. Do not
drive through rushing water.
Caution
Do not drive through standing
water if it is deep enough to cover
the wheel hubs, axles, or exhaust
pipe. Deep water can damage the
axle and other vehicle parts.
If the standing water is not too deep,
drive slowly through it. At faster
speeds, water splashes on the
ignition system and the vehicle can
stall. Stalling can also occur if you
get the exhaust pipe under water.
While the exhaust pipe is under
water, you will not be able to start
the engine. When going through water, the brakes get wet, and it
might take longer to stop. See
Driving on Wet Roads
0152.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that
has collected on the underbody or
chassis, or under the hood. These
accumulations can be a fire hazard.
After operation in mud or sand,
have the brake linings cleaned and
checked. These substances can
cause glazing and uneven braking.
Check the body structure, steering,
suspension, wheels, tires, and
exhaust system for damage and
check the fuel lines and cooling
system for any leakage.
More frequent maintenance service
is required. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule 0274 for
more information.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce
vehicle traction and affect your
ability to stop and accelerate.
Always drive slower in these types
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9234776) - 2016 - crc - 10/12/15
Driving and Operating 153
of driving conditions and avoid
driving through large puddles and
deep-standing or flowing water.
{Warning
Wet brakes can cause crashes.
They might not work as well in a
quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car/vehicle
wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work
normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
flowing water could cause the
vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be
very cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water
can build up under the vehicle's
tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is
wet enough and you are going fast
enough. When the vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to
slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
. Pass with caution.
. Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
. Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
. Have good tires with proper
tread depth. See Tires0231.
. Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
. Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
. Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill slope
can cause brake overheating, can
reduce brake performance, and
could result in a loss of braking.
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope.