2017 GMC TERRAIN engine coolant

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9919509) - 2017 - crc - 8/16/16
Driving and Operating 197
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 uphill
grades, 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 Overheating0219.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.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See the
Maintenance Schedule 0280.
Things that are especially important
in trailer operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle
lubricant, belts, cooling system and
brake system. Inspect these before
and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9919509) - 2017 - crc - 8/16/16
202 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 203
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 203
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Engine Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 212
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 213
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 219
Power Steering Fluid (2.4L L4 Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Power Steering Fluid (3.6L V6 Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220 Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Battery - North America . . . . . . 223
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 224
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 225
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 225
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps, and
Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 230
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Electrical System
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231 Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 238
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 254
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 255

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9919509) - 2017 - crc - 8/16/16
Vehicle Care 207
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0213.
2. Engine Cover 0209.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See Engine Oil0209.
4. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0209.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0222.
6. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0231.
7. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting - North
America 0263.
8. Remote Negative (−) Terminal. See Jump Starting - North
America 0263.
9. Battery - North America 0223
(Out of View).
10. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant 0215.
11. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer
Fluid 0221.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9919509) - 2017 - crc - 8/16/16
Vehicle Care 209
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0213.
2. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Under Engine Cover). See
Power Steering Fluid (2.4L L4
Engine) 0220 orPower
Steering Fluid (3.6L
V6 Engine) 0220.
3. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0209.
4. Engine Cover 0209.
5. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See Engine Oil0209.
6. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0222.
7. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0231.
8. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting - North
America 0263.
9. Remote Negative (−) Terminal. See Jump Starting - North
America 0263.
10. Battery - North America 0223
(Out of View). 11. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant 0215.
12. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer
Fluid 0221.
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-9919509) - 2017 - crc - 8/16/16
214 Vehicle Care
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 the 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-9919509) - 2017 - crc - 8/16/16
Vehicle Care 215
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-9919509) - 2017 - crc - 8/16/16
216 Vehicle Care
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 0219.
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
Lubricants0289.
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-9919509) - 2017 - crc - 8/16/16
Vehicle Care 217
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 0219.
The coolant surge tank is in the
engine compartment on the driver
side of the vehicle. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0206.
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 0219 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.