
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9919509) - 2017 - crc - 8/16/16
Vehicle Care 211
Caution
Do not add too much oil. Oil
levels above or below the
acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful
to the engine. If you find that you
have an oil level above the
operating range, i.e., the engine
has so much oil that the oil level
gets above the cross-hatched
area that shows the proper
operating range, the engine could
be damaged. You should drain
out the excess oil or limit driving
of the vehicle and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess amount of oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview
0 206 for the location of the engine
oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when through.
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil
depends on both the proper oil
specification and viscosity grade.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0289.
Specification
Ask for and use engine oils that
meet the dexos1™ specification.
Engine oils that have been
approved by GM as meeting the
dexos1 specification are marked
with the dexos1 approved logo. See
www.gmdexos.com.
Caution
Failure to use the recommended
engine oil or equivalent can result
in engine damage not covered by
the vehicle warranty. Viscosity Grade
Use SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade
engine oil.
Cold Temperature Operation: In an
area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below
−29 °C
(−20 °F), an SAE 0W-30 oil may be
used. An oil of this viscosity grade
will provide easier cold starting for
the engine at extremely low
temperatures. When selecting an oil
of the appropriate viscosity grade, it
is recommended to select an oil of
the correct specification. See
“Specification” earlier in this section.
Engine Oil Additives/Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils meeting the
dexos1 specification are all that is
needed for good performance and
engine protection.
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9919509) - 2017 - crc - 8/16/16
212 Vehicle Care
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer's warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your
own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the filter before disposal. Never
dispose of oil by putting it in the
trash or pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or
bodies of water. Recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on a combination of factors whichinclude engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For
the oil life system to work properly,
the system must be reset every time
the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated
that oil life has been diminished, it
indicates that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message comes on. See
Engine Oil Messages
0120.
Change the oil as soon as possible
within the next 1 000 km (600 mi).
It is possible that, if driving under
the best conditions, the oil life
system might indicate that an oil
change is not necessary for up to a
year. The engine oil and filter must
be changed at least once a year
and, at this time, the system must
be reset. Your dealer has trained
service people who will perform this
work and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly
over the course of an oil drain
interval and keep it at the proper
level. If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change. To reset the
system:
1. Display REMAINING OIL LIFE. See Driver Information Center
(DIC) 0115.
2. Press and hold
Vuntil 100% is
displayed.
3. Turn the ignition off.
Or:
1. Display REMAINING OIL LIFE. See Driver Information Center
(DIC) 0115.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal three times
within five seconds.

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
322 Index
Electrical SystemEngine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Emergency
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Check and Service EngineSoon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 206
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Coolant Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Cooling System Messages . . . .119
Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 172 Engine (cont'd)
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 307
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 135
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
F
FeaturesMemory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 137
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
FlexFuel E85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 213
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221 Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Front Seats
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Economy Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . .113
Requirements, California . . . . . 191
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Fuel Economy Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231 Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234