GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9919509) - 2017 - crc - 8/16/16
Instruments and Controls 131
Remote Lock Feedback
This allows selection of what type of
feedback is given when unlocking
the vehicle with the RKE transmitter.
Select Lights and Horn, Lights Only,
Horn Only, or Off.
Remote Door Unlock
This allows selection of which doors
will unlock when pressing
Kon the
RKE transmitter.
Select All Doors or Driver Door.
Return to Factory Settings?
Select Return to Factory Settings to
return all of the vehicle
personalization to the default
settings.
Select Yes or No.
Universal Remote
System
See Radio Frequency
Statement 0305.
Universal Remote System
Programming
If equipped, these buttons are in the
overhead console.
This system can replace up to three
remote control transmitters used to
activate devices such as garage
door openers, security systems, and
home automation devices. These
instructions refer to a garage door
opener, but can be used for other
devices.
Do not use the Universal Remote
system with any garage door opener
that does not have the stop and reverse feature. This includes any
garage door opener model
manufactured before April 1, 1982.
Read these instructions completely
before programming the Universal
Remote system. It may help to have
another person assist with the
programming process.
Keep the original hand-held
transmitter for use in other vehicles
as well as for future programming.
Erase the programming when
vehicle ownership is terminated.
See
“Erasing Universal Remote
System Buttons” later in this
section.
To program a garage door opener,
park outside directly in line with and
facing the garage door opener
receiver. Clear all people and
objects near the garage door.
Make sure the hand-held transmitter
has a new battery for quick and
accurate transmission of the
radio-frequency signal.
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9919509) - 2017 - crc - 8/16/16
Instruments and Controls 133
5. Press and release the Learn orSmart button. Step 6 must be
completed within 30 seconds of
pressing this button.
6. Inside the vehicle, press and hold the newly programmed
Universal Remote system
button for two seconds and
then release it. If the garage
door does not move or the
lamp on the garage door
opener receiver does not flash,
press and hold the same
button a second time for
two seconds, then release it.
Again, if the door does not
move or the garage door lamp
does not flash, press and hold
the same button a third time for
two seconds, then release it.
The Universal Remote system
should now activate the
garage door.
Repeat the process for
programming the two remaining
buttons.Radio Signals for Canada and
Some Gate Operators
For questions or programming help
call 1-800-355-3515 or see
www.homelink.com.
Canadian radio-frequency laws and
some U.S. gate operators require
transmitter signals to time out or quit
after several seconds of
transmission. This may not be long
enough for the Universal Remote
system to pick up the signal during
programming.
If the programming did not work,
replace Step 2 under “Programming
the Universal Remote System” with
the following:
Press and hold the Universal
Remote system button while
pressing and releasing the
hand-held transmitter button every
two seconds until the signal has
been successfully accepted by the
Universal Remote system. The
Universal Remote system indicator
light will flash slowly at first and then
rapidly. Proceed with Step 3 under
“Programming the Universal Remote
System” to complete.
Universal Remote System
Operation
Using the Universal Remote
System
Press and hold the appropriate
Universal Remote system button for
at least one-half second. The
indicator light will come on while the
signal is being transmitted.
Erasing Universal Remote
System Buttons
Erase all programmed buttons when
vehicle ownership is terminated.
To erase:
1. Press and hold the two outside buttons until the indicator light
begins to flash. This should
take about 10 seconds.
2. Release both buttons.
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9919509) - 2017 - crc - 8/16/16
136 Lighting
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
DRL can make it easier for others to
see the front of your vehicle during
the day.
The low-beam headlamps or
dedicated DRL, if equipped, come
on at a reduced brightness in
daylight when the following
conditions are met:
.The ignition is on.
. The exterior lamp control is
in AUTO.
. The transmission is not in
P (Park).
. The light sensor determines it is
daytime.
. The parking brake is released.
Fully functional DRL are required on
all vehicles first sold in Canada.
When the DRL are on, the taillamps,
sidemarker, instrument panel lights,
and other lamps will not be on. The
instrument cluster will be lit. When the exterior lamp control is
turned to
5, the low-beam
headlamps come on. The other
lamps that come on with the
headlamps will also come on.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL
off, move the shift lever to P (Park).
The DRL will stay off until the shift
lever is moved out of the P (Park)
position.
For vehicles first sold in the United
States or Mexico, the DRL can also
be turned off by turning the lamp
control counterclockwise. The DRL
will stay off until the next ignition
cycle.
The regular headlamp system
should be turned on when needed.Automatic Headlamp
System
When it is dark enough outside, the
headlamps come on automatically.
Do not cover the light sensor on top
of the instrument panel or the
headlamps will come on when they
are not needed.
The system may also turn on the
headlamps when driving through a
parking garage or tunnel.
If the vehicle is started in a dark
garage, the automatic headlamp
system comes on immediately. If it
is light outside when the vehicle
leaves the garage, there is a slight
delay before the automatic
headlamp system changes to the
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9919509) - 2017 - crc - 8/16/16
Driving and Operating 149
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 158
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 158
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 160
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 165
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Retained AccessoryPower (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Engine Coolant Heater . . . . . . . 168
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 170 Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Running the Vehicle WhileParked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 172
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Fuel Economy Mode . . . . . . . . . 174
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 177
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Driver Assistance Systems
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . 182
Parking Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184 Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
California FuelRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 192
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Trailer Towing
General Towing
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . 200
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9919509) - 2017 - crc - 8/16/16
Driving and Operating 155
Driving on Hills
Driving safely on hills requires good
judgment and an understanding of
what the vehicle can and cannot do.
{Warning
Many hills are simply too steep
for any vehicle. Driving up hills
can cause the vehicle to stall.
Driving down hills can cause loss
of control. Driving across hills can
cause a rollover. You could be
injured or killed. Do not drive on
steep hills.
Before driving on a hill, assess the
steepness, traction, and
obstructions. If the terrain ahead
cannot be seen, get out of the
vehicle and walk the hill before
driving further.
When driving on hills:
. Use a low gear and keep a firm
grip on the steering wheel.
. Maintain a slow speed. .
When possible, drive straight up
or down the hill.
. Slow down when approaching
the top of the hill.
. Use headlamps even during the
day to make the vehicle more
visible.
{Warning
Driving to the top of a hill at high
speed can cause an accident.
There could be a drop-off,
embankment, cliff, or even
another vehicle. You could be
seriously injured or killed. As you
near the top of a hill, slow down
and stay alert.
. Never go downhill forward or
backward with the transmission
in N (Neutral). The brakes could
overheat and you could lose
control.
. When driving down a hill, keep
the vehicle headed straight
down. Use a low gear because
the engine will work with the brakes to slow the vehicle and
help keep the vehicle under
control.
{Warning
Heavy braking when going down
a hill can cause your brakes to
overheat and fade. This could
cause loss of control and you or
others could be injured or killed.
Apply the brakes lightly when
descending a hill and use a low
gear to keep vehicle speed under
control.
If the vehicle stalls on a hill: 1. Apply the brakes to stop the vehicle, and then apply the
parking brake.
2. Shift into P (Park) and then restart the engine.
.If driving uphill when the
vehicle stalls, shift to
R (Reverse), release the
parking brake, and back
straight down.
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9919509) - 2017 - crc - 8/16/16
156 Driving and Operating
.Never try to turn the vehicle
around. If the hill is steep
enough to stall the vehicle,
it is steep enough to cause
it to roll over.
. If you cannot make it up the
hill, back straight down
the hill.
. Never back down a hill in
N (Neutral) using only the
brake.
. The vehicle can roll
backward quickly and you
could lose control.
. If driving downhill when the
vehicle stalls, shift to a
lower gear, release the
parking brake, and drive
straight down the hill.
3. If the vehicle cannot be restarted after stalling, set the
parking brake, shift an
automatic transmission into
P (Park), and turn the
vehicle off.
3.1. Leave the vehicle and seek help. 3.2. Stay clear of the path the
vehicle would take if it
rolled downhill.
. Avoid turns that take the vehicle
across the incline of the hill.
A hill that can be driven straight
up or down might be too steep to
drive across. Driving across an
incline puts more weight on the
downhill wheels which could
cause a downhill slide or a
rollover.
. Surface conditions can be a
problem. Loose gravel, muddy
spots, or even wet grass can
cause the tires to slip sideways,
downhill. If the vehicle slips
sideways, it can hit something
that will trip it –a rock, a rut, etc.
– and roll over.
. Hidden obstacles can make the
steepness of the incline more
severe. If a rock is driven across
with the uphill wheels, or if the
downhill wheels drop into a rut
or depression, the vehicle can tilt
even more. .
If an incline must be driven
across, and the vehicle starts to
slide, turn downhill. This should
help straighten out the vehicle
and prevent the side slipping.
{Warning
Getting out of the vehicle on the
downhill side when stopped
across an incline is dangerous.
If the vehicle rolls over, you could
be crushed or killed. Always get
out on the uphill side of the
vehicle and stay well clear of the
rollover path.
Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow,
or Ice
Use a low gear when driving in
mud –the deeper the mud, the
lower the gear. Keep the vehicle
moving to avoid getting stuck.
Traction changes when driving on
sand. On loose sand, such as on
beaches or sand dunes, the tires
tend to sink into the sand. This
affects steering, accelerating, and
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9919509) - 2017 - crc - 8/16/16
158 Driving and Operating
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
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(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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 Tires0235.
. 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.
(Continued)
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9919509) - 2017 - crc - 8/16/16
Driving and Operating 159
Warning (Continued)
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. This can cause
overheating of the brakes and
loss of steering. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle
in gear.
. Drive at speeds that keep the
vehicle in its own lane. Do not
swing wide or cross the
center line.
. Be alert on top of hills;
something could be in your lane
(e.g., stalled car, accident). .
Pay attention to special road
signs (e.g., falling rocks area,
winding roads, long grades,
passing or no-passing zones)
and take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and
the road creates less traction or
grip, so drive carefully. Wet ice can
occur at about 0 °C (32 °F) when
freezing rain begins to fall. Avoid
driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating
too quickly causes the wheels to
spin and makes the surface
under the tires slick.
. Turn on Traction Control. See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0177.
. The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) improves vehicle stability
during hard stops, but the
brakes should be applied sooner than when on dry pavement.
See
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 0175.
. Allow greater following distance
and watch for slippery spots. Icy
patches can occur on otherwise
clear roads in shaded areas.
The surface of a curve or an
overpass can remain icy when
the surrounding roads are clear.
Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
. Turn off cruise control.
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and
signal for help. Stay with the vehicle
unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use Roadside
Assistance. See Roadside
Assistance Program 0299. To get
help and keep everyone in the
vehicle safe:
. Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
. Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.