
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-10664916) - 2018 - crc - 9/15/17
200 Driving and Operating
warning indication. If DEF is added
before the EXHAUST FLUID
EMPTY REFILL NOW message
appears, it may take several km/mi
for the DIC message to update.
If the vehicle speed has been
limited and DEF has been added, it
may take up to 30 seconds after
engine start with the vehicle
stopped for the EXHAUST FLUID
EMPTY REFILL NOW message to
clear. If the vehicle is driven prior to
the DIC message clearing, the
vehicle speed will still be limited.
If the DIC message clears while
driving, the speed limitation will be
removed gradually.
If DEF is added under freezing
conditions, additional time may be
required to remove speed limitations
and may require less fluid to fill the
DEF tank.
The following actions describe
strategies required by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) and the California Air
Resource Board (CARB). The DEF
messages relate to these strategies.The DIC message EXHAUST
FLUID RANGE: XXXX km (mi)
displays at approximately 1 600 km
(1,000 mi) of fluid range remaining.
This message appears again at
approximately 500 km (300 mi) of
remaining range before the exhaust
fluid tank becomes empty.
Below 500 km (300 mi) of range
remaining, these messages will
appear every time the vehicle is
started.
Below 121 km (75 mi) of range
remaining, the DIC message
EXHAUST FLUID LOW SPEED
LIMITED SOON displays. This
message will display every time the
vehicle is started.
If these warnings are ignored and
the DEF tank becomes empty, the
DIC message EXHAUST FLUID
EMPTY REFILL NOW - 563 KM
(350 MI) UNTIL 104 KM/H (65 MPH)
MAX SPEED displays. The
displayed mileage will decrease as
driving continues. A warning light
also comes on.
When the mileage countdown is
zero, the DIC message EXHAUST
FLUID EMPTY REFILL NOW -
TRANSITIONING TO 104 KM/H
(65 MPH) MAX SPEED displays.
A warning light and a chime also
come on. Vehicle speed will be
reduced to a maximum speed limit
of 104 km/h (65 mph).
After the transition to 104 km/h
(65 mph) is complete, the DIC
message EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY
REFILL NOW - SPEED LIMITED
TO 104 KM/H (65 MPH)
–120 KM
(75 MI) UNTIL 88 KM/H (55 MPH)
MAX SPEED displays. The
displayed mileage will decrease as
driving continues. A warning light
and a chime also come on.
When the mileage countdown is
zero, the DIC message EXHAUST
FLUID EMPTY REFILL NOW -
TRANSITIONING TO 88 KM/H
(55 MPH) MAX SPEED displays.
A flashing warning light and a chime
also come on. Vehicle speed will be
reduced to a maximum speed limit
of 88 km/h (55 mph).

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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Driving and Operating 201
After the transition to 88 km/h
(55 mph) is complete, the DIC
message EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY
REFILL NOW - SPEED LIMITED
TO 88 KM/H (55 MPH)–120 KM
(75 MI) UNTIL 8 KM/H (5 MPH) MAX
SPEED displays. The displayed
mileage will decrease as driving
continues. A flashing warning light
and a chime also come on.
When the mileage countdown is
zero, the DIC message EXHAUST
FLUID EMPTY REFILL NOW -
TRANSITIONING TO 8 KM/H
(5 MPH) MAX SPEED displays.
A flashing warning light and a chime
also come on. Vehicle speed will be
reduced to a maximum speed limit
of 8 km/h (5 mph).
After the transition to 8 km/h (5 mph)
is complete, the DIC message
EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY REFILL
NOW - SPEED LIMITED TO 8 KM/H
(5 MPH) displays. A flashing
warning light and a chime also
come on. Add at least 7.6 L (2 gal) of fluid to
release the vehicle from speed
limitation from a very low or empty
tank. The capacity of the DEF tank
is 18.5 L (4.9 gal).
See
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)
Warning Light 0134 and
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0361.
Exhaust Fluid Quality Poor
Use only exhaust fluid that is GM
approved, or fluid containing the API
certified or ISO 22241 label.
All DEF has an expiration date.
If the system detects poor quality,
or contaminated or diluted DEF, the
DIC message EXHAUST FLUID
QUALITY POOR - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW –160 KM (99 MI)
UNTIL 104 KM/H (65 MPH) MAX
SPEED displays. The displayed
mileage will decrease as driving
continues. A warning light also
comes on. Adding fresh DEF to the
system may resolve the problem,
depending on several factors. If the DIC message persists, see your
dealer or additional DIC messages
may display.
When the mileage countdown is
zero, a DIC message EXHAUST
FLUID QUALITY POOR - SEE
OWNERS MANUAL NOW -
TRANSITIONING TO 104 KM/H
(65 MPH) MAX SPEED displays.
A warning light and a chime also
come on. Vehicle speed will be
reduced to a maximum speed limit
of 104 km/h (65 mph).
After the transition to 104 km/h
(65 mph) is complete, the DIC
message EXHAUST FLUID
QUALITY POOR - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW - SPEED LIMITED
TO 104 KM/H (65 MPH)
–120 KM
(75 MI) UNTIL 88 KM/H (55 MPH)
MAX SPEED displays. The
displayed mileage will decrease as
driving continues. A warning light
and a chime also come on.
When the mileage countdown is
zero, the DIC message EXHAUST
FLUID QUALITY POOR - SEE
OWNERS MANUAL NOW -
TRANSITIONING TO 88 KM/H

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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202 Driving and Operating
(55 MPH) MAX SPEED displays.
A flashing warning light and a chime
also come on. Vehicle speed will be
reduced to a maximum speed limit
of 88 km/h (55 mph).
After the transition to 88 km/h
(55 mph) is complete, a DIC
message EXHAUST FLUID
QUALITY POOR - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW - SPEED LIMITED
TO 88 KM/H (55 MPH)–120 KM
(75 MI) UNTIL 8 KM/H (5 MPH) MAX
SPEED displays. The displayed
mileage will decrease as driving
continues. A flashing warning light
and a chime also come on.
When the mileage countdown is
zero, a DIC message EXHAUST
FLUID QUALITY POOR - SEE
OWNERS MANUAL NOW -
TRANSITIONING TO 8 KM/H
(5 MPH) MAX SPEED displays.
A flashing warning light and a chime
also come on. Vehicle speed will be
reduced to a maximum speed limit
of 8 km/h (5 mph).
After the transition to 8 km/h (5 mph)
is complete, a DIC message
EXHAUST FLUID QUALITY POOR - SEE OWNERS MANUAL NOW -
SPEED LIMITED TO 8 KM/H
(5 MPH) displays. A flashing
warning light and a chime also
come on.
Service Exhaust Fluid System
If a problem occurs with the DEF
system, the DIC message SERVICE
EXHAUST FLUID SYSTEM - SEE
OWNERS MANUAL NOW
–160 KM
(99 MI) UNTIL 104 KM/H (65 MPH)
MAX SPEED displays. The
displayed mileage will decrease as
driving continues. A warning light
also comes on. In some cases this
message will clear itself, indicating
that the DEF system was able to
correct the condition. If the DIC
message persists, see your dealer
or additional DIC messages may
display.
When the mileage countdown is
zero, the DIC message SERVICE
EXHAUST FLUID SYSTEM - SEE
OWNERS MANUAL NOW -
TRANSITIONING TO 104 KM/H
(65 MPH) MAX SPEED displays.
A warning light and a chime also come on. Vehicle speed will be
reduced to a maximum speed limit
of 104 km/h (65 mph).
After the transition to 104 km/h
(65 mph) is complete, a DIC
message SERVICE EXHAUST
FLUID SYSTEM - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW - SPEED LIMITED
TO 104 KM/H (65 MPH)
–120 KM
(75 MI) UNTIL 88 KM/H (55 MPH)
MAX SPEED displays. The
displayed mileage will decrease as
driving continues. A warning light
and a chime also come on.
When the mileage countdown is
zero, the DIC message SERVICE
EXHAUST FLUID SYSTEM - SEE
OWNERS MANUAL NOW -
TRANSITIONING TO 88 KM/H
(55 MPH) MAX SPEED displays.
A flashing warning light and a chime
also come on. Vehicle speed will be
reduced to a maximum speed limit
of 88 km/h (55 mph).
After the transition to 88 km/h
(55 mph) is complete, the DIC
message SERVICE EXHAUST
FLUID SYSTEM - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW - SPEED LIMITED

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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Driving and Operating 203
TO 88 KM/H (55 MPH)–120 KM
(75 MI) UNTIL 8 KM/H (5 MPH) MAX
SPEED displays. The displayed
mileage will decrease as driving
continues. A flashing warning light
and a chime also come on.
When the mileage countdown is
zero, the DIC message SERVICE
EXHAUST FLUID SYSTEM - SEE
OWNERS MANUAL NOW -
TRANSITIONING TO 8 KM/H
(5 MPH) MAX SPEED displays.
A flashing warning light and a chime
also come on. Vehicle speed will be
reduced to a maximum speed limit
of 8 km/h (5 mph).
After the transition to 8 km/h (5 mph)
is complete, the DIC message
SERVICE EXHAUST FLUID
SYSTEM - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW - SPEED LIMITED
TO 8 KM/H (5 MPH) displays.
A flashing warning light and a chime
also come on.
Service Emission System
If a problem occurs with the vehicle
emission system, the DIC message
SERVICE EMISSION SYSTEM - SEE OWNERS MANUAL NOW
–
282 KM (175 MI) UNTIL 104 KM/H
(65 MPH) MAX SPEED displays.
The displayed mileage will decrease
as driving continues. In some cases
this message will clear itself,
indicating that the emission system
was able to correct the condition.
If the DIC message persists, see
your dealer or additional DIC
messages may display.
When the mileage countdown is
zero, the DIC message SERVICE
EMISSION SYSTEM - SEE
OWNERS MANUAL NOW -
TRANSITIONING TO 104 KM/H
(65 MPH) MAX SPEED displays.
A chime also comes on. Vehicle
speed will be reduced to a
maximum speed limit of 104 km/h
(65 mph).
After the transition to 104 km/h
(65 mph) is complete, the DIC
message SERVICE EMISSION
SYSTEM - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW - SPEED LIMITED
TO 104 KM/H (65 MPH) –120 KM
(75 MI) UNTIL 88 KM/H (55 MPH)
MAX SPEED displays. The displayed mileage will decrease as
driving continues. A chime also
comes on.
When the mileage countdown is
zero, the DIC message SERVICE
EMISSION SYSTEM - SEE
OWNERS MANUAL NOW -
TRANSITIONING TO 88 KM/H
(55 MPH) MAX SPEED displays.
A chime also comes on. Vehicle
speed will be reduced to a
maximum speed limit of 88 km/h
(55 mph).
After the transition to 88 km/h
(55 mph) is complete, the DIC
message SERVICE EMISSION
SYSTEM - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW - SPEED LIMITED
TO 88 KM/H (55 MPH) displays.
A chime also comes on.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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240 Driving and Operating
Biodiesel Blends
Retail pumps dispensing blends
containing up to 5% biodiesel (B5)
are not required to be labeled with
the concentration of biodiesel.
Blends up to B5 must meet ASTM
D975 (Grades No. 2-D or No. 1-D
S15 Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel). When
refueling with a biodiesel blend
above B5, one of the following
labels should appear on the
dispenser:
Blends containing more than 5%
and up to 20% biodiesel must meet
ASTM specification D7467
(Biodiesel blend, B6 - B20) and are
labeled with an orange or bluepump label. To reduce the risk of
poor quality fuel, purchase biodiesel
blends from a fuel supplier or fueling
station that sells BQ-9000 certified
biodiesel. See www.bq-9000.org for
a list of certified marketers. See
Biodiesel
0241.
What Fuel to Use in
Canada and Mexico
(Diesel)
What Fuel to Use in Canada
Use of diesel fuel with ultra low
sulfur content (15 ppm, maximum) is
required. Use diesel fuel that meets
the CAN/CGSB-3.517 specification
in Canada. Contact a fuel supplier
with questions about fuel.
Caution
Use of diesel fuel other than Ultra
Low Sulfur Diesel (15 ppm sulfur
maximum) will cause damage to
the exhaust after-treatment
system. This damage would not
(Continued)

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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Driving and Operating 241
Caution (Continued)
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Do not use marine,
locomotive, or boiler distillate fuel
since it may contain higher sulfur
levels.
Diesel Fuel Types
For best results use Ultra Low
Sulfur Type B Diesel. This fuel is
blended for seasonal changes. In
extreme cold temperatures (below
−18 °C or 0 °F) Ultra Low Sulfur
Type A Diesel fuel can be used, but
it may cause power and fuel
economy losses. Avoid using Type
A Diesel fuel in warm or hot
climates. Doing so can result in
stalling, poor starting when the
engine is hot, and damage to the
fuel injection system.
Premium Diesel Fuel
If available, premium diesel fuel
(FQP-1A) corresponding to the
Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) Recommended Guideline
could provide better starting and
vehicle performance with less noise.
Biodiesel Blends in Canada
Biodiesel blends that meet the CAN/
CGSB-3.522 specifications up to
20% (B20) can be used. Avoid the
use of biodiesel blends above 20%,
as they may damage the engine
and fuel system. For detailed
information on the use of biodiesel,
see
Biodiesel 0241.
What Fuel to Use in Mexico
Use diesel fuel specification
NOM-086 Pemex UBA, which meets
the Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel
requirement of 15 ppm sulfur
maximum. This fuel is not available
in all regions of Mexico.
Caution
Use of diesel fuel other than Ultra
Low Sulfur Diesel (15 ppm sulfur
maximum) will cause damage to
the exhaust after-treatment
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
system. This damage would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Do not use marine,
locomotive, or boiler distillate fuel
since it may contain higher sulfur
levels.
Biodiesel
Biodiesel is a renewable fuel
produced from vegetable oils or
animal fats that have been
chemically modified to make it
compatible with diesel fuel.
Caution
Do not use home-made biodiesel
or home test kits because the
quality cannot be verified by
approved scientific methods. Do
not use raw vegetable oil or other
unmodified bio-oils, fats,
or blends of vegetable oil with
diesel. They could damage the(Continued)

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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242 Driving and Operating
Caution (Continued)
fuel system and engine, and
damages would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Caution
Do not use blends containing
more than 20% biodiesel. Any
engine, fuel system, or exhaust
after-treatment system damage
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Biodiesel fuel quality degrades with
time and exposure to high
temperature quicker than Ultra Low
Sulfur Diesel fuel. More frequent
refueling provides the best
opportunity to have a supply of fresh
fuel. Storage at hot ambient
temperatures will accelerate
biodiesel degradation.
Owners who use very little fuel,
or who have vehicles stored for
extended periods of time, should avoid the use of biodiesel blended
fuels above 5% by volume. When
vehicles are stored for longer than
one month, they should be run out
of biodiesel to below one-quarter
tank, refueled with Ultra Low Sulfur
Diesel fuel, and driven at least
32 km (20 mi) before storage.
At temperatures below 0 °C (32 °F),
it is recommended to switch to Ultra
Low Sulfur Diesel fuel with no
biodiesel content, or to blends with
biodiesel containing less than 5% by
volume. At these extreme cold
temperatures, biodiesel blends
higher than 5% by volume may
cause fuel filter plugging and
system gelling, which can lead to
vehicle operability problems.
Fuels improperly blended for cold
temperature operation may result in
restricted fuel filters and degraded
vehicle performance. GM diesel
vehicles are equipped with a fuel
heating system to provide an extra
level of protection against filter
plugging from gelling or waxing of
conventional diesel fuel and
biodiesel blends. If the operating
temperature is far below the
temperature at which gelling or
waxing of the fuel occurs, the
system cannot prevent all cases of
filter plugging.
If the vehicle experiences a fuel
filter restriction, the on-board
monitoring system will alert the
driver that the fuel filter requires
service. The fuel filter, however, will
not prevent all damage caused by
poor quality biodiesel.
Cold Weather Operation
(Diesel)
In cold weather, the fuel filter may
become clogged by wax naturally
present in the fuel. To unclog it,
move the vehicle to a warm garage
area and allow the filter to warm up.
The fuel filter may need to be
replaced. See
Fuel Filter
Replacement (Diesel) 0246.
At temperatures below 0 °C (32 °F),
it is recommended to avoid using
biodiesel blends above 5% blend.
This blend may cause fuel filter
plugging, system gelling, and

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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250 Driving and Operating
Caution (Continued)
of fuel cap may not fit properly,
may cause the malfunction
indicator lamp to light, and could
damage the fuel tank and
emissions system. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)0127.
Diesel fuel can foam when filling the
tank. This can cause the automatic
pump nozzle to shut off, even if the
tank is not full. If this happens, wait
for the foaming to stop, and then fill
the tank more slowly.
{Warning
Heat coming from the engine can
cause the fuel to expand and
force the fuel out of the tank.
If something ignites the fuel, a fire
could start. To help avoid this, fill
the tank slowly and only until the
nozzle shuts off. Do not top it off.
Clean up any spilled fuel. Accidental Refueling with
Gasoline
If the vehicle is accidentally refueled
with gasoline, do not continue
driving the vehicle except to get to a
location where it can be stopped
safely. Driving the vehicle will
damage the fuel system. Have the
vehicle towed to a qualified
technician to have the gasoline
removed from the tank and fuel
system. Flush the fuel system with
Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel to
ensure all gasoline is removed.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)
DEF is a non-toxic solution that is
sprayed into the exhaust stream of
diesel vehicles to cause a chemical
reaction and break down NOx
emissions into harmless nitrogen
and water.
DEF is not a fuel additive and never
comes into contact with diesel fuel.
It is stored in a separate tank. The
fill port is behind the fuel door next
to the regular fuel cap. It has a blue
filler cap. See
Diesel Exhaust Fluid
0 198.
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container
{Warning
Filling a portable fuel container
while it is in the vehicle can cause
fuel vapors that can ignite either
by static electricity or other
means. You or others could be
badly burned and the vehicle
could be damaged. Always:
(Continued)