2018 GMC TERRAIN tow

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-10664916) - 2018 - crc - 9/15/17
Driving and Operating 181
If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the
traction system off and use the
rocking method. SeeTraction
Control/Electronic Stability Control
0 213.
{Warning
If the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you
or others could be injured. The
vehicle can overheat, causing an
engine compartment fire or other
damage. Spin the wheels as little
as possible and avoid going
above 56 km/h (35 mph).
Rocking the Vehicle to Get
it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around the
front wheels. Turn off any traction
system. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a low
forward gear, spinning the wheels
as little as possible. To prevent
transmission wear, wait until the wheels stop spinning before shifting
gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while shifting, and press
lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear.
Slowly spinning the wheels in the
forward and reverse directions
causes a rocking motion that could
free the vehicle. If that does not get
the vehicle out after a few tries, it
might need to be towed out. If the
vehicle does need to be towed out,
see
Towing the Vehicle 0337.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how
much weight the vehicle can
carry. This weight is called the
vehicle capacity weight and
includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options.
Two labels on the vehicle may
show how much weight it may
properly carry, the Tire and
Loading Information label and
the Certification/Tire label.
{Warning
Do not load the vehicle any
heavier than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the
maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
This can cause systems to
break and change the way the
vehicle handles. This could
cause loss of control and a
crash. Overloading can also
reduce stopping distance,
damage the tires, and shorten
the life of the vehicle.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-10664916) - 2018 - crc - 9/15/17
Driving and Operating 183
6.If your vehicle will be towing
a trailer, load from your
trailer will be transferred to
your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how
this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load
capacity of your vehicle.”
See Trailer Towing 0254 for
important information on towing
a trailer, towing safety rules and
trailering tips.
Example 1
1.Vehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 1 = 453 kg
(1,000 lbs).
2.Subtract Occupant
Weight @ 68 kg (150 lbs)
× 2 = 136 kg (300 lbs).
3.Available Occupant and
Cargo Weight = 317 kg
(700 lbs).
Example 2
1.Vehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 2 = 453 kg
(1,000 lbs).
2.Subtract Occupant
Weight @ 68 kg (150 lbs)
× 5 = 340 kg (750 lbs).
3.Available Cargo Weight
= 113 kg (250 lbs).

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-10664916) - 2018 - crc - 9/15/17
Driving and Operating 193
Warning (Continued)
even when you are on fairly level
ground, use the steps that follow.
If you are pulling a trailer, see
Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips0251.
To shift into P (Park): 1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking brake.
See Electric Parking Brake
0 210 for more information.
2. Press P (Park).
3. Turn the ignition off.
Leaving the Vehicle With the
Engine Running
{Warning
It can be dangerous to leave the
vehicle with the engine running.
It could overheat and catch fire. (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the vehicle is not in
P (Park) with the parking brake
set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
shift the vehicle to P (Park). See
Shifting Into Park0192. If you
are towing a trailer, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips
0 251.
If you have to leave the vehicle with
the engine running, the vehicle must
be in P (Park) with the parking
brake set.
Confirm that the vehicle is in
P (Park).
Torque Lock
Torque lock is when the weight of
the vehicle puts too much force on
the parking pawl in the
transmission. This happens when
parking on a hill and shifting the
transmission into P (Park) is not
done properly and then it is difficult
to shift out of P (Park). To prevent
torque lock, set the parking brake
and then shift into P (Park). To find
out how, see “Shifting Into Park”
listed previously.
On certain steep grades, the
transmission will automatically set
the parking brake to prevent
torque lock.
If torque lock does occur, the
vehicle may need to be pushed
uphill by another vehicle to relieve
the parking pawl pressure, so you
can shift out of P (Park).
Shifting out of Park
This vehicle is equipped with an
electronic transmission. If the
vehicle has an uncharged battery or
a battery with low voltage, try

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-10664916) - 2018 - crc - 9/15/17
194 Driving and Operating
charging or jump starting the
battery. SeeJump Starting - North
America 0335.
To shift out of P (Park): 1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Press ENGINE START/STOP.
3. Press/Pull the desired shift switch on the front shift
console.
4. The P indicator will turn white and the gear indicator will turn
red when the vehicle is no
longer in P (Park).
If the vehicle cannot shift out of
P (Park), a Driver Information
Center (DIC) message will be
displayed. See your dealer for
service.
Diesel Engine Only
Vehicles with a Diesel do not have
manual park release and the ignition
does not need to be on to shift out
of P (Park). To shift from P (Park) to
N (Neutral) with the engine not
running, the driver must apply the
brake pedal and press the N (Neutral) button until N is
displayed on the console and the
cluster.
Manual Park Release (Gasoline
Engine Only)
Vehicles with a gasoline engine may
include a manual park release that
can be used to shift the vehicle into
N (Neutral) when the engine is not
running.
{Warning
The transmission will be placed in
N (Neutral) when the manual park
release is pulled. The vehicle can
roll and you or others could be
injured. Ensure the vehicle is on
level ground.
Caution
The manual park release is not
intended to be used for towing.
Damage may result from using
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
the manual park release in this
way. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Pulling the manual park release
while the vehicle is on or turning the
ignition on while the manual park
release is pulled, will result in a
Service Transmission message
being displayed.
To place the vehicle in N (Neutral)
using the manual park release: 1. Ensure the vehicle is on level ground and set the parking
brake. Release the brake
pedal.
2. Turn the vehicle off.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-10664916) - 2018 - crc - 9/15/17
Driving and Operating 197
Warning (Continued)
.There are holes or openings
in the vehicle body from
damage or aftermarket
modifications that are not
completely sealed.
If unusual fumes are detected or
if it is suspected that exhaust is
coming into the vehicle: . Drive it only with the
windows completely down.
. Have the vehicle repaired
immediately.
Never park the vehicle with the
engine running in an enclosed
area such as a garage or a
building that has no fresh air
ventilation.
Running the Vehicle
While Parked
It is better not to park with the
engine running.
If the vehicle is left with the engine
running, follow the proper steps to
be sure the vehicle will not move.
See Shifting Into Park 0192 and
Engine Exhaust 0196.
If parking on a hill and pulling a
trailer, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips 0251.
Diesel Particulate
Filter
The Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)
system filters soot particles out of
the exhaust gases. The DPF is
under the vehicle in the exhaust
system.
Depending on a number of factors
monitored by the engine computer,
the DPF will need to be cleaned of
accumulated solids. When a
cleaning is needed, the engine
computer will initiate a self-cleaning
function that runs automatically
during driving without any
notification. The filter is cleaned by
periodically burning off the soot
particles at high temperature. This
process takes place automatically
under set driving conditions and
may take up to 25 minutes. Fuel
consumption may be higher during
this period.
While the DPF cleaning is
automatically controlled by the
engine computer, the vehicle will
need to operate continuously for
approximately 25 minutes and at

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-10664916) - 2018 - crc - 9/15/17
204 Driving and Operating
Automatic
Transmission
The shift switches are on the front
shift console. The selected gear
position will illuminate red on the
shift switch, while all others will be
displayed in white. If the shift is not
immediate, as in very cold
conditions, the indicator on the shift
switch may blink until it is fully
engaged.
The transmission does not operate
when the vehicle is off.If the vehicle is in ACC/
ACCESSORY, the transmission can
be shifted into P (Park).
If ENGINE START/STOP is pressed
twice while at a relatively high
speed, the engine will turn off and
the transmission will automatically
shift to N (Neutral). Once the vehicle
is stopped, P (Park) can be
selected.
P :
This position locks the drive
wheels. Use P (Park) when starting
the vehicle to ensure the vehicle
does not move.{Warning
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the transmission is not
in P (Park) with the parking brake
set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If the engine
has been left running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
vehicle will not move, even when
on fairly level ground, always set
the parking brake and place the
transmission into P (Park).
SeeShifting Into Park 0192 and
Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips 0251.
This vehicle is equipped with an
electronic transmission. The
R (Reverse) and D (Drive) shift
switches are designed to prevent
inadvertent shifting out of P (Park)
unless the ignition is on, and the
brake pedal is applied.
For vehicles with a diesel engine,
the vehicle does not need to be on
to shift out of P (Park).
When the vehicle is stopped, press
ENGINE START/STOP to turn off
the vehicle. The transmission will
shift to P (Park) automatically.
The vehicle will not shift into
P (Park) if it is moving too fast. Stop
the vehicle and shift into P (Park).

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-10664916) - 2018 - crc - 9/15/17
208 Driving and Operating
To shift into D (Drive):1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Pull the D (Drive) switch on the front shift console.
To shift out of D (Drive):
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear.
Downshifting the transmission in
slippery road conditions could result
in skidding. See “Skidding”under
Loss of Control 0173.
Caution
Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill
using only the accelerator pedal
may damage the transmission.
The repair will not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. If the vehicle
is stuck, do not spin the tires.
When stopping on a hill, use the
brakes to hold the vehicle in
place.
Manual Mode
Electronic Range Select
(ERS) Mode
ERS or manual mode allows for the
selection of the range of gear
positions. Use this mode when
driving downhill or towing a trailer to
limit the top gear and vehicle speed.
The shift position indicator within the
Driver Information Center (DIC) will
display a number next to the L
indicating the highest available gear
under manual mode and the driving
conditions when manual mode was
selected. To use this feature:
1. Press the L (Low) button.
2. Press the plus/minus button on the front shift console to
increase or decrease the gear
range available.
When shifting to L (Low), the
transmission will shift to a preset
lower gear range. For this preset
range, the highest gear available is
displayed next to the L in the DIC.
See Driver Information Center (DIC)
0 136. All gears below that number
are available to use. For example,
when 4 (Fourth) is shown next to the
L, 1 (First) through 4 (Fourth) gears
are shifted automatically. To shift to
5 (Fifth) gear, press the + (Plus)
button or shift into D (Drive).
L (Low) will prevent shifting to a
lower gear range if the engine
speed is too high. If vehicle speed is
not reduced within the time allowed,
the lower gear range shift will not be
completed. Slow the vehicle, then
press the −(Minus) button to the
desired lower gear range.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-10664916) - 2018 - crc - 9/15/17
Driving and Operating 209
While using ERS, cruise control can
be used.
Tow/Haul Mode
For information on the Tow/Haul
Mode, seeDriver Mode Control
0 216.
Automatic Engine Grade
Braking
Automatic Engine Grade Braking
assists when driving downhill.
It maintains vehicle speed by
automatically implementing a shift
pattern that uses the engine and the
transmission to slow the vehicle.
The system will automatically
command downshifts to reduce
vehicle speed. The normal shift
pattern will return once the vehicle
is on a low grade or when the
accelerator pedal is pressed. While in the Electronic Range
Select (ERS) mode, grade braking
is deactivated, allowing the driver to
select a range and limiting the
highest gear available. Grade
braking is available for normal
driving and in Tow/Haul Mode.
See
Automatic Transmission 0204.
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive
For information on All-Wheel
Drive (AWD), see Driver Mode
Control 0216.