GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12146071) - 2019 - crc - 7/27/18
138 Instruments and Controls
If equipped, this indicator will
display amber when a nearby
pedestrian is detected directly in
front of the vehicle.
SeeFront Pedestrian Braking (FPB)
System 0253.
Traction Off Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer. If the system is working
normally, the indicator light then
turns off.
The traction off light comes on when
the Traction Control System (TCS)
has been turned off through the
Driver Information Center (DIC). This light and the StabiliTrak/ESC
OFF light come on when StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is
turned off.
If the TCS is off, wheel speed will
be limited when necessary to
protect the driveline from damage.
Adjust driving accordingly.
See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0222.
StabiliTrak OFF Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the vehicle. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer.
This light comes on when the
StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) system is turned off.
If StabiliTrak/ESC is off, the Traction
Control System (TCS) is also off. If the StabiliTrak/ESC and TCS are
off, the system does not assist in
controlling the vehicle. Turn on the
TCS and the StabiliTrak/ESC
systems and the warning light
turns off.
See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0222.
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak Light
This light comes on briefly when the
engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have
the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally,
the indicator light turns off.
If the light is on and not flashing, the
TCS and potentially the StabiliTrak/
ESC system have been disabled.
A Driver Information Center (DIC)
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12146071) - 2019 - crc - 7/27/18
Instruments and Controls 141
Security Light
The security light should come on
briefly as the engine is started. If it
does not come on, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the
system is working normally, the
indicator light turns off.
If the light stays on and the engine
does not start, there could be a
problem with the theft-deterrent
system. SeeImmobilizer Operation
0 50.
High-Beam On Light
This light comes on when the
high-beam headlamps are in use.
See Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer 0163.
IntelliBeam Light
This light comes on when the
IntelliBeam system, if equipped, is
enabled. See Exterior Lamp
Controls 0161.
Front Fog Lamp Light
If equipped, the fog lamp light
comes on when the fog lamps are
in use. The light goes out when the fog
lamps are turned off. See
Fog
Lamps 0165 for more information.
Lamps On Reminder
For vehicles with the lamps on
reminder light, it comes on when the
lights are in use.
Cruise Control Light
The cruise control light is white
when the cruise control is on and
ready, and turns green when the
cruise control is set and active.
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12146071) - 2019 - crc - 7/27/18
196 Driving and Operating
If the vehicle is in R (Reverse), D
(Drive) or L (Low), the vehicle will
shift to P (Park), the ignition will turn
off, and Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) will remain active. See
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
0202.
If the vehicle is in N (Neutral), the
ignition will return to ACC/
ACCESSORY and display the
message SHIFT TO PARK in the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
When the vehicle is shifted into
P (Park), the ignition system will
turn off.
The vehicle may have an electric
steering column lock. The lock is
activated when the vehicle is turned
off and either front door is opened.
A sound may be heard as the lock
actuates or releases. The steering
column lock may not release with
the wheels turned off center. If this
happens, the vehicle may not start.
Move the steering wheel from left to
right while attempting to start the
vehicle. If this does not work, the
vehicle needs service. Do not turn the engine off when the
vehicle is moving. This will cause a
loss of power assist in the brake
and steering systems and disable
the airbags.
If the vehicle must be turned off in
an emergency:
1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the
brakes repeatedly. This may
deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be done while the
vehicle is moving. After shifting
to N (Neutral), firmly apply the
brakes and steer the vehicle to
a safe location.
3. Come to a complete stop and shift to P (Park).
4. Set the parking brake. See Electric Parking Brake 0219.
Press ENGINE START/STOP
to turn the vehicle off.{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of power
assist in the brake and steering
systems and disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the
vehicle off in an emergency.
If the vehicle cannot be pulled over
and must be shut off while driving,
press and hold ENGINE START/
STOP for longer than two seconds,
or press twice in five seconds.
ACC/ACCESSORY (Amber
Indicator Light) : This mode allows
you to use some electrical
accessories when the engine is off.
With the ignition off, pressing the
button one time without the brake
pedal applied will place the ignition
system in ACC/ACCESSORY.
The ignition will switch from ACC/
ACCESSORY to OFF after
five minutes to prevent battery
rundown.
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12146071) - 2019 - crc - 7/27/18
Driving and Operating 197
ON/RUN/START (Green Indicator
Light) :This mode is for starting
and driving. With the ignition off and
the brake pedal applied, pressing
the button once will turn the ignition
on. Once engine cranking begins,
release the button. Engine cranking
will continue until the engine starts.
See Starting the Engine 0197. The
ignition will then remain in on.
Service Mode
This power mode is available for
service and diagnostics, and to
verify the proper operation of the
malfunction indicator lamp as may
be required for emission inspection
purposes. With the vehicle off and
the brake pedal not applied,
pressing and holding ENGINE
START/STOP for more than
five seconds will place the vehicle in
Service Mode. The instruments and
audio systems will operate as they
do in ON/RUN, but the vehicle will
not be able to be driven. The engine
will not start in Service Mode. Press
ENGINE START/STOP again to turn
the vehicle off.Starting the Engine
Shift the vehicle into P (Park) or
N (Neutral). To restart the engine
when the vehicle is already moving,
use N (Neutral) only.
Caution
Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving. If you do, you
could damage the transmission.
Shift to P (Park) only when the
vehicle is stopped.
Caution
If you add electrical parts or
accessories, you could change
the way the engine operates. Any
resulting damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
See Add-On Electrical Equipment
0 282. Gasoline Engine Starting
Procedure
1. With the Keyless Access system, the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter must
be in the vehicle. Press
ENGINE START/STOP with the
brake pedal applied. When the
engine begins cranking, let go
of the button.
The idle speed will go down as
the engine gets warm. Do not
race the engine immediately
after starting it.
If the RKE transmitter is not in
the vehicle, if there is
interference, or if the RKE
battery is low, a Driver
Information Center (DIC) will
display a message. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation 030.
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12146071) - 2019 - crc - 7/27/18
Driving and Operating 203
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 charging or jump starting the
battery. See
Jump Starting - North
America 0360.
To shift out of P (Park): 1. Ensure the engine is running.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Press or pull the desired shift switch on the center stack.
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 engine do not
have manual park release. To shift
to N (Neutral) with the engine off.
1. Turn the ignition off.
2. Put the ignition in service mode. See Ignition Positions
0 195 3. Apply the brake pedal.
4. Press and hold the N (Neutral)
button until N is illuminated
in red.
5. When N (Neutral) is no longer needed, shift to P (Park) and
turn the ignition off.
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.
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12146071) - 2019 - crc - 7/27/18
Driving and Operating 207
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 atspeeds greater than 50 km/h
(30 mph) to clean the DPF
effectively.
If the vehicle is used for numerous
short trips or extended slow-speed
operation, the engine computer may
not be able to adequately heat up
the exhaust system to clean the
DPF effectively. The engine
computer has been designed to
continuously monitor the condition
of the DPF. When the engine
computer detects that the DPF is
nearly full of particulates and that
the vehicle is not being operated in
a manner that would allow effective
automatic DPF cleaning, a Driver
Information Center (DIC) message
will display. Start the cleaning
process as soon as possible.
Cleaning Process
To activate the cleaning process,
continue driving safely, and keep
vehicle speed above 50 km/h (30
mph) until the warning message in
the DIC turns off.
If the vehicle continues to be driven
with the DPF warning message on,
and the exhaust filter is not cleaned
as required, the malfunction
indicator lamp and the ENGINE
POWER IS REDUCED message
will come on. Dealer service is
necessary.
See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) 0133.
{Warning
During DPF self cleaning or
during extended idling while
parked, the exhaust system and
exhaust gases are very hot.
Things that burn could touch hot
exhaust parts under the vehicle
and ignite. You or others could be
burned. Do not park, or idle for an
extended period of time, near or
over papers, leaves, dry grass,
or other things that can burn.
Keep the exhaust area clear of
material that could ignite or burn.
See Parking over Things That
Burn 0205 for more information.
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12146071) - 2019 - crc - 7/27/18
Driving and Operating 213
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.Automatic
Transmission
The shift switches are on the center
stack. 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.
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12146071) - 2019 - crc - 7/27/18
252 Driving and Operating
vehicles, or shadows. These alerts
are normal operation and the
vehicle does not need service.
Cleaning the System
If the FCA system does not seem to
operate properly, this may correct
the issue:
.Clean the outside of the
windshield in front of the
rearview mirror.
. Clean the entire front of the
vehicle.
. Clean the headlamps.
Forward Automatic
Braking (FAB)
If the vehicle has Forward Collision
Alert (FCA), it also has FAB, which
includes Intelligent Brake
Assist (IBA). When the system
detects a vehicle ahead in your path
that is traveling in the same
direction that you may be about to
crash into, it can provide a boost to
braking or automatically brake the
vehicle. This can help avoid or
lessen the severity of crashes when driving in a forward gear. Depending
on the situation, the vehicle may
automatically brake moderately or
hard. This forward automatic
braking can only occur if a vehicle is
detected. This is shown by the FCA
vehicle ahead indicator being lit.
See
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0250.
The system works when driving in a
forward gear between 8 km/h
(5 mph) and 80 km/h (50 mph).
It can detect vehicles up to
approximately 60 m (197 ft).
{Warning
FAB is an emergency crash
preparation feature and is not
designed to avoid crashes. Do
not rely on FAB to brake the
vehicle. FAB will not brake
outside of its operating speed
range and only responds to
detected vehicles.
FAB may not: (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Detect a vehicle ahead on
winding or hilly roads.
. Detect all vehicles,
especially vehicles with a
trailer, tractors, muddy
vehicles, etc.
. Detect a vehicle when
weather limits visibility, such
as in fog, rain, or snow.
. Detect a vehicle ahead if it
is partially blocked by
pedestrians or other objects.
Complete attention is always
required while driving, and you
should be ready to take action
and apply the brakes and/or steer
the vehicle to avoid crashes.
FAB may slow the vehicle to a
complete stop to try to avoid a
potential crash. If this happens, FAB
may engage the Electric Parking
Brake (EPB) to hold the vehicle at a
stop. Release the EPB or firmly
press the accelerator pedal.