
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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Driving and Operating 191
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,
seeTowing the Vehicle 0363.
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.Tire and Loading Information
Label
Example Label
A vehicle-specific Tire and
Loading Information label is
attached to the center pillar
(B-pillar). The tire and loading
information label shows the
number of occupant seating
positions (1), and the maximum
vehicle capacity weight (2) in
kilograms and pounds.
The Tire and Loading
Information label also shows the
size of the original equipment

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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192 Driving and Operating
tires (3) and the recommended
cold tire inflation pressures (4).
For more information on tires
and inflation seeTires0325
and Tire Pressure 0332.
There is also important loading
information on the vehicle
Certification/Tire label. It may
show the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) and the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for
the front and rear axle. See
“Certification/Tire Label” later in
this section.
“Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit–
1.
Locate the statement "The
combined weight of
occupants and cargo should
never exceed XXX kg or
XXX lbs." on your vehicle’s
placard.
2.Determine the combined
weight of the driver and
passengers that will be
riding in your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined
weight of the driver and
passengers from XXX kg or
XXX lbs.
4.The resulting figure equals
the available amount of
cargo and luggage load
capacity. For example, if the
"XXX" amount equals
1400 lbs. and there will be
five 150 lb passengers in
your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage
load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400-750 (5 x 150) =
650 lbs.)
5.Determine the combined
weight of luggage and cargo
being loaded on the vehicle.
That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
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 0277 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).

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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Driving and Operating 193
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).
Example 3
1.Vehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 3 = 453 kg
(1,000 lbs).
2.Subtract Occupant
Weight @ 91 kg
(200 lbs) × 5 = 453 kg
(1,000 lbs).
3.Available Cargo Weight
= 0 kg (0 lbs).
Refer to the vehicle's tire and
loading information label for
specific information about the
vehicle's capacity weight and
seating positions. The combined weight of the driver, passengers,
and cargo should never exceed
the vehicle's capacity weight.
Certification/Tire Label
Label Example
A vehicle-specific Certification/
Tire label is attached to the
center pillar (B-pillar).
The label may show the size of
the vehicle's original tires and
the inflation pressures needed to
obtain the gross weight capacity
of the vehicle. The label shows
the gross weight capacity of the
vehicle. This is called the Gross

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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Driving and Operating 217
To shift into D (Drive):1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Pull the D (Drive) switch on the center stack.
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 0183.
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. With the vehicle in D (Drive), press the L (Low) button.
2. Press the plus or minus button on the center stack 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)
(Base and Midlevel) 0142 orDriver
Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel)
0 147. 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

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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Driving and Operating 275
If equipped, the following driver
assistance features should be
turned to alert or off when towing a
trailer:
.Forward Automatic Braking
System (FAB)
. Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA)
. Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB)
If equipped with Lane Change Alert
(LCA), the LCA detection zones that
extend back from the side of the
vehicle do not move further back
when a trailer is towed. Use caution
while changing lanes when towing a
trailer.
If equipped with Rear Cross Traffic
Alert (RCTA), use caution while
backing up when towing a trailer, as
the RCTA detection zones that
extend out from the back of the
vehicle do not move further back
when a trailer is towed.{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death
from carbon monoxide (CO),
when towing a trailer: . Do not drive with the
liftgate, trunk/hatch,
or rear-most window open.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Adjust the climate control
system to a setting that
brings in only outside air.
See “Climate Control
Systems” in the Index.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust 0206.
Towing a trailer requires experience.
The combination of the vehicle and
trailer is longer and not as
responsive as the vehicle itself. Get
used to the handling and braking of the combination by driving on a
level road surface before driving on
public roads.
The trailer structure, the tires, and
the brakes must be all be rated to
carry the intended cargo.
Inadequate trailer equipment can
cause the combination to operate in
an unexpected or unsafe manner.
Before driving, inspect all trailer
hitch parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connectors, lamps,
tires, and mirrors. See
Towing
Equipment 0280. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start the
combination moving and then
manually apply the trailer brake
controller to check that the trailer
brakes work. During the trip,
occasionally check that the cargo
and trailer are secure and that the
lamps and any trailer brakes are
working.
Towing with a Stability Control
System
When towing, the stability control
system might be heard. The system
reacts to vehicle movement caused

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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Driving and Operating 281
Never attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches. Only use
frame-mounted hitches that do not
attach to the bumper.
Hitch Cover
To remove the hitch cover:1. Remove two fasteners (2).
2. Pull the bottom edge of the cover rearward.
3. Disengage the cover at the upper attachments (1) and
remove. Consider using mechanical sway
controls with any trailer. Ask a
trailering professional about sway
controls or refer to the trailer
manufacturer's recommendations
and instructions.
Tires
.
Do not tow a trailer while using a
compact spare tire on the
vehicle.
. Tires must be properly inflated to
support loads while towing a
trailer. See Tires0325 for
instructions on proper tire
inflation.
Safety Chains
Always attach chains between the
vehicle and the trailer, and attach
the chains to the holes on the trailer
hitch platform. Instructions about
safety chains may be provided by
the hitch manufacturer or by the
trailer manufacturer.
Cross the safety chains under the
tongue of the trailer to help prevent
the tongue from contacting the road
if it becomes separated from the hitch. Always leave just enough
slack so the combination can turn.
Never allow safety chains to drag on
the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Loaded trailers over 450 kg
(1,000 lb) must be equipped with
brake systems and with brakes for
each axle. Trailer braking equipment
conforming to Canadian Standards
Association (CSA) requirement
CAN3-D313, or its equivalent, is
recommended.
State or local regulations may
require trailers to have their own
braking system if the loaded weight
of the trailer exceeds certain
minimums that can vary from state
to state. Read and follow the
instructions for the trailer brakes so
they are installed, adjusted, and
maintained properly. Never attempt
to tap into your vehicle's hydraulic
brake system. If you do, both the
vehicle anti-lock brakes and the
trailer brakes may not function,
which could result in a crash.

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282 Driving and Operating
Trailer Lamps
Always check all trailer lamps are
working at the beginning of each
trip, and periodically on longer trips.
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
When properly connected, the trailer
turn signals will illuminate to indicate
the vehicle is turning, changing
lanes, or stopping. When towing a
trailer, the arrows on the instrument
cluster will illuminate even if the
trailer is not properly connected or
the bulbs are burned out.
Trailer Tires
Special Trailer (ST) tires differ from
vehicle tires. Trailer tires are
designed with stiff sidewalls to help
prevent sway and to support heavy
loads. These features can make it
difficult to determine if the trailer tire
pressures are low only based on a
visual inspection.Always check all trailer tire
pressures before each trip when the
tires are cool. Low trailer tire
pressure is a leading cause of trailer
tire blow-outs.
Trailer tires deteriorate over time.
The trailer tire sidewall will show the
week and year the tire was
manufactured. Many trailer tire
manufacturers recommend
replacing tires more than six
years old.
Overloading is another leading
cause of trailer tire blow-outs. Never
load your trailer with more weight
than the tires are designed to
support. The load rating is located
on the trailer tire sidewall.
Always know the maximum speed
rating for the trailer tires before
driving. This may be significantly
lower than the vehicle tire speed
rating. The speed rating may be on
the trailer tire sidewall. If the speed
rating is not shown, the default
trailer tire speed rating is 105 km/h
(65 mph).
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector
(DLC) is used for vehicle service
and Emission Inspection/
Maintenance testing. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)
0133.
A device connected to the DLC —
such as an aftermarket fleet or
driver-behavior tracking device —
may interfere with vehicle
systems. This could affect vehicle
operation and cause a crash.
Such devices may also access
information stored in the vehicle’s
systems.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12146071) - 2019 - crc - 7/27/18
284 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 285
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 286
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 298
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 299
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 305
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Battery - North America . . . . . . 309
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310 Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 310
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 311
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 311
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 313
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Front Turn Signal Lamps . . . . . 315
Taillamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 316
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 317
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 318
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 327
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 344
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347