2020 GMC TERRAIN coolant temperature

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
Driving and Operating 265
The vehicle can tow in D (Drive).
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear if the transmission shifts too
often under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions.
When towing at higher altitudes,
engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at lower altitudes.
If the engine is turned off
immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the
vehicle could show signs similar to
engine overheating. To avoid this,
let the engine run, preferably on
level ground, with the transmission
in P (Park) for a few minutes before
turning the engine off. If the
overheat warning comes on, see
Engine Overheating0294.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death,
always park your vehicle and
trailer on a level surface when
possible. When parking your vehicle and your
trailer on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic if
facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, gradually release the
brake pedal to allow the chocks
to absorb the load of the trailer.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and
shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
.Start the engine.
. Shift into a gear.
. Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal. 3. Drive slowly until the trailer is
clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when used to tow trailers. See
Maintenance Schedule 0368. It is
especially important to check the
automatic transmission fluid, engine
oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling
system, and brake system before
and during each trip.
Check periodically that all nuts and
bolts on the trailer hitch are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. See Engine Overheating
0 294.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/5/19
292 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
there would not be an overheat
warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be
burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. If using this mixture,
nothing else needs to be added.
This mixture:
. Gives freezing protection down
to−37 °C (−34 °F), outside
temperature.
. Gives boiling protection up to
129 °C (265 °F), engine
temperature.
. Protects against rust and
corrosion.
. Will not damage aluminum parts.
. Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Caution
Do not use anything other than a
mix of DEX-COOL coolant that
meets GM Standard
GMW3420 and clean, drinkable
water. Anything else can cause
damage to the engine cooling
system and the vehicle, which
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on
the ground, or pouring into sewers,
streams, or bodies of water. Have
the coolant changed by an
authorized service center, familiar
with legal requirements regarding
used coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant surge tank. If the coolant
inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until
it cools down. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level mark is not
visible, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL coolant at the coolant
surge tank to the top rib on the
middle of the tank, but be sure the
cooling system is cool before this is
done. See Engine Overheating
0 294.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/5/19
294 Vehicle Care
stop. This will allow any
pressure still left to be vented
out the discharge hose.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap slowly and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank withthe proper mixture to the
indicated level mark.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until you
can feel the upper radiator
hose getting hot. Watch out for
the engine cooling fans. By this time, the coolant level
inside the coolant surge tank
may be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper
mixture to the coolant surge
tank until the level reaches the
indicated level mark.
5. Replace the pressure cap tightly.
6. Verify coolant level after the engine is shut off and the
coolant is cold. If necessary,
repeat coolant fill procedure
Steps 1–6.
If the coolant still is not at the
proper level when the system
cools down again, see your
dealer.
Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and engine
damage may occur. Be sure the
cap is properly and tightly
secured.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has an engine coolant
temperature gauge on the
instrument cluster and overheat
messages in the Driver Information
Center (DIC) to warn of engine
overheating. See Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge 0112.
The decision may be made not to lift
the hood when the engine coolant
temperature gauge is in the
overheat zone or an engine
overheat DIC message displays, but
instead to get service help right
away. See Roadside Assistance
Program 0389.
If the decision to lift the hood is
made, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface. Then
check to see if the engine cooling
fan(s) are running. If the engine is
overheating, the fan(s) should be
running. If they are not, do not
continue to run the engine, and
have the vehicle serviced.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/5/19
Vehicle Care 295
Caution
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak in the engine cooling system.
This can cause a loss of all
coolant and can damage the
system and vehicle. Have any
leaks fixed right away.
If Steam Is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system are under
pressure. Turning the pressure
cap, even a little, can cause them
to come out at high speed and
you could be burned. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
pressure cap to cool.
If No Steam Is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
If the engine coolant temperature
gauge is in the overheat zone or an
engine overheat DIC message is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day
. Stops after high-speed driving
. Idles for long periods in traffic
. Tows a trailer
If the engine coolant temperature
gauge is in the overheat zone and
an overheat DIC message is
displayed with no sign of steam: 1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the
highest fan speed. Open the
windows as necessary. 3. When it is safe to do so, pull off
the road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral), and let the
engine idle.
If the engine coolant temperature
gauge is no longer in the overheat
zone or an overheat DIC message
no longer displays, the vehicle can
be driven. Continue to drive the
vehicle slowly for about 10 minutes.
Keep a safe distance from the
vehicle in front. If the engine coolant
temperature gauge does not go
back to the overheat zone or an
overheat DIC message does not
display, continue to drive normally
and have the cooling system
checked for proper fill and function.
If the engine coolant temperature
gauge is still in the overheat zone or
an overheat DIC message still
displays, pull over, stop, and park
the vehicle right away. If overheat
messages appear repeatedly, see
your dealer.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for three minutes while
parked. If the engine coolant
temperature gauge is still in the

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/5/19
296 Vehicle Care
overheat zone or an overheat DIC
message displays, turn off the
engine until it cools down.
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When windshield washer fluid is
needed, be sure to read the
manufacturer's instructions before
use. If operating the vehicle in an
area where the temperature may fall
below freezing, use a fluid that has
sufficient protection against
freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer fluid until
the tank is full. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview 0278 for
reservoir location.
Caution
. Do not use washer fluid that
contains any type of water
repellent coating. This can
cause the wiper blades to
chatter or skip.
. Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the
windshield washer. It can
damage the windshield
washer system and paint.
. Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the
solution to freeze and
damage the washer fluid
tank and other parts of the
washer system.
. When using concentrated
washer fluid, follow the
manufacturer instructions for
adding water.
. Fill the washer fluid tank
only three-quarters full when
it is very cold. This allows
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
for fluid expansion if
freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is
completely full.
Brakes
Disc brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or can
be heard all the time when the
vehicle is moving, except when
applying the brake pedal firmly.
{Warning
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
a crash. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/-
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
412 Index
CheckEngine Light (Malfunction
Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Child Restraints Infants and Young Children . . . . . 72
Lower Anchors and Tethersfor Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85, 87
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Cleaning
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 153 Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Dual Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . 103, 107
Cold Weather Operation . . . . . . . . 252
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . 392
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Compartments Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Compressor Kit, Tire Sealant . . . 336 Connected Services
Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 408
Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 409
Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 407
Connections Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . 408
Control
Hill Descent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Traction and ElectronicStability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Control Light
Hill Descent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Coolant Engine Temperature Gauge . . .112
Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153, 155
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Courtesy Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Courtesy Transportation Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391
Cover Cargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Covers
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217 Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Cruise Control, Adaptive . . . . . . . . 219
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . 388
Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
Text Telephone (TTY)Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 388
Customer Information
Publications OrderingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 394
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
Cybersecurity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . 392
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . 3
Data Collection Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . 398
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . 397
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Diagnostics Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . 409
Diesel Exhaust Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . 195

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/-
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
Index 413
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Diesel Particulate Filter . . . . . . . . . 192
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . 384
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . 206, 299
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . 230
Driver Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124, 130
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Driving Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 237
Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . 163
Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 172
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 174 Driving (cont'd)
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Driving the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
E
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . 207
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . 118
Electrical Equipment,Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Electrical System Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 307
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Emergency OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400 Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Check Light (Malfunction
Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 278
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 384
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 192
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Engines Diesel Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 397
Exhaust Fluid Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/-
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
414 Index
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 144
Exterior Lighting BatterySaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
F
Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192Replacement (Fuel) . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 147
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 288
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Folding Seatback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
Front Fog Lamp
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Front Pedestrian Braking
(FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Heated and Ventilated . . . . . . . . . . 44
Front Turn Signal Lamps . . . . . . . 304
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Cold Weather Operation . . . . . . 252
Diesel Engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Economy, Driving for Better . . . 163
Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260, 261
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . 257, 258
Filter Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 122
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . 248, 249
Running out of Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Top Tier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Water in Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Fuel for Diesel Engines . . . . . . . . . 250
Fuses
Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307 Fuses (cont'd)
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 307
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
G
Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . . 140Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Gauges Engine CoolantTemperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Warning Lights and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
General Information Service and Maintenance . . . . . 366
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 388