
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
24 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Caution
Manually forcing the liftgate to
open or close during a power
cycle can damage the vehicle.
Allow the power cycle to
complete.
The power liftgate may be
temporarily disabled under extreme
low temperatures, or after repeated
power cycling over a short period of
time. If this occurs, the liftgate can
still be operated manually.
If the vehicle is shifted out of
P (Park) while the power function is
in progress, the liftgate will continue
to completion. If the vehicle is
accelerated before the liftgate has
completed moving, the liftgate may
stop or reverse direction. Check for
Driver Information Center (DIC)
messages and make sure the
liftgate is closed and latched before
driving. Falling Liftgate Detection
If the power liftgate automatically
closes after a power opening cycle,
it indicates that the system is
reacting to excess weight on the
liftgate or a possible support strut
failure. A repetitive chime will sound
while the falling liftgate detection
feature is operating. Remove any
excess weight. If the liftgate
continues to automatically close
after opening, see your dealer for
service before using the power
liftgate.
Interfering with the power liftgate
motion or manually closing the
liftgate too quickly after power
opening may resemble a support
strut failure. This could also activate
the falling liftgate detection feature.
Allow the liftgate to complete its
operation and wait a few seconds
before manually closing the liftgate.
Obstacle Detection Features
If the liftgate encounters an obstacle
during a power open or close cycle,
the liftgate will automatically reverse
direction and move a short distance
away from the obstacle. After
removing the obstruction, the power
liftgate operation can be used again.
If the liftgate encounters multiple
obstacles on the same power cycle,
the power function will deactivate.
After removing the obstructions,
manually close the liftgate which will
allow normal power operation
functions to resume.
If the vehicle is locked while the
liftgate is closing, and an obstacle is
encountered that prevents the
liftgate from completely closing, the
horn will sound as an alert that the
liftgate did not close.
Pinch sensors are on the side
edges of the liftgate. If an object is
caught between the liftgate and the
vehicle and presses against a
sensor, the liftgate will reverse
direction and open fully. The liftgate
will remain open until it is activated
again or closed manually.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
Keys, Doors, and Windows 25
Setting the 3/4 Mode
To change the position the liftgate
stops at when opening:1. Select MAX or 3/4 mode and power open the liftgate.
2. Stop the liftgate movement at the desired height by pressing
any liftgate switch. Manually
adjust the liftgate position if
needed.
3. Press and hold
lnext to the
pull cup on the bottom of the
liftgate until the turn signals
flash and a beep sounds. This
indicates the setting has been
recorded.
The liftgate cannot be set below a
minimum programmable height.
If there is no light flash or sound,
then the height adjustment may be
too low.
Manual Operation
Select OFF to manually operate the
liftgate.
Caution
Attempting to move the liftgate
too quickly and with excessive
force may result in damage to the
vehicle.
Operate the liftgate manually with a
smooth motion and moderate
speed. The system includes a
feature which limits the manual
closing speed to protect the
components.
To open the liftgate, pressKon the
power door lock switch or press
K
on the RKE transmitter twice to
unlock all doors. Press the touch
pad on the underside of the liftgate
handle and lift up.
Use the pull cup to lower and close
the liftgate. Do not press the touch
pad while closing the liftgate. This
will cause the liftgate to be
unlatched.
The liftgate can be opened when
locked if the RKE transmitter is
within 1 m (3 ft) of the liftgate. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation 08.
The liftgate has an electric latch.
If the battery is disconnected or has
low voltage, the liftgate will not
open. The liftgate will resume
operation when the battery is
reconnected and charged.
Hands-Free Operation
The liftgate may be operated with a
kicking motion under the rear
bumper between the left exhaust
pipe and the license plate.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
26 Keys, Doors, and Windows
The RKE transmitter must be within
1 m (3 ft) of the rear bumper to
operate the power liftgate
hands-free.
The hands-free feature will not work
while the liftgate is moving. To stop
the liftgate while in motion use one
of the liftgate buttons.
The hands-free feature can be
customized. SeeVehicle
Personalization 0135. Choose from
the following:
On-Open and Close : The kicking
motion is activated to both open and
close the liftgate.
On-Open Only : The kicking motion
is activated to only open the liftgate.
Off : The feature is disabled.
Length of Kick ZoneKick Motion
To operate, kick your foot straight up
in one swift motion under the rear
bumper between the left exhaust
pipe and the license plate, then pull
it back.
Caution
Splashing water may cause the
liftgate to open. Keep the RKE
transmitter away from the rear
bumper detection area or turn the
liftgate mode to OFF when (Continued)

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
Keys, Doors, and Windows 27
Caution (Continued)
cleaning or working near the rear
bumper to avoid accidental
opening.
. Do not sweep your foot side
to side.
. Do not keep your foot under the
bumper; the liftgate will not
activate.
. Do not touch the liftgate until it
has stopped moving.
. This feature may be temporarily
disabled under some conditions.
If the liftgate does not respond to
the kick, open or close the
liftgate by another method or
start the vehicle. The feature will
be re-enabled.
When closing the liftgate using this
feature, there will be a short delay.
The taillamps will flash and a chime
will sound. Step away from the
liftgate before it starts moving.
Vehicle Security
This vehicle has theft-deterrent
features; however, they do not make
the vehicle impossible to steal.
Vehicle Alarm System
This vehicle has an anti-theft alarm
system.
The indicator light, on the
instrument panel near the
windshield, indicates the status of
the system:
Off : Alarm system is disarmed. On Solid :
Vehicle is secured
during the delay to arm the system.
Fast Flash : Vehicle is unsecured.
A door, the hood, or the liftgate
is open.
Slow Flash : Alarm system is
armed.
Arming the Alarm System
1. Turn off the vehicle.
2. Lock the vehicle in one of two ways:
.Use the RKE transmitter.
. With a door open, press the
interior
Q.
3. After 30 seconds the alarm system will arm, and the
indicator light will begin to
slowly flash indicating the
alarm system is operating.
Pressing
Qon the RKE
transmitter a second time will
bypass the 30-second delay
and immediately arm the alarm
system.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
28 Keys, Doors, and Windows
The vehicle alarm system will not
arm if the doors are locked with
the key.
If the driver door is opened without
first unlocking with the RKE
transmitter, the horn will chirp and
the lights will flash to indicate
pre-alarm. If the vehicle is not
started, or the door is not unlocked
by pressing
Kon the RKE
transmitter during the 10-second
pre-alarm, the alarm will be
activated.
If a door, the hood, or the liftgate is
opened without first disarming the
system, the turn signals will flash
and the horn will sound for about
30 seconds. The alarm system will
then re-arm to monitor for the next
unauthorized event.
Disarming the Alarm System
To disarm the alarm system or turn
off the alarm if it has been activated:
. Press
Kon the RKE transmitter.
. Start the vehicle. To avoid setting off the alarm by
accident:
.
Lock the vehicle after all
occupants have left the vehicle
and all doors are closed.
. Always unlock a door with the
RKE transmitter.
Unlocking the driver door with the
key will not disarm the system or
turn off the alarm.
How to Detect a Tamper
Condition
IfKis pressed on the RKE
transmitter and the horn chirps and
the lights flash three times, an alarm
occurred previously while the alarm
system was armed.
If the alarm has been activated, a
message will appear on the Driver
Information Center (DIC).
Immobilizer
See Radio Frequency Statement
0 395.
Immobilizer Operation
This vehicle has a passive
theft-deterrent system.
The system does not have to be
manually armed or disarmed.
The vehicle is automatically
immobilized when the transmitter
leaves the vehicle.
The immobilization system is
disarmed when the ignition is turned
on or in ACC/ACCESSORY and a
valid Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter is in the vehicle.
The security light, in the instrument
cluster, comes on if there is a
problem with arming or disarming
the theft-deterrent system.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
Instruments and Controls 137
Adaptive Cruise Go Notifier
This setting determines if an alert
will appear when Adaptive Cruise
Control brings the vehicle to a
complete stop and the vehicle
ahead of you starts moving again.
SeeAdaptive Cruise Control 0219.
Touch Off or On.
Lane Change Alert
The LCA system is a lane-changing
aid that assists drivers with avoiding
lane change crashes. See Lane
Change Alert (LCA) 0243.
When Lane Change Alert is
disabled, Side Blind Zone Alert is
also disabled.
Touch Off or On.
Park Assist
If equipped, this allows the feature
to be turned on or off. See
Assistance Systems for Parking or
Backing 0231.
Touch Off or On. Rear Camera Park Assist Symbols
This setting enables the Rear
Camera Park Assist Symbols. See
Assistance Systems for Parking or
Backing
0231.
Touch Off or On.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
This allows the Rear Cross Traffic
Alert feature to be turned on or off.
See Assistance Systems for Parking
or Backing 0231.
Touch Off or On.
Comfort and Convenience
Touch and the following may
display:
. Chime Volume
. Hands Free Liftgate Control
. Reverse Tilt Mirror
. Auto Wipe in Reverse Gear
. Extended Hill Start Assist
Chime Volume
This determines the chime volume
level. Touch the controls on the
infotainment display to adjust the
volume.
Hands Free Liftgate Control
The liftgate may be operated with a
kicking motion under the rear
bumper between the left exhaust
pipe and the license plate. See
Liftgate
021.
Touch Off, On-Open and Close,
or On-Open Only.
Reverse Tilt Mirror
When on, the driver and/or
passenger mirrors will tilt downward
when the vehicle is shifted to
R (Reverse) to improve visibility of
the ground near the rear wheels.
They will return to their previous
driving position when the vehicle is
shifted out of R (Reverse) or the
engine is turned off. See Reverse
Tilt Mirrors 030.
Touch Off, On - Driver and
Passenger, On - Driver, or On -
Passenger.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
Driving and Operating 263
.It is recommended to perform
the first oil change before heavy
towing.
. During the first 800 km (500 mi)
of trailer towing, do not drive
over 80 km/h (50 mph) and do
not make starts at full throttle.
. Vehicles can tow in D (Drive).
If the transmission downshifts
too often, a lower gear may be
selected using Manual Mode
See Manual Mode 0205.
If equipped, the following driver
assistance features should be
turned off when towing a trailer:
. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
. Super Cruise Control
. Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
. Park Assist
. Automatic Parking Assist (APA)
. Reverse Automatic
Braking (RAB) If equipped, the following driver
assistance features should be
turned to alert or off when towing a
trailer:
.
Automatic Emergency
Braking (AEB)
. 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 0191.
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

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/5/19
302 Vehicle Care
GM replacement windshield is
recommended. The replacement
windshield must be installed
according to GM specifications for
proper alignment. If it is not, these
systems may not work properly, they
may display messages, or they may
not work at all. See your dealer for
proper windshield replacement.
Acoustic Windshield
The vehicle is equipped with an
acoustic windshield. If the
windshield needs to be replaced, be
sure to get an acoustic windshield
so you will continue to have the
benefits an acoustic windshield can
provide.
Gas Strut(s)
This vehicle is equipped with gas
strut(s) to provide assistance in
lifting and holding open the hood/
trunk/liftgate system in full open
position.
{Warning
If the gas struts that hold open
the hood, trunk, and/or liftgate fail,
you or others could be seriously
injured. Take the vehicle to your
dealer for service immediately.
Visually inspect the gas struts for
signs of wear, cracks, or other
damage periodically. Check to
make sure the hood/trunk/liftgate
is held open with enough force.
If struts are failing to hold the
hood/trunk/liftgate, do not
operate. Have the vehicle
serviced.
Caution
Do not apply tape or hang any
objects from gas struts. Also do
not push down or pull on gas
struts. This may cause damage to
the vehicle.
See Maintenance Schedule 0368.
Hood
Trunk