
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
Driving and Operating 193
{Warning
During DPF self-cleaning or
during extended idling in P (Park),
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.
SeeParking over Things That
Burn 0190.
Caution
Avoid extended idling because
the DPF system is not capable of
self-cleaning at idle. During
extended idling, monitor the
instrument cluster lights and DIC
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
for messages and take
appropriate action. Continued
idling with the warning light/
message on could cause damage
to the DPF requiring repair and
possible replacement that might
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
During self-cleaning there will be a
change in the exhaust sound and
engine idle speed. Along with this, a
burning smell and reduction in fuel
economy may be noticed. This is
normal.
If the vehicle is idled or driven on
very short trips with the DPF
warning message on and the
exhaust filter is not cleaned as
required, the malfunction indicator
lamp and a DIC message will
display. See your dealer. Also see
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check
Engine Light) 0115. If equipped with Power
Take-Off (PTO), monitor the
instrument cluster for lights related
to the DPF.
See
Accessories and Modifications
0 275 if you are adding accessories
or modifying the vehicle.
Manual Regeneration of Diesel
Particulate Filter
This feature is only available on
Fleet and Commercial vehicles.
To verify that the vehicle has this
feature, refer to the Vehicle Service
Parts Identification label (SPID) for
RPO code FPF or see
www.gmupfitter.com to contact the
GM Upfitter Integration Group.
If equipped, this feature allows for
manual cleaning/regeneration of the
DPF when it is unable to clean
itself. It may be necessary to
perform manual regeneration if
driving conditions —such as
extended slow speed, stop-and-go
traffic, extended idling, short drive
cycles, or stationary PTO operation
— prevent DPF self-cleaning.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
194 Driving and Operating
Manual regeneration can only be
used when the DPF has become at
least 90% full. At 100% full, it will
attempt to automatically self-clean if
proper driving conditions are met.
The DPF will clean itself if the
vehicle can be driven for about
30 minutes.
A DIC message displays when
manual regeneration is possible.
Scroll through the DIC pages to find
the Exhaust Cleaning menu.
Depending on whether the vehicle
has a base or uplevel cluster, it may
be under the Settings menu.
If the vehicle cannot be stopped
when the DIC message first
indicates cleaning is available,
automatic self-cleaning may have
begun. If conditions cannot be met
for self-cleaning to complete, and
manual regeneration is selected, it
may take up to four minutes for the
system to switch to manual
regeneration. When the switch
occurs, a DIC message prompts to
start the cleaning process.{Warning
Do not leave the vehicle during
the regeneration.
Make sure that there are no
flammable materials near the
muffler, DPF, and exhaust pipe
which may result in a fire.
The temperature of exhaust
gases is high enough to burn you.
You and others could be seriously
injured.
Before starting manual
regeneration, make sure all of the
following safety conditions are met:
. The vehicle is parked on level
ground, away from any
flammable materials.
. The vehicle is parked outdoors,
away from any walls or
buildings.
. The vehicle is at least 3 m (10 ft)
from any obstructions or
materials that may combust
or melt. .
The shift lever is in P (Park).
. The fuel tank is at least
one-eighth full.
. All fluids are at the proper level.
. No diagnostic trouble codes
have been set, and the
malfunction indicator lamp is
not on.
. The engine coolant temperature
is above 71 °C (160 °F).
After making sure all safety
conditions have been met, press the
trip odometer reset stem or
thumbwheel on the steering wheel
for at least one second to select
Start on the infotainment display.
Follow the instructions in the DIC
messages. Touch ACCEPT to
acknowledge that all of these safety
conditions have been met and to
activate regeneration.
If the infotainment display returns to
the previous screen, then one or
more of the necessary safety
conditions has not been met. If you
cannot determine which condition

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
Driving and Operating 195
has not been met, see
www.gmupfitter.com to contact the
GM Upfitter Integration Group.
Continue to follow the instructions in
the DIC messages. Hold the
exhaust brake switch on the center
stack below the climate controls for
more than three seconds, and then
release it, to begin the regeneration
process.
If the EXHAUST BRAKE ON
message displays, then the switch
was released too soon. Press it
again to turn off the exhaust brake,
then try again when the DIC
message prompts.
When manual regeneration begins,
the engine speed increases, the
engine cooling fan sound increases,
and a DIC message indicates that
cleaning is in progress.A DIC message will display when
cleaning is complete. Cleaning
could take up to 30 minutes. Upon
completion, the engine will return to
normal idle, but exhaust
components will remain hot for
several minutes. Do not move the
vehicle until the exhaust has had
time to cool. Manual regeneration
can be canceled at any time by
pressing the brake pedal or by
turning the engine off. Unusual
noises may be heard if regeneration
is interrupted.Diesel Exhaust Fluid
{Warning
Avoid getting Diesel Exhaust
Fluid (DEF) on your skin or in
your eyes as it could cause
irritation. For more safety,
handling, and storage information,
see the Diesel Exhaust Fluid
container label.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is used
with diesel engines to reduce the
amount of regulated emissions
produced. Products such as AdBlue
are types of DEF, and are approved
for use in the vehicle as long as
they have an API certification label
or meet ISO 22241.The fluid level in
the DEF tank must be maintained
for the vehicle to run properly. DEF
is not a fuel additive. DEF should
not be mixed with or added to diesel
fuel. DEF freezes when exposed to
temperatures below −11 °C (12 ° F).

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
196 Driving and Operating
It is normal to hear the DEF system
purge fluid back into the tank after
the vehicle is shut off.
Locating Diesel Exhaust Fluid
DEF can be purchased at your
dealer. It can also be purchased at
authorized vehicle and truck
dealerships. Additionally, some
diesel truck fueling stations or
retailers may have DEF for
purchase. For vehicles with an
active OnStar or connected services
plan, OnStar can help to locate a
DEF retailer. SeeCustomer
Assistance Offices 0387 for phone
numbers to assist in contacting a
GM dealer. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0377. Filling the DEF Tank
Caution
Use only DEF that is GM
approved, or fluid containing the
API certified or ISO 22241 label.
The use of other fluids could
damage the system, requiring
costly repairs that will not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Caution
Do not mix fuel with DEF, and do
not put DEF in the fuel tank. This
could lead to costly repairs that
might not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
It is recommended to fill the DEF
tank on level ground and when the
vehicle is not running. When adding
fluid, it is recommended to fill the
DEF tank.
Caution
Do not overfill the DEF tank and
do not allow DEF to contact the
finished surfaces of the vehicle,
as it could damage the vehicle
finish. If DEF is spilled during
filling, wipe any affected surface
with a damp cloth.
Do not top off the DEF tank. If using
a bottle or jug to refill DEF, follow
the instructions on the container
label and use a dedicated fill aid.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
214 Driving and Operating
HDC light indicates the system is
actively applying the brakes to
maintain vehicle speed.
When HDC is activated, the initial
HDC speed is set to the current
driving speed. It can be increased or
decreased by pressing +RES or–
SET on the steering wheel or by
applying the accelerator or brake
pedal. This adjusted speed
becomes the new set speed.
HDC will remain enabled between
22 and 60 km/h (14 and 37 mph);
however vehicle speed cannot be
set or maintained in this range.
It will automatically disable if the
vehicle speed is above 80 km/h
(50 mph) or above 60 km/h
(37 mph) for at least 30 seconds.
Press
5again to re-enable HDC.
Driver Mode Control
Depending on the option package
and available features, the Driver
Mode Control can have the
following modes: Tour (Front-Wheel
Drive (FWD)), All-Wheel Drive
(AWD), Snow/Ice, Off-Road, and Tow/Haul. Rotate the Driver Mode
Control knob on the center console
to make a mode selection. Continue
turning the knob through the
available modes. Upon selection of
a mode, the selected mode’s icon
will light up on the knob and a
message will be displayed in the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
Driver Mode Control Knob for
Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)
Driver Mode Control Knob for All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
q(Vehicles without AWD) or5(AWD equipped vehicles) Tour
Mode : Use Tour Mode during
normal driving conditions. Tour
Mode either puts the vehicle in
Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) for AWD
vehicles, or is the normal drive
mode for FWD vehicles. Tour Mode
is the most fuel efficient drive mode.
See Driving for Better Fuel
Economy 0163. When selecting
Tour Mode, if equipped, the AWD
light will flash briefly while the
system disables, and then stays off.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
248 Driving and Operating
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel (Gasoline)
GM recommends the use of TOP
TIER Detergent Gasoline to keep
the engine clean, reduce engine
deposits, and maintain optimal
vehicle performance. Look for the
TOP TIER Logo or see
www.toptiergas.com for a list of TOP
TIER Detergent Gasoline marketers
and applicable countries.
Top Tier Fuel (Diesel)
GM recommends the use of TOP
TIER Diesel Fuel to keep the engine
clean, reduce engine deposits, and
maintain optimal vehicle
performance. Look for the TOP
TIER Logo or see
www.toptiergas.com for a list of TOP
TIER Diesel Fuel marketers and
applicable countries.
Recommended Fuel (LYX
- 1.5L L4 Turbo Engine)
Use regular unleaded gasoline
meeting ASTM specification D4814
with a posted octane rating of 87—
(R+M)/2 —or higher. Do not use
gasoline with a posted octane rating
of less than 87, as this may cause
engine knock and will lower fuel
economy.
Do not use any fuel labeled E85 or
FlexFuel. Do not use gasoline with
ethanol levels greater than 15% by
volume.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
Driving and Operating 249
Recommended Fuel (LTG
- 2.0L L4 Turbo Engine)
Premium unleaded gasoline
meeting ASTM specification D4814
with a posted octane rating of 93—
(R+M)/2 —is highly recommended
for best performance and fuel
economy. Unleaded gasoline with
an octane rated as low as 87 can be
used. Using unleaded gasoline
rated below 93 octane, however, will
lead to reduced acceleration and
fuel economy. If knocking occurs,
use a gasoline rated at 93 octane
as soon as possible, otherwise, the
engine could be damaged. If heavy
knocking is heard when using
gasoline with a 93 octane rating, the
engine needs service. Do not use any fuel labeled E85 or
FlexFuel. Do not use gasoline with
ethanol levels greater than 15% by
volume.
Prohibited Fuels
(Gasoline)
Caution
Do not use fuels with any of the
following conditions; doing so
may damage the vehicle and void
its warranty:
. For vehicles that are not
FlexFuel, fuel labeled
greater than 15% ethanol by
volume, such as mid-level
ethanol blends (16–50%
ethanol), E85, or FlexFuel.
. Fuel with any amount of
methanol, methylal,
ferrocene, and aniline.
These fuels can corrode
metal fuel system parts or
damage plastic and rubber
parts.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
.Fuel containing metals such
as methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT), which can damage
the emissions control
system and spark plugs.
. Fuel with a posted octane
rating of less than the
recommended fuel. Using
this fuel will lower fuel
economy and performance,
and may decrease the life of
the emissions catalyst.
Fuels in Foreign
Countries
The U.S., Canada, and Mexico post
fuel octane ratings in anti-knock
index (AKI). For fuel not to use in a
foreign country, see Prohibited
Fuels (Gasoline) 0249.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
250 Driving and Operating
Fuel Additives (Gasoline)
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is
highly recommended for use with
your vehicle. If your country does
not have TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline, add ACDelco Fuel
System Treatment Plus−Gasoline to
the vehicle’s gasoline fuel tank at
every oil change or 15 000 km
(9,000 mi), whichever occurs first.
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline and
ACDelco Fuel System Treatment
Plus−Gasoline will help keep your
vehicle’s engine fuel deposit free
and performing optimally.
Fuel Additives (Diesel)
TOP TIER Detergent Diesel is
highly recommended for use with
your vehicle. If your area does not
have TOP TIER Detergent Diesel,
GM recommends the use of
ACDelco Diesel Fuel Conditioner.
This will help maintain optimal
engine performance. GM does not
recommend other aftermarket diesel
additives. If low-quality diesel is used for
refueling, GM recommends adding
ACDelco Fuel System Treatment
Plus-Diesel to help clean engine
deposits. This is available only at
your GM dealer.
Fuel for Diesel Engines
The selection of a high-quality fuel
is important for maintaining optimum
vehicle performance. Diesel fuel
should meet or exceed the minimum
requirements in the most current
versions of the local fuel standards.
Do not use fuel with more than
15 ppm sulfur.
Do not use a diesel blend containing
more than 20% biodiesel by volume.
Caution
Use of fuel that does not comply
with the required technical
standards can lead to engine
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
power loss, increased wear,
or engine damage and may void
your warranty.
Some improper fuels are:
. Diesel fuel with the addition
of gasoline.
. Diesel fuel mixed with
engine oil or automatic
transmission fluid.
. Triglyceride fuels, such as
raw vegetable oil or animal
fat, in any form, including
with blends of diesel or
biodiesel.
. Marine diesel fuel and
fuel oils.
. Diesel-water emulsions,
such as Aquazole.
. Aftermarket diesel fuel
additives, which contain
alcohols, organo-metallic
additives, or water
emulsifiers.