GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
Driving and Operating 163
Driving Environment
Be prepared for driving in inclement
weather, at night, or during other
times where visibility or traction may
be limited, such as on curves,
slippery roads, or hilly terrain.
Unfamiliar surroundings can also
have hidden hazards.
Learn more about driving in different
conditions and off-road driving in
this section.
Vehicle Design
Utility vehicles have a significantly
higher rollover rate than other types
of vehicles. This is because they
have a higher ground clearance and
a narrower track or shorter
wheelbase than passenger cars,
which makes them more capable for
off-road driving. While these design
characteristics provide the driver
with a better view of the road, these
vehicles do have a higher center of
gravity than other types of vehicles.
A utility vehicle does not handle thesame as a vehicle with a lower
center of gravity, like a car, in similar
situations.
Safe driver behavior and
understanding of the environment
can help avoid a rollover crash in
any type of vehicle, including utility
vehicles.
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving tips
to get the best fuel economy
possible:
.
Set the climate controls to the
desired temperature after the
engine is started, or turn them
off when not required.
. Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
. Brake gradually and avoid
abrupt stops.
. Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time. .
When road and weather
conditions are appropriate, use
cruise control.
. Always follow posted speed
limits or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
. Keep vehicle tires properly
inflated.
. Combine several trips into a
single trip.
. Replace the vehicle's tires with
the same TPC Spec number
molded into the tire's sidewall
near the size.
. Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms
and can take your focus from the
task of driving. Exercise good
judgment and do not let other
activities divert your attention away
from the road. Many local
governments have enacted laws
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
Driving and Operating 197
In certain cold conditions, it is
possible to find some frozen DEF in
the DEF fill pipe opening. If this
condition prevents the filling of a
DEF tank, place the vehicle in a
warm garage overnight.
For information on how to fill the
DEF tank, seeFilling the Tank
(Gasoline) 0257 or
Filling the Tank (Diesel) 0258.
Exhaust Fluid Low
A full DEF tank will last for several
thousand kilometers (miles),
depending on vehicle usage. As the
exhaust fluid level drops, warnings
will automatically be displayed in the
DIC. Exhaust fluid level status is
available in the DIC. See “Diesel
Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Level (Diesel
Engine Only)” inDriver Information
Center (DIC) (Base and Midlevel)
0 124 or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) 0130.
To avoid vehicle speed limitations,
the DEF tank should be refilled at
the first opportunity after a low
warning indication. If DEF is added before the EXHAUST FLUID
EMPTY REFILL NOW message
appears, it may take several km/mi
for the DIC message to update.
If the vehicle speed has been
limited and DEF has been added, it
may take up to 30 seconds after
engine start with the vehicle
stopped for the EXHAUST FLUID
EMPTY REFILL NOW message to
clear. If the vehicle is driven prior to
the DIC message clearing, the
vehicle speed will still be limited.
If the DIC message clears while
driving, the speed limitation will be
removed gradually.
If DEF is added under freezing
conditions, additional time may be
required to remove speed limitations
and it may require less fluid to fill
the DEF tank.
The DIC message EXHAUST
FLUID RANGE: XXXX km (mi)
displays at approximately 1 600 km
(1,000 mi) of fluid range remaining.
This message appears again at
approximately 500 km (300 mi) of
remaining range before the exhaust
fluid tank becomes empty.Below 500 km (300 mi) of range
remaining, these messages will
appear every time the vehicle is
started.
Below 121 km (75 mi) of range
remaining, the DIC message
EXHAUST FLUID LOW SPEED
LIMITED SOON displays. This
message will display every time the
vehicle is started.
If these warnings are ignored and
the DEF tank becomes empty, the
DIC message EXHAUST FLUID
EMPTY REFILL NOW - 563 KM
(350 MI) UNTIL 104 KM/H (65 MPH)
MAX SPEED displays. The
displayed mileage will decrease as
driving continues. A warning light
also comes on.
When the mileage countdown is
zero, the DIC message EXHAUST
FLUID EMPTY REFILL NOW -
TRANSITIONING TO 104 KM/H
(65 MPH) MAX SPEED displays.
A warning light and a chime also
come on. Vehicle speed will be
reduced to a maximum speed limit
of 104 KM/h (65 MPH).
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
198 Driving and Operating
After the transition to 104 KM/h
(65 MPH) is complete, the DIC
message EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY
REFILL 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 warning light
and a chime also come on.
When the mileage countdown is
zero, the DIC message EXHAUST
FLUID EMPTY REFILL NOW -
TRANSITIONING TO 88 KM/H
(55 MPH) MAX SPEED displays.
A flashing warning light and a chime
also come 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 EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY
REFILL NOW - SPEED LIMITED
TO 88 KM/H (55 MPH) –120 KM
(75 MI) UNTIL 8 KM/H (5 MPH) MAX
SPEED displays. The displayed
mileage will decrease as driving
continues. A flashing warning light
and a chime also come on. When the mileage countdown is
zero, the DIC message EXHAUST
FLUID EMPTY REFILL NOW -
TRANSITIONING TO 8 KM/H
(5 MPH) MAX SPEED displays.
A flashing warning light and a chime
also come on. Vehicle speed will be
reduced to a maximum speed limit
of 8 km/h (5 mph).
After the transition to 8 km/h (5 mph)
is complete, the DIC message
EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY REFILL
NOW - SPEED LIMITED TO
8 KM/H (5 MPH) displays. A flashing
warning light and a chime also
come on.
Add at least 7.6 L (2 gal) of fluid to
release the vehicle from speed
limitation from a very low or
empty tank.
See
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)
Warning Light 0122 and
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0377. Exhaust Fluid Quality Poor
Use only exhaust fluid that is GM
approved, or fluid containing the API
certified or ISO 22241 label.
All DEF has an expiration date.
If the system detects poor quality,
or contaminated or diluted DEF, the
DIC message EXHAUST FLUID
QUALITY POOR - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW
–160 KM (99 MI)
UNTIL 104 KM/H (65 MPH) MAX
SPEED displays. The displayed
mileage will decrease as driving
continues. A warning light also
comes on. Adding fresh DEF to the
system may resolve the problem,
depending on several factors. If the
DIC message persists, see your
dealer or additional DIC messages
may display.
When the mileage countdown is
zero, a DIC message EXHAUST
FLUID QUALITY POOR - SEE
OWNERS MANUAL NOW -
TRANSITIONING TO 104 KM/H
(65 MPH) MAX SPEED displays.
A warning light and a chime also
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
Driving and Operating 199
come 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 EXHAUST FLUID
QUALITY POOR - 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 warning light
and a chime also come on.
When the mileage countdown is
zero, the DIC message EXHAUST
FLUID QUALITY POOR - SEE
OWNERS MANUAL NOW -
TRANSITIONING TO 88 KM/H
(55 MPH) MAX SPEED displays.
A flashing warning light and a chime
also come 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, a DIC
message EXHAUST FLUID
QUALITY POOR - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW - SPEED LIMITED
TO 88 KM/H (55 MPH)
–120 KM
(75 MI) UNTIL 8 KM/H (5 MPH) MAX
SPEED displays. The displayed
mileage will decrease as driving
continues. A flashing warning light
and a chime also come on.
When the mileage countdown is
zero, a DIC message EXHAUST
FLUID QUALITY POOR - SEE
OWNERS MANUAL NOW -
TRANSITIONING TO 8 KM/H
(5 MPH) MAX SPEED displays.
A flashing warning light and a chime
also come on. Vehicle speed will be
reduced to a maximum speed limit
of 8 km/h (5 mph).
After the transition to 8 km/h (5 mph)
is complete, a DIC message
EXHAUST FLUID QUALITY POOR
- SEE OWNERS MANUAL NOW -
SPEED LIMITED TO 8 KM/H
(5 MPH) displays. A flashing
warning light and a chime also
come on. Service Exhaust Fluid System
If a problem occurs with the DEF
system, the DIC message SERVICE
EXHAUST FLUID SYSTEM - SEE
OWNERS MANUAL NOW
–160 KM
(99 MI) UNTIL 104 KM/H (65 MPH)
MAX SPEED displays. The
displayed mileage will decrease as
driving continues. A warning light
also comes on. In some cases this
message will clear itself, indicating
that the DEF system was able to
correct the condition. If the DIC
message persists, see your dealer
or additional DIC messages may
display.
When the mileage countdown is
zero, the DIC message SERVICE
EXHAUST FLUID SYSTEM - SEE
OWNERS MANUAL NOW -
TRANSITIONING TO 104 KM/H
(65 MPH) MAX SPEED displays.
A warning light and a chime also
come on. Vehicle speed will be
reduced to a maximum speed limit
of 104 km/h (65 mph).
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
200 Driving and Operating
After the transition to 104 km/h
(65 mph) is complete, a DIC
message SERVICE EXHAUST
FLUID 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 warning light
and a chime also come on.
When the mileage countdown is
zero, the DIC message SERVICE
EXHAUST FLUID SYSTEM - SEE
OWNERS MANUAL NOW -
TRANSITIONING TO 88 KM/H
(55 MPH) MAX SPEED displays.
A flashing warning light and a chime
also come on. Vehicle speed will be
reduced down 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 EXHAUST
FLUID SYSTEM - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW - SPEED LIMITED
TO 88 KM/H (55 MPH) –120 KM
(75 MI) UNTIL 8 KM/H (5 MPH) MAX
SPEED displays. The displayed mileage will decrease as driving
continues. A flashing warning light
and a chime also come on.
When the mileage countdown is
zero, the DIC message SERVICE
EXHAUST FLUID SYSTEM - SEE
OWNERS MANUAL NOW -
TRANSITIONING TO 8 KM/H
(5 MPH) MAX SPEED displays.
A flashing warning light and a chime
also come on. Vehicle speed will be
reduced to a maximum speed limit
of 8 km/h (5 mph).
After the transition to 8 km/h (5 mph)
is complete, the DIC message
SERVICE EXHAUST FLUID
SYSTEM - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW - SPEED LIMITED
TO 8 KM/H (5 MPH) displays.
A flashing warning light and a chime
also come on.
Service Emission System
If a problem occurs with the vehicle
emission system, the DIC message
SERVICE EMISSION SYSTEM -
SEE OWNERS MANUAL NOW
–
282 KM (175 MI) UNTIL 104 KM/H
(65 MPH) MAX SPEED displays. The displayed mileage will decrease
as driving continues. In some cases
this message will clear itself,
indicating that the emission system
was able to correct the condition.
If the DIC message persists, see
your dealer or additional DIC
messages may display.
When the mileage countdown is
zero, the DIC message SERVICE
EMISSION SYSTEM - SEE
OWNERS MANUAL NOW -
TRANSITIONING TO 104 KM/H
(65 MPH) MAX SPEED displays.
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.
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
Driving and Operating 201
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.If the vehicle is in ACC/
ACCESSORY, the transmission can
be shifted into P (Park).
If ENGINE START/STOP is pressed
twice while at a relatively high
speed, the engine will turn off and
the transmission will automatically
shift to N (Neutral). Once the vehicle
is stopped, P (Park) can be
selected.
P :
This position locks the drive
wheels. Use P (Park) when starting
the vehicle to ensure the vehicle
does not move.{Warning
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the transmission is not
in P (Park) with the parking brake
set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If the engine
has been left running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
(Continued)
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/5/19
276 Vehicle Care
If equipped with remote vehicle
start, open the hood before
performing any service work to
prevent remote starting the vehicle
accidentally. SeeRemote Vehicle
Start 015.
Keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date of
any service work performed. See
Maintenance Records 0380.
Caution
Even small amounts of
contamination can cause damage
to vehicle systems. Do not allow
contaminants to contact the fluids,
reservoir caps, or dipsticks.
Hood
{Warning
For vehicles with auto engine
stop/start, turn the vehicle off
before opening the hood. If the
vehicle is on, the engine will start
when the hood is opened. You or
others could be injured.
{Warning
Components under the hood can
get hot from running the engine.
To help avoid the risk of burning
unprotected skin, never touch
these components until they have
cooled, and always use a glove or
towel to avoid direct skin contact.
Clear any snow from the hood
before opening. To open the hood:
1. Pull the hood release lever with the
isymbol. It is on the
lower left side of the instrument
panel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle and locate the secondary
release lever under the front
center of the hood. Push the
secondary hood release lever
to the right to release.
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/5/19
Vehicle Care 287
containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer's warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your
own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the filter before disposal. Never
dispose of oil by putting it in the
trash or pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or
bodies of water. Recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on a combination of factors which
include engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For
the oil life system to work properly,
the system must be reset every time
the oil is changed.When the system has calculated
that oil life has been diminished, it
indicates that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message comes on.
Change the oil as soon as possible
within the next 1 000 km (600 mi).
It is possible that, if driving under
the best conditions, the oil life
system may indicate that an oil
change is not necessary for up to a
year. The engine oil and filter must
be changed at least once a year
and, at this time, the system must
be reset. Your dealer has trained
service people who will perform this
work and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly
over the course of an oil drain
interval and keep it at the proper
level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change. To reset the
system:
1. Display REMAINING OIL LIFE on the DIC menu. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) (Base
and Midlevel) 0124 or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) 0130.
2. Press and hold
Vfor several
seconds while the Oil Life
display is active to reset the Oil
Life system.
3. REMAINING OIL LIFE 100% will be displayed when the oil
life system is successfully
reset.
The oil life system can also be reset
as follows: 1. Place the ignition in Service Mode. See Ignition Positions
0 179.