GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
Introduction 3
About Driving the Vehicle
As with other vehicles of this type,
failure to operate this vehicle
correctly may result in loss of
control or a crash. Be sure to read
the driving guidelines in this manual
in the section called“Driving and
Operating” and specifically Driver
Behavior 0162, Driving
Environment 0163, and Vehicle
Design 0163.
Danger, Warning, and
Caution
Warning messages found on vehicle
labels and in this manual describe
hazards and what to do to avoid or
reduce them.
{Danger
Danger indicates a hazard with a
high level of risk which will result
in serious injury or death.
{Warning
Warning indicates a hazard that
could result in injury or death.
Caution
Caution indicates a hazard that
could result in property or vehicle
damage.
A circle with a slash through it is a
safety symbol which means “Do
not,” “Do not do this,” or“Do not let
this happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead of
text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or
information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gauge, or indicator.
M: Shown when the owner ’s
manual has additional instructions
or information.
*: Shown when the service
manual has additional instructions
or information.
0: Shown when there is more
information on another page —
“see page.”
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. See the
features in this manual for
information.
u: Air Conditioning System
G:Air Conditioning Refrigerant Oil
9:Airbag Readiness Light
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
64 Seats and Restraints
The vehicle has a feature that may
automatically unlock the doors, turn
on the interior lamps and hazard
warning flashers, and shut off the
fuel system after the airbags inflate.
The feature may also activate,
without airbag inflation, after an
event that exceeds a predetermined
threshold. After turning the ignition
off and then on again, the fuel
system will return to normal
operation; the doors can be locked,
the interior lamps can be turned off,
and the hazard warning flashers can
be turned off using the controls for
those features. If any of these
systems are damaged in the crash
they may not operate as normal.
{Warning
A crash severe enough to inflate
the airbags may have also
damaged important functions in
the vehicle, such as the fuel
system, brake and steering
systems, etc. Even if the vehicle
appears to be drivable after a(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
moderate crash, there may be
concealed damage that could
make it difficult to safely operate
the vehicle.
Use caution if you should attempt
to restart the engine after a crash
has occurred.
In many crashes severe enough to
inflate the airbag, windshields are
broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may
also occur from the front outboard
passenger airbag.
. Airbags are designed to inflate
only once. After an airbag
inflates, you will need some new
parts for the airbag system.
If you do not get them, the
airbag system will not be there
to help protect you in another
crash. A new system will include
airbag modules and possibly
other parts. The service manual
for the vehicle covers the need
to replace other parts. .
The vehicle has a crash sensing
and diagnostic module which
records information after a
crash. See Vehicle Data
Recording and Privacy 0397
and
Event Data Recorders 0397.
. Let only qualified technicians
work on the airbag systems.
Improper service can mean that
an airbag system will not work
properly. See your dealer for
service.
Passenger Sensing
System
The vehicle has a passenger
sensing system for the front
outboard passenger position. The
passenger airbag status indicator
will light on the overhead console
when the vehicle is started.
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
66 Seats and Restraints
.The system determines an infant
is present in a child restraint.
. A front outboard passenger
takes his/her weight off of the
seat for a period of time.
. There is a critical problem with
the airbag system or the
passenger sensing system.
When the passenger sensing
system has turned off the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag,
the OFF indicator will light and stay
lit as a reminder that the airbag is
off. See Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator 0114.
The passenger sensing system is
designed to turn on the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag
anytime the system senses that a
person of adult size is sitting
properly in the front outboard
passenger seat.
When the passenger sensing
system has allowed the airbag to be
enabled, the ON indicator will light
and stay lit as a reminder that the
airbag is active. For some children, including
children in child restraints, and for
very small adults, the passenger
sensing system may or may not turn
off the front outboard passenger
frontal airbag, depending upon the
person's seating posture and body
build. Everyone in the vehicle who
has outgrown child restraints should
wear a seat belt properly
—whether
or not there is an airbag for that
person.
{Warning
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others,
have the vehicle serviced right
away. See Airbag Readiness
Light 0113 for more information,
including important safety
information.
If the On Indicator Is Lit for a
Child Restraint
The passenger sensing system is
designed to turn off the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag if
the system determines that an infant
is present in a child restraint. If a
child restraint has been installed
and the ON indicator is lit:
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Remove the child restraint from the vehicle.
3. Remove any additional items from the seat such as blankets,
cushions, seat covers, seat
heaters, or seat massagers.
4. Reinstall the child restraint following the directions
provided by the child restraint
manufacturer and refer to
Securing Child Restraints (With
the Seat Belt in the Rear Seat)
085 or
Securing Child Restraints (With
the Seat Belt in the Front Seat)
0 87.
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
68 Seats and Restraints
and then buckle the belt again
without pulling the belt out all
the way.
6. Restart the vehicle and have the person remain in this
position for two to three minutes
after the ON indicator is lit.
{Warning
If the front outboard passenger
airbag is turned off for an
adult-sized occupant, the airbag
will not be able to inflate and help
protect that person in a crash,
resulting in an increased risk of
serious injury or even death. An
adult-sized occupant should not
ride in the front outboard
passenger seat, if the passenger
airbag OFF indicator is lit.
Additional Factors Affecting
System Operation
Seat belts help keep the passenger
in position on the seat during
vehicle maneuvers and braking,
which helps the passenger sensing system maintain the passenger
airbag status. See
“Seat Belts”and
“Child Restraints” in the Index for
additional information about the
importance of proper restraint use.
A thick layer of additional material,
such as a blanket or cushion,
or aftermarket equipment such as
seat covers, seat heaters, and seat
massagers can affect how well the
passenger sensing system
operates. We recommend that you
not use seat covers or other
aftermarket equipment except when
approved by GM for your specific
vehicle. See Adding Equipment to
the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 069
for more information about
modifications that can affect how
the system operates.
The ON indicator may be lit if an
object, such as a briefcase,
handbag, grocery bag, laptop,
or other electronic device, is put on
an unoccupied seat. If this is not
desired, remove the object from
the seat.
{Warning
Stowing articles under the
passenger seat or between the
passenger seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the
proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle
should be serviced. There are parts
of the airbag system in several
places around the vehicle. Your
dealer and the service manual have
information about servicing the
vehicle and the airbag system. To
purchase a service manual, see
Publication Ordering Information
0 394.
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
94 Instruments and Controls
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . 95
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . 95
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . 95
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . 95
Rear Window Wiper/Washer . . . 97
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Instrument Cluster (Base and Midlevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Instrument Cluster (Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . 113
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 113
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 115
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 115
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Service Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . 119
Hill Descent Control Light . . . . . 119
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . 119
Pedestrian Ahead Indicator . . . 120
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . 120
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Wait-to-Start Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 122 Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 122
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 123
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . 123
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 123
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 124
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base and Midlevel) . . . . . . . . . 124
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 134
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . 135
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 135
Universal Remote System
Universal Remote System . . . . 140
Universal Remote SystemProgramming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Universal Remote System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
114 Instruments and Controls
The airbag readiness light comes on
for several seconds when the
vehicle is started. If the light does
not come on then, have it fixed
immediately.
{Warning
If the airbag readiness light stays
on after the vehicle is started or
comes on while driving, it means
the airbag system might not be
working properly. The airbags in
the vehicle might not inflate in a
crash, or they could even inflate
without a crash. To help avoid
injury, have the vehicle serviced
right away.
If there is a problem with the airbag
system, a Driver Information Center
(DIC) message may also come on.
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator
The vehicle has a passenger
sensing system. See Passenger
Sensing System 064 for important safety information. The overhead
console has a passenger airbag
status indicator.
When the vehicle is started, the
passenger airbag status indicator
will light ON and OFF, and the
symbols for on and off, for several
seconds as a system check. Then,
after several more seconds, the
status indicator will light either ON
or OFF, and either the on or off
symbol, to let you know the status of
the front outboard passenger frontal
airbag.
If the word ON, and the on symbol,
are lit on the passenger airbag
status indicator, it means that the
front outboard passenger frontal
airbag is allowed to inflate.
If the word OFF, and the off symbol,
are lit on the passenger airbag
status indicator, it means that the
passenger sensing system has
turned off the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag.
If, after several seconds, both status
indicator lights remain on, or if there
are no lights at all, there may be a
problem with the lights or the
passenger sensing system. See
your dealer for service.
{Warning
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others,
have the vehicle serviced right
away. See
Airbag Readiness
Light 0113 for more information,
including important safety
information.
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
Instruments and Controls 115
Charging System Light
The charging system light comes on
briefly when the ignition is turned
on, but the engine is not running, as
a check to show the light is working.
The light turns off when the engine
is started. If it does not, have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the light stays on, or comes on
while driving, there may be a
problem with the electrical charging
system. Have it checked by your
dealer. Driving while this light is on
could drain the battery.
When this light comes on, the Driver
Information Center (DIC) also
displays a message.
If a short distance must be driven
with the light on, be sure to turn off
all accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine
Light)
This light is part of the vehicle’s
emission control on-board
diagnostic system. If this light is on
while the engine is running, a
malfunction has been detected and
the vehicle may require service. The
light should come on to show that it
is working when the ignition is in
Service Mode. SeeIgnition
Positions 0179.
This light may also come on when
the system has detected a problem
with the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)
management system. See Diesel
Exhaust Fluid 0195.
Malfunctions are often indicated by
the system before any problem is
noticeable. Being aware of the light
and seeking service promptly when
it comes on may prevent damage.
Caution
If the vehicle is driven continually
with this light on, the emission
control system may not work as
well, the fuel economy may be
lower, and the vehicle may not
run smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs that might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Caution
Modifications to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake,
or fuel system, or the use of
replacement tires that do not
meet the original tire
specifications, can cause this light
to come on. This could lead to
(Continued)
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
120 Instruments and Controls
Pedestrian Ahead
Indicator
If equipped, this indicator will
display amber when a nearby
pedestrian is detected in front of the
vehicle.
SeeFront Pedestrian Braking (FPB)
System 0241.
Traction Off Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your dealer. If the system is working
normally, the indicator light then
turns off.
The traction off light comes on when
the Traction Control System (TCS)
has been turned off through the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
This light and the StabiliTrak/ESC
OFF light come on when StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is
turned off.
If the TCS is off, wheel speed will
be limited when necessary to
protect the driveline from damage.
Adjust driving accordingly.
See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0209.
StabiliTrak OFF Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the vehicle. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer.
This light comes on when the
StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) system is turned off.
If StabiliTrak/ESC is off, the Traction
Control System (TCS) is also off.
If the StabiliTrak/ESC and TCS are
off, the system does not assist in
controlling the vehicle. Turn on the
TCS and the StabiliTrak/ESC
systems and the warning light
turns off.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0209.
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak Light