GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual(GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14420055) - 2021 - CRC - 11/13/20
204 Driving and Operating
5. Plug the other end of the cord into anormal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{Warning
Improper use of the heater cord or an
extension cord can damage the cord and
may result in overheating and fire.
.Plug the cord into a three-prong
electrical utility receptacle that is
protected by a ground fault detection
function. An ungrounded outlet could
cause an electric shock.
.Use a weatherproof, heavy-duty,
15 amp-rated extension cord if needed.
Failure to use the recommended
extension cord in good operating
condition, or using a damaged heater
or extension cord, could make it
overheat and cause a fire, property
damage, electric shock, and injury.
.Do not operate the vehicle with the
heater cord permanently attached to
the vehicle. Possible heater cord and
thermostat damage could occur.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.While in use, do not let the heater
cord touch vehicle parts or sharp
edges. Never close the hood on the
heater cord.
.Before starting the vehicle, unplug the
cord, reattach the cover to the plug,
and securely fasten the cord. Keep the
cord away from any moving parts.
The length of time the heater should remain
plugged in depends on several factors. Ask a
dealer in the area where you will be parking
the vehicle for the best advice on this.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
When the ignition is turned from on to off,
the following features (if equipped) will
continue to function for up to 10 minutes,
or until the driver door is opened. These
features will also work when the ignition is
in RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY:
.Infotainment System
.Power Windows (during RAP this
functionality will be lost when any door
is opened)
.Sunroof (during RAP this functionality will
be lost when any door is opened)
.Auxiliary Power Outlet
.Audio System
.OnStar System
Shifting Into Park
{Warning
It can be dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the vehicle is not in P (Park)
with the parking brake set. The vehicle
can roll. If you have left the engine
running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be
sure the vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, use
the steps that follow. If you are pulling a
trailer, see Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips 0249.
To shift into P (Park): 1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking brake. See Electric Parking Brake
0 212.
2. Press P (Park).
3. Turn the ignition off.
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual(GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14420055) - 2021 - CRC - 11/13/20
Vehicle Care 267
5. Verify that the wiring harness connectoris fully connected to the sensor on the
air cleaner/filter housing.
6. If equipped, reset the engine air filter life system after replacing the engine air
filter, see Engine Air Filter Life System
0 265.
{Warning
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/filter off can cause you or others
to be burned. Use caution when working
on the engine. Do not start the engine or
drive the vehicle with the air cleaner/
filter off, as flames may be present if the
engine backfires.
Caution
If the air cleaner/filter is off, dirt can
easily get into the engine, which could
damage it. Always have the air cleaner/
filter in place when driving.
Cooling System
1. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
2. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and
Pressure Cap
{Warning
An underhood electric fan can start up
even when the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands, clothing,
and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
{Warning
Do not touch heater or radiator hoses,
or other engine parts. They can be very
hot and can burn you. Do not run the
engine if there is a leak; all coolant could
leak out. That could cause an engine fire
and can burn you. Fix any leak before
driving the vehicle.
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank
is boiling, do not do anything else until it
cools down. The vehicle should be parked on
a level surface.
The coolant level should be at the top rib on
the middle of the tank. If it is not, the
vehicle may have a leak at the radiator
hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water pump,
or somewhere else in the cooling system.
If there seems to be no leak, with the
engine on, check to see if the electric engine
cooling fan is running. If the engine is
overheating, the fan should be running. If it
is not, the vehicle needs service. Turn off
the engine.
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual(GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-14420055) - 2021 - CRC - 11/13/20
Vehicle Care 271
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 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. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0261 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 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
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual(GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/-
Mexico-14420055) - 2021 - CRC - 11/13/20
368 Index
Driving (cont'd)Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . 249
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Impaired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Driving the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
E
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Electrical Equipment, Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Electrical SystemEngine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . 281
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . 285 Emergency
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Check Light (Malfunction Indicator) . . . . . 93
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . . . 122
F
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Folding Seatback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . 237
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
Front Fog Lamp
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Heated and Ventilated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Front Turn Signal Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual(GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/-
Mexico-14420055) - 2021 - CRC - 11/13/20
Index 369
Fuel (cont'd)Economy, Driving for Better . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . 248
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Top Tier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Fuses Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . 281
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . 285
G
Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Gauges Engine Coolant Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Warning Lights and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . 84 General Information
Service and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Global Positioning System (GPS) . . . . . . . . . 148
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
Guidance Problems with the Route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
HD Radio Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
HeadlampsAiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . 118
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
High Intensity Discharge (HID)Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Heated
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats . . . . . . . .35
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Heater Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178, 180
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Hill Descent Control (HDC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Hill Descent Control Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .214
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
How to Wear Seat Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . .41
HVAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178, 180
I
If the System Needs Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Indicator Pedestrian Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Vehicle Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Infants and Young Children, Restraints . . . . 58
Information
Publication Ordering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353