engine overheat GMC TERRAIN 2019 User Guide

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12146071) - 2019 - crc - 7/27/18
Driving and Operating 277
When parking your vehicle and your
trailer on a hill:1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic if
facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, gradually release the
brake pedal to allow the chocks
to absorb the load of the trailer.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and
shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
.Start the engine.
. Shift into a gear.
. Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal. 3. Drive slowly until the trailer is
clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when used to tow trailers. See
Maintenance Schedule 0378. It is
especially important to check the
automatic transmission fluid, engine
oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling
system, and brake system before
and during each trip.
Check periodically that all nuts and
bolts on the trailer hitch are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. See Engine Overheating
0 305.
Trailer Towing
Caution
Towing a trailer improperly can
damage the vehicle and result in
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. To tow a trailer
correctly, follow the directions in
this section and see your dealer
for important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
Trailer Weight
{Warning
Never exceed the towing capacity
for your vehicle.
Safe trailering requires monitoring
the weight, speed, altitude, road
grades, outside temperature,
dimensions of the front of the trailer,
and how frequently the vehicle is
used to tow a trailer.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12146071) - 2019 - crc - 7/27/18
284 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 285
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 286
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 298
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 299
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 305
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Battery - North America . . . . . . 309
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310 Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 310
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 311
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 311
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 313
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Front Turn Signal Lamps . . . . . 315
Taillamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 316
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 317
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 318
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 327
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 344
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12146071) - 2019 - crc - 7/27/18
302 Vehicle Care
2.0L Gas Engine
1. Engine Cooling Fans (Outof 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.
Engine Coolant
The engine cooling system in the
vehicle is filled with DEX-COOL
engine coolant mixture. This coolant
needs to be checked and changed
at appropriate levels.
See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0387 andMaintenance
Schedule 0378.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
see Engine Overheating 0305.
What to Use
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such
as alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will. With
plain water or the wrong mixture,
the engine could get too hot but
(Continued)

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12146071) - 2019 - crc - 7/27/18
Vehicle Care 303
Warning (Continued)
there would not be an overheat
warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be
burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. If using this mixture,
nothing else needs to be added.
This mixture:
. Gives freezing protection down
to−37 °C (−34 °F), outside
temperature.
. Gives boiling protection up to
129 °C (265 °F), engine
temperature.
. Protects against rust and
corrosion.
. Will not damage aluminum parts.
. Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Caution
Do not use anything other than a
mix of DEX-COOL coolant that
meets GM Standard
GMW3420 and clean, drinkable
water. Anything else can cause
damage to the engine cooling
system and the vehicle, which
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on
the ground, or pouring into sewers,
streams, or bodies of water. Have
the coolant changed by an
authorized service center, familiar
with legal requirements regarding
used coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant surge tank. If the coolant
inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until
it cools down. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level mark is not
visible, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL coolant at the coolant
surge tank to the top rib on the
middle of the tank, but be sure the
cooling system is cool before this is
done. See Engine Overheating
0 305.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12146071) - 2019 - crc - 7/27/18
304 Vehicle Care
The coolant surge tank is located in
the engine compartment on the
driver side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0289.
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system are under
pressure. Turning the pressure
cap, even a little, can cause them
to come out at high speed and
you could be burned. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
pressure cap to cool.
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such
as alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will. With
plain water or the wrong mixture,
the engine could get too hot but
there would not be an overheat
warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be
burned.
{Warning
Spilling coolant on hot engine
parts can burn you. Coolant
contains ethylene glycol and it will
burn if the engine parts are hot
enough.
Caution
Failure to follow the specific
coolant fill procedure could cause
the engine to overheat and could
cause system damage. If coolant
is not visible in the surge tank,
contact your dealer.
1. Remove the coolant surge tank
pressure cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is no
longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about
one-quarter of a turn. If you
hear a hiss, wait for that to

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12146071) - 2019 - crc - 7/27/18
Vehicle Care 305
stop. This will allow any
pressure still left to be vented
out the discharge hose.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap slowly and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank withthe proper mixture to the
indicated level mark.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until you
can feel the upper radiator
hose getting hot. Watch out for
the engine cooling fans. By this time, the coolant level
inside the coolant surge tank
may be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper
mixture to the coolant surge
tank until the level reaches the
indicated level mark.
5. Replace the pressure cap tightly.
6. Verify coolant level after the engine is shut off and the
coolant is cold. If necessary,
repeat coolant fill procedure
Steps 1–6.
If the coolant still is not at the
proper level when the system
cools down again, see your
dealer.
Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and engine
damage may occur. Be sure the
cap is properly and tightly
secured.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has an engine coolant
temperature gauge on the
instrument cluster and overheat
messages in the Driver Information
Center (DIC) to warn of engine
overheating. See Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge 0130.
The decision may be made not to lift
the hood when the engine coolant
temperature gauge is in the
overheat zone or an engine
overheat DIC message displays, but
instead to get service help right
away. See Roadside Assistance
Program 0399.
If the decision to lift the hood is
made, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface. Then
check to see if the engine cooling
fan(s) are running. If the engine is
overheating, the fan(s) should be
running. If they are not, do not
continue to run the engine, and
have the vehicle serviced.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12146071) - 2019 - crc - 7/27/18
306 Vehicle Care
Caution
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak in the engine cooling system.
This can cause a loss of all
coolant and can damage the
system and vehicle. Have any
leaks fixed right away.
If Steam Is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system are under
pressure. Turning the pressure
cap, even a little, can cause them
to come out at high speed and
you could be burned. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
pressure cap to cool.
If No Steam Is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
If the engine coolant temperature
gauge is in the overheat zone or an
engine overheat DIC message is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day
. Stops after high-speed driving
. Idles for long periods in traffic
. Tows a trailer
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

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12146071) - 2019 - crc - 7/27/18
Vehicle Care 307
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. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview 0289 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
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
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 pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or can
be heard all the time when the
vehicle is moving, except when
applying the brake pedal firmly.
{Warning
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
a crash. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/-
Mexico-12146071) - 2019 - crc - 7/27/18
424 Index
Drive SystemsAll-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . 218, 310
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . 242
Driver Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142, 147
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Driving
Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 249
Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
For Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 27
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 188
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 190
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Driving the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172E
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . 219
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . 136
Electrical Equipment,Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Electrical System Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 318
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Emergency OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 410
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Check Light (MalfunctionIndicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 289
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 394
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298 Engine (cont'd)
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 206
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Engines Diesel Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 407
Exhaust Fluid
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 161
Exterior Lighting Battery
Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
F
FeaturesMemory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Replacement (Fuel) . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/-
Mexico-12146071) - 2019 - crc - 7/27/18
428 Index
N
NavigationConnected Services . . . . . . . . . . 417
Net, Convenience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . 195
O
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Oil Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 298
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Older Children, Restraints . . . . . . . 91
Online Owner Center . . . . . . . . . . . 398
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 408
OnStar Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 411
OnStar Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . 410
OnStar Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 409
OnStar Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 411
Operation Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Outlets Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117 Overheating, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
P
Park
Shifting Into . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Shifting Out of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Park Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Parking
Brake and P (Park)Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . .311
Extended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . 205
Parking or Backing Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 243
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Passenger Compartment Air
Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . 85
Pedestrian Ahead Indicator . . . . . 137
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California . . . . . . 286
Personalization Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117 Power (cont'd)
Protection, Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . . 202
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . . . . 77
Privacy Vehicle Data Recording . . . . . . . 407
Program
Courtesy Transportation . . . . . . 401
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Proposition 65 Warning,
California . . . . . . . . . . . .285, 309, 360, Back Cover
Publication Ordering Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404
R
Radio Frequency Statement . . . . 405
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . 243
Rear Window Washer/Wiper . . . . 115
Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Automatic Dimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61