off-road GMC TERRAIN 2019 Owner's Manual

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12146071) - 2019 - crc - 7/27/18
178 Driving and Operating
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Driver Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Driving Environment . . . . . . . . . . 180
Vehicle Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 187
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 188
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 190
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 195
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Diesel Particulate Filter
Diesel Particulate Filter . . . . . . . 207
Diesel Exhaust Fluid
Diesel Exhaust Fluid . . . . . . . . . . 208
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 213
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . 219
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221 Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 221
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Hill Descent Control (HDC) . . . 225
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . 226
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . 232
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 242
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 243
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Forward Automatic Braking (FAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . 256
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . 258

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12146071) - 2019 - crc - 7/27/18
180 Driving and Operating
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.
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
regarding driver distraction. Become
familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, keep
your eyes on the road, keep your
hands on the steering wheel, and
focus your attention on driving.
.
Do not use a phone in
demanding driving situations.
Use a hands-free method to
place or receive necessary
phone calls.
. Watch the road. Do not read,
take notes, or look up
information on phones or other
electronic devices.
. Designate a front seat
passenger to handle potential
distractions.
. Become familiar with vehicle
features before driving, such as
programming favorite radio
stations and adjusting climate
control and seat settings.
Program all trip information into
any navigation device prior to
driving.
. Wait until the vehicle is parked
to retrieve items that have fallen
to the floor.
. Stop or park the vehicle to tend
to children.
. Keep pets in an appropriate
carrier or restraint.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12146071) - 2019 - crc - 7/27/18
182 Driving and Operating
If the engine ever stops while the
vehicle is being driven, brake
normally but do not pump the
brakes. Doing so could make the
pedal harder to push down. If the
engine stops, there will be some
power brake assist but it will be
used when the brake is applied.
Once the power assist is used up, it
can take longer to stop and the
brake pedal will be harder to push.
Steering
Electric Power Steering
The vehicle has electric power
steering. It does not have power
steering fluid. Regular maintenance
is not required.
If power steering assist is lost due
to a system malfunction, the vehicle
can be steered, but may require
increased effort.
If the steering assist is used for an
extended period of time while the
vehicle is not moving, power assist
may be reduced.If the steering wheel is turned until it
reaches the end of its travel and is
held against that position for an
extended period of time, power
steering assist may be reduced.
Normal use of the power steering
assist should return when the
system cools down.
See your dealer if there is a
problem.
Curve Tips
.
Take curves at a reasonable
speed.
. Reduce speed before entering a
curve.
. Maintain a reasonable steady
speed through the curve.
. Wait until the vehicle is out of
the curve before accelerating
gently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
.There are some situations when
steering around a problem may
be more effective than braking. .
Holding both sides of the
steering wheel allows you to turn
180 degrees without removing
a hand.
. The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) allows steering while
braking.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can drop
off the edge of a road onto the
shoulder while driving. Follow
these tips:

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12146071) - 2019 - crc - 7/27/18
Driving and Operating 183
1. Ease off the accelerator andthen, if there is nothing in the
way, steer the vehicle so that it
straddles the edge of the
pavement.
2. Turn the steering wheel about one-eighth of a turn, until the
right front tire contacts the
pavement edge.
3. Turn the steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.
Loss of Control
Skidding
There are three types of skids that
correspond to the vehicle's three
control systems:
.Braking Skid —wheels are not
rolling.
. Steering or Cornering Skid —
too much speed or steering in a
curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force.
. Acceleration Skid —too much
throttle causes the driving
wheels to spin. Defensive drivers avoid most skids
by taking reasonable care suited to
existing conditions, and by not
overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible.
If the vehicle starts to slide, follow
these suggestions:
.
Ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and steer the
way you want the vehicle to go.
The vehicle may straighten out.
Be ready for a second skid if it
occurs.
. Slow down and adjust your
driving according to weather
conditions. Stopping distance
can be longer and vehicle
control can be affected when
traction is reduced by water,
snow, ice, gravel, or other
material on the road. Learn to
recognize warning clues —such
as enough water, ice, or packed
snow on the road to make a
mirrored surface —and slow
down when you have any doubt. .
Try to avoid sudden steering,
acceleration, or braking,
including reducing vehicle speed
by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help
avoid only the braking skid.
Off-Road Driving
All-wheel-drive vehicles can be
used for off-road driving. Vehicles
without all-wheel drive and vehicles
not equipped with All Terrain (AT) or
On-Off Road (OOR) tires must not
be driven off-road except on a level,
solid surface. To contact the tire
manufacturer for more information
about the original equipment tires,
see the warranty manual.
Controlling the vehicle is the key to
successful off-road driving. One of
the best ways to control the vehicle
is to control the speed.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12146071) - 2019 - crc - 7/27/18
184 Driving and Operating
{Warning
When driving off-road, bouncing
and quick changes in direction
can easily throw you out of
position. This could cause you to
lose control and crash. You and
your passengers should always
wear seat belts.
Before Driving Off-Road
.Have all necessary maintenance
and service work completed.
. Fuel the vehicle, fill fluid levels,
and check inflation pressure in
all tires, including the spare,
if equipped.
. Read all the information about
all-wheel-drive vehicles in this
manual.
. Make sure all underbody
shields, if equipped, are properly
attached.
. Know the local laws that apply to
off-road driving.
Loading the Vehicle for
Off-Road Driving
{Warning
.Unsecured cargo on the
load floor can be tossed
about when driving over
rough terrain. You or your
passengers can be struck
by flying objects. Secure the
cargo properly.
. Keep cargo in the cargo
area as far forward and as
low as possible. The
heaviest things should be
on the floor, forward of the
rear axle.
. Heavy loads on the roof
raise the vehicle's center of
gravity, making it more likely
to roll over. You can be
seriously or fatally injured if
the vehicle rolls over. Put
heavy loads inside the
cargo area, not on the roof. For more information about loading
the vehicle, see
Vehicle Load Limits
0 191.
Environmental Concerns
.
Always use established trails,
roads, and areas that have been
set aside for public off-road
recreational driving and obey all
posted regulations.
. Do not damage shrubs, flowers,
trees, or grasses or disturb
wildlife.
. Do not park over things that
burn. See Parking over Things
That Burn 0205.
Driving on Hills
Driving safely on hills requires good
judgment and an understanding of
what the vehicle can and cannot do.
{Warning
Many hills are simply too steep
for any vehicle. Driving up hills
can cause the vehicle to stall.
(Continued)

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12146071) - 2019 - crc - 7/27/18
Driving and Operating 187
braking. Drive at a reduced speed
and avoid sharp turns or abrupt
maneuvers.
Traction is reduced on hard packed
snow and ice and it is easy to lose
control. Reduce vehicle speed when
driving on hard packed snow
and ice.
{Warning
Driving on frozen lakes, ponds,
or rivers can be dangerous. Ice
conditions vary greatly and the
vehicle could fall through the ice;
you and your passengers could
drown. Drive your vehicle on safe
surfaces only.
Driving in Water
{Warning
Driving through rushing water can
be dangerous. Deep water can
sweep your vehicle downstream
and you and your passengers(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
could drown. If it is only shallow
water, it can still wash away the
ground from under your tires.
Traction could be lost, and the
vehicle could roll over. Do not
drive through rushing water.
Caution
Do not drive through standing
water if it is deep enough to cover
the wheel hubs, axles, or exhaust
pipe. Deep water can damage the
axle and other vehicle parts.
If the standing water is not too deep,
drive through it slowly. At faster
speeds, water can get into the
engine and cause it to stall. Stalling
can occur if the exhaust pipe is
under water. Do not turn off the
ignition when driving through water.
If the exhaust pipe is under water,
the engine will not start. When going through water, the brakes get wet
and it may take longer to stop. See
Driving on Wet Roads
0187.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that
has collected on the underbody or
chassis, or under the hood. These
accumulations can be a fire hazard.
After operation in mud or sand,
have the brake linings cleaned and
checked. These substances can
cause glazing and uneven braking.
Check the body structure, steering,
suspension, wheels, tires, and
exhaust system for damage and
check the fuel lines and cooling
system for any leakage.
More frequent maintenance service
is required. See the Maintenance
Schedule 0378.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce
vehicle traction and affect your
ability to stop and accelerate.
Always drive slower in these types

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12146071) - 2019 - crc - 7/27/18
Driving and Operating 227
Driver Mode Control Knob forAll-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 (AWD vehicles)
or is the normal drive mode (FWD
vehicles). Tour Mode is the most
fuel efficient drive mode. See
Driving for Better Fuel Economy
0 27. When selecting Tour Mode,
the AWD light will flash briefly while
the system disables, and then
stays off.
4AWD Mode : In AWD Mode, the
AWD system delivers power to all
four wheels and the system adjusts
as needed to improve traction.
Selecting AWD Mode will activate
the system. The AWD light will flash
briefly while the system is engaging
and stay on to indicate AWD is
active. AWD Mode will stay selected
until the mode is changed. AWD is
active in Tow/Haul and Off-Road
Modes. AWD Mode is only available
on vehicles equipped with AWD.
Tow/Haul and Off-Road Modes are
canceled with each ignition cycle
and will return to the Tour Mode.
When using a compact spare tire on
an AWD vehicle, the system
automatically detects the compact
spare and reduces AWD
performance to protect the system.
To restore full AWD operation and
prevent excessive wear on the
system, replace the compact spare
tire with a full-size tire as soon as
possible. See Compact Spare Tire
0 359.6Snow Mode : Snow Mode
improves vehicle acceleration on
snow and ice-covered roads. Snow
Mode is not available on vehicles
equipped with AWD.
7Off-Road Mode : Use Off-Road
Mode for public off-road recreational
driving. See Off-Road Driving 0183.
Off-Road Mode is only available on
vehicles equipped with AWD.
_Tow/Haul Mode : Tow/Haul
Mode can assist when towing or
hauling a heavy load. It changes
transmission shift patterns, turns on
AWD, if equipped, and increases
trailer sway control assistance.
When Tow/Haul is activated, the
Tow/Haul symbol will come on in the
instrument cluster. See Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips
0 274. Tow/Haul Mode is only
available on vehicles with the towing
package.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12146071) - 2019 - crc - 7/27/18
Driving and Operating 229
Mode Name In Cluster Menu: Tour AWD Snow Off-Road Tow/Haul
Mode Availability AWD & FWD AWD FWD AWD Towing Package
(AWD
& FWD)
Retained Across Ignition Cycles Yes Yes No No No
Pedal Map Normal Normal Off-Road Off-Road Normal
Auto Transmission Schedule Normal Normal Normal Normal Tow/Haul
AWD (If Equipped) Normal FWD Normal AWD NA Off-Road AWDNormal AWD
Steering Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal
Trailer Sway Control Normal Normal Normal Normal Tow/Haul
StabiliTrak Setting Normal Normal Normal Off-Road Normal
Traction Control Setting Normal Normal Normal Off-Road Normal

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12146071) - 2019 - crc - 7/27/18
Service and Maintenance 381
Footnotes—Maintenance
Schedule Additional Required
Services - Normal
(1) Or every two years, whichever
comes first. More frequent
passenger compartment air filter
replacement may be needed if
driving in areas with heavy traffic,
poor air quality, high dust levels,
or environmental allergens.
Passenger compartment air filter
replacement may also be needed if
there is reduced airflow, window
fogging, or odors. Your GM dealer
can help determine when to replace
the filter.
(2) Visually check all fuel and vapor
lines and hoses for proper
attachment, connection, routing, and
condition.
(3) Or as indicated by the Driver
Information Center (DIC) or
two years whichever comes first.
The fuel filter may need to be
replaced more often based on
biodiesel usage, driving in climates
with severe dust, off-road driving,
or towing a trailer for extended
periods. (4)
Or every four years, whichever
comes first. If driving in dusty
conditions, inspect the filter at each
oil change or more often as needed.
(5) Or every five years, whichever
comes first. See Cooling System
0 301.
(6) Or every 10 years, whichever
comes first. Inspect for fraying,
excessive cracking, or damage;
replace, if needed.
(7) Replace brake fluid every five
years. See Brake Fluid 0308.
(8) Or every 12 months, whichever
comes first. See Wiper Blade
Replacement 0311.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12146071) - 2019 - crc - 7/27/18
Service and Maintenance 383
Footnotes—Maintenance
Schedule Additional Required
Services - Severe
(1) Or every two years, whichever
comes first. More frequent
passenger compartment air filter
replacement may be needed if
driving in areas with heavy traffic,
poor air quality, high dust levels,
or environmental allergens.
Passenger compartment air filter
replacement may also be needed if
there is reduced airflow, window
fogging, or odors. Your GM dealer
can help determine when to replace
the filter.
(2) Visually check all fuel and vapor
lines and hoses for proper
attachment, connection, routing, and
condition.
(3) Or as indicated by the Driver
Information Center (DIC) or
two years whichever comes first.
The fuel filter may need to be
replaced more often based on
biodiesel usage, driving in climates
with severe dust, off-road driving,
or towing a trailer for extended
periods. (4)
Or every four years, whichever
comes first. If driving in dusty
conditions, inspect the filter at each
oil change or more often as needed.
(5) Or every five years, whichever
comes first. See Cooling System
0 301.
(6) Or every 10 years, whichever
comes first. Inspect for fraying,
excessive cracking, or damage;
replace, if needed.
(7) Replace brake fluid every five
years. See Brake Fluid 0308.
(8) Or every 12 months, whichever
comes first. See Wiper Blade
Replacement 0311.Special Application
Services
.
Severe Commercial Use
Vehicles Only: Lubricate chassis
components every oil change.
. Have underbody flushing service
performed. See "Underbody
Maintenance" in Exterior Care
0 367.