transmission fluid GMC TERRAIN 2020 Owner's Manual

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
Instruments and Controls 97
Rear Window Wiper/
Washer
The ignition must be on or in the
ACC/ACCESSORY position to
operate the rear window wiper/
washer.
Turn the end of the windshield wiper
lever to operate the rear window
wiper/washer.
OFF :Turns the system off.
INT : Intermittent wipes.
ON : Slow wipes.
1:Push the windshield wiper
lever forward to spray washer fluid
on the rear window. The lever
automatically returns to its original
position when released.
{Warning
In freezing weather, do not use
the washer until the windshield is
warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the
windshield, blocking your vision.
Rear Wiper Arm Assembly
Protection
When using an automatic car wash,
move the rear wiper control to OFF
to disable the rear wiper. In some
vehicles, if the transmission is in
N (Neutral) and the vehicle speed is
very slow, the rear wiper will
automatically park.
The wiper operations return to
normal when the transmission is no
longer in N (Neutral) or the vehicle
speed has increased.
Reverse Gear Wipes
If the rear wiper control is off, the
rear wiper will automatically operate
continuously when the transmission
is in R (Reverse), and the front
windshield wiper is performing low or high speed wipes. If the rear
wiper control is off, the transmission
is in R (Reverse), and the front
windshield wiper is performing
interval wipes, then the rear wiper
automatically performs interval
wipes.
This feature can be turned on or off.
See
Vehicle Personalization 0135.
The windshield washer reservoir is
used for the windshield and rear
window. Check the fluid level if
either washer is not working. See
Washer Fluid 0296.
Compass
The vehicle may have a compass
display on the Driver Information
Center (DIC). The compass receives
its heading and other information
from the Global Positioning
System (GPS) antenna, StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
and vehicle speed information.
The compass system is designed to
operate for a certain number of
miles or degrees of turn before
needing a signal from the GPS

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
134 Instruments and Controls
the bar. When there is an error, the
bar will be empty and“unavailable”
will appear. When LOW appears on
the display, add DEF as soon as
possible. See Diesel Exhaust Fluid
0 195.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Range
(Diesel Engine Only) : If equipped,
this page displays how far the
vehicle can go before DEF needs to
be replaced. Range is displayed in
mi or km. When the estimated range
is low, LOW will display. If an error
occurs, “−−”will display. When DEF
range is high, a greater than sign is
shown before the range value.
When LOW appears on the display,
add DEF as soon as possible. See
Diesel Exhaust Fluid 0195.Vehicle Messages
Messages displayed on the DIC
indicate the status of the vehicle or
some action that may be needed to
correct a condition. Multiple
messages may appear one after
another.
The messages that do not require
immediate action can be
acknowledged and cleared by
pressing
V. The messages that
require immediate action cannot be
cleared until that action is
performed.
All messages should be taken
seriously; clearing the message
does not correct the problem.
If a SERVICE message appears,
see your dealer.
Follow the instructions given in the
messages. The system displays
messages regarding the following
topics:
. Service Messages
. Fluid Levels
. Vehicle Security .
Brakes
. Steering
. Ride Control Systems
. Driver Assistance Systems
. Cruise Control
. Lighting and Bulb Replacement
. Wiper/Washer Systems
. Doors and Windows
. Seat Belts
. Airbag Systems
. Engine and Transmission
. Tire Pressure
. Battery
Engine Power Messages
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message displays when the
vehicle's propulsion power is
reduced. A reduction in propulsion
power can affect the vehicle's ability
to accelerate. If this message is on,
but there is no observed reduction
in performance, proceed to your
destination. The performance may

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
Driving and Operating 161
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Driver Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Driving Environment . . . . . . . . . . 163
Vehicle Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Driving for Better FuelEconomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 171
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 172
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 174
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 179
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 181 Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Winter Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Diesel Particulate Filter
Diesel Particulate Filter . . . . . . . 192
Diesel Exhaust Fluid
Diesel Exhaust Fluid . . . . . . . . . . 195
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 201
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . 207
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 209
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Hill Descent Control (HDC) . . . 213
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . 214
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . 219
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 230
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 231
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
172 Driving and Operating
of driving conditions and avoid
driving through large puddles and
deep-standing or flowing water.
{Warning
Wet brakes can cause crashes.
They might not work as well in a
quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car/vehicle
wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work
normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
flowing water could cause the
vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be
very cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water
can build up under the vehicle's
tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is
wet enough and you are going fast
enough. When the vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to
slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
. Pass with caution.
. Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
. Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
. Have good tires with proper
tread depth. See Tires0314.
. Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
. Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
. Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill slope
can cause brake overheating, can
reduce brake performance, and
could result in a loss of braking.
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
204 Driving and Operating
8. The vehicle may automaticallyshift to P (Park) upon re-entry.
Car Wash Mode (Engine On –
Driver in Vehicle)
To place the vehicle in N (Neutral)
with the engine on and the vehicle
occupied:
1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Shift to N (Neutral).
4. Release the brake pedal. The vehicle is now ready for the
car wash.
Car Wash Mode (Engine On –
Driver out of Vehicle)
To place the vehicle in N (Neutral)
with the engine on and the vehicle
unoccupied:
1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Open the door.
4. Shift to N (Neutral), then release the brake pedal. 5. The indicator should continue
to show N. If it does not, repeat
Steps 2–4.
6. Exit the vehicle and close the door. The vehicle is now ready
for the car wash.
7. The vehicle may automatically shift to P (Park) upon re-entry.
Caution
A transmission hot message may
display if the automatic
transmission fluid is too hot.
Driving under this condition can
damage the vehicle. Stop and idle
the engine to cool the automatic
transmission fluid. This message
clears when the transmission fluid
has cooled sufficiently.
D : This position is for normal
driving. If more power is needed for
passing, press the accelerator
pedal down. To shift into D (Drive):
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Pull the D (Drive) switch on the center stack.
To shift out of D (Drive):
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear.
Downshifting the transmission in
slippery road conditions could result
in skidding. See “Skidding”under
Loss of Control 0167.
Caution
Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill
using only the accelerator pedal
may damage the transmission.
The repair will not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. If the vehicle
is stuck, do not spin the tires.
When stopping on a hill, use the
brakes to hold the vehicle in
place.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
250 Driving and Operating
Fuel Additives (Gasoline)
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is
highly recommended for use with
your vehicle. If your country does
not have TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline, add ACDelco Fuel
System Treatment Plus−Gasoline to
the vehicle’s gasoline fuel tank at
every oil change or 15 000 km
(9,000 mi), whichever occurs first.
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline and
ACDelco Fuel System Treatment
Plus−Gasoline will help keep your
vehicle’s engine fuel deposit free
and performing optimally.
Fuel Additives (Diesel)
TOP TIER Detergent Diesel is
highly recommended for use with
your vehicle. If your area does not
have TOP TIER Detergent Diesel,
GM recommends the use of
ACDelco Diesel Fuel Conditioner.
This will help maintain optimal
engine performance. GM does not
recommend other aftermarket diesel
additives. If low-quality diesel is used for
refueling, GM recommends adding
ACDelco Fuel System Treatment
Plus-Diesel to help clean engine
deposits. This is available only at
your GM dealer.
Fuel for Diesel Engines
The selection of a high-quality fuel
is important for maintaining optimum
vehicle performance. Diesel fuel
should meet or exceed the minimum
requirements in the most current
versions of the local fuel standards.
Do not use fuel with more than
15 ppm sulfur.
Do not use a diesel blend containing
more than 20% biodiesel by volume.
Caution
Use of fuel that does not comply
with the required technical
standards can lead to engine
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
power loss, increased wear,
or engine damage and may void
your warranty.
Some improper fuels are:
. Diesel fuel with the addition
of gasoline.
. Diesel fuel mixed with
engine oil or automatic
transmission fluid.
. Triglyceride fuels, such as
raw vegetable oil or animal
fat, in any form, including
with blends of diesel or
biodiesel.
. Marine diesel fuel and
fuel oils.
. Diesel-water emulsions,
such as Aquazole.
. Aftermarket diesel fuel
additives, which contain
alcohols, organo-metallic
additives, or water
emulsifiers.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
Driving and Operating 265
The vehicle can tow in D (Drive).
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear if the transmission shifts too
often under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions.
When towing at higher altitudes,
engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at lower altitudes.
If the engine is turned off
immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the
vehicle could show signs similar to
engine overheating. To avoid this,
let the engine run, preferably on
level ground, with the transmission
in P (Park) for a few minutes before
turning the engine off. If the
overheat warning comes on, see
Engine Overheating0294.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death,
always park your vehicle and
trailer on a level surface when
possible. 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 0368. 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
0 294.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/5/19
Vehicle Care 273
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 274
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 275
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 287
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 288
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 294
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Battery - North America . . . . . . 298
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299 Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 299
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 300
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 300
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 301
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . 303
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Front Turn Signal Lamps . . . . . 304
Taillamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 305
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 306
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 307
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 316
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 333
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/5/19
288 Vehicle Care
2. Display REMAINING OIL LIFEon the DIC menu. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) (Base
and Midlevel) 0124 or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) 0130.
3. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal three times
within five seconds.
4. If the display changes to 100%, the system is reset.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message comes back on when the
vehicle is started, the engine oil life
system has not reset. Repeat the
procedure.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only
reason for fluid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to your
dealer and have it repaired as soon
as possible. Change the fluid at the intervals
listed in
Maintenance Schedule
0 368, and be sure to use the
transmission fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0377.
Caution
Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission fluid may damage
the vehicle, and the damage may
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always use the correct
automatic transmission fluid. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0377.
There is a special procedure for
checking and changing the
transmission fluid. Because this
procedure is difficult, this should be
done by your dealer.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/filter is in the
engine compartment on the
passenger side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0 278.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
For intervals on changing and
inspecting the engine air cleaner/
filter, see Maintenance Schedule
0 368.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Do not start the engine or have the
engine running with the engine air
cleaner/filter housing open. Before
removing the engine air cleaner/
filter, make sure that the engine air
cleaner/filter housing and nearby
components are free of dirt and
debris. Remove the engine air
cleaner/filter. Lightly tap and shake
the engine air cleaner/filter (away
from the vehicle), to release loose
dust and dirt. Inspect the engine air
cleaner/filter for damage, and