traction control GMC TERRAIN 2023 Owner's Manual

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16540740) - 2023 - CRC - 6/16/22
Driving and Operating 195
Assistance. SeeRoadside Assistance Program
0 342. To get help and keep everyone in the
vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror.
{Warning
Snow can trap engine exhaust under the
vehicle. This may cause exhaust gases to
get inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO), which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:
.Clear snow from the base of the
vehicle, especially any blocking the
exhaust pipe.
.Open a window about 5 cm (2 in) on
the vehicle side that is away from the
wind, to bring in fresh air.
.Fully open the air outlets on or under
the instrument panel.
.Adjust the climate control system to
circulate the air inside the vehicle and
set the fan speed to the highest
setting. See “Climate Control Systems.”
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
For more information about CO, see
Engine Exhaust 0207.
To save fuel, run the engine for short
periods to warm the vehicle and then shut
the engine off and partially close the
window. Moving about to keep warm also
helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive, when
running the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs faster than
the idle speed. This keeps the battery
charged to restart the vehicle and to signal
for help with the headlamps. Do this as
little as possible, to save fuel.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to
free the vehicle when stuck in sand, mud,
ice, or snow.
If stuck too severely for the traction system
to free the vehicle, turn the traction system
off and use the rocking method. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control
0 214.
{Warning
If the vehicle's tires spin at high speed,
they can explode, and you or others
could be injured. The vehicle can
overheat, causing an engine compartment
fire or other damage. Spin the wheels as
little as possible and avoid going above
56 km/h (35 mph).
If equipped, select All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
Mode. See All-Wheel Drive 0211.
Rocking the Vehicle to Get it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and right to
clear the area around the front wheels. Turn
off any traction system. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a low forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as possible. To
prevent transmission wear, wait until the
wheels stop spinning before shifting gears.
Release the accelerator pedal while shifting,
and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear. Slowly
spinning the wheels in the forward and
reverse directions causes a rocking motion
that could free the vehicle. If that does not
get the vehicle out after a few tries, it

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16540740) - 2023 - CRC - 6/16/22
214 Driving and Operating
Select Extended Hold or Standard Hold. The
brakes may also release under other
conditions. Do not rely on HSA to hold the
vehicle.
HSA is available when the vehicle is facing
uphill in a forward gear, or when facing
downhill in R (Reverse). The vehicle must
come to a complete stop on a grade for HSA
to activate.
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control System
(TCS) and StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability
Control (ESC), an electronic stability control
system. These systems help limit wheel slip
and assist the driver in maintaining control,
especially on slippery road conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any of the
drive wheels are spinning or beginning to
lose traction. When this happens, TCS
applies the brakes to the spinning wheels
and reduces engine power to limit
wheel spin.StabiliTrak/ESC activates when the vehicle
senses a difference between the intended
path and the direction the vehicle is actually
traveling. StabiliTrak/ESC selectively applies
braking pressure to any one of the vehicle
wheel brakes to assist the driver in keeping
the vehicle on the intended path.
If cruise control is being used and TCS or
StabiliTrak/ESC begins to limit wheel spin,
cruise control will disengage. Cruise control
may be turned back on when road
conditions allow.
Both systems come on automatically when
the vehicle is started and begins to move.
The systems may be heard or felt while
they are operating or while performing
diagnostic checks. This is normal and does
not mean there is a problem with the
vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both systems on
for normal driving conditions, but it may be
necessary to turn TCS off if the vehicle gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. See
If the
Vehicle Is Stuck 0195 and “Turning the
Systems Off and On” later in this section.
The indicator light for both systems is in the
instrument cluster. This light will:
.Flash when TCS is limiting wheel spin
.Flash when StabiliTrak/ESC is activated
.Turn on and stay on when either system
is not working
If either system fails to turn on or to
activate, a message displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC), and
dcomes on
and stays on to indicate that the system is
inactive and is not assisting the driver in
maintaining control. The vehicle is safe to
drive, but driving should be adjusted
accordingly.
If
dcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16540740) - 2023 - CRC - 6/16/22
Driving and Operating 215
Drive the vehicle. Ifdcomes on and stays
on, the vehicle may need more time to
diagnose the problem. If the condition
persists, see your dealer.
Turning the Systems Off and On
(Uplevel Cluster)
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or accelerate
heavily when TCS is off. The vehicle
driveline could be damaged.
At speeds of 56 km/h (35 mph) or above,
this ability to turn off or on is disabled.
TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC can be turned off or
on using the DIC controls as follows:
Pressoorpto scroll to the Options
application.
Press
worxto scroll through the items
in the Options menu.
Press
Vto select the Traction and Stability
page, then press
Vto select the menu. Use
worxto select Traction (TCS) or
Stability (ESC).
To turn TCS off, select Traction, then press
V. The TCS icon on the DIC will change
from On to Off and
iilluminates in the
instrument cluster. To turn TCS back on, select Traction, then
press
V. The TCS icon on the DIC will
change from Off to On and
igoes out in
the instrument cluster. TCS cannot be on
when StabiliTrak/ESC is off.
To turn StabiliTrak/ESC off, select Stability,
then press
V. The StabiliTrak/ESC icon on
the DIC will change from On to Off. If TCS
was on when StabiliTrak/ESC was turned off,
both will turn off and
iandgilluminate.
To turn StabiliTrak/ESC back on, select
Stability then press
V. The StabiliTrak/ESC
icon on the DIC will change from Off to On
and
ggoes out in the instrument cluster.
To turn both StabiliTrak/ESC and TCS back
on, select Traction, then press
V. The
StabiliTrak/ESC and TCS icons on the DIC will
change from Off to On and
gandigo
out in the instrument cluster.
Adding accessories can affect the vehicle
performance. See Accessories and
Modifications 0261.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16540740) - 2023 - CRC - 6/16/22
216 Driving and Operating
Turning the Systems Off and On
(Midlevel Cluster)Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or accelerate
heavily when TCS is off. The vehicle
driveline could be damaged.
At speeds of 56 km/h (35 mph) or above,
this ability to turn off or on is disabled.
TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC can be turned off or
on using the DIC controls as follows:
Pressoto access the cluster applications.
Use
worxto scroll through the list of
available applications. Press
Vto select the Options application,
then press
pto enter the Options menu.
Use
worxto scroll through items in the
Options menu.
Press
Vto select the Traction and Stability
page, then press
pto select Traction menu.
Use
worxto select Traction (TCS) or
Stability (ESC).
To turn TCS off, select Traction, then press
V. The TCS icon on the DIC will change
from On to Off and
iilluminates in the
instrument cluster.
To turn TCS back on, select Traction, then
press
V. The TCS icon on the DIC will
change from Off to On and
igoes out in
the instrument cluster. TCS cannot be on
when StabiliTrak/ESC is off.
To turn StabiliTrak/ESC off, select Stability,
then press
V. The StabiliTrak/ESC icon on
the DIC will change from On to Off. If TCS
was on when StabiliTrak/ESC was turned off,
both will turn off and
iandgilluminate. To turn StabiliTrak/ESC back on, select
Stability then press
V. The StabiliTrak/ESC
icon on the DIC will change from Off to On
and
ggoes out in the instrument cluster.
To turn both StabiliTrak/ESC and TCS back
on, select Traction, then press
V. The
StabiliTrak/ESC and TCS icons on the DIC will
change from Off to On and
gandigo
out in the instrument cluster.
Adding accessories can affect the vehicle
performance. See Accessories and
Modifications 0261.
Turning the Systems Off and On (Base
Level DIC)
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or accelerate
heavily when TCS is off. The vehicle
driveline could be damaged.
At speeds of 56 km/h (35 mph) or above,
this ability to turn off or on is disabled.
TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC can be turned off or
on using the DIC controls as follows:

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16540740) - 2023 - CRC - 6/16/22
Driving and Operating 217
Pressoorpto select VEHICLE menu, then
use
worxto scroll through the menu
items to select TCS/StabiliTrak/ESC.
Press
Vto enter TCS/StabiliTrak/ESC, and
then use
worxto select TCS or
StabiliTrak/ESC.
To turn TCS off, select TCS, then press
V.i
will illuminate in the instrument cluster.
To turn TCS back on, select TCS, then press
V.igoes out in the instrument cluster.
TCS cannot be on when StabiliTrak/ESC
is off. To turn StabiliTrak off, select StabiliTrak/ESC,
then press
V. If TCS was on when
StabiliTrak/ESC was turned off, both will
turn off and
iandgilluminate in the
instrument cluster.
To turn StabiliTrak/ESC back on, select
StabiliTrak/ESC then press
V.ggoes out in
the instrument cluster.
To turn both StabiliTrak/ESC and TCS back
on, select Traction, then press
V.gandi
go out in the instrument cluster.
Adding accessories can affect the vehicle
performance. See Accessories and
Modifications 0261.
Hill Descent Control (HDC)
HDC can be used when driving downhill.
It sets and maintains vehicle speed while
descending a very steep incline in a forward
or reverse gear.
The HDC switch is on the center console.
Press
5to enable or disable HDC. Vehicle
speed must be below 50 km/h (31 mph).
The HDC light displays on the instrument
cluster when enabled.
HDC can maintain vehicle speeds between
3 and 22 km/h (2 and 14 mph) on an incline
greater than or equal to a 10% grade.
A blinking HDC light indicates the system is
actively applying the brakes to maintain
vehicle speed.
When HDC is activated, the initial HDC
speed is set to the current driving speed.
It can be increased or decreased by pressing

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16540740) - 2023 - CRC - 6/16/22
218 Driving and Operating
+RES or–SET on the steering wheel or by
applying the accelerator or brake pedal. This
adjusted speed becomes the new set speed.
HDC will remain enabled between 22 and
60 km/h (14 and 37 mph); however vehicle
speed cannot be set or maintained in this
range. It will automatically disable if the
vehicle speed is above 80 km/h (50 mph) or
above 60 km/h (37 mph) for at least
30 seconds. Press
5again to re-enable HDC.
Driver Mode Control
Depending on the option package and
available features, the Driver Mode Control
can have the following modes: Tour
(Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)), All-Wheel Drive
(AWD), Snow/Ice, Off-Road, and Tow/Haul.
Rotate the Driver Mode Control knob on the
center console to make a mode selection.
Continue turning the knob through the
available modes. Upon selection of a mode,
the selected mode’s icon will light up on the
knob and a message will be displayed in the
Driver Information Center (DIC).Driver Mode Control Knob for Front-Wheel
Drive (FWD)
Driver Mode Control Knob for All-WheelDrive (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 (FWD) for AWD vehicles, or is the
normal drive mode for FWD vehicles. Tour
Mode is the most fuel efficient drive mode.
See Driving for Better Fuel Economy 0187.
When selecting Tour Mode, if equipped, the
AWD light will flash briefly while the
system disables, and then stays off.
If the vehicle is in Tour (FWD) or AWD, it
will stay in that mode through future
ignition cycles. If the vehicle is in any other
mode, it will revert back to Tour (FWD)
when the vehicle is restarted.
4AWD Mode : AWD Mode provides drive
torque to all four wheels. Select AWD to
improve traction and control on slippery
road surfaces, such as gravel, sand, wet
pavement, snow, and ice. When selecting
AWD Mode, the AWD light will flash briefly
while the system is engaging and then stay
on to indicate AWD is active. AWD is active
in Tow/Haul and Off-Road Modes. AWD
Mode is only available on vehicles equipped
with AWD.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16540740) - 2023 - CRC - 6/16/22
220 Driving and Operating
Mode Name In Cluster Menu:TourAWD Snow Off-Road Tow/Haul
Mode Availability AWD & FWD AWD FWD AWD Towing Package
(AWD & FWD)
Retained Across Ignition Cycles YesYesNoNo 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 AWD Normal AWD
Steering Normal Normal Normal Normal Tow/Haul
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
Cruise Control
The cruise control lets the vehicle maintain a
speed of about 40 km/h (25 mph) or more
without keeping your foot on the
accelerator. Cruise control does not work at
speeds below 40 km/h (25 mph).
{Warning
Cruise control can be dangerous where
you cannot drive safely at a steady
speed. Do not use cruise control on
winding roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast
changes in tire traction can cause
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
excessive wheel slip, and you could lose
control. Do not use cruise control on
slippery roads.
With the Traction Control System (TCS) or
StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
the system may begin to limit wheel spin
while you are using cruise control. If this
happens, the cruise control will

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16540740) - 2023 - CRC - 6/16/22
Driving and Operating 221
automatically disengage. SeeTraction
Control/Electronic Stability Control 0214. If a
collision alert occurs when cruise control is
activated, cruise control is disengaged. See
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System 0239.
When road conditions allow you to safely
use it again, cruise control can be turned
back on.
Cruise control will disengage if either TCS or
StabiliTrak/ESC is turned off.
If Hill Descent Control (HDC) is engaged,
cruise control disengages. See Hill Descent
Control (HDC) 0217.
If the brakes are applied, cruise control
disengages.5: Press to turn the cruise control system
on and off. A white indicator comes on in
the instrument cluster when cruise control is
turned on.
*: Press to disengage cruise control
without erasing the set speed from memory.
+RES : If there is a set speed in memory,
press briefly to resume that speed or press
and hold to accelerate. If cruise control is
already active, use to increase vehicle speed.
–SET : Press briefly to set the speed and
activate cruise control. If cruise control is
already active, use to decrease vehicle
speed.
Setting Cruise Control
If
5is on when not in use, –SET or +RES
could get bumped and go into cruise when
not desired. Keep
5off when cruise is not
being used.
To set a speed:
1. Press
5to turn the cruise system on.
2. Get up to the desired speed.
3. Press and release –SET. The desired set
speed briefly appears in the instrument
cluster. 4. Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The cruise control indicator on the
instrument cluster turns green after cruise
control has been set to the desired speed.
See Instrument Cluster (Base and Midlevel)
0 88 or
Instrument Cluster (Uplevel) 091 or
Instrument Cluster (Denali Only) 093.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a desired speed
and then the brakes are applied or
*is
pressed, the cruise control is disengaged
without erasing the set speed from memory.
Once the vehicle speed reaches about
40 km/h (25 mph) or more, briefly press
+RES. The vehicle returns to the previous set
speed.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is already
activated:
.Use the accelerator pedal to get to the
higher speed. Briefly press and release
-SET and release the accelerator pedal.
The vehicle will now cruise at the higher
speed.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16540740) - 2023 - CRC - 6/16/22
Driving and Operating 223
If ACC is controlling the vehicle speed when
the Traction Control System (TCS) or
StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
system activates, ACC may automatically
disengage. SeeTraction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0214. When road
conditions allow ACC to be safely used, ACC
can be turned back on. Disabling the TCS or
StabiliTrak/ESC system will disengage and
prevent engagement of ACC.
ACC can reduce the need for you to
frequently brake and accelerate, especially
when used on expressways, freeways, and
interstate highways. When used on other
roads, you may need to take over the
control of braking or acceleration more
often.
ACC automatically slows the vehicle down
while navigating the curve and may increase
speed out of the curve, but will not exceed
the set speed.
{Warning
ACC has limited braking ability and may
not have time to slow the vehicle down
enough to avoid a collision with another
vehicle you are following. This can occur
when vehicles suddenly slow or stop
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
ahead, or enter your lane. Also see
“Alerting the Driver”later in this section.
Complete attention is always required
while driving and you should be ready to
take action and apply the brakes. See
Defensive Driving 0187.
{Warning
ACC will not detect or brake for children,
pedestrians, animals, or other objects.
Do not use ACC when:
.On winding and hilly roads or when
the camera sensor is blocked by snow,
ice, or dirt. The system may not
detect a vehicle ahead. Keep the
windshield and headlamps clean.
.When visibility is poor due to rain,
snow, fog, dirt, insect residue, or dust;
when other foreign objects obscure
the camera’s view; or when the
vehicle in front or oncoming traffic
causes additional environmental
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
obstructions, such as road spray. ACC
performance is limited under these
conditions.
.On slippery roads where fast changes
in tire traction can cause excessive
wheel slip
.With extremely heavy cargo loaded in
the cargo area or rear seat
.When towing a trailer
J:Press to turn the system on or off. The
indicator turns white on the instrument
cluster when ACC is turned on.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16540740) - 2023 - CRC - 6/16/22
228 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
ahead changing lanes. Your vehicle may
not stop and could cause a crash. Use
caution when using ACC. Your complete
attention is always required while driving
and you should be ready to take action
and apply the brakes.
Irregular Objects Affecting ACC
ACC may have difficulty detecting the
following objects:
.Vehicles in front of your vehicle that have
a rear aspect that is low, small,
or irregular
.An empty truck or trailer that has no
cargo in the cargo bed
.Vehicles with cargo extending from the
back end
.Non-standard shaped vehicles, such as
vehicle transport, vehicles with a side car
fitted, or horse carriages
.Vehicles that are low to the road surface
.Objects that are close to the front of your
vehicle
.Vehicles on which extremely heavy cargo
is loaded in the cargo area or rear seat
ACC Automatically Disengages
ACC may automatically disengage and the
driver will need to manually apply the
brakes to slow the vehicle if:
.The front camera is blocked or visibility is
reduced.
.The Traction Control System (TCS) or
StabiliTrak/ESC system has activated or
been disabled.
.There is a fault in the system.
.A DIC message displays to indicate that
ACC is temporarily unavailable.
The ACC indicator will turn white when ACC
is no longer active.
In some cases, when ACC is temporarily
unavailable, regular cruise control may be
used. See “Switching Between ACC and Regular Cruise Control”
in this section.
Always consider driving conditions before
using either cruise control system.
Notification to Resume ACC
ACC will maintain a follow gap behind a
detected vehicle and slow your vehicle to a
stop behind that vehicle.
If the stopped vehicle ahead has driven
away and ACC has not resumed, the vehicle
ahead indicator will flash as a reminder to
check traffic ahead before proceeding. In
addition, the left and right sides of the
Safety Alert Seat will pulse three times,
or three beeps will sound. To view available
settings from the infotainment screen, touch
Settings > Vehicle > Collision/Detection
Systems > Alert Type > Adaptive Cruise Go
Notifier.
When the vehicle ahead drives away, ACC
resumes automatically if the stop was brief.
If necessary, press RES+ or the accelerator
pedal to resume ACC. If stopped for more
than two minutes or if the driver door is
opened and the driver seat belt is
unbuckled, the ACC automatically applies the
Electric Parking Brake (EPB) to hold the
vehicle. The EPB status light will turn on.
See Electric Parking Brake 0212. To release
the EPB, press the accelerator pedal.