brake GMC TERRAIN 2023 Owner's Guide

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16540740) - 2023 - CRC - 6/16/22
212 Driving and Operating
ABS performs a system check when the
vehicle is first driven. A momentary motor
or clicking noise may be heard while this
test is going on, and the brake pedal may
move slightly. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this warning
light stays on. SeeAntilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light 0103.
ABS does not change the time needed to
get a foot on the brake pedal and does not
always decrease stopping distance. If you
get too close to the vehicle ahead, there will
not be enough time to apply the brakes if
that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room ahead to stop, even
with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake
pedal down firmly. Hearing or feeling ABS
operate is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows steering and braking at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can
help even more than braking.
Electric Parking Brake
The Electric Parking Brake (EPB) can always
be applied, even if the vehicle is off. In case
of insufficient electrical power, the EPB
cannot be applied or released. To prevent
draining the battery, avoid unnecessary
repeated cycles of the EPB.
The system has a red parking brake status
light and an amber service parking brake
warning light. See Electric Parking Brake
Light 0103 and Service Electric Parking Brake Light
0103.
There are also parking brake-related Driver
Information Center (DIC) messages.
Before leaving the vehicle, check the red
parking brake status light to ensure that the
parking brake is applied.
EPB Apply
To apply the EPB:
1. Be sure the vehicle is at a complete stop.
2. Press the EPB switch momentarily.
The red parking brake status light will flash
and then stay on once the EPB is fully
applied. If the red parking brake status light
flashes continuously, then the EPB is only
partially applied or there is a problem with
the EPB. A DIC message will display. Release
the EPB and try to apply it again. If the
light does not come on, or keeps flashing,
have the vehicle serviced. Do not drive the
vehicle if the red parking brake status light
is flashing. See your dealer.
If the amber service parking brake warning
light is on, press the EPB switch. Continue to
hold the switch until the red parking brake
status light remains on. If the amber service
parking brake warning light is on, see your
dealer.

GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16540740) - 2023 - CRC - 6/16/22
Driving and Operating 213
If the EPB is applied while the vehicle is
moving, the vehicle will decelerate as long
as the switch is pressed. If the switch is
pressed until the vehicle comes to a stop,
the EPB will remain applied.
The vehicle may automatically apply the EPB
in some situations when the vehicle is not
moving. This is normal, and is done to
periodically check the correct operation of
the EPB system, or at the request of other
safety functions that utilize the EPB.
If the EPB fails to apply, block the rear
wheels to prevent vehicle movement.
EPB Release
To release the EPB:1. Turn the ignition on or to accessory mode.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Press the EPB switch momentarily.
The EPB is released when the red parking
brake status light is off.
If the amber service parking brake warning
light is on, release the EPB by pressing and
holding the EPB switch. Continue to hold the
switch until the red parking brake status
light is off. If either light stays on after
release is attempted, see your dealer.
Caution
Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause
premature wear or damage to brake
system parts. Make sure that the parking
brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and parking on a
hill, see Driving Characteristics and Towing
Tips 0252.
Automatic EPB Release
The EPB will automatically release if the
vehicle is running, placed into gear, and an
attempt is made to drive away. Avoid rapid
acceleration when the EPB is applied, to
preserve parking brake lining life.
Brake Assist
Brake Assist detects rapid brake pedal
applications due to emergency braking
situations and provides additional braking to
activate the Antilock Brake System (ABS) if
the brake pedal is not pushed hard enough
to activate ABS normally. Minor noise, brake
pedal pulsation, and/or pedal movement
during this time may occur. Continue to apply the brake pedal as the driving
situation dictates. Brake Assist disengages
when the brake pedal is released.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
{Warning
Do not rely on the HSA feature. HSA does
not replace the need to pay attention
and drive safely. You may not hear or
feel alerts or warnings provided by this
system. Failure to use proper care when
driving may result in injury, death,
or vehicle damage. See
Defensive Driving
0 187.
When the vehicle is stopped on a grade, Hill
Start Assist (HSA) prevents the vehicle from
rolling in an unintended direction during the
transition from brake pedal release to
accelerator pedal apply. The brakes release
when the accelerator pedal is applied. HSA
brake hold duration may be selectable.
Standard Hold automatically releases the
brakes after a few seconds. Extended Hold
applies the Electric Parking Brake if the
accelerator pedal is not applied within a few
minutes. If hold duration is selectable, go to
Settings > Vehicle > Comfort and
Convenience > Extended Hill Start Assist >

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/
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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/
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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/
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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/
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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
222 Driving and Operating
.Press and hold +RES on the steering
wheel until the vehicle accelerates to the
desired speed, then release it.
.To increase the speed in small increments,
briefly press +RES. For each press, the
vehicle goes about 1 km/h (1 mph) faster.
.To increase vehicle speed in larger
increments, hold +RES. While holding
+RES, the vehicle speed increases to the
next 5 km/h (5 mph) step, then continues
to increase by 5 km/h (5 mph) at a time.
The speedometer reading can be displayed
in either English or metric units. See
Instrument Cluster (Base and Midlevel) 088
or
Instrument Cluster (Uplevel) 091 or
Instrument Cluster (Denali Only) 093. The
increment value used depends on the units
displayed.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is already
activated:
.Press and hold –SET until the desired
lower speed is reached, then release it.
.To slow down in small increments, briefly
press –SET. For each press, the vehicle
goes about 1 km/h (1 mph) slower. The speedometer reading can be displayed
in either English or metric units. See
Instrument Cluster (Base and Midlevel)
088
or
Instrument Cluster (Uplevel) 091 or
Instrument Cluster (Denali Only) 093. The
increment value used depends on the units
displayed.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise
Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase the
vehicle speed. When you take your foot off
the pedal, the vehicle will slow down to the
previous set cruise speed. While pressing the
accelerator pedal or shortly following the
release to override cruise control, briefly
pressing –SET will result in cruise control set
to the current vehicle speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control works on hills
depends upon the vehicle speed, load, and
the steepness of the hills. When going up
steep hills, you might have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain the vehicle
speed. When going downhill, you might
have to brake or shift to a lower gear to
keep your speed down. If the brake pedal is
applied, cruise control will disengage. Ending Cruise Control
There are four ways to end cruise control:
.Step lightly on the brake pedal.
.Press*.
.Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
.To turn off cruise control, press5.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is erased from
memory if
5is pressed or if the ignition is
turned off.
Adaptive Cruise Control (Camera)
If equipped, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
allows the cruise control set speed and
following gap to be selected. Read this
entire section before using this system. The
following gap is the following time between
your vehicle and a vehicle detected directly
ahead in your path, moving in the same
direction. If no vehicle is detected in your
path, ACC works like regular cruise control.
ACC uses a windshield mounted front
camera sensor.
If a vehicle is detected in your path, ACC can
apply acceleration or limited, moderate
braking to maintain the selected following
gap. To disengage ACC, apply the brake.

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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.