GMC Terrain: Diesel Exhaust Fluid / Exhaust Fluid Low

A full DEF tank will last for several thousand kilometers (miles), depending on vehicle usage. As the exhaust fluid level drops, warnings will automatically be displayed in the DIC. Exhaust fluid level status is available in the DIC. See “Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Level (Diesel Engine Only)” in Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base and Midlevel) or Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel).

To avoid vehicle speed limitations, the DEF tank should be refilled at the first opportunity after a low warning indication. If DEF is added before the EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY REFILL NOW message appears, it may take several km/mi for the DIC message to update.

If the vehicle speed has been limited and DEF has been added, it may take up to 30 seconds after engine start with the vehicle stopped for the EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY REFILL NOW message to clear. If the vehicle is driven prior to the DIC message clearing, the vehicle speed will still be limited. If the DIC message clears while driving, the speed limitation will be removed gradually.

If DEF is added under freezing conditions, additional time may be required to remove speed limitations and it may require less fluid to fill the DEF tank.

The DIC message EXHAUST FLUID RANGE: XXXX km (mi) displays at approximately 1 600 km (1,000 mi) of fluid range remaining. This message appears again at approximately 500 km (300 mi) of remaining range before the exhaust fluid tank becomes empty.

Below 500 km (300 mi) of range remaining, these messages will appear every time the vehicle is started.

Below 121 km (75 mi) of range remaining, the DIC message EXHAUST FLUID LOW SPEED LIMITED SOON displays. This message will display every time the vehicle is started.

If these warnings are ignored and the DEF tank becomes empty, the DIC message EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY REFILL NOW - 563 KM (350 MI) UNTIL 104 KM/H (65 MPH) MAX SPEED displays. The displayed mileage will decrease as driving continues. A warning light also comes on.

When the mileage countdown is zero, the DIC message EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY REFILL NOW - TRANSITIONING TO 104 KM/H (65 MPH) MAX SPEED displays. A warning light and a chime also come on. Vehicle speed will be reduced to a maximum speed limit of 104 KM/h (65 MPH).

After the transition to 104 KM/h (65 MPH) is complete, the DIC message EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY REFILL NOW - SPEED LIMITED TO 104 KM/H (65 MPH) – 120 KM (75 MI) UNTIL 88 KM/H (55 MPH) MAX SPEED displays. The displayed mileage will decrease as driving continues. A warning light and a chime also come on.

When the mileage countdown is zero, the DIC message EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY REFILL NOW - TRANSITIONING TO 88 KM/H (55 MPH) MAX SPEED displays. A flashing warning light and a chime also come on. Vehicle speed will be reduced to a maximum speed limit of 88 KM/h (55 MPH).

After the transition to 88 KM/h (55 MPH) is complete, the DIC message EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY REFILL NOW - SPEED LIMITED TO 88 KM/H (55 MPH) – 120 KM (75 MI) UNTIL 8 KM/H (5 MPH) MAX SPEED displays. The displayed mileage will decrease as driving continues. A flashing warning light and a chime also come on.

When the mileage countdown is zero, the DIC message EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY REFILL NOW - TRANSITIONING TO 8 KM/H (5 MPH) MAX SPEED displays. A flashing warning light and a chime also come on. Vehicle speed will be reduced to a maximum speed limit of 8 km/h (5 mph).

After the transition to 8 km/h (5 mph) is complete, the DIC message EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY REFILL NOW - SPEED LIMITED TO 8 KM/H (5 MPH) displays. A flashing warning light and a chime also come on.

Add at least 7.6 L (2 gal) of fluid to release the vehicle from speed limitation from a very low or empty tank. The capacity of the DEF tank is 18.5 L (4.9 gal).

See Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Warning Light and Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.