GMC Terrain: Starting and Operating / Stop/Start System

If equipped, the Stop/Start system will shut off the engine to help conserve fuel. It has components designed for the increased number of starts.

Warning

The automatic engine Stop/Start feature causes the engine to shut off while the vehicle is still on. Do not exit the vehicle before shifting to P (Park). The vehicle may restart and move unexpectedly.

Always shift to P (Park), and then turn the ignition off before exiting the vehicle.

Auto Engine Stop/Start

When the brakes are applied and the vehicle is at a complete stop, the engine may turn off. When stopped, the tachometer displays AUTO STOP. See Tachometer. When the brake pedal is released or the accelerator pedal is pressed, the engine will restart.

To maintain vehicle performance, other conditions may cause the engine to automatically restart before the brake pedal is released.

Auto Stops may not occur and/or auto restarts may occur because:

  • The climate control settings require the engine to be running to cool or heat the vehicle interior.
  • The vehicle battery charge is low.
  • The vehicle battery has recently been disconnected.
  • Minimum vehicle speed has not been reached since the last Auto Stop
  • The accelerator pedal is pressed.
  • The engine or transmission is not at the required operating temperature.
  • The outside temperature is not in the required operating range.
  • The vehicle is in any gear other than D (Drive).
  • Tow/Haul Mode or other driver modes have been selected.
  • The vehicle is on a steep hill or grade.
  • The driver door has been opened or driver seat belt has been unbuckled.
  • The hood has been opened.
  • The Auto Stop has reached the maximum allowed time.

    Diesel Engine Starting Procedure

    The diesel engine starts differently than a gasoline engine. With the Keyless Access system, the RKE transmitter must be in the vehicle. Press ENGINE START/STOP and observe the wait-to-start light...

    Engine Heater

    Warning Do not plug in the engine block heater while the vehicle is parked in a garage or under a carport. Property damage or personal injury may result...

    Other information:

    GMC Terrain 2018-2026 Owners Manual: All-Season Tires


    This vehicle may come with all-season tires. These tires are designed to provide good overall performance on most road surfaces and weather conditions. Original equipment tires designed to GM's specific tire performance criteria have a TPC specification code molded onto the sidewall...

    GMC Terrain 2018-2026 Owners Manual: Approaching and Following a Vehicle


    The vehicle ahead indicator is in the instrument cluster. It only displays when a vehicle is detected in your vehicle’s path moving in the same direction. If this symbol is not displaying, ACC will not respond to or brake for vehicles ahead. ACC automatically slows the vehicle down and adjusts vehicle speed to follow a detected vehicle ahead at the selected following gap...

      Categories

      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.

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