2023 GMC Terrain Transmission Instructions 

In 2023, the GMC Terrain will have new transmission rules that will change the way fans and regular drivers experience driving. The transmission system uses the newest advances in car technology to combine speed and fuel economy in a seamless way. The 2023 GMC Terrain is designed to be precise and quick to respond. It has cutting-edge transmission systems that make sure gear changes are smooth and the car uses the least amount of gas possible. The transmission guidelines make it easy to adapt to different driving situations, whether you’re driving in the city or off-road. In addition, the system has an easy-to-use interface that lets drivers change the transmission settings to fit the way they drive. As proof of GMC’s dedication to new ideas, the 2023 Terrain’s transmission guidelines show how technology and car engineering can work together to create an exciting and refined driving experience.

Automatic Transmission

The shift switches are on the center stack. The selected gear position will illuminate red on the shift switch, while all others will be displayed in white. If the shift is not immediate, as in very cold conditions, the indicator on the shift switch may blink until it is fully engaged. The transmission does not operate when the vehicle is off. If the vehicle is in accessory mode, the transmission can be shifted into P (Park). If ENGINE START/STOP is pressed twice while at a relatively high speed, the engine will turn off and the transmission will automatically shift to N (Neutral). Once the vehicle is stopped, P (Park) can be selected.
P: This position locks the drive wheels. Use P (Park) when starting the vehicle to ensure the vehicle does not move.

Warning
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the transmission is not in P (Park) with the parking brake set. The vehicle can roll. Do not leave the vehicle when the engine is running. If the engine has been left running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be sure the vehicle will not move, even when on fairly level ground, always set the parking brake and place the transmission into P (Park). See Shifting Into Park 0 205 and Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips

This vehicle is equipped with an electronic transmission. The R (Reverse) and D (Drive) shift switches are designed to prevent.

inadvertent shifting out of P (Park) unless the vehicle is on, and the brake pedal is applied.
When the vehicle is stopped, press ENGINE START/STOP to turn off the vehicle. The transmission will shift to P (Park) automatically unless the vehicle is in

N (Neutral). The vehicle will not shift into P (Park) if it is moving too fast. Stop the vehicle and shift into P (Park). To shift in and out of P (Park), see Shifting Into Park 0 205 and Shifting out of Park 0 206.

R: Use this gear to back up. If the vehicle is shifted from either R (Reverse) to D (Drive), or D (Drive) to R (Reverse) while the speed is too high, the vehicle will shift to N (Neutral). Reduce the vehicle speed and try the shift again.

To shift into R (Reverse):

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Pull the R (Reverse) switch on the center stack.

To shift out of R (Reverse):

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear.

At low vehicle speeds, R (Reverse) can be used to rock the vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice, or sand without damaging the transmission. See If the Vehicle Is Stuck

N: In this position, the engine does not connect with the wheels. To restart the engine when the vehicle is already moving, use N (Neutral) only.

Warning
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear while the engine is running at high speed.

Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with the engine running at high speed may damage the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is not running at high speed when shifting the vehicle.

Caution
The vehicle is not designed to stay in N (Neutral) for extended periods of time. It will automatically shift into P (Park).

To shift into N (Neutral), press the N (Neutral) switch until the N indicator displays. To shift out of N (Neutral):

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear.

Car Wash Mode
This vehicle includes a Car Wash Mode that allows the vehicle to remain in N (Neutral) for use in automatic car washes. Car Wash Mode is not to be used for vehicle towing. If the vehicle needs to be towed, see Transporting a Disabled Vehicle

Caution
The vehicle is not designed to stay in N (Neutral) for extended periods of time. It will automatically shift into P (Park) if left in Car Wash Mode.

Car Wash Mode (Engine Off – Driver in Vehicle)
To place the vehicle in N (Neutral) with the engine off and the vehicle occupied:

1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Shift to N (Neutral).
4. Turn off the engine and release the brake pedal.
5. The indicator should continue to show N. If it does not, start the engine and repeat Steps 2–4.
6. The vehicle is now ready for the car wash.

Car Wash Mode (Engine Off – Driver Out of Vehicle)
To place the vehicle in N (Neutral) with the engine off 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).
5. Turn off the engine and release the brake pedal.
6. The indicator should continue to show N. If it does not, start the engine and repeat Steps 2–5.
7.  Exit the vehicle and close the door. The vehicle is now ready for the car wash.
8. The vehicle may automatically shift 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 be displayed 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.

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.

Manual Mode

Electronic Range Select (ERS) Mode
ERS or manual mode allows for the selection of the range of gear positions. Use this mode when driving downhill or towing a trailer to limit the top gear and vehicle speed. The shift position indicator within the Driver Information Center (DIC) will display a number next to the L indicating the highest available gear under manual mode and the driving conditions when manual mode was selected.
To use this feature:

1. With the vehicle in D (Drive), press the L (Low) button.
2. Press the plus or minus button on the center stack to increase or decrease the gear range available.

When shifting to L (Low), the transmission will shift to a preset lower gear range. For this preset range, the highest gear available is displayed next to the L in the DIC. See Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base and Midlevel) 0 108 or Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel and Denali) 0 112. All gears below that number are available to use. For example, when 4 (Fourth) is shown next to the L, 1 (First) through 4 (Fourth) gears are shifted automatically. To shift to 5 (Fifth) gear, press the + (Plus) button or shift into D (Drive).
L (Low) will prevent shifting to a lower gear range if the engine speed is too high. If vehicle speed is not reduced within the time allowed, the lower gear range shift will not be completed. Slow the vehicle, then press the − (Minus) button to the desired lower gear range. While using ERS, cruise control can be used.

 

FAQs

Useful Link

View Full PDF: 2023 GMC Terrain User Guide | Auto User Guide

2023 GMC Terrain Indicator Lights Guidelines