2023 GMC Terrain Seats and Seat Belt Instructions

The 2023 GMC Terrain has a unique and comfortable seating setup that is meant to make driving more enjoyable for both the driver and the passengers. The seats were made with practicality in mind, so they are comfortable for long trips and look stylish and up-to-date at the same time. The cabin has been carefully planned to be roomy and comfortable, so everyone who rides will have a satisfying experience. The materials used for the seats are also chosen because they are long-lasting and easy to clean. This means that the interior will look great and last through daily use. To make sure you use your seat belt correctly, the 2023 GMC Terrain puts safety first by giving you clear, easy-to-find directions. The simplistic design of the seat belt system makes it easy for people to buckle up, which contributes to a safe and secure driving experience. The 2023 GMC Terrain’s seats and seat belt directions show that the company cares about the comfort and safety of all its passengers, whether they are driving in the city or going on an exciting road trip.

Front Seats

Seat Adjustment

Warning
You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to adjust the driver’s seat while the vehicle is moving. Adjust the driver seat only when the vehicle is not moving

To adjust the seat position:

1. Pull the handle at the front of the seat cushion to unlock it.
2. Move the seat forward or rearward and release the handle.
3. Try to move the seat back and forth to be sure it is locked in place.

Seat Height Adjuster

Move the lever up or down to raise or lower the seat.

Power Seat Adjustment

Warning
The power seats will work with the ignition off. Children could operate the power seats and be injured. Never leave children alone in the vehicle.
To adjust a power seat, if equipped:

• Move the seat forward or rearward by sliding the control forward or rearward.
• Raise or lower the front part of the seat cushion by moving the front of the control up or down.
• Raise or lower the entire seat by moving the rear of the control up or down.

Reclining Seatbacks

Warning
Sitting in a reclined position when the vehicle is in motion can be dangerous. Even when buckled up, the seat belts cannot do their job.
The shoulder belt will not be against your body. Instead, it will be in front of you. In a crash, you could go into it, receiving neck or other injuries.
The lap belt could go up over your abdomen. The belt forces would be there, not at your pelvic bones. This could cause serious internal injuries. For proper protection when the vehicle is in motion, have the seatback upright. Then sit well back in the seat and wear the seat belt properly.

Do not have a seatback reclined if the vehicle is moving.

Manual Reclining Seatbacks

Warning
If either seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatbacks to be sure they are locked.
To recline a manual seatback:

1. Lift the lever.
2. Move the seatback to the desired position, and then release the lever to lock the seatback in place.
3. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked.

To return the seatback to the upright position:

1. Lift the lever fully without applying pressure to the seatback, and the seatback will return to the upright position.
2. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked.

Power Reclining Seatbacks

To adjust a power seatback, if available:

• Tilt the top of the control rearward to recline.
• Tilt the top of the control forward to raise.

Lumbar Adjustment

If equipped, press and hold the front or rear of the control to increase or decrease lumbar support.

Memory Seats

Overview
If equipped, the memory seat feature allows drivers to save their unique driving positions and a shared exit position. See “Saving Seating Positions” later in this section. The saved positions can be recalled manually by all drivers, see “Manually Recalling Seating Positions” later in this section, and drivers with remote keys 1 and 2 can also recall them automatically. See “Auto Seat Entry Memory Recall” or “Auto Seat Exit Memory Recall” later in this section. To enable automatic recalls, turn on Seat Entry Memory and/or Seat Exit Memory. See Enabling Automatic Recalls” later in this section. The memory recalls may be canceled at any time during the recall. See “Cancel Memory Seating Recalls” later in this section.

Identifying Driver Number
The vehicle identifies the current driver by their remote key number 1–8. The current remote key number may be identified by the Driver Information Center (DIC) welcome message, “You are driver x for memory recalls.” This message is displayed the first few times the vehicle is turned on when a different remote key is used. For Seat Entry Memory to work properly, save positions to the 1 or 2 memory buttons matching the driver number of this welcome message. To aid in identifying remote key IDs, it is recommended to only carry one remote key when entering the vehicle. Perform the following if the welcome message is not displayed:

1. Move all keys and remote keys away from the vehicle.
2. Start the vehicle with another remote key. A DIC welcome message should be displayed indicating the driver number of the other remote key. Turn the vehicle off and remove the other key or remote key from the vehicle.
3. Start the vehicle with the initial key or remote key. The DIC welcome message should display the driver number of the initial remote key.

Saving Seating Positions
Read these instructions completely before saving memory positions.
To save preferred driving positions to
1 and 2:

1. Turn the vehicle on or to accessory mode. A DIC welcome message may indicate the driver number of the current remote key. See “Identifying Driver Number” previously in this section.
2. Adjust all available memory features to the desired driving position.
3. Press and release SET; a beep will sound.
4. Immediately upon releasing SET, press and hold the memory button 1 or 2 matching the current Driver’s remote key number until two beeps sound. If too much time passes between releasing SET and pressing 1 or 2, the two beeps will not sound indicating memory position was not saved. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 to try again.
5. Repeat Steps 1–4 for the other remote key 1 or 2 using the other 1 or 2 memory button.

It is recommended to save the preferred driving positions to both 1 and 2 if you are the only driver.
To save the common exit seating position that is used by all drivers for Manually Recalling Seating Positions and Auto Seat Exit Memory Recall features, repeat Steps 1– 4 using, the exit button

Manually Recalling Seating Positions
Press and hold 1, 2, or Bbutton until the recall is complete, to recall the positions previously saved to that button. Manual Memory recall movement for 1, 2, or Buttons may be initiated and will complete to the saved memory position if the vehicle is in or out of P (Park).

Enabling Automatic Recalls

• Seat Entry Memory moves the driver seat to the selected 1 or 2 position when the vehicle is started. Select Settings > Vehicle > Seating Position > Seat Entry Memory > ON or OFF. See “Auto Seat Entry Memory Recall” later in this section.
• Seat Exit Memory moves the driver seat to the preferred exit position of the B button when the vehicle is turned off and the door is opened. Select Settings > Vehicle > Seating Position > Seat Exit Memory > Select ON or OFF. See “Auto Seat Exit Memory Recall” later in this section.

Auto Seat Entry Memory Recall
Seat Entry Memory will automatically begin movement to the seating positions of the 1 or 2 button corresponding to the driver’s remote key number 1 or 2 detected by the vehicle when:

• The vehicle is turned ON.
• Seating positions have been previously saved to the same 1 or 2 button. See “Saving Seating Positions” previously in this section.
• Seat Entry Memory is enabled. See “Enabling Automatic Recalls” previously in this section.
• The vehicle is in P (Park).

Seat Entry Memory Recall will continue if the vehicle is shifted out of P (Park) prior to reaching the saved memory position.
If the saved memory seat position does not automatically recall, verify the recall is enabled. See “Enabling Automatic Recalls” previously in this section. If the memory seat recalls to the wrong position, the driver’s remote key number 1 or 2 may not match the memory button number positions they were saved to. Try the other remote key or try saving the positions to the other 1 or 2 memory buttons. See “Saving Seating Positions” previously in this section. Automatic Seat Entry Memory recalls are only available for driver’s remote key numbers 1 and 2. Remote keys 3–8 will not provide Seat Entry Memory recalls.
Auto Seat Exit Memory Recall
Seat Exit Memory will begin movement to the seating position of the button when:

• The vehicle is turned off and the driver door is open or opened within a short time.
• A seating position has been previously saved to the memory button. See “Saving Seating Positions” previously in this section.
• Seat Exit Memory is enabled. See “Enabling Automatic Recalls” previously in this section.
• The vehicle is in P (Park).

Seat Exit Memory recall will continue if the vehicle is shifted out of P (Park) prior to reaching the saved memory position. Seat Exit Memory is not linked to the driver’s remote key. The seating position saved toBis used for all drivers.

Cancel Memory Seating Recalls

• During any memory recall: Press a power seat control Press the SET memory button
• During Manual memory recall: Release 1, 2, or B memory button
• During Auto Seat Entry Memory Recall: Turn the vehicle off Press SET, 1, 2, or B memory buttons
• During Auto Seat Exit Memory Recall: Press SET, 1, 2, or B memory buttons

Obstructions
If something has blocked the seat while recalling a memory position, the recall may stop. Remove the obstruction and try the recall again. If the memory position still does not recall, see your dealer.

Heated and Ventilated Front Seats

Warning
If temperature change or pain to the skin cannot be felt, the seat heater may cause burns. To reduce the risk of burns, use care when using the seat heater, especially for long periods of time. Do not place anything on the seat that insulates against heat, such as a blanket, cushion, cover, or similar item. This may cause the seat heater to overheat. An overheated seat heater may cause a burn or may damage the seat.

If equipped, the buttons are on the center console. To operate, the engine must be running. Press I or +, if equipped, to heat the driver or passenger seatback only. Press J or Z to heat the driver or passenger cushion and seatback. Press C or {, if equipped, to ventilate the driver or passenger seat. A ventilated seat has a fan that pulls air through the cushion and seatback. The air is not cooled. Press the button once for the highest setting. With each press of the button, the seat will change to the next lower setting, and then to the off setting. The indicator lights next to the buttons indicate three for the highest setting and one for the lowest.
If the heated seats are on high, the level may automatically be lowered after approximately 30 minutes.
Remote Start Heated and Ventilated Seats
During a remote start, the heated or ventilated seats, if equipped, can be turned on automatically. When it is cold outside, the heated seats turn on, and when it is hot outside the ventilated seats turn on. The heated or ventilated seats are canceled when the vehicle is turned on. Press the heated or ventilated seat button to use the heated or ventilated seats after the vehicle is started. The heated or ventilated seat indicator lights do not turn on during a remote start.
The temperature performance of an unoccupied seat may be reduced. This is normal.
To enable or disable remote start heated or ventilated seats, select Settings > Vehicle > Remote Lock, Unlock, and Start > Remote Start Auto Heat Seats or Remote Start Auto Cool Seats > ON or OFF. See Remote Vehicle Start.

Folding Seatback

The front passenger seatback folds flat.

Warning
If you fold the seatback forward to carry longer objects, such as skis, be sure any such cargo is not near an airbag. In a crash, an inflating airbag might force that object toward a person. This could cause severe injury or even death. Secure objects away from the area in which an airbag would inflate. For more information, see Where Are the Airbags?0 50 and Vehicle Load Limits

Warning.
Things you put on this seatback can strike and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or in a crash. Remove or secure all items before driving.

To fold the seatback:

1. Lower the head restraint all the way. See Head Restraints.
2. Move the seat as far back as possible. See Seat Adjustment.
3. Lift the lever fully and fold the seat back forward.
   If necessary, move the seat belt out of the way to access the lever.
4. Continue lowering the seatback until it is completely folded and locked in place.

To raise the seatback:

1.  Lift the lever fully to unlock the seatback. Then, raise the seatback and push it rearward until it re-engages.
2. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked in place.

Warning
If either seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatbacks to be sure they are locked.

Rear Seats

Rear Seat Reminder

If equipped, the message REAR SEAT REMINDER LOOK IN REAR SEAT displays under certain conditions indicating there may be an item or passenger in the rear seat. Check before exiting the vehicle. This feature will activate when a second-row door is opened while the vehicle is on or up to 10 minutes before the vehicle is turned on. There will be an alert when the vehicle is turned off. The alert does not directly detect objects in the rear seat; instead, under certain conditions, it detects when a rear door is opened and closed, indicating that there may be something in the rear seat. The feature is active only once each time the vehicle is turned on and off and will require reactivation by opening and closing the second-row doors. There may be an alert even when there is nothing in the rear seat; for example, if a child entered the vehicle through the rear door and left the vehicle without the vehicle being shut off. The feature can be turned on or off. Select Settings > Vehicle > Rear Seat Reminder > ON or OFF.

Reclining the Seatback

To recline the seatback:

1. Pull the reclining seatback handle.
2. Move the seatback to the desired position, and then release the handle to lock the seatback in place.
3. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked.

Folding the Seatback

Either side of the seatback can be folded for more cargo space. Fold a seatback only when the vehicle is not moving.

Caution
Folding a rear seat with the seat belts still fastened may cause damage to the seat or the seat belts. Always unbuckle the seat belts and return them to their normal stowed position before folding the rear seat.

To fold the seatback

1. Pull the handle on top of the seatback to unlock it. A tab near the seatback lever raises when the seatback is unlocked.
2. Fold the seatback forward.
3. Stow the seat belt in the belt stowage clip. Repeat the steps to fold the other seatback, if desired.

If equipped, the rear seatbacks can also be folded forward by pulling the levers on the passenger side of the rear cargo area.

Raising the Seatback

Warning
If either seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatbacks to be sure they are locked.

Warning
A seat belt that is improperly routed, not properly attached, or twisted will not provide the protection needed in a crash. The person wearing the belt could be seriously injured. After raising the rear seatback, always check to be sure that the seat belts are properly routed and attached, and are not twisted.

To raise a seatback:

1. Ensure the seat belt is in the belt stowage clip.
2. Lift the seat back up and push it rearward to lock it in place. A tab near the seatback lever retracts when the seatback is locked in place.
3. Push and pull the top of the seatback to be sure it is locked into position.
4. Repeat the steps to raise the other seatback, if necessary.

When the seat is not in use, it should be kept in the upright, locked position.

Heated Rear Seats

Warning
If temperature change or pain to the skin cannot be felt, the seat heater may cause burns. See the Warning under Heated and Ventilated Front Seats.

If equipped, the rear heated seat buttons are on the rear of the center console. To operate, the engine must be running. Press z to heat the left or right outboard seat cushion and seatback. Press + to heat the left or right outboard seatback only. Press the button once for the highest setting. With each press of the button, the heated seat will change to the next lower setting, and then to the off setting. The lights indicate three for the highest setting and one for the lowest.
If the heated seats are on high, the level may automatically be lowered after approximately 30 minutes.
Remote Start Heated Seats
If equipped, the heated seats will turn on automatically during a remote start if it is cold outside. The heated seat indicators may come on during this operation. The heated seats may cancel when the vehicle is started. These features can be manually selected with the heated seat buttons after the vehicle is turned on.
The temperature performance of an unoccupied seat may be reduced. This is normal. To enable or disable remote start heated seats, select Settings > Vehicle > Remote Lock, Unlock, and Start > Remote Start Auto Heat Seats > ON or OFF. See Remote Vehicle Start.

Seat Belts

This section describes how to use seat belts properly, and some things not to do.

Warning
Do not let anyone ride where a seat belt cannot be worn properly. In a crash, if you or your passenger(s) are not wearing seat belts, injuries can be much worse than if you are wearing seat belts. You can be seriously injured or killed by hitting things inside the vehicle harder or by being ejected from the vehicle. In addition, anyone who is not buckled up can strike other passengers in the vehicle.
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area, inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, passengers riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously injured or killed. Do not allow passengers to ride in any area of the vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat belts.
Always wear a seat belt, and check that all passenger(s) are restrained
properly too.

Why Seat Belts Work
When riding in a vehicle, you travel as fast as the vehicle does. If the vehicle stops suddenly, you keep going until something stops you. It could be the windshield, the instrument panel, or the seat belts! When you wear a seat belt, you and the vehicle slow down together. There is more time to stop because you stop over a longer distance and, when worn properly, your strongest bones take the forces from the seat belts. That is why wearing seat belts makes such good sense.

Questions and Answers About Seat Belts

Q: Will I be trapped in the vehicle after a crash if I am wearing a seat belt?
A: You could be — whether you are wearing a seat belt or not. Your chance of being conscious during and after a crash, so you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if you are belted.
Q: If my vehicle has airbags, why should I have to wear seat belts?
A: Airbags are supplemental systems only. They work with seat belts — not instead of them. Whether or not an airbag is provided, all occupants still have to buckle up to get the most protection. Also, in nearly all states and in all Canadian provinces, the law requires wearing seat belts.

How to Wear Seat Belts Properly

Follow these rules for everyone’s protection. There are additional things to know about seat belts and children, including smaller children and infants. If a child will be riding in the vehicle, see Older Children 0 59 or Infants and Young Children 0 60. Review and follow the rules for children in addition to the following rules.
It is very important for all occupants to buckle up. Statistics show that unbelted people are hurt more often in crashes than those who are wearing seat belts.
There are important things to know about wearing a seat belt properly.

• Sit up straight and always keep your feet on the floor in front of you (if possible).
• Wear the lap part of the belt low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the strong pelvic bones and you would be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt would apply force on your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries.
• Wear the shoulder belt over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces. The shoulder belt locks if there is a sudden stop or crash.

Warning
You can be seriously injured, or even killed, by not wearing your seat belt properly.

Never allow the lap or shoulder belt to become loose or twisted.

 

Never wear the shoulder belt under both arms or behind your back.

Always use the correct buckle for your seating position.

Never route the lap or shoulder belt over an armrest.

Warning
The seat belt can be pinched if it is routed under plastic trim on the seat, such as trim around the rear seatback folding handle or side airbag. In a crash, pinched seat belts might not provide adequate protection. Never allow seat belts to be routed under plastic trim pieces.

Warning
You can be seriously injured or killed if the shoulder belt is worn behind your back, under your legs, or wrapped around your neck. The shoulder belt can tighten but cannot be loosened if it is locked. The shoulder belt locks when it is pulled all the way out of the retractor. It unlocks when the shoulder belt is allowed to go all the way back into the retractor, but it cannot do this if it is wrapped around you. You may have to cut the seat belt if it is locked and tightened around you.

Lap-Shoulder Belt

All seating positions in the vehicle have an alap-shoulder belt.
The following instructions explain how to wear a lap-shoulder belt properly.

1. Adjust the seat, if the seat is adjustable, so you can sit up straight. To see how, see “Seats” in the Index.
2. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Do not let it get twisted. The lap-shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt across you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt go back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt across you more slowly. If the shoulder portion of a passenger belt is pulled out all the way, the child restraint locking feature may be engaged. See Child Restraint Systems 0 62. If this occurs, let the belt go back all the way and start again. If the locking feature stays engaged after letting the belt go back to the stowed position on the seat, move the seat rearward or recline the seat until the shoulder belt retractor lock releases.
   Engaging the child restraint locking feature in the front outboard seating position may affect the passenger sensing system. See Passenger Sensing System 0 54.
   If the webbing locks in the latch plate before it reaches the buckle, tilt the latch plate flat to unlock.
3. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks. Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. If the belt is not long enough, see Seat Belt Extender 0 47. Position the release button on the buckle so that the seat belt can be quickly unbuckled if necessary.
4. To make the lap part tight, pull up on the shoulder belt.

To unlatch the belt, push the button on the buckle. The belt should return to its stowed position. Always stow the seat belt slowly. If the seat belt webbing returns quickly to the stowed position, the retractor may lock and cannot be pulled out. If this happens, pull the seat belt straight out firmly to unlock the webbing, and then release it. If the webbing is still locked in the retractor, see your dealer. Before a door is closed, be sure the seat belt is out of the way. If a door is slammed against a seat belt, damage can occur to both the seat belt and the vehicle.

Seat Belt Pretensioners
This vehicle has seat belt pretensioners for the front outboard occupants. Although the seat belt pretensioners cannot be seen, they are part of the seat belt assembly. They can help tighten the seat belts during the early stages of a moderate to severe frontal, near frontal, or rear crash if the threshold conditions for pretensioner activation are met. Seat belt pre-tensioners can also help tighten the seat belts in a side crash or a rollover event. Pretensioners work only once. If the pretensioners activate in a crash, the pretensioners and probably other parts of the vehicle’s seat belt system will need to be replaced. See Replacing Seat Belt System Parts after a Crash 0 48. Do not sit on the outboard seat belt while entering or exiting the vehicle, or at any time while sitting in the seat. Sitting on the seat belt can damage the webbing and hardware.

Rear Seat Belt Comfort Guides
Rear seat belt comfort guides may provide added seat belt comfort for older children who have outgrown booster seats and for some adults. When installed on a shoulder belt, the comfort guide positions the shoulder belt away from the neck and head. Comfort guides are available through your dealer for the rear outboard seating positions. Instructions are included with the guides.

Seat Belt Use During Pregnancy

Seat belts work for everyone, including pregnant women. Like all occupants, they are more likely to be seriously injured if they do not wear seat belts.

A pregnant woman should wear a lap-shoulder belt, and the lap portion should be worn as low as possible, below the rounding, throughout the pregnancy. The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the mother. When a seat belt is worn properly, it is more likely that the fetus will not be hurt in a crash. For pregnant women, as for anyone, the key to making seat belts effective is wearing them properly.

Seat Belt Extender

If the vehicle’s seat belt is fastened around you, you should use it. But if a seat belt is not long enough, your dealer will order you an extender. Only a GM dealer-issued extender should be used. When you go in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the extender will be long enough for you. To help avoid personal injury, do not let someone else use it, and use it only for the seat it is made to fit. The extender has been designed for adults. Never use it for securing child restraints. For more information on the proper use and fit of seat belt extenders see the instruction sheet that comes with the extender.

Safety System Check

Periodically check the seat belt reminder, seat belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors, shoulder belt height adjusters (if equipped), and seat belt anchorages to make sure they are all in working order. Look for any other loose or damaged seat belt system parts that might keep a seat belt system from performing properly. See your dealer to have it repaired. Torn, frayed, or twisted seat belts may not protect you in a crash. Torn or frayed seat belts can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is torn or frayed, have it replaced immediately. If a belt is twisted, it may be possible to untwist by reversing the latch plate on the webbing. If the twist cannot be corrected, ask your dealer to fix it. Make sure the seat belt reminder light is working. See Seat Belt Reminders 0 98. Keep seat belts clean and dry. See Seat Belt Care.

Seat Belt Care

Keep belts clean and dry. Seat belts should be properly cared for and
maintained. Seat belt hardware should be kept dry and free of dust or debris. As necessary, exterior hard surfaces and seat belt webbing may be lightly cleaned with mild soap and water. Ensure there is no excessive dust or debris in the mechanism. If dust or debris exists in the system please see the dealer. Parts may need to be replaced to ensure proper functionality of the system.

Warning
Do not bleach or dye seat belt webbing. It may severely weaken the webbing. In a crash, they might not be able to provide adequate protection. Clean and rinse seat belt webbing only with mild soap and lukewarm water. Allow the webbing to dry.

Replacing Seat Belt System Parts after a Crash

Warning
A crash can damage the seat belt system in the vehicle. A damaged seat belt system may not properly protect the person using it, resulting in serious injury or even death in a crash. To help make sure the seat belt systems are working properly after a crash, have them inspected and any necessary replacements made as soon as possible.

After a minor crash, replacement of seat belts may not be necessary. However, the seat belt assemblies that were used during any crash may have been stressed or damaged. See your dealer to have the seat belt assemblies inspected or replaced. New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the seat belt system was not being used at the time of the crash. Have the seat belt pretensioners checked if the vehicle has been in a crash, or if the airbag readiness light stays on after you start the vehicle or while you are driving. See Airbag Readiness Light

FAQs

Useful Link

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

2023 GMC Terrain Instrument Panel | How To Use