GMC Terrain: Starting and Operating / Shifting out of Park
This vehicle is equipped with an
electronic transmission. If the
vehicle has an uncharged battery or
a battery with low voltage, try
charging or jump starting the
battery. See Jump Starting - North
America.
To shift out of P (Park):
- Ensure the engine is running.
- Apply the brake pedal.
- Press or pull the desired shift
switch on the center stack.
- The P indicator will turn white
and the gear indicator will turn
red when the vehicle is no
longer in P (Park).
If the vehicle cannot shift out of
P (Park), a Driver Information
Center (DIC) message will be
displayed. See your dealer for
service.
Diesel Engine Only
Vehicles with a diesel engine do not
have manual park release. To shift
to N (Neutral) with the engine off.
- Turn the ignition off.
- Put the ignition in service
mode. See Ignition Positions
- Apply the brake pedal.
- Press and hold the N (Neutral)
button until N is illuminated
in red.
- When N (Neutral) is no longer
needed, shift to P (Park) and
turn the ignition off.
Manual Park Release (Gasoline Engine Only)
Vehicles with a gasoline engine may
include a manual park release that
can be used to shift the vehicle into
N (Neutral) when the engine is not
running.
Warning
The transmission will be placed in
N (Neutral) when the manual park
release is pulled. The vehicle can
roll and you or others could be
injured. Ensure the vehicle is on
level ground.
Caution
The manual park release is not
intended to be used for towing.
Damage may result from using
the manual park release in this
way. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Pulling the manual park release
while the vehicle is on, or turning
the ignition on while the manual
park release is pulled, will result in a
Service Transmission message
being displayed.
To place the vehicle in N (Neutral)
using the manual park release:
- Ensure the vehicle is on level
ground and set the parking
brake. Release the brake
pedal.
- Turn the vehicle off.

- Use a flat-bladed tool to
remove the interior trim panel
on the center console to the
right of the accelerator pedal.
- Ensure more than one minute
has elapsed since Step 2.
Apply the brake pedal.
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- Pull the manual park release
lever 90° to its latching
position.
- With the brake pedal released,
place the ignition in ACC/
ACCESSORY. Then apply the
brake pedal and release the
parking brake.
- Ensure there are no loose
objects in the area that could
bump the manual park release
lever.
To return the vehicle to P (Park)
using the manual park release:
- Bring the vehicle to a
complete stop.

- Rotate the manual park release
90° back to its original position.
- Apply the parking brake.
- Confirm that the vehicle is in
P (Park) by turning the ignition
on or placing the ignition in
ACC/ACCESSORY, then
ensure that the indicator
displays P.
- Install the interior trim panel.
Warning
It can be dangerous to get out of
the vehicle if the vehicle is not in
P (Park) with the parking brake
set. The vehicle can roll. If you
have left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly...
Parking over Things That Burn
Warning
Things that can burn could touch
hot exhaust parts under the
vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass,
or other things that can burn...
Other information:
The engine air cleaner/filter is in the
engine compartment on the
passenger side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview.
When to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
For intervals on changing and
inspecting the engine air cleaner/filter, see Maintenance Schedule...
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...