GMC Terrain Quiz
Driving and Operation

Shifting into Park

In this manual: Driving and Operation
Introduction — 1In Brief — 46Keys, Doors and Windows — 37Seats and Restraints — 60Storage — 6Instruments and Controls — 58Lighting — 16Infotainment System — 1Climate Control — 8Driving and Operation — 128Vehicle Care — 75Service and Maintenance — 8Technical Data — 5Customer Information — 18OnStar — 6Connected Services — 4
3steps
~18min
3/5difficulty
Done 0 of 3

To shift into P (Park):

  1. Hold the brake pedal and set the parking brake. See Electric Parking Brake.
  2. Press P (Park).
  3. Turn the ignition off.

Leaving the Vehicle with the Engine Running

If you must leave the vehicle with the engine running, the vehicle must be in P (Park) with the parking brake set.

Make sure the vehicle is in P (Park).

Torque Lock

Torque lock is when the weight of the vehicle puts too much force on the parking pawl in the transmission. This happens when parking on a hill and shifting into P (Park) is not done properly, and then it is difficult to shift out of P (Park). To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake, then shift into P (Park). For how to do this, see Shifting into Park, listed earlier.

On some steep hills, the transmission will automatically apply the parking brake to prevent torque lock.

If torque lock occurs, it may be necessary to push the vehicle uphill with another vehicle to relieve pressure on the parking pawl so that you can shift out of P (Park).

Test yourself

A quick GMC Terrain quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.