suspension GMC CANYON 2012 Owner's Manual

Black plate (11,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-11
Driving in Water
{WARNING
Driving through rushing water can
be dangerous. Deep water can
sweep your vehicle downstream
and you and your passengers
could drown. If it is only shallow
water, it can still wash away the
ground from under your tires.
Traction could be lost, and the
vehicle could roll over. Do not
drive through rushing water.Notice:
Do not drive through
standing water if it is deep
enough to cover the wheel hubs,
axles or exhaust pipe. Deep water
can damage the axle and other
vehicle parts.
If the standing water is not too deep,
drive slowly through it. At faster
speeds, water splashes on the
ignition system and the vehicle can
stall. Stalling can also occur if you
get the exhaust pipe under water.
While the exhaust pipe is under
water, you will not be able to start
the engine. When going through
water, the brakes get wet, and it
might take longer to stop. See
Driving on Wet Roads on
page 9‑12.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that
has collected on the underbody,
or chassis, or under the hood.
These accumulations can be a
fire hazard.
After operation in mud or sand,
have the brake linings cleaned and
checked. These substances can
cause glazing and uneven braking.
Check the body structure, steering,
suspension, wheels, tires, and
exhaust system for damage and
check the fuel lines and cooling
system for any leakage.
More frequent maintenance
service is required. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3 for more information.

Black plate (22,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
9-22 Driving and Operating
Using heavier suspension
components to get added
durability might not change your
weight ratings. Ask your dealer
to help you load your vehicle the
right way.
Notice:Overloading the
vehicle may cause damage.
Repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do
not overload the vehicle.
If you put things inside your
vehicle —like suitcases, tools,
packages, or anything
else —they will go as fast as the
vehicle goes. If you have to stop
or turn quickly, or if there is a
crash, they will keep going.{WARNING
Things you put inside the
vehicle can strike and injure
people in a sudden stop or
turn, or in a crash.
.Put things in the cargo
area of the vehicle. Try to
spread the weight evenly.
.Never stack heavier
things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above
the tops of the seats.
.Do not leave an
unsecured child restraint
in the vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.When you carry something
inside the vehicle, secure
it whenever you can.
.Do not leave a seat folded
down unless you need to.
There is also important loading
information for off-road driving in
this manual.
See “Loading Your
Vehicle for Off-Road Driving”
under
Off-Road Driving on page 9‑6.
Remember not to exceed
the Gross Axle Weight
rating (GAWR) of the front or
rear axle.

Black plate (60,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
9-60 Driving and Operating
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
2WD Regular Cab 2.9L L4 Automatic Transmission 3.731 542 kg (3,400 lbs) 3 175 kg (7,000 lbs)
2.9L L4 Manual Transmission 3.731 089 kg (2,400 lbs) 2 722 kg (6,000 lbs)
3.7L L5 Automatic Transmission 3.731 814 kg (4,000 lbs) 3 856 kg (8,500 lbs)
2WD Extended Cab
2.9L L4 Automatic Transmission 3.731 452 kg (3,200 lbs) 3 175 kg (7,000 lbs)
2.9L L4 Manual Transmission 3.73998 kg (2,200 lbs) 2 722 kg (6,000 lbs)
3.7L L5 Automatic Transmission 3.732 495 kg (5,500 lbs) 4 309 kg (9,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 Automatic Transmission 3.42
3.732 722 kg (6,000 lbs) 4 717 kg (10,400 lbs)
5.3L V8 Automatic Transmission,
ZQ8 Sport Suspension 3.42
1 814 kg (4,000 lbs) 3 856 kg (8,500 lbs)
2WD Crew Cab 2.9L L4 Automatic Transmission 3.731 361 kg (3,000 lbs) 3 175 kg (7,000 lbs)
2.9L L4 Manual Transmission 3.73953 kg (2,100 lbs) 2 722 kg (6,000 lbs)
3.7L L5 Automatic Transmission 3.732 495 kg (5,500 lbs) 4 309 kg (9,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 Automatic Transmission 3.42
3.732 722 kg (6,000 lbs) 4 717 kg (10,400 lbs)

Black plate (61,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-61
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
5.3L V8 Automatic Transmission,
ZQ8 Sport Suspension 3.42
1 724 kg (3,800 lbs) 3 856 kg (8,500 lbs)
4WD Regular Cab 2.9L L4 Automatic Transmission 3.731 406 kg (3,100 lbs) 3 175 kg (7,000 lbs)
2.9L L4 Manual Transmission 3.73953 kg (2,100 lbs) 2 722 kg (6,000 lbs)
3.7L L5 Automatic Transmission 3.731 814 kg (4,000 lbs) 4 082 kg (9,000 lbs)
4WD Extended Cab 2.9L L4 Automatic Transmission 3.731 315 kg (2,900 lbs) 3 175 kg (7,000 lbs)
2.9L L4 Manual Transmission 3.73861 kg (1,900 lbs) 2 722 kg (6,000 lbs)
3.7L L5 Automatic Transmission 3.732 495 kg (5,500 lbs) 4 445 kg (9,800 lbs)
5.3L V8 Automatic Transmission 3.42
4.102 722 kg (6,000 lbs) 4 717 kg (10,400 lbs)
4WD Crew Cab 3.7L L5 Automatic Transmission 3.732 495 kg (5,500 lbs) 4 445 kg (9,800 lbs)
5.3L V8 Automatic Transmission 3.42
4.10
2 722 kg (6,000 lbs) 4 717 kg (10,400 lbs)
*The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for the vehicle should not be
exceeded.

Black plate (68,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
10-68 Vehicle Care
Tire Chains
{WARNING
If your vehicle has P215/70R16,
P235/75R16, P265/70R17, P235/
50R18, or P265/65R18 size tires,
do not use tire chains. They can
damage your vehicle because
there is not enough clearance.
Tire chains used on a vehicle
without the proper amount of
clearance can cause damage to
the brakes, suspension, or other
vehicle parts. The area damaged
by the tire chains could cause you
to lose control of your vehicle and
you or others may be injured in
a crash.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
Use another type of traction
device only if its manufacturer
recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination
and road conditions. Follow that
manufacturer's instructions.
To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust,
or remove the device if it is
contacting your vehicle. Do not
spin the vehicle's wheels.
If you do find traction devices that
will fit, install them on the rear
tires. Notice:
If your vehicle has a tire
size other than P215/70R16, P235/
75R16, P265/70R17, P235/50R18,
or P265/65R18 use tire chains
only where legal and only when
you must. Use chains that are the
proper size for your tires. Install
them on the tires of the rear axle.
Do not use chains on the tires of
the front axle. Tighten them as
tightly as possible with the ends
securely fastened. Drive slowly
and follow the chain
manufacturer's instructions.
If you can hear the chains
contacting your vehicle, stop and
retighten them. If the contact
continues, slow down until it
stops. Driving too fast or
spinning the wheels with chains
on will damage your vehicle.

Black plate (99,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-99
Steering, Suspension, and
Chassis Components
Visually inspect front and rear
suspension and steering system for
damaged, loose, or missing parts or
signs of wear. Inspect the power
steering for proper hook-up, binding,
leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Visually
check constant velocity joints,
rubber boots, and axle seals for
leaks.
Body Component Lubrication
Lubricate all key lock cylinders,
hood hinges, liftgate hinges, and
steel fuel door hinge unless the
components are plastic. Applying
silicone grease on weatherstrips
with a clean cloth will make them
last longer, seal better, and not stick
or squeak.
Underbody Maintenance
Use plain water to flush dirt and
debris from the vehicle's underbody.
Your dealer or an underbody car
washing system can do this. If not
removed, rust and corrosion can
develop.
Sheet Metal Damage
If the vehicle is damaged and
requires sheet metal repair or
replacement, make sure the body
repair shop applies anti-corrosion
material to parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion
protection.
Original manufacturer replacement
parts will provide the corrosion
protection while maintaining the
vehicle warranty.
Finish Damage
Quickly repair minor chips and
scratches with touch-up materials
available from your dealer to avoid
corrosion. Larger areas of finish
damage can be corrected in your
dealer's body and paint shop.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Airborne pollutants can fall upon
and attack painted vehicle surfaces
causing blotchy, ring-shaped
discolorations, and small, irregular
dark spots etched into the paint
surface.

Black plate (4,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
11-4 Service and Maintenance
Tire Rotation and Required
Services Every 12 000 km/
7,500 mi
Rotate the tires, if recommended for
the vehicle, and perform the
following services. SeeTire
Rotation on page 10‑61.
.Check engine oil level and oil
life percentage. If needed,
change engine oil and filter, and
reset oil life system. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑9 andEngine Oil
Life System on page 10‑12.
.Check engine coolant level. See
Engine Coolant on page 10‑19.
.Check windshield washer fluid
level. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑26.
.Visually inspect windshield wiper
blades for wear, cracking,
or contamination. See Exterior
Care on page 10‑96. Replace
worn or damaged wiper blades.
See Wiper Blade Replacement
on page 10‑34.
.Check tire inflation pressures.
See Tire Pressure on
page 10‑54.
.Inspect tire wear. See Tire
Inspection on page 10‑61.
.Visually check for fluid leaks.
.Inspect engine air cleaner filter.
See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑17.
.Inspect brake system.
.Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damaged, loose,
or missing parts or signs of
wear. See Exterior Care on
page 10‑96.
.Check restraint system
components. See Safety System
Check on page 3‑20.
.Visually inspect fuel system for
damage or leaks.
.Visually inspect exhaust system
and nearby heat shields for
loose or damaged parts.
.Lubricate body components.
See Exterior Care on
page 10‑96.

Black plate (17,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
Customer Information 13-17
.Vehicle make, model, and
model year.
.Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN).
.Insurance company and policy
number.
.General description of the
damage to the other vehicle.
Choose a reputable repair facility
that uses quality replacement parts.
See “Collision Parts” earlier in
this section.
If the airbag has inflated, see What
Will You See after an Airbag
Inflates? on page 3‑27.
Managing the Vehicle Damage
Repair Process
In the event that the vehicle requires
damage repairs, GM recommends
that you take an active role in its
repair. If you have a pre-determined
repair facility of choice, take the
vehicle there, or have it towed there.
Specify to the facility that any
required replacement collision parts be original equipment parts, either
new Genuine GM parts or recycled
original GM parts. Remember,
recycled parts will not be covered by
the GM vehicle warranty.
Insurance pays the bill for the repair,
but you must live with the repair.
Depending on your policy limits,
your insurance company may
initially value the repair using
aftermarket parts. Discuss this with
the repair professional, and insist on
Genuine GM parts. Remember,
if the vehicle is leased, you may be
obligated to have the vehicle
repaired with Genuine GM parts,
even if your insurance coverage
does not pay the full cost.
If another party's insurance
company is paying for the repairs,
you are not obligated to accept a
repair valuation based on that
insurance company's collision policy
repair limits, as you have no
contractual limits with that company.
In such cases, you can have control
of the repair and parts choices as
long as the cost stays within
reasonable limits.
Service Publications
Ordering Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis
and repair information on the
engines, transmission, axle,
suspension, brakes, electrical,
steering, body, etc.
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give additional
technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service
General Motors cars and trucks.
Each bulletin contains instructions
to assist in the diagnosis and
service of the vehicle.