engine GMC CANYON 2006 Workshop Manual
Page 250 of 434
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you will
need to spin the wheels, but you do not want to
spin your wheels too fast. The method known as rocking
can help you get out when you are stuck, but you
must use caution.
{CAUTION:
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they
can explode, and you or others could be
injured. And, the vehicle can overheat. That
could cause an engine compartment re or
other damage. When you are stuck, spin the
wheels as little as possible. Do not spin the
wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h) as shown on
the speedometer.Notice:Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of
your vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the
wheels too fast while shifting your transmission
back and forth, you can destroy your transmission.
For information about using tire chains on your
vehicle, seeTire Chains on page 5-70.
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That
will clear the area around your front wheels. If you have
a four-wheel-drive vehicle, shift into 4HI. If you have
traction control, turn the traction control system off.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-9.
Then shift back and forth between REVERSE (R) and a
forward gear, or with a manual transmission, between
FIRST (1) or SECOND (2) and REVERSE (R), spinning
the wheels as little as possible. Release the accelerator
pedal while you shift, and press lightly on the
accelerator pedal when the transmission is in gear.
By slowly spinning your wheels in the forward and
reverse directions, you will cause a rocking motion that
may free your vehicle. If that does not get you out
after a few tries, you may need to be towed out. Or, you
can use your recovery hooks if your vehicle has them.
If you do need to be towed out, seeTowing Your Vehicle
on page 4-50.
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If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure
your rig will be legal, not only where you live
but also where you’ll be driving. A good source for
this information can be state or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control. You can ask a hitch
dealer about sway controls.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the rst 500 miles
(800 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during the rst 500 miles (800 km) that you
tow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)
and don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at
the heavier loads.
You may want to shift the transmission to THIRD (3)
or, if necessary, a lower gear selection if the
transmission shifts too often (e.g., under heavy
loads and/or hilly conditions). If you have a manual
transmission and you are towing a trailer, it’s
better not to use the highest gear.Three important considerations have to do with weight:
the weight of the trailer,
the weight of the trailer tongue
and the weight on your vehicle’s tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For example,
speed, altitude, road grades, outside temperature and
how much your vehicle is used to pull a trailer are all
important. It can also depend on any special equipment
that you have on your vehicle, and the amount of tongue
weight the vehicle can carry. See “Weight of the Trailer
Tongue” later in this section for more information.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming only the
driver is in the tow vehicle and it has all the required
trailering equipment. The weight of additional optional
equipment, passengers and cargo in the tow vehicle
must be subtracted from the maximum trailer weight.
The following chart shows how much your trailer
can weigh, based upon your vehicle model and options.
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Page 266 of 434
Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR**
2WD Regular Cab
Automatic Transmission,
2.8L Engine3.73 3,300 lbs (1 497 kg) 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
3.5L Engine3.42 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) 8,500 lbs (3 856 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
3.5L Engine3.73 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) 8,500 lbs (3 855 kg)
Manual Transmission,
2.8L Engine3.42 1,800 lbs (816 kg) 5,500 lbs (2 495 kg)
Manual Transmission,
2.8L Engine3.73 2,300 lbs (1 043 kg) 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg)
Manual Transmission,
3.5L Engine3.42 3,200 lbs (1 451 kg) 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg)
Manual Transmission,
3.5L Engine3.73 3,700 lbs (1 678 kg) 7,500 lbs (3 402 kg)
Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR**
2WD Extended Cab
Automatic Transmission,
2.8 L Engine3.73 3,100 lbs (1 406 kg) 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
3.5L Engine3.42 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) 8,500 lbs (3 856 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
3.5L Engine3.73 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) 9,000 lbs (4 082 kg)
Manual Transmission,
2.8L Engine3.42 1,600 lbs (726 kg) 5,500 lbs (2 495 kg)
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Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR**
Manual Transmission,
2.8L Engine3.73 2,100 lbs (952 kg) 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg)
Manual Transmission,
3.5L Engine3.42 3,100 lbs (1 406 kg) 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg)
Manual Transmission,
3.5L Engine3.73 3,600 lbs (1 633 kg) 7,500 lbs (3 402 kg)
Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR**
2WD Crew Cab
Automatic Transmission,
2.8L Engine3.73 2,900 lbs (1 315 kg) 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
3.5L Engine3.42 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) 8,500 lbs (3 856 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
3.5L Engine3.73 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) 9,000 lbs (4 082 kg)
Manual Transmission,
2.8L Engine3.42 1,400 lbs (635 kg) 5,500 lbs (2 495 kg)
Manual Transmission,
2.8L Engine3.73 1,900 lbs (862 kg) 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg)
Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR**
4WD Regular Cab
Automatic Transmission,
2.8L Engine3.73 3,000 lbs (1 361 kg) 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
2.8L Engine4.10 3,000 lbs (1 361 kg) 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg)
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Page 268 of 434
Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR**
Automatic Transmission,
3.5L Engine3.42 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) 8,500 lbs (3 856 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
3.5L Engine3.73 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) 9,000 lbs (4 082 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
3.5L Engine4.10 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) 9,000 lbs (4 082 kg)
Manual Transmission,
2.8L Engine3.73 2,000 lbs (907 kg) 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg)
Manual Transmission,
2.8L Engine4.10 2,000 lbs (907 kg) 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg)
Manual Transmission,
3.5L Engine3.42 3,000 lbs (1 361 kg) 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg)
Manual Transmission,
3.5L Engine3.73 3,500 lbs (1 588 kg) 7,500 lbs (3 402 kg)
Manual Transmission,
3.5L Engine4.10 3,500 lbs (1 587 kg) 7,500 lbs (3 402 kg)
Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR**
4WD Extended Cab
Automatic Transmission,
2.8L Engine3.73 2,900 lbs (1 315 kg) 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
2.8L Engine4.10 2,900 lbs (1 315 kg) 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
3.5L Engine3.42 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) 8,500 lbs (3 856 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
3.5L Engine3.73 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) 9,000 lbs (4 082 kg)
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Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR**
Automatic Transmission,
3.5L Engine4.10 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) 9,000 lbs (4 082 kg)
Manual Transmission,
2.8L Engine4.10 1,900 lbs (861 kg) 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg)
Manual Transmission,
3.5L Engine3.42 2,800 lbs (1 270 kg) 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg)
Manual Transmission,
3.5L Engine3.73 3,300 lbs (1 497 kg) 7,500 lbs (3 402 kg)
Manual Transmission,
3.5L Engine4.10 3,300 lbs (1 497 kg) 7,500 lbs (3 402 kg)
Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR**
4WD Crew Cab
Automatic Transmission,
2.8L Engine3.73 2,700 lbs (1 225 kg) 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
2.8L Engine4.10 2,700 lbs (1 225 kg) 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
3.5L Engine3.42 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) 8,500 lbs (3 856 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
3.5L Engine3.73 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) 9,000 lbs (4 082 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
3.5L Engine4.10 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) 9,000 lbs (4 082 kg)
Manual Transmission,
2.8L Engine4.10 1,700 lbs (771 kg) 6,000 lbs (2 721 kg)
**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 your vehicle should not be exceeded.
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Page 274 of 434
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this so your trailer won’t strike
soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have extra
wiring and a heavy-duty turn signal asher.
The arrows on your instrument panel will ash whenever
you signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lamps will also ash, telling other drivers
you’re about to turn, change lanes or stop.When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at normal altitudes. If you turn your
engine off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating. To avoid this, let the
engine run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the automatic transmission in PARK (P) (or
the manual transmission out of gear and the parking
brake applied) for a few minutes before turning the
engine off. If you do get the overheat warning,
seeEngine Overheating on page 5-28.
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Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle, with a
trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People
can be injured, and both your vehicle and the
trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) yet, or into gear for a manual
transmission. When parking uphill, turn your wheels
away from the curb. When parking downhill, turn
your wheels into the curb.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake, and then shift into PARK (P), or
REVERSE (R) for a manual transmission. See
Parking Brake on page 2-28for more information.
5. If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure the
transfer case is in a drive gear and not in NEUTRAL.
SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-24for more
information.
6. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
start your engine,
shift into a gear, and
release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the
chocks.
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Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-4for more on this. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic transmission
uid (don’t over ll), engine oil, axle lubricant, belt,
cooling system and brake system. Each of these is
covered in this manual, and the Index will help you nd
them quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to
review these sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Trailer Wiring Harness
Your vehicle may be equipped with a four-pin trailer
towing harness. This harness has a four-pin trailer
connector that is attached to a bracket on the hitch
platform. The four-wire harness contains the following
trailer circuits:
Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
Green: Right Stop/Turn Signal
Brown: Taillamps/Park lamps
White: Ground
Trailer Recommendations
You must subtract your hitch load from the CWR for your
vehicle. Weigh your vehicle with your trailer attached,
so that you won’t go over the GVWR or the GAWR.
You’ll get the best performance if you spread out the
weight of your load the right way, and if you choose the
correct hitch and trailer brakes.
For more information, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-56
later in this section.
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