trailer GMC CANYON 2007 Owner's Manual

Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an
elaborate break-in. But it will perform better in
the long run if you follow these guidelines:
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h)
or less for the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not drive at any one constant speed,
fast or slow, for the rst 500 miles
(805 km). Do not make full-throttle starts.
Avoid downshifting to brake, or slow,
the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this
time your new brake linings are not yet
broken in. Hard stops with new linings
can mean premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get new brake
linings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in.
SeeTowing a Trailer on page 300for
the trailer towing capabilities of your
vehicle and more information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load
can be gradually increased.
115

If you need to leave your key in the ignition but not
in LOCK for an extended period, it is recommended
that you disconnect the battery cable from the
battery to prevent discharging your battery.
There are several different positions for your
shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks your rear wheels.
It is the best position to use when you start your
engine because your vehicle cannot move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake rmly set. Your
vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle will not
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, always set your parking brake
and move the shift lever to PARK (P).
SeeShifting Into Park (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 132. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer
on page 300.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P)
before starting the engine. Your vehicle has an
automatic transmission shift lock control system.
You must fully apply your regular brakes before
you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition key
is in ON. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P),
ease pressure on the shift lever by pushing the
shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as you
maintain brake application. Then move the shift
lever into another gear. SeeShifting Out of
Park (P) (Automatic Transmission) on page 134.
121

DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving.
If provides the best fuel economy for your vehicle.
If you need more power for passing, and you are:
Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push
your accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push
the accelerator all the way down.
You will shift down to the next gear and have
more power.
Downshifting the transmission in slippery road
conditions could result in skidding, see “Skidding”
underLoss of Control on page 255Loss of
Control.
THIRD (3):This position is also used for normal
driving. However, it reduces vehicle speed
more than DRIVE (D) without using your brakes.
You might choose THIRD (3) instead of DRIVE (D)
when driving on hilly, winding roads, when
towing a trailer, so there is less shifting between
gears and when going down a steep hill.SECOND (2):This position reduces vehicle speed
even more than THIRD (3) without using your
brakes. You can use SECOND (2) on hills. It can
help control your speed as you go down steep
mountain roads, but then you would also want to
use your brakes off and on.
FIRST (1):This position reduces vehicle speed
even more than SECOND (2) without using
your brakes. You can use it on very steep hills, or
in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever is put in
FIRST (1) while the vehicle is moving forward, the
transmission will not shift into rst gear until the
vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill using only
the accelerator pedal may damage the
transmission. The repair will not be covered
by your warranty. If you are stuck, do not
spin the tires. When stopping on a hill, use
the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
123

To release the parking brake, hold the regular
brake pedal down. Pull the bottom edge of
the lever, located above the parking brake pedal,
with the parking brake symbol, directly rearward
to release the parking brake.If the ignition is on when the parking brake is
released, the brake system warning light will
go off.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system and cause
premature wear or damage to brake system
parts. Verify that the parking brake is fully
released and the brake warning light is
off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on
any hill, seeTowing a Trailer on page 300.
131

Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly
set. Your vehicle can roll. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground,
use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer
on page 300.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot
and set the parking brake.
{CAUTION:
If you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle
will be free to roll — even if your shift
lever is in PARK (P) — if your transfer
case is in NEUTRAL. So, be sure the
transfer case is in a drive gear, two-wheel
high (2H) or four-wheel high (4H) or
four-wheel low (4L) — not in NEUTRAL.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pulling
the lever toward you and moving it up as far
as it will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the key, your
vehicle is in PARK (P).
132

Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift
lock control system which locks the shift lever
in PARK (P) when the ignition is in the LOCK
position. In addition, you have to fully apply the
regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition is in ON. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 120.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure
on the shift lever by pushing the shift lever all
the way into PARK (P) as you maintain brake
application. Then, move the shift lever into
the gear you want.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still
cannot shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to ACC. There is no shift
interlock in this key position.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end
of Step 4.
3. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the
gear you want.
5. Have the system xed as soon as you can.
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)
Your vehicle has a manual transmission. Before
you get out of your vehicle, move the shift
lever into REVERSE (R), and rmly apply the
parking brake. Once the shift lever has been
placed into REVERSE (R) with the clutch pedal
pressed in, turn the ignition key to LOCK, remove
the key and release the clutch.
If you are parking on a hill, or if your vehicle is
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 300.
134

{CAUTION:
Four-wheel drive vehicles with the transfer
case in NEUTRAL will allow the vehicle to
roll, even if your automatic transmission
shift lever is in PARK (P). So, be sure the
transfer case is in a drive gear — not in
NEUTRAL. Always set your parking brake.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle
will not move. SeeShifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission) on page 132.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer
on page 300.
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
While sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind
your vehicle. Grip the mirror in the center to move
it up or down and side to side. The control at
the bottom of the mirror is the day/night feature
that allows adjustment to the mirror so that
the glare of headlamps from behind is reduced.
Push the control for daytime use; pull it for
night use.
Manual Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®
Mirror Operation
Your vehicle may have a manual rearview mirror
with the OnStar®System. You can adjust the mirror
for day or night driving. Press the tab forward for
day driving. Pull the tab back for night driving.
138

Exit Lighting
With exit lighting, the interior lamps will come on
when you remove the key from the ignition.
The lamps will not come on if the dome override
button is pressed in.
Electric Power Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management
(EPM) that estimates the battery’s temperature and
state of charge. It then adjusts the voltage for
best performance and extended life of the battery.
When the battery’s state of charge is low, the
voltage is raised slightly to quickly put the charge
back in. When the state of charge is high, the
voltage is lowered slightly to prevent overcharging.
If the vehicle has a voltmeter gage, you may
see the voltage move up or down. This is normal.
If there is a problem, an alert will be displayed.The battery can be discharged at idle if the
electrical loads are very high. This is true for all
vehicles. This is because the generator (alternator)
may not be spinning fast enough at idle to
produce all the power that is needed for very high
electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following loads are on: headlamps, high beams,
fog lamps, rear window defogger, climate
control fan at high speed, heated seats, engine
cooling fans, trailer loads, and loads plugged into
accessory power outlets.
Battery Run-Down Protection
This feature shuts off the dome lamp if it is left on
for more than 20 minutes when the ignition is
in LOCK. This will help prevent your battery from
running down.
171

This light should come on, as a check to show
you it is working, when the ignition is on and the
engine is not running. If the light does not
come on, have it repaired. This light will also
come on during a malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has
been detected. A misre increases vehicle
emissions and may damage the emission
control system on your vehicle. Diagnosis and
service may be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Diagnosis and service may be required.
If the Light is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed
Avoiding hard accelerations
Avoiding steep uphill grades
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount
of cargo being hauled as soon as it is
possibleIf the light stops ashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do
so, stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park
your vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at least
10 seconds and restart the engine. If the light
remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On Steady”
following. If the light is still ashing, follow the
previous steps, and see your dealer for service as
soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully
install the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 320.
The diagnostic system can determine if the
fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed.
A loose or missing fuel cap will allow fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving trips
with the cap properly installed should turn the
light off.
189

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle.... 242
Defensive Driving...................................... 242
Drunken Driving........................................ 243
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 246
Braking...................................................... 246
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 247
Braking in Emergencies............................. 249
Traction Control System (TCS).................. 249
Limited-Slip Rear Axle............................... 250
Steering.................................................... 250
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 253
Passing..................................................... 253
Loss of Control.......................................... 255
Off-Road Driving........................................ 256
Driving at Night......................................... 270
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 271
City Driving............................................... 274Freeway Driving........................................ 275
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 276
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 277
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 278
Winter Driving........................................... 280
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow ................................. 284
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 284
Recovery Hooks........................................ 285
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 286
Truck-Camper Loading Information............ 292
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab............ 292
Towing........................................................ 292
Towing Your Vehicle ................................. 292
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 293
Towing a Trailer........................................ 300
Trailer Recommendations.......................... 311
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
241