wheel GMC CANYON 2005 Owner's Guide

Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning ashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front
and rear turn signal lamps will ash on and off.
The hazard warning
asher button is located
on the instrument
panel, between the
two air vents in the center.
Your hazard warning ashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even if the key isn’t in.Press the button to make the front and rear turn signal
lamps ash on and off. Press the button again to
turn the ashers off.
When the hazard warning ashers are on, your turn
signals won’t work.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reective triangles, you can set one up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Horn
To sound the horn, press the horn symbol on the
steering wheel pad.
3-6

Tilt Wheel
A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel
before you drive. If you have the tilt steering wheel,
you can raise it to the highest level to allow more room
for the driver to enter and exit the vehicle.
The tilt lever is located on the left side of the steering
column, under the turn signal lever.
To tilt, hold the steering wheel and pull the tilt lever
toward you. Move the wheel to a comfortable level,
then release the tilt lever to lock the wheel in place.
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
GTurn and Lane Change Signals. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
53Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer. See
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on page 3-9.
Flash-to-Pass. SeeFlash-to-Pass on page 3-9.
NWindshield Wipers. SeeWindshield Wipers on
page 3-10.
LWindshield Washer. SeeWindshield Washer
on page 3-10.
JCruise Control. SeeCruise Control on
page 3-11.
3-7

Cruise Control
Your vehicle may be equipped with cruise control.
9(Off):This position
turns the system off.
R(On):This position activates the system.
+ (Resume/Accelerate):Move the lever to this symbol
to make the vehicle accelerate or resume to a
previously set speed.
rT(Set):Press this button to set the speed.
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This can really help on long
trips. Cruise control does not work at speeds below
about 25 mph (40 km/h).Cruise control will not work if your parking brake is set,
or if the master cylinder brake uid level is low.
If you apply your brakes, the cruise control will shut off.
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use your cruise control on winding roads
or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause needless wheel spinning,
and you could lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system (if equipped) begins to limit wheel spin,
the cruise control will automatically disengage. See
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-9. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
turn cruise control back on.
3-11

Exterior Cargo Lamps
You can use the cargo lamps if you need more light in
the cargo area of your vehicle or in the top-box
storage units.
Press this button, located
on the driver side of the
instrument panel near
the exterior lamp control to
turn the cargo lamps on
and off. You must
have your dome lamps on
for your cargo lamps to
come on. SeeDome Lamp
on page 3-17.
Interior Lamps
The thumbwheel for the interior lamps is located next to
the exterior lamps control. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 3-14for additional information on location.
Instrument Panel Brightness
D(Instrument Panel Lights):Turn the thumbwheel
up or down to brighten or dim the instrument panel
lights and the radio display. This will only work if
the headlamps or parking lamps are on. SeeExterior
Lamps on page 3-14.
Dome Lamp
The dome lamp will come on when you open a door
and will slowly dim to off when all doors are closed.
You can also turn the dome lamp on manually by turning
the interior lamps thumbwheel all the way up. In this
position, the dome lamp will remain on whether a door
is opened or closed. SeeInterior Lamps on page 3-17
for additional information on location.
Dome Lamp Override
E(Dome Override):Press this button, located below
the exterior lamp control, to turn the dome lamp off
even when a door is opened. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 3-14for more information on location.
To return the lamp to automatic operation, press the
button again.
3-17

to make adjustments to help with fuel economy while
still maintaining the selected temperature.
The air conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling
or after turning off the engine. This is normal.
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity
(moisture) condensing on the cool window glass.
This can be minimized if the climate control system is
used properly. There are two modes to clear fog or frost
from your windshield and side windows. Use the
defog mode to clear the windows of fog or moisture and
warm the passengers. Use the defrost mode to
remove fog or frost from the windshield more quickly.
For best results, clear all snow and ice from the
windshield before defrosting.
Turn the mode knob on the climate control panel
clockwise to select the defog or defrost modes.
/(Floor/Defog):This mode directs the air to the
windshield, the side window outlets, and to the
oor outlets. When you select this mode, the system
runs the air conditioning compressor unless the outside
temperature is near freezing or below. Recirculation
is not available in this mode.
0(Defrost):This mode directs most of the air to the
windshield, and the side window outlets. When you
select this mode, the system runs the air conditioning
compressor unless the outside temperature is near,
or below freezing. Recirculation is not available in
this mode.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
Outlet Adjustment
Use the thumbwheel on the outlets to change the
direction of the air ow.
Lift up or push down on the thumbwheel located in the
center of the outlet to direct the air up or down, or
slide the thumbwheel to the left or right to direct the
airow from side-to-side.
Operation Tips

Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block the ow of air into your vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood deectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside of your vehicle more
effectively.
3-21

LOW TRAC (Traction)
If you have the Traction Control System (TCS), you will
see this message when a low traction condition is
detected. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 4-9for more information. Press and release the
reset stem to acknowledge the message and clear it
from the DIC display.
OIL
This message will be displayed when your oil pressure
is low. SeeOil Pressure Light on page 3-34and
Engine Oil on page 5-13for more information.
OIL LIFE
This message will be displayed when you need to check
your engine oil life system. Press the reset stem to
acknowledge the message. For more information,
see “Engine Oil Life System” underDIC Controls and
Displays on page 3-37,Engine Oil on page 5-13
andEngine Oil Life System on page 5-16.
PARK BRK (Brake)
This message will be displayed when your vehicle’s
parking brake is active. SeeParking Brake on page 2-29
andBrake System Warning Light on page 3-28for
more information. The message will clear from
the display after the parking brake is released.
REDUCED POWER
This message will be displayed when your vehicle’s
engine power is reduced. Press the reset stem to
acknowledge the message and clear it from the display.
SERV (Service) 4WD
(Four-Wheel Drive)
This message will be displayed when there is a problem
with your transfer case control system. Check the
transfer case on your vehicle and have it serviced by
your GM dealer. SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-26for
more information about your transfer case. Press the
reset stem to acknowledge the message and clear
it from the display.
3-43

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-3
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-6
Braking.........................................................4-6
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).........................4-7
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-8
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-9
Steering......................................................4-10
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-12
Passing.......................................................4-12
Loss of Control.............................................4-14
Off-Road Driving with Your
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicle...........................4-15
Driving at Night............................................4-28
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-29
City Driving..................................................4-32
Freeway Driving...........................................4-33Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-34
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-35
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-36
Winter Driving..............................................4-38
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow..............................................4-42
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-42
Recovery Hooks...........................................4-43
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-44
Truck-Camper Loading Information..................4-49
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab..................4-49
Towing..........................................................4-50
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-50
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-50
Trailer Connections.......................................4-56
Trailer Recommendations...............................4-56
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-56
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes. ABS is an advanced
electronic braking system that will help prevent a
braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive away,
your anti-lock brake system will check itself. You may
hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while this test
is going on. This is normal.
If there is a problem with
the anti-lock brake system,
this warning light will
stay on. SeeAnti-Lock
Brake System Warning
Light on page 3-29.
Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each front wheel
and at both rear wheels.
4-7

The anti-lock system can change the brake pressure
faster than any driver could. The computer is
programmed to make the most of available tire and road
conditions. This can help you steer around the obstacle
while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls braking pressure
accordingly.Remember: Anti-lock does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always
decrease stopping distance. If you get too close to
the vehicle in front of you, you will not have time to apply
your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even
though you have anti-lock brakes.
Using Anti-Lock
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel
the brakes vibrate, or you may notice some noise,
but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.
4-8

Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle may have a Traction Control System (TCS)
that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in
slippery road conditions. The system operates only if it
senses that one or both of the rear wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, the system reduces engine power and may
also upshift the transmission to limit wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this
is normal.
The TCS button is located
on your instrument panel.
Press this button to
turn the TCS off and on.
When the traction control system is turned off,
an indicator light on the button will illuminate.If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
re-engage the cruise control. SeeCruise Control on
page 3-11.
TCS operates in all transmission shift lever positions.
But the system can upshift the transmission only as high
as the shift lever position you have chosen, so you
should use the lower gears only when necessary.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation on page 2-21
and/orManual Transmission Operation on page 2-24for
more information.
If there is a problem with TCS, TRACTION FAULT will
be displayed on your Driver Information Center (DIC).
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-41
for more information.
When this warning is displayed, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road conditions,
you should always leave TCS on. But you can turn the
system off if you ever need to. You should turn the
system off if your vehicle ever gets stuck in sand, mud or
snow and rocking the vehicle is required. See “Rocking
Your Vehicle To Get It Out” underIf You Are Stuck:
In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on page 4-42.
4-9