warning GMC CANYON 2007 Owner's Guide

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Indicator Light
This light turns on
whenever the Daytime
Running Lamps are on.
SeeDaytime Running Lamps (DRL) on page 167
for more information.
Fuel Gage
When the ignition is on,
the fuel gage tells you
about how much
fuel you have remaining
in the fuel tank.Here are four things that some owners ask about.
None of these indicate a problem with your
fuel gage:
At the gas station, the gas pump shuts off
before the gage reads full.
It takes a little more or less fuel to ll up than
the gage indicated. For example, the gage
may have indicated the tank was half full,
but it actually took a little more or less than
half the tank’s capacity to ll the tank.
The gage moves a little when you turn a
corner or speed up.
The gage does not go back to empty when
you turn off the ignition.
When the fuel in the fuel tank is low, you will see
a LOW FUEL message on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) display. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 198for more information.
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Driver Information Center (DIC)
The Driver Information Center (DIC) displays
information such as the trip odometer,
personalization features, and warning messages.
The DIC display is located on the instrument
panel cluster.
DIC Controls and Displays
The Driver Information Center (DIC) comes on
when the ignition is on.
If a problem is detected, a warning message will
appear on the display. Pressing and releasing
the trip odometer reset stem on the DIC will
acknowledge some current warnings or service
messages. Some messages will only clear
after the required action has been taken.
The DIC has different modes which can be
accessed by pressing the trip odometer reset stem
on the DIC. These modes are explained in the
following section. The DIC trip odometer reset stem
is located on the instrument panel cluster next to
the DIC display. To scroll through the available
functions, press and release the reset stem.
Trip Information
Odometer
The odometer is automatically displayed on the
DIC when you start the vehicle. The odometer
shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven in either miles for the United States
or kilometers for Canada.
Trip Odometer
Press and release the reset stem until TRIP
appears on the DIC display. The trip odometer
shows the current distance traveled since the last
reset of the trip odometer in either miles for the
United States or kilometers for Canada.
Press and hold the reset stem for about
four seconds to reset the trip odometer.
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DIC Warnings and Messages
Messages are displayed on the DIC to notify the
driver that the status of the vehicle has changed
and that some action may be needed by the driver
to correct the condition. Multiple messages may
appear one after another. The messages are
displayed for four seconds each.
Some messages may not require immediate
action, but you should press and release the trip
odometer reset stem to acknowledge that you
received the messages and to clear them from the
display. Each message must be acknowledged
individually.
Some messages cannot be cleared from the DIC
display because they are more urgent. These
messages require action before they can be
cleared. You should take any messages that
appear on the display seriously and remember
that clearing the messages will only make
the messages disappear, not correct the problem.
The following are the possible messages that can
be displayed and some information about them.
AC (Air Conditioning) OFF
This message displays when the engine coolant
temperature is too high and the air conditioning in
your vehicle needs to be turned off. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 340andClimate Control
System on page 173for more information.
This message displays along with the ENG HOT
message.
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) FAULT
This message displays if there is a problem
with the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS). Check the
ABS as soon as possible and have your vehicle
serviced by your dealer. SeeBrakes on page 350
andAnti-Lock Brake System Warning Light on
page 186for more information. Press and release
the reset stem to acknowledge the message
and clear it from the display.
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BRAKES
This message displays if there is a problem with
the brakes. Check the brakes as soon as possible
and have your vehicle serviced by your dealer.
SeeBrakes on page 350andBrake System
Warning Light on page 185for more information.
Press and release the reset stem to acknowledge
the message and clear it from the display.
CHANGE OIL
This message displays when the oil needs to be
changed. Check the oil in your vehicle as soon
as possible and have your vehicle serviced by
your dealer. SeeEngine Oil on page 325
andScheduled Maintenance on page 437for
more information. Press and release the reset
stem to acknowledge the message and clear
it from the display.
DOORS
This message displays when one or more of
the doors is ajar. Check all the doors on your
vehicle to make sure they are closed. The
message clears from the display after all of
the doors are closed.
ENG (Engine) HOT
This message displays when the engine coolant
temperature is hot. Check the engine coolant
temperature gage. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 187. Have your
vehicle serviced by your dealer as soon as
possible if you suspect the engine is overheating.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 340for more
information.
FLUID
This message displays if the brake uid is low.
Check the brake uid as soon as possible
and have your vehicle serviced by your dealer.
SeeBrakes on page 350for more information.
Press and release the reset stem to acknowledge
the message and clear it from the display.
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PARK BRK (Brake)
This message displays when the parking brake
is set. SeeParking Brake on page 130and
Brake System Warning Light on page 185for
more information. The message clears from the
display after the parking brake is released or
by pressing and releasing the reset stem.
REDUCED POWER
This message displays when the vehicle’s
engine power is reduced. Reduced engine power
can affect the vehicle’s ability to accelerate.
If this message is on, but there is no reduction
in performance, proceed to your destination.
The performance may be reduced the next time
the vehicle is driven. The vehicle may be driven at
a reduced speed while this message is on, but
acceleration and speed may be reduced. Anytime
this message stays on, the vehicle should be
taken to your dealer for service as soon as
possible. Press and release the reset stem to
acknowledge the message and clear it from
the display.
SERV (Service) 4WD (Four-Wheel Drive)
This message displays when there is a problem
with the transfer case control system. Check the
transfer case on your vehicle and have it serviced
by your dealer. SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 126
for more information about the transfer case. Press
and release the reset stem to acknowledge the
message and clear it from the display.
SERV (Service) TPM
(Tire Pressure Monitor)
This message displays if any of the tire monitor
sensors have malfunctioned, if the tire monitor
sensors have not been programmed, or if
the recommended tire pressures are not
programmed. The tire pressure light also ashes
for one minute and then turns on solid until
the condition goes away or the system is serviced.
SeeTire Pressure Light on page 187. Press
and release the reset stem to acknowledge the
message and clear it from the display. This
message appears at each ignition cycle until the
system is serviced. See your dealer for service.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 378
for more information.
201

SERV (Service) VEH (Vehicle)
This message displays if your vehicle needs
service. Have your vehicle serviced by your dealer
as soon as possible.
SERVICE CHARG (Charge)
SYS (System)
This message displays if there is a problem with
the battery charging system. Under certain
conditions, the battery warning light may also turn
on in the instrument panel cluster. SeeBattery
Warning Light on page 184. The battery will not be
charging at an optimal rate and the vehicle will
lose the ability to enter the fuel economy mode.
The vehicle is safe to drive, however have
the electrical system checked by your dealer.
Press and release the reset stem to acknowledge
the message and clear it from the display.
TRACTION FAULT
If your vehicle has the Traction Control
System (TCS), this message may display if
there is a problem with the TCS. Check the
TCS as soon as possible and have your vehicle
serviced by your dealer. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 249for more information.
Press and release the reset stem to acknowledge
the message and clear it from the display.
TURN SIGNAL
This message displays when the turn signal is on
for about 0.75 miles (1.2 km) of travel. Press
and release the reset stem to acknowledge the
message and clear it from the display.
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Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your
vehicle go where you want it to go. They are
the brakes, the steering, and the accelerator.
All three systems have to do their work at
the places where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or
ice, it is easy to ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can provide. That means
you can lose control of your vehicle.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 316.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 185.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to
bring up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds
or more with another. Age, physical condition,
alertness, coordination, and eyesight all play a part.
So do alcohol, drugs, and frustration. But even in
three-fourths of a second, a vehicle moving at
60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m). That
could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so
keeping enough space between your vehicle and
others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary
greatly with the surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of the road,
whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the
condition of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force applied.
246

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic.
This is a mistake. The brakes may not have time to
cool between hard stops. The brakes will wear out
much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you
keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic
following distances, you will eliminate a lot of
unnecessary braking. That means better braking
and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are
driving, brake normally but do not pump the
brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to
push down. If the engine stops, you will still have
some power brake assist. But you will use it
when you brake. Once the power assist is used
up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 316.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), an advanced electronic braking system
that will help prevent a braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive
away, ABS 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 ABS, this
warning light will stay
on. SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System Warning Light
on page 186.
247

When road conditions allow you to safely use it
again, you may re-engage the cruise control.
SeeCruise Control on page 163.
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 120and/or
Manual Transmission Operation on page 124for
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 198for 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.SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on
page 284andIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 284for more
information.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 316for more information.
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
If your vehicle has this feature, your limited-slip
rear axle can give you additional traction on snow,
mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like a standard
axle most of the time, but when one of the
rear wheels has no traction and the other does,
this feature will allow the wheel with traction
to move the vehicle.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the
engine stops or the system is not functioning, you
can steer but it will take much more effort.
250

Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do not have enough
friction where the tires meet the road to do what the
driver has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to
steer and constantly seek an escape route or
area of less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking
reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and
by not overdriving those conditions. But skids
are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your
vehicle’s three control systems. In the braking skid,
your wheels are not rolling. In the steering or
cornering skid, too much speed or steering in a
curve causes tires to slip and lose cornering force.
And in the acceleration skid, too much throttle
causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your
foot off the accelerator pedal.If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off
the accelerator pedal and quickly steer the
way you want the vehicle to go. If you start
steering quickly enough, your vehicle may
straighten out. Always be ready for a second skid
if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow,
ice, gravel, or other material is on the road.
For safety, you will want to slow down and adjust
your driving to these conditions. It is important
to slow down on slippery surfaces because
stopping distance will be longer and vehicle
control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction,
try your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle speed by
shifting to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could
cause the tires to slide. You may not realize the
surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding.
Learn to recognize warning clues — such as
enough water, ice, or packed snow on the road to
make a mirrored surface — and slow down when
you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
helps avoid only the braking skid.
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