automatic transmission GMC CANYON 2007 Owner's Guide

Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often
when you’re pulling a trailer. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 437for more on this. Things
that are especially important in trailer operation
are automatic transmission uid (don’t overll),
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 300later in this section.
311

Service........................................................ 316
Accessories and Modications................... 316
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 317
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 317
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.......................................... 318
Fuel............................................................. 318
Gasoline Octane........................................ 318
Gasoline Specications.............................. 318
California Fuel........................................... 318
Additives................................................... 319
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 320
Filling the Tank......................................... 320
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 322
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 323
Hood Release........................................... 323
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 324
Engine Oil................................................. 325Engine Oil Life System.............................. 328
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 330
Automatic Transmission Fluid.................... 331
Manual Transmission Fluid........................ 334
Hydraulic Clutch........................................ 336
Engine Coolant.......................................... 337
Radiator Pressure Cap.............................. 340
Engine Overheating................................... 340
Cooling System......................................... 342
Engine Fan Noise..................................... 347
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 348
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 349
Brakes...................................................... 350
Battery...................................................... 353
Jump Starting............................................ 354
Rear Axle.................................................... 359
Four-Wheel Drive........................................ 359
Front Axle................................................... 360
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
313

A. Windshield Washer Fluid. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid on
page 349.
B. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 337.
C. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 330.
D. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (low in engine
compartment). SeePower Steering Fluid
on page 348.
E. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick (If
Equipped). See “Checking the Fluid Level”
underAutomatic Transmission Fluid on
page 331.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 325.
G. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System
on page 342.
H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (GND). See
Jump Starting on page 354.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 325.
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 354.K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 350.
L. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 426.
M. Battery. SeeBattery on page 353.
N. Hydraulic Clutch Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped).
SeeHydraulic Clutch on page 336.
Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time
you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be
on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 324
for the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several
minutes to drain back into the oil pan. If you
do not do this, the oil dipstick might not
show the actual level.
325

{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/lter off can cause you or others
to be burned. The air cleaner not only
cleans the air; it helps to stop ames if
the engine backres. If it is not there and
the engine backres, you could be
burned. Do not drive with it off, and be
careful working on the engine with the air
cleaner/lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre
can cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt
can easily get into your engine, which will
damage it. Always have the air cleaner/lter in
place when you are driving.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transmission Fluid
A good time to check your automatic transmission
uid level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
Additional Required Services on page 440, and
be sure to use the transmission uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 447.
331

How to Check Automatic Transmission
Fluid
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at the dealership
service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading
on the dipstick.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can
damage your transmission. Too much can
mean that some of the uid could come out
and fall on hot engine parts or exhaust system
parts, starting a re. Too little uid could
cause the transmission to overheat. Be sure to
get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission uid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above
90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.To get the right reading, the uid should be at
normal operating temperature, which is 180°F to
200°F (82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about
15 miles (24 km) when outside temperatures are
above 50°F (10°C). If it is colder than 50°F (10°C),
drive the vehicle in THIRD (3) until the engine
temperature gage moves and then remains steady
for 10 minutes.
A cold uid check can be made after the vehicle has
been sitting for eight hours or more with the engine
off, but this is used only as a reference. Let the
engine run at idle for ve minutes if outside
temperatures are 50°F (10°C) or more. If it is colder
than 50°F (10°C), you may have to idle the engine
longer. Should the uid level be low during this cold
check, you must check the uid hot before adding
uid. Checking the uid hot will give you a more
accurate reading of the uid level.
Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:
1. Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
engine running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift
lever in PARK (P).
332

3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the
shift lever through each gear range, pausing
for about three seconds in each range.
Then, position the shift lever in PARK (P).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three minutes
or more.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these
steps:
1. Flip the handle up and then pull out the
dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or
paper towel.
The automatic
transmission dipstick
handle with this symbol
on it is located in the
engine compartment on
the passenger’s side
of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 324for more information on location.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds
and then pull it back out again.3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the
lower level. The uid level must be in the
COLD area, below the cross-hatched area, for
a cold check or in the HOT or cross-hatched
area for a hot check. Be sure to keep the
dipstick pointed down to get an accurate
reading.
4. If the uid level is in the acceptable range,
push the dipstick back in all the way; then
ip the handle down to lock the dipstick
in place.
333

How to Add Automatic Transmission
Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
what kind of transmission uid to use. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 447.
Add uid only after checking the transmission
uid while it is hot. A cold check is used only as a
reference. If the uid level is low, add only
enough of the proper uid to bring the level up to
the HOT area for a hot check. It does not take
much uid, generally less than one pint (0.5 L). Do
not overll.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission uid may damage your vehicle,
and the damages may not be covered by
your warranty. Always use the automatic
transmission uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 447.
After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid,” earlier in this section.
When the correct uid level is obtained, push
the dipstick back in all the way; then ip the
handle down to lock the dipstick in place.
Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the
engine oil is changed. However, the uid in your
manual transmission does not require changing.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at your GM
dealership service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can
damage your transmission. Too little uid
could cause the transmission to overheat. Be
sure to get an accurate reading if you check
your transmission uid.
Check the uid level only when your engine is off,
the vehicle is parked on a level place and the
transmission is cool enough for you to rest your
ngers on the transmission case.
334

Put an automatic transmission in PARK (P) or
a manual transmission in NEUTRAL before
setting the parking brake. If you have a
four-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure the transfer
case is not in NEUTRAL.
Notice:If you leave your radio or other
accessories on during the jump starting
procedure, they could be damaged.
The repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Always turn off your radio
and other accessories when jump
starting your vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the
cigarette lighter or the accessory power
outlets. Turn off the radio and all lamps that
are not needed. This will avoid sparks
and help save both batteries. And it could
save the radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the positive (+)
and negative (−) terminal locations on the
other vehicle. Your vehicle has a remote
positive (+) and a remote negative (−) jump
starting terminal. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 324for more information on
the terminal locations.
{CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause
battery gas to explode. People have been
hurt doing this, and some have been
blinded. Use a ashlight if you need more
light.
Be sure the batteries have enough water.
You do not need to add water to the
ACDelco
®battery (or batteries) installed in
your new vehicle. But if a battery has ller
caps, be sure the right amount of uid is
there. If it is low, add water to take care of
that rst. If you do not, explosive gas
could be present.
Battery uid contains acid that can burn
you. Do not get it on you. If you
accidentally get it in your eyes or on your
skin, ush the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
355

Tire Terminology and Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the tire
pressing outward on each square inch of the
tire. Air pressure is expressed in pounds
per square inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight:This means the combined
weight of optional accessories. Some examples of
optional accessories are, automatic transmission/
transaxle, power steering, power brakes, power
windows, power seats, and air conditioning.
Aspect Ratio:The relationship of a tire’s height
to its width.
Belt:A rubber coated layer of cords that is
located between the plies and the tread. Cords
may be made from steel or other reinforcing
materials.
Bead:The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire:A pneumatic tire in which the plies
are laid at alternate angles less than 90 degrees
to the centerline of the tread.Cold Tire Pressure:The amount of air pressure
in a tire, measured in pounds per square inch (psi)
or kilopascals (kPa) before a tire has built up heat
from driving. SeeInation - Tire Pressure on
page 377.
Curb Weight:This means the weight of a motor
vehicle with standard and optional equipment
including the maximum capacity of fuel, oil, and
coolant, but without passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings:A code molded into the sidewall
of a tire signifying that the tire is in compliance
with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
motor vehicle safety standards. The DOT code
includes the Tire Identication Number (TIN),
an alphanumeric designator which can also identify
the tire manufacturer, production plant, brand,
and date of production.
GVWR:Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. See
Loading Your Vehicle on page 286.
GAWR FRT:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the
front axle. SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 286.
374

Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes at, avoid further tire and wheel
damage by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on
your hazard warning ashers. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 158for more
information.
{CAUTION:
Changing a tire can be dangerous. The
vehicle can slip off the jack and roll over
or fall on you or other people. You and
they could be badly injured or even killed.
Find a level place to change your tire. To
help prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake rmly.
2. Put an automatic transmission shift
lever in PARK (P), or shift a manual
transmission to FIRST (1) or
REVERSE (R).
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
3. If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle,
be sure the transfer case is in a drive
gear – not in NEUTRAL.
4. Turn off the engine and do not restart
while the vehicle is raised.
5. Do not allow passengers to remain in
the vehicle.
To be even more certain the vehicle will not
move, put blocks at the front and rear of
the tire farthest away from the one being
changed. That would be the tire on the
other side, at the opposite end of the
vehicle.
394