light GMC CANYON 2008 Owner's Guide

Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use the high-beam headlamps to
signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass.
It works even if the headlamps are in the automatic
position.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever toward you, then
release it.
If your headlamps are in the automatic position or on
low beam, your high-beam headlamps will turn on. They
will stay on as long as you hold the lever toward you.
The high-beam indicator on the instrument panel cluster
will come on. Release the lever to return to normal
operation.
Windshield Wipers
You control the windshield wipers by turning the band
with the wiper symbol on it.
The windshield wipers work in all ignition positions,
except off. This includes the Retained Access Power
mode. SeeRetained Accessory Power (RAP) on
page 2-21.
8(Mist):For a single wiping cycle, turn the band to
mist. Hold it there until the wipers start. Then let go.
The wipers will stop after one wipe. If you want
more wipes, hold the band on mist longer.
N(Delay):You can set the wiper speed for a long or
short delay between wipes. This can be very useful in
light rain or snow. Turn the band to choose the delay
time. The closer to the top of the lever, the shorter the
delay.
6(Low Speed):For steady wiping at low speed,
turn the band away from you to the rst solid position
past the delay settings.
1(High Speed):For high-speed wiping, turn the
band to the second solid position past the delay settings.
9(Off):To stop the wipers, move the band to off.
Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades
before using them. If they’re frozen to the windshield,
carefully loosen or thaw them. If your blades do become
worn or damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.
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Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control will work on hills depends
upon the vehicle speed, load, and the steepness of the
hills. When going up steep hills, you might want to step
on the accelerator pedal to maintain the vehicle speed.
When going downhill, you might have to brake or shift to
a lower gear to keep the vehicle speed down. Of course,
applying the brake turns off the cruise control. Many
drivers nd this to be too much trouble and do not use
cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
To turn off the cruise control, do one of the following:
Step lightly on the brake pedal.
Move the cruise control lever to off.
Lightly tap or press the clutch, if you have a manual
transmission.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
the cruise control set speed memory is erased.
Exterior Lamps
The control on the driver’s side of the instrument panel
operates the exterior lamps.
O(Exterior Lamps):Turn the knob, located to the
right of this symbol, to choose one of the four exterior
lamp positions.
O(Off):Turn the knob to this position to turn off
all exterior lamps including the Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL).
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AUTO:Turn the knob to this position to automatically
turn on the headlamps at normal brightness, together
with the following:
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
Parking Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
SeeAutomatic Headlamp System on page 3-15for
more information.
;(Parking Lamps):Turn the knob to this position to
turn on the parking lamps, together with the following:
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
2(Headlamps):Turn the knob to this position to turn
on the headlamps, together with the previously listed
lamps and lights.
Push the turn signal/multifunction lever toward the
instrument panel to switch the headlamps from low to
high beam.
Headlamps on Reminder
If a door is open, a reminder chime will sound when
the headlamps or parking lamps are manually turned
on and your key is out of the ignition. To turn off
the chime, turn the headlamp switch to off and then
back on. In the automatic mode, the headlamps turn
off once the ignition is in LOCK.
If your vehicle was rst sold in Canada and the parking
lamps are turned on manually, the Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) will stay on.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving conditions,
but they can be especially helpful in the short periods
after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional daytime
running lamps are required on all vehicles rst sold in
Canada.
The DRL system will come on when the following
conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamps control is in AUTO.
The transmission is not in PARK (P) if you have an
automatic transmission.
The light sensor determines it is daytime.
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Your vehicle will have either the parking lamps or
reduced intensity low beams used as the DRL.
When the DRL are on, only those lamps will be on.
The taillamps, sidemarkers, and other lamps will not
be on. The instrument panel will not be lit up either.
When it begins to get dark, the headlamps will
automatically switch from DRL to the regular headlamps.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, the automatic headlamp
system will turn on after the transmission has been
shifted from PARK (P) to DRIVE (D). The headlamps,
taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps, roof marker lamps,
and the instrument panel lights will turn on at normal
brightness. The radio lights will become more dim when
the headlights are off compared to when the headlights
are on.
Your vehicle has a light sensor located on the top of
the instrument panel. Be sure it is not covered, or
the system will be on whenever the ignition is on.The system may also turn on the headlamps when
driving through a parking garage, heavy overcast
weather, or a tunnel. This is normal.
There is a delay in the transition between the daytime and
nighttime operation of the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
and the automatic headlamp system so that driving under
bridges or bright overhead street lights does not affect the
system. The DRL and automatic headlamp system will
only be affected when the light sensor detects a change
in lighting lasting longer than the delay.
If you start your vehicle in a dark garage, the automatic
headlamp system will come on immediately. Once you
leave the garage, it will take about one minute for the
automatic headlamp system to change to DRL if it is light
outside. During that delay, the instrument panel cluster
may not be as bright as usual. Make sure the instrument
panel brightness control is in the full bright position.
SeeInstrument Panel Brightness on page 3-17.
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Fog Lamps
If your vehicle has fog lamps, you can use them for
better vision in foggy or misty conditions. Your parking
lamps and/or low-beam headlamps must be on for
your fog lamps to work.
The fog lamp button is
located near the exterior
lamps control.
Press the button to turn the fog lamps on while the
headlamps or parking lamps are on. Press the button
again to turn them off. An indicator light will glow in the
button when the fog lamps are on.
Remember, fog lamps alone will not give off as much
light as your headlamps. Never use your fog lamps
in the dark without turning on the headlamps.
The fog lamps will go off whenever your high-beam
headlamps come on. When the high beams go off,
the fog lamps will come on again.
Some localities have laws that require the headlamps to
be on along with the fog lamps.
Exterior Cargo Lamps
The cargo lamps can be used if more light is needed in
the cargo area of the 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.
The dome lamps must be on for the 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 3-13for additional information on location.
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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. The instrument panel lights, cluster,
and radio display do not dim to complete darkness. The
instrument panel light brightness control will only work if
the headlamps or parking lamps are on. SeeExterior
Lamps on page 3-13.
Dome Lamp
The dome and footwell lamps come on when any door
is opened. The dome lamps are located in the cargo
and front area of the vehicle.
The dome and footwell lamps can be turned on by
turning the thumbwheel, located next to the exterior
lamps control, all the way up. In this position, the
lamps remain on whether a door is opened or closed.
Dome Lamp Override
E(Dome Lamp Override):You can use the
dome override button, located below the exterior lamps
control, to set the dome and footwell lamps to come on
automatically when a door is opened, or to remain off.
To turn the lamps off, press the button into the in position.
With the button in this position, the dome lamps will
remain off when the doors are open. To return the lamps
to automatic operation, press the button again and return
it to the out position. With the button in this position, the
dome lamps will come on when you open a door.
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.
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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.
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
The accessory power outlets can be used to connect
electrical equipment such as a cellular phone or
CB radio.
Your vehicle may have two accessory power outlets
located on the lower part of the instrument panel below
the climate control system and there may be one located
on the rear of the center console. A small cap must be
pulled down to access an accessory power outlet.
When not using an outlet be sure to cover it with the
protective cap.
Notice:Leaving electrical equipment on for
extended periods will drain the battery. Always
unplug electrical equipment when not in use and do
not plug in equipment that exceeds the maximum
amperage rating of 20 amperes.
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Certain electrical accessories may not be compatible with
the accessory power outlet and could result in blown
vehicle or adapter fuses. If you experience a problem,
see your dealer/retailer for additional information on
accessory power outlets.
Notice:Adding any electrical equipment to your
vehicle may damage it or keep other components
from working as they should. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Do not use equipment
exceeding maximum amperage rating of 20 amperes.
Check with your dealer/retailer before adding
electrical equipment.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow
the proper installation instructions included with
the equipment.
Notice:Improper use of the power outlet can cause
damage not covered by your warranty. Do not hang
any type of accessory or accessory bracket from the
plug because the power outlets are designed for
accessory power plugs only.Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter
Your vehicle may have a removable ashtray and
cigarette lighter.
The ashtray is located in the center console area.
The ashtray can be removed for cleaning. When the
ashtray is removed, this area can also be used as
a cupholder.
Notice:If you put papers, pins, or other ammable
items in the ashtray, hot cigarettes or other smoking
materials could ignite them and possibly damage
your vehicle. Never put ammable items in the
ashtray.
To use the lighter, press it in all the way, and let go.
When it is ready, it will pop back out by itself.
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it is
heating does not let the lighter back away from
the heating element when it is hot. Damage from
overheating can occur to the lighter or heating
element, or a fuse could be blown. Do not hold
a cigarette lighter in while it is heating.
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Mode Buttons
@
(Recirculation):Press this button to turn the
recirculation mode on or off. An indicator light on the
button comes on to show that the recirculation mode is
activated. This mode recirculates air inside the cabin,
and prevents outside air from coming in the vehicle.
It can be used to cool the air inside the vehicle
more quickly.
Recirculation is only available and should only be used in
the bi-level and vent modes. Recirculation is not available
while in heat, oor, oor/defog, or defrost modes. If your
try to select recirculation while in one of those modes, the
indicator light will not come on or ash.
#(Air Conditioning):Press this button to turn the
air conditioning system on or off. An indicator light on
the button comes on to show that the air conditioning
is activated. When the system is on, this setting
cools and dehumidies the air entering the vehicle.
The air conditioning will not function if the fan is
turned off.
You may notice a slight change in engine performance
when the air conditioning compressor shuts off and
turns on again. This is normal. The system is designed
to make adjustments to help with fuel economy while
still maintaining the selected temperature.
The air conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so a small amount of water might drip underneath
the vehicle while idling or after turning off the engine.
This is normal.
3-21

Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages
that may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help
you locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something
is wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention
to your warning lights and gages could also save you
or others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you
will see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briey when you start the engine
just to let you know they are working. If you are familiar
with this section, you should not be alarmed when this
happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when there
is a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual’s advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly — and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning
lights and gages. They are a big help.
Your vehicle has a DIC that works along with the
warning lights and gages. SeeDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 3-38for more information.
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