traction control GMC CANYON 2009 Owner's Manual

Vehicle Symbols
The vehicle has components and labels that use
symbols instead of text. Symbols are shown along
with the text describing the operation or information
relating to a specic component, control, message,
gage, or indicator.
M:This symbol is shown when you need to see your
owner manual for additional instructions or information.
*:This symbol is shown when you need to see a
service manual for additional instructions or information.
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols that may be found on
the vehicle and what they mean. For more information
on the symbol, refer to the index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel Controls or OnStar®
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gage
+:Fuses
i:Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
j:LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
iv

Up-Shift Light
This light will show you
when to shift to the next
higher gear for best
fuel economy.
When this light comes on, you can shift to the next
higher gear if weather, road and traffic conditions permit.
For the best fuel economy, accelerate slowly and shift
when the light comes on.
While you accelerate, it is normal for the light to go on
and off if you quickly change the position of the
accelerator. Ignore the shift light when you downshift.
If the vehicle has four-wheel drive and has a manual
transmission, disregard the shift light when the transfer
case is in four-wheel low.
Shift Speeds
{CAUTION:
If you skip a gear when you downshift, you could
lose control of the vehicle. You could injure
yourself or others. Do not shift down more than
one gear at a time when you downshift.
Four-Wheel Drive
If the vehicle has four-wheel drive, you can send the
engine’s driving power to all four wheels for extra
traction. To get the best performance out of four-wheel
drive, you must be familiar with its operation. Read this
section before using four-wheel drive. You should use
two-wheel-drive high for most normal driving conditions.
Notice:Driving on clean, dry pavement in
four-wheel drive for an extended period of time can
cause premature wear on the vehicle’s powertrain.
Do not drive on clean, dry pavement in Four-Wheel
Drive for extended periods of time.
2-26

Notice:If the vehicle has four-wheel drive and the
different size spare tire is installed on the vehicle, do
not drive in four-wheel drive until you can have your
at tire repaired and/or replaced. You could damage
the vehicle, and the repair costs would not be
covered by your warranty. Never use four-wheel drive
when the different size spare tire is installed on the
vehicle.
Notice:If the vehicle has four-wheel drive and the
compact spare tire is installed on the vehicle, do not
drive in four-wheel drive until you can have the at
tire repaired and/or replaced. You could damage the
vehicle, and the repair costs would not be covered by
your warranty. Never use four-wheel drive when the
compact spare tire is installed on the vehicle.
The transfer case buttons are located to the right of the
steering wheel on the instrument panel.Recommended Transfer Case Settings
Driving ConditionsTransfer Case Settings
2m4m4nN
Normal YES
Severe YES
Extreme YES
Vehicle in Tow* YES
*SeeRecreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-41or
Towing Your Vehicle on page 4-40for further
information.
Shifting into Four-Wheel Low will turn Traction Control
and StabiliTrak
®off. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 4-8andStabiliTrak®System on page 4-6for
more information.
2-27

Use these buttons to shift into and out of four-wheel
drive. You can choose from the following:
2
m(Two-Wheel High):This setting is for driving in
most street and highway situations. The front axle is not
engaged in two-wheel drive.
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to Neutral can cause
the vehicle to roll even if the transmission is in
P (Park), or if you have a manual transmission,
even if you are in gear. You or someone else
could be seriously injured. Be sure to set the
parking brake before placing the transfer case in
Neutral. SeeParking Brake on page 2-31.
N (Neutral):Shift the vehicle’s transfer case to
N (Neutral) only when towing the vehicle.
4
m(Four-Wheel High):This setting engages the front
axle to help drive the vehicle. Use four-wheel high
when you need extra traction, such as on snowy or icy
roads, or in most off-road situations.4
n(Four-Wheel Low):This setting also engages the
front axle to give you extra traction. It sends the
maximum power to all four wheels. You might choose
four-wheel low if you were driving off-road in sand, mud,
or deep snow and while climbing or descending
steep hills.
Shifting into Four-Wheel Low will turn Traction Control
and StabiliTrak
®off. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 4-8andStabiliTrak®System on page 4-6for
more information.
Indicator lights in the buttons show you which setting
you are in. The indicator lights will come on briey when
you turn on the ignition and one will stay on the
selected setting. If the lights do not come on, you should
take the vehicle in for service. An indicator light will
ash while shifting. It will stay on when the shift
is completed.
If the transfer case does not shift, it will return to the
last chosen setting.
2-28

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Horn .............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-7
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-8
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-8
Windshield Washer.........................................3-9
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-12
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-13
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-13
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-14
Fog Lamps ..................................................3-14
Exterior Cargo Lamps....................................3-15
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-15
Dome Lamp .................................................3-15
Dome Lamp Override....................................3-16
Exit Lighting.................................................3-16
Electric Power Management...........................3-16Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-17
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-17
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-18
Climate Controls............................................3-18
Climate Control System.................................3-18
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-20
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-20
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-21
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-22
Trip Odometer..............................................3-22
Tachometer.................................................3-22
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-23
Airbag Readiness Light.................................
.3-24
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-25
Charging System Light..................................3-26
Up-Shift Light...............................................3-26
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-27
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light...........................................3-28
StabiliTrak
®/Traction Control System
(TCS) Warning Light..................................3-28
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Cruise Control
With cruise control, a speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h)
or more can be maintained without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. Cruise control does not work
at speeds below about 25 mph (40 km/h).
Cruise control will not work if the parking brake is set, or
if the master cylinder brake uid level is low.
If the brakes are applied, the cruise control shuts off.
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you cannot
drive safely at a steady speed. So, do not use the
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 excessive wheel slip, and you could lose
control. Do not use cruise control on slippery roads.
If the vehicle’s StabiliTrak
®/Traction Control System
(TCS) begins to limit wheel spin while the cruise control
is on, the cruise control automatically disengages.SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6orTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-8. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, the cruise
control can be turned back on.
These controls are located at the end of the
multifunction lever.
9(Off):Turns the system off.
R(On):Turns the system on.
+ (Resume/Accelerate):Use to make the vehicle
accelerate or resume a previously set speed.
rT(Set):Press the button at the end of the lever
to set the speed.
3-10

Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) light comes on
briey when the engine is
started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off. If the light
comes on while driving, stop as soon as it is safely
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the ABS light stays on,
or comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light is not
on, the vehicle still has brakes, but not antilock brakes.
If the regular brake system warning light is also on,
the vehicle does not have antilock brakes and there is a
problem with the regular brakes. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 3-27.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-38for all
brake related DIC messages.
StabiliTrak®/Traction Control
System (TCS) Warning Light
The StabiliTrak and
Traction Control System
(TCS) indicator/warning
light comes on briey while
starting the engine.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
The light ashes while the StabiliTrak system and TCS
are working to assist the driver with directional control
of the vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
If the StabiliTrak system and TCS light comes on and
stays on while driving and a TRACTION FAULT or
SERVICE STAB SYS message displays on the DIC,
the vehicle needs service.
The light also comes on steady when the StabiliTrak
system and/or TCS are turned off. The DIC also displays
a TRAC OFF and/or STAB SYS OFF message. If the
TCS is off, wheel spin is not limited. If the StabiliTrak
system is off, the system does not assist the driver with
directional control of the vehicle. The light turns off when
the TCS and StabiliTrak system are turned back on.
3-28

SeeStabiliTrak®System on page 4-6,Traction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-8andDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-38for more information.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the
engine coolant
temperature.
If the gage pointer is near the top of the gage, the
engine is too hot. It means that the engine coolant has
overheated. If the vehicle has been operating under
normal driving conditions, pull the vehicle off the road,
stop the vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as
possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-32for more
information.
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with a tire
pressure light, this light
comes on briey when the
engine is started and
provides information about
tire pressures and the
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System.
When the Light is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of the tires is signicantly
underinated.
A tire pressure message in the Driver Information Center
(DIC), can accompany the light. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-38for more information. Stop and
check the tires as soon as it is safe to do so. If a tire is
underinated, inate to the proper pressure. SeeTires on
page 5-54for more information.
When the Light Flashes First and Then is
On Steady
This indicates that there could be a problem with the
Tire Pressure Monitor System. The light ashes for
about a minute and stays on steady for the remainder of
the ignition cycle. This sequence repeats with every
ignition cycle. SeeTire Pressure Monitor System
on page 5-63for more information.
3-29

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. SeeCharging System Light on page 3-26.
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/retailer.
Press and release the reset stem to acknowledge the
message and clear it from the display.
SERVICE STAB (Stability) SYS
(System)
This message displays if there is a problem with the
StabiliTrak system. Have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6
for more information.
STAB (Stability) SYS (System) OFF
This message displays when the StabiliTrak system is
turned off. SeeStabiliTrak®System on page 4-6for
more information.
TRAC (Traction) OFF
This message displays when the Traction Control
System (TCS) is turned off by pressing the StabiliTrak
button. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6for more
information.
TRACTION FAULT
This message will display if there is a problem with the
TCS. Have your vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-8for
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.
3-41

Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle............4-2
Driving for Better Fuel Economy.......................4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunk Driving.................................................4-3
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-3
Braking.........................................................4-4
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................4-5
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-6
StabiliTrak
®System........................................4-6
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-8
Limited-Slip Rear Axle.....................................4-9
Steering........................................................4-9
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-11
Passing.......................................................4-11
Loss of Control.............................................4-11
Off-Road Driving...........................................4-12
Driving at Night............................................4-25Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-26
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-27
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-27
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-28
Winter Driving..............................................4-29
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.............................................4-31
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-32
Recovery Hooks...........................................4-32
Loading the Vehicle......................................4-33
Truck-Camper Loading Information..................4-40
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab..................4-40
Towing..........................................................4-40
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-40
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-41
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-47
Trailer Recommendations...............................4-57
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1