parking brake GMC CANYON 2012 Owner's Guide

Black plate (43,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-43
To release the parking brake,
hold the regular brake pedal down.
Pull the bottom edge of the lever,
located above the parking brake
pedal, with the parking brake
symbol, directly rearward to
release the parking brake.
If the ignition is on when the parking
brake is released, the brake system
warning light will go off.
Notice:Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the brake
system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system
parts. Make sure that the parking
brake is fully released and the
brake warning light is off before
driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are
parking on any hill, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips on
page 9‑54.Brake Assist
This vehicle has a brake assist
feature designed to assist the driver
in stopping or decreasing vehicle
speed in emergency driving
conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake
control module to supplement the
power brake system under
conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle.
The stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates. Minor brake pedal pulsation or
pedal movement during this time is
normal and the driver should
continue to apply the brake pedal
as the driving situation dictates.
The brake assist feature will
automatically disengage when the
brake pedal is released or brake
pedal pressure is quickly
decreased.

Black plate (57,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-57
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, consider the
following: Engine coolant will boil at
a lower temperature than at normal
altitudes. If the engine is turned off
immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the
vehicle may show signs similar to
engine overheating. To avoid this,
let the engine run while parked,
preferably on level ground, with an
automatic transmission in P (Park)
or a manual transmission in
N (Neutral) with the parking brake
applied, for a few minutes before
turning the engine off. If the
overheat warning comes on, see
Engine Overheating on page 10‑23.Parking on Hills
{WARNING
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet for
vehicles with an automatic
transmission, or into gear for
vehicles with a manual
transmission. Turn the wheels
into the curb if facing downhill or
into traffic if facing uphill. 2. Have someone place chocks
under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the brake pedal
until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift
into P (Park) for vehicles with an
automatic transmission or into
gear for vehicles with a manual
transmission.
5. If the vehicle has four-wheel-drive, be sure the
transfer case is in a drive gear
and not in N (Neutral). See
Four-Wheel Drive on page 10‑30
for more information.
6. Release the brake pedal.

Black plate (58,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
9-58 Driving and Operating
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedalwhile you:
.Start the engine
.Shift into a gear
.Release the parking brake
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer.
See Maintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3 or the Index for more
information. Things that are
especially important in trailer
operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle
lubricant, belts, cooling system and
brake system. It is a good idea to
inspect these before and during
the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Trailer Towing
{WARNING
The driver can lose control when
pulling a trailer if the correct
equipment is not used or the
vehicle is not driven properly.
For example, if the trailer is too
heavy, the brakes may not work
well —or even at all. The driver
and passengers could be
seriously injured. The vehicle may
also be damaged; the resulting
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Pull a trailer
only if all the steps in this section
have been followed. Ask your
dealer for advice and information
about towing a trailer with the
vehicle.

Black plate (14,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
10-14 Vehicle Care
Checking the Fluid Level
To prepare the vehicle:
1. Park the vehicle on a levelplace. Keep the engine running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever in P (Park).
3. With 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 P (Park).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more. Then, without shutting off the
engine:
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
side of the vehicle.
See Engine Compartment
Overview on page 10‑6 for more
information on location.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds, and pull it back
out again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick,
and read the lower level. The
fluid 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 fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then
flip the handle down to lock the
dipstick in place.

Black plate (32,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
10-32 Vehicle Care
Rear Axle
When to Check and Change
Lubricant
It is not necessary to regularly
check rear axle fluid unless there is
a leak suspected or an unusual
noise is heard. A fluid loss could
indicate a problem. Have it
inspected and repaired.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the
vehicle should be on a level
surface.The proper level is from 0 mm to
10 mm (0 to 3/8 in) below the bottom
of the fill plug hole, located on the
rear axle.
What to Use
See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑13 to
determine which kind of lubricant
to use.
Starter Switch Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. 2. Firmly apply both the parking
brake and the regular brake.
See Parking Brake on
page 9‑42.
Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it
starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The vehicle should start
only in P (Park) or N (Neutral).
If the vehicle starts in any other
position, contact your dealer for
service.

Black plate (33,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-33
Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control
Function Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.1. Before starting this check, be
sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. It should be
parked on a level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. See Parking Brake on
page 9‑42.
Be ready to apply the regular
brake immediately if the vehicle
begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition on, but do not start the
engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the
shift lever out of P (Park) with
normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of P (Park), contact
your dealer for service.
Ignition Transmission
Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking
brake set, try to turn the ignition to
LOCK/OFF in each shift lever
position.
.The ignition should turn to
LOCK/OFF only when the shift
lever is in P (Park).
.The ignition key should come
out only in LOCK/OFF.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.

Black plate (34,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
10-34 Vehicle Care
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this check,
the vehicle could begin to move.
You or others could be injured
and property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in front
of the vehicle in case it begins to
roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping
your foot on the regular brake, set
the parking brake.
.To check the parking brake's
holding ability: With the engine
running and the transmission in
N (Neutral), slowly remove foot
pressure from the regular brake
pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
.To check the P (Park)
mechanism's holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to
P (Park). Then release the
parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Contact your dealer if service
is required.
Wiper Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be
inspected for wear and cracking.
See Maintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3 for more information.
Replacement blades come in
different types and are removed in
different ways. For proper type
and length, see Maintenance
Replacement Parts on page 11‑15.
Allowing the wiper blade arm to
touch the windshield when no wiper
blade is installed could damage the
windshield. Any damage that occurs
would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Do not allow the wiper
blade arm to touch the windshield.
1. To remove the old wiper blades, lift the wiper arm until it locks
into a vertical position.

Black plate (44,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
10-44 Vehicle Care
FusesUsage
RT HDLP Passenger Side
Headlamp
RVC Regulated Voltage
Control
S/ROOF Not Used
STOP Stop Lamps
STRTR Starter Solenoid
Relay
TBC Truck Body
Controller
TCM Transmission
Control Module
TCCM Transfer Case
Control Module Fuses
Usage
TRAILER
BRAKE Trailer Brake
TRANS Transmission
Solenoid
TRN/
HAZRD FRT Turn/Hazard/
Courtesy/Cargo
Lamps/Mirrors
TRN/
HAZRD
REAR Rear Turn/Hazard
Lights
VSES/STOP Vehicle Stability
Enhancement
System/Stop
WPR Wiper
WSW Wiper/Washer
Switch Relays
Usage
A/C
CMPRSR Air Conditioning
Compressor
Backup Lamp Backup Lamp
BEAM SEL Beam Selection
DRL Daylight Running
Lamps
FOG/LAMP Fog Lamps
(If Equipped)
HDLP Headlamps
HORN Horn
IGN 3 HVAC Ignition 3, Climate
Control, Climate
Control Head
Fuse, Power
Seat Fuse
PRK/LAMP Front Parking
Lamp Fuse, Rear
Parking Lamps

Black plate (60,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
10-60 Vehicle Care
The malfunction light and the DIC
message should go off at the next
ignition cycle. The sensors are
matched to the tire/wheel positions,
using a TPMS relearn tool, in the
following order: driver side front tire,
passenger side front tire, passenger
side rear tire, and driver side rear.
See your dealer for service or to
purchase a relearn tool.
There is one minute to match the
first tire/wheel position, and
five minutes overall to match all
four tire/wheel positions. If it takes
longer, the matching process stops
and must be restarted.
The TPMS sensor matching
procedure is:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN withthe engine off.
3. Turn the exterior lamp switch from AUTO to OFF four times
within three seconds. A double
horn chirp will sound and the
TPMS low tire warning light starts flashing. The double horn
chirp and flashing TPMS
warning light indicates the TPMS
matching process has started.
The TPMS warning light should
continue flashing throughout the
matching procedure. The LOW
TIRE message displays on the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
4. Start with the driver side front tire.
5. Place the relearn tool against the tire sidewall, near the valve
stem. Then press the button to
activate the TPMS sensor.
A horn chirp confirms that the
sensor identification code has
been matched to this tire and
wheel position.
6. Proceed to the passenger side front tire, and repeat the
procedure in Step 5.
7. Proceed to the passenger side rear tire, and repeat the
procedure in Step 5. 8. Proceed to the driver side rear
tire, and repeat the procedure in
Step 5.
9. After hearing the confirming horn chirp for the driver side rear tire,
check to see if the TPMS low tire
warning light and the DIC LOW
TIRE messages have turned off.
If yes, the TPMS sensors have
been relearned. Turn the ignition
switch to LOCK/OFF.
If the low tire warning light and
the SERV TPM message on the
DIC are on after completing
Step 5 for the driver side rear
tire, the sensor relearn process
has not been successful. Turn
the ignition to LOCK/OFF and
repeat the matching process
beginning with Step 2.
10. Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure
level as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information label.

Black plate (63,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-63
SeeTire Inspection on page 10‑61
and Tire Rotation on page 10‑61 for
additional information.
The rubber in tires ages over time.
This also applies to the spare tire,
if the vehicle has one, even if it is
never used. Multiple conditions
including temperatures, loading
conditions, and inflation pressure
maintenance affect how fast aging
takes place. Tires will typically need
to be replaced due to wear before
they may need to be replaced
due to age. Consult the tire
manufacturer for more information
on when tires should be replaced.Vehicle Storage
Tires age when stored normally
mounted on a parked vehicle. Park
a vehicle that will be stored for at
least a month in a cool, dry, clean
area away from direct sunlight to
slow aging. This area should be
free of grease, gasoline or other
substances that can deteriorate
rubber.
Parking for an extended period can
cause flat spots on the tires that
may result in vibrations while
driving. When storing a vehicle for
at least a month, remove the tires or
raise the vehicle to reduce the
weight from the tires.
Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched
specific tires for the vehicle. The
original equipment tires installed
were designed to meet General
Motors Tire Performance Criteria
Specification (TPC Spec) system
rating. When replacement tires are
needed, GM strongly recommends
buying tires with the same TPC
Spec rating.
GM's exclusive TPC Spec system
considers over a dozen critical
specifications that impact the
overall performance of the
vehicle, including brake system
performance, ride and handling,
traction control, and tire pressure
monitoring performance. GM's TPC
Spec number is molded onto the
tire's sidewall near the tire size.
If the tires have an all‐season tread
design, the TPC Spec number will
be followed by MS for mud and
snow. See Tire Sidewall Labeling on
page 10‑49 for additional
information.