automatic transmission GMC CANYON 2012 Owner's Guide

Black plate (9,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-9
A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑17.
B. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped). See Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 10‑17.
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid on
page 10‑26.
D. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. See Engine Coolant on
page 10‑19.
E. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick (If Equipped). See
“Checking the Fluid Level”
under Automatic Transmission
Fluid on page 10‑13. F. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
“Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 10‑9.
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 10‑9.
H. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid on page 10‑28.
I. Battery on page 10‑30.
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power Steering Fluid on
page 10‑25.
K. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10‑41.
L. Radiator Pressure Cap. See Cooling System on page 10‑18.Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.Always use engine oil approved
to the proper specification and of
the proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
.Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
.Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System on page 10‑12.
.Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.

Black plate (13,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-13
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
When to Check and Change
Automatic Transmission Fluid
A good time to check the automatic
transmission fluid level is when the
engine oil is changed.
Change the fluid and filter at the
intervals listed inMaintenance
Schedule on page 11‑3, and be sure
to use the transmission fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑13.
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Because this operation can be a
little difficult, it may be decided to
have this done at the dealer service
department.
If not taken to the dealer, be sure
to follow all the instructions here,
or a false reading on the dipstick
could result. Notice:
Too much or too
little fluid can damage the
transmission. Too much can
mean that some of the fluid could
come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts,
starting a fire. Too little fluid
could cause the transmission to
overheat. Be sure to get an
accurate reading if checking the
transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before
checking the transmission fluid level
if the vehicle has been driven:
.When outside temperatures are
above 32°C (90°F).
.At high speed for quite a while.
.In heavy traffic —especially in
hot weather.
.While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid
should be at normal operating
temperature, which is 82°C to 93°C
(180°F to 200°F). Get the vehicle warmed up by
driving about 24 km (15 mi) when
outside temperatures are above
10°C (50°F). If it is colder than 10°C
(50°F), drive the vehicle in 3 (Third)
until the engine temperature gauge
moves and then remains steady for
10 minutes.
A cold fluid 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 five minutes if outside
temperatures are 10°C (50°F) or
more. If it is colder than 10°C
(50°F), the engine may have to idle
longer. Should the fluid level be low
during this cold check, check the
fluid hot before adding fluid.
Checking the fluid hot gives a more
accurate reading of the fluid level.

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 (15,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-15
How to Add Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine what kind of
transmission fluid to use.
SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑13.
Add fluid only after checking the
transmission fluid while it is hot.
A cold check is used only as a
reference. If the fluid level is low,
add only enough of the proper fluid
to bring the level up to the HOT area
for a hot check. It does not take
much fluid, generally less than
0.5 L (1 pt). Do not overfill.
Notice: Use of the incorrect
automatic transmission fluid may
damage the vehicle, and the
damages may not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Always use
the automatic transmission fluid
listed in Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11‑13.
.After adding fluid, recheck the
fluid level as described under
“How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid,” earlier in
this section.
.When the correct fluid level is
obtained, push the dipstick back
in all the way; then flip the
handle down to lock the dipstick
in place.
Manual Transmission
Fluid
When to Check
A good time to check the manual
transmission fluid is when the
engine oil is changed. However, the
fluid in the manual transmission
does not require changing.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a
little difficult, it may be decided to
have this done at the dealer service
department.
If not taken to the dealer, be sure to
follow all the instructions here, or a
false reading on the dipstick could
result.
Notice: Too much or too
little fluid can damage the
transmission. Too little fluid
could cause the transmission to
overheat. Be sure to get an
accurate reading if checking the
transmission fluid.

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 (51,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-51
Tire Designations
Tire Size
The following is an example of a
typical passenger vehicle
tire size.
(A) Passenger (P‐Metric) Tire:
The United States version of a
metric tire sizing system. The
letter P as the first character in
the tire size means a passenger
vehicle tire engineered to
standards set by the U.S. Tire
and Rim Association.
(B) Tire Width
:The three‐digit
number indicates the tire section
width in millimeters from
sidewall to sidewall. (C) Aspect Ratio
:A two‐digit
number that indicates the tire
height‐to‐width measurements.
For example, if the tire size
aspect ratio is 60, as shown in
item C of the illustration, it would
mean that the tire's sidewall is
60 percent as high as it is wide.
(D) Construction Code
:
A letter code is used to indicate
the type of ply construction in
the tire. The letter R means
radial ply construction; the
letter D means diagonal or bias
ply construction; and the letter B
means belted‐bias ply
construction.
(E) Rim Diameter
:Diameter of
the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description
:These
characters represent the load
index and speed rating of the
tire. The load index represents
the load carrying capacity a tire is certified to carry. The speed
rating is the maximum speed a
tire is certified to carry a load.
Tire Terminology and
Definitions
Air Pressure:The amount of
air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch
of the tire. Air pressure is
expressed in kPa (kilopascal)
or psi (pounds per square inch).
Accessory Weight
:The
combined weight of optional
accessories. Some examples of
optional accessories are
automatic transmission, power
steering, power brakes, power
windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio
:The relationship
of a tire's height to its width.

Black plate (70,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
10-70 Vehicle Care
{WARNING
Changing a tire can be
dangerous. The vehicle can slip
off the jack and roll over or fall
causing injury or death. Find a
level place to change the tire.
To help prevent the vehicle
from moving:1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put an automatic transmission in P (Park) or a
manual transmission in
1 (First) or R (Reverse).
3. For four-wheel-drive vehicles, be sure the
transfer case is in a drive
gear– not in N (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.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
6. Place wheel blocks on bothsides of the tire at the
opposite corner of the tire
being changed.
When the vehicle has a flat tire (B),
use the following example as a
guide to assist in the placement of
the wheel blocks (A).
A. Wheel Block
B. Flat Tire
The following information explains
how to use the jack and change
a tire.
Tire Changing
Removing the Spare Tire
and Tools
A. Wing Nut
B. Storage Bag and Tools
The tools are located under the right
front passenger seat.
1. Move the seat all the way forward to locate the tool bag.
2. Turn the wing nut (A) counterclockwise to release the
tool bag (B).

Black plate (87,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-87
Jump Starting
For more information about the
vehicle battery, seeBattery on
page 10‑30.
If the vehicle battery has run down,
you may want to use another
vehicle and some jumper cables to
start your vehicle. Be sure to use
the following steps to do it safely.
{WARNING
Batteries can hurt you. They can
be dangerous because:
.They contain acid that can
burn you.
.They contain gas that can
explode or ignite.
.They contain enough
electricity to burn you.
If you do not follow these steps
exactly, some or all of these
things can hurt you. Notice:
Ignoring these steps
could result in costly damage to
the vehicle that would not be
covered by the warranty.
Trying to start the vehicle by
pushing or pulling it will not
work, and it could damage the
vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must
have a 12‐volt battery with a
negative ground system.
Notice: Only use a vehicle that
has a 12-volt system with a
negative ground for jump
starting. If the other vehicle does
not have a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles
can be damaged.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables can reach,
but be sure the vehicles are not
touching each other. If they are,
it could cause a ground
connection you do not want. You
would not be able to start your vehicle, and the bad grounding
could damage the electrical
systems.
To avoid the possibility of the
vehicles rolling, set the parking
brake firmly on both vehicles
involved in the jump start
procedure. Put an automatic
transmission in P (Park) 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 any accessories are left
on or plugged in during the jump
starting procedure, they could be
damaged. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Whenever possible,
turn off or unplug all accessories
on either vehicle when jump
starting the vehicle.

Black plate (92,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
10-92 Vehicle Care
Dinghy Towing
Two-Wheel Drive Vehicles
Notice:If the vehicle is towed
with all four wheels on the
ground, the drivetrain
components could be damaged.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do not
tow the vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should
not be towed with all four wheels on
the ground. Two-wheel-drive transmissions have
no provisions for internal lubrication
while being towed.
Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles
Use the following procedure to
dinghy tow a four-wheel-drive
vehicle:
1. Position the vehicle being towed
behind the tow vehicle.
2. Put an automatic transmission in P (Park) or a manual
transmission in 1 (First). 3. Turn the engine off and firmly set
the parking brake. See Parking
Brake on page 9‑42.
4. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow vehicle.
{WARNING
Shifting a full‐time four‐wheel‐
drive vehicle's transfer case into
N (Neutral) can cause the vehicle
to roll even if the automatic
transmission is in P (Park) or the
manual transmission is in any
gear. You or others could be
injured. Make sure the parking
brake is firmly set before the
transfer case is shifted to
N (Neutral).
5. Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral). See “Shifting into
N (Neutral)” underFour-Wheel
Drive on page 10‑30.

Black plate (94,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
10-94 Vehicle Care
Front Towing (Front Wheels Off
the Ground)–Four-Wheel-Drive
Vehicles
Use the following procedure to dolly
tow a four-wheel-drive vehicle from
the front:
1. Attach the dolly to the tow
vehicle following the dolly
manufacturer's instructions.
2. Drive the front wheels onto the dolly.
3. Put an automatic transmission in P (Park) or a manual
transmission in 1 (First). 4. Turn the engine off and firmly set
the parking brake. See Parking
Brake on page 9‑42.
{WARNING
Shifting a full‐time four‐wheel‐
drive vehicle's transfer case into
N (Neutral) can cause the vehicle
to roll even if the automatic
transmission is in P (Park) or the
manual transmission is in any
gear. You or others could be
injured. Make sure the parking
brake is firmly set before the
transfer case is shifted to
N (Neutral).
5. Secure the vehicle to the dolly following the manufacturer's
instructions.
6. Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral). See “Shifting into
N (Neutral)” underFour-Wheel
Drive on page 10‑30. 7. Release the parking brake only
after the vehicle being towed is
firmly attached to the towing
vehicle.
8. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
After towing, see “Shifting Out of
N (Neutral)” underFour-Wheel Drive
on page 10‑30.
If the vehicle being towed will not be
started or driven for six weeks or
more, remove the battery cable from
the negative terminal (post) of the
battery to prevent the battery from
draining.