towing GMC CANYON 2012 Owner's Guide

Black plate (25,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-25
Engine Fan
This vehicle has a clutched engine
cooling fan. When the clutch is
engaged, the fan spins faster to
provide more air to cool the engine.
In most everyday driving conditions,
the clutch is not engaged. This
improves fuel economy and reduces
fan noise. Under heavy vehicle
loading, trailer towing and/or high
outside temperatures, the fan speed
increases when the clutch engages.
So you may hear an increase in fan
noise. This is normal and should not
be mistaken as the transmission
slipping or making extra shifts.
It is merely the cooling system
functioning properly. The fan will
slow down when additional cooling
is not required and the clutch
disengages.
This fan noise may also be heard
when the engine is started. It will go
away as the fan clutch disengages.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid reservoir is
located near the front of the engine
compartment, behind the radiator.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6 for reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering
Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly
check power steering fluid unless
there is a leak suspected in the
system or an unusual noise is
heard. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering
Fluid
1. Turn the key off and let the
engine compartment cool down.
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.
3. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
4. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
5. Then remove the cap again and look at the fluid level on the
dipstick.
The level should be between the
ADD and FULL marks. If necessary,
add only enough fluid to bring the
level up to the proper range.

Black plate (85,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-85
Compact Spare Tire
Your vehicle may have a compact
spare tire. Although the compact
spare tire was fully inflated when
your vehicle was new, it can lose air
over time. Check the inflation
pressure regularly. It should be
60 psi (420 kPa).
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 flat
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. After installing the compact spare
on your vehicle, you should stop as
soon as possible and make sure
your vehicle's spare tire is correctly
inflated. The compact spare is made
to perform well at speeds up to
62 mph (100 km/h) for distances up
to 500 miles (804 km). For heavy
payloads or towing, and for low
traction or four-wheel-drive
conditions, repair or replace the
full-size tire. Of course, it is best to
replace your vehicle's spare with a
full-size tire as soon as you can.
The spare tire will last longer and be
in good shape in case you need
it again.
Notice:
When the compact spare
is installed, do not take the
vehicle through an automatic
car wash with guide rails. The
compact spare can get caught on
the rails which can damage the
tire, wheel, and other parts of
the vehicle. Do not use your compact spare on
other vehicles.
And do not mix your compact spare
tire or wheel with other wheels or
tires. They will not fit. Keep your
spare tire and its wheel together.
Notice:
Tire chains will not fit the
compact spare. Using them can
damage the vehicle and can
damage the chains too. Do not
use tire chains on the compact
spare.

Black plate (86,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
10-86 Vehicle Care
Full-Size Spare Tire
Your vehicle may have a full-size
spare tire, which, when new, was
fully inflated. A spare tire may lose
air over time, so check its inflation
pressure regularly. SeeTire
Pressure on page 10‑54 and
Vehicle Load Limits on page 9‑18
for information regarding proper tire
inflation and loading your vehicle.
For instruction on how to remove,
install, or store a spare tire, see
“Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire” and
“Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and
Tools” underTire Changing on
page 10‑70. Your vehicle may have a different
size spare tire than the road tires
originally installed on your vehicle.
This spare was developed for use
on your vehicle, so it is alright to
drive on it. If your vehicle has
four-wheel drive and the different
size spare tire is installed, keep the
vehicle in two-wheel drive.
Notice:
If the vehicle has
four-wheel drive and a different
size spare tire is installed, do not
drive in four-wheel drive until the
flat tire is repaired and/or
replaced. The vehicle could be
damaged and the repairs would
not be covered by the warranty.
Never use four-wheel drive when
a different size spare tire is
installed on the vehicle.
After installing the spare tire on your
vehicle, you should stop as soon as
possible and make sure the spare is
correctly inflated. The spare tire is
made to perform well at speeds up
to 62 mph (100 km/h) for distances
up to 500 miles (804 km). For heavy payloads or towing, and
for low traction or four-wheel-drive
conditions, repair or replace the
full-size tire. Have the damaged or
flat road tire repaired or replaced as
soon as you can and installed back
onto your vehicle. This way, the
spare tire will be available in case
you need it again.
Do not mix tires and wheels of
different sizes, because they will not
fit. Keep your spare tire and its
wheel together.

Black plate (91,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-91
Towing
Towing the Vehicle
Notice:To avoid damage, the
disabled vehicle should be towed
with all four wheels off the
ground. Care must be taken with
vehicles that have low ground
clearance and/or special
equipment. Always flatbed on a
car carrier.
Consult your dealer or a
professional towing service if the
disabled vehicle must be towed.
See Roadside Assistance Program
(U.S. and Canada) on page 13‑8 or
Roadside Assistance Program
(Mexico) on page 13‑10.
To tow the vehicle behind another
vehicle for recreational purposes,
such as behind a motor home, see
“Recreational Vehicle Towing” in
this section.
Recreational Vehicle
Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle –such as behind a motor
home. The two most common types
of recreational vehicle towing are
known as dinghy towing and dolly
towing. Dinghy towing is towing the
vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground. Dolly towing is towing the
vehicle with two wheels on the
ground and two wheels up on a
device known as a dolly.
Here are some important things
to consider before recreational
vehicle towing:
.What is the towing capacity
of the towing vehicle? Be sure
to read the tow vehicle
manufacturer's
recommendations.
.What is the distance that will be
travelled? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how
long they can tow.
.Is the proper towing equipment
going to be used? See your
dealer or trailering professional
for additional advice and
equipment recommendations.
.Is the vehicle ready to be
towed? Just as preparing the
vehicle for a long trip, make sure
the vehicle is prepared to be
towed.

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 (93,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-93
6. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFFand remove the key —the front
wheels will still turn.
7. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle being towed is
firmly attached to the towing
vehicle.
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.Dolly Towing
Front Towing (Front Wheels Off
the Ground) –Two‐Wheel‐Drive
Vehicles
Notice: If a two-wheel drive
vehicle is towed with the rear
wheels on the ground, the
transmission could be damaged.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Never
tow the vehicle with the rear
wheels on the ground. Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not
be towed with the rear wheels on
the ground. Two-wheel-drive
transmissions have no provisions
for internal lubrication while
being towed.
To dolly tow a two‐wheel‐drive
vehicle, the vehicle must be towed
with the rear wheels on the dolly.
See
“Rear Towing (Rear Wheels Off
the Ground)” later in this section for
more information.

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.

Black plate (95,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-95
Rear Towing (Rear Wheels Off the
Ground)–Two‐Wheel‐Drive
Vehicles
Use the following procedure to dolly
tow a two-wheel-drive vehicle from
the rear:
1. Attach the dolly to the tow
vehicle following the dolly
manufacturer's instructions.
2. Drive the rear wheels onto the dolly. 3. Firmly set the parking brake.
See Parking Brake on
page 9‑42.
4. Put an automatic transmission in P (Park) or a manual
transmission in 1 (First).
5. Secure the vehicle to the dolly following the manufacturer's
instructions.
6. Use an adequate clamping device designed for towing to
ensure that the front wheels are
locked into the straight position.
7. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF. 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. Rear Towing (Rear Wheels Off the
Ground)
–Four‐Wheel‐Drive
VehiclesUse the following procedure to dolly
tow a four-wheel-drive vehicle from
the rear:
1. Attach the dolly to the tow
vehicle following the dolly
manufacturer's instructions.
2. Drive the rear wheels onto the dolly.
3. Firmly set the parking brake. See Parking Brake on
page 9‑42.

Black plate (96,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
10-96 Vehicle Care
4. Put an automatic transmission inP (Park) or a manual
transmission in 1 (First).
5. Secure the vehicle to the dolly following the manufacturer's
instructions.
6. Use an adequate clamping device designed for towing to
ensure that the front wheels are
locked into the straight position.
{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). 7. Shift the transfer case to
N (Neutral). See “Shifting into
N (Neutral)” underFour-Wheel
Drive on page 10‑30.
8. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF. 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.
After towing, see “Shifting Out of
N (Neutral)” underFour-Wheel Drive
on page 10‑30.
Appearance Care
Exterior Care
Washing the Vehicle
To preserve the vehicle's finish,
wash it often and out of direct
sunlight.
Notice: Do not use petroleum
based, acidic, or abrasive
cleaning agents as they can
damage the vehicle's paint, metal,
or plastic parts. If damage
occurs, it would not be covered
by the vehicle's warranty.
Approved cleaning products can
be obtained from your dealer.
Follow all manufacturer
directions regarding correct
product usage, necessary safety
precautions, and appropriate
disposal of any vehicle care
product.

Black plate (2,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
11-2 Service and Maintenance
Your dealer recognizes the
importance of providing
competitively priced maintenance
and repair services. With trained
technicians, the dealer is the place
for routine maintenance such as
oil changes and tire rotations
and additional maintenance items
like tires, brakes, batteries, and
wiper blades.
Notice:Damage caused by
improper maintenance can lead to
costly repairs and may not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Maintenance intervals, checks,
inspections, recommended fluids,
and lubricants are important to
keep the vehicle in good working
condition. The Tire Rotation and Required
Services are the responsibility of the
vehicle owner. It is recommended to
have your dealer perform these
services every 12 000 km/7,500 mi.
Proper vehicle maintenance helps to
keep the vehicle in good working
condition, improves fuel economy,
and reduces vehicle emissions.
Because of the way people use
vehicles, maintenance needs vary.
There may need to be more
frequent checks and services.
The Additional Required Services
‐
Normal are for vehicles that:
.Carry passengers and cargo
within recommended limits on
the Tire and Loading Information
label. See Vehicle Load Limits
on page 9‑18.
.Are driven on reasonable road
surfaces within legal driving
limits.
.Use the recommended fuel.
See Recommended Fuel on
page 9‑49. Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services
‐Normal chart.
The Additional Required Services ‐
Severe are for vehicles that are:
.Mainly driven in heavy city traffic
in hot weather.
.Mainly driven in hilly or
mountainous terrain.
.Frequently towing a trailer.
.Used for high speed or
competitive driving.
.Used for taxi, police, or delivery
service.