towing GMC CANYON 2016 Owner's Manual

GMC Canyon Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9159361) -
2016 - crc - 8/25/15
In Brief 17
Automatic Climate Control System
1. Fan Control
2. A/C (Air Conditioning)
3. Air Delivery Mode Controls
4. Defrost
5. Temperature Control
6. AUTO (Automatic Operation)7. Rear Window Defogger (If
Equipped)
8. Air Recirculation
9. Power Button
See Climate Control Systems 0186
iior Automatic Climate Control
System 0188ii(If Equipped).
Transmission
Range Selection Mode
Range Selection Mode helps control
the vehicle's transmission and
vehicle speed while driving downhill
or towing a trailer by letting you
select a desired range of gears.
To enable:
1. Move the shift lever to the M (Manual Mode) position. The
current range will display next
to the M. This is the highest
attainable range with all lower
gears accessible. For example,

GMC Canyon Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9159361) -
2016 - crc - 8/25/15
18 In Brief
when 5 (Fifth) gear is selected,
1 (First) through 5 (Fifth) gears
are available.
2. Press the plus/minus button on the shift lever to select the
desired range of gears for
current driving conditions. See
Manual Mode 0222
ii.
Four-Wheel Drive
If the vehicle has four-wheel drive,
the engine's driving power can be
sent to all four wheels for extra
traction.
Automatic Transfer Case
The transfer case knob is to the left
of the steering column. Use it to
shift into and out of the different
four-wheel drive modes.
The different drive options that may
be available are described following.
2
m(Two-Wheel Drive High) : This
setting is used for driving in most
street and highway situations.
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel
Drive) : This setting is ideal for use
when road surface traction
conditions are variable.
4
m(Four-Wheel Drive High) : Use
this setting when extra traction is
needed, such as on snowy or icy
roads or in most off-road situations.
N (Neutral) : Shift to this setting
only when towing the vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing 0327
iior Trailer Towing 0248ii.
4
n(Four-Wheel Drive Low) :
Choose 4
nwhen driving in deep
sand, mud, or snow, and while
climbing or descending steep hills.
See Four-Wheel Drive 0225
ii.
Vehicle Features
Infotainment System
The base radio and base radio with
connectivity information is included
in this manual. See the infotainment
manual for information on the
uplevel radios, audio players,
phone, navigation system, Rear
Seat Entertainment (RSE), and
voice or speech recognition,
if equipped.
Radio(s)
O
:Press to turn the system on.
Press and hold to turn it off. When
on, press to mute; press again to
unmute. Turn to increase or
decrease the volume.
RADIO : Press to choose between
FM, AM, and SiriusXM
®,
if equipped.
MEDIA : Press to change the audio
source between USB, AUX, and
Bluetooth
®Audio, if equipped.
{: Press to go to the Home Page.
MENU : Press to select a menu.

GMC Canyon Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9159361) -
2016 - crc - 8/25/15
66 Seats and Restraints
A thick layer of additional material,
such as a blanket or cushion,
or aftermarket equipment such as
seat covers, seat heaters, and seat
massagers can affect how well the
passenger sensing system
operates. We recommend that you
not use seat covers or other
aftermarket equipment except when
approved by GM for your specific
vehicle. SeeAdding Equipment to
the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 066
iifor more information about
modifications that can affect how
the system operates.
The on indicator may be lit if an
object, such as a briefcase,
handbag, grocery bag, laptop,
or other electronic device, is put on
an unoccupied seat. If this is not
desired remove the object from
the seat.
{Warning
Stowing of articles under the
passenger seat or between the
passenger seat cushion and
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
seatback may interfere with the
proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle
should be serviced. There are parts
of the airbag system in several
places around the vehicle. Your
dealer and the service manual have
information about servicing the
vehicle and the airbag system. To
purchase a service manual, see
Service Publications Ordering
Information0366
ii.
{Warning
For up to 10 seconds after the
vehicle is turned off and the
battery is disconnected, an airbag
can still inflate during improper
service. You can be injured if you
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
are close to an airbag when it
inflates. Avoid yellow connectors.
They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow
proper service procedures, and
make sure the person performing
work for you is qualified to do so.
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
{Warning
If a snow plow or similar
equipment is installed on the
vehicle, the airbag system may
not function properly. An airbag
could inflate when it is not
supposed to inflate. People riding
in the vehicle could be injured,
and the vehicle and/or snow plow
could be damaged. Do not install
a snow plow or similar equipment
on the vehicle.

GMC Canyon Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9159361) -
2016 - crc - 8/25/15
Instruments and Controls 115
Caution
If the vehicle is driven continually
with this light on, the emission
control system may not work as
well, the fuel economy may be
lower, and the vehicle may not
run smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs that might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Caution
Modifications to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake,
or fuel system, or the use of
replacement tires that do not
meet the original tire
specifications, can cause this light
to come on. This could lead to
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. This could also
affect the vehicle’s ability to pass
an Emissions Inspection/
Maintenance test. See
Accessories and Modifications
0257
ii. If the light is flashing :
A
malfunction has been detected that
could damage the emission control
system and increase vehicle
emissions. Diagnosis and service
may be required.
To help prevent damage, reduce
vehicle speed and avoid hard
accelerations and uphill grades.
If towing a trailer, reduce the
amount of cargo being hauled as
soon as possible.
If the light continues to flash, find a
safe place to park. Turn the vehicle
off and wait at least 10 seconds
before restarting the engine. If the
light is still flashing, follow the
previous guidelines and see your
dealer for service as soon as
possible.
If the light is on steady : A
malfunction has been detected.
Diagnosis and service may be
required.
Check the following:
. A loose or missing fuel cap may
cause the light to come on. See
Filling the Tank 0243ii. A few driving trips with the cap
properly installed may turn the
light off.
. Poor fuel quality can cause
inefficient engine operation and
poor driveability, which may go
away once the engine is warmed
up. If this occurs, change the
fuel brand. It may require at
least one full tank of the proper
fuel to turn the light off. See Fuel
0 241
ii.
If the light remains on, see your
dealer.
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
If the vehicle requires an Emissions
Inspection/Maintenance test, the
test equipment will likely connect to
the vehicle's Data Link
Connector (DLC).

GMC Canyon Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9159361) -
2016 - crc - 8/25/15
116 Instruments and Controls
The DLC is under the instrument
panel to the left of the steering
wheel. Connecting devices that are
not used to perform an Emissions
Inspection/Maintenance test or to
service the vehicle may affect
vehicle operation SeeAdd-On
Electrical Equipment 0254
ii. See
your dealer if assistance is needed.
The vehicle may not pass
inspection if:
. The light is on when the engine
is running.
. The light does not come on
when the ignition is in ON/RUN
while the engine is off.
. Critical emission control systems
have not been completely
diagnosed. If this happens, the
vehicle would not be ready for
inspection and might require
several days of routine driving
before the system is ready for
inspection. This can happen if
the 12-volt battery has recently
been replaced or run down, or if
the vehicle has been recently
serviced. See your dealer if the vehicle will
not pass or cannot be made ready
for the test.
Brake System Warning
Light
The vehicle brake system consists
of two hydraulic circuits. If one
circuit is not working, the remaining
circuit can still work to stop the
vehicle. For normal braking
performance, both circuits need to
be working.
If the warning light comes on, there
is a brake problem. Have the brake
system inspected right away.
MetricEnglish
This light should come on briefly
when the engine is started. If it does
not come on then, have it fixed so it
will be ready to warn you if there is
a problem. When the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light also comes on
when the parking brake is set. The
light stays on if the parking brake
does not fully release. If it stays on
after the parking brake is fully
released, it means the vehicle has a
brake problem.
If the light comes on while driving,
pull off the road and stop carefully.
The pedal might be harder to push,
or the pedal can go closer to the
floor. It may take longer to stop.
If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. See
Towing the Vehicle
0326
ii.
{Warning
The brake system might not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on.
Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after
the vehicle has been pulled off
the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for
service.

GMC Canyon Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9159361) -
2016 - crc - 8/25/15
130 Instruments and Controls
HOOD OPEN
This message displays and a chime
may sound if the hood is not fully
closed. Stop and turn off the
vehicle, check the hood for
obstructions, and close the hood
again. Check to see if the message
still appears on the DIC.
Engine Cooling System
Messages
AIR CONDITIONING OFF
This message displays when the
engine coolant becomes hotter than
the normal operating temperature.
SeeEngine Coolant Temperature
Gauge 0111
ii. To avoid added strain
on a hot engine, the air conditioning
compressor automatically turns off.
When the coolant temperature
returns to normal, the air
conditioning compressor turns back
on. You can continue to drive your
vehicle.
If this message continues to appear,
have the system repaired by your
dealer as soon as possible to avoid
damage to the engine.
ENGINE OVERHEATING, IDLE
ENGINE
This message displays when the
engine coolant temperature is too
hot. Stop and allow the vehicle to
idle until it cools down. See Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge 0111
ii.
When towing, use Tow/Haul Mode
to prevent damage to the engine or
transmission. See Tow/Haul Mode
0 223
ii.
ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP
ENGINE
This message displays and a chime
may sound if the engine cooling
system reaches unsafe
temperatures for operation. Stop
and turn off the vehicle as soon as it
is safe to do so to avoid severe
damage. This message clears when
the engine has cooled to a safe
operating temperature.
Engine Oil Messages
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
This message displays when the
engine oil needs to be changed.
When you change the engine oil, be
sure to reset the CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message. See Engine
Oil Life System 0264
iifor
information on how to reset the
message. See Engine Oil0262
iiand
Maintenance Schedule 0341ii.
ENGINE OIL LOW ADD OIL
On some vehicles, this message
displays when the engine oil level
may be too low. Check the oil level
before filling to the recommended
level. If the oil is not low and this
message remains on, take the
vehicle to your dealer for service.
See Engine Oil 0262
ii.
ENGINE OIL HOT IDLE
ENGINE
This message displays when the
engine oil becomes hotter than the
normal operating temperature. Stop

GMC Canyon Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9159361) -
2016 - crc - 8/25/15
Instruments and Controls 135
TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE
ENGINE
This message displays and a chime
may sound if the transmission fluid
in the vehicle gets hot. Driving with
the transmission fluid temperature
high can cause damage to the
vehicle. Stop the vehicle and let it
idle to allow the transmission to
cool. This message clears and the
chime stops when the fluid
temperature reaches a safe level.
When towing, use Tow/Haul Mode
to prevent damage to the engine or
transmission. SeeTow/Haul Mode
0 223
ii.
VEHICLE IN 4WD LOW
This message will display if the
vehicle is driven in Four-Wheel
Drive Low for about 10 minutes
above 72 km/h (45 mph).
Vehicle Reminder
Messages
ICE POSSIBLE DRIVE
WITH CARE
This message is displayed when ice
conditions are possible.
Vehicle Speed Messages
REDUCE SPEED FOR HILL
DESCENT CONTROL
This message displays when
attempting to enable Hill Descent
Control (HDC) when the vehicle
speed is too high. See Hill Descent
Control (HDC) 0233
ii.
Vehicle
Personalization
Use the audio system controls to
access the personalization menus
for customizing vehicle features.
The following are all possible
personalization features. Depending
on the vehicle, some may not be
available.
Base Radio Audio System
Controls
MENU : Press the center of the
knob to enter menus and select
menu items. Turn the knob to scroll
through the menus.
oBACK : Press to return to the
previous menu or exit.
Uplevel Radio Audio System
Controls
1. Press the desired feature to display a list of available
options.
2. Press to select the desired feature setting.

GMC Canyon Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9159361) -
2016 - crc - 8/25/15
192 Driving and Operating
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 200
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 201
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 203
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Truck-Camper LoadingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 210
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Retained AccessoryPower (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Engine Coolant Heater . . . . . . . 214
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216 Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Running the Vehicle WhileParked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 219
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Manual Transmission
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . . 224
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 231
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Hill Descent Control (HDC) . . . 233
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Driver Assistance Systems
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . 236
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
California FuelRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 243
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Trailer Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . 253
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254

GMC Canyon Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9159361) -
2016 - crc - 8/25/15
204 Driving and Operating
causes a rocking motion that could
free the vehicle. If that does not get
the vehicle out after a few tries, it
might need to be towed out. See
Towing the Vehicle0326
ii. Recovery
hooks can be used, if the vehicle
has them.
Recovery Hooks
{Warning
Never pull on recovery hooks
from the side. The hooks could
break and you and others could
be injured. When using recovery
hooks, always pull the vehicle
from the front.
Caution
Do not drive through standing
water if it is deep enough to cover
the wheel hubs, axles, or exhaust
pipe. Deep water can damage the
axle and other vehicle parts.
There are recovery hooks at the
front of the vehicle. Use them if the
vehicle is stuck off-road and needs
to be pulled some place to continue
driving.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how
much weight the vehicle can
carry. This weight is called the
vehicle capacity weight and
includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options.
Two labels on the vehicle may
show how much weight it was
designed to carry: the Tire and
Loading Information label and
the Certification/Tire label.
{Warning
Do not load the vehicle any
heavier than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the
maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
This can cause systems to
break and change the way the
vehicle handles. This could
cause loss of control and a
(Continued)

GMC Canyon Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9159361) -
2016 - crc - 8/25/15
206 Driving and Operating
load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400-750 (5 x 150) =
650 lbs.)
5.Determine the combined
weight of luggage and cargo
being loaded on the vehicle.
That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing
a trailer, load from your
trailer will be transferred to
your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how
this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load
capacity of your vehicle.”
See Trailer Towing 0248
iifor
important information on towing
a trailer, towing safety rules, and
trailering tips.
Example 1
1. Vehicle Capacity Weight for
Example 1 = (453 kg)
(1,000 lb)
2. Subtract Occupant Weight @ 68 kg (150 lb) × 2 =
136 kg (300 lb)
3. Available Occupant and Cargo Weight = 317 kg
(700 lb)
Example 2
1. Vehicle Capacity Weight forExample 2 = 453 kg
(1,000 lb)
2. Subtract Occupant Weight @ 68 kg (150 lb) × 5 =
340 kg (750 lb)
3. Available Cargo Weight = 113 kg (250 lb)