tires GMC CANYON 2019 Owner's Guide

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
12461766) - 2019 - crc - 10/2/18
Driving and Operating 189
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive
If equipped, four-wheel drive
engages the front axle for extra
traction.
Caution
Do not drive on clean, dry
pavement in 4
m, or 4nfor an
extended period of time. These
conditions may cause:
. Overheating.
. Oil leakage.
. Damage to internal and
external components of the
front axle.
. Premature wear on the
vehicle’s powertrain.
Driving on clean, dry pavement in 4
mor 4nmay:
. Cause a vibration to be felt in
the steering system. .
Cause tires to wear faster.
. Cause additional driveline noise.
{Warning
If equipped with four-wheel drive,
the vehicle will be free to roll if the
transfer case is in N (Neutral),
even when the shift lever is in
P (Park). You or someone else
could be seriously injured. Be
sure the transfer case is in a drive
gear —2
m, 4m, or 4n—or set the
parking brake before placing the
transfer case in N (Neutral). See
Shifting Into Park 0178.
Caution
Extended high-speed operation in
4
nmay damage or shorten the
life of the drivetrain. Engagement noise and bump when
shifting between 4
nand 4mor from
N (Neutral), with the engine running,
is normal.
Shifting into 4
nwill turn Traction
Control and StabiliTrak/Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) off. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0198.
Electronic Transfer Case
Use the transfer case knob, next to
the steering wheel, to shift into and
out of four-wheel drive for extra
traction.

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
12461766) - 2019 - crc - 10/2/18
Driving and Operating 215
.Vehicles can tow in D (Drive).
Tow/Haul Mode is recommended
for heavier trailers. See Tow/
Haul Mode 0186. If the
transmission downshifts too
often, a lower gear may be
selected using Manual Mode.
See Manual Mode 0184.
If equipped, the following driver
assistance features should be
turned off when towing a trailer:
. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
. Super Cruise Control
. Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
. Park Assist
. Reverse Automatic
Braking (RAB)
If equipped, the following driver
assistance features should be
turned to alert or off when towing a
trailer:
. Forward Automatic
Braking (FAB)
. Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA)
. Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) If equipped with Lane Change Alert
(LCA), the LCA detection zones that
extend back from the side of the
vehicle do not move further back
when a trailer is towed. Use caution
while changing lanes when towing a
trailer.
If equipped with Rear Cross Traffic
Alert (RCTA), use caution while
backing up when towing a trailer, as
the RCTA detection zones that
extend out from the back of the
vehicle do not move further back
when a trailer is towed.
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death
from carbon monoxide (CO),
when towing a trailer:
. Do not drive with the
liftgate, trunk/hatch,
or rear-most window open.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Adjust the climate control
system to a setting that
brings in only outside air.
See “Climate Control
Systems” in the Index.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust 0181.
Towing a trailer requires experience.
The combination of the vehicle and
trailer is longer and not as
responsive as the vehicle itself. Get
used to the handling and braking of
the combination by driving on a
level road surface before driving on
public roads.
The trailer structure, the tires, and
the brakes must all be rated to carry
the intended cargo. Inadequate
trailer equipment can cause the
combination to operate in an
unexpected or unsafe manner.
Before driving, inspect all trailer
hitch parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connectors, lamps,

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
12461766) - 2019 - crc - 10/2/18
216 Driving and Operating
tires, and mirrors. SeeTowing
Equipment 0224. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start the
combination moving and then
manually apply the trailer brake
controller to check the trailer brakes
work. During the trip, occasionally
check that the cargo and trailer are
secure and that the lamps and any
trailer brakes are working.
Towing with a Stability Control
System
When towing, the stability control
system might be heard. The system
reacts to vehicle movement caused
by the trailer, which mainly occurs
during cornering. This is normal
when towing heavier trailers.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving without a trailer. This can
help to avoid heavy braking and
sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed
when towing a trailer. The
combination of the vehicle and
trailer will not accelerate as quickly
and is much longer than the vehicle
alone. It is necessary to go much
farther beyond the passed vehicle
before returning to the lane. Pass
on level roadways. Avoid passing
on hills if possible.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. To move the
trailer to the left, move that hand to
the left. To move the trailer to the
right, move that hand to the right.
Always back up slowly and,
if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making Turns
Caution
Turn more slowly and make wider
arcs when towing a trailer to
prevent damage to your vehicle.
Making very sharp turns could
cause the trailer to contact the
vehicle.
Make wider turns than normal when
towing, so trailer will not go over soft
shoulders, over curbs, or strike road
signs, trees, or other objects.
Always signal turns well in advance.
Do not steer or brake suddenly.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gear before starting down a long or
steep downhill grade. If the
transmission is not shifted down, the
brakes may overheat and result in
reduced braking efficiency.

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
12461766) - 2019 - crc - 10/2/18
218 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
provide a means of escape
in the unlikely event the
vehicle slides into the water.
. If the boat launch surface is
slippery, have the driver
remain in the vehicle with
the brake pedal applied
while the boat is being
launched. The boat launch
can be especially slippery at
low tide when part of the
ramp was previously
submerged at high tide. Do
not back onto the ramp to
launch the boat if you are
not sure the vehicle can
maintain traction.
. Do not move the vehicle if
someone is in the path of
the trailer. Some parts of the
trailer might be underwater
and not visible to people
who are assisting in
launching the boat. Disconnect the wiring to the trailer
before backing the trailer into the
water to prevent damage to the
electrical circuits on the trailer.
Reconnect the wiring to the trailer
after removing the trailer from the
water. If the trailer has electric
brakes that can function when the
trailer is submerged, it might help to
leave the electrical trailer connector
attached to maintain trailer brake
functionality while on the boat ramp.
To back the trailer into the water:
1. If equipped, place the vehicle in four-wheel-drive high.
2. Slowly back down the boat ramp until the boat is floating,
but no further than necessary.
3. Press and hold the brake pedal, but do not shift into
P (Park) yet.
4. Have someone place chocks under the front wheels of the
vehicle.
5. Gradually release the brake pedal to allow the chocks to
absorb the load of the trailer. 6. Reapply the brake pedal. Then
apply the parking brake and
shift into P (Park). If equipped
with a manual transmission,
turn off the engine and move
the shift lever into
1 (First) gear.
7. Release the brake pedal.
Pulling the Trailer from the Water
To pull the trailer of the water: 1. Press and hold the brake pedals.
2. Start the engine and shift into gear.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Let up on the brake pedal.
5. Drive slowly until the tires are clear of the chocks.
6. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
7. Slowly pull the trailer from the water.
8. Once the vehicle and trailer have been driven from the
sloped part of the boat ramp,

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
12461766) - 2019 - crc - 10/2/18
Driving and Operating 219
the vehicle can be shifted from
four-wheel-drive high. Shift into
the drive mode that is
appropriate for the road
conditions.
Caution
If the vehicle tires begin to spin
and the vehicle begins to slide
toward the water, remove your
foot from the accelerator pedal
and apply the brake pedal. Seek
help to have the vehicle towed up
the ramp.
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when used to tow trailers. See
Maintenance Schedule0325. It is
especially important to check the
automatic transmission fluid, engine
oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling
system, and brake system before
and during each trip. Check periodically to see that all
nuts and bolts on the trailer hitch
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. See
Engine Overheating
0 251.
Trailer Towing
If equipped with a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel
supplement.
Caution
Towing a trailer improperly can
damage the vehicle and result in
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. To tow a trailer
correctly, follow the directions in
this section and see your dealer
for important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle. Trailering is different than just
driving the vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in
handling, acceleration, braking,
durability, and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes
correct equipment, and it has to be
used properly.
The following information has many
time-tested, important trailering tips
and safety rules. Many of these are
important for your safety and that of
your passengers. Read this section
carefully before pulling a trailer.
Trailer Weight
{Warning
Never exceed the towing capacity
for your vehicle.
Safe trailering requires monitoring
the weight, speed, altitude, road
grades, outside temperature, and
how frequently the vehicle is used to
tow a trailer.

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
12461766) - 2019 - crc - 10/2/18
224 Driving and Operating
the GAWR-RR for the vehicle, with
the tow vehicle and trailer fully
loaded for the trip including the
weight of the trailer tongue. If using
a weight-distributing hitch, do not
exceed the GAWR-RR before
applying the weight distribution
spring bars.
Ask your dealer for trailering
information or assistance.
Towing Equipment
Hitches
Always use the correct hitch
equipment for your vehicle.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by,
and rough roads can affect the
trailer and the hitch.
Proper hitch equipment for your
vehicle helps maintain control of the
vehicle-trailer combination. Many
trailers can be towed using a
weight-carrying hitch which has a
coupler latched to the hitch ball, or a
tow eye latched to a pintle hook.
Other trailers may require a
weight-distributing hitch that uses
spring bars to distribute the trailertongue weight between your vehicle
and trailer axles. See
“Maximum
Trailer Tongue Weight” underTrailer
Towing 0219 for weight limits with
various hitch types.
Avoid sharp turns when using a
step-bumper hitch to prevent
damage. Make wider turns to
prevent contact between your trailer
and your bumper.
Consider using mechanical sway
controls with any trailer. Ask a
trailering professional about sway
controls or refer to the trailer
manufacturer's recommendations
and instructions.
Weight-Distributing Hitch and
Adjustment
A weight-distributing hitch may be
useful with some trailers.
1. Front of Vehicle
2. Body to Ground Distance
When using a weight-distributing
hitch, measure the front fender
height distance (2) before
connecting the trailer. Adjust the
spring bars until the front fender
height distance (2) is the same
height before the trailer was
connected. Do not reduce the front
fender height below the initial
distance (2).
Tires
. Do not tow a trailer while using a
compact spare tire on the
vehicle.

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
12461766) - 2019 - crc - 10/2/18
Driving and Operating 225
.Tires must be properly inflated to
support loads while towing a
trailer. See Tires0273 for
instructions on proper tire
inflation.
Safety Chains
Always attach chains between the
vehicle and the trailer, and attach
the chains to the holes on the trailer
hitch platform. Instructions about
safety chains may be provided by
the hitch manufacturer or by the
trailer manufacturer.
Cross the safety chains under the
tongue of the trailer to help prevent
the tongue from contacting the road
if it becomes separated from the
hitch. Always leave just enough
slack so the combination can turn.
Never allow safety chains to drag on
the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Loaded trailers over 900 kg
(2,000 lb) must be equipped with
brake systems and with brakes for
each axle. Trailer braking equipment
conforming to Canadian Standards Association (CSA) requirement
CAN3-D313, or its equivalent, is
recommended.
State or local regulations may
require trailers to have their own
braking system if the loaded weight
of the trailer exceeds certain
minimums that can vary from state
to state. Read and follow the
instructions for the trailer brakes so
they are installed, adjusted, and
maintained properly. Never attempt
to tap into your vehicle's hydraulic
brake system. If you do, both the
vehicle anti-lock brakes and the
trailer brakes may not function,
which could result in a crash.
Trailer Wiring Harness
For vehicles not equipped with
heavy-duty trailering, a harness is
secured underneath the left side of
the vehicle, next to the spare tire.
The harness requires the installation
of a trailer connector, which is
available through your dealer. The
seven-wire harness contains the
following trailer circuits:
.
Yellow: Left stop/turn signal .
Green: Right stop/turn signal
. Brown: Taillamps/parking lamps
. Black: Ground
. Gray: Back-up lamps
. Orange: Battery feed
. Blue: Trailer brake
To help charge a remote
(non-vehicle) battery, press the Tow/
Haul Mode button on the center
stack. If the trailer is too light for
Tow/Haul Mode, turn on the
headlamps to help charge the
battery.

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
12461766) - 2019 - crc - 10/2/18
Driving and Operating 231
slow the vehicle. TSC will not
function if StabiliTrak/ESC is turned
off. SeeTraction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0198.
{Warning
Trailer sway can result in a crash
and in serious injury or death,
even if the vehicle is equipped
with TSC.
If the trailer begins to sway,
reduce vehicle speed by
gradually removing your foot from
the accelerator. Then pull over to
check the trailer and vehicle to
help correct possible causes,
including an improperly or
overloaded trailer, unrestrained
cargo, improper trailer hitch
configuration, or improperly
inflated or incorrect vehicle or
trailer tires. See Towing
Equipment 0224 for trailer ratings
and hitch setup
recommendations.
Aftermarket Electronic Trailer
Sway Control Devices
Some trailers may come equipped
with an electronic device designed
to reduce or control trailer sway.
Aftermarket equipment
manufacturers also offer similar
devices that connect to the wiring
between the trailer and the vehicle.
These devices may interfere with
the vehicle’ s trailer brake or other
systems, including integrated
anti-sway systems, if equipped.
Messages related to trailer
connections or trailer brakes could
appear on the DIC. The effects of
these aftermarket devices may have
on vehicle handling or trailer brake
performance is not known.
{Warning
Use of aftermarket electronic
trailer sway control devices could
result in reduced trailer brake
performance, loss of trailer
brakes, or other malfunctions, and
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
result in a crash. You or others
could be seriously injured or
killed. Before using one of these
devices:
. Ask the device or trailer
manufacturer if the device
has been thoroughly tested
for compatibility with the
make, model, and year of
your vehicle and any
optional equipment installed
on your vehicle.
. Before driving, check the
trailer brakes are working
properly, if equipped. Drive
the vehicle with the trailer
attached on a level road
surface that is free of traffic
at about 32-40 km/h
(20-25 mph) and fully apply
the manual trailer brake
apply lever. Also, check the
trailer brake lamps and
other lamps are functioning
correctly.
(Continued)

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
12461766) - 2019 - crc - 10/2/18
232 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
.If the trailer brakes are not
operating properly at any
time, or if a DIC message
indicates problems with the
trailer connections or trailer
brakes, carefully pull the
vehicle over to the side of
the road when traffic
conditions allow.
Trailer Tires
Special Trailer (ST) tires differ from
vehicle tires. Trailer tires are
designed with stiff sidewalls to help
prevent sway and to support heavy
loads. These features can make it
difficult to determine if the trailer tire
pressures are low only based on a
visual inspection.
Always check all trailer tire
pressures before each trip when the
tires are cool. Low trailer tire
pressure is a leading cause of trailer
tire blow-outs. Trailer tires deteriorate over time.
The trailer tire sidewall will show the
week and year the tire was
manufactured. Many trailer tire
manufacturers recommend
replacing tires more than six
years old.
Overloading is another leading
cause of trailer tire blow-outs. Never
load your trailer with more weight
than the tires are designed to
support. The load rating is located
on the trailer tire sidewall.
Always know the maximum speed
rating for the trailer tires before
driving. This may be significantly
lower than the vehicle tire speed
rating. The speed rating may be on
the trailer tire sidewall. If the speed
rating is not shown, the default
trailer tire speed rating is 105 km/h
(65 mph).
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is
used for vehicle service and
Emission Inspection/Maintenance
testing. See
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine Light) 0119.
A device connected to the DLC —
such as an aftermarket fleet or
driver-behavior tracking device —
may interfere with vehicle
systems. This could affect vehicle
operation and cause a crash.
Such devices may also access
information stored in the vehicle’s
systems.

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
12461766) - 2019 - crc - 10/2/18
234 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 235
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 236
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 243
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Manual Transmission Fluid . . . 245
Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 246
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 251
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Battery - North America . . . . . . 255
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 258
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 259
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 260
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 260
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263 Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 265
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 265
Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
All-Terrain Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 275
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288