traction control GMC CANYON 2020 Owner's Manual

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
13566643) - 2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
4 Introduction
[:Forward Collision Alert
R:Fuse Block Cover Lock
Location
+: Fuses
_:High Voltage
j:ISOFIX/LATCH System Child
Restraints
Q: Keep Fuse Block Covers
Properly Installed
|: Lane Change Alert
@:Lane Departure Warning
A:Lane Keep Assist
*: Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
X:Park Assist
~:Pedestrian Ahead Indicator
O:Power
7:Rear Cross Traffic Alert
I:Registered Technician
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Seat Belt Reminders
I: Side Blind Zone Alert
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
d:Traction Control/StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
a: Under Pressure
V:Vehicle Ahead Indicator

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
13566643) - 2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
6 Introduction
1.Air Vents 0139.
2. Turn Signal Lever. See Turn
and Lane-Change Signals
0 128.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Base Level) Controls (If
Equipped). See Driver
Information Center (DIC) (Base
Level) 0115 or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) 0117.
3. Instrument Cluster (Base
Level) 098 or
Instrument Cluster (Uplevel)
0 100.
4. Windshield Wiper/Washer 092.
5. Light Sensor. See Automatic
Headlamp System 0127.
Vehicle Alarm System Indicator
(If Equipped). See Vehicle
Alarm System 019.
6. Infotainment 0133.
7. Climate Control Systems 0134
(If Equipped).
Automatic Climate Control
System 0136 (If Equipped). 8.
Heated and Ventilated Front
Seats 032 (If Equipped).
9. Power Outlets 093 (If
Equipped).
10. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission 0169 or
Manual Mode 0172.
11. Auxiliary Jack. See the infotainment manual.
USB Port. See the infotainment
manual.
12. Hazard Warning Flashers
0128.
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0183.
Exterior Cargo Lamps 0130.
Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) 0194 (If Equipped).
Hill Descent Control (HDC)
0 184 (If Equipped).
Tow/Haul Mode 0174 (If
Equipped). 13.
Steering Wheel Controls 091
(If Equipped).
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) Controls (If
Equipped). See Driver
Information Center (DIC) (Base
Level) 0115 or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) 0117.
14. Horn 092.
15. Steering Wheel Adjustment
091 (Out of View).
16. Cruise Control 0186.
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0192 (If Equipped).
17. Transfer Case Knob (If Equipped). See Four-Wheel
Drive 0174.
18. Hood Release. See Hood
0 222.
19. Parking Brake 0181.

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
13566643) - 2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
90 Instruments and Controls
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . 91
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . 91
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . 91
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . 92
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Instrument Cluster (Base Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Instrument Cluster
(Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . 104
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 105
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 106
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 107
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . 110
Hill Descent Control Light . . . . . 110
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . 110
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . 111
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . . 112
Low Fuel Warning Light (Base Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Low Fuel Warning Light (Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 113 Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . 114
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . 114
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 114
Door Ajar Light (Uplevel
Cluster) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Base Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 121
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . 121
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 122

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
13566643) - 2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
110 Instruments and Controls
Tow/Haul Mode Light
For vehicles with the Tow/Haul
Mode feature, this light comes on
when the Tow/Haul Mode has been
activated.
SeeTow/Haul Mode 0174.
Hill Descent Control Light
If equipped, the Hill Descent Control
light comes on when the system is
ready for use. When the light
flashes, the system is active.
See Hill Descent Control (HDC)
0 184.
Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) Light
If equipped, this light comes on
briefly while starting the vehicle. If it
does not come on, have the vehicle
serviced.
This light is green if LDW is on and
ready to operate.
This light changes to amber and
flashes to indicate that the lane
marking has been crossed without
using a turn signal in that direction.
See Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
0 194.
Vehicle Ahead Indicator
If equipped, this indicator will
display green when a vehicle is
detected ahead and amber when
you are following a vehicle ahead
much too closely.
See Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0192.
Traction Off Light

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
13566643) - 2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
Instruments and Controls 111
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer. If the system is working
normally, the indicator light then
turns off.
The traction off light comes on when
the Traction Control System (TCS)
has been turned off by pressing and
releasing the TCS/StabiliTrak/ESC
button.
This light and the StabiliTrak/ESC
OFF light come on when StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is
turned off.
If the TCS is off, wheel spin is not
limited. Adjust driving accordingly.
SeeTraction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0183.StabiliTrak OFF Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer.
This light comes on when the
StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) system is turned off.
If StabiliTrak/ESC is off, the Traction
Control System (TCS) is also off.
If StabiliTrak/ESC and TCS are off,
the system does not assist in
controlling the vehicle. Turn on the
TCS and the StabiliTrak/ESC
systems, and the warning light
turns off.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0183.
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak Light
This light comes on briefly when the
engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have
the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally,
the indicator light turns off.
If the light is on and not flashing, the
TCS and potentially the StabiliTrak/
ESC system have been disabled.
A Driver Information Center (DIC)
message may display. Check the
DIC messages to determine which
feature(s) is no longer functioning
and whether the vehicle requires
service.
If the light is on and flashing, the
TCS and/or the StabiliTrak/ESC
system is actively working.

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
13566643) - 2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
112 Instruments and Controls
SeeTraction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0183.
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this light
comes on briefly when the engine is
started. It provides information
about tire pressures and the TPMS.
When the Light Is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of
the tires are significantly
underinflated.
A Driver Information Center (DIC)
tire pressure message may also
display. Stop as soon as possible,
and inflate the tires to the pressure
value shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See Tire
Pressure 0264. When the Light Flashes First and
Then Is On Steady
If the light flashes for about a minute
and then stays on, there may be a
problem with the TPMS. If the
problem is not corrected, the light
will come on at every ignition cycle.
See
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation 0266.
Engine Oil Pressure Light
Caution
Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. Driving with the engine oil
low can also damage the engine.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Check
the oil level as soon as possible.
Add oil if required, but if the oil
level is within the operating range
and the oil pressure is still low,
have the vehicle serviced. Always
follow the maintenance schedule
for changing engine oil.
This light should come on briefly as
the engine is started. If it does not
come on, have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer.
If the light comes on and stays on, it
means that oil is not flowing through
the engine properly. The vehicle
could be low on oil and might have
some other system problem. See
your dealer.

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
13566643) - 2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
Driving and Operating 141
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better FuelEconomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 150
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 151
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 153
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Truck-Camper Loading Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 160
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164 Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Active Fuel Management . . . . . 168
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 169
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 182
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Hill Descent Control (HDC) . . . 184
Limited-Slip Differential . . . . . . . 185
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 188
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 189
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . 196
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 196
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
13566643) - 2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
142 Driving and Operating
Trailer Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . 215
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Driving Information
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving tips
to get the best fuel economy
possible:
. Set the climate controls to the
desired temperature after the
engine is started, or turn them
off when not required.
. Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
. Brake gradually and avoid
abrupt stops.
. Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
. When road and weather
conditions are appropriate, use
cruise control.
. Always follow posted speed
limits or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
. Keep vehicle tires properly
inflated. .
Combine several trips into a
single trip.
. Replace the vehicle's tires with
the same TPC Spec number
molded into the tire's sidewall
near the size.
. Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms
and can take your focus from the
task of driving. Exercise good
judgment and do not let other
activities divert your attention away
from the road. Many local
governments have enacted laws
regarding driver distraction. Become
familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, keep
your eyes on the road, keep your
hands on the steering wheel, and
focus your attention on driving.

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
13566643) - 2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
Driving and Operating 143
.Do not use a phone in
demanding driving situations.
Use a hands-free method to
place or receive necessary
phone calls.
. Watch the road. Do not read,
take notes, or look up
information on phones or other
electronic devices.
. Designate a front seat
passenger to handle potential
distractions.
. Become familiar with vehicle
features before driving, such as
programming favorite radio
stations and adjusting climate
control and seat settings.
Program all trip information into
any navigation device prior to
driving.
. Wait until the vehicle is parked
to retrieve items that have fallen
to the floor.
. Stop or park the vehicle to tend
to children.
. Keep pets in an appropriate
carrier or restraint. .
Avoid stressful conversations
while driving, whether with a
passenger or on a cell phone.
{Warning
Taking your eyes off the road too
long or too often could cause a
crash resulting in injury or death.
Focus your attention on driving.
Refer to the infotainment manual for
more information on using that
system and the navigation system,
if equipped, including pairing and
using a cell phone.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always
expect the unexpected.” The first
step in driving defensively is to wear
the seat belt. See Seat Belts035.
. Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and
other drivers) are going to be
careless and make mistakes.
Anticipate what they may do and
be ready. .
Allow enough following distance
between you and the driver in
front of you.
. Focus on the task of driving.
Drunk Driving
Death and injury associated with
drinking and driving is a global
tragedy.
{Warning
Drinking and then driving is very
dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even
a small amount of alcohol. You
can have a serious —or even
fatal —collision if you drive after
drinking.
Do not drink and drive or ride with
a driver who has been drinking.
Ride home in a cab; or if you are
with a group, designate a driver
who will not drink.

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
13566643) - 2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
146 Driving and Operating
Defensive drivers avoid most skids
by taking reasonable care suited to
existing conditions, and by not
overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible.
If the vehicle starts to slide, follow
these suggestions:
.Ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and steer the
way you want the vehicle to go.
The vehicle may straighten out.
Be ready for a second skid if it
occurs.
. Slow down and adjust your
driving according to weather
conditions. Stopping distance
can be longer and vehicle
control can be affected when
traction is reduced by water,
snow, ice, gravel, or other
material on the road. Learn to
recognize warning clues —such
as enough water, ice, or packed
snow on the road to make a
mirrored surface —and slow
down when you have any doubt.
. Try to avoid sudden steering,
acceleration, or braking,
including reducing vehicle speed by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help
avoid only the braking skid.
Off-Road Driving
Four-wheel-drive vehicles can be
used for off-road driving. Vehicles
without four-wheel drive and
vehicles not equipped with All
Terrain (AT) or On-Off Road (OOR)
tires must not be driven off-road
except on a level, solid surface. For
contact information about the
original equipment tires, see the
warranty manual.
One of the best ways for successful
off-road driving is to control the
speed.
{Warning
When driving off-road, bouncing
and quick changes in direction
can easily throw you out of
position. This could cause you to (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
lose control and crash. You and
your passengers should always
wear seat belts.
Before Driving Off-Road
.Have all necessary maintenance
and service work completed.
. Fuel the vehicle, fill fluid levels,
and check inflation pressure in
all tires, including the spare,
if equipped.
. Read all the information about
four-wheel-drive vehicles in this
manual.
. Remove any underbody air
deflector, if equipped. Re-attach
the air deflector after off-road
driving.
. Know the local laws that apply to
off-road driving.
To gain more ground clearance if
needed, it may be necessary to
remove the front fascia lower air