2004 GMC CANYON automatic transmission

Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will
not move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-60.1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) position like this:
Pull the lever toward you.
2-30

Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transmission. You may nd it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque
lock” To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave
the driver’s seat. To nd out how, seeShifting Into
Park (P) (Automatic Transmission) on page 2-30.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission,
so you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system which locks the shift lever in PARK
(P) when the ignition is in the LOCK position. In addition,
you have to fully apply the regular brakes before you
can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is in ON.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation on page 2-21.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure
on the shift lever by pushing the shift lever all the way
into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application.
Then, press the shift lever button and move the shift
lever into the gear you want.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still cannot
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to ACC (Accessory).
(There is no shift interlock in this key position.)
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the gear you want.
5. Have the system xed as soon as you can.
2-32

{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, always set
your parking brake and move the shift lever
to PARK (P).
{CAUTION:
If you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle will
be free to roll — even if your shift lever is
in PARK (P) — if your transfer case is in
NEUTRAL. So be sure the transfer case is in a
drive gear — not in NEUTRAL. SeeFour-Wheel
Drive on page 2-26.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle
will not move. SeeShifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission) on page 2-30.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-60.
2-35

Instrument Panel Overview
Manual transmission shown, automatic transmission similar
3-2

Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier
for others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving conditions,
but they can be especially helpful in the short periods
after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional daytime
running lamps are required on all vehicles rst sold
in Canada.
The DRL system will come on when the following
conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamps control is in AUTO.
The automatic transmission is not in PARK (P).
The light sensor determines it is daytime.
When the DRL are on, only your DRL lamps will be on.
The taillamps, sidemarkers and other lamps will not
be on. The instrument panel will not be lit up either.
When it begins to get dark, the automatic headlamp
system will switch from DRL to the headlamps.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Fog Lamps
If your vehicle has fog lamps you can use them for
better vision in foggy or misty conditions. Your parking
lamps and/or low-beam headlamps must be on for
your fog lamps to work.
The fog lamp button is
located near the exterior
lamps control.
Press the button to turn the fog lamps on while the
headlamps or parking lamps are on. Press the button
again to turn them off. An indicator light will glow in the
button when the fog lamps are on.
Remember, fog lamps alone will not give off as much
light as your headlamps. Never use your fog lamps
in the dark without turning on the headlamps.
The fog lamps will go off whenever your high-beam
headlamps come on. When the high beams go off,
the fog lamps will come on again.
The fog lamps will be cancelled after the ignition is
turned off. If you still want to use the fog lamps after you
restart the vehicle, you will need to press the fog lamp
button again.
3-14

Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You will know
how fast you are going, about how much fuel you have used, and many other things you will need to know to drive
safely and economically.
United States automatic transmission version shown, Canada similar
3-23

GM Oil Life System™
Press the reset stem until OIL LIFE appears (ashing)
on the display. The GM Oil Life System™ shows
an estimate of the oil’s remaining useful life. It will show
100% when the system is reset after an oil change.
It will alert you to change your oil on a schedule
consistent with your driving conditions.
Always reset the engine oil life after an oil change.
To reset the oil life system press and hold the reset
stem while OIL LIFE is displayed. The system will
reset and a beep will sound.
The DIC does not replace the need to maintain your
vehicle as recommended in the Maintenance Schedule
in this manual. The oil change reminder will not
detect dusty conditions or engine malfunctions that may
affect the oil. Also, the oil change reminder does not
measure how much oil you have in your engine. So, be
sure to check your oil level often. SeeEngine Oil on
page 5-13for more information.
Automatic Door Locks
With the vehicle’s engine off, and the ignition in the
LOCK position, press and hold the power door
lock button for approximately 3 seconds until the DIC
displays the current door lock mode. Then press
the reset stem for approximately two seconds to switch
modes. The following are the mode choices:
Mode 1 (default):Lock all doors when the vehicle is
shifted out of PARK (P) with an automatic transmission,
or when vehicle speed is greater than 15 mph
(24km/h) with a manual transmission. Doors will unlock
when the vehicle is shifted into PARK (P) with an
automatic transmission, or when the ignition key is
removed on a manual transmission.
Mode 2:Turns off the automatic door locks.
Mode 3:Lock all doors when the vehicle is shifted out
of PARK (P) with an automatic transmission, or
when vehicle speed is greater than 15 mph (24km/h)
with a manual transmission. Driver’s door will unlock
when the vehicle is shifted into PARK (P) with an
automatic transmission, or when the ignition key is
removed on a manual transmission.
Mode 4:Lock all doors when the vehicle is shifted out
of PARK (P) with an automatic transmission, or
when the vehicle speed is greater than 15 mph (24km/h)
with a manual transmission. No doors will unlock.
3-38

If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
re-engage the cruise control. See “Cruise Control” under
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-5.
TCS operates in all transmission shift lever positions.
But the system can upshift the transmission only as high
as the shift lever position you have chosen, so you
should use the lower gears only when necessary.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation on page 2-21
and/orManual Transmission Operation on page 2-24
for more information.
If there is a problem with TCS, TRACTION/FAULT will
be displayed on your Driver Information Center
(DIC). SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-39
for more information.
When this warning is displayed, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road conditions,
you should always leave TCS on. But you can turn the
system off if you ever need to. You should turn the
system off if your vehicle ever gets stuck in sand, mud or
snow and rocking the vehicle is required. See “Rocking
Your Vehicle To Get It Out” underIf You Are Stuck:
In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on page 4-44.Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves.
The traction of the tires against the road surface makes
it possible for the vehicle to change its path when
you turn the front wheels. If there is no traction, inertia
will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If
you have ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you
will understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you are
in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.
4-10