2007 GMC CANYON steering

Four-Wheel Drive
If your vehicle has four-wheel drive, you can send
your engine’s driving power to all four wheels
for extra traction. To get the best performance
out of four-wheel drive, you must be familiar
with its operation. Read the part that follows
before using four-wheel drive. You should use
two-wheel-drive high for most normal driving
conditions.
Notice:Driving on clean, dry pavement in
four-wheel drive for an extended period of time
can cause premature wear on your vehicle’s
powertrain. Do not drive on clean, dry pavement
in four-wheel drive for extended periods of time.
Notice:If your vehicle has four-wheel drive
and the compact spare tire is installed on your
vehicle, do not drive in four-wheel drive until
you can have your at tire repaired and/or
replaced. You could damage your 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 your vehicle.The transfer case buttons are located to the right
of the steering wheel on the instrument panel.
Recommended Transfer Case Settings
Driving ConditionsTransfer Case Settings
2m4m4nN
Normal YES
Severe YES
Extreme YES
Vehicle in Tow* YES
*SeeRecreational Vehicle Towing on page 293
orTowing Your Vehicle on page 292for further
information.
126

Available Services included with
Directions & Connections®Plan

All Safe and Sound Plan Services
Driving Directions - Advisor delivered or
OnStar®Turn-by-Turn Navigation (If equipped)
RideAssist
Information and Convenience Services
OnStar®Hands-Free Calling
OnStar®Hands-Free Calling allows eligible
OnStar®subscribers to make and receive calls
using voice commands. Hands-Free Calling is
fully integrated into the vehicle, and can be
used with OnStar
®Pre-Paid Minute Packages.
Hands-Free Calling may also be linked to a
Verizon Wireless service plan, depending on
eligibility. To nd out more, refer to the OnStar
®
Owner’s Guide in the vehicle’s glove box, visit
www.onstar.com or www.onstar.ca, or speak
with an OnStar
®advisor by pressing the
OnStar®button or calling 1-888-4-ONSTAR
(1-888-466-7827).
OnStar®Virtual Advisor
OnStar®Virtual Advisor is a feature of OnStar®
Hands-Free Calling that uses your minutes
to access location-based weather, local traffic
reports, and stock quotes. By pressing the phone
button and giving a few simple voice commands,
you can browse through the various topics.
See the OnStar
®Owner’s Guide for more
information.
OnStar®Steering Wheel Controls
Your vehicle may be equipped with a Talk/Mute
button that can be used to interact with OnStar®
Hands-Free Calling.
On some vehicles, you may have to hold the
button for a few seconds and give the command
“ONSTAR” in order to activate the OnStar
®
Hands-Free Calling feature.
On some vehicles, the mute button can be used
to dial numbers into voicemail systems, or to
dial phone extensions. See the OnStar
®Owner’s
Guide for more information.
148

Hazard Warning Flashers
The hazard warning ashers let you warn the
police and others that you have a problem.
The front and rear turn signal lamps will ash
on and off.
The hazard warning
asher button is located
on the instrument
panel, between the
two air vents in
the center.
The hazard warning ashers work no matter what
position the key is in, and even if the key is not
in the ignition.
Press the button to make the front and rear turn
signal lamps ash on and off. Press the button
again to turn the ashers off.
When the hazard warning ashers are on, the turn
signals will not work.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reective triangles, you can set one up
at the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m)
behind your vehicle.
Horn
To sound the horn, press the horn symbol on the
steering wheel pad.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel
before you drive. The tilt steering wheel can be
raised to the highest level to allow more room for
the driver to enter and exit the vehicle.
158

The tilt lever is located on the left side of the
steering column, under the turn signal lever.
To tilt, hold the steering wheel and pull the tilt lever
toward you. Move the wheel to a comfortable level,
then release the tilt lever to lock the wheel in place.
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
GTurn and Lane Change Signals. See
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 159.
53Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on
page 161.
Flash-to-Pass. SeeFlash-to-Pass on page 161.
159

Audio System(s)
Determine which radio your vehicle has and then
read the pages following to familiarize yourself
with its features.
Driving without distraction is a necessity for a
safer driving experience. SeeDefensive Driving
on page 242. By taking a few moments to read
this manual and get familiar with your vehicle’s
audio system, you can use it with less effort,
as well as take advantage of its features.
While your vehicle is parked, set up your audio
system by presetting your favorite radio stations,
setting the tone and adjusting the speakers.
Then, when driving conditions permit, you can
tune to your favorite stations using the presets
and steering wheel controls if the vehicle
has them.{CAUTION:
This system provides you with a far
greater access to audio stations and
song listings. Giving extended attention
to entertainment tasks while driving can
cause a crash and you or others can
be injured or killed. Always keep your
eyes on the road and your mind on the
drive — avoid engaging in extended
searching while driving.
Keeping your mind on the drive is important for
safe driving. For more information, seeDefensive
Driving on page 242.
203

Here are some ways in which you can help avoid
distraction while driving.
While your vehicle is parked:
Familiarize yourself with all of its controls.
Familiarize yourself with its operation.
Set up your audio system by presetting your
favorite radio stations, setting the tone, and
adjusting the speakers. Then, when driving
conditions permit, you can tune to your favorite
radio stations using the presets and steering
wheel controls if the vehicle has them.
Notice:Before adding any sound equipment
to your vehicle, such as an audio system, CD
player, CB radio, mobile telephone, or two-way
radio, make sure that it can be added by
checking with your dealer. Also, check federal
rules covering mobile radio and telephone
units. If sound equipment can be added, it is
very important to do it properly. Added sound
equipment may interfere with the operation of
your vehicle’s engine, radio, or other systems,
and even damage them. Your vehicle’s systems
may interfere with the operation of sound
equipment that has been added.Notice:The chime signals related to safety
belts, parking brake, and other functions
of your vehicle operate through the
radio/entertainment system. If that equipment
is replaced or additional equipment is added
to your vehicle, the chimes may not work. Make
sure that replacement or additional equipment
is compatible with your vehicle before
installing it. SeeAccessories and Modifications
on page 316.
Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems (RDS)
Press and hold HR (hour) until the correct hour
appears on the display. Press and hold MIN
(minute) until the correct minute appears on the
display. There is an initial two-second delay before
the clock goes into time-set mode. Display the
time with the ignition off, by pressing RCL (recall),
HR, or MIN.
204

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle.... 242
Defensive Driving...................................... 242
Drunken Driving........................................ 243
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 246
Braking...................................................... 246
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 247
Braking in Emergencies............................. 249
Traction Control System (TCS).................. 249
Limited-Slip Rear Axle............................... 250
Steering.................................................... 250
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 253
Passing..................................................... 253
Loss of Control.......................................... 255
Off-Road Driving........................................ 256
Driving at Night......................................... 270
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 271
City Driving............................................... 274Freeway Driving........................................ 275
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 276
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 277
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 278
Winter Driving........................................... 280
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow ................................. 284
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 284
Recovery Hooks........................................ 285
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 286
Truck-Camper Loading Information............ 292
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab............ 292
Towing........................................................ 292
Towing Your Vehicle ................................. 292
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 293
Towing a Trailer........................................ 300
Trailer Recommendations.......................... 311
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
241

Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your
vehicle go where you want it to go. They are
the brakes, the steering, and the accelerator.
All three systems have to do their work at
the places where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or
ice, it is easy to ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can provide. That means
you can lose control of your vehicle.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 316.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 185.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to
bring up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds
or more with another. Age, physical condition,
alertness, coordination, and eyesight all play a part.
So do alcohol, drugs, and frustration. But even in
three-fourths of a second, a vehicle moving at
60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m). That
could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so
keeping enough space between your vehicle and
others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary
greatly with the surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of the road,
whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the
condition of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force applied.
246