2008 GMC CANYON transmission

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is rmly set before you leave it. After you
have moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move
the shift lever away from PARK (P) without rst pulling it
toward you. If you can, it means that the shift lever was
not fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you do not 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 2-34.
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).
2-35

Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when
the ignition is RUN. SeeAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-23.
The shift lock control system is designed to do the
following:
Prevent the ignition key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in PARK (P).
Prevent movement of the shift lever out of PARK
(P), unless the ignition is in ON/RUN and the
regular brake pedal is applied.
The shift lock control system is always functional
except in the case of a dead battery or low voltage
(less than 9 V) battery.If your vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery
with low voltage, try charging or jump starting the
battery. SeeJump Starting on page 5-42for more
information.
To shift out of PARK (P) use the following:
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still are unable to shift out of PARK (P):
1. Ease the pressure on the shift lever.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, push the shift
lever all the way into PARK (P)
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you are still having a problem shifting, then have your
vehicle serviced soon.
2-36

Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)
Your vehicle has a manual transmission. Before
you get out of your vehicle, move the shift lever into
REVERSE (R), and rmly apply the parking brake.
Once the shift lever has been placed into REVERSE (R)
with the clutch pedal pressed in, turn the ignition key
to LOCK, remove the key and release the clutch.
If you are parking on a hill, or if your vehicle is pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-44.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not
park over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other
things that can burn.
Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you cannot see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
The exhaust system sounds strange or
different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
Your vehicle was damaged when driving
over high points on the road or over road
debris.
Repairs were not done correctly.
Your vehicle or the exhaust system has
been modied improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into your
vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and
Have your vehicle xed immediately.
2-37

Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-37.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 4-27.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the automatic transmission 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 it is on fairly level
ground, always set the parking brake and
move the automatic transmission shift lever to
PARK (P), or the manual transmission shift
lever to NEUTRAL.
2-38

{CAUTION:
Four-wheel drive vehicles with the transfer
case in NEUTRAL will allow the vehicle to roll,
even if the automatic transmission shift lever is
in PARK (P). So, be sure the transfer case is in a
drive gear — not in NEUTRAL. Always set the
parking brake.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-34.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-44.
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
When you are sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind your
vehicle. Hold the mirror in the center to move it up or
down and side to side. The day/night adjustment allows
you to adjust the mirror to avoid glare from the lamps
behind you. Push the tab forward for daytime use
and pull it for nighttime use.
Manual Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®
While you are sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind your
vehicle. Hold the mirror in the center to move it up or
down and side to side. The day/night adjustment allows
you to adjust the mirror to avoid glare from the lamps
behind you. Push the tab forward for daytime use and
pull it for nighttime use.
2-39

Instrument Panel Overview
Manual Transmission shown, Automatic Transmission similar
3-4

Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control will work on hills depends
upon the vehicle speed, load, and the steepness of the
hills. When going up steep hills, you might want to step
on the accelerator pedal to maintain the vehicle speed.
When going downhill, you might have to brake or shift to
a lower gear to keep the vehicle speed down. Of course,
applying the brake turns off the cruise control. Many
drivers nd this to be too much trouble and do not use
cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
To turn off the cruise control, do one of the following:
Step lightly on the brake pedal.
Move the cruise control lever to off.
Lightly tap or press the clutch, if you have a manual
transmission.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
the cruise control set speed memory is erased.
Exterior Lamps
The control on the driver’s side of the instrument panel
operates the exterior lamps.
O(Exterior Lamps):Turn the knob, located to the
right of this symbol, to choose one of the four exterior
lamp positions.
O(Off):Turn the knob to this position to turn off
all exterior lamps including the Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL).
3-13

AUTO:Turn the knob to this position to automatically
turn on the headlamps at normal brightness, together
with the following:
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
Parking Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
SeeAutomatic Headlamp System on page 3-15for
more information.
;(Parking Lamps):Turn the knob to this position to
turn on the parking lamps, together with the following:
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
2(Headlamps):Turn the knob to this position to turn
on the headlamps, together with the previously listed
lamps and lights.
Push the turn signal/multifunction lever toward the
instrument panel to switch the headlamps from low to
high beam.
Headlamps on Reminder
If a door is open, a reminder chime will sound when
the headlamps or parking lamps are manually turned
on and your key is out of the ignition. To turn off
the chime, turn the headlamp switch to off and then
back on. In the automatic mode, the headlamps turn
off once the ignition is in LOCK.
If your vehicle was rst sold in Canada and the parking
lamps are turned on manually, the Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) will stay on.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
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 transmission is not in PARK (P) if you have an
automatic transmission.
The light sensor determines it is daytime.
3-14