2008 GMC CANYON transmission

Rear Towing (Rear Wheels Off the Ground)
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Use the following procedure to tow your vehicle from
the rear:
1. Drive the vehicle onto the dolly.
2. Firmly set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-32for more information.3. Put an automatic transmission in PARK (P) or a
manual transmission in FIRST (1).
4. Follow the dolly manufacturer’s instructions to
attach and secure the vehicle being towed to
the dolly and then the loaded dolly to the tow
vehicle. Make sure the wheels are straight before
towing.
For manual transmission vehicles, make sure the
wheels are straight before proceeding to the
next steps. On automatic transmission vehicles, use
an adequate clamping device to ensure that the
front wheels are locked into the straight position.
5. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle
being towed is rmly attached to the tow vehicle.
6. Turn the ignition to LOCK.
If the tow vehicle will not be started or driven for
six weeks or more, remove the battery cable
from the negative terminal (post) of the battery to
prevent your battery from draining while towing.
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Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Use the following procedure to tow your vehicle from
the rear:
1. Drive the vehicle onto the dolly.
2. Firmly set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-32for more information.
3. Put an automatic transmission in PARK (P) or a
manual transmission in FIRST (1).
4. Follow the dolly manufacturer’s instructions to
attach and secure the vehicle being towed to the
dolly and then the loaded dolly to the tow vehicle.
For manual transmission vehicles, make sure the
wheels are straight before proceeding to the nextsteps. On automatic transmission vehicles, use an
adequate clamping device to ensure that the front
wheels are locked into the straight position.
{CAUTION:
Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle’s transfer
case into NEUTRAL can cause your vehicle to
roll even if the transmission is in PARK (P) for
an automatic transmission, or if your vehicle is
in gear, for a manual transmission. You or
others could be injured. Make sure the parking
brake is rmly set before you shift the transfer
case to NEUTRAL.
5. Shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL. See
Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-28for more
information.
6. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle
being towed is rmly attached to the tow vehicle.
7. Turn the ignition to LOCK.
If the tow vehicle will not be started or driven for
six weeks or more, remove the battery cable
from the negative terminal (post) of the battery to
prevent your battery from draining while towing.
After towing, see “Shifting Out of NEUTRAL” under
Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-28.
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If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure
your rig will be legal, not only where you live
but also where you’ll be driving. A good source for
this information can be state or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control. You can ask a hitch
dealer/retailer about sway controls.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the rst 500 miles
(800 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during the rst 500 miles (800 km) that you
tow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)
and don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at
the heavier loads.
You may want to shift the transmission to THIRD (3)
or, if necessary, a lower gear selection if the
transmission shifts too often (e.g., under heavy
loads and/or hilly conditions). If you have a manual
transmission and you are towing a trailer, it’s
better not to use the highest gear.Three important considerations have to do with weight:
the weight of the trailer,
the weight of the trailer tongue
and the weight on your vehicle’s tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For
example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull
a trailer are all important. It can also depend on any
special equipment that you have on your vehicle,
and the amount of tongue weight the vehicle can carry.
See “Weight of the Trailer Tongue” later in this
section for more information.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming only the
driver is in the tow vehicle and it has all the required
trailering equipment. The weight of additional optional
equipment, passengers and cargo in the tow vehicle
must be subtracted from the maximum trailer weight.
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The following charts show how much your trailer can weigh, based upon your vehicle model and options.
2WD Regular Cab Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
Automatic Transmission,
2.9L Engine3.73 3,400 lbs (1 542 kg) 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
3.7L Engine3.73 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) 8,500 lbs (3 855 kg)
Manual Transmission,
2.9L Engine3.73 2,400 lbs (1 089 kg) 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg)
*The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
2WD Extended Cab Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
Automatic Transmission,
2.9L Engine3.73 3,200 lbs (1 451 kg) 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
3.7L Engine3.73 5,500 lbs (2 495 kg) 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
5.3L Engine3.42 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg) 10,400 lbs (4 717 kg)
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2WD Extended Cab Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
Automatic Transmission,
5.3L Engine **3.42 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) 10,400 lbs (4 717 kg)
Manual Transmission,
2.9L Engine3.73 2,200 lbs (998 kg) 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg)
*The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
**With the ZQ8 Suspension Package.
2WD Crew Cab Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
Automatic Transmission,
2.9L Engine3.73 3,000 lbs (1 361 kg) 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
3.7L Engine3.73 5,500 lbs (2 495 kg) 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
5.3L Engine3.42 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg) 10,400 lbs (4 717 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
5.3L Engine **3.42 3,800 lbs (1 724 kg) 10,400 lbs (4 717 kg)
Manual Transmission,
2.9L Engine3.73 2,100 lbs (953 kg) 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg)
*The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
**With the ZQ8 Suspension Package.
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4WD Regular Cab Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
Automatic Transmission,
2.9L Engine3.73 3,000 lbs (1 361 kg) 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
2.9L Engine3.73 3,000 lbs (1 361 kg) 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
3.7L Engine3.73 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) 9,000 lbs (4 082 kg)
Manual Transmission,
2.9L Engine3.73 2,100 lbs (953 kg) 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg)
Manual Transmission,
2.9L Engine4.10 2,100 lbs (953 kg) 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg)
*The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
4WD Extended Cab Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
Automatic Transmission,
2.9L Engine3.73 2,900 lbs (1 315 kg) 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
2.9L Engine4.10 2,900 lbs (1 315 kg) 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
3.7L Engine3.73 5,500 lbs (2 495 kg) 9,800 lbs (4 445 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
5.3L Engine3.42 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg) 10,400 lbs (4 717 kg)
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4WD Extended Cab Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
Manual Transmission,
2.9L Engine3.73 1,900 lbs (861 kg) 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg)
Manual Transmission,
2.9L Engine4.10 1,900 lbs (861 kg) 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg)
*The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
4WD Crew Cab Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
Automatic Transmission,
3.7L Engine3.73 5,500 lbs (2 495 kg) 9,800 lbs (4 445 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
5.3L Engine3.42 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg) 10,400 lbs (4 717 kg)
*The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
Ask your dealer/retailer for our trailering information or advice, or you can write us at our Customer Assistance
Offices. SeeCustomer Assistance Offices on page 7-5for more information.
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When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at normal altitudes. If you turn your
engine off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating. To avoid this, let the
engine run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the automatic transmission in PARK (P) (or
the manual transmission out of gear and the parking
brake applied) for a few minutes before turning the
engine off. If you do get the overheat warning,
seeEngine Overheating on page 5-29.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle, with a
trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People
can be injured, and both your vehicle and the
trailer can be damaged.But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill,
here’s how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) yet, or into gear for a manual transmission.
When parking uphill, turn your wheels away from the
curb. When parking downhill, turn your wheels into
the curb.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake, and then shift into PARK (P), or
REVERSE (R) for a manual transmission. See
Parking Brake on page 2-32for more information.
5. If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure
the transfer case is in a drive gear and not in
NEUTRAL. SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-28
for more information.
6. Release the regular brakes.
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