2008 GMC CANYON parking brake

Keys...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System.................2-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation.......................................2-5
Doors and Locks.............................................2-7
Door Locks....................................................2-7
Power Door Locks..........................................2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................2-8
Rear Door Security Locks (Crew Cab)...............2-9
Lockout Protection..........................................2-9
Rear Doors (Extended Cab).............................2-9
Tailgate.......................................................2-10
Windows........................................................2-12
Manual Windows..........................................2-12
Power Windows............................................2-13
Sliding Rear Window.....................................2-14
Sun Visors...................................................2-14
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-15
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-15
Passlock
®(U. S. Only)..................................2-16
PASS-Key®III+............................................2-17
PASS-Key®III+ Operation (Canada Only).........2-17Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-19
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-19
Ignition Positions..........................................2-19
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)...................2-21
Starting the Engine.......................................2-21
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-22
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-23
Manual Transmission Operation......................2-26
Four-Wheel Drive..........................................2-28
Parking Brake..............................................2-32
Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)............................2-34
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)............................2-36
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)...............................2-37
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-37
Engine Exhaust............................................2-37
Running the Engine While Parked...................2-38
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories can be used for up to
20 minutes after the engine is turned off:
Audio System
Wipers
Power Windows
These features work when the key is in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY. Once the key is turned from
ON/RUN to LOCK/OFF, power to these features
continue to work for up to 20 minutes or until a door
is opened.
Starting the Engine
Place the transmission in the proper gear.
Automatic Transmission
Move the shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
The engine will not start in any other position -- this
is a safety feature. To restart when you are already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The shift lever should be in neutral position and the
parking brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal down to
the oor and start the engine. Your vehicle will not start
if the clutch pedal is not all the way down. That is a
safety feature.
Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it. Operate the engine and
transmission gently to allow the oil to warm up and
lubricate all moving parts.
Your vehicle has a Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in starting the engine
and protects components. If the ignition key is turned
to the START position, and then released when the
engine begins cranking, the engine will continue
cranking for a few seconds or until the vehicle starts.
2-21

There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks your rear wheels. It is
the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle cannot move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is 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). SeeShifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission) on page 2-34.Ifyou
are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer
on page 4-44.Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system. You must fully
apply your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition key is in ON. 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 move the shift lever into
another gear. SeeShifting Out of PARK (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-36.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice, or sand without damaging your transmission,
seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
on page 4-30.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
2-24

Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
Use REVERSE (R), along with the parking brake, for
parking your vehicle.
Up-Shift Light
This light will show you
when to shift to the next
higher gear for best fuel
economy.
When this light comes on, you can shift to the next
higher gear if weather, road and traffic conditions permit.
For the best fuel economy, accelerate slowly and shift
when the light comes on.While you accelerate, it is normal for the light to go on
and off if you quickly change the position of the
accelerator. Ignore the shift light when you downshift.
If your vehicle has four-wheel drive and has a manual
transmission, disregard the shift light when the transfer
case is in four-wheel low.
For more information, seeUp-Shift Light on page 3-30.
Shift Speeds
{CAUTION:
If you skip a gear when you downshift, you
could lose control of your vehicle. You could
injure yourself or others. Do not shift down
more than one gear at a time when you
downshift.
2-27

Use these buttons to shift into and out of four-wheel
drive. You can choose from the following:
2
m(Two-Wheel High):This setting is for driving in
most street and highway situations. Your front axle is not
engaged in two-wheel drive.
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL can
cause your vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in PARK (P), or if you have a
manual transmission, even if you are in gear.
You or someone else could be seriously
injured. Be sure to set the parking brake
before placing the transfer case in NEUTRAL.
SeeParking Brake on page 2-32.
N (NEUTRAL):Shift the vehicle’s transfer case to
NEUTRAL only when towing your vehicle.4
m(Four-Wheel High):This setting engages your
front axle to help drive your vehicle. Use four-wheel high
when you need extra traction, such as on snowy or
icy roads, or in most off-road situations.
4
n(Four-Wheel Low):This setting also engages
your front axle to give you extra traction. It sends
the maximum power to all four wheels. You might
choose four-wheel low if you were driving off-road in
sand, mud, or deep snow and while climbing or
descending steep hills.
Indicator lights in the buttons show you which setting
you are in. The indicator lights will come on briey
when you turn on the ignition and one will stay on the
selected setting. If the lights do not come on, you should
take your vehicle in for service. An indicator light will ash
while shifting. It will stay on when the shift is completed.
If for some reason the transfer case does not shift, it will
return to the last chosen setting.
2-29

Shifting from Four-Wheel Low to
Two-Wheel High or Four-Wheel High
To shift from Four-Wheel Low to Two-Wheel High or
Four-Wheel High, your vehicle must be stopped
or moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h) with the
transmission in NEUTRAL (N) for an automatic
transmission or the clutch pedal pressed for a manual
transmission. The preferred method for shifting out of
four-wheel low is to have your vehicle moving 1 to 2 mph
(1.6 to 3.2 km/h).
Press and release the Four-Wheel High or Two-Wheel
High button. You must wait for the Four-Wheel High
or Two-Wheel High indicator light to stop ashing and
stay on before shifting the transmission into gear or
releasing the clutch pedal.
If the Four-Wheel High or Two-Wheel High button is
pressed when your vehicle is in gear and/or moving
faster than 3 mph (5km/h), the Four-Wheel High or Two
Wheel High indicator light will ash for 30 seconds but
not complete the shift.
Shifting to NEUTRAL
Use NEUTRAL when you plan to tow your vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-38for towing
instructions. To shift the transfer case into NEUTRAL do
the following:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Start the vehicle.
3. Press the regular brake pedal and shift the
transmission in NEUTRAL (N), or press in the clutch
for vehicles with a manual transmission.
4. Shift the transfer case to Two-Wheel High.
5. Press and hold the Two-Wheel High and
Four-Wheel Low buttons at the same time for
10 seconds. The NEUTRAL (N) light will come on
when the transfer case shift to NEUTRAL (N)
is complete.
6. Press and hold the regular brake pedal and shift
the transmission to REVERSE (R) for one second,
then shift the transmission to DRIVE (D) for one
second, or FIRST (1) for vehicles with manual
transmissions, and let out the clutch to insure the
transfer case is in NEUTRAL. If the vehicle is not in
NEUTRAL, repeat this procedure starting at Step 3.
2-31

7. Turn the engine off by turning the key to ACC.
8. Place the transmission shift lever in PARK (P), or
FIRST (1) for vehicles that have a manual
transmission.
9. Turn the ignition to LOCK.
Shifting Out of NEUTRAL
After towing your vehicle, you will have to shift out of
NEUTRAL in order to drive. To shift out of NEUTRAL, do
the following:
1. Set the parking brake and apply the regular
brake pedal.
2. Start a vehicle with an automatic transmission in
PARK (P). Use FIRST (1) for vehicles with a
manual transmission.
3. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N), or press
the clutch pedal for vehicles with a manual
transmission.
4. Press the button for the desired transfer case shift
position (Two-Wheel High, Four-Wheel High, or
Four-Wheel Low).
5. After the transfer case has shifted out of NEUTRAL,
the indicator light will go out.
6. Release the parking brake.
7. Shift the transmission to the desired position.
Parking Brake
The parking brake pedal is
located to the left of the
regular brake pedal, near
the driver’s door.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot. Push the parking brake pedal
down to its fully-applied position with your left foot.
A chime will activate and the brake warning light, located
on the instrument panel, will ash when the parking
brake is applied and the vehicle is moving at least
3 mph (5 km/h) for at least three seconds. The chime will
deactivate and the light will turn off when the parking
brake is set and the vehicle is moving below
3 mph (5 km/h). SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 3-31.
2-32

To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down. Pull the bottom edge of the lever, located
above the parking brake pedal, with the parking brake
symbol, directly rearward to release the parking brake.If the ignition is on when the parking brake is released,
the brake system warning light will go off.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Make sure
that the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-44.
2-33