2009 GMC CANYON Owner's Manual

Parking Brake
The parking brake pedal is
located to the left of the
brake pedal, near the
driver door.
To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down,
then push the parking brake pedal down to its
fully-applied position.
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 3-27.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,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-47.
2-31

Shifting Into Park
(Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake rmly set. The vehicle can roll. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be
sure the 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 4-47.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
SeeParking Brake on page 2-31for more
information.
{CAUTION:
If you have four-wheel drive, the vehicle will
be free to roll — even if the shift lever is in
P (Park) — if the transfer case is in N (Neutral).
So, be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear,
two-wheel high (2H) or four-wheel high (4H) or
four-wheel low (4L) — not in N (Neutral).
2. Move the shift lever into P (Park) by pulling the
lever toward you and moving it up as far as it
will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave the vehicle with the key, the vehicle is in
P (Park).
2-32

Leaving the Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave the vehicle with the
engine running. The vehicle could move suddenly
if the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) 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 the vehicle with the engine
running.
If you have to leave the vehicle with the engine running,
be sure the vehicle is in P (Park) and the parking
brake is rmly set before you leave it. After you have
moved the shift lever into P (Park), hold the regular
brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the shift
lever away from P (Park) without rst pulling it toward
you. If you can, the shift lever was not fully locked
into P (Park).
Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift the
transmission into P (Park) 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 P (Park). This is called torque lock.
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into P (Park) properly before you leave the
driver seat. To nd out how, seeShifting Into Park
(Automatic Transmission) on page 2-32.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
P (Park) 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 P (Park).
2-33

Shifting Out of Park
(Automatic Transmission)
The vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply the brake pedal
before you can shift from P (Park) when the ignition
is ON/RUN. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation on
page 2-22.
The shift lock control system is designed to do the
following:
Prevent the ignition key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in P (Park).
Prevent movement of the shift lever out of P (Park),
unless the ignition is in ON/RUN and the 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 the vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery with
low voltage, try charging or jump starting the battery.
SeeJump Starting on page 5-40for more information.To shift out of P (Park) 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 P (Park):
1. Ease the pressure on the shift lever.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, push the shift
lever all the way into P (Park)
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you are still having a problem shifting, then have the
vehicle serviced.Parking the Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)
If the vehicle has a manual transmission, before you get
out of the vehicle, move the shift lever into R (Reverse),
and rmly apply the parking brake. Once the shift
lever has been placed into R (Reverse) with the clutch
pedal pressed in, turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF,
remove the key and release the clutch.
If you are parking on a hill, or if the vehicle is pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-47.
2-34

Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under the vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other things that
can burn.
Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust contains Carbon Monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled. Exposure to CO
can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Exhaust may enter the vehicle if:
The vehicle idles in areas with poor ventilation
(parking garages, tunnels, deep snow that
may block underbody airow or tail pipes).
The exhaust smells or sounds strange or
different.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

The exhaust system leaks due to corrosion or
damage.
The vehicle’s exhaust system has been
modied, damaged or improperly repaired.
There are holes or openings in the vehicle
body from damage or after-market
modications that are not completely sealed.
If unusual fumes are detected or if it is suspected
that exhaust is coming into the vehicle:
Drive it only with the windows
completely down.
Have the vehicle repaired immediately.
Never park the vehicle with the engine running in
an enclosed area such as a garage or a building
that has no fresh air ventilation.
2-35

Running the Vehicle 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 a vehicle in an enclosed area with poor
ventilation is dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Never run the engine in an enclosed area that has
no fresh air ventilation. For more information, see
Engine Exhaust on page 2-35.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
automatic transmission shift lever is not fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake rmly set.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
The vehicle can roll. Do not leave the 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 the 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 P (Park), or the manual transmission shift
lever to Neutral.
{CAUTION:
Four-wheel drive vehicles with the transfer case in
N (Neutral) will allow the vehicle to roll, even if the
automatic transmission shift lever is in P (Park). So,
be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear — not in
N (Neutral). Always set the parking brake.
Follow the proper steps to be sure the vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (Automatic Transmission)
on page 2-32.
If pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-47.
2-36

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Hold the inside rearview mirror in the center to move it
for a clearer view behind your vehicle. Adjust the
mirror to avoid glare from the headlamps behind you.
Push the tab forward for daytime use and pull it for
nighttime use.
For vehicles with OnStar
®:
Vehicles with this feature have three control buttons
located at the bottom of the mirror. See your
dealer/retailer for more information on the system and
how to subscribe to OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System
on page 2-41for more information about the services
OnStar
®provides.
Adjust this type of mirror to avoid glare from the
headlamps behind you by turning the knob
counterclockwise for nighttime driving and clockwise
for daytime driving.
Cleaning the Mirror
Do not spray glass cleaner directly on the mirror.
Use a soft towel dampened with water.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
The vehicle may have an automatic dimming rearview
mirror. Automatic dimming reduces the glare of lights
from behind the vehicle.
The mirror may also have OnStar
®and/or a compass
and outside temperature display.
Control buttons for the OnStar
®system are at the
bottom of the mirror. SeeOnStar®System on
page 2-41for more information about the services
OnStar
®provides. SeeCompass on page 2-38for
more information about the compass display.
See “Temperature Display” after, for more information
about the outside temperature display.
AUTO/
(/O(On/Off):Press and hold AUTO /(
for about three seconds or depending on the mirror,
press
Oto turn automatic dimming on or off.
The automatic dimming feature comes on and the
indicator light illuminates each time the vehicle is
started.
2-37

Temperature Display
Yb
/O(On/Off):PressYbor depending on the
mirror, press
Oto turn the display on or off.
To adjust between Fahrenheit and Celsius:
1. Press and hold
Yb/Ofor a few seconds.
The current unit of measure (F or C) ashes.
2. Press
Yb/Oagain and release to change the
unit of measure. Wait several seconds and the
compass/temperature display returns with the
selected unit of measure.
It is normal under certain conditions for the temperature
update to be delayed. If an incorrect temperature
displays for an extended period, see your dealer/retailer.
Cleaning the Mirror
Do not spray glass cleaner directly on the mirror.
Use a soft towel dampened with water.
Compass
Compass Operation
PressYbor depending on the mirror, pressOonce to
turn the display on or off.
Compass Calibration
The compass may need calibration if:
CAL is displayed while driving in the vehicle.
After approximately ve seconds, the display
does not show a compass heading, N for North, for
example, there may be a strong magnetic eld
interfering with the compass. Interference can be
caused by a magnetic antenna mount, magnetic
note pad holder, or a similar magnetic item.
The compass does not display the correct heading
and the compass zone variance is set correctly.
To calibrate, CAL must be displayed in the mirror
compass windows. If CAL is not displayed, press and
hold
Yb/Ofor several seconds or until CAL is
displayed.
The compass can be calibrated by driving the vehicle
in circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the display
reads a direction.
2-38