2009 GMC CANYON engine

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

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

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-29
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-29
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-30
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-32
Security Light...............................................3-33
Cruise Control Light......................................3-33
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-33
Fuel Gage...................................................3-34
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-35
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-35
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-38Audio System(s).............................................3-42
Setting the Clock..........................................3-43
Radio(s)......................................................3-44
Using an MP3..............................................3-54
XM Radio Messages.....................................3-59
Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-60
Radio Reception...........................................3-60
Fixed Mast Antenna......................................3-61
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System.............3-61
Chime Level Adjustment................................3-61
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2

Dome Lamp Override
The dome lamp override button is located below the
exterior lamps control.
E(Dome Lamp Override):Press this button in to
make the dome lamps remain off when the doors
are open. To return the lamps to automatic operation,
press
Eagain and return it to the out position.
Exit Lighting
The interior lamps will come on when the key is removed
from the ignition. The lamps will not come on if the dome
override button is pressed in.
Electric Power Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management (EPM)
that estimates the battery’s temperature and state
of charge. It then adjusts the voltage for best
performance and extended life of the battery.
When the battery’s state of charge is low, the voltage is
raised slightly to quickly bring the charge back up.
When the state of charge is high, the voltage is lowered
slightly to prevent overcharging. If the vehicle has a
voltmeter gage or a voltage display on the DriverInformation Center (DIC), you may see the voltage
move up or down. This is normal. If there is a problem,
an alert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the electrical
loads are very high. This is true for all vehicles.
This is because the generator (alternator) may not be
spinning fast enough at idle to produce all the power that
is needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following are on: headlamps, high beams, fog lamps,
rear window defogger, climate control fan at high speed,
heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailer loads, and
loads plugged into accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator’s output
and the vehicle’s electrical needs. It can increase
engine idle speed to generate more power, whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce the power demands of
some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels, without
being noticeable. In rare cases at the highest levels
of corrective action, this action may be noticeable to
the driver. If so, a Driver Information Center (DIC)
message might be displayed, such as BATTERY
SAVER ACTIVE, BATTERY VOLTAGE LOW, or
3-16

If the knob is set on “0” (zero), some outside air will still
enter the vehicle and will be directed according to the
position of the mode knob.
Air Delivery Mode Control:Turn the knob clockwise
or counterclockwise to change the current airow mode.
Select from the following modes:
H(Vent):Air is directed to the instrument panel outlets.
\(Bi-Level):Air is divided between the instrument
panel outlets and oor and side window outlets. Cooler
air is directed to the upper outlets and warmer air to
the oor outlets.
[(Floor):Air is directed to the oor outlets.
Recirculation cannot be selected while in oor mode
because this could cause the interior window to fog.
/(Floor/Defog):This mode clears the windows of fog
or moisture. Air is directed to the oor, windshield,
and side window outlets. When this mode is selected,
the system runs the air conditioning compressor
unless the outside temperature is near freezing or
below. Recirculation is not available in this mode.
0(Defrost):This mode clears the windshield of fog or
frost more quickly. Air is directed to the windshield and
side window outlets. When this mode is selected, the
system runs the air conditioning compressor unless
the outside temperature is near, or below freezing.
Recirculation is not available in this mode.Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
#(Air Conditioning):Press to turn the air conditioning
system on or off. An indicator light on the button
comes on to show that the air conditioning is on.
The fan control must be on to use the air conditioning.
There might be a slight change in engine performance
when the air conditioning compressor shuts off and turns
on again. This is normal. The system is designed to
make adjustments to help with fuel economy while still
maintaining the selected temperature.
The air conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so a small amount of water might drip under the
vehicle while idling or after turning off the engine.
This is normal.
@(Recirculation):Press to turn the recirculation
mode on or off. An indicator light on the button comes
on to show that the recirculation mode is on. This mode
recirculates and helps to quickly cool the air inside
the vehicle. It can be used to prevent outside air and
odors from entering the vehicle.
The recirculation mode cannot be used with oor/defog,
defrost, or defogging modes. If recirculation is selected in
these modes, the indicator will ash or not come on.
3-19

Outlet Adjustment
Use the thumbwheel on the outlets to change the
direction of the air ow.
Lift up or push down on the thumbwheel located in the
center of the outlet to direct the air up or down, or
slide the thumbwheel to the left or right to direct the
airow from side-to-side.
Operation Tips

Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block the ow of air into the vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood deectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside of the vehicle more
effectively.
Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
the warning lights and gages could prevent injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of the vehicle’s functions. Some
warning lights come on briey when the engine is started
to indicate they are working.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of the vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to indicate a problem with
the vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
while driving, or when one of the gages shows there
may be a problem, check the section that explains
what to do. Follow this manual’s advice. Waiting to do
repairs can be costly and even dangerous.
3-20