2009 GMC CANYON manual transmission

Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Use the following procedure to dolly tow a
four-wheel-drive vehicle from the rear:
1. Attach the dolly to the tow vehicle following the
dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Drive the rear wheels onto the dolly.
3. Firmly set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-31.
4. Put an automatic transmission in P (Park) or a
manual transmission in 1 (First).5. Secure the vehicle to the dolly following the
manufacturer’s instructions.
6. Use an adequate clamping device designed for
towing to ensure that the front wheels are locked
into the straight position.
{CAUTION:
Shifting a full-time four-wheel-drive vehicle’s
transfer case into N (Neutral) can cause the
vehicle to roll even if the automatic transmission is
in P (Park) or the manual transmission is in any
gear. You or others could be injured. Make sure
the parking brake is rmly set before the transfer
case is shifted to N (Neutral).
7. Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral). See “Shifting to
Neutral” underFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-26.
8. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
If the vehicle being towed 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 the battery from draining.
After towing, see “Shifting Out of Neutral” under
Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-26.
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Pulling A Trailer
Here are some important points:
There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure
the rig will be legal, not only where you live but
also where you will be driving. A good source for
this information can be state or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control. See “Hitches” later
in this section.
Do not tow a trailer at all during the rst 500 miles
(800 km) the new vehicle is driven. The engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during the rst 500 miles (800 km) that a
trailer is towed, do not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)
and do not make starts at full throttle. This helps
the engine and other parts of the vehicle wear in at
the heavier loads.
Vehicles with automatic transmissions can tow in
D (Drive), but you may want to shift to a lower
gear selection if the transmission shifts too often
(e.g., under heavy loads and/or hilly conditions).
If the vehicle has a manual transmission it is 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
The weight on the vehicle’s tires
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how the rig is used. For example, speed,
altitude, road grades, outside temperature and how
much the vehicle is used to pull a trailer are all
important. It can depend on any special equipment on
the 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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Use the following chart to determine how much the vehicle can weigh, based upon the vehicle model and options.
Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
2WD Regular Cab
2.9L L4 Automatic Transmission 3.73 3,400 lbs (1 542 kg) 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg)
2.9L L4 Manual Transmission 3.73 2,400 lbs (1 089 kg) 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg)
3.7L L5 Automatic Transmission 3.73 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) 8,500 lbs (3 856 kg)
2WD Extended Cab
2.9L L4 Automatic Transmission 3.73 3,200 lbs (1 452 kg) 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg)
2.9L L4 Manual Transmission 3.73 2,200 lbs (998 kg) 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg)
3.7L L5 Automatic Transmission 3.73 5,500 lbs (2 495 kg) 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
5.3L V8 Automatic Transmission3.42
3.736,000 lbs (2 722 kg) 10,400 lbs (4 717 kg)
5.3L V8 Automatic Transmission,
ZQ8 Sport Suspension3.42 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) 8,500 lbs (3 856 kg)
2WD Crew Cab
2.9L L4 Automatic Transmission 3.73 3,000 lbs (1 361 kg) 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg)
2.9L L4 Manual Transmission 3.73 2,100 lbs (953 kg) 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg)
3.7L L5 Automatic Transmission 3.73 5,500 lbs (2 495 kg) 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
5.3L V8 Automatic Transmission3.42
3.736,000 lbs (2 722 kg) 10,400 lbs (4 717 kg)
4WD Regular Cab
2.9L L4 Automatic Transmission 3.73 3,100 lbs (1 406 kg) 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg)
2.9L L4 Manual Transmission 3.73 2,100 lbs (953 kg) 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg)
3.7L L5 Automatic Transmission 3.73 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) 9,000 lbs (4 082 kg)
4-49

Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
4WD Extended Cab
2.9L L4 Automatic Transmission 3.73 2,900 lbs (1 315 kg) 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg)
2.9L L4 Manual Transmission 3.73 1,900 lbs (861 kg) 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg)
3.7L L5 Automatic Transmission 3.73 5,500 lbs (2 495 kg) 9,800 lbs (4 445 kg)
5.3L V8 Automatic Transmission3.42
4.106,000 lbs (2 722 kg) 10,400 lbs (4 717 kg)
5.3L V8 Automatic Transmission,
ZQ8 Sport Suspension3.42 3,800 lbs (1 724 kg) 8,500 lbs (3 856 kg)
4WD Crew Cab
3.7L L5 Automatic Transmission 3.73 5,500 lbs (2 495 kg) 9,800 lbs (4 445 kg)
5.3L V8 Automatic Transmission3.42
4.106,000 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 the vehicle should not be
exceeded.
Ask your dealer/retailer for our trailering information or advice, or write us at our Customer Assistance Offices.
SeeCustomer Assistance Offices on page 7-6for more information.
4-50

Passing
More passing distance is needed when towing a trailer.
Because the rig is longer, it is necessary to go much
farther beyond the passed vehicle before returning to
the lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, move that hand to the
left. To move the trailer to the right, move your hand to
the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible, have
someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. The vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do this so the trailer will not strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The arrows on the instrument panel ash whenever
signaling a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up, the
trailer lamps also ash, telling other drivers the vehicle is
turning, changing lanes or stopping.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on the instrument panel
ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer are burned
out. For this reason you may think other drivers are
seeing the signal when they are not. It is important to
check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforestarting
down a long or steep downgrade. If the transmission is
not shifted down, the brakes might have to be used so
much that they would get hot and no longer work well.
Vehicles with automatic transmissions can tow in
D (Drive), but you may want to shift to a lower gear
selection if the transmission shifts too often (e.g., under
heavy loads and/or hilly conditions). If the vehicle has
a manual transmission it is better not to use the
highest gear.
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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 the engine is
turned off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, the vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating. To avoid this, let
the engine run while parked, preferably on level ground,
with an automatic transmission in P (Park) or a
manual transmission in N (Neutral) with the parking
brake applied, for a few minutes before turning
the engine off. If the overheat warning comes on, see
Engine Overheating on page 5-32.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
Parking the vehicle on a hill with the trailer
attached can be dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move. People can be
injured, and both the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always park the rig on a
at surface.If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park)
yet for vehicles with an automatic transmission, or
into gear for vehicles with a manual transmission.
Turn the wheels into the curb if facing downhill
or into traffic if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
brake pedal until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking
brake and shift into P (Park) for vehicles with an
automatic transmission or into gear for vehicles with
a manual transmission.
5. If the vehicle has four-wheel-drive, be sure
the transfer case is in a drive gear and not in
N (Neutral). SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-26
for more information.
6. Release the brake pedal.
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Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
California Perchlorate Materials
Requirements.............................................5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
the Vehicle.................................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-15
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-20
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-21
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-24
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-25Cooling System............................................5-26
Engine Coolant.............................................5-28
Engine Overheating.......................................5-32
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-33
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-34
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-35
Brakes........................................................5-36
Battery........................................................5-39
Jump Starting...............................................5-40
Rear Axle.......................................................5-43
Four-Wheel Drive............................................5-44
Front Axle......................................................5-45
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-47
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-47
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-47
Headlamps..................................................5-48
Front Turn Signal, Parking and Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL)................................5-49
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-49
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps.........................................5-50
License Plate Lamp......................................5-51
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-51
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-52
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check
A good time to check the manual transmission uid is
when the engine oil is changed. However, the uid in
the manual transmission does not require changing.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at your GM dealer/retailer
service department.
If doing it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or there could be a false reading.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can damage
your transmission. Too little uid could cause the
transmission to overheat. Be sure to get an accurate
reading if you check your transmission uid.
Check the uid level only when the engine is off, the
vehicle is parked on a level place and the transmission
is cool enough to touch the transmission case.After this is done:
1. Remove the ller plug.
2. Check that the lubricant level is up to the bottom of
the ller plug hole.
3. If the uid level is good, install the plug and be sure
it is fully seated. If the uid level is low, add more
uid as described in the next steps.
5-24