2009 GMC CANYON clutch

Starting the Engine
Place the transmission in the proper gear.
Automatic Transmission
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or N (Neutral).
The engine will not start in any other position.
To restart the vehicle when it is already moving,
use N (Neutral) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage
the transmission. Shift to P (Park) only when
the vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The shift lever should be in Neutral and the parking
brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal down to the oor
and start the engine. The vehicle will not start if the
clutch pedal is not all the way down.
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 the engine
warms. 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.
The 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. If the engine does not
start and the key is held in START for many
seconds, cranking will be stopped after 15 seconds
to prevent cranking motor damage. To prevent
gear damage, this system also prevents cranking if
the engine is already running. Engine cranking
can be stopped by turning the ignition switch
to ACC/ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF.
2-20

Manual Transmission Operation
This is your shift pattern.
Here is how to operate the manual transmission:
1 (First):Press the clutch pedal and shift into 1 (First).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you slowly
press down on the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into 1 (First) when you are going less than
20 mph (30 km/h). If you have come to a complete
stop and it is hard to shift into 1 (First), put the shift lever
in Neutral and let up on the clutch. Then press the
clutch pedal back down and shift into 1 (First).
2 (Second):Press the clutch pedal as you let up on
the accelerator pedal and shift into 2 (Second).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press
the accelerator pedal.3 (Third), 4 (Fourth) and 5 (Fifth):Shift into 3 (Third),
4 (Fourth) and 5 (Fifth) the same way you do for
2 (Second). Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you
press the accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the
brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press
the clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to
Neutral.
Neutral:Use this position when you start or idle
the engine.
R (Reverse):To back up, press the clutch pedal.
After the vehicle stops, shift into R (Reverse). Slowly let
up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator
pedal. If it is hard to shift, let the shift lever return
to Neutral and release the clutch pedal. Then press
the clutch again and shift into R (Reverse). Do not
attempt to shift into 5 (Fifth) prior to shifting into
R (Reverse). The transmission has a lock out feature
which prevents a 5 (Fifth) gear to R (Reverse) gear shift.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
Use R (Reverse), along with the parking brake, for
parking the vehicle.
2-25

Shifting from Two-Wheel High to
Four-Wheel High
Press and release the Four-Wheel High button. This can
be done at any speed, and the front axle will lock
automatically.
Shifting from Four-Wheel High to
Two-Wheel High
Press and release the Two-Wheel High button. This can
be done at any speed, and the front axle will unlock
automatically.
It is normal to hear and feel the vehicle’s transfer case
shift into Four-Wheel High. If you shift with the vehicle
stopped, the indicator light may still ash slowly. It may
be necessary to shift the transmission momentarily
into R (Reverse) and D (Drive), for an automatic
transmission, or R (Reverse) and 1 (First) for a manual
transmission to have the light stop ashing.
Shifting from Two-Wheel High or
Four-Wheel High to Four-Wheel Low
To shift from Two-Wheel High or Four-Wheel High to
Four-Wheel Low, the vehicle must be stopped or moving
less than 3 mph (5 km/h) with the transmission in
N (Neutral) for an automatic transmission or the clutch
pedal pressed for a manual transmission. The preferred
method for shifting into 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 Low button. You
must wait for the Four-Wheel Low indicator light to stop
ashing and stay on before shifting the transmission
into gear or releasing the clutch pedal.
If the Four-Wheel Low button is pressed when the
vehicle is in gear and/or moving faster than 3 mph
(5 km/h), the four-wheel low indicator light will ash for
30 seconds and not complete the shift.
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, the vehicle must be stopped or
moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h) with the transmission
in N (Neutral) 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 the 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.
2-29

Shifting to Neutral
Use N (Neutral) when you plan to tow the vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-41for towing
instructions. To shift the transfer case into N (Neutral)
do the following:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Start the vehicle.
3. Press the regular brake pedal and shift the
transmission in N (Neutral), 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 N (Neutral) light will come on when
the transfer case shift to N (Neutral) is complete.
6. Press and hold the regular brake pedal and shift
the transmission to R (Reverse) for one second,
then shift the transmission to D (Drive) for
one second, or 1 (First) for vehicles with manual
transmissions, and let out the clutch to insure
the transfer case is in N (Neutral). If the transfer
case is not in N (Neutral), repeat this procedure
starting at Step 3.
7. Turn the engine off by turning the key to
ACC/ACCESSORY.8. Place the transmission shift lever in P (Park),
or 1 (First) for vehicles that have a manual
transmission.
9. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
Shifting Out of Neutral
After towing the vehicle, you will have to shift out of
N (Neutral) in order to drive. To shift out of N (Neutral),
do the following:
1. Set the parking brake and apply the regular brake
pedal.
2. Start a vehicle with an automatic transmission in
P (Park). Use 1 (First) for vehicles with a manual
transmission.
3. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral), 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 N (Neutral),
the indicator light will go out.
6. Release the parking brake.
7. Shift the transmission to the desired position.
2-30

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

Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control

Press and holdrTuntil the lower speed
desired is reached, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts,
briey press
rT.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase the vehicle speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, the vehicle
slows down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control works on hills depends
upon the vehicle speed, load, and the steepness
of the hills. When going up steep hills, you might
have to step on the accelerator pedal to maintain the
vehicle speed. When going downhill, you might have
to brake or shift to a lower gear to keep the vehicle
speed down. Applying the brake will turn off the
cruise control.
Ending Cruise Control
To turn off the cruise control, do one of the following:
Step lightly on the brake pedal.
Move the cruise control lever to9.
Lightly tap or press the clutch, if you have a manual
transmission.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory is erased when
the cruise control or the ignition is turned off.
Exterior Lamps
The exterior lamp control is located on the instrument
panel on the left side of the steering wheel.
3-12

Things not to do if the vehicle stalls, or is about to stall,
when going up a hill:
Never attempt to prevent a stall by shifting into
N (Neutral), or pressing the clutch pedal if the
vehicle has a manual transmission, to rev-up the
engine and regain forward momentum. This will not
work. The vehicle can roll backward very quickly
and could go out of control.
Never try to turn around if about to stall when going
up a hill. If the hill is steep enough to stall the vehicle,
it is steep enough to cause it to roll over. If you
cannot make it up the hill, back straight down the hill.
If, after stalling, you try to back down the hill and decide
you just cannot do it, set the parking brake, shift to
P (Park) or 1 (First) with a manual transmission, and turn
off the engine. Leave the vehicle and go get some help.Exit on the uphill side and stay clear of the path the
vehicle would take if it rolled downhill. Do not shift the
transfer case to Neutral when you leave the vehicle.
Leave it in some gear.
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to Neutral can cause
your vehicle to roll even if the transmission is in
P (Park). This is because the Neutral position on
the transfer case overrides the transmission.
You or someone else could be injured. If you are
going to leave your vehicle, set the parking brake
and shift the transmission to P (Park). But do not
shift the transfer case to Neutral.
4-20

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