Page 7 of 404

Black plate (1,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-1
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Heated Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . 1-8
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Passenger Sensing System . . . 1-9 Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Steering Wheel
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 1-12
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Vehicle Features
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
StabiliTrak
®System . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . 1-18
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 1-19
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Page 12 of 404
Black plate (6,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
1-6 In Brief
Tailgate
Open the tailgate by pulling up on
the outside handle while pulling the
tailgate down.
On vehicles with a locking tailgate,
use the ignition key to unlock it.
For more information seeTailgate
on page 2‑8.
Windows
Manual Windows
Use the window crank to open and
close each window.
Power Windows
Regular Cab Shown, Crew Cab
Similar
Push the switch down to open the
window. Pull the front of the switch
up to close it.
See Manual Windows on page 2‑16
or Power Windows on page 2‑17.
Page 29 of 404

Black plate (1,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-1
Keys, Doors, and
Windows
Keys and Locks
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Safety Locks (Crew Cab) . . . . . 2-6
Doors
Rear Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Vehicle Security
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Anti-theft Alarm System . . . . . . 2-10
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Immobilizer Operation (PASS-Key III+
Canada Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Immobilizer Operation (Passlock U.S. Only) . . . . . . . 2-12
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Manual Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Power Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Interior Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror . . . . . . 2-14
Automatic Dimming RearviewMirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Windows
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Manual Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Power Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Rear Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Page 30 of 404

Black plate (2,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
2-2 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Keys and Locks
Keys
{WARNING
Leaving children in a vehicle with
the ignition key is dangerous for
many reasons. Children or others
could be badly injured or even
killed. They could operate the
power windows or other controls
or even make the vehicle move.
The windows will function with the
keys in the ignition and children
could be seriously injured or killed
if caught in the path of a closing
window. Do not leave the keys in
a vehicle with children.
The key can be used for the ignition,
all door locks, and the tailgate.
The key has a bar-coded key tag
that the dealer or qualified locksmith
can use to make new keys. Store
this information in a safe place, not
in your vehicle.If locked out of your vehicle, call the
Roadside Assistance Center. See
Roadside Assistance Program (U.S.
and Canada) on page 13‑8
or
Roadside Assistance Program
(Mexico) on page 13‑10.
With an active OnStar subscription,
an OnStar Advisor may remotely
unlock the vehicle. See OnStar
®on
page 1‑20.
Page 36 of 404

Black plate (8,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
2-8 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Tailgate
{WARNING
It is extremely dangerous to ride
on the tailgate, even when the
vehicle is operated at low speeds.
People riding on the tailgate can
easily lose their balance and
fall in response to vehicle
maneuvers. Falling from a moving
vehicle may result in serious
injuries or death. Do not allow
people to ride on the tailgate. Be
sure everyone in your vehicle is in
a seat and using a safety belt
properly.
Open the tailgate by pulling up on
the outside handle while pulling the
tailgate down.
When the tailgate is shut, be sure it
is latched securely.
On vehicles with a locking tailgate,
use the ignition key. Turn the key
counterclockwise to lock the
tailgate. Turn the key clockwise to
unlock the tailgate.
Tailgate Removal
To remove the tailgate:
1. With the tailgate fully open, liftup slightly on the entire tailgate
assembly.
2. Remove the retaining cables
from both sides of the tailgate by
pulling the clips away from the
bolt heads while pushing the
cable bracket forward.
When the larger part of the hole
on the bracket is over the bolt,
slide the bracket off of the bolt.
Page 37 of 404

Black plate (9,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-9
3. With the tailgate partially down,lift up on the passenger side and
pull the tailgate toward you, then
move the tailgate to the right to
release the driver side. You can
then remove the entire tailgate
assembly.
Reverse the procedure to reinstall
the tailgate. Make sure it is secure.
To partially lower the tailgate:
1. With the tailgate fully open, lift up slightly on the entire tailgate
assembly.
Tailgate Partially Down
2. Remove the retaining cable from the passenger side of the
tailgate by pulling the clip away
from the bolt head while pushing
the cable bracket forward.
When the larger part of the hole
on the bracket is over the bolt,
slide the bracket off the bolt. 3. Slide the lower end fitting onto
the top bolt. The tailgate will now
stay in the partially opened
position.
4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 for the driver side.
If you would like to close the
tailgate, the bracket cannot be in the
partially opened position. Use the
top position on the bracket to
anchor it on the bottom bolt.
Page 282 of 404

Black plate (38,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
10-38 Vehicle Care
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps
A. Stoplamp/Taillamp
B. Turn Signal/Taillamp
C. Back‐up Lamp
To replace one of these bulbs:
1. Open the tailgate. SeeTailgate
on page 2‑8.
2. Remove the two rear lamp assembly screws near the
tailgate latch.
3. Pull the lamp assembly away from the vehicle.
4. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise to remove it
from the taillamp assembly.
5. Holding the socket, pull the old bulb straight out to release it
from the socket.
6. Push the new bulb straight into the socket until it clicks. 7. Insert the bulb socket into the
taillamp assembly and turn it
clockwise to secure.
8. Reinstall the taillamp assembly and tighten the screws.
Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL)
To replace the CHMSL bulb:
1. Remove the two screws and liftoff the lamp assembly from the
vehicle.
2. Turn the bulb socketcounterclockwise and remove it
from the lamp assembly.
3. Holding the socket, pull the bulb to release it from the socket.
Page 360 of 404

Black plate (14,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
11-14 Service and Maintenance
UsageFluid/Lubricant
Key Lock Cylinders Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Chassis Lubrication Chassis Lubricant (GM Part No. 12377985, in Canada 88901242) or
lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Front and Rear Axle SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Axle Lubricant (GM Part No. 89021677, in
Canada 89021678).
Transfer Case Synchromesh Transmission Fluid (GM Part No. 12345349, in
Canada 10953465).
Rear Driveline Center Spline and Universal Joints Chassis Lubricant (GM Part No. 12377985, in Canada 88901242) or
lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Constant Velocity Universal Joint Chassis Lubricant (GM Part No. 12377985, in Canada 88901242) or
lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Hood Latch Assembly, Secondary Latch, Pivots, Spring Anchor, and Release Pawl Lubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM Part No. 12346293, in Canada 992723)
or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Hood and Door Hinges, Body Door Hinge Pins, Liftgate Hinge andLinkage, and Fuel Door Hinge Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Outer Tailgate Handle Pivot Points and Hinges Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).