2012 GMC CANYON check transmission fluid

Black plate (15,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-15
How to Add Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine what kind of
transmission fluid to use.
SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑13.
Add fluid only after checking the
transmission fluid while it is hot.
A cold check is used only as a
reference. If the fluid level is low,
add only enough of the proper fluid
to bring the level up to the HOT area
for a hot check. It does not take
much fluid, generally less than
0.5 L (1 pt). Do not overfill.
Notice: Use of the incorrect
automatic transmission fluid may
damage the vehicle, and the
damages may not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Always use
the automatic transmission fluid
listed in Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11‑13.
.After adding fluid, recheck the
fluid level as described under
“How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid,” earlier in
this section.
.When the correct fluid level is
obtained, push the dipstick back
in all the way; then flip the
handle down to lock the dipstick
in place.
Manual Transmission
Fluid
When to Check
A good time to check the manual
transmission fluid is when the
engine oil is changed. However, the
fluid in the manual transmission
does not require changing.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a
little difficult, it may be decided to
have this done at the dealer service
department.
If not taken to the dealer, be sure to
follow all the instructions here, or a
false reading on the dipstick could
result.
Notice: Too much or too
little fluid can damage the
transmission. Too little fluid
could cause the transmission to
overheat. Be sure to get an
accurate reading if checking the
transmission fluid.

Black plate (16,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
10-16 Vehicle Care
Check the fluid 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 fill plug.
2. Check that the lubricant level isup to the bottom of the fill
plug hole. 3. If the fluid level is good, install
the plug and be sure it is fully
seated. If the fluid level is low,
add more fluid as described in
the next steps.
How to Add Fluid
Here is how to add fluid. Refer to
the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind of fluid to use.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑13.
1. Remove the fill plug.
2. Add fluid at the fill plug hole.
Add only enough fluid to bring
the fluid level up to the bottom of
the fill plug hole.
3. Install the fill plug. Be sure the plug is fully seated.
Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch linkage in the
vehicle is self-adjusting. The clutch
master cylinder reservoir is filled
with hydraulic clutch fluid.
The hydraulic clutch fluid reservoir
cap has this symbol on it. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 10‑6 for reservoir location.
It is not necessary to regularly
check clutch fluid unless a leak in
the system is suspected. Adding
fluid will not correct a leak.
A fluid loss in this system could
indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired.

Black plate (25,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-25
Engine Fan
This vehicle has a clutched engine
cooling fan. When the clutch is
engaged, the fan spins faster to
provide more air to cool the engine.
In most everyday driving conditions,
the clutch is not engaged. This
improves fuel economy and reduces
fan noise. Under heavy vehicle
loading, trailer towing and/or high
outside temperatures, the fan speed
increases when the clutch engages.
So you may hear an increase in fan
noise. This is normal and should not
be mistaken as the transmission
slipping or making extra shifts.
It is merely the cooling system
functioning properly. The fan will
slow down when additional cooling
is not required and the clutch
disengages.
This fan noise may also be heard
when the engine is started. It will go
away as the fan clutch disengages.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid reservoir is
located near the front of the engine
compartment, behind the radiator.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6 for reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering
Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly
check power steering fluid unless
there is a leak suspected in the
system or an unusual noise is
heard. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering
Fluid
1. Turn the key off and let the
engine compartment cool down.
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.
3. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
4. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
5. Then remove the cap again and look at the fluid level on the
dipstick.
The level should be between the
ADD and FULL marks. If necessary,
add only enough fluid to bring the
level up to the proper range.

Black plate (3,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
Technical Data 12-3
Capacities and Specifications (cont'd)
ApplicationCapacities
Metric English
Fuel Tank 74 L 19.5 gal
Transmission Automatic (Pan Removal and Filter Replacement) 4.7 L 5.0 qt
Manual– Rear-Wheel Drive (Drain and Refill) 2.2 L 2.3 qt
Manual– Four-Wheel Drive (Drain and Refill) 2.3 L 2.4 qt
Wheel Nut Torque 140 Y100 lb ft
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the approximate level, as recommended in this
manual. Recheck fluid level after filling.
Engine Specifications
Type VIN CodeTransmission Spark Plug Gap
2.9L L4 9Automatic
Manual 1.01 mm (0.040 in)
3.7L L5 EAutomatic 1.01 mm (0.040 in)
5.3L V8 PAutomatic 1.01 mm (0.040 in)

Black plate (1,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
INDEX i-1
A
Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-64
Adjustments
Lumbar, Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . 10-17
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35
How Does an AirbagRestrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-28
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
What Will You See after an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27 Airbag System (cont'd)
When Should an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-25
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . 3-23
Airbags Adding Equipment to theVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-34
Passenger Status Indicator . . . 5-11
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Servicing Airbag-Equipped Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-33
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21
Alarm System Anti-theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9
Antenna Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-16
Anti-theft
Alarm System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-41
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16 Appearance Care
Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-96
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-100
Ashtrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Assistance Program, Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-8, 13-10
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-16
CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-16
Audio System Chime Level Adjustment . . . . . . . 5-6
Fixed Mast Antenna . . . . . . . . . . 7-16
Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15
Theft-Deterrent Feature . . . . . . . . 7-3
Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock ControlFunction Check . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Axle, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Axle, Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32

Black plate (2,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
i-2 INDEX
B
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-87
Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Voltage and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . 10-34
Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-22
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . 5-15
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27 Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-41
Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-43
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39 Center High-MountedStoplamp (CHMSL) . . . . . . . 10-38
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36 Bulb Replacement (cont'd)
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . 10-39
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps, and
Back-up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-63
C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
California Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . 9-50
Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . iii
Capacities and
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Carbon Monoxide Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-31
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-14
Cautions, Danger, and Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
CD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-16
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . 4-2 Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL) . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-68
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . 5-12
Check Engine Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
IgnitionTransmission Lock . . . . . . . . 10-33
Child Restraints Infants and YoungChildren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-38
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . 3-44
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-36
Securing . . . . . . . . . . 3-55, 3-57, 3-59
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-40
Cigarette Lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41
Cleaning Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-96
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-100
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 8-1 Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7

Black plate (10,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
i-10 INDEX
Shift Lock Control FunctionCheck, Automatic
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28
Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Signals, Turn and
Lane-Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Spare Tire Compact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-85
Specifications and
Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-45
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 10-32
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4 Fluid, Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Storage Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1 Storage Areas
Center Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-16
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
System Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
T
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
TaillampsBulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . 13-6
Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11, 2-12
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Tires Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-63
Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-68
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-70
Compact Spare . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-85
Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-51
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-65 Tires (cont'd)
Full-Size Spare . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-86
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . 10-69
Inflation Monitor System . . . . 10-58
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-61
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27
Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-56
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Pressure Monitor System . . . 10-56
Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-61
Secondary Latch System . . . 10-82
Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . 10-49
Terminology and
Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-51
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-65
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-67
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . 10-67
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-62
Towing Driving Characteristics . . . . . . . . 9-54
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-63
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 9-54