
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.

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.

Black plate (10,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
2-10 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Vehicle Security
This vehicle has theft-deterrent
features; however, they do not make
it impossible to steal.
Anti-theft Alarm System
If your vehicle has the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) system, the
vehicle has a content theft-deterrent
alarm system.
To activate the content
theft-deterrent system:
1. Close all the doors.
2. Lock the doors with the RKEtransmitter. The security light,
located on the instrument panel
cluster, will flash. If the LOCK button on the RKE
transmitter is pressed, but a door is
open, the horn will chirp six times.
Press the LOCK button again, within
three seconds, and the doors will
lock. Close the open door and the
system will be activated.
If a locked door is not opened using
the RKE transmitter, or by OnStar
®,
the pre-alarm will go off. If the
engine is not started or UNLOCK
not pressed within 10 seconds, the
front turn signal lamps will flash for
two minutes, and the horn will sound
for two minutes, then will turn off to
save the battery power.
Remember, the theft-deterrent
system will not activate if you lock
the doors with a key, the manual
door lock, or power door lock
switch. The system can only be
activated using the RKE transmitter,
or by OnStar
®. See the OnStar
Owner's Guide for additional
information. You should also
remember that you can start your
vehicle with the correct ignition key
if the alarm has been set off. Here is how to avoid setting off the
alarm by accident:
.If you do not want to activate the
theft-deterrent system, the
vehicle should be locked with
the door key after the doors are
closed.
.Always unlock a door with the
RKE transmitter. Unlocking a
door any other way will set off
the alarm.
If you set off the alarm by accident,
you can turn off the alarm by
pressing UNLOCK on the RKE
transmitter. The alarm will not stop if
you try to unlock a door any
other way.
Testing the Alarm
To test the alarm:
1. From inside the vehicle, activate the system by locking the doors
with the RKE transmitter.
2. Unlock the door with the manual door lock and open the door.
This should set off the alarm.

Black plate (11,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-11
3. To turn the alarm off, press theUNLOCK button on the RKE
transmitter or start the engine.
If the alarm does not sound when it
should but the lights flash, check to
see if the horn works. The horn fuse
may be blown. To replace the fuse,
see Fuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 10‑41.
If the alarm does not sound or the
front turn signal lamps do not flash,
see your dealer for service.
Immobilizer
See Radio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑22 for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-GEN/210/220/310.
Immobilizer Operation
(PASS-Key III+
Canada Only)
This vehicle has a passive
theft-deterrent system.
The system is automatically armed
when the key is removed from the
ignition.
The system is automatically
disarmed when the key is turned
to ON/RUN.
You do not have to manually arm or
disarm the system.
The security light comes on if there
is a problem with arming or
disarming the theft-deterrent
system.
The key uses a transponder that
matches an immobilizer control unit
in the vehicle. Only the correct key
starts the vehicle. If the key is ever
damaged, the vehicle may not start.
When trying to start the vehicle,
if the engine does not start and the
security light comes on, there may be a problem with the theft-deterrent
system. Turn the ignition off and try
again.
If the engine still does not start, and
the key appears to be undamaged,
try another ignition key. Check the
fuse. See
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 10‑41. If the
engine still does not start with the
other key, the vehicle needs service.
If the vehicle does start, the first key
may be faulty. See your dealer who
can service the theft-deterrent
system and have a new key made.
It is possible for the theft-deterrent
system decoder to learn the
transponder value of a new or
replacement key. Up to 10 keys can
be programmed for the vehicle.
The following procedure is for
programming additional keys only.
Canadian Owners: If the keys are
lost or damaged, only a dealer can
service the theft-deterrent system to
have new ones made. Two current
driver's keys are required to
program additional keys.

Black plate (12,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
2-12 Keys, Doors, and Windows
To program a new key:
1. Verify that the new key hasPK3+ stamped on it.
2. Insert the current driver's key in the ignition and start the engine.
If the engine does not start see
your dealer for service.
3. After the engine has started, turn the key to LOCK/OFF, and
remove the key.
4. Insert the second current driver's key in the ignition and start the
engine within ten seconds of
removing the previous key. If the
engine does not start see your
dealer for service.
5. After the engine has started, turn the key to LOCK/OFF, and
remove the key. Insert the key to
be programmed and turn it to
ON/RUN within ten seconds of
removing the previous key.
The security light turns off once
the key has been programmed. 6. Repeat Steps 1 through 5 if
additional keys are to be
programmed.
If the security light comes on and
stays on while driving, the engine
will restart if you turn it off. However,
the theft-deterrent system is not
working properly and must be
serviced by your dealer. The vehicle
is not protected by the
theft-deterrent system at this time.
In an emergency, contact Roadside
Assistance. See Roadside
Assistance Program (U.S. and
Canada) on page 13‑8 orRoadside
Assistance Program (Mexico) on
page 13‑10.
Do not leave the key or device that
disarms or deactivates the theft
deterrent system in the vehicle.Immobilizer Operation
(Passlock U.S. Only)
Passlock®is a passive
theft-deterrent system that enables
fuel if the vehicle is started with a
valid key. If an incorrect key is
used or the ignition lock cylinder is
tampered with, the fuel system is
disabled and the vehicle does
not start.
The security light turns off
approximately five seconds after the
engine is started. See Security Light
on page 5‑19.
If the engine stalls and the security
light flashes, wait about 10 minutes
until the light stops flashing before
trying to restart the engine. Release
the key from START as soon as the
engine starts.
If the engine does not start after
three tries, the vehicle needs
service.

Black plate (13,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-13
If the engine is running and the
security light comes on, the engine
restarts if you turn the engine off.
However, the Passlock
®system is
not working properly and must be
serviced by your dealer. The vehicle
is not protected by Passlock
®at this
time. See your dealer for service.
In an emergency, call the Roadside
Assistance Center. See Roadside
Assistance Program (U.S. and
Canada) on page 13‑8 orRoadside
Assistance Program (Mexico) on
page 13‑10.
Do not leave the key or device that
disarms or deactivates the theft
deterrent system in the vehicle.
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors
{WARNING
A convex mirror can make things,
like other vehicles, look farther
away than they really are. If you
cut too sharply into the right lane,
you could hit a vehicle on the
right. Check the inside mirror or
glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
The passenger side mirror is convex
shaped. A convex mirror's surface is
curved so more can be seen from
the driver seat.
Manual Mirrors
Adjust the mirrors by pressing the
mirror up and down and left and
right so you can see a clear view
behind you.
Manually fold the mirrors inward
to prevent damage when going
through an automatic car wash.
To fold, push the mirrors toward the
vehicle. Push outward, to return the
mirrors to their original position.

Black plate (15,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-15
Automatic Dimming
Rearview Mirror
The vehicle may have an automatic
dimming inside rearview mirror.
Automatic dimming reduces the
glare of lights from behind the
vehicle.
The mirror may also have OnStar
®
and/or a compass and outside
temperature display.
Control buttons for the OnStar
system are at the bottom of the
mirror. See the OnStar Owners
Guide for more information about
the services OnStar provides. See
Compass on page 5‑3for more
information about the compass
display. See “Temperature Display”
after, for more information about the
outside temperature display. AUTO/
(/O(On/Off):
Press and hold AUTO/
(for about
three seconds or depending on the
mirror, press
Oto turn automatic
dimming on or off. The automatic
dimming feature comes on and the
indicator light illuminates each time
the vehicle is started.
Temperature Display
Y b/O(On/Off): PressYbor
depending on the mirror, press
Oto
turn the display on or off.
To adjust between Fahrenheit and
Celsius:
1. Press and hold
Y b/Ofor a
few seconds. The current unit of
measure (C or F) flashes. 2. Press
Y
b/Oagain and
release to change the unit of
measure. Wait several seconds
and the compass/temperature
display returns with the selected
unit of measure.
It is normal under certain conditions
for the temperature update to be
delayed. If an incorrect temperature
displays for an extended period, see
your dealer.
Cleaning the Mirror
Do not spray glass cleaner directly
on the mirror. Use a soft towel
dampened with water.

Black plate (14,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
3-14 Seats and Restraints
.Sit up straight and always keep
your feet on the floor in front
of you.
.Always use the correct buckle
for your seating position.
.Wear the lap part of the belt low
and snug on the hips, just
touching the thighs. In a crash,
this applies force to the strong
pelvic bones and you would be
less likely to slide under the lap
belt. If you slid under it, the belt
would apply force on your
abdomen. This could cause
serious or even fatal injuries.
.Wear the shoulder belt over the
shoulder and across the chest.
These parts of the body are best
able to take belt restraining
forces. The shoulder belt locks if
there is a sudden stop or crash.
{WARNING
You can be seriously injured,
or even killed, by not wearing
your safety belt properly.
.Never allow the lap or
shoulder belt to become
loose or twisted.
.Never wear the shoulder belt
under both arms or behind
your back.
.Never route the lap or
shoulder belt over an
armrest.
Lap-Shoulder Belt
All seating positions in the vehicle
have a lap-shoulder belt except for
the center front passenger position,
if equipped, which has a lap belt.
SeeLap Belt on page 3‑19 for more
information.
The following instructions explain
how to wear a lap-shoulder belt
properly.
1. Adjust the seat, if the seat is adjustable, so you can sit up
straight. To see how, see “Seats”
in the Index.
2. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Do not let it
get twisted.
The lap-shoulder belt may lock if
you pull the belt across you very
quickly. If this happens, let the
belt go back slightly to unlock it.
Then pull the belt across you
more slowly.