Page 2 of 404

Black plate (2,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
2012 GMC Canyon Owner ManualM
Driving and Operating. . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 9-24
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-31
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 9-33
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Drive Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-37
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-41
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-44
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-47
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-49
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
Conversions and Add-Ons . . . 9-64 Vehicle Care
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-87
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-91
Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . 10-96
Service and Maintenance . . . 11-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . 11-3
Special Application
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-9 Additional Maintenance
and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-10
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts . . . . . . 11-13
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . 11-17
Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Identification . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Customer Information . . . . . . . 13-1
Customer Information . . . . . . . . 13-1
Reporting Safety Defects . . . . 13-18
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-20
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i-1
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Black plate (1,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
Technical Data 12-1
Technical Data
Vehicle Identification
Vehicle IdentificationNumber (VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Service Parts Identification Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Data
Capacities andSpecifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Engine Drive Belt Routing . . . 12-4
Vehicle Identification
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN)
This legal identifier is in the front
corner of the instrument panel, on
the left side of the vehicle. It can be
seen through the windshield from
outside. The VIN also appears on
the Vehicle Certification and Service
Parts labels and certificates of title
and registration.
Engine Identification
The eighth character in the VIN is
the engine code. This code
identifies the vehicle's engine,
specifications, and replacement
parts. See “Engine Specifications”
under Capacities and Specifications
on page 12‑2 for the vehicle's
engine code.
Service Parts
Identification Label
This label, on the inside of the glove
box, has the following information:
.Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN).
.Model designation.
.Paint information.
.Production options and special
equipment.
Do not remove this label from the
vehicle.
Page 368 of 404
Black plate (2,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
12-2 Technical Data
Vehicle Data
Capacities and Specifications
The following approximate conversion capacities are given in metric and English conversions. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 11‑13 for more information.
Capacities and Specifications
Application Capacities
Metric English
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a For the air conditioning system refrigerant charge
amount, see the refrigerant label located under the hood. See your dealer for more information.
Cooling System
2.9L L4 Engine 9.8 L 10.4 qt
3.7L L5 Engine 10.0 L 10.6 qt
5.3L V8 Engine 13.0 L 13.7 qt
Engine Oil with Filter 2.9L L4 Engine 4.7 L 5.0 qt
3.7L L5 Engine 5.7 L 6.0 qt
5.3L V8 Engine 5.7 L 6.0 qt
Page 369 of 404
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)
Page 370 of 404
Black plate (4,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual - 2012
12-4 Technical Data
Engine Drive Belt Routing
2.9L and 3.7L Engines
5.3L Engine