
Black plate (58,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7587000) -
2015 - CRC - 3/17/15
9-58 Driving and Operating
.Do not tow a trailer during the
first 800 km (500 mi) to prevent
damage to the engine, axle,
or other parts.
.Then during the first 800 km
(500 mi) of trailer towing, do not
drive over 80 km/h (50 mph) and
do not make starts at full throttle.
.Vehicles can tow in D (Drive).
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear if the transmission shifts
too often under heavy loads and/
or hilly conditions.
.If equipped with 4WD, see
Four-Wheel Drive on page 9-36
before pulling a trailer.
{Warning
When towing a trailer, exhaust
gases may collect at the rear of
the vehicle and enter if the
liftgate, trunk/hatch, or rear-most
window is open.(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
When towing a trailer:
.Do not drive with the liftgate,
trunk/hatch, or rear-most
window open.
.Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
.Also adjust the climate
control system to a setting
that brings in only outside air.
See“Climate Control
Systems” in the Index.
For more information about
Carbon Monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9-29.
Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. The
combination you are driving is
longer and not as responsive as the
vehicle itself. Get acquainted with
the handling and braking of the rig
before setting out for the open road. Before starting, check all trailer hitch
parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connectors, lamps,
tires, and mirrors. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start the
combination moving and then apply
the trailer brake controller by hand
to be sure the brakes work.
During the trip, check occasionally
to be sure that the load is secure
and the lamps and any trailer
brakes still work.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving the vehicle without a trailer.
This can help to avoid heavy
braking and sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed
when towing a trailer. The
combination will not accelerate as
quickly and is longer so it is
necessary to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before
returning to the lane.

Black plate (22,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7587000) -
2015 - CRC - 3/17/15
10-22 Vehicle Care
Brakes
Disc brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or be
heard all the time the vehicle is
moving, except when applying the
brake pedal firmly.
{Warning
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
a crash. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.
{Caution
Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly
brake repair.Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and
evenly tighten wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to torque
specifications in
Capacities and
Specifications on page 12-2.
Brake linings should always be
replaced as complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal
does not return to normal height,
or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign
that brake service may be required.
Replacing Brake System Parts
Always replace brake system parts
with new, approved replacement
parts. If this is not done, the brakes
may not work properly. The braking performance expected
can change in many other ways if
the wrong replacement brake parts
are installed or parts are improperly
installed.
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir
is filled with DOT 3 brake fluid. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 10-6
for the location of the
reservoir.

Black plate (60,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7587000) -
2015 - CRC - 3/17/15
10-60 Vehicle Care
must also conform to federal
safety requirements and
additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC)
standards.
Quality grades can be found
where applicable on the tire
sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width.
For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
All Passenger Car Tires Must
Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements In Addition To
These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specified government test
course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one andone-half (1½) times as well on
the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of
their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and
differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from
highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent
the tire's ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on
specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
Temperature
The temperature grades are
A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance
to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead
to sudden tire failure. The grade
C corresponds to a level of
performance which all
passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and
A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory

Black plate (86,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7587000) -
2015 - CRC - 3/17/15
10-86 Vehicle Care
{Caution
Failure to clean lamps properly
can cause damage to the lamp
cover that would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty.
{Caution
Using wax on low gloss black
finish stripes can increase the
gloss level and create a
non-uniform finish. Clean low
gloss stripes with soap and
water only.
Air Intakes
Clear debris from the air intakes,
between the hood and windshield,
when washing the vehicle.
Windshield and Wiper Blades
Clean the outside of the windshield
with glass cleaner.Clean rubber blades using a lint-free
cloth or paper towel soaked with
windshield washer fluid or a mild
detergent. Wash the windshield
thoroughly when cleaning the
blades. Bugs, road grime, sap, and
a buildup of vehicle wash/wax
treatments may cause wiper
streaking.
Replace the wiper blades if they are
worn or damaged. Damage can be
caused by extreme dusty
conditions, sand, salt, heat, sun,
snow, and ice.
Weatherstrips
Apply Dielectric silicone grease on
weatherstrips to make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or
squeak. Lubricate weatherstrips
once a year. Hot, dry climates may
require more frequent application.
Black marks from rubber material on
painted surfaces can be removed by
rubbing with a clean cloth. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11-13.
Tires
Use a stiff brush with tire cleaner to
clean the tires.
{Caution
Using petroleum-based tire
dressing products on the vehicle
may damage the paint finish and/
or tires. When applying a tire
dressing, always wipe off any
overspray from all painted
surfaces on the vehicle.
Wheels and Trim
—Aluminum
or Chrome
Use a soft, clean cloth with mild
soap and water to clean the wheels.
After rinsing thoroughly with clean
water, dry with a soft, clean towel.
A wax may then be applied.

Black plate (1,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7587000) -
2015 - CRC - 3/17/15
INDEX i-1
A
Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-66
Additional Information
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-6
Additional Maintenance and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-10
Adjustments
Lumbar, Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . 10-14
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-29
How Does an AirbagRestrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-23
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21 Airbag System (cont'd)
What Will You See after an
Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21
When Should an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-20
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . 3-18
Airbags Adding Equipment to theVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-28
Passenger Status Indicator . . . 5-17
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Servicing Airbag-Equipped Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16
Alarm Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
All-Terrain Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7
Antenna Multi-band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-40
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21 Appearance Care
Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-83
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-88
Assistance Program, Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-5
Audio Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-16
Audio System Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9
Theft-Deterrent Feature . . . . . . . . 7-2
Automatic
Climate Control System . . . . . . . . 8-3
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Automatic Transmission Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Shift Lock ControlFunction Check . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Auxiliary Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15
Axle, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Axle, Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26

Black plate (3,1)GMC Canyon Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7587000) -
2015 - CRC - 3/17/15
INDEX i-3
Child RestraintsInfants and Young
Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-32
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . 3-38
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-30
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-53, 3-59
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-34
Cleaning Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-83
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-88
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 8-1 Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . 5-8, 5-10
Clutch, Hydraulic . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . 13-9
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 10-73
Compartments
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1 Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-34
Connections OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-4
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-45 Traction and ElectronicStability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-43
Control Light Hill Descent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Coolant Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-17
Engine TemperatureGauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Engine Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-34
Courtesy Transportation Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-8
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-46 Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1 Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . 13-4
Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-3
Text Telephone (TTY)
Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-4
Customer Information Service PublicationsOrdering Information . . . . . . .13-11
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-1
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . 13-9
Danger, Warnings, andCautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . 13-14
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6