
GMC Canyon Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122677) -
2017 - crc - 1/20/17
Driving and Operating 233
Caution
Using a tool to force the key to
turn in the ignition could cause
damage to the switch or break the
key. Use the correct key, make
sure it is all the way in, and turn it
only with your hand. If the key
cannot be turned by hand, see
your dealer.
1 (ACC/ACCESSORY) : This
position lets things like the radio
and the windshield wipers operate
while the engine is off. It also
unlocks the steering wheel. Use this
position if the vehicle must be
pushed or towed.
2 (ON/RUN) : This position can be
used to operate the electrical
accessories and to display some
instrument cluster warning and
indicator lights. This position can
also be used for service and
diagnostics, and to verify the proper
operation of the malfunction
indicator lamp as may be required
for emission inspection purposes.
The switch stays in this position when the engine is running. The
transmission is also unlocked in this
position on automatic transmission
vehicles.
If the key is left in the ACC/
ACCESSORY or ON/RUN position
with the engine off, the battery could
be drained. The vehicle may not
start if the battery is allowed to drain
for an extended period of time.
3 (START) :
This is the position that
starts the engine. When the engine
starts, release the key. The ignition
switch returns to ON/RUN for
driving.
A warning tone will sound when the
driver door is opened, the ignition is
in ACC/ACCESSORY or LOCK/
OFF, and the key is in the ignition.
Starting the Engine
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel
supplement.
Caution
If you add electrical parts or
accessories, you could change
the way the engine operates. Any
resulting damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
See Add-On Electrical Equipment
0 275.
Place the transmission in the
proper gear.
Automatic Transmission
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). The engine will not start
in any other position. To restart the
engine when the vehicle is already
moving, use N (Neutral) only.
Caution
Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving. If you do, you
could damage the transmission.
Shift to P (Park) only when the
vehicle is stopped.

GMC Canyon Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122677) -
2017 - crc - 1/20/17
234 Driving and Operating
Manual Transmission
The shift lever should be in Neutral
and the parking brake engaged.
Hold the clutch pedal down to the
floor and start the engine. The
vehicle will not start if the clutch
pedal is not all the way down.
Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off theaccelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When
the engine starts, let go of the
key. The idle speed will go
down as the engine gets warm.
Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and
transmission gently to allow the
oil to warm up and lubricate all
moving parts.
Caution
Cranking the engine for long
periods of time, by returning the
ignition to the START position
immediately after cranking has
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
ended, can overheat and damage
the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to let the
cranking motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after five to 10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather
(below −18 °C or 0 °F), it could
be flooded with too much
gasoline. Try pushing the
accelerator pedal all the way to
the floor and holding it there
while holding the key in START
for up to 15 seconds. Wait at
least 15 seconds between each
try, to allow the cranking motor
to cool down. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and
accelerator. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do
the same thing. This clears the
extra gasoline from the engine.
Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and transmission gently until the oil
warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Engine Heater
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel
supplement.
{Warning
Do not plug in the engine block
heater while the vehicle is parked
in a garage or under a carport.
Property damage or personal
injury may result. Always park the
vehicle in a clear open area away
from buildings or structures.
If equipped, the engine heater can
provide easier starting and better
fuel economy during engine
warm-up in cold weather conditions
at or below −18 °C (0 °F). Vehicles
with an engine heater should be
plugged in at least four hours before
starting. An internal thermostat in
the plug-end of the cord may exist,

GMC Canyon Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122677) -
2017 - crc - 1/20/17
236 Driving and Operating
4. Before starting the engine, besure to unplug and store the
cord as it was before to keep it
away from moving engine
parts. If you do not, it could be
damaged.
The length of time the heater should
remain plugged in depends on
several factors. Ask a dealer in the
area where you will be parking the
vehicle for the best advice on this.
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
The following vehicle accessories
can be used for up to 10 minutes
after the engine is turned off:
. Audio System
. Power Windows
. OnStar System (if equipped)
These features work when the key
is in ON/RUN or ACC/
ACCESSORY. Once the key is
turned from ON/RUN to LOCK/OFF,
the windows continue to work up to
10 minutes or until any door is opened. The radio continues to
work for up to 10 minutes or until the
driver door is opened.
Accessory Power Outlets (APOs)
The vehicle may have Accessory
Power Outlets (APOs) in several
locations. See
Power Outlets0106.
The APOs in the console or center
seat position are powered by
Retained Accessory Power (RAP).
They will continue to work for up to
10 minutes after the key is turned
from ON/RUN to LOCK/OFF, or until
the driver door is opened.
The APOs on the center stack come
from the factory powered directly
from the vehicle battery, and supply
accessory power at all times,
regardless of ignition key position.
If electronic items are left plugged
into these APOs for long periods of
time with the vehicle off, the vehicle
battery could be drained. The
vehicle may not start if the battery is
allowed to drain for an extended
period of time.
Shifting Into Park
{Warning
It can be dangerous to get out of
the vehicle if the shift lever is not
fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake firmly set. The vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine
running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure the vehicle will
not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, use the steps
that follow. With four-wheel drive,
if the transfer case is in
N (Neutral), the vehicle will be
free to roll, even if the shift lever
is in P (Park). Be sure the transfer
case is in a drive gear. If towing a
trailer, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips 0267.
1. Hold the brake pedal down, then set the parking brake.
See Parking Brake 0251.

GMC Canyon Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122677) -
2017 - crc - 1/20/17
278 Vehicle Care
Wheel Alignment and TireBalance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 332
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 344
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 345
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 349
Recreational VehicleTowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
General Information
For service and parts needs, visit
your dealer. You will receive
genuine GM parts and GM-trained
and supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of
these marks:
California Proposition
65 Warning
WARNING: Most motor vehicles,
including this one, as well as many
of its service parts and fluids,
contain and/or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and systems,
many fluids, and some component
wear by-products contain and/or
emit these chemicals.
See Battery - North America 0298
and Jump Starting - North America
0 346.
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, safety belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
Remote Keyless Entry transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.

GMC Canyon Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122677) -
2017 - crc - 1/20/17
Vehicle Care 351
(Drive). There should be no
movement of the vehicle while
shifting.
5. Shift the transmission into D (Drive). Turn the engine off.
Then shift the transmission into
P (Park).
6. Wait for at least 10 seconds, then restart the engine.
7. Shift the transmission to D (Drive), then turn the engine off
again.
Caution
Failure to disconnect the negative
battery cable or to have it contact
the terminals can cause damage
to the vehicle.
8. Disconnect the negative battery cable at the battery and
secure the nut and bolt. Cover
the negative battery post with a
non-conductive material to
prevent any contact with the
negative battery terminal. 9. Shift the transmission to
P (Park).
Caution
If the steering column is locked,
vehicle damage may occur.
10. Move the steering wheel to make sure the steering column
is unlocked.
11. With a foot on the brake pedal, release the parking brake.
Keep the ignition key in the
towed vehicle in ACC/
ACCESSORY to prevent the
steering column from locking.
Disconnecting the Towed Vehicle
Before disconnecting the towed
vehicle: 1. Park on a level surface.
2. Set the parking brake, then shift the transmission to
P (Park), and move the ignition
key to OFF.
3. Connect the battery.
4. Apply the brake pedal. 5. Shift the transfer case out of
N (Neutral) to Two-Wheel Drive
High. See “Shifting out of
N (Neutral)” underFour-Wheel
Drive 0247. See your dealer if
the transfer case cannot be
shifted out of N (Neutral).
6. Check that the vehicle is in Two-Wheel Drive High by
shifting the transmission to
R (Reverse) and then to D
(Drive). There should be
movement of the vehicle while
shifting.
7. Shift the transmission to P (Park) and turn off the
ignition.
8. Disconnect the vehicle from the tow vehicle.
9. Release the parking brake.
10. Reset any lost presets. The outside temperature
display will default to 0 °C
(32 °F) but will reset with
normal usage.

GMC Canyon Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122677) -
2017 - crc - 1/20/17
396 OnStar
.Obtain and customize the Wi-Fi®
hotspot name or SSID and
password, if equipped.
Press
Qto connect to an
Advisor to:
. Verify account information or
update contact information.
. Get driving directions.
. Receive a Diagnostic check of
the vehicle's key operating
systems.
. Receive Roadside Assistance.
. Manage Wi-Fi Settings,
if equipped.
Press
>to get a priority connection
to an OnStar Advisor available 24/
7 to:
. Get help for an emergency.
. Be a Good Samaritan or
respond to an AMBER Alert.
. Get assistance in severe
weather or other crisis situations
and find evacuation routes.
OnStar Services
Emergency
Emergency Services require an
active, OnStar service plan
(excludes Basic Plan). With
Automatic Crash Response, built-in
sensors can automatically alert a
specially trained OnStar Advisor
who is immediately connected in to
the vehicle to help.
Press
>for a priority connection to
an OnStar Advisor who can contact
emergency service providers, direct
them to your exact location, and
relay important information.
With OnStar Crisis Assist, specially
trained Advisors are available
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to
provide a central point of contact,
assistance, and information during a
crisis.
With Roadside Assistance, Advisors
can locate a nearby service provider
to help with a flat tire, a battery
jump, or an empty gas tank.
Security
If equipped, OnStar provides these
services:
. With Stolen Vehicle Assistance,
OnStar Advisors can use GPS to
pinpoint the vehicle and help
authorities quickly recover it.
. With Remote Ignition Block,
if equipped, OnStar can block
the engine from being restarted.
. With Stolen Vehicle Slowdown,
if equipped, OnStar can work
with law enforcement to
gradually slow the vehicle down.
Theft Alarm Notification
If equipped, if the doors are locked
and the vehicle alarm sounds, a
notification by text, e-mail, or phone
call will be sent. If the vehicle is
stolen, an OnStar Advisor can work
with authorities to recover the
vehicle.
Navigation
OnStar navigation requires a
specific OnStar service plan.

GMC Canyon Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122677) -
2017 - crc - 1/20/17
Index 411
Locks (cont'd)Power Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . 123
Lower Anchors and Tethers
for Children (LATCH
System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
M
MaintenanceRecords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376
Maintenance and Care Additional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . 364 Recommended Fluids andLubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
Transfer Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . 117
Manual Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . 245 Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Media Avoiding Untrusted Devices . . 169
Messages
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 Messages (cont'd)
Battery Voltage and
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Engine Cooling System . . . . . . . 132
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Engine Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Fuel System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Key and Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Object Detection System . . . . . 134
Ride Control System . . . . . . . . . . 135
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Starting the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Steering System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Vehicle Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Vehicle Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Messaging
Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Mirrors Automatic DimmingRearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Blind Spot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Mirrors (cont'd)
Convex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Folding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Manual Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Mirrors, Interior Rearview . . . . . . . . 39
Monitor System, Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Multi-band Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166N
Navigation OnStar®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 396
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . 231
O
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217 Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Oil Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 286
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133