
GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
13566643) - 2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
Driving and Operating 153
{Warning
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may
cause exhaust gases to get
inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO), which
cannot be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and even
death.
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:. Clear snow from the base of
the vehicle, especially any
blocking the exhaust pipe.
. Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the vehicle side
that is away from the wind,
to bring in fresh air.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Adjust the climate control
system to circulate the air
inside the vehicle and set
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
the fan speed to the highest
setting. See“Climate
Control Systems.”
For more information about CO,
see Engine Exhaust 0168.
To save fuel, run the engine for
short periods to warm the vehicle
and then shut the engine off and
partially close the window. Moving
about to keep warm also helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive,
when running the engine, push the
accelerator pedal slightly so the
engine runs faster than the idle
speed. This keeps the battery
charged to restart the vehicle and to
signal for help with the headlamps.
Do this as little as possible, to
save fuel.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
See “Rocking the Vehicle to Get It
Out” later in this section.
The Traction Control System (TCS)
can often help to free a stuck
vehicle. See Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0183.
If TCS cannot free the vehicle, see
“Rocking the Vehicle to Get it Out”
following.
{Warning
If the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you
or others could be injured. The
vehicle can overheat, causing an
engine compartment fire or other
damage. Spin the wheels as little
as possible and avoid going
above 56 km/h (35 mph).
For information about using tire
chains on the vehicle, see Tire
Chains 0277.

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
13566643) - 2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
184 Driving and Operating
maintaining control. The vehicle is
safe to drive, but driving should be
adjusted accordingly.
If
dcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
Drive the vehicle. If
dcomes on and
stays on, the vehicle may need
more time to diagnose the problem.
If the condition persists, see your
dealer.
Turning the Systems Off
and On
The button for TCS and StabiliTrak/
ESC is on the center stack.
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or
accelerate heavily when TCS is
off. The vehicle driveline could be
damaged.
To turn off only TCS, press and
release
g. The Traction Off lighti
displays in the instrument cluster. To
turn TCS on again, press and
release
g. The Traction Off lighti
displayed in the instrument cluster
will turn off.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
g
is pressed, the system will not turn
off until the wheels stop spinning.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak/
ESC, press and hold
guntil the
Traction Off light
iand StabiliTrak/
ESC Off light
gcome on and stay
on in the instrument cluster. To turn
TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC on again,
press and release
g. The Traction Off light
iand StabiliTrak/ESC Off
light
gin the instrument cluster
turn off.
StabiliTrak/ESC will automatically
turn on if the vehicle exceeds
56 km/h (35 mph). TCS will remain
off until the driver presses
gor the
ignition is cycled Off then On.
Adding accessories can affect the
vehicle performance. See
Accessories and Modifications
0 221.
Hill Descent
Control (HDC)
If equipped, HDC can be used when
driving downhill. It sets and
maintains vehicle speed while
descending a very steep incline in a
forward or reverse gear.
The HDC switch is on the center
stack, below the climate controls.
Press
5to enable or disable HDC.
Vehicle speed must be below
60 km/h (37 mph).

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
13566643) - 2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
Driving and Operating 201
Warning (Continued)
.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 0168.
Towing a trailer requires experience.
The combination of the vehicle and
trailer is longer and not as
responsive as the vehicle itself. Get
used to the handling and braking of
the combination by driving on a
level road surface before driving on
public roads.
The trailer structure, the tires, and
the brakes must all be rated to carry
the intended cargo. Inadequate
trailer equipment can cause the
combination to operate in an
unexpected or unsafe manner.
Before driving, inspect all trailer
hitch parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connectors, lamps, tires, and mirrors. See
Towing
Equipment 0209. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start the
combination moving and then
manually apply the trailer brake
controller to check the trailer brakes
work. During the trip, occasionally
check that the cargo and trailer are
secure and that the lamps and any
trailer brakes are working.
Towing with a Stability Control
System
When towing, the stability control
system might be heard. The system
reacts to vehicle movement caused
by the trailer, which mainly occurs
during cornering. This is normal
when towing heavier trailers.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving 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 of the vehicle and
trailer will not accelerate as quickly
and is much longer than the vehicle
alone. It is necessary to go much
farther beyond the passed vehicle
before returning to the lane. Pass
on level roadways. Avoid passing
on hills if possible.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. To move the
trailer to the left, move that hand to
the left. To move the trailer to the
right, move that hand to the right.
Always back up slowly and,
if possible, have someone
guide you.

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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276 Vehicle Care
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
test wheel than the minimum
required by law. Warning: The
temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed,underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance
The tires and wheels were aligned
and balanced at the factory to
provide the longest tire life and best
overall performance. Adjustments to
wheel alignment and tire balancing
are not necessary on a regular
basis. Consider an alignment check
if there is unusual tire wear or the
vehicle is significantly pulling to one
side or the other. Some slight pull to
the left or right, depending on the
crown of the road and/or other road
surface variations such as troughs
or ruts, is normal. If the vehicle is
vibrating when driving on a smooth
road, the tires and wheels may need
to be rebalanced. See your dealer
for proper diagnosis.

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
13566643) - 2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
352 Index
IndexA
Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Active Fuel Management . . . . . . . 168
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . 217
Additional Information OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Additional Maintenance and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Adjustments Lumbar, Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . . . 231
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . 134, 136
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
How Does an Airbag
Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Passenger Sensing System . . . . 50
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
What Will You See after an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
When Should an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Airbag System (cont'd)
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . . 45
Airbags Adding Equipment to theVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Passenger Status Indicator . . . 105
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Servicing Airbag-Equipped Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Alarm Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
All-Terrain Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . 181 Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Appearance Care Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Assistance Program, Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Assistance Systems for Parking and Backing . . . . . . . . . . 189
Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . 136
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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354 Index
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 134Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . 98, 100
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . 336
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Compartments Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Connected Services
Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
Connections
Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . 350
Control Hill Descent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Traction and ElectronicStability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Control Light Hill Descent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Coolant Engine Temperature Gauge . . 104
Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134, 136 Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Courtesy Transportation
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186 Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . 332 Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Text Telephone (TTY)Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Customer Information
Publications OrderingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Cybersecurity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . 336
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . 3
Data Collection
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . 342
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . 341
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Diagnostics
Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . 351
Differential, Limited-Slip . . . . . . . . 185
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . 328
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . 188
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115, 117
Driving Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . 142
Characteristics and
Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 151
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 153
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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360 Index
Seat Belts (cont'd)How to Wear Seat Belts
Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Replacing after a Crash . . . . . . . . 43
Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . 42
Seats Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Heated and Ventilated Front . . . . 32
Lumbar Adjustment, Front . . . . . . 30
Power Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . 30
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Underseat Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Securing Child Restraints . . . . 79, 84
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Vehicle Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Climate Control System . . . . . . . 134
Doing Your Own Work . . . . . . . . 221
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . . 324 Service (cont'd)
Maintenance, General
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Parts Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . 334
Services Special Application . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Servicing the Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Shift Lock Control Function Check, Automatic
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Shifting
Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Spare Tire Compact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Special Application Services . . . . 317
Specifications and Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Start Assist, Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Start Vehicle, Remote . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . . . 242 Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Heated Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Storage Areas Center Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Sunglasses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Underseat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . . . 88
Struts Gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Sunglass Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
System Forward Collision
Alert (FCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133, 342
Systems Driver Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188