GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14430430) - 2021 - CRC - 9/9/20
Instruments and Controls 77
Horn
To sound the horn, pressaon the
steering wheel.
Windshield Wiper/Washer
The windshield wiper/washer lever is on the
right side of the steering column. With the
ignition on or in ACC/ACCESSORY, move the
windshield wiper lever to select the wiper
speed.
HI : Use for fast wipes.
LO : Use for slow wipes.
INT : Move the lever up to INT for
intermittent wipes, then turn the
xINT
band up for more frequent wipes or down
for less frequent wipes.
OFF : Use to turn the wipers off.
1X : For a single wipe, briefly move the
wiper lever down. For several wipes, hold
the wiper lever down.
n L: Pull the windshield wiper lever
toward you to spray windshield washer fluid
and activate the wipers. The wipers will
continue until the lever is released or the
maximum wash time is reached. When the
windshield wiper lever is released, additional
wipes may occur depending on how long
the windshield washer had been activated.
See Washer Fluid 0249 for information on
filling the windshield washer fluid reservoir.
Clear snow and ice from the wiper blades
and windshield before using them. If frozen
to the windshield, carefully loosen or thaw
them. Damaged blades should be replaced.
See Wiper Blade Replacement 0254.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the wiper
motor.
{Warning
In freezing weather, do not use the
washer until the windshield is warmed.
Otherwise the washer fluid can form ice
on the windshield, blocking your vision.
{Warning
Before driving the vehicle, always clear
snow and ice from the hood, windshield,
roof, and rear of the vehicle, including all
lamps and windows. Reduced visibility
from snow and ice buildup could lead to
a crash.
Wiper Parking
If the ignition is turned off while the wipers
are on LO, HI, or INT, they will
immediately stop.
If the windshield wiper lever is then moved
to OFF before the driver door is opened or
within 10 minutes, the wipers will restart
and move to the base of the windshield.
If the ignition is turned off while the wipers
are performing wipes due to windshield
washing, the wipers continue to run until
they reach the base of the windshield.
GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14430430) - 2021 - CRC - 9/9/20
Lighting 105
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
An arrow on the instrument cluster flashes
in the direction of the turn or lane change.
Move the turn signal lever all the way up or
down to signal a turn.
Raise or lower the lever for less than
one second until the arrow starts to flash to
signal a lane change. This causes the turn
signals to automatically flash three times.
Holding the turn signal lever for more than
one second will cause the turn signals to
flash until the lever is released.
The lever returns to its starting position
whenever it is released.
If after signaling a turn or a lane change the
arrows flash rapidly or do not come on, a
signal bulb could be burned out.
Replace any burned out bulbs. If a bulb is
not burned out, check the fuse. SeeFuses
and Circuit Breakers 0259. Turn Signal On Chime
If the turn signal is left on for more than
1.2 km (0.75 mi), a chime sounds at each
flash of the turn signal. The message TURN
SIGNAL ON will also appear in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). To turn the chime
and message off, move the turn signal lever
to the off position.Fog Lamps
If equipped, the control is on the center of
the exterior lamp control, to the left of the
steering column.
The ignition must be on for the fog lamps
to come on.
#:
Press to turn the fog lamps on or off.
A light will come on in the instrument
cluster. When the fog lamps are turned on, the
parking lamps automatically turn on.
When the headlamps are changed to high
beam, the fog lamps go off. When the
high-beam headlamps are turned off, the fog
lamps will come on again.
Some localities have laws that require the
headlamps to be on with the fog lamps.
Exterior Cargo Lamps
The cargo lamp provides more light in the
cargo area of the vehicle, if needed. The
lamps inside the pickup box also turn on,
if equipped.
GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14430430) - 2021 - CRC - 9/9/20
186 Driving and Operating
Ignition Positions
0. Stopping the Engine/LOCK/OFF
1. ACC/ACCESSORY
2. ON/RUN
3. START
The ignition switch has four positions.
To shift out of P (Park), the ignition must be
ON/RUN and the brake pedal must be
applied.0 (Stopping the Engine/LOCK/OFF) :
This
position turns off the vehicle. It also locks
the ignition, the transmission, and the
steering column, if equipped with a locking
steering column.
To turn off the vehicle:
1. Make sure that the vehicle is stopped.
2. Shift to P (Park).
3. Continue to hold the brake pedal, then set the parking brake. See Parking Brake
0 203.
4. Push the key all the way in toward the steering column, then turn the key to
LOCK/OFF.
5. Remove the key. 6. Release the brake pedal.
See your dealer if the key can be removed
in any other position.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) will remain
active. See Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
0 190.
A warning chime will sound when the driver
door is opened and the key is in the
ignition.
If equipped with a locking steering column,
the steering can bind with the front wheels
turned off center, which may prevent key
rotation out of LOCK/OFF. If this happens,
move the steering wheel from right to left
while turning the key to ACC/ACCESSORY.
If this does not work, then the vehicle needs
service.
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while moving may
cause loss of power assist in the brake
and steering systems and disable the
airbags. While driving, turn off the
vehicle only in an emergency.
In an emergency, if the vehicle cannot be
pulled over and must be turned off while
driving:
GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14430430) - 2021 - CRC - 9/9/20
Driving and Operating 187
1. Push the key all the way in toward thesteering column, then turn the key to
ACC/ACCESSORY.
2. Brake using firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brakes repeatedly. This
may deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force.
3. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be done while the vehicle is moving.
Continue braking and steer the vehicle to
a safe location.
4. Come to a complete stop.
5. Shift to P (Park).
6. Push the key all the way in toward the steering column (1), then turn the
ignition to LOCK/OFF (2).
7. Set the parking brake. See Parking Brake
0 203.
8. Remove the key.
9. Release the brake pedal.
Caution
Use the correct key, make sure it is all
the way in —or pushed all the way in
toward the steering column when turning
off the vehicle —and turn it only with
your hand. 1 (ACC/ACCESSORY) :
This position allows
features such as the infotainment system to
operate while the vehicle is off. It also
unlocks the steering column, if equipped
with a locking steering column. Use this
position if the vehicle must be pushed or
towed. See Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
0 190.
From ON/RUN, push the key all the way in
toward the steering column, then turn the
key to ACC/ACCESSORY.
If the key is left in ACC/ACCESSORY with the
engine off, the battery could drain and the
vehicle may not start.
A warning chime will sound when the driver
door is opened and the key is in the
ignition.
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. If the key is left in ON/RUN with the engine
off, the battery could drain and the vehicle
may not start.
3 (START) :
This is the position that starts
the engine. When the engine starts, release
the key. The ignition returns to ON/RUN for
driving.
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 0232.
Place the transmission in the proper gear.
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.
GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14430430) - 2021 - CRC - 9/9/20
190 Driving and Operating
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
When the ignition is turned from on to off,
the following features (if equipped) will
continue to function for up to 10 minutes,
or until the driver door is opened. These
features will also work when the ignition is
in RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY:
.Infotainment System
.Power Windows (during RAP this
functionality will be lost when any door
is opened)
.Sunroof (during RAP this functionality will
be lost when any door is opened)
.Auxiliary Power Outlet
.Audio System
.OnStar System
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.(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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, seeDriving
Characteristics and Towing Tips 0217.
1. Hold the brake pedal down, then set the parking brake.
See Parking Brake 0203.
2. Hold the button on the shift lever and push the lever toward the front of the
vehicle into P (Park).
3. Be sure the transfer case (if equipped) is in a drive gear —not in N (Neutral).
4. Push the ignition key in, towards the steering column and then turn the
ignition off.
5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can leave the vehicle with the
ignition key in your hand, the vehicle is
in P (Park).
Leaving the Vehicle with the Engine
Running
{Warning
It can be dangerous to leave the vehicle
with the engine running. The vehicle
could move suddenly if the shift lever is
not fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake firmly set.
If you have four-wheel drive and the
transfer case is in N (Neutral), the vehicle
will be free to roll, even if the shift lever
is in P (Park). So be sure the transfer case
is in a drive gear –not in N (Neutral).
And, if you leave the vehicle with the
engine running, it could overheat and
even catch fire. You or others could be
injured. Do not leave the vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.
If you have to leave the vehicle with the
engine running, be sure the vehicle is in
P (Park) and the parking brake is firmly set
before you leave it. After you move the
shift lever into P (Park), hold the regular
brake pedal down. Then, see if you can
move the shift lever away from P (Park)
GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14430430) - 2021 - CRC - 9/9/20
228 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
injury, death, or property damage. Only
use the ITBC system with electric or
electric over hydraulic trailer brake
systems.
Trailer Brake Control Panel
1. Manual Trailer Brake Apply Lever
2. Trailer Gain Adjustment Buttons
The ITBC control panel is on the instrument
panel to the right of the steering column.
The control panel allows adjustment to the
amount of output, referred to as Trailer
Gain, available to the trailer brakes and
allows manual application of the trailerbrakes. Use the ITBC control panel and the
DIC trailer brake display page to adjust and
display power output to the trailer brakes.
Trailer Brake DIC Display Page
The ITBC display page indicates:
.Trailer Gain setting
.Output to the trailer brakes
.Trailer connection
.System operational status
To display:
.Scroll through the DIC menu pages
.Press a Trailer Gain (+) or (−) button
.Activate the Manual Trailer Brake Apply
Lever
TRAILER GAIN: Press a Trailer Gain button to
recall the current Trailer Gain setting. Each
press and release of the gain buttons will
then change the Trailer Gain setting. Press
the Trailer Gain (+) or (−) to adjust. Press
and hold to continuously adjust the Trailer
Gain. To turn the output to the trailer off,
adjust the Trailer Gain setting to 0.0. This
setting can be adjusted from 0.0 to 10.0
with a trailer connected or disconnected.
TRAILER OUTPUT: This displays anytime a
trailer with electric brakes is connected.
Output to the trailer brakes is based on the amount of vehicle braking present and
relative to the Trailer Gain setting. Output is
displayed from 0 to 100% for each gain
setting.
The Trailer Output will indicate
“- - - - - -”on
the Trailer Brake Display Page whenever the
following occur:
.No trailer is connected.
.A trailer without electric brakes is
connected, no DIC message displays.
.A trailer with electric brakes has become
disconnected, a CHECK TRAILER WIRING
message displays on the DIC.
.There is a fault present in the wiring to
the trailer brakes, a CHECK TRAILER
WIRING message displays on the DIC.
.The ITBC system is not working due to a
fault, a SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM
message displays in the DIC.
Manual Trailer Brake Apply Lever
Slide this lever right to apply the trailer’s
electric brakes independent of the vehicle’s
brakes. Use this lever to adjust Trailer Gain
to achieve proper power output to the
trailer brakes. The trailer's and the vehicle's
brake lamps will come on when either
vehicle brakes or manual trailer brakes are
applied and properly connected.
GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14430430) - 2021 - CRC - 9/9/20
298 Vehicle Care
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not be
towed with all four wheels on the ground.
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Only dinghy tow four-wheel-drive vehicles
that have an N (Neutral) and a Four-Wheel
Drive Low (4 (
n) setting.
{Warning
Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle's
transfer case into N (Neutral) can cause
the vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in P (Park). You or others
could be injured. Set the parking brake
before shifting the transfer case to
N (Neutral).To dinghy tow:
1. Position the vehicle being towed behind the tow vehicle, facing forward and on a
level surface.
2. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow vehicle.
3. Apply the parking brake and start the engine.
4. Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral). See “Shifting into N (Neutral)” under
Four-Wheel Drive 0197. Check that the
vehicle is in N (Neutral) by shifting the
transmission to R (Reverse) and then to
D (Drive). There should be no movement
of the vehicle while shifting.
5. With the engine off, leave the key in ACC/ACCESSORY to prevent the steering
column from locking.
Caution
Failure to disconnect the negative battery
cable or to have it contact the terminals
can cause damage to the vehicle.
6. 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.
7. Shift the transmission to P (Park).
Caution
If the steering column is locked, vehicle
damage may occur.
Move the steering wheel to make sure
the steering column is unlocked.
8. With a foot on the brake pedal, release the parking brake.
9. 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. With your foot off the brake, turn the ignition on with the engine off.