2021 GMC CANYON overheating

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14430430) - 2021 - CRC - 9/9/20
Instruments and Controls 85
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
Metric
EnglishThis gauge shows the engine coolant
temperature.
If the pointer moves toward the warning
area at the high end of the gauge, the
engine is too hot.
This reading indicates the same thing as the
warning light. It means that the engine
coolant has overheated. If the vehicle has
been operating under normal driving
conditions, pull off the road, stop the
vehicle, and turn off the engine as soon as
possible. See
Engine Overheating 0247.
Seat Belt Reminders
Driver Seat Belt Reminder Light
There is a driver seat belt reminder light on
the instrument cluster.
When the vehicle is started, this light
flashes and a chime may come on to remind
the driver to fasten their seat belt. Then the light stays on solid until the belt is
buckled. This cycle may continue several
times if the driver remains or becomes
unbuckled while the vehicle is moving.
If the driver seat belt is buckled, neither the
light nor the chime comes on.
Front Passenger Seat Belt Reminder
Light
The vehicle may have a front passenger seat
belt reminder light near the passenger
airbag status indicator. See
Passenger
Sensing System 039.
When the vehicle is started, this light
flashes and a chime may come on to remind
passengers to fasten their seat belt.
Then the light stays on solid until the belt is
buckled. This cycle continues several times if
the front passenger remains or becomes
unbuckled while the vehicle is moving.
If the front passenger seat belt is buckled,
neither the chime nor the light comes on.

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14430430) - 2021 - CRC - 9/9/20
178 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
Flowing or rushing water creates strong
forces. Driving through flowing water
could cause the vehicle to be carried
away. If this happens, you and other
vehicle occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be very
cautious about trying to drive through
flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can build
up under the vehicle's tires so they actually
ride on the water. This can happen if the
road is wet enough and you are going fast
enough. When the vehicle is hydroplaning, it
has little or no contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to slow
down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet weather
driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
.Pass with caution.
.Keep windshield wiping equipment in
good shape.
.Keep the windshield washer fluid reservoir
filled.
.Have good tires with proper tread depth.
SeeTires 0266.
.Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through mountains
is different than driving on flat or rolling
terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in good
shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes, tires,
cooling system, and transmission.
.Shift to a lower gear when going down
steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the vehicle on a
long downhill slope can cause brake
overheating, can reduce brake
performance, and could result in a loss of
braking. Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the brakes
on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or with
the ignition off is dangerous. This can
cause overheating of the brakes and loss
of steering assist. Always have the engine
running and the vehicle in gear.
.Drive at speeds that keep the vehicle in
its own lane. Do not swing wide or cross
the center line.
.Be alert on top of hills; something could
be in your lane (e.g., stalled car, crash).
.Pay attention to special road signs (e.g.,
falling rocks area, winding roads, long
grades, passing or no-passing zones) and
take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and the road
creates less traction or grip, so drive
carefully. Wet ice can occur at about 0 °C
(32 °F) when freezing rain begins to fall.
Avoid driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14430430) - 2021 - CRC - 9/9/20
Driving and Operating 189
Heater Cord Near Engine Air Cleaner, 2.5L L4Engine Shown, 3.6L V6 Engine Similar
To Use the Engine Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electricalcord. The cord is secured near the
coolant surge tank or to the engine air
cleaner. Carefully remove the cord.
Check the heater cord for damage. If it is
damaged, do not use it. See your dealer
for a replacement. Inspect the cord for
damage yearly.
3. Plug the cord into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{Warning
Improper use of the heater cord or an
extension cord can damage the cord and
may result in overheating and fire.
.Plug the cord into a three-prong
electrical utility receptacle that is
protected by a ground fault detection
function. An ungrounded outlet could
cause an electric shock.
.Use a weatherproof, heavy-duty,
15 amp-rated extension cord if needed.
Failure to use the recommended
extension cord in good operating
condition, or using a damaged heater
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
or extension cord, could make it
overheat and cause a fire, property
damage, electric shock, and injury.
.Do not operate the vehicle with the
heater cord permanently attached to
the vehicle. Possible heater cord and
thermostat damage could occur.
.While in use, do not let the heater
cord touch vehicle parts or sharp
edges. Never close the hood on the
heater cord.
.Before starting the vehicle, unplug the
cord, reattach the cover to the plug,
and securely fasten the cord. Keep the
cord away from any moving parts.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure 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.

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14430430) - 2021 - CRC - 9/9/20
Driving and Operating 197
Turn the Tow/Haul Mode on and off by
pressing the button on the center stack.
When the Tow/Haul Mode is enabled, a
light on the instrument cluster will come on.
SeeTow/Haul Mode Light 090 and
Hill and Mountain Roads 0178.
Also see “Tow/Haul Mode” underTowing
Equipment 0224.
If the vehicle has a diesel engine, the Tow/
Haul button activates the exhaust brake
system simultaneously. See “Exhaust Brake”
in the Duramax diesel supplement.
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive
If equipped, four-wheel drive engages the
front axle for extra traction.
Caution
Do not drive on clean, dry pavement in 4
m, or 4nfor an extended period of time.
These conditions may cause:
.Overheating.
.Oil leakage.
.Damage to internal and external
components of the front axle.
.Premature wear on the vehicle’s
powertrain.
Driving on clean, dry pavement in 4
mor 4
nmay:
.Cause a vibration to be felt in the
steering system.
.Cause tires to wear faster.
.Cause additional driveline noise.
{Warning
If equipped with four-wheel drive, the
vehicle will be free to roll if the transfer
case is in N (Neutral), even when the shift
lever is in P (Park). You or someone else
could be seriously injured. Be sure the
transfer case is in a drive gear —2
m, 4m,
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
or 4n— or set the parking brake before
placing the transfer case in N (Neutral).
See Shifting Into Park 0190.
Caution
Extended high-speed operation in 4n
may damage or shorten the life of the
drivetrain.
Engagement noise and bump when shifting
between 4
nand 4mor from N (Neutral),
with the engine running, is normal.
Shifting into 4
nwill turn Traction Control
and StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) off. See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0204.

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14430430) - 2021 - CRC - 9/9/20
Driving and Operating 219
Make wider turns than normal when towing,
so trailer will not go over soft shoulders,
over curbs, or strike road signs, trees,
or other objects. Always signal turns well in
advance. Do not steer or brake suddenly.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before starting down a long or steep
downhill grade. If the transmission is not
shifted down, the brakes may overheat and
result in reduced braking efficiency.
The vehicle 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.
When towing at higher altitudes, engine
coolant will boil at a lower temperature
than at lower altitudes. If the engine is
turned off immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the vehicle
could show signs similar to engine
overheating. To avoid this, let the engine
run, preferably on level ground, with the
transmission in P (Park) for a few minutes
before turning the engine off. If the
overheat warning comes on, seeEngine
Overheating 0247.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death,
always park your vehicle and trailer on a
level surface when possible.
When parking your vehicle and your trailer
on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn the wheels into
the curb if facing downhill or into traffic
if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, gradually release the brake pedal to
allow the chocks to absorb the load of
the trailer.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
.Start the engine.
.Shift into a gear.
.Release the parking brake. 2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of
the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Launching and Retrieving a Boat
Backing the Trailer into the Water
{Warning
.Have all passengers get out of the
vehicle before backing onto the sloped
part of the ramp. Lower the driver and
passenger side windows before
backing onto the ramp. This will
provide a means of escape in the
unlikely event the vehicle slides into
the water.
.If the boat launch surface is slippery,
have the driver remain in the vehicle
with the brake pedal applied while the
boat is being launched. The boat
launch can be especially slippery at
low tide when part of the ramp was
previously submerged at high tide. Do
not back onto the ramp to launch the
boat if you are not sure the vehicle
can maintain traction.
(Continued)

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14430430) - 2021 - CRC - 9/9/20
220 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
.Do not move the vehicle if someone is
in the path of the trailer. Some parts
of the trailer might be underwater and
not visible to people who are assisting
in launching the boat.
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before
backing the trailer into the water to prevent
damage to the electrical circuits on the
trailer. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer
after removing the trailer from the water.
If the trailer has electric brakes that can
function when the trailer is submerged, it
might help to leave the electrical trailer
connector attached to maintain trailer brake
functionality while on the boat ramp.
To back the trailer into the water: 1. If equipped, place the vehicle in four-wheel-drive high.
2. Slowly back down the boat ramp until the boat is floating, but no further than
necessary.
3. Press and hold the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet.
4. Have someone place chocks under the front wheels of the vehicle. 5. Gradually release the brake pedal to
allow the chocks to absorb the load of
the trailer.
6. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift into P (Park).
7. Release the brake pedal.
Pulling the Trailer from the Water
To pull the trailer of the water: 1. Press and hold the brake pedals.
2. Start the engine and shift into gear.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Let up on the brake pedal.
5. Drive slowly until the tires are clear of the chocks.
6. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
7. Slowly pull the trailer from the water.
8. Once the vehicle and trailer have been driven from the sloped part of the boat
ramp, the vehicle can be shifted from
four-wheel-drive high. Shift into the drive
mode that is appropriate for the road
conditions.
Caution
If the vehicle tires begin to spin and the
vehicle begins to slide toward the water,
remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal and apply the brake pedal. Seek
help to have the vehicle towed up
the ramp.
Maintenance when Trailer Towing
The vehicle needs service more often when
used to tow trailers. See Maintenance
Schedule 0310. It is especially important to
check the automatic transmission fluid,
engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling
system, and brake system before and during
each trip.
Check periodically to see that all nuts and
bolts on the trailer hitch are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating conditions.
See Engine Overheating 0247.
Trailer Towing
If equipped with a diesel engine, see the
Duramax diesel supplement.

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14430430) - 2021 - CRC - 9/9/20
Vehicle Care 233
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
California Proposition 65 Warning . . . . . 234
California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . 234
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . . 235
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . 237
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . 243
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . 253
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps . . . . . . 256
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps, and Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . 257
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) and Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . 260
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . 264
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
All-Terrain Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267 Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . 270
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . 273
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . 274
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . 278
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . 279
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . 280
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . 281
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . 294
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14430430) - 2021 - CRC - 9/9/20
Vehicle Care 245
Cooling System
The cooling system allows the engine to
maintain the correct working temperature.
2.5L L4 Gas Engine Shown, 2.8L L4 DieselEngine Similar
1. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
2. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
3.6L V6 Engine
1. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
2. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
{Warning
An underhood electric fan can start up
even when the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands, clothing,
and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
{Warning
Do not touch heater or radiator hoses,
or other engine parts. They can be very
hot and can burn you. Do not run the
engine if there is a leak; all coolant could
leak out. That could cause an engine fire
and can burn you. Fix any leak before
driving the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is filled
with DEX-COOL engine coolant mixture. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants 0319
and
Maintenance Schedule 0310.
The following explains the cooling system
and how to check and add coolant when it
is low. If there is a problem with engine
overheating, see Engine Overheating 0247.
What to Use
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such as
alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. With plain water or
(Continued)