2021 GMC CANYON service

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14430430) - 2021 - CRC - 2/18/21
Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Keys, Doors, and Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Instruments and Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Service and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Customer Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Reporting Safety Defects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Introduction
The names, logos, emblems, slogans, vehicle
model names, and vehicle body designs
appearing in this manual including, but not
limited to, GM, the GM logo, GMC, the GMC
Truck Emblem, CANYON, and DENALI are
trademarks and/or service marks of General
Motors LLC, its subsidiaries, affiliates,
or licensors.
For vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute
the name“General Motors of Canada
Company” for GMC wherever it appears in
this manual.
This manual describes features that may or
may not be on the vehicle because of
optional equipment that was not purchased
on the vehicle, model variants, country
specifications, features/applications that may not be available in your region, or changes
subsequent to the printing of this owner’s
manual.
If this vehicle has the Duramax diesel
engine, see the Duramax diesel supplement
for additional and specific information on
this engine.
Refer to the purchase documentation
relating to your specific vehicle to confirm
the features.
Keep this manual in the vehicle for quick
reference.
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 84426904 C Third Printing©2021 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14430430) - 2021 - CRC - 9/9/20
2 Introduction
Canadian Vehicle Owners
A French language manual can be obtained
from your dealer, at www.helminc.com,
or from:
Propriétaires Canadiens
On peut obtenir un exemplaire de ce guide
en français auprès du concessionnaire ou à
l'adresse suivante:
Helm, Incorporated
Attention: Customer Service
47911 Halyard Drive
Plymouth, MI 48170
USA
Using this Manual
To quickly locate information about the
vehicle, use the Index in the back of the
manual. It is an alphabetical list of what is
in the manual and the page number where
it can be found.
Danger, Warning, and Caution
Warning messages found on vehicle labels
and in this manual describe hazards and
what to do to avoid or reduce them.
{Danger
Danger indicates a hazard with a high
level of risk which will result in serious
injury or death.
{Warning
Warning indicates a hazard that could
result in injury or death.
Caution
Caution indicates a hazard that could
result in property or vehicle damage.
A circle with a slash through it is a safety
symbol which means“Do not,” “Do not do
this,” or“Do not let this happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components and labels that
use symbols instead of text. Symbols are
shown along with the text describing the
operation or information relating to a
specific component, control, message, gauge,
or indicator.
M:Shown when the owner’s manual has
additional instructions or information.
*: Shown when the service manual has
additional instructions or information.
0: Shown when there is more information
on another page — “see page.”
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols that may
be found on the vehicle and what they
mean. See the features in this manual for
information.
u: Air Conditioning System
G:Air Conditioning Refrigerant Oil
9:Airbag Readiness Light
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
$:Brake System Warning Light

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14430430) - 2021 - CRC - 9/9/20
8 Keys, Doors, and Windows
2. Turn the ignition off and removethe key.
3. Quickly, within five seconds, insert the second original already programmed key
in the ignition and turn the ignition on.
4. Turn the ignition off, and remove the key.
5. Insert the new key to be programmed and turn the ignition on within
five seconds.
The security light will turn off once the
key has been programmed.
6. Repeat Steps 1–5 if additional keys are to be programmed.
If a key is lost or damaged, see your dealer
to have a new key made.
Programming without Two Recognized Keys
Program a new key to the vehicle when a
recognized key is not available. Canadian
regulations require that owners see their
dealer.
If two currently recognized keys are not
available, follow this procedure to program
the first key. This procedure will take approximately
30 minutes to complete for the first key.
The vehicle must be off and all of the keys
you wish to program must be with you.
1. Insert the new vehicle key into the ignition.
2. Turn the ignition on. The security light will come on.
3. Wait 10 minutes until the security light turns off.
4. Turn the ignition off.
5. Repeat Steps 2–4 two more times. After the third time, turn the ignition on; the
key is learned and all previously known
keys will no longer work with the
vehicle.
6. To learn the second key, turn the ignition off. Insert the second key to be
learned and turn the ignition on.
After two keys are learned, the remaining
keys can be learned by following the
procedure in “Programming with Two
Recognized Keys.”
If it becomes difficult to turn a key, inspect
the key blade for debris. Periodically clean
with a brush or pick. See your dealer if a replacement key or
additional key is needed.
If locked out of the vehicle, see
Roadside
Assistance Program 0330.
With an active OnStar or connected service
plan, an OnStar Advisor may remotely
unlock the vehicle. See OnStar Overview
0 339.
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System
See Radio Frequency Statement 0335.
If there is a decrease in the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) operating range:
.Check the distance. The transmitter may
be too far from the vehicle.
.Check the location. Other vehicles or
objects may be blocking the signal.
.Check the transmitter's battery. See
“Battery Replacement” later in this
section.
.If the transmitter is still not working
correctly, see your dealer or a qualified
technician for service.

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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Keys, Doors, and Windows 15
or the door is not unlocked by pressingK
on the RKE transmitter during the 10-second
pre-alarm, the alarm will be activated.
If a door or the hood is opened without first
disarming the system, the turn signals will
flash and the horn will sound for about
30 seconds. The alarm system will then
re-arm to monitor for the next unauthorized
event.
Disarming the Alarm System
To disarm the alarm system or turn off the
alarm if it has been activated:
.PressKon the RKE transmitter.
.Start the vehicle.
To avoid setting off the alarm by accident:
.Lock the vehicle after all occupants have
left the vehicle and all doors are closed.
.Always unlock a door with the RKE
transmitter.
Unlocking the driver door with the key will
not disarm the system or turn off the alarm.
Detecting a Tamper Condition
IfKis pressed on the RKE transmitter and
the horn chirps three times, an alarm
occurred previously while the alarm system
was armed.
Immobilizer
See Radio Frequency Statement 0335.
Immobilizer Operation
This vehicle has a passive theft-deterrent
system.
The system does not have to be manually
armed or disarmed.
The vehicle is automatically immobilized
when the vehicle is turned off.
The system is automatically disarmed when
the ignition is turned from off to on.
The security light, in the instrument cluster,
comes on if there is a problem with arming
or disarming the theft-deterrent system. When trying to start the vehicle, the
security light comes on briefly when the
ignition is turned on.
If the engine does not start and the security
light stays on, there is a problem with the
system. Turn the ignition off and try again.
If the engine still does not start, and the
key appears to be undamaged, try another
ignition key. It may be necessary to check
the fuse. See
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
0 259. If the engine still does not start with
the other key, the vehicle needs service.
If the vehicle does start, the first key may
be faulty. See your dealer.
It is possible for the immobilizer system to
learn new or replacement keys. Up to eight
keys can be programmed for the vehicle. To
program additional transmitters, see Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation 09.
Do not leave the transmitter or device that
disarms or deactivates the vehicle
theft-deterent system in the vehicle.
See your dealer to get a new key blank cut
exactly as the ignition key that operates the
system.

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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Seats and Restraints 39
off using the controls for those features.
If any of these systems are damaged in the
crash they may not operate as normal.
{Warning
A crash severe enough to inflate the
airbags may have also damaged
important functions in the vehicle, such
as the fuel system, brake and steering
systems, etc. Even if the vehicle appears
to be drivable after a moderate crash,
there may be concealed damage that
could make it difficult to safely operate
the vehicle.
Use caution if you should attempt to
restart the engine after a crash has
occurred.
In many crashes severe enough to inflate
the airbag, windshields are broken by
vehicle deformation. Additional windshield
breakage may also occur from the front
outboard passenger airbag.
.Airbags are designed to inflate only once.
After an airbag inflates, you will need
some new parts for the airbag system.
If you do not get them, the airbag
system will not be there to help protect
you in another crash. A new system will include airbag modules and possibly other
parts. The service manual for the vehicle
covers the need to replace other parts.
.The vehicle has a crash sensing and
diagnostic module which records
information after a crash. See
Vehicle
Data Recording and Privacy 0336 and
Event Data Recorders 0337.
.Let only qualified technicians work on the
airbag systems. Improper service can
mean that an airbag system will not work
properly. See your dealer for service.
Passenger Sensing System
The vehicle has a passenger sensing system
for the front outboard passenger position.
The passenger airbag status indicator will
light on the overhead console when the
vehicle is started.
United States
Canada
The words ON and OFF, or the symbols for
on and off, will be visible during the system
check. When the system check is complete,
either the word ON or OFF, or the symbol
for on and off, will be visible. See Passenger
Airbag Status Indicator 086.
The passenger sensing system turns off the
front outboard passenger frontal airbag
under certain conditions. No other airbag is
affected by the passenger sensing system.
The passenger sensing system works with
sensors that are part of the front outboard
passenger seat and seat belt. The sensors
are designed to detect the presence of a
properly seated occupant and determine if
the front outboard passenger frontal airbag
should be allowed to inflate or not.
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly secured in a rear seat
in the correct child restraint for their weight
and size.

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14430430) - 2021 - CRC - 9/9/20
Seats and Restraints 41
the vehicle who has outgrown child
restraints should wear a seat belt properly
—whether or not there is an airbag for that
person.
{Warning
If the airbag readiness light ever comes
on and stays on, it means that
something may be wrong with the airbag
system. To help avoid injury to yourself
or others, have the vehicle serviced right
away. See Airbag Readiness Light 086
for more information, including important
safety information.
If the On Indicator Is Lit for a Child
Restraint
If a child restraint has been installed and
the ON indicator is lit:
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Remove the child restraint from the vehicle.
3. Remove any additional items from the seat such as blankets, cushions, seat
covers, seat heaters, or seat massagers. 4. Reinstall the child restraint following the
directions provided by the child restraint
manufacturer and refer to Securing Child
Restraints (With the Seat Belt in the Rear
Seat) 064 or
Securing Child Restraints (With the Seat
Belt in the Front Seat) 069.
5. If, after reinstalling the child restraint and restarting the vehicle, the ON
indicator is still lit, turn the vehicle off.
Then slightly recline the vehicle seatback
and adjust the seat cushion,
if adjustable, to make sure that the
vehicle seatback is not pushing the child
restraint into the seat cushion. Also
make sure the child restraint is not
trapped under the vehicle head restraint.
If this happens, adjust the head restraint.
See Head Restraints 021.
6. Restart the vehicle.
If the ON indicator is still lit, secure the child
in the child restraint in a rear seat position
in the vehicle, and check with your dealer.
If no rear seat is available, do not install a
child restraint in this vehicle and check with
your dealer.
If the Off Indicator Is Lit for an
Adult-Sized Occupant
If a person of adult-size is sitting in the
front outboard passenger seat, but the OFF
indicator is lit, it could be because that
person is not sitting properly in the seat or
that the child restraint locking feature is
engaged. Use the following steps to allow
the system to detect that person and enable
the front outboard passenger frontal airbag: 1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Remove any additional material from the seat, such as blankets, cushions, seat
covers, seat heaters, or seat massagers.
3. Place the seatback in the fully upright position.

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14430430) - 2021 - CRC - 9/9/20
42 Seats and Restraints
4. Have the person sit upright in the seat,centered on the seat cushion, with legs
comfortably extended.
5. If the shoulder portion of the belt is pulled out all the way, the child restraint
locking feature will be engaged. This
may unintentionally cause the passenger
sensing system to turn the airbag off for
some adult-sized occupants. If this
happens, unbuckle the belt, let the belt
go back all the way, and then buckle the
belt again without pulling the belt out
all the way.
6. Restart the vehicle and have the person remain in this position for two to
three minutes after the ON indicator
is lit.
{Warning
If the front outboard passenger airbag is
turned off for an adult-sized occupant,
the airbag will not be able to inflate and
help protect that person in a crash,
resulting in an increased risk of serious
injury or even death. An adult-sized
occupant should not ride in the front
outboard passenger seat, if the passenger
airbag off indicator is lit.
Additional Factors Affecting System
Operation
Seat belts help keep the passenger in
position on the seat during vehicle
maneuvers and braking, which helps the
passenger sensing system maintain the
passenger airbag status. See “Seat Belts”
and “Child Restraints” in the Index for
additional information about the importance
of proper restraint use.
A thick layer of additional material, such as
a blanket or cushion, or aftermarket
equipment such as seat covers, seat heaters,
and seat massagers can affect how well the
passenger sensing system operates. We
recommend that you not use seat covers or
other aftermarket equipment except when
approved by GM for your specific vehicle.
See Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 043 for more
information about modifications that can
affect how the system operates.
The ON indicator may be lit if an object,
such as a briefcase, handbag, grocery bag,
laptop, or other electronic device, is put on
an unoccupied seat. If this is not desired
remove the object from the seat.
{Warning
Stowing articles under the passenger seat
or between the passenger seat cushion
and seatback may interfere with the
proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle should be
serviced. There are parts of the airbag
system in several places around the vehicle.
Your dealer and the service manual have
information about servicing the vehicle and
the airbag system. To purchase a service
manual, see Publication Ordering
Information 0334.
{Warning
For up to 10 seconds after the vehicle is
turned off and the battery is
disconnected, an airbag can still inflate
during improper service. You can be
injured if you are close to an airbag
when it inflates. Avoid yellow connectors.
They are probably part of the airbag
(Continued)

GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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Seats and Restraints 43
Warning (Continued)
system. Be sure to follow proper service
procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is qualified to
do so.
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
{Warning
If a snow plow or similar equipment is
installed on the vehicle, the airbag
system may not function properly. An
airbag could inflate when it is not
supposed to inflate. People riding in the
vehicle could be injured, and the vehicle
and/or snow plow could be damaged. Do
not install a snow plow or similar
equipment on the vehicle.
Adding accessories that change the vehicle's
frame, bumper system, height, front end,
or side sheet metal may keep the airbag
system from working properly.
The operation of the airbag system can also
be affected by changing any parts of the
front seats, seat belts, airbag sensing and diagnostic module, steering wheel,
instrument panel, inner door seals including
the speakers, any of the airbag modules,
ceiling or pillar garnish trim, overhead
console, front sensors, side impact sensors,
or airbag wiring.
Your dealer and the service manual have
information about the location of the airbag
sensors, sensing and diagnostic module, and
airbag wiring.
In addition, the vehicle has a passenger
sensing system for the front outboard
passenger position, which includes sensors
that are part of the passenger seat. The
passenger sensing system may not operate
properly if the original seat trim is replaced
with non-GM covers, upholstery, or trim; or
with GM covers, upholstery, or trim
designed for a different vehicle. Any object,
such as an aftermarket seat heater or a
comfort-enhancing pad or device, installed
under or on top of the seat fabric, could
also interfere with the operation of the
passenger sensing system. This could either
prevent proper deployment of the passenger
airbag(s) or prevent the passenger sensing
system from properly turning off the
passenger airbag(s). See
Passenger Sensing
System 039. If the vehicle has rollover roof-rail airbags,
see
Different Size Tires and Wheels 0279 for
additional important information.
If the vehicle must be modified because you
have a disability and have questions about
whether the modifications will affect the
vehicle's airbag system, or if you have
questions about whether the airbag system
will be affected if the vehicle is modified for
any other reason, call Customer Assistance.
See Customer Assistance Offices 0329.Airbag System Check
The airbag system does not need regularly
scheduled maintenance or replacement.
Make sure the airbag readiness light is
working. See Airbag Readiness Light 086.
Caution
If an airbag covering is damaged, opened,
or broken, the airbag may not work
properly. Do not open or break the airbag
coverings. If there are any opened or
broken airbag coverings, have the airbag
covering and/or airbag module replaced.
For the location of the airbags, see Where
Are the Airbags? 036. See your dealer
for service.