GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16510661) - 2023 - CRC - 11/29/22
Infotainment System 133
Making a Call Using the Keypad
To make a call by dialing the numbers:1. Touch the Phone icon on the Home Page or on the shortcut tray near the left of
the display.
2. Touch Keypad and enter a phone number.
3. Touch the phone icon on the infotainment display to start dialing the
number.
Searching Contacts Using the Keypad
To search for contacts using the keypad:
1. Touch the Phone icon on the Home Page.
2. Touch Keypad and enter partial phone numbers or contact names using the
digits on the keypad to search.
Results appear on the right side of the
display. Touch one to place a call.
Accepting or Declining a Call
When an incoming call is received, the
infotainment system mutes and a ring tone
is heard in the vehicle.
Accepting a Call
There are two ways to accept a call:
.Pressgon the steering wheel controls.
.Touch Answer on the infotainment
display.
Declining a Call
There are two ways to decline a call:
.Presscon the steering wheel controls.
.Touch Decline on the infotainment
display.
Call Waiting
Call waiting must be supported on the
Bluetooth cell phone and enabled by the
wireless service carrier to work.
Accepting a Call
Press
gto answer, then touch Switch on
the infotainment display.
Declining a Call
Press
cto decline, then touch Decline on
the infotainment display.
Switching Between Calls (Call Waiting
Calls Only)
To switch between calls, touch Phone on the
Home Page to display Call View. While in
Call View, touch the call information of the
call on hold to change calls.
Ending a Call
.Presscon the steering wheel controls.
.Touch#on the infotainment display,
next to a call, to end only that call.
Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) Tones
The in-vehicle Bluetooth system can send
numbers during a call. This is used when
calling a menu-driven phone system. Use the
Keypad to enter the number.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
If equipped, Android Auto and/or Apple
CarPlay capability may be available through
a compatible smartphone. If available, the
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay icons will
change from gray to color on the Home
Page of the infotainment display.
To use Android Auto and/or Apple CarPlay:
For Wired Phone Projection
1. Download the Android Auto app to your smartphone from the Google Play store.
There is no app required for Apple
CarPlay.
2. Connect your Android phone or Apple iPhone by using the factory-provided
phone USB cable and plugging into a
GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16510661) - 2023 - CRC - 11/29/22
Climate Controls 147
.:Press to turn on recirculation. An
indicator light comes on. Air is recirculated
to quickly cool the inside of the vehicle.
It can also be used to help reduce outside
air and odors that enter the vehicle.
Avoid using recirculation for long periods of
time in cold or damp conditions. Using
recirculation in cold or damp conditions can
result in window fogging.
A/C : Press to turn the air conditioning on
or off. An indicator light comes on to show
that the air conditioning is enabled. If the
fan is turned off, the air conditioner will not
run. The A/C light will stay on even if the
outside temperatures are below freezing.
Rear Window Defogger
1REAR : If equipped, press to turn the
rear window defogger on or off. An indicator
light on the button comes on to show that
the rear window defogger is on.
The rear window defogger only works when
the engine is running.The defogger can be
turned off by turning the vehicle off or to
accessory mode.
If equipped with heated outside mirrors,
press
fto turn them on or off. See Heated
Mirrors 020.
Caution
Using a razor blade or sharp object to
clear the inside rear window can damage
the rear window defogger. Repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Do not clear the inside rear window with
sharp objects.
Remote Start Climate Control Operation :
If equipped with remote start, the climate
control system may run when the vehicle is
started remotely. If equipped with heated or
ventilated seats or a heated steering wheel,
these features may come on during a
remote start. See Remote Vehicle Start 012,
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats 031, and
Heated Steering Wheel 073.
Sensors
The solar sensor, on top of the instrument
panel near the windshield, monitors the
solar heat.
The climate control system uses the sensor
information to adjust the temperature, fan
speed, recirculation, and air delivery mode
for best comfort.
Do not cover the sensor; otherwise the
automatic climate control system may not
work properly.
Afterblow Feature
If equipped, under certain conditions, the
fan may stay on or may turn on and off
several times after you turn off and lock the
vehicle. This is normal.
Air Vents
Adjustable air vents are located at the
center and side of the instrument panel and
the rear of the console. Use the sliding
knobs on the air vents to change the
direction of the airflow. Slide the knob left
or right to open or close off the airflow.
Air vents blow warm air on the side
windows in cold weather. If Floor, Defog,
or Defrost modes are selected, a small
amount of air will come from the vents
GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16510661) - 2023 - CRC - 11/29/22
Driving and Operating 149
Driving and Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 150
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Impaired Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Off-Road App . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Truck-Camper Loading Information . . . . . 167
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . 172
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . 173
Active Fuel Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . 174
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Brakes
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Hill Descent Control (HDC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Limited-Slip Differential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Locking Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Adaptive Cruise Control (Camera) . . . . . . 196
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Surround Vision System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Park Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Rear Pedestrian Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . 215
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) . . . 217
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . 220
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Blind Zone Steering Assist (BZSA) . . . . . . 222
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16510661) - 2023 - CRC - 11/29/22
150 Driving and Operating
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . 227
Trailer Towing
General Towing Information . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Driving Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Trailering App . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Driving Information
Driving for Better Fuel Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel mileage. Here
are some driving tips to get the best fuel
economy possible:
.Set the climate controls to the desired
temperature after the engine is started,
or turn them off when not required.
.Avoid fast starts and accelerate smoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoid abrupt stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for long periods
of time.
.When road and weather conditions are
appropriate, use cruise control.
.Always follow posted speed limits or
drive more slowly when conditions
require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly inflated.
.Combine several trips into a single trip.
.Replace the vehicle's tires with the same
TPC Spec number molded into the tire's
sidewall near the size.
.Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms and can
take your focus from the task of driving.
Exercise good judgment and do not let other
activities divert your attention away from
the road. Many local governments have
enacted laws regarding driver distraction.
Become familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, keep your eyes
on the road, keep your hands on the
steering wheel, and focus your attention on
driving.
.Do not use a phone in demanding driving
situations. Use a hands-free method to
place or receive necessary phone calls.
.Watch the road. Do not read, take notes,
or look up information on phones or
other electronic devices.
.Designate a front seat passenger to
handle potential distractions.
.Become familiar with vehicle features
before driving, such as programming
favorite radio stations and adjusting
climate control and seat settings. Program
all trip information into any navigation
device prior to driving.
GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16510661) - 2023 - CRC - 11/29/22
Driving and Operating 151
.Wait until the vehicle is parked to
retrieve items that have fallen to the
floor.
.Stop or park the vehicle to tend to
children.
.Keep pets in an appropriate carrier or
restraint.
.Avoid stressful conversations while
driving, whether with a passenger or on a
cell phone.
{Warning
Taking your eyes off the road too long or
too often could cause a crash resulting in
injury or death. Focus your attention on
driving.
Refer to the infotainment section for more
information on using that system and the
navigation system, if equipped, including
pairing and using a cell phone.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always expect the
unexpected.” The first step in driving
defensively is to wear the seat belt. See
Seat Belts 033.
.Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers)
are going to be careless and make
mistakes. Anticipate what they may do
and be ready.
.Allow enough following distance between
you and the driver in front of you.
.Focus on the task of driving.
Impaired Driving
Death and injury associated with impaired
driving is a global tragedy.
{Warning
Drinking alcohol or taking drugs and then
driving is very dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and judgment
can be affected by even a small amount
of alcohol or drugs. You can have a
serious —or even fatal —collision if you
drive after drinking or taking drugs.
Do not drive while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs, or ride with a driver
who has been drinking or is impaired by
drugs. Find alternate transportation
home; or if you are with a group,
designate a driver who will remain sober.
Control of a Vehicle
Braking, steering, and accelerating are
important factors in helping to control a
vehicle while driving.
Braking
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time. Deciding to push the brake
pedal is perception time. Actually doing it is
reaction time.
Average driver reaction time is about
three-quarters of a second. In that time, a
vehicle moving at 100 km/h (60 mph) travels
20 m (66 ft), which could be a lot of
distance in an emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in mind include:
.Keep enough distance between you and
the vehicle in front of you.
.Avoid needless heavy braking.
.Keep pace with traffic.
If the engine ever stops while the vehicle is
being driven, brake normally but do not
pump the brakes. Doing so could make the
pedal harder to push down. If the engine
stops, there will be some power brake assist
but it will be used when the brake is
GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16510661) - 2023 - CRC - 11/29/22
152 Driving and Operating
applied. Once the power assist is used up, it
can take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Steering
Caution
To avoid damage to the steering system,
do not drive over curbs, parking barriers,
or similar objects at speeds greater than
3 km/h (1 mph). Use care when driving
over other objects such as lane dividers
and speed bumps. Damage caused by
misuse of the vehicle is not covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Electric Power Steering
The vehicle is equipped with an electric
power steering system, which reduces the
amount of effort needed to steer the
vehicle. It does not have power steering
fluid. Regular maintenance is not required.
If the vehicle experiences a system
malfunction and loses power steering,
greater steering effort may be required.
Power steering assist also may be reduced if
you turn the steering wheel as far as it can
turn and hold it there with force for an
extended period of time.
See your dealer if there is a problem.
Curve Tips
.Take curves at a reasonable speed.
.Reduce speed before entering a curve.
.Maintain a reasonable steady speed
through the curve.
.Wait until the vehicle is out of the curve
before accelerating gently into the
straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
.There are some situations when steering
around a problem may be more effective
than braking.
.Holding both sides of the steering wheel
allows you to turn 180 degrees without
removing a hand.
.The Antilock Brake System (ABS) allows
steering while braking.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can drop off the
edge of a road onto the shoulder while
driving. Follow these tips:1. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer the
vehicle so that it straddles the edge of
the pavement.
GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16510661) - 2023 - CRC - 11/29/22
Driving and Operating 153
2. Turn the steering wheel aboutone-eighth of a turn, until the right front
tire contacts the pavement edge.
3. Turn the steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.
Loss of Control
Skidding
There are three types of skids that
correspond to the vehicle's three control
systems:
.Braking Skid —wheels are not rolling.
.Steering or Cornering Skid —too much
speed or steering in a curve causes tires
to slip and lose cornering force.
.Acceleration Skid —too much throttle
causes the driving wheels to spin.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking
reasonable care suited to existing conditions,
and by not overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible.
If the vehicle starts to slide, follow these
suggestions:
.Ease your foot off the accelerator pedal
and steer the way you want the vehicle
to go. The vehicle may straighten out. Be
ready for a second skid if it occurs.
.Slow down and adjust your driving
according to weather conditions. Stopping
distance can be longer and vehicle control
can be affected when traction is reduced
by water, snow, ice, gravel, or other
material on the road. Learn to recognize
warning clues —such as enough water,
ice, or packed snow on the road to make
a mirrored surface —and slow down
when you have any doubt.
.Try to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle
speed by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause the tires to
slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help avoid only
the braking skid.
Off-Road Driving
Four-wheel-drive vehicles can be used for
off-road driving. Vehicles without four-wheel
drive and vehicles not equipped with All
Terrain (AT) or On-Off Road (OOR) tires must
not be driven off-road except on a level,
solid surface. For contact information about
the original equipment tires, see the
warranty manual.
One of the best ways for successful off-road
driving is to control the speed.
{Warning
When driving off-road, bouncing and
quick changes in direction can easily
throw you out of position. This could
cause you to lose control and crash. You
and your passengers should always wear
seat belts.
Off-Road Vehicle Features
If equipped, the following off-road features
may be available:
.Air Down Mode: Allows the driver to set
a custom tire pressure for off-road driving.
See Tire Pressure Monitor Operation
0 292.
.Underbody Camera System: Provides a
view of the area underneath the vehicle
to avoid obstacles during off-roading
events. See Surround Vision System
0 209.
.Off-Road App: Provides access to off-road
performance data and to on-screen
auxiliary switches for controlling vehicle
accessories. See Off-Road App0158.
GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16510661) - 2023 - CRC - 11/29/22
154 Driving and Operating
Before Driving Your Vehicle Off-Road
Have all necessary maintenance and service
work completed.
Fuel the vehicle, fill fluid levels, and check
inflation pressure in all tires, including the
spare, if equipped.
Read all the information about
four-wheel-drive vehicles in this manual.
Remove any underbody air deflector,
if equipped. Re-attach the air deflector after
off-road driving.
Know the local laws that apply to off-road
driving.
To gain more ground clearance if needed, it
may be necessary to remove the front fascia
lower air dam, if equipped. However, driving
without the air dam reduces fuel economy.
Caution
Operating the vehicle for extended
periods without the front fascia lower air
dam installed can cause improper airflow
to the engine. Reattach the front fascia
air dam after off-road driving.
Loading the Vehicle for Off-Road Driving
{Warning
.Unsecured cargo on the load floor can
be tossed about when driving over
rough terrain. You or your passengers
can be struck by flying objects. Secure
the cargo properly.
.Keep cargo in the cargo area as far
forward and as low as possible. The
heaviest things should be on the floor,
forward of the rear axle.
.Heavy loads on the roof raise the
vehicle's center of gravity, making it
more likely to roll over. You can be
seriously or fatally injured if the
vehicle rolls over. Put heavy loads
inside the cargo area, not on the roof.
For more information about loading the
vehicle, see Vehicle Load Limits 0162 and
Tires 0284.
Environmental Concerns
Always use established trails, roads, and
areas that are reserved for public off-road
recreational driving. Obey all posted
regulations. Do not damage shrubs, flowers, trees,
or grasses or disturb wildlife.
Do not park over things that burn. See
Parking over Things That Burn
0173.
Driving on Hills
Driving safely on hills requires good
judgment and an understanding of the
vehicle’s capabilities.
{Warning
Many hills are simply too steep for any
vehicle. Driving up hills can cause the
vehicle to stall. Driving down hills can
cause loss of control. Driving across hills
can cause a rollover. You could be injured
or killed. Do not drive on steep hills.
Before driving on a hill, assess the
steepness, traction, and obstructions. If the
terrain ahead cannot be seen, get out of the
vehicle and walk the hill before driving
further.
When driving on hills:
.Maintain a slow speed and keep a firm
grip on the steering wheel.
.Use headlamps even during the day to
make the vehicle more visible.