GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16510661) - 2023 - CRC - 11/29/22
Seats and Restraints 25
Front Seats
The vehicle's front seats have adjustable
head restraints in the outboard seating
positions.
The height of the head restraint can be
adjusted.
To raise or lower the head restraint, press
the button located on the side of the head
restraint and pull up or push the head
restraint down, and release the button. Pull
and push on the head restraint after the
button is released to make sure that it is
locked in place.
The front seat outboard head restraints are
not removable.
Rear Head Restraints
The vehicle’s rear seats have head restraints
in the outboard seating positions that
cannot be adjusted up or down.
The rear outboard head restraints are
designed to be folded forward to allow for
better visibility when the rear seat is
unoccupied. To fold the head restraint, press
the button on the side of the head restraint.
When an occupant is in the seat, always
return the head restraint to the upright
position until it locks into place. Push and
pull on the head restraint to make sure that
it is locked.If you are installing a child restraint in the
rear seat, see
Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children (LATCH System) 057.
Center Headrest
The vehicle’s rear seat may be equipped
with a headrest in the center seating
position that cannot be adjusted.
If you are installing a child restraint in the
rear seat, see Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children (LATCH System) 057.
Front Seats
Seat Adjustment
{Warning
You can lose control of the vehicle if you
try to adjust a driver seat while the
vehicle is moving. Adjust the driver seat
only when the vehicle is not moving.
GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16510661) - 2023 - CRC - 11/29/22
Seats and Restraints 27
Reclining Seatbacks
{Warning
Sitting in a reclined position when the
vehicle is in motion can be dangerous.
Even when buckled up, the seat belts
cannot do their job.
The shoulder belt will not be against
your body. Instead, it will be in front of
you. In a crash, you could go into it,
receiving neck or other injuries.
The lap belt could go up over your
abdomen. The belt forces would be there,
not at your pelvic bones. This could cause
serious internal injuries.
For proper protection when the vehicle is
in motion, have the seatback upright.
Then sit well back in the seat and wear
the seat belt properly.
Do not have a seatback reclined if the
vehicle is moving.
Manual Reclining Seatbacks
{Warning
If either seatback is not locked, it could
move forward in a sudden stop or crash.
That could cause injury to the person
sitting there. Always push and pull on
the seatbacks to be sure they are locked.
To adjust a manual seatback:1. Lift the lever. The seatback will automatically fold
forward.
2. To recline, move the seatback rearward to the desired position, then release the
lever to lock the seatback in place.
3. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked.
To return the seatback to the upright
position: 1. Lift the lever fully without applying pressure to the seatback, and the
seatback will return to the upright
position.
GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16510661) - 2023 - CRC - 11/29/22
32 Seats and Restraints
Remote Start Heated and Ventilated Seats
If equipped, the heated seats will turn on
automatically during a remote start if it is
cold outside and the ventilated seats will
turn on automatically if it is hot outside.
If equipped, the heated steering wheel will
turn on automatically during a remote start
if it is cold outside. The heated and
ventilated seat indicators and heated
steering wheel indicator may not come on
during this operation.
The heated and ventilated seats and heated
steering wheel may cancel when the vehicle
is started. These features can be manually
selected after the ignition is turned on.
The temperature performance of an
unoccupied seat may be reduced. This is
normal.
To enable or disable remote start heated or
ventilated seats, select Settings > Vehicle >
Remote Lock, Unlock, and Start > Remote
Start Auto Heat Seats or Remote Start Auto
Cool Seats > ON or OFF. SeeRemote Vehicle
Start 012.Rear Seats
Rear Seat Reminder
If equipped, the message REAR SEAT
REMINDER LOOK IN REAR SEAT displays
under certain conditions indicating there
may be an item or passenger in the rear
seat. Check before exiting the vehicle.
This feature will activate when a second row
door is opened while the vehicle is on or up
to 10 minutes before the vehicle is turned
on. There will be an alert when the vehicle
is turned off. The alert does not directly
detect objects in the rear seat; instead,
under certain conditions, it detects when a
rear door is opened and closed, indicating
that there may be something in the
rear seat.
The feature is active only once each time
the vehicle is turned on and off, and will
require reactivation by opening and closing
the second row doors. There may be an
alert even when there is nothing in the rear
seat; for example, if a child entered the
vehicle through the rear door and left the
vehicle without the vehicle being shut off. The feature can be turned on or off. Select
Settings > Vehicle > Rear Seat Reminder >
ON or OFF.Folding the Rear Seat Cushion
Either side of the rear seat cushion can be
folded up for added cargo space.
Caution
Folding a rear seat with the seat belts
still fastened may cause damage to the
seat or the seat belts. Always unbuckle
the seat belts and return them to their
normal stowed position before folding a
rear seat.
Make sure that nothing is on the seat
cushion.
GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16510661) - 2023 - CRC - 11/29/22
Seats and Restraints 33
To fold the seat, lift the lever fully and pull
the seat cushion up.
To return the seat to the normal seating
position, lift the lever and slowly pull the
seat cushion down.
{Warning
A seat belt that is improperly routed, not
properly attached, or twisted will not
provide the protection needed in a crash.
The person wearing the belt could be
seriously injured. After raising the rear
seatback, always check to be sure that
the seat belts are properly routed and
attached, and are not twisted.
Seat Belts
This section describes how to use seat belts
properly, and some things not to do.
{Warning
Do not let anyone ride where a seat belt
cannot be worn properly. In a crash,
if you or your passenger(s) are not
wearing seat belts, injuries can be much
worse than if you are wearing seat belts.
You can be seriously injured or killed by
hitting things inside the vehicle harder or
by being ejected from the vehicle. In
addition, anyone who is not buckled up
can strike other passengers in the vehicle.
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a
cargo area, inside or outside of a vehicle.
In a collision, passengers riding in these
areas are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed. Do not allow passengers
to ride in any area of the vehicle that is
not equipped with seats and seat belts.
Always wear a seat belt, and check that
all passenger(s) are restrained
properly too.This vehicle has indicators as a reminder to
buckle the seat belts. See
Seat Belt
Reminders 087.
Why Seat Belts Work
When riding in a vehicle, you travel as fast
as the vehicle does. If the vehicle stops
suddenly, you keep going until something
stops you. It could be the windshield, the
instrument panel, or the seat belts!
When you wear a seat belt, you and the
vehicle slow down together. There is more
time to stop because you stop over a longer
distance and, when worn properly, your
strongest bones take the forces from the
seat belts. That is why wearing seat belts
makes such good sense.
GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16510661) - 2023 - CRC - 11/29/22
36 Seats and Restraints
Never wear the shoulder belt under both
arms or behind your back.
Always use the correct buckle for your
seating position.
Never route the lap or shoulder belt over an
armrest.
{Warning
The seat belt can be pinched if it is
routed under plastic trim on the seat,
such as trim around the rear seatback
folding handle or side airbag. In a crash,
pinched seat belts might not provide
adequate protection. Never allow seat
belts to be routed under plastic trim
pieces.
{Warning
You can be seriously injured or killed if
the shoulder belt is worn behind your
back, under your legs, or wrapped around
your neck. The shoulder belt can tighten
but cannot be loosened if it is locked. The
shoulder belt locks when it is pulled all
the way out of the retractor. It unlocks
when the shoulder belt is allowed to go
all the way back into the retractor, but it
cannot do this if it is wrapped around
you. You may have to cut the seat belt if
it is locked and tightened around you.
Lap-Shoulder Belt
All seating positions in the vehicle have a
lap-shoulder belt.
The following instructions explain how to
wear a lap-shoulder belt properly.1. Adjust the seat, if the seat is adjustable, so you can sit up straight. To see how,
see “Seats” in the Index.
GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16510661) - 2023 - CRC - 11/29/22
Seats and Restraints 61
Warning (Continued)
either the LATCH anchors or the vehicle
seat belt. Follow the instructions that
came with the child restraint and the
instructions in this manual.
{Warning
Do not attach more than one child
restraint to a single anchor, except for
the center top tether anchors in the crew
cab models. Attaching more than one
child restraint to a single anchor could
cause the anchor or attachment to come
loose or even break during a crash.
A child or others could be injured. To
reduce the risk of serious or fatal injuries
during a crash, attach only one child
restraint per anchor.
{Warning
Children can be seriously injured or
strangled if a shoulder belt is wrapped
around their neck. The shoulder belt can
tighten but cannot be loosened if it is(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
locked. The shoulder belt locks when it is
pulled all the way out of the retractor.
It unlocks when the shoulder belt is
allowed to go all the way back into the
retractor, but it cannot do this if it is
wrapped around a child’s neck. If the
shoulder belt is locked and tightened
around a child’s neck, the only way to
loosen the belt is to cut it.
Buckle any unused seat belts behind the
child restraint so children cannot reach
them. Pull the shoulder belt all the way
out of the retractor to set the lock, and
tighten the belt behind the child restraint
after the child restraint has been
installed.
Caution
Do not let the LATCH attachments rub
against the vehicle’s seat belts. This may
damage these parts. If necessary, move
buckled seat belts to avoid rubbing the
LATCH attachments.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
Do not fold the rear seat cushion when
the seat is occupied. Do not fold the
empty rear seat with a seat belt buckled.
This could damage the seat belt or the
seat. Unbuckle and return the seat belt to
its stowed position, before folding
the seat.
If you need to secure more than one child
restraint in the rear seat, see Where to Put
the Restraint 056.
1. Attach and tighten the lower attachments to the lower anchors. If the
child restraint does not have lower
attachments or the desired seating
position does not have lower anchors,
secure the child restraint with the top
tether and the seat belt. Refer to the
child restraint manufacturer instructions
and the instructions in this manual.
1.1. Find the lower anchors for the desired seating position.
1.2. Put the child restraint on the seat.
1.3. Attach and tighten the lower attachments on the child restraint
to the lower anchors.
GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16510661) - 2023 - CRC - 11/29/22
64 Seats and Restraints
2.3. For a top tether in the rear centerposition:
2.3.1. Remove the driver side head restraint and center
headrest. See “Head
Restraint or Headrest
Removal and Reinstallation”
later in this section.
2.3.2. Route the top tether (1) through the center loop (2).
2.3.3. Attach the top tether (1) to the driver side top tether
metal anchor (3).
2.3.4. Make sure the child restraint top tether hook is
completely closed and
secured to the top tether
anchor.
3. Tighten the top tether per the child restraint manufacturer's instructions.
When the top tether is properly
tightened, the loop may bend. This is
normal and will not damage the vehicle. If child restraints are installed in both
outboard positions, both top tethers can
be attached to the center anchor. Top
tethers can be attached for child
restraints in all three rear seating
positions at the same time, following the
routing instructions above.
4. Before placing a child in the child restraint, make sure it is securely held in
place. To check, grasp the child restraint
at the LATCH path and attempt to move
it side to side and back and forth. There
should be no more than 2.5 cm (1 in) of
movement for proper installation.
Head Restraint or Headrest Removal and
Reinstallation
The second row outboard head restraints or
center headrest can be removed if they
interfere with the proper installation of the
child restraint. To remove the second row head restraints
or center headrest:
1. For the outboard head restraints, fold
the head restraint. See Head Restraints
0 24.
2. Press both buttons on the head restraint or headrest posts at the same time, and
pull up on the head restraint or
headrest.
3. Store the head restraint or headrest in a secure place.
4. When the child restraint is removed, reinstall the head restraint or headrest
before the seating position is used.
GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16510661) - 2023 - CRC - 11/29/22
Driving and Operating 165
Weight Rating (GAWR). To find out the
actual loads on the front and rear axles,
weigh the vehicle at a weigh station.
Your dealer can help with this. Be sure
to spread the load equally on both
sides of the centerline.
{Warning
In the case of a sudden stop or
collision, things carried in the bed of
your truck could shift forward and
come into the passenger area,
injuring you and others. If you put
things in the bed of your truck, you
should make sure they are properly
secured.
{Warning
Do not load the vehicle any heavier
than the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the maximum
front or rear Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). This can cause
systems to break and change the
way the vehicle handles. This could
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
cause loss of control and a crash.
Overloading can also reduce stopping
performance, damage the tires, and
shorten the life of the vehicle.
Caution
Overloading the vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Do not overload the
vehicle.
Using heavier suspension components
to get added durability might not
change the weight ratings. Ask your
dealer to help load the vehicle the
right way.
{Warning
Things you put inside the vehicle can
strike and injure people in a sudden
stop or turn, or in a crash.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Put things in the cargo area of the
vehicle. Try to spread the weight
evenly.
.Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so
that some of them are above the
tops of the seats.
.Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in the vehicle.
.When you carry something inside
the vehicle, secure it whenever
you can.
.Do not leave a seat folded down
unless you need to.
There is also important loading
information for off-road driving in this
manual. See “Loading the Vehicle for
Off-Road Driving“ underOff-Road
Driving 0153.