GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16510661) - 2023 - CRC - 11/29/22
Seats and Restraints 31
Obstructions
If something has blocked the seat while
recalling a memory position, the recall may
stop. Remove the obstruction and try the
recall again. If the memory position still
does not recall, see your dealer.
Heated and Ventilated Front
Seats
{Warning
If temperature change or pain to the skin
cannot be felt, the seat heater may cause
burns. To reduce the risk of burns, use
care when using the seat heater,
especially for long periods of time. Do
not place anything on the seat that
insulates against heat, such as a blanket,
cushion, cover, or similar item. This may
cause the seat heater to overheat. An
overheated seat heater may cause a burn
or may damage the seat.Heated and Ventilated Seat Buttons Shown,Heated Seat Buttons Similar
If equipped, the buttons are near the
climate controls on the center stack. To
operate, the engine must be running.
Press
LorMto heat the driver or
passenger seat.
Press
{orC, if equipped, to ventilate the
driver or passenger seat. A ventilated seat
has a fan that pulls or pushes air through
the seat. The air is not cooled.
When a heated seat is turned on, the
symbol turns red. When a ventilated seat is
turned on, the symbol turns blue. Press the button once for the highest
setting. With each press of the button, the
seat will change to the next lower setting,
and then to the off setting. The indicator
lights below the buttons indicate three for
the highest setting and one for the lowest.
If the heated seats are on high, the level
may automatically be lowered after
approximately 30 minutes.
The passenger seat may take longer to
heat up.
Auto Heated and Ventilated Seats
When the vehicle is on, this feature will
automatically activate the heated or
ventilated seats at the level required by the
vehicle’s interior temperature.
The active high, medium, low, or off heated
or ventilated seat level will be indicated by
the manual heated or ventilated seat
buttons on the center stack. Use the manual
heated or ventilated seat buttons on the
center stack to turn auto heated or
ventilated seats off. If the passenger seat is
unoccupied, the auto heated or ventilated
seats feature will not activate that seat. To
enable or disable auto heated or ventilated
seats, select Settings > Vehicle > Climate
and Air Quality > Auto Cooled or Auto
Heated Seats > ON or OFF.
GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16510661) - 2023 - CRC - 11/29/22
Seats and Restraints 47
.There is a critical problem with the airbag
system or the passenger sensing system.
When the passenger sensing system has
turned off the front outboard passenger
frontal airbag, the OFF indicator will light
and stay lit as a reminder that the airbag is
off. See Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
0 88.
The passenger sensing system is designed to
turn on the front outboard passenger frontal
airbag anytime the system senses that a
person of adult size is sitting properly in the
front outboard passenger seat. When the
passenger sensing system has allowed the
airbag to be enabled, the ON indicator will
light and stay lit as a reminder that the
airbag is active.
For some children, including children in
child restraints, and for very small adults,
the passenger sensing system may or may
not turn off the front outboard passenger
frontal airbag, depending upon the person's
seating posture and body build. Everyone
in 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 088
for more information, including important
safety information.
If the On Indicator Is Lit for a Child
Restraint
The passenger sensing system is designed to
turn off the front outboard passenger
frontal airbag, if the system determines that
an infant is present in 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
Front Seat) 067 or
Securing Child Restraints (With the Seat
Belt in the Rear Seat) 065.
Make sure the seat belt retractor is
locked by pulling the shoulder belt all
the way out of the retractor when
installing the child restraint, even if the
child restraint is equipped with a seat
belt lock off. When the retractor lock is
set, the belt can be tightened but not
pulled out of the retractor.
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 024.
GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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48 Seats and Restraints
6. Restart the vehicle.The passenger sensing system may or
may not turn off the airbag for a child in
a child restraint depending upon the
child’s size. It is better to secure the
child restraint in a rear seat. Never put a
rear-facing child restraint in the front
seat, even if the ON indicator is not lit.
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.
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
GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16510661) - 2023 - CRC - 11/29/22
50 Seats and Restraints
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). SeePassenger Sensing
System 045.
If the vehicle has rollover roof-rail airbags,
see Different Size Tires and Wheels 0299 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 0340.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 088.
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? 042. See your dealer
for service.
Replacing Airbag System Parts
after a Crash
{Warning
A crash can damage the airbag systems
in the vehicle. A damaged airbag system
may not properly protect you and your
passenger(s) in a crash, resulting in
serious injury or even death. To help
make sure the airbag systems are
working properly after a crash, have
them inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as possible.
If an airbag inflates, you will need to
replace airbag system parts. See your dealer
for service.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after
the vehicle is started or comes on when you
are driving, the airbag system may not work
properly. Have the vehicle serviced right
away. See Airbag Readiness Light 088.
GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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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
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170 Driving and Operating
the engine and transmission gently until
the oil warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Stop/Start System
The Stop/Start system shuts off the engine
to help conserve fuel. The system is
designed to manage the increased number
of starts.
{Warning
The automatic engine Stop/Start feature
causes the engine to shut off while the
vehicle is still on. Do not exit the vehicle
before shifting to P (Park). The vehicle
may restart and move unexpectedly.
Always shift to P (Park), and then turn
the ignition off before exiting the vehicle.
Auto Engine Stop/Start
When the brakes are applied and the vehicle
is at a complete stop, the engine may turn
off. When stopped, the tachometer displays
AUTO STOP. See Tachometer082. When the
brake pedal is released or the accelerator
pedal is pressed, the engine will restart. To maintain vehicle performance, other
conditions may cause the engine to
automatically restart before the brake pedal
is released.
Auto Stops may not occur and/or auto
restarts may occur because:
.The climate control settings require the
engine to be running to cool or heat the
vehicle interior.
.The vehicle battery needs to charge.
.The vehicle battery has recently been
disconnected.
.Minimum vehicle speed has not been
reached since the last Auto Stop
.The accelerator pedal is pressed.
.The engine or transmission is not at the
required operating temperature.
.The outside temperature is not in the
required operating range.
.The transmission is shifted out of
D (Drive) to any gear other than P (Park).
.Certain driver modes have been selected.
See
Driver Mode Control 0187 and
Four-Wheel Drive 0179.
.The vehicle is on a steep hill or grade.
.The driver door has been opened or driver
seat belt has been unbuckled.
.The hood has been opened.
.The Auto Stop has reached the maximum
allowed time.
Auto Stop/Start Disable Switch
The automatic engine Stop/Start feature can
be disabled and enabled by pressing
h.
Auto Stop/Start is enabled each time you
start the vehicle.
When the
hindicator is illuminated, the
system is enabled.
Engine Heater
If equipped, the engine heater can provide
easier starting and better fuel economy
during engine warm-up in cold weather
GMC Canyon/Canyon Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-16510661) - 2023 - CRC - 11/29/22
Driving and Operating 171
conditions at or below−18 °C (0 °F). Vehicles
with an engine heater should be plugged in
at least four hours before starting. An
internal thermostat in the plug-end of the
cord may exist, which will prevent engine
heater operation at temperatures above
−18 °C (0 °F).
{Warning
Do not plug in the engine block heater
while the vehicle is parked in a garage or
under a carport. Property damage or
personal injury may result. Always park
the vehicle in a clear open area away
from buildings or structures.
Base Model Shown, Others Similar
To Use the Engine Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. 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 heater cord into the connector on the vehicle.
4. Plug the cord into a grounded 110-volt AC outlet that is protected by a ground
fault detection function.
{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.
5. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store the cord.
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/
Mexico-16510661) - 2023 - CRC - 11/29/22
262 Vehicle Care
Caution
If the air cleaner/filter is off, dirt can
easily get into the engine, which could
damage it. Always have the air
cleaner/filter in place when driving.
Cooling System
The cooling system allows the engine to
maintain the correct working temperature.
1. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
2. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
{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 Lubricants0332
and
Maintenance Schedule 0328. 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 0264.
What to Use
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such as
alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. With plain water or
the wrong mixture, the engine could get
too hot but there would not be an
overheat warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant. This mixture:
.Gives freezing protection down to −37 °C
(−34 °F) outside temperature.
.Gives boiling protection up to 129 °C
(265 °F) engine temperature.
.Protects against rust and corrosion.
.Will not damage aluminum parts.
.Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.