Four-Wheel Drive System - GMC Canyon 2004 Owner's Manual

Four-Wheel Drive System

(if equipped)
With four-wheel drive, you can send
power to all four wheels for extra trac-
tion. The controls are located on the
instrument panel, to the right of the
steering wheel.
Four-Wheel Drive Modes
S
2 (2HI): This setting is used for most
street and highway driving conditions.
The front axle is not engaged in this
mode.
N (Neutral): Shift the vehicle's transfer
case to N only when towing your
vehicle. Caution: Placing the transfer
case in Neutral can cause the vehicle to
roll, even if the automatic transmission is
placed in the Park (P) position. Set the
parking brake before placing the transfer
case in Neutral.
S
4 (4HI): This setting engages the front
axle to provide extra traction on snowy
or icy roads and during most off-road
situations. Notice: Do not drive on
pavement in four-wheel drive for long
periods, as it may cause premature
powertrain wear.
T
4 (4LO): This setting engages the
front axle and sends maximum power to
all four wheels for extremely low-traction
conditions. You might choose 4LO for
driving off-road in sand, mud or deep
snow and climbing or descending
steep hills.
Indicator lights in the buttons show
which setting is currently selected.
Shift from 2HI to 4HI
• Press the 4HI button while driving at
any speed.
Shift from 4HI to 2HI
• Press the 2HI button while driving at
any speed.
Shift from 2HI or 4HI to 4LO
• Stop the vehicle or drive at 1.2 mph
(2 km/h) or slower, with the transmis-
sion in Neutral (automatic transmis-
sion) or the clutch pedal depressed
(manual transmission). The preferred
method for shifting into 4LO is to
have the vehicle moving at 1.2 mph
(2 km/h).
• Press and release the 4LO button
and wait for the 4LO indicator light to
stop flashing and remain illuminated
before shifting the transmission into
gear or releasing the clutch pedal.
Shift from 4LO to 2HI or 4HI
• Stop the vehicle or drive at 1.2 mph
(2 km/h) or less, with the transmis-
sion in Neutral (automatic transmis-
sion) or the clutch pedal depressed
(manual transmission). The preferred
method is to have the vehicle moving
at 1.2 mph (2 km/h).
• Press and release the 4HI button.
Before placing the transmission in
gear or releasing the clutch pedal,
wait for the 4HI button light to stop
flashing. If these conditions are not
met, the 2HI or 4HI button light will
flash for 30 seconds. On vehicles
with automatic transmissions, if the
transfer case does not shift into 4HI
with the transmission in Neutral (N),
see the Owner Manual.
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