2002 GMC YUKON XL Owners Manual

6-23How to Add Fluid Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transmission fluid to use. See ªRecommended
Fluids and Lubricantsº in the Index.
Add fluid only after checking the transmission fluid
while it is hot. (A cold check is used only as a
reference.) If the fluid level is low, add only enough of
the proper fluid to bring the level up to the HOT area for
a hot check. It doesn't take much fluid, generally less
than one pint (0.5 L). Don't overfill.
NOTICE: We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRON 
- III, because fluid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transmission.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON 
- III
is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.

After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under ªHow to Check.º

When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then flip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place. Rear Axle When to Check Lubricant Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant. See ªScheduled
Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a
level surface.
The proper level is from 5/8 inch to 1 5/8 inch
(15 mm to 40 mm) below the bottom of the filler plug
hole. Add only enough fluid to reach the proper level.

6-24What to Use Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. See ªRecommended Fluids
and Lubricantsº in the Index.
All -
Wheel DriveLubricant checks in this section also apply to these
vehicles. However, there are two additional systems
that need lubrication.
Transfer Case When to Check Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant. See ªPeriodic Maintenance
Inspectionsº in the Index. How to Check Lubricant
Automatic Transfer Case
(A) Filler Plug (B) Drain Plug
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a
level surface.
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you'll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the filler plug hole.
Use care not to overtighten the plug.

6-25What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. See ªRecommended Fluids and
Lubricantsº in the Index.
Front Axle When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant and when to change it. See
ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index. How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a
level surface.
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you may need to add some lubricant.

6-26 When the differential is cold, add enough lubricant
to raise the level to 1/2 inch (12 mm) below the filler
plug hole.
When the differential is at operating temperature
(warm), add enough lubricant to raise the level to
the bottom of the filler plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. See ªRecommended Fluids
and Lubricantsº in the Index.
Engine Coolant The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
DEX
- COOL 
engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX
- COOL 
extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how
to add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see ªEngine Overheatingº in
the Index. A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX
- COOL 
coolant will:

Give freezing protection down to
- 34  F (
- 37  C).

Give boiling protection up to 265  F (129  C).

Protect against rust and corrosion.

Help keep the proper engine temperature.

Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
NOTICE: When adding coolant, it is important that you
use only DEX
- COOL 
(silicate
- free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX
- COOL is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the
use of coolant other than DEX
- COOL 
is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.

6-27What to Use Use a mixture of one
- half clean, drinkable water and
one
- half DEX
- COOL

coolant which won't damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you
don't need to add anything else.
CAUTION:Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid such as alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. Your vehicle's coolant
warning system is set for the proper coolant
mixture. With plain water or the wrong mixture,
your engine could get too hot but you wouldn't
get the overheat warning. Your engine could
catch fire and you or others could be burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water
and DEX
- COOL

coolant. NOTICE: If you use an improper coolant mixture, your
engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost wouldn't be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can
freeze and crack the engine, radiator, heater core
and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
NOTICE: If you use the proper coolant, you don't have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.

6-28Checking Coolant The coolant surge tank
is located in the engine
compartment on the
passenger's side of
the vehicle.
See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index for
more information on location. CAUTION: Turning the surge tank pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly.
Never turn the surge tank pressure cap
-- even a
little
-- when the engine and radiator are hot.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at the FILL
COLD mark.
If the LOW COOLANT
message comes on and stays
on, it means you're low on
engine coolant.
See ªLow Coolantº in the Index.

6-29Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX
- COOL

coolant mixture at the surge tank , but only when the
engine is cool.
CAUTION:You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don't spill coolant on a hot engine.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it
is hand
- tight. Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap The coolant surge tank pressure cap must be fully
installed on the coolant surge tank. See ªEngine
Compartment Overviewº in the Index for more
information on location.
NOTICE: Your coolant surge tank pressure cap is a 15 psi
(105 kPa) pressure
- type cap and must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss and possible
engine damage from overheating.

6-30Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power Steering Fluid It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected and
repaired. See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the
Index for reservoir location. How to Check Power Steering Fluid Turn the key off, let the engine compartment cool down,
wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean, then
unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
Replace the cap and completely tighten it. Then remove
the cap again and look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
The level should be at the FULL COLD mark.
If necessary, add only enough fluid to bring the level
up to the mark.
What to Use To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in the Index.
Always use the proper fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.