2003 GMC YUKON DENALI Owners Manual

You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.
L..Jw can trap exhaust gases ,..der your
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside.
CO could
overcome you and kill you. You can’t see
it or
smell it, so you might not know it is in your
vehicle. Clear away snow from around the base of your vehicle, especially any that is
blocking your exhaust pipe. And check around
again from time to time to be sure snow
doesn’t collect there.
Open a window just
a little on the side of the
vehicle that’s away from the wind. This will
help keep
CO out.
Run your engine only
as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When
you run the engine, make it go a little
faster than just idle. That
is, push the accelerator
slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat that
you get and
it keeps the battery charged. You will need a
well-charged battery
to restart the vehicle, and possibly
for signaling later
on with your headlamps. Let the
heater run for
a while.
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Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way
to preserve the heat. Start the engine
again and repeat this only when you feel really
uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as little as
possible. Preserve the fuel as long
as you can. Po help
keep warm, you can get out of the vehicle and do
some fairly vigorous exercises every half hour or
so until
help comes.
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice
or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you will
need
to spin the wheels, but you don’t want to spin your
wheels
too fast. The method known as “rocking” can
help you get
out when you’re stuck, but you must
use caution.
you let yeerr tires spin at high speed, -..zy
can explode, and you or others could be
injured.
And, the transmission or other parts of
the vehicle can overheat. That could cause an
engine compartment fire or other damage.
When you’re stuck, spin the wheels as little as possible. Don’t spin the wheels above
35 mph
(55 km/h) as shown on the speedometer.
Nofice: Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of
your vehicle
as well as the tires. If you spin the
wheels too fast while shifting your transaxle back
and forth, you can destroy your transaxle. See
“Rocking Your Vehicle
To Get It Out.”
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see
Tire Chains on page 5-62.
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Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. If your vehicle
has the Stabilitrak@System, turn the system off by
pressing the Stabilitrak@button
so that the STABILITY
SYS DISABLED message and the traction off light
are illuminated on the instrument panel cluster. Then
shift back and forth between REVERSE (R) and
a
forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible.
Release the accelerator pedal while you shift, and press
lightly on the accelerator pedal when the transmission
is in gear. By slowly spinning your wheels in the forward
and reverse directions, you will cause a rocking
motion that may free your vehicle.
If that doesn’t get
you out after a few tries, you may need to be towed out.
Or, you can use your recovery hooks
if your vehicle
has them. If you do need to be towed out, see Towing
Your Vehicle on page 4-44.
Using the Recovery Hoods
Your vehicle is equipped with recovery hooks. The
hooks are provided at the front
of your vehicle. You may
need to use them
if you’re stuck off-road and need to
be pulled to some place where you can continue driving.
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I These hooks, when used, are under a 1st of
force. Always pull the vehicle straight out. Never
pull on the hooks at a sideways angle.
The hooks could break
off and you or others
could be injured
from the chain or cable
snapping back.
Notice: Never use recovery hooks to tow the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged and
it would
not be covered by warranty.
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Towing Loading Your Vehicle
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your disabled vehicle towed. See
Roadside Assistance Program on page
7-5.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another vehicle
for recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),
see “Recreational Vehicle Towing” following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your vehicle
behind another vehicle
- such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as “dinghy towing” (towing your vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground) and “dolly towing”
(towing your vehicle with two wheels
on the ground and
two wheels
up on a device known as a “dolly”).
Your vehicle was not designed
to be towed with any of
its wheels on the ground.
If your vehicle must be
towed, see Towing Your Vehicle on page
4-44.
Notices Towing an all-wheel-drive vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground, or even with only two
of
its wheels on the ground, will damage drivetrain
components. Don’t tow an all-wheel-drive vehicle
if
any of its wheels will be on the ground.
II II
GAWR FRT GAWR RR
!E mNERS MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION[-]
The Certificationmire label is found on the rear edge of
the driver’s door.
The label shows the size of your original tires and the
inflation pressures needed
to obtain the gross weight
capacity of your vehicle. This is called the GVWR (Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating). The GVWR includes the
weight of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo.
The Certificationmire label also tells you the maximum
weights for the front and rear axles, called Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). To find out the actual loads
on your front and rear axles, you need to go
to a
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weigh station and weigh your vehicle. Your dealer can If
you put things inside your vehicle - like suitcases,
help you with this. Be sure to spread out your load
tools, packages, or anything else
- they go as fast as
equally on both sides of the centerline.
the vehicle goes.
If you have to stop or turn quickly,
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the GAWR
for either the front or rear axle. or
if there
is a crash, they’ll keep going.
And,
if you do have a heavy load, you should
spread it out.
Do no. .Jad ,3ur vehic., any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, and
it can change the way your vehicle
handles. These could cause you to lose
control and crash.
Also, overloading can
shorten the life
of your vehicle.
Your warranty does not cover parts or components that
fail because
of overloading.
The label will help you decide how much cargo and
installed equipment your truck can carry.
Using heavier suspension components to get added
durability might not change your weight ratings. Ask your
dealer to help you load your vehicle the right way. Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people
in a sudden stop or turn, or
in a crash.
Put things in the cargo area of your
vehicle. Try to spread the weight evenly.
0 Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle
so that some of them
are above the tops of the seats.
* Don’t leave an unsecured child restraint in
your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure
it whenever you can.
Don’t leave a seat folded down unless you
need to.
There’s also important loading information for off-road
driving
in this manual. See “Loading Your Vehicle
for Off-Road Driving” under Operating Your
All-Wheel-Drive Vehicle
Off Paved Roads on page 4-16.
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Automatic Level Control
The automatic level control rear suspension comes as a
part of the AutorideTMsuspension. See AutorideTM on
page
4-46.
This type of level control is fully automatic and will
provide a better leveled riding position as well as better
handling under a variety of passenger and loading
conditions. An air compressor connected
to the rear
shocks will raise or lower the rear of the vehicle
to maintain proper vehicle height. The system is
activated when the ignition key
is turned to RUN and
will automatically adjust vehicle height thereafter.
The system may exhaust (lower vehicle height) for up
to
10 minutes after the ignition key has been turned to
OFF. You may hear the air compressor operating when
the height is being adjusted.
If a weight-distributing hitch is being used, it is
recommended
to allow the shocks to inflate, thereby
leveling the vehicle prior to adjusting the height.
AutorideTM
The AutorideTM feature provides superior vehicle ride
and handling under a variety
of passenger and loading
conditions.
The system is fully automatic and
uses a computer
controller
to continuously monitor vehicle speed, wheel
to body position, IifVdive and steering position of the
vehicle. The controller then sends signals to each shock
absorber
to independently adjust the damping level to
provide the optimum vehicle ride.
AutorideTM also interacts with the towlhaul mode that,
when activated, will provide additional control of
the shock absorbers. This additional control results in
better ride and handling characteristics when the vehicle
is loaded or towing a trailer. See "Tow/Haul Mode"
under Towing a Trailer on page
4-47 for more
information.
4-46

Trailer Recommendations
You must subtract your hitch loads from the Cargo
Weight Rating (CWR). CWR is the maximum weight of
the load your vehicle can carry.
It doesn’t include
the weight of the people inside. But you can figure about
150 Ibs. (68 kg) for each seat. The total cargo load
must
not be more than your vehicle’s CWR.
Weigh your vehicle with the trailer attached,
so that you
won’t
go over the GVWR or GAWR. If you are using
a weight-distributing hitch, weigh the vehicle without the
spring bars in place.
You’ll get the best performance if you spread out the
weight of your load the right way, and
if you choose the
correct hitch and trailer brakes.
For more information, see
Towing a Trailer on
page 4-47.
Towing a Trailer
Is
IOU don’_ Ase e correct equipment anc-
drive properly, you can lose control when you
pull a trailer. For example, if the trailer is too
heavy, the brakes may not work well
-- or even
at all.
You and your passengers could be
seriously injured. Pull a trailer only
if you have
followed all the steps
in this section. Ask your
dealer for advice and information about towing
a trailer with your vehicle.
Nofice: Pulling a trailer improperly can damage
your vehicle and result
in costly repairs not covered
by your warranty.
To pull a trailer correctly, follow
the advice
in this part, and see your dealer for
important information about towing a trailer with
your vehicle. Additional rear axle maintenance
is required for a vehicle used to tow a trailer. See
“Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
4-47