
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of the windows is a result of high
humidity (moisture) condensing on the cool window
glass. This can be minimized if the climate control
system is used properly. There are two modes to choose
from to clear fog or frost from your windshield. Use
the defog mode to clear the windows of fog or moisture
and warm the passengers. Use the defrost mode to
remove fog or frost from the windshield more quickly.
Turn the right knob clockwise or counterclockwise
to select one of the following modes:
-(Defog):This mode directs the air to thefloor outlets,
windshield and the side window vents. The air
conditioning compressor will run automatically to
dehumidify the air to prevent window fogging. The
recirculation mode cannot be selected while in the
defog mode.
1(Defrost):This mode directs most of the air to the
windshield and the side window vents, with only a
little air directed to thefloor vents. The air conditioning
compressor will run automatically to dehumidify the
air to prevent window fogging. The recirculation mode
cannot be selected while in defrost mode.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
Rear Window Defogger
The lines you see on the rear window warm the glass.
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
<(Rear):Press this button to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. An indicator light in the button
will come on to let you know that the rear window
defogger is activated.
The rear window defogger will automatically turn off
several minutes after the button is pressed. Pressing the
button while the defogger is running can also turn off
the defogger.
If your vehicle is equipped with heated mirrors this
button will activate them.
Notice:Don’t use anything sharp on the inside of
the rear window. If you do, you could cut or damage
the warming grid, and the repairs wouldn’tbe
covered by your warranty. Do not attach a temporary
vehicle license, tape, a decal or anything similar
to the defogger grid.
3-24
2003 - Yukon/Yukon XL 

Dual Automatic Climate Control
System
With this system, you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation in your vehicle. Your vehicle also
has aflow-through ventilation system described later in
this section.
You can select different climate control settings for the
driver and passengers.
Driver’s Side Temperature Knob
The driver’s side knob is used to adjust the temperature
of the air coming through the system on the driver’s
side. The temperature can be adjusted even if the
system is turned off. This is possible since outside airwill alwaysflow through the system as the vehicle is
moving forward unless it is set to recirculation mode.
See“Recirculation”later in this section.
Turn the knob counterclockwise or clockwise to lower or
increase the cabin temperature. The display will show
the temperature setting decreasing or increasing and an
arrow pointing to the driver will be displayed under
and to the left of the temperature setting.
Passenger’s Side Temperature Knob
The passenger’s side knob can be used to change the
temperature of the air coming through the system
on the passenger’s side of the vehicle. The temperature
can be adjusted even if the system is turned off. This
is possible since outside air will alwaysflow through the
system as the vehicle is moving forward unless it is
set to recirculation mode. See“Recirculation”later in this
section.
Turn the knob counterclockwise or clockwise to lower or
increase the cabin temperature. The display will show
the temperature setting decreasing or increasing and an
arrow pointing to the passenger will be displayed
under and to the right of the temperature setting.
The passenger’s temperature setting can be set to
match the driver’s temperature setting by pressing and
holding the AUTO button for four seconds. Both the
driver and passenger arrows will be displayed.
3-26
2003 - Yukon/Yukon XL 

9(Off):Press this button to turn off the entire climate
control system. Outside air will still enter the vehicle, and
will be directed to thefloor. This direction can be changed
by pressing the mode button. The temperature can also
be adjusted using either temperature knob. Press the up
or down arrows on the fan switch, the defrost button, the
AUTO button, or the air conditioning button to turn the
system on when it is off.
Manual Operation
You may manually adjust the air delivery mode or fan
speed.
w9x(Fan):The switch with the fan symbol allows
you to manually adjust the fan speed. Press the up
arrow to increase fan speed and the down arrow
to decrease fan speed.
Pressing this button when the system is off will turn the
system on.
C(Mode):Press this button to manually change the
direction of the airflow in your vehicle; keep pressing the
button until the desired mode appears on the display.
If you press the mode button to select an air delivery
mode, the display will change to show you the selected
air mode delivery. The display will then show the current
status of the system. When the system is turned off, the
display will go blank after displaying the current status of
the system.
H(Panel):This setting will deliver air to the
instrument panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):This setting will deliver warmer air to the
floor and cooler air to the instrument panel outlets.
6(Floor):This setting will deliver air to thefloor
outlets.
-(Defog):See“Defogging and Defrosting”later in
this section.
@(Recirculation):Press this button to limit the
amount of outside air entering your vehicle. The light on
the recirculation button will glow. This is helpful when you
are trying to limit odors entering your vehicle and for
maximum air conditioning performance in hot weather.
Press this button again to allow outside air to enter the
vehicle. The light on the recirculation button will go off.
Pressing this button also cancels the auto recirculation
feature. To resume the auto recirculation function, press
the AUTO button. Each time the vehicle is started, the
system will revert to the auto recirculation function.
If you select recirculation while in defrost, defog orfloor,
the light in the button willflash and then go out to let you
know that this is not allowed. This is normal and helps to
prevent fogging.
3-28
2003 - Yukon/Yukon XL 

When the weather is cool or damp, operating the system
in recirculation for extended periods of time may cause
fogging of the vehicle’s windows. To clear the fog, select
either defog or front defrost.
You may also notice that the A/C compressor will run
while in recirculation mode. This is normal and helps to
prevent fogging.
9(Off):Press this button to turn off the entire climate
control system. Outside air will still enter the vehicle, and
will be directed to thefloor. This direction can be changed
by pressing the mode button. The temperature can also
be adjusted using either temperature knob. Press the up
or down arrows on the fan switch, the defrost button, the
AUTO button, or the air conditioning button to turn the
system on when it is off.
Display
If you press the MODE button to select an air delivery
mode, the display will change to show you the selected
air delivery mode. After ten seconds, the display will
change to show the driver temperature setting and the
selected mode.
If you press the up or down arrows on the fan switch,
the display will change to show the selected fan speed.
After ten seconds, the display will change to show
the driver temperature setting and the selected mode.Whenever you press AUTO, the display will change to
show the following:
•the current driver’s set temperature and an arrow
forfive seconds,
•the current passenger’s set temperature setting and
an arrow forfive seconds and
•the automatic air delivery mode and fan speed.
If the driver’s and passenger’s temperature settings are
the same when AUTO is pressed, the temperature
setting and both arrows will be displayed forfive
seconds along with the automatic air delivery mode and
fan speed. After thefive second update, the display
will change to show the temperature setting, both arrows
and AUTO.
Air Conditioning
#
(Air Conditioning):Press this button to turn the air
conditioning (A/C) compressor on and off. The
snowflake symbol will appear on the display when the
A/C is on.
When air conditioning is selected or in AUTO mode, the
system will run the air conditioning automatically to cool
and dehumidify the air entering the vehicle. If you select
A/C off while in front defrost, defog or recirculation, the
A/C snowflake symbol will turn off, but the A/C
compressor will still run to help prevent fogging.
3-29
2003 - Yukon/Yukon XL 

Fan Knob
The fan knob on the left side of the control panel
adjusts the fan speed. To increase airflow, turn the knob
clockwise. To decrease airflow, turn it counterclockwise.
To turn the fan off, turn the knob to the off position.
9(Off):An off setting, located on the front climate
control panel also allows the driver to turn off the
rear seat passenger seat controls from the front seat.
Temperature Knob
The middle knob on the control panel lets you select the
temperature of the airflowing into the passenger
area. Turn the knob clockwise toward the red area for
warmer air. Turn the knob counterclockwise toward
the blue area for cooler air.
Mode Knob
The right knob on the control panel allows you to
choose the direction of air delivery.
H(Vent):This setting directs the air through the
headliner outlets.
)(Bi-Level):Air is delivered through thefloor outlets
as well as the headliner outlets. Theflow can be
divided between vent andfloor outlets depending upon
where the knob is placed between the settings.
6(Floor):This setting directs most of the air through
thefloor outlets.
To use the rear control,first turn the front control to the
AUX position. Then, the rear control can be used to
adjust the airflow speed, temperature, and airflow
location.Rear Controls
3-34
2003 - Yukon/Yukon XL 

Fan Knob
The fan knob on the left side of the control panel
adjusts the fan speed. To increase airflow, turn the knob
clockwise. To decrease airflow, turn it counterclockwise.
To turn the fan off, turn the knob to the off position.
9(Off):Turn the knob to this position to turn the rear
seat comfort controls on or off.
Temperature Knob
The middle knob on the control panel lets you select the
temperature of the airflowing into the passenger
area. Turn the knob clockwise toward the red area for
warmer air. Turn the knob counterclockwise toward
the blue area for cooler air.
Mode Knob
The right knob on the control panel allows you to
choose the direction of air delivery.
H(Vent):This setting directs the air through the
headliner outlets.
)(Bi-Level):Air is delivered through thefloor outlets
as well as the headliner outlets. Theflow can be
divided between vent andfloor outlets depending upon
where the knob is placed between the settings.
6(Floor):This setting directs most of the air through
thefloor outlets.
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating
System and Electronic Climate
Controls
If your vehicle is equipped with this system, there are
controls located in the overhead console and on
the back of the console in the rear seat area. The
system can be controlled from the overhead controls or
the rear controls.
3-35
2003 - Yukon/Yukon XL 

The overhead control has three knobs that control
airflow speed, temperature and airflow location.
To adjust the airflow speed turn the knob located on the
left side of the control panel. To adjust the air
temperature turn the temperature knob on the center of
the control panel to increase or decrease the
temperature. To regulate airflow location adjust the right
knob on the control panel.
The system also AUTO settings that can automatically
control the fan speed and/or mode of the air delivery
to the rear seating area.
9(Off):An off setting, located on the overhead
climate control panel also allows the driver to turn off the
rear seat passenger seat controls from the front seat.The rear seat controls have the following settings:
O(On/Off):Press this button to turn the rear seat
comfort controls on or off.
%(Mode):Press this button to select the air delivery,
and setting, and AUTO mode.
b(Temperature):Press this button up or down to
increase or decrease the temperature setting.
w9x(Fan):Press this button up or down to adjust
the fan speed. Front Controls
Rear Controls
3-36
2003 - Yukon/Yukon XL 

Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 2,000 lbs. (900 kg)
loaded, then it needs its own brakes–and they must be
adequate. Be sure to read and follow the instructions
for the trailer brakes so you’ll be able to install,
adjust and maintain them properly.
If your vehicle is equipped with Stabilitrak
®, your trailer
cannot tap into the vehicle’s hydraulic brake system.
Your trailer brake system can tap into the vehicle’s
hydraulic brake system only if:
The trailer parts can withstand 3,000 psi
(20 650 kPa) of pressure.
The trailer’s brake system will use less than
0.02 cubic inches (0.3 cc) of uid from your vehicle’s
master cylinder. Otherwise, both braking systems
won’t work well. You could even lose your brakes.
If everything checks out this far, make the brake tap at
the port on the master cylinder that sends the uid
to the rear brakes. But don’t use copper tubing for this.
If you do, it will bend and nally break off. Use steel
brake tubing.
Driving with a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you have a rear-most window open and you
pull a trailer with your vehicle, carbon
monoxide (CO) could come into your vehicle.
You can’t see or smell CO. It can cause
unconsciousness or death. See“Engine
Exhaust”in the Index. To maximize your safety
when towing a trailer:
•Have your exhaust system inspected for
leaks, and make necessary repairs before
starting on your trip.
•Keep the rear-most windows closed.
•If exhaust does come into your vehicle
through a window in the rear or another
opening, drive with your front, main
heating or cooling system on and with the
fan on any speed. This will bring fresh,
outside air into your vehicle. Do not use
the climate control setting for maximum air
because it only recirculates the air inside
your vehicle. See“Climate Controls”in the
Index.
4-68
2003 - Yukon/Yukon XL