To operate the rear system using the front control, just
turn the knob to the fan position you want.
To use the rear control,first turn the front control to the
AUX position. Then, the rear control can be used to
increase and decrease the airflow.Rear Air Conditioning and Heating
System
If your vehicle is equipped with this system, there are
two rear heat and air conditioning controls. One control
is located in the overhead console and the other is
located in the headliner above the second row seats.
The system can be controlled from the front controls as
well as the rear controls.
The front control has three knobs that control airflow
speed, temperature and airflow location. Rear Control
Front Control
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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.
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2003 - Yukon/Yukon XL
•If the Traction Assist System is affected by an
anti-lock brake system, TAS or engine-related
problem, the system will turn off and the light will
come on. Have your vehicle serviced.
•If the vehicle is driven over an extremely rough
road, the system will turn off and the light will come
on. The light will go off a few seconds after the
rough road conditions go away or when the vehicle
comes to a complete stop. This is normal
operation.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.It also provides an indicator of how hard your vehicle is
working. During a majority of the operation, the gage
will read 210°F (100°C) or less. If you are pulling a load
or going up hills, it is normal for the temperature to
fluctuate and approach the 250°F (122°C) mark. If the
gage reaches the 260°F (125°C) mark, it indicates
that the cooling system is working beyond its capacity.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-29.
Transmission Temperature Gage
Your vehicle may be equipped with a transmission
temperature gage. United StatesCanada
United StatesCanada
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2003 - Yukon/Yukon XL
ENGINE OVERHEATED
If the engine cooling system reaches unsafe
temperatures for operation, this message will appear in
the DIC and you will hear a chime. Stop and turn off
the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so to avoid severe
damage. This message will clear when the engine
has cooled to a safe operating temperature.
OIL PRESSURE LOW
If low oil pressure levels occur, this message will be
displayed on the DIC and a chime will sound. Stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible and do not operate
it until the cause of the low oil pressure has been
corrected. Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
REDUCED ENGINE POWER
This message is displayed when the cooling system
temperature gets too hot and the engine further enters
the engine coolant protection mode.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-29for further
information.
BATTERY NOT CHARGING
If the battery is not charging during operation, this
message will appear on the DIC. Driving with this
problem could drain your battery. Have the electrical
system checked as soon as possible. Pressing the
select button will acknowledge this message and clear it
from the DIC display.
SERVICE AIRBAG
If there is a problem with the air bag system, this
message will be displayed on the DIC. Have a qualified
technician inspect the system for problems. Pressing
the select button will acknowledge this message
and clear it from the DIC display.
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
If there is a problem with the brake system, this
message will be displayed on the DIC. If this message
appears, stop as soon as possible and turn off the
vehicle. Restart the vehicle and check for the message
on the DIC display. If the message is still displayed,
or appears again when you begin driving, the brake
system needs service.
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2003 - Yukon/Yukon XL
SERVICE STABILITY
If you ever see the SERVICE STABILITY message, it
means there may be a problem with your
Stabilitrak
®system. If you see this message try to reset
the system (stop; turn off the engine; then start the engine
again). If the SERVICE STABILITY message still comes
on, it means there is a problem. You should see your
dealer for service. The vehicle is safe to drive, however,
you do not have the benefit of Stabilitrak
®, so reduce your
speed and drive accordingly.
STABILITY SYS ACTIVE
You may see the STABILITY SYS ACTIVE message on
the DIC. It means that an advanced computer-controlled
system has come on to help your vehicle continue to go
in the direction in which you’re steering.
Stabilitrak
®activates when the computer senses that
your vehicle is just starting to spin, as it might if you hit a
patch of ice or other slippery spot on the road. When the
system activates, you may hear a noise or feel a vibration
in the brake pedal. This is normal. When the STABILITY
SYS ACTIVE message is on, you should continue to
steer in the direction you want to go. The system is
designed to help you in bad weather or other difficult
driving situations by making the most of whatever road
conditions will permit.
STABILITY SYS DISABLED
The STABILITY SYS DISABLED message will turn on
when you press the Stabilitrak®button, or when the
stability control has been automatically disabled. To limit
wheel spin and realize the full benefits of the stability
enhancement system, you should normally leave
Stabilitrak
®on. However, you should turn Stabilitrak®off
if your vehicle gets stuck in sand, mud, ice or snow and
you want to“rock”your vehicle to attempt to free it, or if
you are driving in extreme off-road conditions and require
more wheel spin. SeeIf You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice
or Snow on page 4-52. To turn the Stabilitrak
®system
back on press the Stabilitrak®button again. There are
four conditions that can cause this message to appear.
One condition is overheating, which could occur if
Stabilitrak
®activates continuously for an extended period
of time. The message will also be displayed if the brake
system warning light is on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-43. The message could be displayed if
the stability system takes longer than usual to complete
its diagnostic checks due to driving conditions. Also, if an
engine or vehicle related problem has been detected, and
the vehicle needs service, the message will appear.
The message will turn off as soon as the conditions that
caused the message to be displayed are no longer
present.
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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.
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2003 - Yukon/Yukon XL
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this so your trailer won’t strike
soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The arrows on your instrument panel will ash whenever
you signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lamps will also ash, telling other drivers
you’re about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforeyou start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
You can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to shift the
transmission to THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a lower
gear selection if the transmission shifts too often
(e.g., under heavy loads and/or hilly conditions).
You may also want to activate the tow/haul mode if the
transmission shifts too often. See“Tow/Haul Mode”
for more information.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at normal altitudes. If you turn your
engine off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating. To avoid this, let the
engine run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the automatic transmission in PARK (P) for a
few minutes before turning the engine off. If you do get
the overheat warning, seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-29.
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2003 - Yukon/Yukon XL
Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-4
Gasoline Specifications....................................5-4
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-5
Fuel E-85 (85% Ethanol).................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling Your Tank............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under
the Hood....................................................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-16
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-21
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-23
Engine Coolant.............................................5-26
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-29Engine Overheating.......................................5-29
Cooling System............................................5-32
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-37
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-38
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-39
Brakes........................................................5-40
Battery........................................................5-43
Jump Starting...............................................5-44
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-49
Rear Axle.......................................................5-50
Four-Wheel Drive............................................5-51
Front Axle......................................................5-52
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-52
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-53
Headlamps..................................................5-53
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps.........................................5-54
Side Identification Marker Lamps.....................5-55
Roof Marker Lamps......................................5-55
Taillamps.....................................................5-57
Replacement Bulbs
.......................................5-59
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
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2003 - Yukon/Yukon XL