2009 GMC YUKON HYBRID stop start

Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle
Starting the Vehicle
{CAUTION:
Exiting the vehicle, without first shifting into
P (Park), may cause the vehicle to move, and you
or others can be seriously injured. Because the
vehicle has the Automatic Engine Start/Stop
feature, the vehicle’s engine might seem to be
shut off when you come to a complete stop.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
However, once the brake pedal is released, the
vehicle can move. The vehicle’s engine can also
restart at any time.
Shift to P (Park) and turn the ignition to
LOCK/OFF, before exiting the vehicle.
Start the engine as you would any other engine.
See “Starting the Engine” in the owner manual for more
information on starting. The hybrid system provides
very quiet engine starting. If pulling a trailer with trailer
brakes, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-2for more
information.
2-3

Auto Stop
The vehicle has an Auto Stop feature. After a successful
engine start, the engine may turn off and operate in the
Auto Stop mode. Some of the vehicle conditions that
allow the engine to stop running and enter the Auto Stop
mode are:
•Ignition switch is in the ON/RUN position.
•The hood is closed.
•The gear selector is in P (Park), N (Neutral) or
D (Drive).
•The hybrid battery is at an acceptable state of
charge.
•The hybrid battery voltage, temperature or power
limits are not exceeded. In very hot conditions,
Auto Stop may be unavailable until the hybrid battery
has cooled.
•The engine is at operating temperature.
If you are on an incline, the hybrid drive motor can help
keep the vehicle from rolling backwards, even if the
engine is in Auto Stop.With your foot off the brake and the vehicle on level
ground, the hybrid drive motor may cause the vehicle
to roll slowly forward, even when the engine is in
Auto Stop.
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal until you are
ready for the vehicle to move.
Engine OFF and AUTO STOP modes are indicated on
the tachometer display. When the tachometer needle
indicates OFF, the engine is not running and will remain
off until the ignition key is placed in the START position
or a remote vehicle start is performed. When the
tachometer needle indicates AUTO STOP, the hybrid
system is on, the engine is not running, but may
Auto Start at any time without notice. SeeTachometer
on page 3-4for more information.
A chime will sound if the driver door is opened while
in Auto Stop as a reminder that the ignition switch is
not in the LOCK/OFF position. Always turn the ignition
switch to LOCK/OFF and remove the key from the
ignition switch when exiting the vehicle.
2-4

Auto Start
The vehicle also has an Auto Start feature. The engine
will remain off while in Auto Stop mode until vehicle
conditions require the engine to run. The near-instant
starting of the engine from Auto Stop mode is called
Auto Start. Some of the vehicle conditions that
may cause the engine to Auto Start are:
•The hood is opened.
•The gear selector is in M (Manual Mode) or
R (Reverse).
•The hybrid battery state of charge is too low.
•The hybrid battery voltage, temperature or power
limits are exceeded.
•The engine is not at operating temperature.
•Acceleration demands require the use of the engine.
EV Mode
The vehicle also has an EV mode which uses only the
electric motor to move the vehicle. Depending on
the state of battery charge, the vehicle can travel up to
two miles (3.2 km) in EV mode. EV mode is unavailable
when the vehicle is out of fuel.
With light acceleration, the vehicle will drive in EV mode.
If increased acceleration is required, or the vehicle
reaches approximately 25 mph (40 km/h), the engine
will start automatically. The engine shuts off at speeds
below 25 mph (40 km/h) unless the transmission is
in M (Manual Mode) or Auto Stop is disabled.
During heavy acceleration, both the engine and hybrid
electric motors supply power. A sensation similar to
a transmission gear change can be felt as the
transmission changes modes. Engine RPM may remain
above 4,000 RPM for a longer period during hard
acceleration.
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{CAUTION:
If you have Four-Wheel Drive, the vehicle will
be free to roll — even if the shift lever is in
P (Park) — if the transfer case is in Neutral.
So, be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear,
Two-Wheel Drive High or Four-Wheel Drive High
or Four-Wheel Drive Low — not in Neutral.
See ‘‘Shifting into Park’’ in the owner manual.
R (Reverse):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is
moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice, or sand without damaging the transmission,
see “If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or
Snow” in the Index of the vehicle’s owner manual.N (Neutral):In this position, the engine and
transmission are not connected with the wheels.
To restart the engine when the vehicle is already
moving, use N (Neutral) only.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your
foot is firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear
while the engine is running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with
the engine running at high speed may damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is
not running at high speed when shifting the vehicle.
2-7

Regenerative Braking
Regenerative braking is a hybrid technology that
enables the electric drive motor to operate as a
generator when coasting or braking. Energy from the
moving vehicle recharges the hybrid battery.
The hydraulic disc brakes work with the regenerative
braking to insure effective braking, such as when a high
braking demand is requested.
The braking system is computer controlled and blends
the regenerative braking with the conventional hydraulic
disc brakes to meet any requirements for deceleration.
The controller interprets the braking request and uses
regenerative braking, conventional hydraulic braking or
a combination of both as necessary. Because the
controller applies the hydraulic brakes through its high
pressure accumulator, you may occasionally hear
the motor driven pump when it recharges the system.
This is normal.
See “Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators” and “Driver
Information Center (DIC)” in the Index of the owner
manual. In the event of a controller problem, the brake
pedal may be harder to push and the stopping
distance may be longer.
Running the Vehicle While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Exiting the vehicle, without first shifting into
P (Park), may cause the vehicle to move, and you
or others can be seriously injured. Because the
vehicle has the Automatic Engine Start/Stop
feature, the vehicle’s engine might seem to be
shut off when you come to a complete stop.
However, once the brake pedal is released, the
vehicle can move. The vehicle’s engine can also
restart at any time.
Shift to P (Park) and turn the ignition to
LOCK/OFF, before exiting the vehicle.
Follow the proper steps to be sure the vehicle will not
move. See “Shifting Into Park” in the owner manual
for more information.
If pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-2for
more information.
2-10

Tachometer
When the gas engine is off and the key is in the
ON/RUN position, the position of the tachometer
indicator shows the state of the vehicle:
•AUTO STOP position indicates that the vehicle is
still able to move and the engine could restart,
by an Auto Start, at any time.
•OFF position indicates that the engine is off.
When the engine is on, the tachometer indicator shows
the engine’s revolutions per minute (rpm).
Charging System Light
This light will come on
briefly when the
ignition is turned to
ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN, but the engine is
not running, as a check
to show it is working.
It should go out once the engine has been started. If it
stays on, or comes on while driving, there could be
a problem with the charging system. A charging system
Driver Information Center (DIC) message may also
appear. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-12
for more information. This light could indicate that
there are electrical problems. Have it checked right
away. If a short distance must be driven with the light
on, be certain to turn off all the accessories, such as the
radio and air conditioner. United States Version
shown, Canada similar
3-4

Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
For vehicles with the
Antilock Brake System
(ABS), this light comes on
briefly when the engine
is in ON/RUN.
That is normal. If the light does not come on then, have
it fixed so it will be ready to warn if there is a problem.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off, if the light
comes on while driving, stop as soon as it is safely
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the ABS light still stays
on, or comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light is
not on, the vehicle still has brakes, but not antilock
brakes. If the regular brake system warning light is
also on, the vehicle does not have antilock brakes
and there is a problem with the regular brakes.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-6.
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC),
seeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-12for all
brake related DIC messages.
StabiliTrak®Indicator Light
For vehicles with
StabiliTrak, this warning
light comes on briefly when
the ignition is in ON/RUN.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light goes off.
When this light flashes, the system is on.
If it stays on while driving, there may be a problem with
the StabiliTrak system and the vehicle may need
service. See the owner manual for more information.
3-7

A reading in the low pressure zone may be caused by
a dangerously low oil level or some other problem
causing low oil pressure. Check the oil as soon
as possible.
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low.
The engine can become so hot that it catches fire.
Someone could be burned. Check the oil as soon
as possible and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance can
damage the engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Always follow the
maintenance schedule in this manual for changing
engine oil.
AUTO STOP
When the engine goes into Automatic Engine Stop, the
oil pressure gage drops to zero when the tachometer
is at the AUTO STOP position. This is normal and
oil pressure returns to the normal operating range once
the engine starts.
SeeStarting the Vehicle on page 2-3for more
information.
AUTO STOP displays in the Driver Information
Center (DIC) when the vehicle speed is zero.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-12
for more information.
3-9