Seats and Restraint System............................. 1-1
Front Seats ............................................... 1-2
Restraint System Check .............................. 1-3
Features and Controls ..................................... 2-1
Storage Areas ........................................... 2-2
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle ............. 2-3
Instrument Panel ............................................. 3-1
Climate Controls ........................................ 3-2
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators .......... 3-3
Driver Information Center (DIC) ..................3-12
Audio System(s) ....................................... 3-14Driving Your Vehicle
....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle ....... 4-2
Towing ..................................................... 4-2
Service and Appearance Care .......................... 5-1
Service ..................................................... 5-2
Checking Things Under the Hood ................. 5-3
Bulb Replacement .................................... 5-21
Electrical System ...................................... 5-22
Tires ...................................................... 5-24
Capacities and Specifications .....................5-52
Maintenance Schedule ..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule ................................ 6-2
Index ............................................................
....
1
2009 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon Two-Mode HybridM
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
Automatic Transmission Operation
The vehicle has an electronic shift position indicator
within the instrument panel cluster.
There are several different positions for the shift lever.
See “Range Selection Mode” later in this section.
P (Park):This position locks the rear wheels. It is the
best position to use when you start the engine because
the vehicle cannot move easily.
When parked on a hill, especially when the vehicle
has a heavy load, you may notice an increase in the
effort to shift out of P (Park). See “Shifting Into P (Park)”
in the Index of vehicle’s owner manual for more
information.{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift
lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly
level ground, always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park). See Shifting Into
Park in the Owner Manual. If you are pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-2.
2-6
D (Drive):This position is for normal driving. It provides
the best fuel economy. If you need more power for
passing, and you are:
•Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
•Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
D (Drive) or M (Manual Mode) can be used when towing
a trailer, carrying a heavy load, driving on steep hills,
or for off-road driving. You may want to shift the
transmission to a lower gear selection if the transmission
shifts too often.
Downshifting the transmission in slippery road conditions
could result in skidding. See “Skidding” under “Loss of
Control” in the Index of the vehicle’s owner manual
for more information.
When temperatures are very cold, the transmission’s
gear shifting may be delayed, providing more stable
shifts until the engine warms up. Shifts may be more
noticeable with a cold transmission. This difference
in shifting is normal.M (Manual Mode):This position lets drivers select
the range of gears appropriate for current driving
conditions. If the vehicle has this feature, see “Range
Selection Mode” later in this section.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle
in one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transmission. The repair will
not be covered by the vehicle warranty. If you are
stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
The vehicle has a shift stabilization feature that
adjusts the transmission shifting to the current driving
conditions to reduce rapid upshifts and downshifts.
If the shift stabilization feature determines that a current
vehicle speed cannot be maintained, the transmission
does not upshift. In some cases, this may appear to be a
delayed shift, however the transmission is operating
normally.
2-8
Range Selection Mode
The Range Selection Mode controls the vehicle’s
transmission.
To use this feature:
1. Move the shift lever to the M (Manual Mode).
2. Press the plus/minus button, to upshift or downshift
selecting the desired range of gears.
A number displays next to the M, indicating the current
gear that has been selected. The number displayed in
the gear indicator is the highest gear that can be used.The vehicle can automatically shift to lower gears as it
adjusts to driving conditions. When 3 (Third) is selected,
1 (First) through 3 (Third) gears are automatically shifted
by the vehicle, but 4 (Fourth) cannot be used until it is
selected.
The Range Selection Mode controls the vehicle and
engine speed while driving down a hill or towing a trailer,
by allowing you to select a desired range of gears.
When you move the shift lever into M, the transmission
will default to M4. In this gear range, effective engine
braking occurs at speeds above 45 mph (72 km/h).
Pushing the minus (−) button on the shift lever reduces
the gear range.
In the M3 gear range, effective engine braking occurs at
speeds above 35 mph (56 km/h).
In the M2 gear range, effective engine braking occurs at
speeds above 25 mph (40 km/h).
In the M1 gear range, effective engine braking occurs at
speeds above 10 mph (16 km/h).
When operating in M (Manual Mode), Auto Stop is
disabled. For better vehicle efficiency, operate the
vehicle in D (Drive) not M (Manual Mode).
Cruise control can be used while using the Range
Selection Mode.
2-9
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
Brake System Warning Light
With the ignition in ON/RUN, the brake system warning
light comes on when the parking brake is set. If the
vehicle is driven with the parking brake engaged,
a chime sounds when the vehicle speed is greater than
5 mph (8 km/h).
The vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part is not working, the other part can
still work and stop the vehicle. For good braking,
though, both parts need to be working well.
If the warning light comes on and a chime sounds there
could be a brake problem. Have the brake system
inspected right away.
This light also comes on due to low brake fluid. See the
owner manual for more information.This light should come on briefly when the ignition key
is turned to ON/RUN. If it does not come on then,
have it fixed so it will be ready to warn if there is a
problem.
{CAUTION:
The brake system might not be working properly if
the brake system warning light is on. Driving with
the brake system warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after the vehicle has
been pulled off the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for service.
If the light comes on while driving, pull off the road and
stop carefully. The pedal might be harder to push or
can go closer to the floor. It may take longer to stop.
If the light does not go out, have the vehicle towed for
service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-2.
United States
Canada
3-6
SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING
SYSTEM
If the hybrid battery system faults or fails this message
will appear on the DIC. The engine auto stop feature
will be disabled and the battery/charging system light will
appear in the instrument panel cluster. See “Battery
Warning Light” in the owner manual Index.
Driving with this light on could drain your batteries.
Have the electrical system checked as soon as possible.
Pressing the select button or the trip odometer reset
stem on the instrument panel cluster will acknowledge
this message and clear it from the DIC display.
HOOD OPEN
If the hood is not fully closed or there is a problem
with the hood switch, this message will be displayed.
Close the hood to clear the message. If the HOOD
OPEN message continues to be displayed after
verifying the hood is closed, you should have the hood
switch serviced. Pressing the select button or the
trip odometer reset stem on the instrument panel cluster
will acknowledge this message and clear it from the
DIC display.
When this message is displayed, the auto stop
function will not operate. If the vehicle is in auto stop
mode when this message appears, the engine will
instantly start.
OIL PRESSURE LOW STOP ENGINE
If engine oil pressure is low, this message will be
displayed on the DIC. 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 level
as soon as possible and have your vehicle serviced.
See “Engine Oil” in the owner manual Index.
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
This message will be displayed if there is a problem
with the brake system. You will still be able to brake, but
it will be noticeably more difficult. Pull off the road to a
safe location and have your vehicle towed to the nearest
dealer/retailer for service. See “Brakes,” “Brake System
Warning Light,” and “ABS Brake System Warning
Light” in the owner manual Index.
SERVICE HYBRID SYSTEM
If this message is displayed on the DIC, the vehicle may
continue to operate, but you need to have it serviced
as soon as possible.
SERVICE POWER STEERING
This message displays if a problem has been detected
with the electric power steering. Have your vehicle
serviced by your dealer/retailer immediately.
3-13