2009 GMC YUKON HYBRID ignition

Storage Areas
Power Outlet Alternating Current
The vehicle may have a power outlet that can be used
to plug in electrical equipment that uses a maximum
limit of 150 watts.
The power outlet is located
in the rear cargo area on
the driver side.
An indicator light on the outlet turns on to show it is in
use. The light comes on when the ignition is in ON/RUN
and equipment requiring less than 150 watts is plugged
into the outlet, and no system fault is detected.The indicator light does not come on when the ignition
is in LOCK/OFF or if no equipment is plugged into
the outlet.
If equipment is connected using more than 150 watts,
or a system fault is detected, a protection circuit shuts
off the power supply and the indicator light turns off.
To reset the circuit, unplug the item and plug it back
in or turn the Retained Accessory Power (RAP) off and
then back on. The power restarts when equipment
using 150 watts or less is plugged into the outlet and a
system fault is not detected.
The power outlet is not designed for the following
electrical equipment and may not work properly if these
items are plugged into the power outlet:
•Equipment with high initial peak wattage such as:
compressor-driven refrigerators and electric
power tools.
•Other equipment requiring an extremely stable
power supply such as: microcomputer-controlled
electric blankets, touch sensor lamps, etc.
SeeHigh Voltage Devices and Wiring on page 5-3.
2-2

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

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

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

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

Oil Pressure Light
{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.This light comes on briefly
as a check it works, when
the ignition is in ON/RUN.
If it does not, have the
vehicle serviced.
If the light comes on and stays on, it means that oil is
not flowing through the engine properly. The vehicle
could be low on oil and might have some other system
problem.
During an AUTO STOP there is zero oil pressure, but
this light will not come on.
3-10