2009 GMC YUKON tires

Certication/Tire Label
A vehicle specic Certication/Tire label is found on
the rear edge of the driver’s door. The label shows
the size of your vehicle’s original tires and the
ination pressures needed to obtain the gross
weight capacity of your vehicle. This is called Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The GVWR
includes the weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
fuel, and cargo.
The Certication/Tire label also tells you the
maximum weights for the front and rear axles,
called Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).To nd out the actual loads on your front and rear
axles, you need to go to a weigh station and
weigh your vehicle. Your dealer can help you with
this. Be sure to spread out your load equally on
both sides of the centerline.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the
GAWR for either the front or rear axle.
The Certication/Tire label also contains
information about your Front Axle Reserve
Capacity.
And, if you do have a heavy load, you should
spread it out.
{CAUTION:
Do not load the vehicle any heavier than the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), or
either the maximum front or rear Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do, parts on
the vehicle can break, and it can change the
way your vehicle handles. These could cause
you to lose control and crash. Also,
overloading can shorten the life of the
vehicle.
4-38

Pulling A Trailer
Here are some important points:
There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure
the rig will be legal, not only where you live but
also where you will be driving. A good source for
this information can be state or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control. See “Hitches” later
in this section.
Do not tow a trailer at all during the rst 500 miles
(800 km) the new vehicle is driven. The engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during the rst 500 miles (800 km) that a
trailer is towed, do not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)
and do not make starts at full throttle. This helps
the engine and other parts of the vehicle wear in at
the heavier loads.
Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift the transmission
to a lower gear if the transmission shifts too often
under heavy loads and/or hilly conditions.Three important considerations have to do with weight:
The weight of the trailer
The weight of the trailer tongue
And the weight on the vehicle’s tires
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how the rig is used. For example, speed,
altitude, road grades, outside temperature and how
much the vehicle is used to pull a trailer are all
important. It can depend on any special equipment on
the vehicle, and the amount of tongue weight the vehicle
can carry. See “Weight of the Trailer Tongue” later in
this section for more information.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming only the
driver is in the tow vehicle and it has all the required
trailering equipment. The weight of additional optional
equipment, passengers and cargo in the tow vehicle
must be subtracted from the maximum trailer weight.
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If the vehicle has many options and there is a front seat
passenger and two rear seat passengers with some
luggage and gear in the vehicle as well. 300 lbs (136 kg)
could be added to the front axle weight and 400 lbs
(181 kg) to the rear axle weight. The vehicle now weighs:
Weight is still below 7,200 lbs (3 266 kg) and you
might think 700 additional pounds (318 kg) should be
subtracted from the trailering capacity to stay within
GCWR limits. The maximum trailer would only be
7,800 lbs (3 538 kg). You may go further and think the
tongue weight should be limited to less than 1,000 lbs
(454 kg) to avoid exceeding GVWR. But the effect on the
rear axle must still be considered. Because the rear axle
now weighs 3,100 lbs (1 406 kg), 900 lbs (408 kg) can be
put on the rear axle without exceeding RGAWR. The
effect of tongue weight is about 1.5 times the actual
weight. Dividing the 900 lbs (408 kg) by 1.5 leaves only
600 lbs (272 kg) of tongue weight that can be handled.
Since tongue weight is usually at least 10 percent of total
loaded trailer weight, expect that the largest trailer the
vehicle can properly handle is 6,000 lbs (2 721 kg).It is important that the vehicle does not exceed any of
its ratings — GCWR, GVWR, RGAWR, Maximum Trailer
Rating or Tongue Weight. The only way to be sure it
is not exceeding any of these ratings is to weigh
the vehicle and trailer.
Total Weight on the Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure the vehicle’s tires are inated to the upper limit
for cold tires. These numbers can be found on the
Certication label at the rear edge of the driver’s door or
see Loading Your Vehicle for more information. Make
sure not to go over the GVW limit for the vehicle, or the
GAWR, including the weight of the trailer tongue. If
using a weight distributing hitch, make sure not to go
over the rear axle limit before applying the weight
distribution spring bars.
Hitches
It is important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are
a few reasons why the right hitch is needed.
4-58

Driving with a Trailer
{CAUTION:
When towing a trailer, exhaust gases may collect
at the rear of the vehicle and enter if the liftgate,
trunk/hatch, or rear-most window is open.
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
To maximize safety when towing a trailer:
Have the exhaust system inspected for leaks
and make necessary repairs before starting
a trip.
Never drive with the liftgate, trunk/hatch, or
rear-most window open.
Fully open the air outlets on or under the
instrument panel.
Adjust the Climate Control system to a setting
that brings in only outside air and set the fan
speed to the highest setting. See Climate
Control System in the Index.
For more information about carbon monoxide, see
Engine Exhaust on page 2-46.Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Get to know the rig before setting out for the open
road. Get acquainted with the feel of handling and
braking with the added weight of the trailer. And always
keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is now
longer and not as responsive as the vehicle is by itself.
Before starting, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connectors, lamps,
tires and mirror adjustments. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start the vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This checks the electrical
connection at the same time.
During the trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving the vehicle without a trailer. This
can help to avoid situations that require heavy braking
and sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed when towing a trailer.
Because the rig is longer, it is necessary to go much
farther beyond the passed vehicle before returning to
the lane.
4-68

Tires..............................................................5-62
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-63
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-67
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-70
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-72
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................5-74
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-78
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-79
Buying New Tires.........................................5-80
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................5-82
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-82
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-84
Wheel Replacement......................................5-84
Tire Chains..................................................5-86
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-87
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-88
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools................5-89
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire................................................5-94
Secondary Latch System..............................5-100
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...........5-103
Spare Tire.................................................5-107
Appearance Care..........................................5-108
Interior Cleaning.........................................5-108
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-109
Leather......................................................5-110
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.......................................5-110Care of Safety Belts....................................5-110
Weatherstrips.............................................5-111
Washing Your Vehicle..................................5-111
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-111
Finish Care................................................5-112
Windshield, Backglass, and Wiper Blades.......5-112
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels
and Trim...............................................
.5-113
Tires.........................................................5-114
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-114
Finish Damage...........................................5-114
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-114
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-114
Vehicle Identication.....................................5-115
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)................5-115
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-115
Electrical System..........................................5-116
Add-On Electrical Equipment.........................5-116
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-116
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-116
Fuses and Circuit Breakers..........................5-116
Instrument Panel Fuse Block........................5-117
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block..............5-119
Underhood Fuse Block................................5-120
Capacities and Specications........................5-123
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

Brake Wear
This vehicle has disc brakes. Disc brake pads have
built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched warning
sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads
are needed. The sound can come and go or be heard all
the time the vehicle is moving, except when applying
the brake pedal rmly.
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
the brakes will not work well. That could lead to an
accident. When the brake wear warning sound is
heard, have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates can cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are rst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
the brakes.Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to torque specications in
Capacities and Specifications on page 5-123.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer/retailer if the brake pedal does not
return to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign that brake service
might be required.
Brake Adjustment
Every brake stop, the disc brakes adjust for wear.
5-43

The vehicle should:
Be placed so the headlamps are 25 ft. (7.6 m) from
a light colored wall.
Have all four tires on a level surface which is level
all the way to the wall.
Be placed so it is perpendicular to the wall.
Not have any snow, ice, or mud on it.
Be fully assembled and all other work stopped while
headlamp aiming is being performed.
Normally loaded with a full tank of fuel and one
person or 160 lbs (75 kg) sitting on the driver seat.
Have the tires properly inated.
Have the spare tire is in its proper location in the
vehicle.Headlamp aiming is done with the vehicle’s low-beam
headlamps. The high-beam headlamps will be correctly
aimed if the low-beam headlamps are aimed properly.
To adjust the vertical aim:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on page 5-12
for more information.
2. Locate the aim dot on the lens of the low-beam
headlamp.
3. Record the distance from the ground to the aim dot
on the low-beam headlamp.
5-55

4. Replace the wiper blade.
5. Return the wiper blade assembly to the park rest
position.
Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires
made by a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever
have questions about your tire warranty and where
to obtain service, see your vehicle Warranty
booklet for details. For additional information refer
to the tire manufacturer.
{CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
Overloading your vehicle’s tires can
cause overheating as a result of too
much exing. You could have an air-out
and a serious accident. SeeLoading the
Vehicle on page 4-33.
Underinated tires pose the same danger
as overloaded tires. The resulting
accident could cause serious injury.
Check all tires frequently to maintain the
recommended pressure. Tire pressure
should be checked when your vehicle’s
tires are cold. SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 5-70.
CAUTION: (Continued)
5-62