
Fuel Economy Gage
United StatesCanada
This gage shows when the vehicle is operating at a fuel
efficient point.
By modifying driving behavior to increase the economy
time during driving, fuel mileage will be improved.
See Fuel Economy Gage on page 4‑5.
Automatic Engine Start/Stop Feature
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, see Towing a Trailer
on page 5‑8for more
information.
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.
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. See Tachometer
on
page 4‑4for more information.
1-4

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.
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.
EV Mode
The vehicle also has an EV mode which uses only
the electric motor to move the vehicle. With light
acceleration, the vehicle will drive in EV mode.
EV mode is unavailable when the vehicle is out of fuel.
See Starting the Vehicle in the Two‐Mode Hybrid
supplement to the owner manual.
Regenerative Braking
Regenerative braking 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.
The braking system is computer controlled and blends
the regenerative braking with the conventional hydraulic
disc brakes to meet any requirements for deceleration.
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. In the event of a
controller problem, the brake pedal may be harder to
push and the stopping distance may be longer.
See Regenerative Braking, Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators and Driver Information Center (DIC) in the
owner manual.
1-5

Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
Starting the Vehicle
{WARNING:
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.(Continued)
WARNING: (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. If pulling a trailer with
trailer brakes, see Towing a Trailer
on page 5‑8for more information.
3-3

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 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.
3-8

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.
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.
{WARNING:
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, see Towing a Trailer
on page 5‑8for
more information.
3-18

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. See Brake System
Warning Light on page 4‑6.
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC),
see DIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4‑12for 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.
If the light comes on and stays on while driving, there
could be a problem with the StabiliTrak system and the
vehicle might need service. When this warning light is
on, the StabiliTrak system is off and does not limit
wheel spin.
The light flashes if the system is active and is working
to assist the driver with directional control of the vehicle
in difficult driving conditions.
See the owner manual for more information.
4-7

hood is closed, you should have the hood switch
serviced. Failure to service the hood switch properly
can result in an Auto Start condition.
Auto Stops will be disabled when this message is
displayed. 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 4 WHEEL DRIVE
This message may display if a problem occurs with the
four-wheel-drive system. If this message appears, stop
as soon as possible and turn off the vehicle. Make sure
the key is in the LOCK/OFF position for at least
one minute and then 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 four-wheel-drive system needs service. See your
dealer/retailer.
SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING
SYSTEM
If the 12V battery system faults or fails this message will
appear on the DIC. The battery/charging system light
will appear in the instrument panel cluster. See “Battery
Warning Light” in the owner manual Index. Driving with
this message on could drain the battery. Have the
electrical system checked as soon as possible.
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.
4-13

VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
2WD 6.0L V8—Tahoe/
Yukon 3.08 6,200 lbs (2 812 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
2WD 6.0L V8 —Yukon
Denali 3.08 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
4WD 6.0L V8 —Tahoe/
Yukon 3.08 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
4WD 6.0L V8 —Yukon
Denali 3.08 5,700 lbs (2 586 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
*The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for the vehicle should not be
exceeded.
Trailer Brakes
If a trailer is being towed that has trailer brakes and the
trailer brakes are manually applied while driving slower
than 25 mph (40 km/h), the vehicle may go into auto
stop mode even if the brakes are not being pressed.
Using the trailer brake system manually can make
the hybrid vehicle perform as if the brake pedal in the vehicle is being pressed. The trailer brake operation
check will still work. If the trailer brakes are manually
applied for an extended period of time, the SERVICE
BRAKE SYSTEM DIC message comes on. The
message goes off after the trailer brakes have been
released. No other action is necessary. For more
information, see
“Trailer Brakes”in the Index of the
vehicle's owner manual.
5-9