Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
9-12 Driving and Operating
The vehicle has StabiliTrak. Shifting
into Four-Wheel-Drive Low will turn
Traction Control and StabiliTrak off.
See“StabiliTrak System” in the
owner manual.
{WARNING
Shifting the transfer case to
N (Neutral) can cause the vehicle
to roll even if the transmission is
in P (Park). You or someone else
could be seriously injured. Be
sure to set the parking brake
before placing the transfer case in
N (Neutral). See “Parking Brake”
in the owner manual for more
information.
N (Neutral): Shift the vehicle's
transfer case to N (Neutral) only
when towing the vehicle. See
“Recreational Vehicle Towing” or
“Towing Your Vehicle” in the owner
manual. If the SERVICE 4 WHEEL DRIVE
message stays on, you should take
the vehicle to your dealer for
service. See
Transmission
Messages on page 5‑13.
Shifting Into Four-Wheel Drive
High or AUTO (Automatic
Four-Wheel Drive)
Turn the knob to the Four-Wheel
High or AUTO position. This can be
done at any speed, except when
shifting from Four-Wheel Drive Low.
The indicator light will flash while
shifting. It will remain on when the
shift is completed.
Shifting Into Two-Wheel
Drive High
Turn the knob to the Two-Wheel
High position. This can be done at
any speed, except when shifting
from Four-Wheel Drive Low.
See “Shifting Out of Four-Wheel
Drive Low” in this section for more
information. Shifting Into Four-Wheel
Drive Low
When Four-Wheel Low is engaged,
vehicle speed should be kept below
64 km/h (40 mph). Extended
high-speed operation in 4L may
damage or shorten the life of the
drivetrain.
To shift to the Four-Wheel Drive
Low position, the ignition must be in
ON/RUN and the vehicle must be
stopped or moving less than 5 km/h
(3 mph) with the transmission in
N (Neutral). The preferred method
for shifting into Four-Wheel Drive
Low is to have the vehicle moving
1.6 to 3.2 km/h (1 to 2 mph). Turn
the knob to the Four-Wheel Drive
Low position. You must wait for the
Four-Wheel Drive Low indicator light
to stop flashing and remain on
before shifting the transmission
into gear.
Black plate (14,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
9-14 Driving and Operating
Shifting into Neutral
To shift the transfer case into
N (Neutral):
1. Make sure the vehicle is parkedso that it will not roll.
2. Set the parking brake and apply the regular brake pedal. See
“Parking Brake” in the owner
manual.
3. Start the vehicle or turn the ignition to ON/RUN.
4. Put the transmission in N (Neutral).
5. Shift the transfer case to Two-Wheel Drive High.
6. Turn the transfer case dial clockwise to N (Neutral) until it
stops and hold it there until the
N (Neutral) light starts blinking.
This will take at least
10 seconds. Then slowly release
the dial to the Four‐Wheel Drive
Low position. The N (Neutral)
light will come on when the
transfer case shift to N (Neutral)
is complete. 7. If the engine is running, verify
that the transfer case is in
N (Neutral) by shifting the
transmission to R (Reverse) for
one second, then shift the
transmission to D (Drive) for
one second.
8. Turn the ignition to ACC/ ACCESSORY, which will turn the
engine off.
9. Place the transmission shift lever in P (Park).
10. Release the parking brake prior to moving the vehicle.
11. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
Shifting Out of Neutral
To shift the transfer case out of
N (Neutral):
1. Set the parking brake and apply the regular brake pedal.
2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with the engine off, and shift the
transmission to N (Neutral). 3. Turn the transfer case dial to the
desired transfer case shift
position (Two-Wheel Drive High,
Four-Wheel Drive High, AUTO).
After the transfer case has
shifted out of N (Neutral), the
N (Neutral) light will go out.
4. Release the parking brake prior to moving the vehicle.
Notice: Shifting the transmission
into gear before the Four-Wheel
Drive Low indicator light has
stopped flashing could damage
the transfer case. To help avoid
damaging the vehicle, always wait
for the Four-Wheel Drive Low
indicator light to stop flashing
before shifting the transmission
into gear.
5. Start the engine and shift the transmission to the desired
position.
Black plate (15,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-15
Excessively shifting the transfer
case into or out of the different
modes may cause the transfer case
to enter the shift protection mode.
This will protect the transfer case
from possible damage and will only
allow the transfer case to respond to
one shift per 10 seconds. The
transfer case may stay in this mode
for up to three minutes.Brakes
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.
Black plate (17,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-17
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
2WD 6.0L V8 —Tahoe/Yukon 3.082 812 kg (6,200 lbs) 5 443 kg (12,000 lbs)
2WD 6.0L V8 —Yukon Denali 3.082 722 kg (6,000 lbs) 5 443 kg (12,000 lbs)
4WD 6.0L V8 —Tahoe/Yukon 3.082 676 kg (5,900 lbs) 5 443 kg (12,000 lbs)
4WD 6.0L V8 —Yukon Denali 3.082 586 kg (5,700 lbs) 5 443 kg (12,000 lbs)
*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.
Towing Equipment
Trailer Brakes
If a trailer is being towed that has
trailer brakes and the trailer brakes
are manually applied while driving
slower than 40 km/h (25 mph), 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
message comes on in the Driver
Information Center. The message
goes off after the trailer brakes have
been released. No other action is
necessary. For more information,
see
“Towing Equipment” in the
owner manual.
Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-5
A. See“Engine Air Cleaner/Filter”
in the owner manual.
B. Drive Motor/Generator Control Module (DMCM). See Drive
Motor/Generator Control
Module (DMCM) Cooling
System on page 10‑9.
C. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Engine Oil” in the
owner manual.
D. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick. See Automatic
Transmission Fluid on
page 10‑6. E. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See
“Brakes” in the owner manual.
F. See “Engine Compartment Fuse
Block” in the owner manual.
G. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Washer Fluid”
in the owner manual.
H. Hybrid Auxiliary Fuse Block (Out of View). See Engine
Compartment Fuse Block on
page 10‑15. I. DMCM Coolant Surge Tank
Pressure Cap. See Drive Motor/
Generator Control Module
(DMCM) Coolant Surge Tank
Pressure Cap on page 10‑9.
J. Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap. See “Engine Coolant” in
the owner manual.
K. Engine Oil Fill Cap (Out of View). See “Engine Oil” in the
owner manual.
Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
10-6 Vehicle Care
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
When to Check and Change
Automatic Transmission Fluid
It is usually not necessary to check
the transmission fluid level. The
only reason for fluid loss is a
transmission leak or overheating the
transmission. If a small leak is
suspected, then use the following
checking procedures to check the
fluid level. However, if there is a
large leak, then it may be necessary
to have the vehicle towed to a
dealer service department and have
it repaired before driving the vehicle
further.
Notice:Use of the incorrect
automatic transmission fluid may
damage the vehicle, and the
damages may not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Always use
the automatic transmission fluid
listed in Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11‑1. Change the fluid and filter at the
scheduled maintenance intervals
listed in Scheduled Maintenance.
Be sure to use the transmission fluid
listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑1.How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Notice: Too much or too
little fluid can damage the
transmission. Too much can
mean that some of the fluid could
come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts,
starting a fire. Too little fluid
could cause the transmission to
overheat. Be sure to get an
accurate reading if checking the
transmission fluid.
Before checking the fluid level,
prepare the vehicle as follows:
1. Start the engine and park the
vehicle on a level surface. Keep
the engine running.
2. Apply the parking brake and place the shift lever in P (Park). 3. With your foot on the brake
pedal, move the shift lever
through each gear range,
pausing for about three seconds
in each range. Then, move the
shift lever back to P (Park).
4. Allow the engine to idle (500–800 RPM) for at least
one minute. Slowly release the
brake pedal.
5. Keep the engine running and press the Trip/Fuel button or
trip odometer reset stem until
TRANS TEMP (Transmission
Temperature) displays on the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
6. Using the TRANS TEMP reading, determine and perform
the appropriate check
procedure. If the TRANS TEMP
reading is not within the required
temperature ranges, allow the
vehicle to cool, or operate the
vehicle until the appropriate
transmission fluid temperature is
reached.
Black plate (20,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
10-20 Vehicle Care
.One or more TPMS sensors are
missing or damaged. The DIC
message and the TPMS
malfunction light should go off
when the TPMS sensors are
installed and the sensor
matching process is performed
successfully. See your dealer for
service.
.Replacement tires or wheels do
not match your vehicle's original
equipment tires or wheels. Tires
and wheels other than those
recommended for your vehicle
could prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. See
“Buying New Tires”in the owner
manual.
.Operating electronic devices or
being near facilities using radio
wave frequencies similar to the
TPMS could cause the TPMS
sensors to malfunction.
If the TPMS is not functioning it
cannot detect or signal a low tire
condition. See your dealer for service if the TPMS malfunction
light and DIC message comes on
and stays on.
TPMS Sensor Matching
Process
Each TPMS sensor has a unique
identification code. Any time you
rotate your vehicle's tires or replace
one or more of the TPMS sensors,
the identification codes will need to
be matched to the new tire/wheel
position. The sensors are matched
to the tire/wheel positions in the
following order: driver side front tire,
passenger side front tire, passenger
side rear tire, and driver side rear
tire using a TPMS diagnostic tool.
See your dealer for service.
The TPMS sensors can also be
matched to each tire/wheel position
by increasing or decreasing the
tire's air pressure. If increasing the
tire's air pressure, do not exceed
the maximum inflation pressure
indicated on the tire's sidewall.
To decrease air-pressure out of a
tire you can use the pointed end of
the valve cap, a pencil-style air
pressure gauge, or a key.
You have two minutes to match
the first tire/wheel position, and
five minutes overall to match all four
tire/wheel positions. If it takes longer
than two minutes, to match the first
tire and wheel, or more than
five minutes to match all four tire
and wheel positions the matching
process stops and you need to
start over.
The TPMS sensor matching process
is outlined below:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition switch to ON/
RUN with the engine off.
3. Press
QandKon the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter
at the same time for
approximately five seconds. The
horn sounds twice to signal the
receiver is in relearn mode and
Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
10-22 Vehicle Care
After the tires have been
rotated, adjust the front and rear
inflation pressures as shown on
the Tire and Loading Information
label. See“Vehicle Load Limits”
in the owner manual for an
example of the label and its
location on your vehicle.
The Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS) sensors will
need to be reset after a tire
rotation. See “TPMS Sensor
Identification Codes” under“Tire
Pressure Monitor Operation”.
Make certain that all wheel nuts
are properly tightened. See
“Wheel Nut Torque” under
“Capacities and Specifications ”
in the owner manual.
Lightly coat the center of the
wheel hub with wheel bearing
grease after a wheel change or
tire rotation to prevent corrosion
or rust build-up. Do not get grease on the flat wheel
mounting surface or on the
wheel nuts or bolts.
Tire Chains
{WARNING
Do not use tire chains. There is
not enough clearance. Tire chains
used on a vehicle without the
proper amount of clearance can
cause damage to the brakes,
suspension, or other vehicle
parts. The area damaged by the
tire chains could cause you to
lose control of the vehicle and
you or others may be injured in a
crash. Use another type of
traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for
use on the vehicle and tire size
combination and road conditions.
Follow that manufacturer's
instructions. To help avoid
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
damage to the vehicle, drive
slowly, re‐adjust or remove the
device if it is contacting the
vehicle, and do not spin the
wheels. If you do find traction
devices that will fit, install them on
the rear tires.
If a Tire Goes Flat
Your vehicle has a tire inflator kit.
There is no spare tire, no tire
changing equipment, and no place
to store a tire.
It is unusual for a tire to blow out
while you are driving, especially if
you maintain your tires properly.
If air goes out of a tire, it is much
more likely to leak out slowly. But,
if you should ever have a blow out,
here are a few tips about what to
expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire
creates a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot off