2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE service

Black plate (16,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
9-16 Driving and Operating
Towing
General Towing
Information
Consult your dealer or a
professional towing service if the
disabled vehicle needs to be towed.
Trailer Towing
For more information, see“Towing a
Trailer” in the owner manual.
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. 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.
Use the following charts to
determine how much the vehicle
can weigh, based upon the vehicle
model and options.

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 (1,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Drive Motor/Generator Control Module (DMCM) Coolant
Surge Tank
Pressure Cap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-9
Drive Motor/Generator Control Module (DMCM) Cooling
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-9
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . 10-12
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-12
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-14
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and
Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Wheels and Tires
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-17
Tire Pressure MonitorOperation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22 If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Jump Starting
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32
Towing
Recreational Vehicle
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
10-2 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own
Service Work
{WARNING
Never try to do your own service
on hybrid components. You can
be injured and the vehicle can be
damaged if you try to do your own
service work. Service and repair
of these hybrid components
should only be performed by a
trained service technician with the
proper knowledge and tools.
{WARNING
You can be injured and the
vehicle could be damaged if you
try to do service work on a vehicle
without knowing enough about it.
.Be sure you have sufficient
knowledge, experience, the
proper replacement parts,
and tools before attempting
any vehicle
maintenance task.
.Be sure to use the proper
nuts, bolts, and other
fasteners. English and metric
fasteners can be easily
confused. If the wrong
fasteners are used, parts can
later break or fall off. You
could be hurt.If doing some of your own service
work, use the proper service
manual. It tells you much more
about how to service the vehicle
than this manual can. To order the
proper service manual, see
“Service
Publications Ordering Information”
in the owner manual.
This vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to do your own
service work, see “Airbag System
Check” in the owner manual.
Keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date of
any service work performed. See
“Maintenance Records” 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 (9,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-9
Drive Motor/Generator
Control Module (DMCM)
Coolant Surge Tank
Pressure Cap
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑4 for more information
on location.
The Drive Motor/Generator Control
Module (DMCM) coolant surge tank
pressure cap must be fully installed
on the hybrid coolant surge tank.
Notice: If the pressure cap is not
tightly installed, coolant loss and
possible damage to the Drive
Motor/Generator Control
Module (DMCM) may occur. Be
sure the cap is properly and
tightly secured.
Drive Motor/Generator
Control Module (DMCM)
Cooling System
In addition to the regular cooling
system, the vehicle also has a
cooling system for the DMCM
system. This system is serviced
differently than the vehicle's main
cooling system. The DMCM cooling
system includes the DMCM coolant
surge tank, DMCM surge tank
pressure cap, DMCM cooling
pumps, hybrid cooling radiator and
the Drive Motor/Generator Control
Module (DMCM). The DMCM
cooling system uses a 50/50
pre-mixed DEX-COOL
®coolant and
deionized water available at your
dealer. See “Engine Coolant” and
“Cooling System” in the owner
manual for more information.
When it is safe to lift the hood:
A. Drive Motor/Generator Control Module (DMCM)
B. Engine Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
C. DMCM Coolant Surge Tank/ Engine Coolant Surge Tank
D. DMCM Cooling Hoses (Out of View)
E. DMCM Coolant Tank Pressure Cap

Black plate (11,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-11
Notice:Using coolant other than
a pre‐mixed DEX-COOL, available
at your dealer, may damage your
vehicle. Any repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Always
use a pre‐mixed DEX-COOL
(silicate-free) coolant in your
vehicle.
{WARNING
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
If the DMCM coolant is empty, the
vehicle must be serviced by your
dealer and a special fill procedure
must be followed.
Notice: Attempting to fill the
DMCM cooling surge tank
yourself when the fluid level is
empty can damage your vehicle.
Your vehicle must be serviced.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and turn the vehicle off.
Remove the DMCM coolant
surge tank pressure cap when
the DMCM cooling system,
including the DMCM coolant
surge tank pressure cap and
DMCM cooling hoses, are no
longer hot. Turn the DMCM
coolant surge tank pressure cap
slowly counterclockwise (left)
about one full turn. Wait
30 seconds.2. Then keep turning the DMCMcoolant surge tank pressure cap
slowly, and remove it.
3. Add the pre‐mixed DEX‐COOL, available at your dealer, to the
DMCM coolant surge tank until
the level reaches the FULL
COLD mark.
4. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN without starting the engine. The
hybrid cooling pumps will run
and any trapped air will purge to
the surge tank.

Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
10-12 Vehicle Care
5. Add the pre‐mixed DEX‐COOL,available at your dealer, until the
coolant level is maintained at the
FULL COLD mark. This should
take no longer than two minutes
of hybrid cooling pump
operation.
If the level cannot be kept at the
FULL COLD level, the vehicle
may need service. See your
dealer.
6. Then replace the DMCM coolant
surge tank pressure cap. Be
sure the pressure cap is
hand-tight and fully seated. Notice:
Using tap water, cooling
system sealers or conditioners in
an attempt to stop coolant leaks
can damage the DMCM and
engine cooling systems. Never
use tap water, cooling system
sealers or conditioners in your
cooling system.
Power Steering Fluid
The vehicle has electric power
steering and does not use power
steering fluid.
Battery
This vehicle has a standard 12‐volt
battery and a high voltage hybrid
battery.
Refer to the replacement number on
the original battery label when a
new standard 12‐volt battery is
needed. Only a trained service technician
with the proper knowledge and tools
should inspect, test, or replace the
hybrid battery. See your dealer if the
hybrid battery needs service. The
dealer has information on how to
recycle the hybrid battery. There
is also information available at
http://www.recyclemybattery.com.
If an airbag inflates or the vehicle
has been in a crash, the vehicle's
sensing system might command the
automatic hybrid battery disconnect
to open. See
Replacing Airbag
System Parts After a Crash on
page 3‑2 for more information.
{DANGER
Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and reproductive
harm. Wash hands after handling.