Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
In Brief 1-3
Fuel Economy Gauge
United States
CanadaThis gauge 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 Gauge on
page 5‑6.
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 Trailer
Towing on page 9‑16 for 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 5‑4 for more information.
Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
1-4 In Brief
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.
For more information on Auto Stop,
Auto Start, and EV Mode, see
Starting the Vehicle on page 9‑2.
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.
SeeRegenerative Braking on
page 9‑15.
Battery
This vehicle has a standard 12-volt
battery and a high voltage hybrid
battery. When a new standard
12-volt battery is needed, see your
dealer for one that has the
replacement number shown on the
original battery's label. 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. See Battery
on page 10‑12.
Service
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. See Doing
Your Own Service Work on
page 10‑2.
Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
5-4 Instruments and Controls
Tachometer
English Version shown, Metricsimilar 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
vehicle is off.
When the engine is on, the
tachometer indicator shows
the engine's revolutions
per minute (rpm).
Fuel Gauge
Metric
English
Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-9
Have it checked right away. If a
short distance must be driven with
the light on, be certain to turn off all
the accessories.
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 8 km/h (5 mph).
The vehicle brake system consists
of two hydraulic circuits. If one
circuit is not working, the remaining
circuit can still work to stop the
vehicle. For normal braking
performance, both circuits need to
be working.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.
MetricEnglish
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.
{WARNING
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. See General Towing
Information on page 9‑16.
Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-13
System Warning Light,”and“ABS
Brake System Warning Light” in the
owner manual.
This message may also come on
when you are towing a trailer. See
“Trailer Brakes” underTrailer Towing
on page 9‑16 for more information.
Door Ajar Messages
HOOD OPEN
If the hood is not fully closed or
there is a problem with the hood
switch, this message will be
displayed. Close the hood to clear
the message. If the HOOD OPEN
message continues to be displayed
after verifying the 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.
Engine Oil Messages
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.
Service Vehicle Messages
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 immediately.
Transmission Messages
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.
Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
9-2 Driving and Operating
Starting and
Operating
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.
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 Equipment on
page 9‑17 for 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.
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),
R (Reverse), 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.
.The vehicle may enter Auto Stop
after a remote vehicle start.
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.
Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-3
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 5‑4 for 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.
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. Some of the vehicle conditions that
may cause the engine to Auto
Start are:
.The hood is opened.
.The gear selector is in
M (Manual Mode).
.The hybrid battery state of
charge is too low.
.The hybrid battery voltage,
temperature or power limits are
exceeded.
.A remote vehicle start has been
requested.
.The engine is not at operating
temperature.
.Acceleration demands require
the use of the engine.
EV Mode
The vehicle also has an Electric
Vehicle (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.
If increased acceleration is
required, or the vehicle reaches
approximately 40 km/h (30 mph), the
engine will start automatically. The
engine shuts off at speeds below
40 km/h (25 mph) unless the
transmission is in M (Manual Mode)
or Auto Stop is disabled.
During heavy acceleration, both the
engine and hybrid electric motors
supply power. A sensation similar to
a transmission gear change can be
felt as the transmission changes
modes. Engine RPM may remain
above 4,000 RPM for a longer
period during hard acceleration.
Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-5
WARNING (Continued)
gear—not in N (Neutral). If you
are pulling a trailer, see “Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips”
in the owner manual.
1. Hold the brake pedal down, then set the parking brake.
See “Parking Brake” in the
owner manual.
2. Move the shift lever into the P (Park) position by pulling the
shift lever toward you and
moving it up as far as it will go.
3. Be sure the transfer case (if equipped) is in a drive
gear —not in N (Neutral).
4. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF.
5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can leave the vehicle
with the ignition key in your
hand, the vehicle is in P (Park).
Leaving the Vehicle with the
Engine Running
{WARNING
It can be dangerous to leave the
vehicle with the engine running.
The vehicle could move suddenly
if the shift lever is not fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set.
If you have four-wheel drive and
the transfer case is in N (Neutral),
the vehicle will be free to roll,
even if the shift lever is in
P (Park). So be sure the transfer
case is in a drive gear —not in
N (Neutral).
And, if you leave the vehicle with
the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire. You
or others could be injured. Do not
leave the vehicle with the engine
running unless you have to. If you have to leave the vehicle with
the engine running, be sure your
vehicle is in P (Park) and the
parking brake is firmly set before
you leave it. After you move the shift
lever into P (Park), hold the regular
brake pedal down. Then, see if you
can move the shift lever away from
P (Park) without first pulling it toward
you. If you can, it means that the
shift lever was not fully locked into
P (Park).
Torque Lock
If parking on a hill and the
transmission not shifted into
P (Park) properly, the weight of
the vehicle may put too much
force on the parking pawl in the
transmission. You may find it difficult
to pull the shift lever out of P (Park).
This is called torque lock. To
prevent torque lock, set the parking
brake and then shift into P (Park)
properly before you leave the driver
seat. To find out how, see
Shifting
Into Park on page 9‑4.