2011 GMC YUKON manual transmission

Black plate (29,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-29
The DIC has different displays
which can be accessed by
pressing the DIC buttons located
on the instrument panel, next to
the steering wheel. If the vehicle
does not have DIC buttons, the
trip odometer reset stem can be
used to access some of the menu
items.
The DIC displays trip, fuel, and
vehicle system information, and
warning messages if a system
problem is detected.
The DIC also allows some
features to be customized. See
Vehicle Personalization (With DIC
Buttons) on page 5‑47for more
information. DIC Buttons
The buttons are the trip/fuel,
vehicle information, customization,
and set/reset buttons. The button
functions are detailed in the
following pages.
3(Trip/Fuel):
Press to display
the odometer, trip odometer, fuel
range, average economy, fuel used,
timer, instantaneous economy
and Active Fuel Management™
indicator, and transmission
temperature. The compass and outside air temperature will also
be shown in the display. The
temperature will be shown in °C
or °F depending on the units
selected.
T(Vehicle Information):
Press
to display the oil life, units, side
blind zone system on/off, tire
pressure readings for vehicles with
the Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS), trailer brake gain and
output information for vehicles with
the Integrated Trailer Brake Control
(ITBC) system, engine hours,
compass zone setting, and compass
recalibration.
U(Customization): Press to
customize the feature settings
on your vehicle. See Vehicle
Personalization (With DIC Buttons)
on page 5‑47 for more information.
V(Set/Reset):Press to set or
reset certain functions and to turn
off or acknowledge messages on
the DIC.

Black plate (31,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-31
For example, if driving in traffic
and making frequent stops, this
display may read one number,
but if the vehicle is driven on a
freeway, the number may change
even though the same amount
of fuel is in the fuel tank. This is
because different driving conditions
produce different fuel economies.
Generally, freeway driving produces
better fuel economy than city
driving. Fuel range cannot be reset.
Average Economy
Press the trip/fuel button until AVG
ECONOMY displays. This display
shows the approximate average
liters per 100 kilometers (L/100 km)
or miles per gallon (mpg). This
number is calculated based on
the number of L/100 km (mpg)
recorded since the last time this
menu item was reset. To reset
AVG ECONOMY, press and hold
the set/reset button.Fuel Used
Press the trip/fuel button until
FUEL USED displays. This display
shows the number of liters (L) or
gallons (gal) of fuel used since the
last reset of this menu item. To reset
the fuel used information, press and
hold the set/reset button while FUEL
USED is displayed.
Timer
Press the trip/fuel button until
TIMER displays. This display can
be used as a timer.
To start the timer, press the
set/reset button while TIMER is
displayed. The display will show
the amount of time that has passed
since the timer was last reset, not
including time the ignition is off.
Time will continue to be counted
as long as the ignition is on, even
if another display is being shown
on the DIC. The timer will record
up to 99 hours, 59 minutes and
59 seconds (99:59:59) after which
the display will return to zero.To stop the timer, press the set/reset
button briefly while TIMER is
displayed.
To reset the timer to zero, press
and hold the set/reset button while
TIMER is displayed.
Transmission Temperature
Press the trip/fuel button until
TRANS TEMP displays. This
display shows the temperature of
the automatic transmission fluid
in either degrees Celsius (°C) or
degrees Fahrenheit (°F).
Instantaneous Economy and
Active Fuel Management™
Indicator
If your vehicle has this display,
press the trip/fuel button until
INST ECON V8 displays. This
display shows the current fuel
economy at a particular moment
and will change frequently as
driving conditions change.

Black plate (36,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
5-36 Instruments and Controls
The trip odometer has a feature
called the retro-active reset. This
can be used to set the trip odometer
to the number of kilometers (miles)
driven since the ignition was last
turned on. This can be used if the
trip odometer is not reset at the
beginning of the trip.
To use the retro-active reset feature,
press and hold the trip odometer
reset stem for at least four seconds.
The trip odometer will display the
number of kilometers (km) or
miles (mi) driven since the ignition
was last turned on and the vehicle
was moving. Once the vehicle
begins moving, the trip odometer
will accumulate mileage. For
example, if the vehicle was driven
8 km (5 miles) before it is started
again, and then the retro-active
reset feature is activated, the
display will show 8 km (5 miles).
As the vehicle begins moving, the
display will then increase to 8.2 km
(5.1 miles), 8.4 km (5.2 miles), etc.Transmission Temperature
Press the trip odometer reset stem
until TRANS TEMP displays. This
display shows the temperature of
the automatic transmission fluid in
either degrees Celsius (°C) or
degrees Fahrenheit (°F).
Trailer Gain and Output
On vehicles with the Integrated
Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system,
the trailer brake display appears in
the DIC. Press the trip odometer
reset stem until TRAILER GAIN and
OUTPUT display.
TRAILER GAIN shows the trailer
gain setting. This setting can be
adjusted from 0.0 to 10.0 with
either a trailer connected or
disconnected. To adjust this setting,
see
“Integrated Trailer Brake Control
System” underTowing Equipment
on page 9‑84 for more information. OUTPUT shows the power output
to the trailer anytime a trailer with
electric brakes is connected. Output
is displayed in 0 to 10 bars. Dashes
may appear in the OUTPUT display.
See
“Integrated Trailer Brake
Control System” underTowing
Equipment on page 9‑84 for more
information.
Compass Zone Setting
This display allows for setting the
compass zone. See Compass on
page 5‑6 for more information.
Compass Recalibration
This display allows for calibrating
the compass. See Compass on
page 5‑6 for more information.

Black plate (46,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
5-46 Instruments and Controls
Have the tire pressures checked
and set to those shown on the Tire
Loading Information label. SeeTires
on page 10‑48, Vehicle Load Limits
on page 9‑23, and Tire Pressure on
page 10‑56. The DIC also shows
the tire pressure values. See “DIC
Operation and Displays (With DIC
Buttons)” earlier in this section.
Transmission Messages
SERVICE 4 WHEEL DRIVE
This message displays 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.
TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE
ENGINE
Notice:If you drive the vehicle
while the transmission fluid is
overheating and the transmission
temperature warning is displayed
on the instrument panel cluster
and/or DIC, you can damage the
transmission. This could lead to
costly repairs that would not be
covered by the warranty. Do not
drive the vehicle with overheated
transmission fluid or while the
transmission temperature
warning is displayed.
This message displays along with a
sound if the transmission fluid in the
vehicle gets hot. Driving with the
transmission fluid temperature high
can cause damage to the vehicle.
Stop the vehicle and let it idle to
allow the transmission to cool. This
message clears and the chime
stops when the fluid temperature
reaches a safe level.
Vehicle Reminder
Messages
CHECK TRAILER WIRING
On vehicles with the Integrated
Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system,
this message may display and a
chime may sound when one of the
following conditions exists:
.A trailer with electric brakes
becomes disconnected from the
vehicle.
‐ If the disconnect occurs while
the vehicle is stopped, this
message clears itself after a
short time.
‐ If the disconnect occurs while
the vehicle is moving, this
message stays on until the
ignition is turned off.
.There is a short in the wiring to
the electric trailer brakes.
When this message displays, power
is no longer available to the trailer
brakes.

Black plate (3,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Lighting 6-3
When the high beams are on, this
indicator light on the instrument
panel cluster will also be on.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use the
high-beam headlamps to signal
a driver in front of you that you
want to pass. It works even if the
headlamps are in the automatic
position.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever
toward you, then release it.
If the headlamps are in the
automatic position or on low beam,
the high-beam headlamps will turn
on. They will stay on as long as
you hold the lever toward you.The high-beam indicator on the
instrument panel cluster will come
on. Release the lever to return to
normal operation.
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can
make it easier for others to see the
front of your vehicle during the day.
Fully functional daytime running
lamps are required on all vehicles
first sold in Canada.
The DRL system comes on when
the following conditions are met:
.The ignition is on.
.The exterior lamps control is
in AUTO.
.The transmission is not in Park.
.The light sensor determines it is
daytime.
When the DRL system is on,
only the DRL lamps are on. The
taillamps, sidemarker, instrument
panel lights, and other lamps will
not be on.
When it begins to get dark, the
automatic headlamp system
switches from DRL to the
headlamps.
To turn off the DRL lamps, turn the
exterior lamps control to the OFF
position and then release. For
vehicles first sold in Canada, the
transmission must be in the P (Park)
position before the DRL lamps can
be turned off.

Black plate (4,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
6-4 Lighting
Automatic Headlamp
System
When it is dark enough outside, the
automatic headlamp system turns
on the headlamps at the normal
brightness, along with the taillamps,
sidemarker, parking lamps, and the
instrument panel lights. The radio
lights will also be dim.
To turn off the automatic headlamp
system, turn the exterior lamps
switch to the off position and then
release it. For vehicles first sold in
Canada, the transmission must be
in the P (Park) position before the
automatic headlamp system can be
turned off.
The vehicle has a light sensor
located on the top of the instrument
panel which regulates when the
automatic headlamps turn on. Do
not cover the sensor, otherwise the
headlamps will come on whenever
the ignition is on.
The system may also turn on the
headlamps when driving through a
parking garage or heavy overcast
weather. This is normal.There is a delay in the transition
between the daytime and nighttime
operation of the Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) and the automatic
headlamp systems so that driving
under bridges or bright overhead
street lights does not affect the
system. The DRL and automatic
headlamp system are only affected
when the light sensor detects a
change in lighting lasting longer
than the delay.
If the vehicle is started in a dark
garage, the automatic headlamp
system comes on immediately.
Once the vehicle leaves the garage,
it takes approximately one minute
for the automatic headlamp system
to change to DRL if it is bright
enough outside. During that delay,
the instrument panel cluster may not
be as bright as usual. Make sure the
instrument panel brightness control
is in the full bright position. See
Instrument Panel Illumination
Control on page 6‑7.

Black plate (1,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-1
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . 9-18
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . 9-19
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 9-19
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . 9-22
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . 9-28
Adjustable Throttle and BrakePedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-29 Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Shifting Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . 9-34
Parking Over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Active Fuel Management
®. . . 9-35
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-36
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-36
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . 9-37
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-41
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive (Two SpeedAutomatic
Transfer Case) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-43
Four-Wheel Drive (Single Speed Automatic
Transfer Case) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-48
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-50
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-51
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-52
Ride Control Systems
StabiliTrak®System . . . . . . . . . 9-52
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-55
Continuous Damping Control (CDC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-55
Automatic Level Control . . . . . 9-55
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-56
Object Detection Systems
Ultrasonic Parking Assist . . . . 9-58
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-60
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-63

Black plate (13,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-13
.Use headlamps even during the
day to make the vehicle more
visible to oncoming traffic.
{WARNING
Driving to the top (crest) of a
hill at full speed can cause an
accident. There could be a
drop-off, embankment, cliff,
or even another vehicle. You
could be seriously injured or
killed. As you near the top of a
hill, slow down and stay alert.
If the vehicle stalls, or is about to
stall, and you cannot make it up
the hill:
.Push the brake pedal to stop the
vehicle and keep it from rolling
backwards and apply the
parking brake.
.If the engine is still running, shift
the transmission to R (Reverse),
release the parking brake, and
slowly back down the hill in
R (Reverse).
.If the engine has stopped
running, you need to restart it.
With the brake pedal pressed
and the parking brake still
applied, shift the transmission to
P (Park) and restart the engine.
Then, shift to R (Reverse),
release the parking brake,
and slowly back down the
hill as straight as possible in
R (Reverse).
.While backing down the hill, put
your left hand on the steering
wheel at the 12 o'clock position
so you can tell if the wheels are
straight and can maneuver as
you back down. It is best to back
down the hill with the wheels
straight rather than in the left or
right direction. Turning the wheel
too far to the left or right will
increase the possibility of a
rollover. Things not to do if the vehicle stalls,
or is about to stall, when going up
a hill:
.Never attempt to prevent a stall
by shifting into N (Neutral) to
rev-up the engine and regain
forward momentum. This will
not work. The vehicle can roll
backward very quickly and could
go out of control.
.Never try to turn around if
about to stall when going up a
hill. If the hill is steep enough
to stall the vehicle, it is steep
enough to cause it to roll over.
If you cannot make it up the hill,
back straight down the hill.
If, after stalling, you try to back
down the hill and decide you just
cannot do it, set the parking brake,
put your transmission in P (Park),
and turn off the engine. Leave the
vehicle and go get some help.