2011 GMC YUKON MAINT

Black plate (35,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-35
The shift lock release is always
functional except in the case of an
uncharged or low voltage (less than
9 volt) battery.
If the vehicle has an uncharged
battery or a battery with low voltage,
try charging or jump starting the
battery. SeeJump Starting on
page 10‑88 for more information.
To shift out of P (Park) use the
following:
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still are unable to shift out of
P (Park):
1. Ease the pressure on the shift lever.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, press the shift lever all
the way into P (Park).
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position. If you are still having a problem
shifting, then have the vehicle
serviced soon.
Parking Over Things
That Burn
{WARNING
Things that can burn could touch
hot exhaust parts under the
vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass,
or other things that can burn.
Active Fuel Management®
Vehicles with V8 engines may have
Active Fuel Management™. This
system allows the engine to operate
on either all or half of its cylinders,
depending on the driving conditions.
When less power is required, such
as cruising at a constant vehicle
speed, the system will operate in
the half cylinder mode, allowing
the vehicle to achieve better fuel
economy. When greater power
demands are required, such as
accelerating from a stop, passing,
or merging onto a freeway, the
system will maintain full-cylinder
operation.
If the vehicle has an Active Fuel
Management™
indicator, seeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑28 for more information on
using this display.

Black plate (39,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-39
{WARNING
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift
into a drive gear while the engine
is running at high speed.
Notice: Shifting out of P (Park)
or N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the
engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle. 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 55 km/h
(35 mph), push the accelerator
pedal about halfway down.
.Going about 55 km/h (35 mph) or
more, push the accelerator all
the way down.
By doing this, the vehicle shifts
down to the next gear and has
more power.
D (Drive) can be used when towing
a trailer, carrying a heavy load,
driving on steep hills, or for off-road
driving. You might 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 on page 9‑6. The vehicle has a shift stabilization
feature that adjusts the transmission
shifting to the current driving
conditions in order to reduce rapid
upshifts and downshifts. This shift
stabilization feature is designed
to determine, before making an
upshift, if the engine is able to
maintain vehicle speed by analyzing
things such as vehicle speed,
throttle position, and vehicle load.
If the shift stabilization feature
determines that a current vehicle
speed cannot be maintained, the
transmission does not upshift and
instead holds the current gear. In
some cases, this could appear
to be a delayed shift, however the
transmission is operating normally.
The vehicle's transmission
uses adaptive shift controls.
Adaptive shift controls continually
compares key shift parameters to
pre-programmed ideal shifts stored
in the transmissions computer.

Black plate (42,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
9-42 Driving and Operating
Tow/Haul Mode
The vehicle has a Tow/Haul Mode.
The selector button is located on the
end of the column shift lever. You
can use this feature to assist when
towing or hauling a heavy load or if
there is a need to charge a battery
installed in a trailer. SeeTowing
Equipment on page 9‑84 for more
information.
When Tow/Haul Mode is selected
the tow/haul indicator light will
come on. The Tow/Haul Mode works with the
Autoride
®feature, if the vehicle
has this, to enhance the ride when
trailering or with a loaded vehicle.
See Continuous Damping Control
(CDC) on page 9‑55.
Grade Braking (Hydra-Matic®
6-Speed Automatic
Transmission)
The Grade Braking shift modes can
be activated by pressing the button
on the end of the shift control lever.
While in Range Selection Mode,
Grade Braking is deactivated
allowing the driver to select a
desired range of gears.
Grade Braking is only active while
the Tow/Haul Mode is selected and
you are not in the Range Selection
Mode. See “Tow/Haul Mode” listed
previously and Manual Mode on
page 9‑41 for more information on
the Range Selection Mode. Grade
Braking assists in maintaining
desired vehicle speeds when driving on downhill grades by automatically
implementing a shift schedule that
utilizes the engine and transmission
to slow the vehicle. This reduces
wear on the braking system and
increases control of the vehicle.
Grade Braking monitors vehicle
speed, acceleration, engine torque
and brake pedal usage. Using this
information, it detects when the
truck is on a downhill grade and the
driver desires to slow the vehicle by
pressing the brake.
Also see
Towing Equipment on
page 9‑84 for more information.
Cruise Grade Braking
(Hydra-Matic®6-Speed
Automatic Transmission)
Cruise Grade Braking assists
when driving on a downhill grade.
It maintains vehicle speed by
automatically implementing a shift
schedule that uses the engine and
the transmission to slow the vehicle.

Black plate (43,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-43
Cruise Grade Braking operates
while Cruise Control is engaged
in Tow/Haul Mode to assist in
maintaining vehicle speed under
loaded vehicle conditions. It utilizes
vehicle acceleration and deviation
from desired speed to determine
the correct gear for the operating
condition. If vehicle speed is above
the desired speed the transmission
will downshift to slow the vehicle.
If vehicle speed is near or below
desired speed the trans will upshift,
allowing vehicle speed to increase.
While in the Range Selection
Mode, Cruise Grade Braking is not
available.
See“Range Selection Mode” under
Manual Mode on page 9‑41.Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive (Two
Speed Automatic
Transfer Case)
If the vehicle has four-wheel drive,
you can send the engine's driving
power to all four wheels for extra
traction. Read the following before
using four-wheel drive.
Notice: Driving on clean, dry
pavement in Four-Wheel Drive
High or Four-Wheel Drive Low for
an extended period of time may
cause premature wear on the
vehicle's powertrain. Do not
drive on clean, dry pavement
in Four-Wheel Drive High or
Four-Wheel Drive Low for
extended periods of time. While driving on clean dry pavement
and during tight turns, you may
experience a vibration in the
steering system.
The vehicle has StabiliTrak
®.
Shifting into Four-Wheel Drive
Low will turn Traction Control and
StabiliTrak off. See StabiliTrak
®
System on page 9‑52.
Front Axle
The front axle engages and
disengages automatically when you
shift the transfer case. Some delay
for the axle to engage or disengage
is normal.

Black plate (55,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-55
Locking Rear Axle
Vehicles with a locking rear axle can
give more traction on snow, mud,
ice, sand, or gravel. It works like a
standard axle most of the time, but
when traction is low, this feature will
allow the rear wheel with the most
traction to move the vehicle.
Continuous Damping
Control (CDC)
This vehicle may have a continuous
damping control system called
Autoride
®or MagneRide™. With
this feature, improved vehicle ride
and handling is provided under a
variety of passenger and loading
conditions.
Autoride and MagneRide are fully
automatic and use a computer
controller to continuously monitor
vehicle speed, wheel to body
position, lift/dive and steering
position of the vehicle. The
controller then sends signals
to each shock absorber to independently adjust the damping
level to provide the optimum
vehicle ride.
Autoride and MagneRide also
interact with the tow/haul mode
that, when activated, will provide
additional control of the shock
absorbers. This additional control
results in better ride and handling
characteristics when the vehicle is
loaded or towing a trailer. See
“Tow/Haul Mode”
underTrailer
Towing on page 9‑79 for more
information.Automatic Level Control
The automatic level control rear
suspension is available on
light‐duty vehicles and comes as a
part of the Continuous Damping
Control (CDC) suspension,
if equipped. This type of level control is fully
automatic and will provide a better
leveled riding position as well as
better handling under a variety of
passenger and loading conditions.
An air compressor connected to
the rear shocks will raise or lower
the rear of the vehicle to maintain
proper vehicle height. The system
is activated when the ignition key
is turned to ON/RUN and will
automatically adjust vehicle height
thereafter. The system may exhaust
(lower vehicle height) for up to
ten minutes after the ignition key
has been turned off. You may hear
the air compressor operating when
the height is being adjusted.
If a weight‐distributing hitch is
being used, it is recommended to
allow the shocks to inflate, thereby
leveling the vehicle prior to adjusting
the hitch.

Black plate (56,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
9-56 Driving and Operating
Cruise Control
{WARNING
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. So, do not use
the cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.
With cruise control, a speed of
about 40 km/h (25 mph) or more can
be maintained without keeping your
foot on the accelerator. Cruise
control does not work at speeds
below about 40 km/h (25 mph).
When the brakes are applied, cruise
control is turned off. If the vehicle has StabiliTrak and the
system begins to limit wheel spin,
cruise control will automatically
disengage. See
StabiliTrak
®System
on page 9‑52. When road conditions
allow the cruise control to be safely
used again, it can be turned
back on.
The cruise control buttons are
located on left side of the steering
wheel.
I(On/Off): Press to turn the
system on or off. The indicator light
is on when cruise control is on and
turns off when cruise control is off. +RES (Resume/Accelerate):
Press briefly to make the vehicle
resume to a previously set speed,
or press and hold to accelerate.
SET−
(Set/Coast): Press to set the
speed and activate cruise control or
make the vehicle decelerate.
[(Cancel): Press to disengage
cruise control without erasing the
set speed from memory.
Setting Cruise Control
If the cruise button is on when not in
use, it could get bumped and go into
cruise when not desired. Keep the
cruise control switch off when cruise
is not being used.
The cruise control light on the
instrument panel cluster comes on
after the cruise control has been set
to the desired speed.
1. Press the
Ibutton.
2. Get up to the desired speed.

Black plate (57,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-57
3. Press the SET−button located
on the steering wheel and
release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a
desired speed and then the brakes
are applied, the cruise control is
disengaged without erasing the set
speed from memory.
Once the vehicle speed reaches
about 40 km/h (25 mph) or more,
press the +RES button on the
steering wheel. The vehicle returns
to the previous set speed and stays
there. Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is
already activated,
.Press and hold the +RES button
on the steering wheel until the
desired speed is reached, then
release it.
.To increase vehicle speed in
small amounts, press the +RES
button. Each time this is done,
the vehicle goes about 1.6 km/h
(1 mph) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is
already activated,
.Press and hold the SET– button
on the steering wheel until the
desired lower speed is reached,
then release it.
.To slow down in small amounts,
press the SET– button on the
steering wheel briefly. Each time
this is done, the vehicle goes
about 1.6 km/h (1 mph) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While
Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to
increase the vehicle speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal,
the vehicle will slow down to the
previous set cruise speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control will
work on hills depends upon the
vehicle speed, load, and the
steepness of the hills. When going
up steep hills, you might have to
step on the accelerator pedal to
maintain the vehicle speed. When
going downhill, you might have to
brake or shift to a lower gear to
keep the vehicle speed down. When
the brakes are applied the cruise
control is disengaged.

Black plate (68,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
9-68 Driving and Operating
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is
an important part of the proper
maintenance of this vehicle. To help
keep the engine clean and maintain
optimum vehicle performance, we
recommend the use of gasoline
advertised as TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline.
Look for the TOP TIER label on the
fuel pump to ensure gasoline meets
enhanced detergency standards
developed by auto companies. A list
of marketers providing TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline can be found at
www.toptiergas.com.
The eighth digit of the Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) shows
the code letter or number that
identifies the vehicle's engine.
The VIN is at the top left of the
instrument panel. SeeVehicle
Identification Number (VIN) on
page 12‑1. Vehicles that have a FlexFuel badge
and a yellow fuel cap can use either
unleaded gasoline or ethanol fuel
containing up to 85% ethanol (E85).
See
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) on
page 9‑70. For all other vehicles,
use only the unleaded gasoline
described under Recommended
Fuel on page 9‑68.
Recommended Fuel
Use regular unleaded gasoline with
a posted octane rating of 87 or
higher. If the octane rating is less
than 87, an audible knocking noise,
commonly referred to as spark
knock, might be heard when driving.
If this occurs, use a gasoline rated
at 87 octane or higher as soon
as possible. If heavy knocking is
heard when using gasoline rated
at 87 octane or higher, the engine
needs service.