2011 GMC YUKON Owner's Manual

Black plate (15,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-15
Consistency of Readings
Always check the fluid level at least
twice using the procedure described
previously. Consistency (repeatable
readings) is important to maintaining
proper fluid level. If readings are still
inconsistent, contact the dealer.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6 for the location of the
engine air cleaner/filter.
Inspect the air cleaner/filter
at the scheduled maintenance
intervals and replace it at the
first oil change after each 80 000 km
(50,000 mi) interval. See Scheduled
Maintenance on page 11‑2 for more
information. If driving on dusty/dirty
conditions, inspect the filter at each
engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/filter,
remove the engine air cleaner/filter
from the vehicle by following
Steps 1 through 6. When the engine
air cleaner/filter is removed, lightly
shake it to release loose dust and
dirt. If the engine air cleaner/filter
remains covered with dirt, a
new filter is required. Never use
compressed air to clean the filter.
Replacing the Engine Air Cleaner/
Filter
1. Locate the air cleaner/filter
assembly . See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑6.
2. Loosen the four screws on the cover of the housing and lift up
the cover.

Black plate (16,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
10-16 Vehicle Care
3. Remove the engine air cleaner/filter from the housing. Care
should be taken to dislodge as
little dirt as possible.
4. Clean the engine air cleaner/ filter sealing surfaces and the
housing.
5. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/filter.
6. Reinstall the cover and tighten the screws.
{WARNING
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/filter off can cause you
or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air; it
helps to stop flames if the engine
backfires. Use caution when
working on the engine and do not
drive with the air cleaner/filter off.
Cooling System
If the vehicle is a hybrid, see
the hybrid supplement for more
information.
The cooling system allows the
engine to maintain the correct
working temperature.
5.3 L V8 Engine Shown,
6.0 L V8 Engine Similar
A. Coolant Surge Tank
B. Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
C. Engine Cooling Fan(s) (Out of View)

Black plate (17,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-17
{WARNING
An electric engine cooling fan
under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can cause injury. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{WARNING
Heater and radiator hoses, and
other engine parts, can be very
hot. Do not touch them. If you do,
you can be burned.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
Do not run the engine if there is
a leak. If you run the engine, it
could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you
could be burned. Get any leak
fixed before you drive the vehicle.
Notice: Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL
®can cause premature
engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant could require changing
sooner, at 50 000 km (30,000 mi)
or 24 months, whichever occurs
first. Any repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always use DEX-COOL
(silicate-free) coolant in the
vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle
is filled with DEX-COOL engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in the vehicle for 5 years or
240 000 km (150,000 mi), whichever
occurs first.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
see Engine Overheating on
page 10‑21.

Black plate (18,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
10-18 Vehicle Care
What to Use
{WARNING
Adding only plain water or some
other liquid to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water
and other liquids, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The coolant warning system is
set for the proper coolant mixture.
With plain water or the wrong
mixture, the engine could get too
hot but you would not get the
overheat warning. The engine
could catch fire and you or
others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant.Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. If using this mixture,
nothing else needs to be added.
This mixture:.Gives freezing protection down
to
−37°C (−34°F), outside
temperature.
.Gives boiling protection up
to 129°C (265°F), engine
temperature.
.Protects against rust and
corrosion.
.Will not damage aluminum parts.
.Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Notice: If an improper coolant
mixture is used, the engine could
overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Too much water in the mixture
can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and other
parts. Notice:
If extra inhibitors and/or
additives are used in the vehicle
cooling system, the vehicle
could be damaged. Use only the
proper mixture of the engine
coolant listed in this manual
for the cooling system. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑7 for more
information.
Never dispose of engine coolant
by putting it in the trash, pouring
it on the ground, or into sewers,
streams, or bodies of water.
Have the coolant changed by an
authorized service center, familiar
with legal requirements regarding
used coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health.

Black plate (19,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-19
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant surge tank. If the coolant
inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until
it cools down. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level is not at or
above the FULL COLD mark, add a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant at the
coolant surge tank, but be sure the
cooling system is cool before this
is done.
The coolant surge tank is located
in the engine compartment on the
passenger side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 10‑6for more information on
location.
The coolant level should be at or
above the FULL COLD mark. If it is
not, the vehicle may have a leak in
the cooling system.
How to Add Coolant to the
Surge Tank
{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.
Notice: This vehicle has a
specific coolant fill procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure
could cause the engine to
overheat and be severely
damaged.
{WARNING
An electric engine cooling fan
under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can cause injury. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.

Black plate (20,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
10-20 Vehicle Care
{WARNING
Steam and scalding liquids from
a hot cooling system can blow
out and burn you badly. They
are under pressure, and if you
turn the surge tank pressure
cap—even a little —they can
come out at high speed. Never
turn the cap when the cooling
system, including the surge tank
pressure cap, is hot. Wait for the
cooling system and surge tank
pressure cap to cool if you ever
have to turn the pressure cap. If no coolant is visible in the surge
tank, add coolant as follows:
1. Remove the coolant surge tank
pressure cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is no
longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about one full
turn. If a hiss is heard, wait for
that to stop. A hiss means there
is still some pressure left.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap slowly and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with
the proper mixture to the FULL
COLD mark.

Black plate (21,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-21
4. With the coolant surge tankpressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until the
upper radiator hose can be felt
getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan.
By this time, the coolant level
inside the coolant surge tank
may be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper
mixture to the coolant surge tank
until the level reaches the FULL
COLD mark. 5. Replace the pressure cap.
Be sure the pressure cap is
hand-tight and fully seated.
6. Verify coolant level after engine is shut off and the coolant is
cold. If necessary, repeat coolant
fill procedure Steps 1 through 6.
Notice: If the pressure cap is
not tightly installed, coolant loss
and possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has several indicators
to warn of engine overheating.
There is a coolant temperature
gauge on your vehicle's instrument
panel. See Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge on page 5‑16. In addition, ENGINE OVERHEATED
STOP ENGINE, ENGINE
OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE, and
a ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
message comes on in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) on the
instrument panel. See
Engine
Cooling System Messages on
page 5‑40 andEngine Power
Messages on page 5‑41.
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when this warning appears,
but instead get service help right
away. See Roadside Assistance
Program on page 13‑6.
If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface.

Black plate (22,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
10-22 Vehicle Care
Then check to see if the engine
cooling fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, both fans
should be running. If they are not,
do not continue to run the engine
and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:Engine damage from
running the engine without
coolant is not covered by
the vehicle warranty. See
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode on page 10‑23
for information on driving to a
safe place in an emergency.
Notice: If the engine catches fire
while driving with no coolant, the
vehicle can be badly damaged.
The costly repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
See Overheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode on
page 10‑23 for information on
driving to a safe place in an
emergency.If Steam Is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
{WARNING
Steam from an overheated engine
can burn you badly, even if you
just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Turn it off
and get everyone away from the
vehicle until it cools down. Wait
until there is no sign of steam
or coolant before you open
the hood.
If you keep driving when the
vehicles engine is overheated,
the liquids in it can catch fire. You
or others could be badly burned.
Stop the engine if it overheats,
and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
SeeOverheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode on
page 10‑23 for information on
driving to a safe place in an
emergency.
If No Steam Is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
The ENGINE OVERHEATED
STOP ENGINE or the ENGINE
OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE
message, along with a low coolant
condition, can indicate a serious
problem.
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
.Stops after high-speed driving.