Black plate (4,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
8-4 Climate Controls
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
The heating, cooling, and ventilation in the vehicle can be controlled with
this system. The vehicle also has a flow-through ventilation system
described later in this section.
If the vehicle is a hybrid, see the hybrid supplement for more information.
A. Fan Control
B. AUTO (Automatic Operation)
C. Defrost
D. Recirculation
E. REAR (Rear Climate Control)F. Air Delivery Mode Control
G. Driver Temperature Control
H. Display
I. Power Button
J. Rear Window DefoggerK. Air Conditioning
L. PASS
M. Passenger Temperature Control
O(On/Off):
Press to turn the
climate control system on or off.
Outside air still enters the vehicle,
and is directed to the floor. This
direction can be changed by
pressing the mode button.
Recirculation can be selected once
you have selected vent or bi-level
mode. The temperature can also be
adjusted using either temperature
button. If the air delivery mode or
temperature settings are adjusted
with the system off, the display
illuminates briefly to show the
settings and then returns to off. The
system can be turned back on by
pressing either
O,D,C,#, the
defrost or the AUTO button.
Black plate (6,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
8-6 Climate Controls
If a temperature setting
of 32°C (90°F) is chosen, the
system remains at the maximum
heat setting. Choosing either
maximum setting will not cause
the vehicle to heat or cool any
faster.
Do not to cover the solar sensor
located on the top of the instrument
panel near the windshield. This
sensor regulates air temperature
based on sun load and also turns
on the headlamps. For more
information on the solar sensor,
see “Sensors” later in this section.
To avoid blowing cold air in cold
weather, the system will delay
turning on the fan until warm air
is available. The length of delay
depends on the engine coolant
temperature. Pressing the fan
switch will override this delay and
change the fan to a selected speed.Manual Operation
D C(Fan Control): Press these
buttons to increase or decrease the
fan speed.
Pressing either fan button while in
automatic control places the fan
under manual control. The fan
setting remains displayed and
the AUTO light turns off. The air
delivery mode remains under
automatic control.
H G(Air Delivery Mode Control):
Press these buttons to change the
direction of the airflow in the vehicle.
Repeatedly press either button until
the desired mode appears on the
display. Pressing either mode button
while the system is off changes the
air delivery mode without turning the
system on. Pressing either mode
button while in automatic control
places the mode under manual
control. The air delivery mode setting is
displayed and the AUTO light
turns off. The fan remains under
automatic control.
H(Vent):
Air is directed to the
instrument panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level): Air is divided
between the instrument panel and
floor outlets. Some air is directed
towards the windshield and side
window outlets.
6(Floor): Air is directed to the
floor outlets, with some to the
windshield, side window outlets,
and second row floor outlets. In this
mode, the system automatically
selects outside air.
Black plate (7,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Climate Controls 8-7
-(Defog):This mode clears the
windows of fog or moisture. Air is
directed to the windshield, floor
outlets, and side window vents.
In this mode, the system turns
off recirculation and runs the air
conditioning compressor unless
the outside temperature is close to
freezing. The recirculation mode
cannot be selected while in the
defog mode.
0(Defrost): This mode removes
fog or frost from the windshield
more quickly. Air is directed to the
windshield and side window vents,
with some directed to the floor
vents. In this mode, the system
automatically forces outside air
into the vehicle and runs the air
conditioning compressor unless
the outside temperature is close to
freezing. The recirculation mode
cannot be selected while in the
defrost mode. The passenger temperature
control cannot be activated while in
defrost mode. If the PASS button is
pressed, the button indicator flashes
three times and will not work. If the
passenger temperature buttons are
adjusted, the driver temperature
indicator changes. The passenger
temperature will not be displayed.
If vent, bi-level, or floor mode is
selected again, the climate control
system displays the previous
temperature settings.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the
windows are clear.
#(Air Conditioning):
Press
to turn the air conditioning (A/C)
compressor on and off. An indicator
light comes on to show that the air
conditioning is on. If this button is pressed when the
air conditioning compressor is
unavailable, the indicator flashes
three times and then turns off. If
the air conditioning is on and the
outside temperature drops below a
temperature which is too cool for air
conditioning to be effective, the air
conditioning light turns off to show
that the air conditioning mode has
been canceled.
On hot days, open the windows long
enough to let hot inside air escape.
This helps to reduce the time it
takes for the vehicle to cool down.
It also helps the system to operate
more efficiently.
The air conditioning system
removes moisture from the air, so
a small amount of water might drip
under the vehicle while idling or
after turning off the engine. This is
normal.
Black plate (8,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
8-8 Climate Controls
@(Recirculation):Press to turn
the recirculation mode on or off. An
indicator light comes on to show
that the recirculation is on.
This mode recirculates and helps
to quickly cool the air inside the
vehicle. It can be used to help
prevent outside air and odors from
entering the vehicle.
The recirculation mode cannot
be used with floor, defog, or
defrost modes. If recirculation
is selected with one of those
modes, the indicator light flashes
three times and then turns off. The
air conditioning compressor also
comes on when this mode is
activated. While in recirculation
mode the windows may fog when
the weather is cold and damp. To clear the fog, select either the
defog or defrost mode and increase
the fan speed.
The recirculation mode can also be
turned off by turning off the ignition.
REAR:
For vehicles with the rear
heat and air conditioning controls.
Press to turn the rear climate control
system on or off. See Rear Climate
Control System (Rear Climate
Control Only) on page 8‑10 orRear
Climate Control System (Rear
Climate with Rear Seat Audio) on
page 8‑11.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a
warming grid to remove fog from the
rear window.
<(Rear Window Defogger):
Press to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. It automatically
turns off several minutes after it has
been activated. The defogger can
also be turned off by turning off the
engine. Do not drive the vehicle until
all the windows are clear.
Notice: Do not use a razor blade
or sharp object to clear the inside
rear window. Do not adhere
anything to the defogger grid
lines in the rear glass. These
actions may damage the rear
defogger. Repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
Heated Mirrors: Press
of the outside mirror. See Power
Mirrors on page 2‑18.
Black plate (13,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Climate Controls 8-13
Air Vents
Use the air outlets located in the
center and on the side of the
instrument panel to direct the
airflow.
Operation Tips
.Keep the hood and front air
inlets free of ice, snow, or any
other obstruction (such as
leaves). The heater and
defroster will work far better,
reducing the chance of fogging
the inside of the windows.
.When you enter a vehicle in cold
weather, press the fan up button
to the maximum fan level before
driving. This helps clear the
intake ducts of snow and
moisture, and reduces the
chance of fogging the inside of
the window.
.Keep the air path under the front
seats clear of objects. This helps
air to circulate throughout the
vehicle.
.Adding outside equipment to the
front of the vehicle, such as
hood-air deflectors, may affect
the performance of the heating
and air conditioning system.
Check with your dealer before
adding equipment to the outside
of the vehicle.
Black plate (21,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-21
WARNING (Continued)
If the vehicle is stuck in the snow:
.Clear away snow from around
the base of your vehicle,
especially any that is blocking
the exhaust pipe.
.Check again from time to
time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
.Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the side of the
vehicle that is away from the
wind to bring in fresh air.
.Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Adjust the climate control
system to a setting that
circulates the air inside the
vehicle and set the fan speed
to the highest setting. See
Climate Control System in the
Index.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9‑36.
Snow can trap exhaust gases
under your vehicle. This can
cause deadly CO (Carbon
Monoxide) gas to get inside. CO
could overcome you and kill you.
You cannot see it or smell it, so
you might not know it is in your
vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle,
especially any that is blocking the
exhaust. Run the engine for short periods
only as needed to keep warm, but
be careful.
To save fuel, run the engine for only
short periods as needed to warm
the vehicle and then shut the engine
off and close the window most of
the way to save heat. Repeat this
until help arrives but only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the
cold. Moving about to keep warm
also helps.
If it takes some time for help to
arrive, now and then when you run
the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs
faster than the idle speed. This
keeps the battery charged to restart
the vehicle and to signal for help
with the headlamps. Do this as little
as possible to save fuel.
Black plate (33,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-33
The length of time the heater should
remain plugged in depends on
several factors. Ask a dealer in the
area where you will be parking the
vehicle for the best advice on this.
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
The following vehicle accessories
can be used for up to 10 minutes
after the engine is turned off:
.Audio System
.Power Windows
.OnStar System (if equipped)
.Sunroof (if equipped)
These features work when the
key is in ON/RUN or ACC/
ACCESSORY. Once the key is
turned from ON/RUN to LOCK/OFF,
the windows and sunroof continue
to work up to 10 minutes until any
door is opened. The radio continues
to work for up to 10 minutes or until
the driver door is opened.
Shifting Into Park
{WARNING
It can be dangerous to get out of
the vehicle if the shift lever is not
fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake firmly set. The vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine
running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure the vehicle
will not move, even when you are
on fairly level ground, use the
steps that follow. If you have a
four-wheel drive transfer case
with a N (Neutral) position, 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). If you are pulling a
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
trailer, seeDriving Characteristics
and Towing Tips on page 9‑75.
Always set the parking brake.
1. Hold the brake pedal down, then set the parking brake.
See Parking Brake on page 9‑51
for more information.
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 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).
Black plate (36,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
9-36 Driving and Operating
Engine Exhaust
{WARNING
Engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. Exposure to CO
can cause unconsciousness and
even death.
Exhaust may enter the vehicle if:
.The vehicle idles in areas
with poor ventilation (parking
garages, tunnels, deep snow
that may block underbody
airflow or tail pipes).
.The exhaust smells or
sounds strange or different.
.The exhaust system leaks
due to corrosion or damage.
.The vehicle exhaust system
has been modified, damaged
or improperly repaired.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.There are holes or openings
in the vehicle body from
damage or after market
modifications that are not
completely sealed.
If unusual fumes are detected or
if it is suspected that exhaust is
coming into the vehicle:
.Drive it only with the windows
completely down.
.Have the vehicle repaired
immediately.
Never park the vehicle with the
engine running in an enclosed
area such as a garage or a
building that has no fresh air
ventilation.
Running the Vehicle
While Parked
It is better not to park with the
engine running. But if you ever have
to, here are some things to know.
{WARNING
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed
area with poor ventilation is
dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust
contains carbon monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness
and even death. Never run the
engine in an enclosed area that
has no fresh air ventilation. For
more information, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9‑36.