2013 GMC YUKON brakes

Black plate (75,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC 2nd edition - 8/15/12
Driving and Operating 9-75
The vehicle may have a Hill Start
Assist (HSA) feature. SeeHill Start
Assist (HSA) on page 9‑43.
If the vehicle’s brake, anti-lock
brake or StabiliTrak systems are not
functioning properly, the ITBC
system may not be fully functional
or may not function at all. Make sure
all of these systems are fully
operational to ensure full
functionality of the ITBC system.
The ITBC system is powered
through the vehicle's electrical
system. Turning the ignition off will
also turn off the ITBC system. The
ITBC system is fully functional only
when the ignition is in ON or
in RUN.
The ITBC system can only be used
with trailers with electric brakes.{WARNING
Connecting a trailer that has a
surge, air,
or electric-over-hydraulic trailer
brake system may result in
reduced or complete loss of trailer
braking. There may be an
increase in stopping distance or
trailer instability which could
result in personal injury or
damage to the vehicle, trailer,
or other property. Use the ITBC
system only with electric brakes. Trailer Brake Control Panel
A. Manual Trailer Brake Apply
Lever
B. Trailer Gain Adjustment Buttons
The ITBC system has a control
panel located on the instrument
panel to the left of the steering
column. The control panel allows
adjustment to the amount of output,
referred to as trailer gain, available
to the electric trailer brakes and
allows manual application the trailer
brakes. The Trailer Brake Control
Panel is used along with the Trailer

Black plate (76,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC 2nd edition - 8/15/12
9-76 Driving and Operating
Brake Display Page on the DIC to
adjust and display power output to
the trailer brakes.
Trailer Brake DIC Display Page
The ITBC system displays
messages into the vehicle’s Driver
Information Center (DIC). See
Driver Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑26for more information.
The display page indicates Trailer
Gain setting, power output to the
electric trailer brakes, trailer
connection and system operational
status.
The Trailer Brake Display Page can
be displayed by performing any of
the following actions:
.Scrolling through the DIC menu
pages using the odometer trip
stem or the DIC Vehicle
Information button (if equipped).
.Pressing a Trailer Gain button –
If the Trailer Brake Display Page
is not currently displayed,
pressing a Trailer Gain button
will first recall the current Trailer Gain setting. After the Trailer
Brake Display Page is displayed,
each press and release of the
gain buttons will then cause the
Trailer Gain setting to change.
.Activating the Manual Trailer
Brake Apply lever
.Connecting a trailer equipped
with electric trailer brakes
All DIC warning and service
messages must first be
acknowledged by the driver by
pressing the odometer trip stem or
the DIC Vehicle Information button
(if equipped) before the Trailer
Brake Display Page can be
displayed and Trailer Gain can be
adjusted.
TRAILER GAIN –This setting is
displayed anytime the Trailer Brake
Display Page is active. This setting
can be adjusted from 0.0 to 10.0
with either a trailer connected or
disconnected. To adjust the Trailer
Gain, press one of the Trailer Gain
adjustment buttons located on the
Trailer Brake Control Panel. Press and hold a gain button to cause the
Trailer Gain to continuously adjust.
To turn the output to the trailer off,
adjust the Trailer Gain setting to
0.0 (zero).
0.0 (zero) gain is the factory default
setting. To properly adjust trailer
gain, see the Trailer Gain
Adjustment Procedure later in this
section.
TRAILER OUTPUT
–This is
displayed any time a trailer with
electric brakes is connected. Output
to the electric brakes is based on
the amount of vehicle braking
present and relative to the Trailer
Gain setting. Output is displayed
from 0 to 10 bars for each gain
setting.
Non-hybrid vehicles with Trailer
Sway Control (TSC) or Hill Start
Assist (HSA), output to the electric
trailer brakes may be displayed
when the systems are active. See
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) on
page 9‑80 andHill Start Assist
(HSA) on page 9‑43.

Black plate (77,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC 2nd edition - 8/15/12
Driving and Operating 9-77
The Trailer Output will indicate“- - -
- - -“ on the Trailer Brake Display
Page whenever the following occur:
.No trailer is connected.
.A trailer without electric brakes
is connected (no DIC message
is displayed).
.A trailer with electric brakes has
become disconnected (a
CHECK TRAILER WIRING
message will also be displayed
on the DIC).
.There is a fault present in the
wiring to the electric trailer
brakes (a CHECK TRAILER
WIRING message will also be
displayed on the DIC).
.There is a fault in the ITBC
system (a SERVICE TRAILER
BRAKE SYSTEM message will
also be displayed in the DIC). Manual Trailer Brake Apply
The Manual Trailer Brake Apply
Lever is located on the Trailer Brake
Control Panel and is used to apply
the trailer
’s electric brakes
independent of the vehicle’s brakes.
This lever is used in the Trailer Gain
Adjustment Procedure to properly
adjust the power output to the trailer
brakes. Sliding the lever to the left
will apply only the trailer brakes.
The power output to the trailer is
indicated in the Trailer Brake
Display Page in the DIC. If the
vehicle’s service brakes are applied
while using the Manual Trailer Brake
Apply Lever, the trailer output power
will be the greater of the two.
The trailer and the vehicle's brake
lamps will come on when either
vehicle braking or manual trailer
brakes are applied. Trailer Gain Adjustment Procedure
Trailer Gain should be set for a
specific trailering condition and must
be adjusted any time vehicle
loading, trailer loading or road
surface conditions change.
Setting the Trailer Gain properly is
needed for the best trailer stopping
performance. A trailer that is
over-gained may result in locked
trailer brakes. A trailer that is
under-gained may result in not
enough trailer braking. Both of these
conditions may result in poorer
stopping and stability of the vehicle
and trailer.
Use the following procedure to
correctly adjust Trailer Gain for each
towing condition:
1. Make sure the trailer brakes are
in proper working condition.
2. Connect a properly loaded trailer to the vehicle and make all
necessary mechanical and

Black plate (78,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC 2nd edition - 8/15/12
9-78 Driving and Operating
electrical connections. See
Vehicle Load Limits on
page 9‑16for more information.
3. After the electrical connection is made to a trailer equipped with
electric brakes:
.A TRAILER CONNECTED
message will be briefly
displayed on the DIC
display.
.The Trailer Brake Display
Page will appear on the
DIC showing TRAILER
GAIN and TRAILER
OUTPUT.
.In the Trailer Output display
on the DIC, “- - - - - -“will
disappear if there is no
error present. Connecting a
trailer without electric
brakes will not clear the six
dashed lines.
4. Adjust the Trailer Gain by using the gain adjustment (+ / -)
buttons on the Trailer Brake
Control Panel. 5. Drive the vehicle with the trailer
attached on a level road surface
representative of the towing
condition and free of traffic at
about 32 to 40 km/h (20 to
25 mph) and fully apply the
Manual Trailer Brake Apply
lever.
Adjusting trailer gain at speeds
lower than 32 to 40 km/h (20 to
25 mph) may result in an
incorrect gain setting.
6. Adjust the Trailer Gain to just below the point of trailer wheel
lock-up, indicated by trailer
wheel squeal or tire smoke when
a trailer wheel locks.
Trailer wheel lock-up may not
occur if towing a heavily loaded
trailer. In this case, adjust the
Trailer Gain to the highest
allowable setting for the towing
condition. 7. Re-adjust Trailer Gain any time
vehicle loading, trailer loading or
road surface conditions change
or if trailer wheel lock-up is
noticed at any time while towing
Other ITBC Related DIC Messages
In addition to displaying TRAILER
GAIN and TRAILER OUTPUT
through the DIC, trailer connection
and ITBC system status is displayed
in the DIC.
TRAILER CONNECTED –This
message will be briefly displayed
when a trailer with electric brakes is
first connected to the vehicle. This
message will automatically turn off
in about ten seconds. The driver
can also acknowledge this message
before it automatically turns off.

Black plate (79,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC 2nd edition - 8/15/12
Driving and Operating 9-79
CHECK TRAILER WIRING–This
message will be displayed if:
1. The ITBC system first
determines connection to a
trailer with electric brakes and
then the trailer harness becomes
disconnected from the vehicle.
If the disconnect occurs while
the vehicle is stationary, this
message will automatically turn
off in about thirty seconds. This
message will also turn off if the
driver acknowledges this
message off or if the trailer
harness is re-connected.
If the disconnect occurs while
the vehicle is moving, this
message will continue until the
ignition is turned off. This
message will also turn off if the
driver acknowledges this
message off or if the trailer
harness is re-connected. 2. There is an electrical fault in the
wiring to the electric trailer
brakes. This message will
continue as long as there is an
electrical fault in the trailer
wiring. This message will also
turn off if the driver
acknowledges this message off.
To determine if the electrical fault is
on the vehicle side or trailer side of
the trailer wiring harness
connection, do the following:
1. Disconnect the trailer wiring harness from the vehicle.
2. Turn the ignition OFF.
3. Wait ten seconds, then turn the ignition back to RUN.
4. If the CHECK TRAILER WIRING message re-appears, the
electrical fault is on the
vehicle side.
If the CHECK TRAILER WIRING
message only re-appears when
connecting the trailer wiring harness to the vehicle, the
electrical fault is on the
trailer side.
SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE
SYSTEM –This message will be
displayed when there is a problem
with the ITBC system. If this
message persists over multiple
ignition cycles there is problem with
the ITBC system. Take the vehicle
to an authorized GM dealer to have
the ITBC system diagnosed and
repaired.
If either the CHECK TRAILER
WIRING or SERVICE TRAILER
BRAKE SYSTEM message is
displayed while driving the vehicle,
power is no longer available to the
trailer brakes. When traffic
conditions allow, carefully pull the
vehicle over to the side of the road
and turn the ignition off. Check the
wiring connection to the trailer and
turn the ignition back on. If either of
these messages continues, either
the vehicle or trailer needs service.

Black plate (80,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC 2nd edition - 8/15/12
9-80 Driving and Operating
An authorized GM dealer may be
able to diagnose and repair
problems with the trailer. However,
any diagnosis and repair of the
trailer is not covered under the
vehicle warranty. Please contact
your trailer dealer for assistance
with trailer repairs and trailer
warranty information.
Trailer Sway
Control (TSC)
Non-hybrid vehicles with StabiliTrak
have a Trailer Sway Control (TSC)
feature. If the vehicle is towing a
trailer and the system detects that
the trailer is swaying, the vehicle
brakes are applied without the driver
pressing the brake pedal.If the vehicle is equipped with the
Integrated Trailer Brake Control
(ITBC) system, StabiliTrak may also
apply the trailer brakes. The TCS/
StabiliTrak warning light will flash on
the instrument panel cluster to notify
the driver to reduce speed. If the
trailer continues to sway, StabiliTrak
will reduce engine torque to help
slow the vehicle. See
StabiliTrak
®
System on page 9‑43 for more
information.
Adding non‐dealer accessories can
affect the vehicle performance. See
Accessories and Modifications on
page 10‑3 for more information.
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
Notice:Some electrical
equipment can damage the
vehicle or cause components to
not work and would not be
covered by the warranty. Always
check with your dealer before
adding electrical equipment.
Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle's 12-volt battery, even if the
vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 3‑40 andAdding
Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 3‑41.

Black plate (83,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC 2nd edition - 8/15/12
Driving and Operating 9-83
For example, adding a 318 kg
(700 lb) snow plow actually adds
more than 318 kg (700 lb) to the
front axle. Using the formula, if the
snow plow is 122 cm (4 ft) in front of
the front axle and the wheel base is
305 cm (10 ft), then:W = 318 kg (700 lb)
A = 122 cm (4 ft)
W.B. = 305 cm (10 ft)
(W x (A + W.B.))/W.B. =
(318 x (122 + 305))/305 = 445 kg
(980 lb)
So, if the vehicle's front axle reserve
capacity is more than 980 lbs
(445 kg), the snow plow could be
added without exceeding the
front GAWR. Heavier equipment can be added on
the front of the vehicle if it is
compensated for by carrying fewer
passengers, less cargo, or by
positioning cargo toward the rear.
This has the effect of reducing the
load on the front. However, the front
GAWR, rear GAWR, and the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
must never be exceeded.
{WARNING
On some vehicles that have
certain front mounted equipment,
such as a snow plow, it may be
possible to load the front axle to
the front gross axle weight rating
(GAWR) but not have enough
weight on the rear axle to have
proper braking performance. If the
brakes cannot work properly, you
could have a crash. To help the
brakes work properly when a
snow plow is installed, always
follow the snow plow
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
manufacturer or installer's
recommendation for rear ballast
to ensure a proper front and rear
weight distribution ratio, even
though the actual front weight
may be less than the front
GAWR, and the total vehicle
weight is less than the gross
vehicle weight rating (GVWR).
Maintaining a proper front and
rear weight distribution ratio is
necessary to provide proper
braking performance.
Total vehicle reserve capacity is the
difference between the GVWR and
the weight of the vehicle with full
fuel and passengers. It is the
amount of weight that can be added
to the vehicle before reaching
theGVWR. Keep in mind that
reserve capacity numbers are
intended as a guide when selecting
the amount of equipment or cargo
the vehicle can carry. If you are

Black plate (1,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC 2nd edition - 8/15/12
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . 10-3
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 10-9
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-10
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-13
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-18
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20 Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . 10-21
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-28
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-29
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . 10-31
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31 Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, Stoplamps,
and Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . 10-31
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . 10-32
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . 10-43
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-47
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-51