
GMC Yukon Denali/Yukon XL Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-9159308) - 2016 - crc - 6/2/15
202 Driving and Operating
engine starts, let go of the
button, and the accelerator.
If the vehicle starts briefly but
then stops again, do the same
thing. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine. Do
not race the engine
immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and
transmission gently until the oil
warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Engine Heater
The engine coolant heater can
provide easier starting and better
fuel economy during engine
warm-up in cold weather conditions
at or below−18 °C (0 °F). Vehicles
with an engine heater should be
plugged in at least four hours before
starting. There may be an internal
thermostat in the plug end of the
cord, which will prevent engine
coolant heater operation at
temperatures above −18 °C (0 °F).
To Use the Engine Coolant
Heater
1. Turn off the engine. 2. Open the hood and unwrap the
electrical cord. The cord is by
the left front fender, next to the
engine compartment fuse
block.
Check the heater cord for
damage. If it is damaged, do
not use it. See your dealer for
a replacement. Inspect the
cord for damage yearly.
3. Plug the cord into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{Warning
Improper use of the heater cord
or an extension cord can damage
the cord and may result in
overheating and fire.
. Plug the cord into a
three-prong electrical utility
receptacle that is protected
by a ground fault detection
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
function. An ungrounded
outlet could cause an
electric shock.
. Use a weatherproof,
heavy-duty, 15 amp-rated
extension cord if needed.
Failure to use the
recommended extension
cord in good operating
condition, or using a
damaged heater or
extension cord, could make
it overheat and cause a fire,
property damage, electric
shock, and injury.
. Do not operate the vehicle
with the heater cord
permanently attached to the
(Continued)

GMC Yukon Denali/Yukon XL Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-9159308) - 2016 - crc - 6/2/15
270 Vehicle Care
{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.
Caution
If the air cleaner/filter is off, dirt
can easily get into the engine,
which could damage it. Always
have the air cleaner/filter in place
when you are driving.
Cooling System
The cooling system allows the
engine to maintain the correct
working temperature.
1. Coolant Surge Tank
2. Coolant Surge TankPressure Cap
3. Engine Electric Cooling Fan(s)
{Warning
An electric engine cooling fan can
start even when the engine is not
running. To avoid injury, always
keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any engine
cooling 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.
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.
Caution
Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL®can cause
premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition,
the engine coolant could require
changing sooner. Any repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL (silicate-free) coolant
in the vehicle.

GMC Yukon Denali/Yukon XL Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-9159308) - 2016 - crc - 6/2/15
Vehicle Care 271
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 0273.
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
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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.
Caution
If improper coolant mixture,
inhibitors, or additives are used in
the vehicle cooling system, the
engine could overheat and be
damaged. Too much water in the
mixture can freeze and crack
engine cooling parts. The repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Use only the
proper mixture of engine coolant
for the cooling system. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0353.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, or by 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.

GMC Yukon Denali/Yukon XL Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-9159308) - 2016 - crc - 6/2/15
Vehicle Care 273
1. Remove the coolant surge tankpressure 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.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until the
engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates approximately
90 °C (195 °F). 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 tightly.
6. Verify coolant level after the engine is shut off and the
coolant is cold. If necessary,
repeat coolant fill procedure
Steps 1-6.
Caution
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
Caution
Running the engine without
coolant may cause damage or a
fire. Vehicle damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
The vehicle has several indicators
to warn of engine overheating.
There is a coolant temperature
gauge in the vehicle's instrument
cluster. See Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge 0124.
In addition, there are ENGINE
OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE,
ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE
ENGINE, and ENGINE POWER IS
REDUCED messages in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See
Engine Cooling System Messages
0 146 andEngine Power Messages
0 147.
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when this warning appears,
get service help right away.

GMC Yukon Denali/Yukon XL Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-9159308) - 2016 - crc - 6/2/15
274 Vehicle Care
If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface.
Check to see if the engine cooling
fan(s) are running. If the engine is
overheating, the fans should be
running. If they are not, do not
continue to run the engine, and
have the vehicle serviced.
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. Just 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
engine is overheated, the liquids
in it can catch fire. You or others(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
could be badly burned. Stop the
engine if it overheats, and get out
of the vehicle until the engine
is cool.
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 there is an engine overheat
warning, but no steam is 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.
. Idles for long periods in traffic.
. Tows a trailer; see Trailer Towing
0 248. If the ENGINE OVERHEATED
STOP ENGINE or the ENGINE
OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE
message appears with no sign of
steam, try this for a minute or so:
1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the
highest fan speed. Open the
windows as necessary.
3. When it is safe to do so, pull off the road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral), and let the
engine idle.
If the temperature overheat gauge is
no longer in the overheat zone or an
overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven.
Continue to drive the vehicle slowly
for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
vehicle distance from the vehicle in
front. If the warning does not come
back on, continue to drive normally
and have the cooling system
checked for proper fill and function.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle
right away.

GMC Yukon Denali/Yukon XL Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-9159308) - 2016 - crc - 6/2/15
Vehicle Care 275
If there is still no sign of steam and
the vehicle is equipped with an
engine driven cooling fan, push
down the accelerator until the
engine speed is about twice as fast
as normal idle speed for at least
five minutes while the vehicle is
parked. If the warning is still there,
turn off the engine and get everyone
out of the vehicle until it cools down.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for five minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it
cools down.
Engine Fan
If the vehicle has electric cooling
fans, the fans may be heard
spinning at low speed during most
everyday driving. The fans may turn
off if no cooling is required. Under
heavy vehicle loading, trailer towing,
high outside temperatures,
or operation of the air conditioning
system, the fans may change to
high speed and an increase in fan
noise may be heard. This is normal
and indicates that the coolingsystem is functioning properly. The
fans will change to low speed when
additional cooling is no longer
required.
The electric engine cooling fans
may run after the engine has been
turned. off. This is normal and no
service is required.
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When windshield washer fluid needs
to be added, be sure to read the
manufacturer's instructions before
use. Use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing in an
area where the temperature may fall
below freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
The vehicle has a low washer fluid
message on the DIC that comes on
when the washer fluid is low. The
message is displayed for
15 seconds at the start of each
ignition cycle. When the WASHER
FLUID LOW ADD FLUID message
displays, washer fluid will need to
be added to the windshield washer
fluid reservoir.
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer fluid until
the tank is full. See
Engine
Compartment Overview 0264 for
reservoir location.
Caution
. Do not use washer fluid that
contains any type of water
repellent coating. This can
cause the wiper blades to
chatter or skip.
. Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the
windshield washer. It can
damage the windshield
washer system and paint.
(Continued)

GMC Yukon Denali/Yukon XL Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-9159308) - 2016 - crc - 6/2/15
386 Index
Cleaning (cont'd)Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Climate Control Systems Dual Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . 367
Compartments Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Connections OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376
Control Traction and ElectronicStability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Coolant
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Engine Temperature Gauge . . 124
Engine TemperatureWarning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270 Engine Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 Courtesy Transportation
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
Cover Cargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221 Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Cruise Control, Adaptive . . . . . . . . 224
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . 363 Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
Text Telephone (TTY)
Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
Customer Information Service PublicationsOrdering Information . . . . . . . . 369
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . 367
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . 3
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . 372
Daytime RunningLamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Diagnostics
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378 Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Door
Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . 359
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . 231
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Driving Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 234
Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
For Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 24
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 191
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 192
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191

GMC Yukon Denali/Yukon XL Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-9159308) - 2016 - crc - 6/2/15
Index 387
Dual Automatic ClimateControl System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
E
Electrical Equipment,
Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Electrical System
Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291, 294
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Emergency OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Check and Service EngineSoon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 264
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Coolant Temperature
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Cooling System Messages . . . 146 Engine (cont'd)
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . 123
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 206
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 372
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 165
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 166
F
Fan Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Features Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 168
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 268
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Four-Wheel DriveTransfer Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Fog Lamps
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . 169, 285
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . 213, 278
Four-Wheel-Drive Light . . . . . . . . . 131
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
Front Automatic Braking (FAB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Front Fog Lamp
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Front Seats Heated and Cooled . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24