GMC Yukon Denali/Yukon XL Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-9159308) - 2016 - crc - 6/2/15
In Brief 5
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Second Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Third Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Heated and Cooled Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . 12
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Passenger Sensing System . . . 13
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . 14
Throttle and Brake Pedal Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . 16
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Vehicle Features
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . 19
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Front Automatic Braking (FAB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . 20
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . 20
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . 21
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Parking Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Universal Remote System . . . . . 22
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . . . 23
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . 23
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Roadside Assistance
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
GMC Yukon Denali/Yukon XL Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-9159308) - 2016 - crc - 6/2/15
110 Instruments and Controls
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 111
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 111
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 111
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 112
Rear Window Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Engine Oil Pressure
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Transmission Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . 126
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 127
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 128
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 129
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Four-Wheel-Drive Light . . . . . . . 131
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . 132
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . 132
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
StabiliTrak
®OFF Light . . . . . . . . 133
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak
®Light . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 134
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 135
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 135
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . 136
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 136
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 136
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Information Displays
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Head-Up Display (HUD) . . . . . . 140
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Battery Voltage and Charging Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Brake System Messages . . . . . 144
Compass Messages . . . . . . . . . . 144
Cruise Control Messages . . . . . 144
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . 145
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . 146
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 147
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . . 147
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 147
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Ride Control System
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Airbag System Messages . . . . 151
GMC Yukon Denali/Yukon XL Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-9159308) - 2016 - crc - 6/2/15
114 Instruments and Controls
Rear Window Wiper/
Washer
The rear wiper control is on the turn
signal lever.
To turn the rear wiper on, slide the
lever to a wiper position.
OFF :Turns the wiper off.
INT (Intermittent Wipes) : Turns on
the rear wiper with a delay between
wipes.
ON (Rear Wipes) : Turns on the
rear wiper.
=REAR (Rear Wiper Wash) :
Press this button on the end of the
lever to spray washer fluid on the
rear window. The wipers will clear
the rear window and either stop or
return to your preset speed. For
more washer cycles, press and hold
the button. The rear window wiper/washer will
not operate if the liftgate or liftglass
is open or ajar. If the liftgate or
liftglass is opened while the rear
wiper is on, the wiper returns to the
parked position and stops.
Rear Wiper Arm Assembly
Protection
When using an automatic car wash,
move the rear wiper control to OFF
to disable the rear wiper. In some
vehicles, if the transmission is in
N (Neutral) and the vehicle speed is
very slow, the rear wiper will
automatically park under the rear
spoiler.
The wiper operations return to
normal when the transmission is no
longer in N (Neutral) or the vehicle
speed has increased.
Reverse Gear Wipes
If the rear wiper control is off, the
rear wiper will automatically operate
continuously when the shift lever is
in R (Reverse), and the front
windshield wiper is performing low
or high speed wipes. If the rear
wiper control is off, the shift lever is
in R (Reverse), and the front
windshield wiper is performing
interval wipes, then the rear wiper
automatically performs interval
wipes.
This feature can be turned on or off.
See
Vehicle Personalization 0155.
The windshield washer reservoir is
used for the windshield and the rear
window. Check the fluid level in the
reservoir if either washer is not
working. See Washer Fluid 0275.
Compass
The vehicle may have a compass
display on the Driver Information
Center (DIC). The compass receives
its heading and other information
from the Global Positioning
System (GPS) antenna,
StabiliTrak
®, and vehicle speed
information.
The compass system is designed to
operate for a certain number of
miles or degrees of turn before
needing a signal from the GPS
satellites. When the compass
display shows CAL, drive the
vehicle for a short distance in an
GMC Yukon Denali/Yukon XL Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-9159308) - 2016 - crc - 6/2/15
146 Instruments and Controls
REAR ACCESS OPEN
This message will display when the
liftgate is open. Close the liftgate
completely.
Engine Cooling System
Messages
A/C OFF DUE TO HIGH
ENGINE TEMP
This message displays when the
engine coolant becomes hotter than
the normal operating temperature.
SeeEngine Coolant Temperature
Gauge 0124. To avoid added strain
on a hot engine, the air conditioning
compressor automatically turns off.
When the coolant temperature
returns to normal, the air
conditioning compressor turns back
on. You can continue to drive your
vehicle.
If this message continues to appear,
have the system repaired by your
dealer as soon as possible to avoid
damage to the engine.
ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE
ENGINE
This message displays when the
engine coolant temperature is too
hot. Stop and allow the vehicle to
idle until it cools down. See Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge 0124.
When towing, use Tow/Haul Mode
to prevent damage to the engine or
transmission. See Tow/Haul Mode
0 212.
ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP
ENGINE
This message displays and a chime
may sound if the engine cooling
system reaches unsafe
temperatures for operation. Stop
and turn off the vehicle as soon as it
is safe to do so to avoid severe
damage. This message clears when
the engine has cooled to a safe
operating temperature.
Engine Oil Messages
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
This message displays when the
engine oil needs to be changed.
When you change the engine oil, be
sure to reset the CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message. See Engine
Oil Life System 0267 for
information on how to reset the
message. See Engine Oil0265 and
Maintenance Schedule 0344.
ENGINE OIL LOW ADD OIL
On some vehicles, this message
displays when the engine oil level
may be too low. Check the oil level
before filling to the recommended
level. If the oil is not low and this
message remains on, take the
vehicle to your dealer for service.
See Engine Oil 0265.
ENGINE OIL HOT IDLE
ENGINE
This message displays when the
engine oil becomes hotter than the
normal operating temperature. Stop
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
Driving and Operating 247
vehicle itself. Get acquainted with
the handling and braking of the rig
before setting out for the open road.
Before starting, check all trailer hitch
parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connectors, lamps,
tires, and mirrors. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start the
combination moving and then apply
the trailer brake controller by hand
to be sure the brakes work.
During the trip, check occasionally
to be sure that the load is secure
and the lamps and any trailer
brakes still work.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving the vehicle without a trailer.
This can help to avoid heavy
braking and sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed
when towing a trailer. The
combination will not accelerate as
quickly and is longer so it isnecessary to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before
returning to the lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. To move the
trailer to the left, move that hand to
the left. To move the trailer to the
right, move your hand to the right.
Always back up slowly and,
if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making Turns
Caution
Making very sharp turns while
trailering could cause the trailer to
come in contact with the vehicle.
The vehicle could be damaged.
Avoid making very sharp turns
while trailering.
When turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal. Do this so
the trailer will not strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees, or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
If the trailer turn signal bulbs burn
out, the arrows on the instrument
cluster will still flash for turns. It is
important to check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gear
before starting down a long or
steep downgrade. If the
transmission is not shifted down, the
brakes might get hot and no longer
work well.
Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift
the transmission to a lower gear if
the transmission shifts too often
under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions.
When towing, use the Tow/Haul
Mode to prevent damage to the
engine or transmission. See Tow/
Haul Mode 0212.
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, consider the
following: Engine coolant will boil at
GMC Yukon Denali/Yukon XL Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-9159308) - 2016 - crc - 6/2/15
248 Driving and Operating
a lower temperature than at normal
altitudes. If the engine is turned off
immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the
vehicle may show signs similar to
engine overheating. To avoid this,
let the engine run while parked,
preferably on level ground, with the
transmission in P (Park) for a few
minutes before turning the engine
off. If the overheat warning comes
on, seeEngine Overheating 0273.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface. If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic if
facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the regular
brakes until the chocks absorb
the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and
shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift into a gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Let up on the brake pedal.
6. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks. 7. Stop and have someone pick
up and store the chocks.
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See
Maintenance Schedule 0344.
Things that are especially important
in trailer operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle
lubricant, belts, cooling system, and
brake system. It is a good idea to
inspect these before and during
the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Trailer Towing
Do not tow a trailer during break-in.
See New Vehicle Break-In 0198.
Before towing a trailer, see
"Hands-Free Operation" under
Liftgate 036.
GMC Yukon Denali/Yukon XL Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-9159308) - 2016 - crc - 6/2/15
260 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 261
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 261
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 267
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 269
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 273
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Battery - North America . . . . . . 278 Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Noise Control System . . . . . . . . 280
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 281
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 282
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 282
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 283
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 284Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 286
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 287
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288 Instrument Panel Fuse
Block (Left) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Right) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Rear Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
All-Terrain Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 299
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313