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272 Driving and Operating
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 0376.
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 0217.
Before towing a trailer, see
"Hands-Free Operation" under
Liftgate 044.
{Warning
The driver can lose control when
pulling a trailer if the correct
equipment is not used or the
vehicle is not driven properly. For
example, if the trailer is too heavy
or the trailer brakes are
inadequate for the load, the
vehicle may not stop as expected.
The driver and passengers could
be seriously injured. The vehicle
may also be damaged; the
resulting repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Pull a trailer only if all the steps in
this section have been followed.
(Continued)
GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
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278 Driving and Operating
.When pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load in busy
parking lots where improved low
speed control of the vehicle is
desired.
Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul
when lightly loaded or with no trailer
at all will not cause damage.
However, there is no benefit to the
selection of Tow/Haul when the
vehicle is unloaded. Such a
selection when unloaded may result
in unpleasant engine and
transmission driving characteristics
and reduced fuel economy. Tow/
Haul is recommended only when
pulling a heavy trailer or a large or
heavy load.
Integrated Trailer Brake
Control System
The vehicle may have an Integrated
Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system
for use with electric trailer brakes or
most electric-over-hydraulic trailer
brakes.
This symbol is on the Trailer Brake
Control Panel on vehicles with an
ITBC system. The power output to
the trailer brakes is based on the
amount of brake pressure being
applied by the vehicle’s brake
system, and on the type of trailer
brakes detected. This available
power output to the trailer brakes
can be adjusted to a wide range of
trailering situations.
The ITBC system is integrated with
the vehicle’ s brake, antilock brake,
and StabiliTrak systems. In trailering
conditions that cause the vehicle’s
antilock brake or StabiliTrak
systems to activate, power sent to
the trailer's brakes will be
automatically adjusted to minimize
trailer wheel lock-up. This does not
imply that the trailer has StabiliTrak.
If the vehicle’s brake, antilock 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/RUN.
{Warning
Connecting a trailer that has an
air 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 or
electric over hydraulic trailer
brakes.
GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
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282 Driving and Operating
A 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.
Contact your trailer dealer for
assistance with trailer repairs and
trailer warranty information.
Trailer Sway
Control (TSC)
Vehicles with StabiliTrak have a
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) feature.
Trailer sway is unintended
side-to-side motion of a trailer while
being towed. If the vehicle is towing
a trailer and the TSC detects that
sway is increasing, the vehicle
brakes are selectively applied at
each wheel, to help reduce
excessive trailer sway. If the vehicle
is equipped with the Integrated
Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system,
and the trailer has the electric
actuated brake system, StabiliTrak
may also apply the trailer brakes.
If TSC is enabled, the Traction
Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
warning light will flash on theinstrument cluster. Vehicle speed
must be reduced. If trailer sway
continues, StabiliTrak can reduce
engine torque to help slow the
vehicle. See
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0241.
{Warning
Even if the vehicle is equipped
with TSC, trailer sway could result
in loss of control and the vehicle
could crash. If excessive trailer
sway is detected, slow down to a
safe speed. Check the trailer and
vehicle to help correct possible
causes. These could include an
improperly or overloaded trailer,
unrestrained cargo, improper
trailer hitch configuration,
excessive vehicle-trailer speed,
or improperly inflated or incorrect
vehicle or trailer tires. See Towing
Equipment 0275 for trailer ratings
and hitch setup
recommendations. Adding non-dealer accessories can
affect the vehicle performance. See
Accessories and Modifications
0
286.
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Driving and Operating 283
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is
used for vehicle service and
Emission Inspection/
Maintenance testing. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)0145.
A device connected to the DLC —
such as an aftermarket fleet or
driver-behavior tracking device —
may interfere with vehicle
systems. This could affect vehicle
operation and cause a crash.
Such devices may also access
information stored in the vehicle’s
systems.
Caution
Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle or cause
components to not work and
would not be covered by the
vehicle 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 097 and Adding Equipment
to the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
0 98.
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284 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 285
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 285
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 293
Automatic Transmission Fluid (6-Speed Transmission) . . . . . 294
Automatic Transmission Fluid (8-Speed Transmission) . . . . . 297
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 298
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 302
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305 Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Battery - North America . . . . . . 307
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Noise Control System . . . . . . . . 309
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 310
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 311
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 312
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 313
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 313
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 315
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 316
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block (Left) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Right) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
All-Terrain Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 329
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
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Vehicle Care 285
When It Is Time for NewTires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 345
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 357
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 361
Recreational VehicleTowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374
General Information
For service and parts needs, visit
your dealer. You will receive
genuine GM parts and GM-trained
and supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of
these marks:
California Proposition
65 Warning
WARNING: Most motor vehicles,
including this one, as well as many
of its service parts and fluids,
contain and/or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and systems,
many fluids, and some component
wear by-products contain and/or
emit these chemicals.
See
Battery - North America 0307
and Jump Starting - North America
0 358.
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, safety belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
Remote Keyless Entry transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
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288 Vehicle Care
Engine Compartment Overview
5.3L V8 Engine
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Vehicle Care 289
1. Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting - North America
0358.
2. Battery - North America 0307.
3. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0299.
4. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0298.
5. Automatic Transmission Dipstick. See “How to Check
Automatic Transmission Fluid”
under Automatic Transmission
Fluid (6-Speed Transmission)
0 294 orAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (8-Speed
Transmission) 0297.
6. Remote Negative (–) Location (Out of View). See Jump
Starting - North America 0358.
7. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 299.
8. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0291. 9. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
“Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0291.
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid
0 304.
11. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0306.
12. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0317.