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270 Driving and Operating
.The trailer must be equipped
with brakes adequate for the
intended use. A loaded trailer
weighing more than 900 kg
(2,000 lb) must be equipped with
its own brake system, with
brakes working on all axles.
Trailer braking equipment
conforming to Canadian
Standards Association (CSA)
requirement CAN3-D313, or its
equivalent, is recommended.
. Do not tow a trailer during the
first 800 km (500 mi) to prevent
damage to the engine, axle,
or other parts.
. Then during the first 800 km
(500 mi) of trailer towing, do not
drive over 80 km/h (50 mph) and
do not make starts at full throttle.
. 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.
. Do not use Adaptive Cruise
Control when towing. .
Turn off Parking Assist when
towing.
. The Forward Automatic Braking
System should be set to Off
when towing. See Forward
Automatic Braking (FAB) 021.
{Warning
When towing a trailer, exhaust
gases may collect at the rear of
the vehicle and enter if the
liftgate, trunk/hatch, or rear-most
window is open.
When towing a trailer:
. Do not drive with the
liftgate, trunk/hatch,
or rear-most window open.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Also adjust the climate
control system to a setting
that brings in only outside
air. See “Climate Control
Systems” in the Index.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust 0228.
Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. The
combination you are driving is
longer and not as responsive as the
vehicle itself. Get acquainted with
the handling and braking of the rig
before setting out for the open road.
The structure, tires, and brakes of
the trailer must be rated to carry the
load. Inadequate trailer equipment
can cause the combination to
operate in an unexpected or unsafe
manner.
Before starting, check all trailer hitch
parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connectors, lamps,
tires, and mirrors. Get familiar with
the handling and braking of the rig.
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.
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Driving and Operating 271
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 is
necessary 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 TurnsCaution
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 0234.
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, consider the
following: Engine coolant will boil at
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, see Engine Overheating 0302.
GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
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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)
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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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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.
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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. Remote Negative (–) Location (Out of View). See Jump
Starting - North America 0358.
6. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 299.
7. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0291.
8. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0291.
9. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid
0 304.
10. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0306. 11.
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0317.
Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.
Use engine oil approved to the
proper specification and of the
proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
. Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
. Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System 0293.
. Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
If equipped, the ENGINE OIL LOW
ADD OIL message displays when
the engine oil level may be too low.
SeeEngine Oil Messages 0163.
Check the oil level before filling to
the recommended level. If the oil is
not low and this message remains
on, see your dealer.
Check the engine oil level regularly,
every 650 km (400 mi), especially
prior to a long trip. The engine oil
dipstick handle is a loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0 288 for the location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
If a low oil Driver Information Center
(DIC) message displays, check the
oil level.