GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-9955936) - 2017 - crc - 7/5/16
Driving and Operating 279
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
displayed).
. A trailer with electric brakes has
become disconnected (a
CHECK TRAILER WIRING
message will also display on
the DIC).
. There is a fault present in the
wiring to the trailer brakes (a
CHECK TRAILER WIRING
message will also display on
the DIC).
. The ITBC system is not working
due to a fault (a SERVICE
TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM
message will also display in
the DIC).
Manual Trailer Brake Apply
The Manual Trailer Brake Apply
Lever is used to apply the trailer ’s
electric brakes independent of the
vehicle’s brakes. Sliding the lever to the left will apply only the trailer
brakes. Use this lever to adjust
Trailer Gain to properly adjust the
power output to the trailer brakes.
The trailer's and the vehicle's brake
lamps will come on when either
vehicle brakes 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.
{Warning
Trailer brakes that are
over-gained or under-gained may
not stop the vehicle and the trailer
as intended and can result in a
crash. Always follow the
instructions to set the Trailer Gain
for the proper trailer stopping
performance.
To adjust Trailer Gain for each
towing condition:
1. 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.
2. Adjust the Trailer Gain, using the Trailer Gain adjustment
buttons, 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.
GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
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280 Driving and Operating
3. Readjust Trailer Gain any timevehicle 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 OUTPUT through the
DIC, trailer connection and ITBC
system status are displayed on
the DIC.
TRAILER CONNECTED: This
message will briefly display when a
trailer with electric brakes is first
connected to the vehicle. This
message will automatically turn off
in about 10 seconds. This message
can be acknowledged before it
automatically turns off.
CHECK TRAILER WIRING: This
message will display if:
. 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 30 seconds. This
message will also turn off if it is
acknowledged or if the trailer
harness is reconnected.
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 it is
acknowledged or if the trailer
harness is reconnected.
. There is an electrical fault in the
wiring to the 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 it is
acknowledged.
To determine if the electrical fault is
on the vehicle side or trailer side of
the trailer wiring harness
connection: 1. Disconnect the trailer wiring harness from the vehicle.
2. Turn the ignition off. 3. Wait 10 seconds, then turn the
ignition back to RUN.
4. If the CHECK TRAILER WIRING message reappears,
the electrical fault is on the
vehicle side.
If the CHECK TRAILER
WIRING message only
reappears when connecting the
trailer wiring harness to the
vehicle, the electrical fault is on
the trailer side.
SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE
SYSTEM: This message will display
when there is a problem with the
ITBC system. If this message
continues over multiple ignition
cycles, there is a problem with the
ITBC system. Have the vehicle
serviced.
If either the CHECK TRAILER
WIRING or SERVICE TRAILER
BRAKE SYSTEM message displays
while driving, the ITBC system may
not be fully functional or may not
function at all. When traffic
conditions allow, carefully pull the
vehicle over to the side of the road
and turn the ignition off. Check the
GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
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Vehicle Care 283
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 284
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 284
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 292
Automatic Transmission Fluid (6-Speed Transmission) . . . . . 293
Automatic Transmission Fluid (8-Speed Transmission) . . . . . 296
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 297
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 301
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304 Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Battery - North America . . . . . . 306
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Noise Control System . . . . . . . . 308
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 309
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 310
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 311
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 312
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 312
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 314
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 315
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block (Left) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Right) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
All-Terrain Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 328
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-9955936) - 2017 - crc - 7/5/16
Vehicle Care 285
Accessories and
Modifications
Adding non-dealer accessories or
making modifications to the vehicle
can affect vehicle performance and
safety, including such things as
airbags, braking, stability, ride and
handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and
electronic systems like antilock
brakes, traction control, and stability
control. These accessories or
modifications could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to suspension components
caused by modifying vehicle height
outside of factory settings will not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.Damage to vehicle components
resulting from modifications or the
installation or use of non-GM
certified parts, including control
module or software modifications, is
not covered under the terms of the
vehicle warranty and may affect
remaining warranty coverage for
affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with other
systems on the vehicle. See your
dealer to accessorize the vehicle
using genuine GM Accessories
installed by a dealer technician.
Also, see
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 097.
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own
Service Work
{Warning
It can be dangerous to work on
your vehicle if you do not have
the proper knowledge, service
manual, tools, or parts. Always
follow owner ’s manual procedures
and consult the service manual
for your vehicle before doing any
service work.
If doing some of your own service
work, use the proper service
manual. It tells you much more
about how to service the vehicle
than this manual can. To order the
proper service manual, see Service
Publications Ordering
Information 0400.
This vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to do your own
service work, see Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 096.
GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
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288 Vehicle Care
1. Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting - North
America 0357.
2. Battery - North America 0306.
3. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0298.
4. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0297.
5. Automatic Transmission Dipstick. See “How to Check
Automatic Transmission Fluid”
under Automatic Transmission
Fluid (6-Speed Transmission)
0 293 orAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (8-Speed
Transmission) 0296.
6. Remote Negative (–) Location (Out of View). See Jump
Starting - North America 0357.
7. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling
System 0298.
8. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0290. 9. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
“Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0290.
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer
Fluid 0303.
11. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0305.
12. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0316.
GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-9955936) - 2017 - crc - 7/5/16
290 Vehicle Care
1. Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting - North
America 0357.
2. Battery - North America 0306.
3. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0298.
4. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0297.
5. Remote Negative (–) Location (Out of View). See Jump
Starting - North America 0357.
6. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling
System 0298.
7. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0290.
8. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0290.
9. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer
Fluid 0303.
10. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0305. 11.
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0316.
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 0292.
. 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 0161.
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
0 287 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.
GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
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Vehicle Care 295
1. Locate the transmissiondipstick at the rear of the
engine compartment, on the
passenger side of the vehicle.
See Engine Compartment
Overview 0287.
2. Flip the handle up, then pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a
clean rag or paper towel.
3. Install the dipstick by pushing it back in all the way; wait
three seconds, and then pull it
back out again.
4. Check both sides of the dipstick and read the lower
level. Repeat the check
procedure to verify the reading.5. If the fluid level is below theCOLD check band, add only
enough fluid as necessary to
bring the level into the COLD
band. It does not take much
fluid, generally less than 0.5 L
(1 pt). Do not overfill.
6. Perform a hot check at the first opportunity after the
transmission reaches a normal
operating temperature between
71 °C to 93 °C (160 °F to
200 °F).
7. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way,
then flip the handle down to
lock the dipstick in place. Hot Check Procedure
Use this procedure to check the
transmission fluid level when the
transmission fluid temperature is
between 71 °C and 93 °C (160 °F
and 200 °F).
The hot check is the most accurate
method to check the fluid level. The
hot check should be performed at
the first opportunity in order to verify
the cold check. The fluid level rises
as fluid temperature increases, so it
is important to ensure the
transmission temperature is within
range.
1. Locate the transmission
dipstick at the rear of the
engine compartment, on the
passenger side of the vehicle.
See Engine Compartment
Overview 0287.
GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
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296 Vehicle Care
2. Flip the handle up, then pull outthe dipstick and wipe it with a
clean rag or paper towel.
3. Install the dipstick by pushing it back in all the way; wait
three seconds, and then pull it
back out again.
4. Check both sides of the dipstick and read the lower
level. Repeat the check
procedure to verify the reading.
5. Safe operating level is within
the HOT cross hatch band on
the dipstick. If the fluid level is
not within the HOT band, and
the transmission temperature is
between 71 °C and 93 °C
(160 °F and 200 °F), add or
drain fluid as necessary to
bring the level into the HOT
band. If the fluid level is low,
add only enough fluid to bring the level into the HOT band.
It does not take much fluid,
generally less than 0.5 L (1 pt).
Do not overfill.
6. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way,
then flip the handle down to
lock the dipstick in place.
Consistency of Readings
Always check the fluid level at least
twice using the procedure described
previously. Consistency (repeatable
readings) is important to maintaining
proper fluid level. If readings are still
inconsistent, contact the dealer.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid (8-Speed
Transmission)
When to Check and Change
Automatic Transmission Fluid
It is usually not necessary to check
the transmission fluid level. The only
reason for fluid loss is a
transmission leak or overheated
transmission. This vehicle is not equipped with a transmission fluid
level dipstick. There is a special
procedure for checking and
changing the transmission fluid in
these vehicles. Because this
procedure is difficult, this should be
done at the dealer. Contact the
dealer for additional information or
the procedure can be found in the
service manual. See
Service
Publications Ordering
Information 0400.
Caution
Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission fluid may damage
the vehicle, and the damage may
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always use the
automatic transmission fluid listed
in Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0384.
Change the fluid and filter at the
scheduled maintenance intervals
listed in Maintenance Schedule
0 375. Be sure to use the