2018 GMC YUKON XL towing

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-11349262) - 2018 - crc - 6/20/17
In Brief 71. Air Vents 0 185 .
2. Head-Up Display (HUD) 0 154
(If Equipped).
3.
g Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0 229 .
j Power Assist Steps 0 48 (If
Equipped).
X Parking Assist Button (If
Equipped). See Assistance
Systems for Parking or Backing
0 243 .
A Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) 0 252 (If Equipped).
0 Pedal Adjust Switch (If
Equipped). See Adjustable
Throttle and Brake Pedal
0 205 .
4. Turn Signal Lever. See Turn
and Lane-Change Signals
0 174 .
Windshield Wiper/Washer
0 123 . 5. Favorite Switches (Out of
View). See “ Steering Wheel
Controls ” in the infotainment
manual.
Volume Switches (Out of View).
See “ Steering Wheel Controls ”
in the infotainment manual.
6. Hazard Warning Flashers
0 174 .
7. Instrument Cluster 0 133 .
8. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission 0 216 .
Tow/Haul Selector Button. See
Tow/Haul Mode 0 222 .
Range Selection Mode (If
Equipped). See Manual Mode
0 218 .
9. Light Sensor. See Automatic
Headlamp System 0 173 .
10. Infotainment 0 179 .
11. Dual Automatic Climate Control
System 0 180 .
12. Heated and Ventilated Front
Seats 0 67 . 13. Rear Climate Control Buttons.
See Rear Climate Control
System 0 184 .
14. Ignition Positions (Key Access)
0 207 or Ignition Positions
(Keyless Access) 0 205 .
15. Steering Wheel Controls. See
the infotainment manual.
16. Horn 0 123 .
17. Steering Wheel Adjustment
0 123 .
18. Hood Release. See Hood
0 279 .
19. Cruise Control 0 233 .
Adaptive Cruise Control 0 235
(If Equipped).
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0 246 (If Equipped).
Heated Steering Wheel 0 123 .
20. Trailer Brake Control Panel (If
Equipped). See Towing
Equipment 0 267 .
21. Data Link Connector (DLC)
(Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check Engine
Light) 0 143 .

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-11349262) - 2018 - crc - 6/20/17
In Brief 19While using Range Selection Mode,
cruise control and the Tow/Haul
Mode can be used.
Grade Braking is not available when
Range Selection Mode is active.
See Tow/Haul Mode 0 222 .
Four-Wheel Drive If equipped, the engine's driving
power can be sent to all four wheels
for extra traction.
Automatic Transfer Case
Two Speed Transfer Case Single Speed Transfer Case
The transfer case knob is to the left
of the steering wheel. Use this knob
to shift into and out of the different
four-wheel drive modes.
2
m : This setting is used for driving
in most street and highway
situations.
AUTO : This setting is ideal for use
when road surface traction
conditions are variable.
4
m : Use the Four-Wheel Drive High
position when extra traction is
needed, such as on snowy or icy
roads or in most off-road situations. 4
n : Vehicles with a two speed
automatic transfer case have a
Four-Wheel Drive Low position. This
setting sends maximum power to all
four wheels. You might choose 4
n if
you are driving off-road in deep
sand, mud, or snow, and while
climbing or descending steep hills.
N (Neutral) : Vehicles with a two
speed automatic transfer case have
an N (Neutral) position. Shift the
transfer case to N (Neutral) only
when towing the vehicle.
See Recreational Vehicle Towing
0 355 or Towing the Vehicle 0 355 .
See Four-Wheel Drive 0 222 .

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-11349262) - 2018 - crc - 6/20/17
Seats and Restraints 95seat covers, seat heaters, and seat
massagers can affect how well the
passenger sensing system
operates. We recommend that you
not use seat covers or other
aftermarket equipment except when
approved by GM for your specific
vehicle. See Adding Equipment to
the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 0 95
for more information about
modifications that can affect how
the system operates.
The on indicator may be lit if an
object, such as a briefcase,
handbag, grocery bag, laptop,
or other electronic device, is put on
an unoccupied seat. If this is not
desired, remove the object from
the seat.
{ Warning
Stowing articles under the
passenger seat or between the
passenger seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the
proper operation of the passenger
sensing system. Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle Airbags affect how the vehicle
should be serviced. There are parts
of the airbag system in several
places around the vehicle. Your
dealer and the service manual have
information about servicing the
vehicle and the airbag system. To
purchase a service manual, see
Service Publications Ordering
Information 0 395 .
{ WarningFor up to 10 seconds after the
vehicle is turned off and the
battery is disconnected, an airbag
can still inflate during improper
service. You can be injured if you
are close to an airbag when it
inflates. Avoid yellow connectors.
They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow
proper service procedures, and
make sure the person performing
work for you is qualified to do so. Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle Adding accessories that change the
vehicle's frame, bumper system,
height, front end, or side sheet
metal may keep the airbag system
from working properly.
The operation of the airbag system
can also be affected by changing
any parts of the front seats, seat
belts, airbag sensing and diagnostic
module, steering wheel, instrument
panel, inner door seals including the
speakers, any of the airbag
modules, ceiling or pillar garnish
trim, overhead console, front
sensors, side impact sensors,
airbag wiring, or front center
console.
Your dealer and the service manual
have information about the location
of the airbag sensors, sensing and
diagnostic module, and airbag
wiring.
In addition, the vehicle has a
passenger sensing system for the
front outboard passenger position,
which includes sensors that are part

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-11349262) - 2018 - crc - 6/20/17
144 Instruments and Controls If towing a trailer, reduce the
amount of cargo being hauled as
soon as possible.
If the light continues to flash, find a
safe place to park. Turn the vehicle
off and wait at least 10 seconds
before restarting the engine. If the
light is still flashing, follow the
previous guidelines and see your
dealer for service as soon as
possible.
If the light is on steady : A
malfunction has been detected.
Diagnosis and service may be
required.
Check the following:
.
If fuel has been added to the
vehicle using the capless fuel
funnel adapter, make sure that it
has been removed. See “ Filling
the Tank with a Portable Gas
Can ” under Filling the Tank
0 256 . The diagnostic system
can detect if the adapter has
been left installed in the vehicle,
allowing fuel to evaporate into
the atmosphere. A few driving
trips with the adapter removed
may turn off the light. .
Poor fuel quality can cause
inefficient engine operation and
poor driveability, which may go
away once the engine is warmed
up. If this occurs, change the
fuel brand. It may require at
least one full tank of the proper
fuel to turn the light off. See Fuel
0 254 .
If the light remains on, see your
dealer.
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs If the vehicle requires an Emissions
Inspection/Maintenance test, the
test equipment will likely connect to
the vehicle's Data Link
Connector (DLC).
The DLC is under the instrument
panel to the left of the steering
wheel. Connecting devices that are not used to perform an Emissions
Inspection/Maintenance test or to
service the vehicle may affect
vehicle operation. See Add-On
Electrical Equipment 0 274 . See
your dealer if assistance is needed.
The vehicle may not pass
inspection if:
.
The light is on when the engine
is running.
.
The light does not come on
when the ignition is in
Service Mode.
.
Critical emission control systems
have not been completely
diagnosed. If this happens, the
vehicle would not be ready for
inspection and might require
several days of routine driving
before the system is ready for
inspection. This can happen if
the 12-volt battery has recently
been replaced or run down, or if
the vehicle has been recently
serviced.
See your dealer if the vehicle will
not pass or cannot be made ready
for the test.

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-11349262) - 2018 - crc - 6/20/17
Instruments and Controls 145
Brake System Warning
Light The vehicle brake system consists
of two hydraulic circuits. If one
circuit is not working, the remaining
circuit can still work to stop the
vehicle. For normal braking
performance, both circuits need to
be working.
If the warning light comes on, there
is a brake problem. Have the brake
system inspected right away.
Metric English
This light should come on briefly
when the engine is started. If it does
not come on then, have it fixed so it
will be ready to warn you if there is
a problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light also comes on
when the parking brake is set. The
light stays on if the parking brake does not fully release. If it stays on
after the parking brake is fully
released, it means the vehicle has a
brake problem.
If the light comes on while driving,
pull off the road and stop carefully.
The pedal might be harder to push,
or the pedal can go closer to the
floor. It may take longer to stop.
If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. See
Towing the Vehicle 0 355 .
{ WarningThe brake system might not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on.
Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after
the vehicle has been pulled off
the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for
service. Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
This light comes on briefly when the
engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have it
fixed so it will be ready to warn if
there is a problem.
If the light comes on while driving,
stop as soon as it is safely possible
and turn off the vehicle. Then start
the engine again to reset the
system. If the ABS light stays on,
or comes on again while driving, the
vehicle needs service. A chime may
also sound when the light comes on
steady.
If the ABS light is the only light on,
the vehicle has regular brakes, but
the antilock brakes are not
functioning.

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-11349262) - 2018 - crc - 6/21/17
Driving and Operating 189E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Trailer Towing General Towing
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . 273
Conversions and Add-Ons Add-On Electrical
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274 Driving Information Distracted Driving Distraction comes in many forms
and can take your focus from the
task of driving. Exercise good
judgment and do not let other
activities divert your attention away
from the road. Many local
governments have enacted laws
regarding driver distraction. Become
familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, keep
your eyes on the road, keep your
hands on the steering wheel, and
focus your attention on driving.
.
Do not use a phone in
demanding driving situations.
Use a hands-free method to
place or receive necessary
phone calls.
.
Watch the road. Do not read,
take notes, or look up
information on phones or other
electronic devices. .
Designate a front seat
passenger to handle potential
distractions.
.
Become familiar with vehicle
features before driving, such as
programming favorite radio
stations and adjusting climate
control and seat settings.
Program all trip information into
any navigation device prior to
driving.
.
Wait until the vehicle is parked
to retrieve items that have fallen
to the floor.
.
Stop or park the vehicle to tend
to children.
.
Keep pets in an appropriate
carrier or restraint.
.
Avoid stressful conversations
while driving, whether with a
passenger or on a cell phone.
{ Warning
Taking your eyes off the road too
long or too often could cause a
crash resulting in injury or death.
Focus your attention on driving.

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-11349262) - 2018 - crc - 6/21/17
200 Driving and Operating
If the Vehicle Is Stuck Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the
traction system off and use the
rocking method. See Traction
Control/Electronic Stability Control
0 229 .
{ WarningIf the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you
or others could be injured. The
vehicle can overheat, causing an
engine compartment fire or other
damage. Spin the wheels as little
as possible and avoid going
above 56 km/h (35 mph).
Rocking the Vehicle to Get
it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around the
front wheels. Turn off any traction
system. Shift back and forth between R (Reverse) and a low
forward gear, spinning the wheels
as little as possible. To prevent
transmission wear, wait until the
wheels stop spinning before shifting
gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while shifting, and press
lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear.
Slowly spinning the wheels in the
forward and reverse directions
causes a rocking motion that could
free the vehicle. If that does not get
the vehicle out after a few tries, it
might need to be towed out. If the
vehicle does need to be towed out,
see Towing the Vehicle 0 355 .
Vehicle Load Limits It is very important to know how
much weight the vehicle can
carry. This weight is called the
vehicle capacity weight and
includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options.
Two labels on the vehicle may
show how much weight it was designed to carry, the Tire and
Loading Information label and
the Certification/Tire label.
{ Warning
Do not load the vehicle any
heavier than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the
maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
This can cause systems to
break and change the way the
vehicle handles. This could
cause loss of control and a
crash. Overloading can also
reduce stopping distance,
damage the tires, and shorten
the life of the vehicle.

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-11349262) - 2018 - crc - 6/21/17
Driving and Operating 201Tire and Loading Information
Label
Label Example
A vehicle specific Tire and
Loading Information label is
attached to the center pillar
(B-pillar). The tire and loading
information label shows the
number of occupant seating
positions (1), and the maximum
vehicle capacity weight (2) in
kilograms and pounds.
The Tire and Loading
Information label also shows the
size of the original equipment tires (3) and the recommended
cold tire inflation pressures (4).
For more information on tires
and inflation see Tires 0 320
and Tire Pressure 0 327 .
There is also important loading
information on the vehicle
Certification/Tire label. It may
show the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) and the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for
the front and rear axles. See
“ Certification/Tire Label ” later in
this section.
“ Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit –1.
Locate the statement "The
combined weight of
occupants and cargo should
never exceed XXX kg or
XXX lbs." on your vehicle ’ s
placard.
2.
Determine the combined
weight of the driver and
passengers that will be
riding in your vehicle. 3.
Subtract the combined
weight of the driver and
passengers from XXX kg or
XXX lbs. 4.
The resulting figure equals
the available amount of
cargo and luggage load
capacity. For example, if the
"XXX" amount equals
1400 lbs. and there will be
five 150 lb passengers in
your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage
load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400-750 (5 x 150) =
650 lbs.) 5.
Determine the combined
weight of luggage and cargo
being loaded on the vehicle.
That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
6.
If your vehicle will be towing
a trailer, load from your
trailer will be transferred to