
GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-12460267) - 2019 - crc - 9/11/18
192 Climate Controls
Front Climate Controls
Automatic Operation
The system automatically controls
the fan speed, air delivery, air
conditioning, and recirculation in
order to heat or cool the vehicle to
the desired temperature.
When AUTO is lit, all four functions
operate automatically. Each function
can also be manually set and the
setting is displayed. Functions not
manually set will continue to be
automatically controlled, even if the
AUTO indicator is not lit.
To place the system in
automatic mode:1. Press AUTO.
2. Set the driver and passenger temperature.
To find your comfort setting,
start with 22 °C (72 °F) and
allow the system time to
stabilize. Then adjust the
temperature as needed for best
comfort. To improve fuel efficiency and to
cool the vehicle faster, recirculation
may be automatically selected in
warm weather.
The recirculation light will not come
on when automatically controlled.
Press
@to manually select
recirculation; press it again to select
outside air.
Do not cover the solar sensor on the
top of the instrument panel near the
windshield. This sensor regulates
air temperature based on sun load.
See “Sensors” later in this section.
Manual Operation
O:Press to turn the climate control
system on or off. When off is
selected, the system will stop air
from flowing into the cabin. If on is
selected, a button is pressed, or a
knob is turned, the climate control
system will turn on and operate at
the current setting.
9: Turn clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the fan speed. Press
AUTO to return to automatic
operation.
The maximum auto fan speed can
be adjusted. See “Climate and Air
Quality” underVehicle
Personalization 0169.
Driver and Passenger
Temperature Control : The
temperature can be adjusted
separately for the driver and
passenger.
Turn the knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the driver or passenger
temperature setting.
SYNC : Press to link the passenger
and rear climate temperature
settings to the driver setting. The
SYNC indicator light will turn on.
When the passenger or rear climate
settings are adjusted, the SYNC
indicator light turns off.

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-12460267) - 2019 - crc - 9/11/18
194 Climate Controls
warmed. To turn Auto Rear Defog
on or off, see“Climate and Air
Quality” underVehicle
Personalization 0169.
Caution
Using a razor blade or sharp
object to clear the inside rear
window can damage the rear
window defogger. Repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Do not clear the inside
rear window with sharp objects.
Heated Mirror : If equipped with
heated outside mirrors, the mirrors
heat to help clear fog or frost from
the surface of the mirror when the
rear window defog button is
pressed. See Heated Mirrors 058.
Rear Climate Controls
O:Press to turn the rear climate
control system on or off.
AUTO : Press AUTO to control the
rear passenger temperature, air
delivery, and fan speed. AUTO
appears in the display when automatic operation is active. If any
of the climate control settings
except rear temperature are
manually adjusted, this cancels full
automatic operation.
Fan Control :
Press up or down to
increase or decrease the rear
passenger area fan speed.
Air Delivery Mode Control : Press
up or down to change the direction
of the rear passenger airflow.
Repeatedly press the switch until
the desired mode appears on the
display. Multiple presses will cycle
through the delivery selections.
Temperature Control : Press up or
down to increase or decrease the
airflow temperature into the rear
passenger area.
RCTRL : Press to lock or unlock
control of the rear climate control
system from the rear seat
passengers. When locked, the rear
climate control can only be adjusted
from the front seat. Remote Start Climate Control
Operation
If equipped with the remote start
feature, the climate control system
will come on when the vehicle is
started remotely, depending on the
outside temperature. The rear
window defogger and heated seats,
if equipped, may also come on.
See
Remote Vehicle Start 043 and
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats
0 72.
SensorsThe solar sensor monitors the solar
heat. Do not cover the solar sensor
or the system will not work properly.

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-12460267) - 2019 - crc - 9/11/18
Climate Controls 195
There is also an exterior
temperature sensor behind the front
grille. This sensor reads the outside
air temperature and helps maintain
the temperature inside the vehicle.
Any cover on the front of the
vehicle, including a snowplow, could
cause a false reading in the
displayed temperature.
The climate control system uses the
information from these sensors to
maintain comfort settings by
adjusting the outlet temperature, fan
speed, and air delivery mode. The
system may also supply cooler air to
the side of the vehicle facing the
sun. The recirculation mode will also
be used as needed to maintain cool
outlet temperatures.
Rear Climate Control
System
The rear climate control system is
located on the rear of the center
console storage. The rear climate
settings can be adjusted with this
system.
1. Fan Control
2. AUTO (Automatic Operation)
3. MODE (Air Delivery ModeControl)
4. TEMP (Temperature Control)
5. Heated Rear Seats (If Equipped)
If the dual automatic climate control
system rear climate control lockout
feature is locked, the rear climate
control settings can only be
adjusted from the front seat.
Automatic Operation
AUTO : Press AUTO to
automatically control the
temperature, air delivery, and fan
speed for rear seat passengers. A is
indicated in the display when
automatic operation is active.
If any of the rear climate control
settings are manually adjusted, full
automatic operation is cancelled.
Press AUTO to return to full
automatic operation.
The display only indicates climate
control functions when the system is
in rear independent mode.
Manual Operation
9: Turn clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the fan speed. Turn
completely counterclockwise to turn
the fan/power off.
TEMP : Turn clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the airflow temperature
into the passenger area. If the
SYNC button is pressed on the front

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-12460267) - 2019 - crc - 9/11/18
200 Driving and Operating
Recommended Fuel (L83 5.3LV8 Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Recommended Fuel (L86 6.2L V8 Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 270
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Trailer Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . 292
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
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.

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-12460267) - 2019 - crc - 9/11/18
Driving and Operating 217
The switch used to adjust the
pedals is to the left of the steering
wheel.
Press the switch to the left to move
the pedals closer to your body.
Press the switch to the right to move
the pedals away.
Before you start driving, fully press
the brake pedal to confirm the
adjustment is right for you.
The vehicle may have a memory
function, which lets pedal settings
be saved and recalled. SeeMemory
Seats 069.
Ignition Positions (Key
Access)
0. Stopping the Engine/LOCK/OFF
1. ACC/ACCESSORY
2. ON/RUN
3. START
The ignition switch has four
positions.
To shift out of P (Park), the ignition
must be in ON/RUN and the brake
pedal must be applied. 0 (Stopping the Engine/LOCK/
OFF) :
This position turns off the
vehicle. It also locks the ignition, the
transmission, and the steering
column, if equipped with a locking
steering column.
To turn off the vehicle:
1. Make sure that the vehicle is stopped.
2. Shift to P (Park).
3. Continue to hold the brake pedal, then set the parking
brake. See Parking Brake
0 240.

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-12460267) - 2019 - crc - 9/11/18
230 Driving and Operating
Use D (Drive) and Tow/Haul Mode
when towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, driving on steep hills,
or driving off-road. Shift the
transmission to a lower gear
selection if the transmission shifts
too often.
Downshifting the transmission in
slippery road conditions could result
in skidding. See“Skidding”under
Loss of Control 0203.
The vehicle has a shift stabilization
feature that adjusts the transmission
shifting to the current driving
conditions in order to reduce rapid
upshifts and downshifts. This shift
stabilization feature is designed to
determine, before making an
upshift, if the engine is able to
maintain vehicle speed by analyzing
things such as vehicle speed,
throttle position, and vehicle load.
If the shift stabilization feature
determines that a current vehicle
speed cannot be maintained, the
transmission does not upshift and
instead holds the current gear. In some cases, this could appear to
be a delayed shift, however the
transmission is operating normally.
The transmission uses adaptive
shift controls. The adaptive shift
control process continually
compares key shift parameters to
pre-programmed ideal shifts stored
in the transmission’s computer. The
transmission constantly makes
adjustments to improve vehicle
performance according to how the
vehicle is being used, such as with
a heavy load or when the
temperature changes. During this
adaptive shift control process,
shifting might feel different as the
transmission determines the best
settings.
When temperatures are very cold,
the transmission's gear shifting
could be delayed providing more
stable shifts until the engine warms
up. Shifts could be more noticeable
with a cold transmission. This
difference in shifting is normal.
L :
This position allows selection of
a range of gears appropriate for
current driving conditions.
If equipped, see “Range Selection
Mode” underManual Mode 0231.
Caution
Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill
using only the accelerator pedal
may damage the transmission.
The repair will not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. If the vehicle
is stuck, do not spin the tires.
When stopping on a hill, use the
brakes to hold the vehicle in
place.
Normal Mode Grade Braking
This mode is enabled when the
vehicle is started, but is not enabled
in Range Selection Mode. It assists
in maintaining desired vehicle
speeds when driving on downhill
grades by using the engine and
transmission to slow the vehicle.

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-12460267) - 2019 - crc - 9/11/18
Driving and Operating 235
{Warning
Shifting the transfer case to
N (Neutral) can cause the vehicle
to roll even if the transmission is
in P (Park). You or someone else
could be seriously injured. Be
sure to set the parking brake
before placing the transfer case in
N (Neutral). SeeParking Brake
0 240.
Caution
Extended high-speed operation in
4
nmay damage or shorten the
life of the drivetrain.
Engagement noise and bump when
shifting between 4
nand 4mor from
N (Neutral), with the engine running,
is normal. Shifting into 4
nwill turn Traction
Control and StabiliTrak/Electronic
Stability Control off. See Traction
Control/Electronic Stability Control
0 242.
Two Speed Automatic
Transfer Case
If equipped, use the transfer case
knob next to the steering wheel to
shift into and out of four-wheel drive.
All of the lights will blink on then off
momentarily when the ignition
turned on. The light that remains on
will indicate the state of the
transfer case. If the indicator mark on the switch
does not match up with the light
then that likely means the switch
was moved when the ignition
was off.
The indicator mark on the switch
must line up with the indicator light
before a shift can be commanded.
To command a shift rotate the
transfer case switch to the new
desired position. The light will blink
meaning that the shift is in progress.
When the shift is completed the new
position will be illuminated. If the
transfer case cannot complete a
shift command, it will go back to its
last chosen setting.
The settings are:
N (Neutral) :
Use only when the
vehicle needs to be towed.
See Recreational Vehicle Towing
0 378 orTowing the Vehicle 0378.
2
m(Two-Wheel Drive High) : Use
for driving on most streets and
highways. The front axle is not
engaged. This setting provides the
best fuel economy.

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-12460267) - 2019 - crc - 9/11/18
238 Driving and Operating
9. Place the transmission shiftlever in P (Park). See
Recreational Vehicle Towing
0378.
10. Turn the ignition off.
Shifting Out of N (Neutral)
To shift out of N (Neutral): 1. Set the parking brake and apply the brake pedal.
2. Turn the ignition on with the engine off.
3. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
4. Turn the transfer case knob to the desired setting.
After the transfer case has
shifted out of N (Neutral), the
N (Neutral) light will go out.
5. Release the parking brake.
6. Start the engine and shift the transmission to the
desired gear.Single Speed Automatic
Transfer Case
Use the transfer case knob, next to
the steering wheel, to shift into and
out of four-wheel drive for extra
traction.
All of the lights will blink on then off
momentarily when the ignition is
turned on. The light that remains on
will indicate the state of the
transfer case. If the indicator mark on the switch
does not match up with the light
then that likely means the switch
was moved when the ignition
was off.
The indicator mark on the switch
must line up with the indicator light
before a shift can be commanded.
To command a shift rotate the
transfer case switch to the new
desired position. The light will blink
meaning that the shift is in progress.
When the shift is completed the new
position will be illuminated. If the
transfer case can not complete a
shift command, it will go back to its
last chosen setting.
The settings are:
2
m(Two-Wheel Drive High) :
Use
for driving on most streets and
highways. The front axle is not
engaged. This setting provides the
best fuel economy.
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel
Drive) : Use when road surface
traction conditions are variable.
When driving in AUTO, the front
axle is engaged, and the vehicle's