
GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-12460267) - 2019 - crc - 9/11/18
278 Driving and Operating
Pulling the Trailer from the Water1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine and shift into a gear.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Let up on the brake pedal.
5. Drive slowly until the tires are clear of the chocks.
6. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
7. Slowly pull the trailer from the water.
8. Once the vehicle and trailer have been driven from the
sloped part of the boat ramp,
the vehicle can be shifted from
four-wheel-drive high. Shift into
the drive mode that is
appropriate for the road
conditions.Caution
If the vehicle tires begin to spin
and the vehicle begins to slide
toward the water, remove your
foot from the accelerator pedal
and apply the brake pedal. Seek
help to have the vehicle towed up
the ramp.
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when used to tow trailers. See
Maintenance Schedule 0395. It is
especially important to check the
automatic transmission fluid, engine
oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling
system, and brake system before
and during each trip.
Check periodically that all nuts and
bolts on the trailer hitch are tight.
Engine Cooling when Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. See Engine Overheating
0 313.
Trailer Towing
Caution
Towing a trailer improperly can
damage the vehicle and result in
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. To tow a trailer
correctly, follow the directions in
this section and see your dealer
for important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
Trailer Weight
{Warning
Never exceed the towing capacity
for your vehicle.

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-12460267) - 2019 - crc - 9/11/18
288 Driving and Operating
Trailer Lamps
Always check all trailer lamps are
working at the beginning of each
trip, and periodically on longer trips.
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
When properly connected, the trailer
turn signals should will illuminate to
indicate the vehicle is turning,
changing lanes, or stopping. When
towing a trailer, the arrows on the
instrument cluster will illuminate
even if the trailer is not properly
connected or the bulbs are
burned out.
Tow/Haul Mode
For instructions on how to enter
Tow/Haul mode, seeTow/Haul
Mode 0233.
Tow/Haul assists when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or
heavy load.
Tow/Haul Mode is designed to be
most effective when the vehicle and
trailer combined weight is at least
75% of the vehicle's Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
See
“Maximum Trailer Weight”
under Trailer Towing 0278.
Tow/Haul Mode is most useful when
towing a heavy trailer or carrying a
large or heavy load:
. through rolling terrain
. in stop-and-go traffic
. in busy parking lots
Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul
Mode when lightly loaded or not
towing will not cause damage;
however, it is not recommended and
may result in unpleasant engine and
transmission driving characteristics
and reduced fuel economy.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
brake systems. These instructions
apply to both types of electric 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 proportional to
the amount of vehicle braking. 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, anti-lock brake,
and StabiliTrak systems. In trailering
conditions that cause the vehicle’s
anti-lock 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, anti-lock
brake, or StabiliTrak systems are
not functioning properly, the ITBC
system may not function fully or at

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-12460267) - 2019 - crc - 9/11/18
Vehicle Care 295
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 296
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 297
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 304
Automatic Transmission Fluid (6-Speed Transmission) . . . . . 305
Automatic Transmission Fluid (10 Speed Transmission) . . . 308
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 309
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 313
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316 Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Battery - North America . . . . . . 318
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Noise Control System . . . . . . . . 320
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 321
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 322
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 323
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 324
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 324
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 328
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 329
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 329
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
(Right) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Left) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
All-Terrain Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 343
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-12460267) - 2019 - crc - 9/11/18
300 Vehicle Care
1. Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting - North America
0374.
2. Battery - North America 0318.
3. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0310.
4. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0309.
5. Automatic Transmission Dipstick. See “How to Check
Automatic Transmission Fluid”
under Automatic Transmission
Fluid (6-Speed Transmission)
0 305 orAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (10 Speed
Transmission) 0308.
6. Remote Negative (–) Location (Out of View). See Jump
Starting - North America 0374.
7. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 310.
8. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0302. 9. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
“Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0302.
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid
0 315.
11. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0317.
12. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0330.

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-12460267) - 2019 - crc - 9/11/18
Vehicle Care 305
best conditions, the oil life system
may indicate that an oil change is
not necessary for up to a year. The
engine oil and filter must be
changed at least once a year and,
at this time, the system must be
reset. Your dealer has trained
service people who will perform this
work and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly
over the course of an oil drain
interval and keep it at the proper
level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change. Always reset theengine oil life to 100% after every oil
change. It will not reset itself. To
reset the engine oil life system:
1. Display the REMAINING OIL LIFE on the DIC. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) 0161.
2. Press and hold
V. The oil life
will change to 100%.
The oil life system can also be reset
as follows: 1. Display the REMAINING OIL LIFE on the DIC. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) 0161.
2. Fully press the accelerator pedal slowly three times within
five seconds.
3. Display the REMAINING OIL LIFE on the DIC. If the display
shows 100%, the system is
reset.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message comes back on when the
vehicle is started and/or the
REMAINING OIL LIFE is near 0%,
the engine oil life system has not
been reset. Repeat the procedure.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid (6-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. If a small leak is
suspected, then use the following
checking procedures to check the
fluid level. However, if there is a
large leak, then it may be necessary
to have the vehicle towed to a
dealer service department and have
it repaired before driving the vehicle
further.
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 correct (Continued)

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-12460267) - 2019 - crc - 9/11/18
306 Vehicle Care
Caution (Continued)
automatic transmission fluid. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants0404.
Change the fluid and filter at the
scheduled maintenance intervals
listed in Maintenance Schedule
0 395. Be sure to use the
transmission fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0404.
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Caution
Too much or too little fluid can
damage the transmission. Too
much can mean that some of the
fluid could come out and fall on
hot engine parts or exhaust
system parts, starting a fire. Too
little fluid could cause the (Continued)
Caution (Continued)
transmission to overheat. Be sure
to get an accurate reading if
checking the transmission fluid.
Before checking the fluid level,
prepare the vehicle: 1. Start the engine and park the vehicle on a level surface.
Keep the engine running.
2. Apply the parking brake and place the shift lever in P (Park).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever
through each gear range,
pausing for about
three seconds in each range.
Then, move the shift lever back
to P (Park).
4. Allow the engine to idle (500– 800 rpm) for at least
one minute. Slowly release the
brake pedal.
5. Keep the engine running and check the transmission fluid
temperature on the Driver Information Center (DIC). See
Driver Information Center (DIC)
0
161.
6. Using the transmission fluid temperature reading, determine
and perform the appropriate
check procedure. If the
transmission fluid temperature
reading is not within the
required temperature ranges,
allow the vehicle to cool,
or operate the vehicle until the
appropriate transmission fluid
temperature is reached.
Cold Check Procedure
Use this procedure only as a
reference to determine if the
transmission has enough fluid to be
operated safely until a hot check
procedure can be made. The hot
check procedure is the most
accurate method to check the fluid
level. Perform the hot check
procedure at the first opportunity.
Use this cold check procedure to
check fluid level when the
transmission temperature is
between 27 °C and 32 °C (80 °F and
90 °F).

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-12460267) - 2019 - crc - 9/11/18
308 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 (10 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
Publication
Ordering Information 0420.
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 correct
automatic transmission fluid. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0404.
Change the fluid and filter at the
scheduled maintenance intervals
listed in Maintenance Schedule
0 395. Be sure to use the

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-12460267) - 2019 - crc - 9/11/18
322 Vehicle Care
Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it
starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The vehicle should start
only in P (Park) or N (Neutral).
If the vehicle starts in any other
position, contact your dealer for
service.
Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control
Function Check
{Warning
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. It should be
parked on a level surface. 2. Apply the parking brake. Be
ready to apply the regular
brake immediately if the vehicle
begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition on, but do not start the
engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the
shift lever out of P (Park) with
normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of P (Park), contact
your dealer for service.
Ignition Transmission
Lock Check
If equipped with a Key Access
ignition, while parked and with the
parking brake set, try to turn the
ignition off in each shift lever
position.
.The ignition should turn off only
when the shift lever is in
P (Park).
. The key should come out only
when the ignition is off.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{Warning
When you are doing this check,
the vehicle could begin to move.
You or others could be injured
and property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in front
of the vehicle in case it begins to
roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping
your foot on the regular brake, set
the parking brake.
. To check the parking brake's
holding ability: With the engine
running and the transmission in
N (Neutral), slowly remove foot
pressure from the regular brake
pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.