
GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
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64 Seats and Restraints
the impact, when either side of the vehicle
is struck. In addition, the front center airbag
is designed to inflate when the sensing
system predicts that the vehicle is about to
roll over on its side. The front center airbag
is not designed to inflate in frontal impacts,
near frontal impacts, or rear impacts.
Seat-mounted side impact airbags are
designed to inflate in moderate to severe
side crashes, depending on the location of
the impact. Seat-mounted side impact
airbags are not designed to inflate in
rollovers or in rear impacts. The driver side
seat-mounted side impact airbag is not
designed to inflate in frontal impacts or in
near frontal impacts. The passenger side
seat-mounted side impact airbag is designed
to inflate in moderate to severe frontal
impacts or in near frontal impacts.
A seat-mounted side impact airbag is
designed to inflate on the side of the vehicle
that is struck.
Roof-rail airbags are designed to inflate in
moderate to severe side crashes depending
on the location of the impact. In addition,
these roof-rail airbags are designed to inflate
during a rollover or in a severe frontal
impact. Roof-rail airbags are not designed to
inflate in rear impacts. Both roof-rail airbagswill inflate when either side of the vehicle is
struck, if the sensing system predicts that
the vehicle is about to roll over on its side,
or in a severe frontal impact.
In any particular crash, no one can say
whether an airbag should have inflated
simply because of the vehicle damage or the
repair costs.
What Makes an Airbag Inflate?
In a deployment event, the sensing system
sends an electrical signal triggering a release
of gas from the inflator. Gas from the
inflator fills the airbag causing the bag to
break out of the cover. The inflator, the
airbag, and related hardware are all part of
the airbag module.
For airbag locations, see
Where Are the
Airbags? 062.
How Does an Airbag Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal
collisions, even belted occupants can contact
the steering wheel or the instrument panel.
In moderate to severe side collisions, even
belted occupants can contact the inside of
the vehicle. Airbags supplement the protection provided
by seat belts by distributing the force of the
impact more evenly over the
occupant's body.
Rollover capable roof-rail airbags are
designed to help contain the head and chest
of occupants in the outboard seating
positions in the first, second, and third rows.
The rollover capable roof-rail airbags are
designed to help reduce the risk of full or
partial ejection in rollover events, although
no system can prevent all such ejections.
But airbags would not help in many types
of collisions, primarily because the
occupant's motion is not toward those
airbags. See
When Should an Airbag Inflate?
0 63.
Airbags should never be regarded as
anything more than a supplement to seat
belts.What Will You See after an
Airbag Inflates?
After frontal and seat-mounted side impact
airbags inflate, they quickly deflate, so
quickly that some people may not even
realize the airbags inflated. The front center
airbag and roof-rail airbags may still be at

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
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70 Seats and Restraints
.Inner door seals, including speakers
Your dealer and the service manual have
information about the location of the airbag
modules and sensors, sensing and diagnostic
module, and airbag wiring along with the
proper replacement procedures.
In addition, the vehicle has a passenger
sensing system for the front outboard
passenger position, which includes sensors
that are part of the passenger's seat. The
passenger sensing system may not operate
properly if the original seat trim is replaced
with non-GM covers, upholstery, or trim,
or with GM covers, upholstery, or trim
designed for a different vehicle. Any object,
such as an aftermarket seat heater or a
comfort enhancing pad or device, installed
under or on top of the seat fabric, could
also interfere with the operation of the
passenger sensing system. This could either
prevent proper deployment of the passenger
airbag(s) or prevent the passenger sensing
system from properly turning off the
passenger airbag(s). See Passenger Sensing
System 066.
If the vehicle has rollover roof-rail airbags,
see Different Size Tires and Wheels 0352 for
additional important information. If the vehicle must be modified because you
have a disability and you have questions
about whether the modifications will affect
the vehicle's airbag system, or if you have
questions about whether the airbag system
will be affected if the vehicle is modified for
any other reason, call Customer Assistance.
See
Customer Assistance Offices 0401.
Airbag System Check
The airbag system does not need regularly
scheduled maintenance or replacement.
Make sure the airbag readiness light is
working. See Airbag Readiness Light 0109.
Caution
If an airbag covering is damaged, opened,
or broken, the airbag may not work
properly. Do not open or break the airbag
coverings. If there are any opened or
broken airbag coverings, have the airbag
covering and/or airbag module replaced.
For the location of the airbags, see Where
Are the Airbags? 062. See your dealer
for service.
Replacing Airbag System Parts
after a Crash
{Warning
A crash can damage the airbag systems
in the vehicle. A damaged airbag system
may not properly protect you and your
passenger(s) in a crash, resulting in
serious injury or even death. To help
make sure the airbag systems are
working properly after a crash, have
them inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as possible.
If an airbag inflates, you will need to
replace airbag system parts. See your dealer
for service.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after
the vehicle is started or comes on when you
are driving, the airbag system may not work
properly. Have the vehicle serviced right
away. See Airbag Readiness Light 0109.

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
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Storage 89
Storage
Storage Compartments
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Instrument Panel Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Armrest Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Rear Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Floor Console Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Additional Storage Features
Cargo Tie-Downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Roof Rack System
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Storage Compartments{
Warning
Do not store heavy or sharp objects in
storage compartments. In a crash, these
objects may cause the cover to open and
could result in injury.
Instrument Panel Storage
There is storage on the instrument panel.
To open, if the storage is covered, press the
button and slide the cover until it locks.
To close, press the button and release. The
door will close automatically.
Glove Box
Lift up the glove box handle to open it. Use
the key to lock and unlock the glove box.
Cupholders
Bench Seat Cupholders
The cupholders are in front of the center
console storage area when the armrest is
down. See Center Console Storage 091.

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Storage 93
Additional Storage Features
Cargo Tie-Downs
There are two cargo tie-downs in the rear
cargo area. These can be used to strap cargo
down and keep it from moving inside the
vehicle.
Convenience Net
This vehicle may have a convenience net in
the rear of the vehicle. Attach it to the
cargo tie-downs for storing small loads.
Do not use the net to store heavy loads.
Roof Rack System{
Warning
If something is carried on top of the
vehicle that is longer or wider than the
roof rack—like paneling, plywood, or a
mattress —the wind can catch it while
the vehicle is being driven. The item
being carried could be violently torn off,
and this could cause a collision and
damage the vehicle. Never carry
something longer or wider than the roof
rack on top of the vehicle unless using a
GM certified accessory carrier.
If equipped, the roof rack can be used to
load items. For roof racks that do not have
crossrails included, GM Certified crossrails
can be purchased as an accessory. See your
dealer for additional information.

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
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94 Storage
Caution
Loading cargo on the roof rack that
weighs more than 100 kg (220 lb) or
hangs over the rear or sides of the
vehicle may damage the vehicle. Do not
load cargo exceeding 100 kg (220 lbs) and
always load cargo so that it rests evenly
between the crossrails and does not block
the vehicle lamps or windows. Fasten the
cargo securely.To prevent damage or loss of cargo when
driving, check to make sure crossrails and
cargo are securely fastened. Loading cargo
on the roof rack will make the vehicle’s
center of gravity higher. Avoid high speeds,
sudden starts, sharp turns, sudden braking,
or abrupt maneuvers, otherwise it may
result in loss of control. If driving for a long
distance, on rough roads, or at high speeds,
occasionally stop the vehicle to make sure
the cargo remains in its place.
Do not exceed the maximum vehicle
capacity when loading the vehicle. For more
information on vehicle capacity and loading,
see
Vehicle Load Limits 0222.
A Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) is
located above the rear window glass. Make
sure items loaded on the roof of the vehicle
do not block or damage the CHMSL.

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
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Instruments and Controls 97
If equipped with auto heated seats, the
heated steering wheel will turn on when the
auto heated seat is activated. The heated
steering wheel indicator will display the
state of the steering wheel heat.
SeeHeated and Ventilated Front Seats 044
and
Vehicle Personalization 0126.
Horn
To sound the horn, pressaon the
steering wheel.
Windshield Wiper/Washer
With the ignition on or in ACC/ACCESSORY,
move the windshield wiper lever to select
the wiper speed. 1X :
For a single wipe, briefly move the
wiper lever down. For several wipes, hold
the wiper lever down.
OFF : Use to turn the wipers off.
c:If equipped with Rainsense, use this
setting for intermittent wipes when
Rainsense is disabled, or Rainsense wipes
when Rainsense is enabled. For intermittent
wipes, move the windshield wiper lever to
AUTO, then turn the band up for more
frequent wipes or down for less frequent
wipes. If Rainsense is turned on, see
“Rainsense” later in this section.
LO : Use for slow wipes.
HI : Use for fast wipes.
f:Pull the windshield wiper lever
toward you to spray windshield washer fluid
and activate the wipers. The wipers will
continue until the lever is released or the
maximum wash time is reached. When the
windshield wiper lever is released, additional
wipes may occur depending on how long
the windshield washer has been activated.
See Washer Fluid 0324 for information on
filling the windshield washer fluid reservoir. Clear snow and ice from the wiper blades
and windshield before using them. If frozen
to the windshield, carefully loosen or thaw
them. Damaged blades should be replaced.
See
Wiper Blade Replacement 0329.
{Warning
In freezing weather, do not use the
washer until the windshield is warmed.
Otherwise the washer fluid can form ice
on the windshield, blocking your vision.
{Warning
Before driving the vehicle, always clear
snow and ice from the hood, windshield,
roof, and rear of the vehicle, including all
lamps and windows. Reduced visibility
from snow and ice buildup could lead to
a crash.
Wiper Parking
If the ignition is turned off while the wipers
are on LO, HI, or AUTO with Rainsense
turned off, they will immediately stop.

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
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134 Lighting
Lighting
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . . . . . . . . 136
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer . . . 136
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . 136
Automatic Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . 136
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . 138
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel IlluminationControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Battery Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Battery Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . 141
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls
The exterior lamp control is on the
instrument panel to the left of the steering
wheel.
There are four positions:
O: Turns off the automatic headlamps and
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL). Turn the
headlamp control to
Oagain to turn the
automatic headlamps or DRL back on.
For vehicles first sold in Canada, the off
position will only work when the vehicle is
shifted into P (Park). AUTO :
Automatically turns on the
headlamps, parking lamps, taillamps,
instrument panel lights, roof marker lamps
(if equipped), and license plate lamps.
;: Turns on the parking lamps including
all lamps, except the headlamps.
2: Turns on the headlamps with the
parking lamps and instrument panel lights.
When the headlamps are turned on while
the vehicle is on, the headlamps turn off
automatically 10 minutes after the ignition
is turned off. When the headlamps are
turned on while the vehicle is off, the
headlamps will stay on for 10 minutes
before turning off to prevent the battery
from being drained. Turn the headlamp
control off and then back to the headlamp
on position to make the headlamps stay on
for an additional 10 minutes.
To keep the lamps on for more than
10 minutes, the ignition must be on or in
ACC/ACCESSORY.
IntelliBeam System
If equipped, this system turns the vehicle's
high-beam headlamps on and off according
to surrounding traffic conditions.

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140 Lighting
With Sunroof
Press the lens on each reading lamp to turn
it on or off.
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting
Some exterior lamps turn on briefly at
night, or in areas with limited lighting,
when
Kis pressed on the remote key. After about 30 seconds the exterior lamps turn off
when any door is opened, the unlock button
on the remote key is pressed, or when the
ignition is switched off. All interior lights
turn on and then the dome and remaining
interior lamps dim to off after 20 seconds.
Entry lighting feature for exterior lighting
can be changed by Vehicle Locator Lights.
See Vehicle Locator Lights under
Vehicle
Personalization 0126.
Exit Lighting
Some exterior lamps come on at night, or in
areas with limited lighting, when the driver
door is opened after the ignition is turned
off. The dome lamp comes on after the
ignition is turned off. The exterior lamps and
dome lamp remain on after the door is
closed for a set amount of time, then
automatically turn off.
The exterior lamps turn off immediately by
turning the exterior lamp control off.
The exit lighting for exterior lights can be
changed. See Vehicle Personalization 0126.
Battery Load Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management
(EPM), which estimates the battery's
temperature and state of charge. It then
adjusts the voltage for best performance
and extended life of the battery.
When the battery's state of charge is low,
the voltage is raised slightly to quickly bring
the charge back up. When the state of
charge is high, the voltage is lowered
slightly to prevent overcharging. The
voltmeter gauge or the voltage display on
the Driver Information Center (DIC),
if equipped, may show the voltage moving
up or down. This is normal. If there is a
problem, an alert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the
electrical loads are very high. This is true for
all vehicles. This is because the generator
(alternator) may not be spinning fast
enough at idle to produce all the power that
is needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of
the following are on, such as: headlamps,
high beams, fog lamps, rear window
defogger, climate control fan at high speed,