GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-15555988) - 2022 - CRC - 12/3/21
Vehicle Care 295
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . 296
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . 297
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 299
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . 305
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . . . . . . . 305
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Brake Pad Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315 Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Bulb Replacement
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . 320
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . 326
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
All-Terrain Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . 331
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Tire Pressure for High-Speed
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . 336
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . 337 Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . 340
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . 342
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . 343
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . 344
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . 357
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . 361
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-15555988) - 2022 - CRC - 12/3/21
302 Vehicle Care
1. Remote Negative (–) Location. SeeJump
Starting - North America 0357.
2. Positive (+) Terminal (Under Cover). See Jump Starting - North America 0357.
3. Battery - North America 0314.
4. Engine Compartment Fuse Block 0320.
5. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine
Oil” under Engine Oil 0302.
6. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System 0306.
7. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil 0302.
8. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling System 0306.
9. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0305.
10. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid
0 313.
11. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer Fluid” underWasher
Fluid 0311.
Engine Oil
For diesel engine vehicles, see “Engine Oil”
in the Duramax diesel supplement. 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. SeeEngine Oil Life System 0304.
.Always dispose of engine oil properly. See
“What to Do with Used Oil” in this
section.
Checking Engine Oil
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 0299 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.
Follow these guidelines:
.To get an accurate reading, park the
vehicle on level ground. Check the engine
oil level after the engine has been off for
at least two hours. Checking the engine
oil level on steep grades or too soon after
engine shutoff can result in incorrect
readings. Accuracy improves when
checking a cold engine prior to starting.
Remove the dipstick and check the level.
.If unable to wait two hours, the engine
must be off for at least 15 minutes if the
engine is warm, or at least 30 minutes if
the engine is not warm. Pull out the
dipstick, wipe it with a clean paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the way.
Remove it again, keeping the tip down,
and check the level.
GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
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Vehicle Care 307
1. Engine Electric Cooling Fans (Outof View)
2. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
6.2L V8 Engine
1. Engine Electric Cooling Fans (Out of View)
2. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
{Warning
An underhood electric fan can start up
even when the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands, clothing,
and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
{Warning
Do not touch heater, radiator, a/c pipes
or hoses, or other engine parts. They can
be very hot and can burn you. Do not
run the engine if there is a leak; all
coolant could leak out. That could cause
an engine fire and can burn you. Fix any
leak before driving the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is filled
with DEX-COOL engine coolant. This coolant
is designed to remain in the vehicle for
5 years or 240 000 km (150,000 mi),
whichever occurs first.
The following explains the cooling system
and how to check and add coolant when it
is low. If there is a problem with engine
overheating, see Engine Overheating 0309.
What to Use
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such as
alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. With plain water or
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
the wrong mixture, the engine could get
too hot but there would not be an
overheat warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant. This mixture:
.Gives freezing protection down to −37 °C
(−34 °F), outside temperature.
.Gives boiling protection up to 129 °C
(265 °F), engine temperature.
.Protects against rust and corrosion.
.Will not damage aluminum parts.
.Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Caution
Do not use anything other than a mix of
DEX-COOL coolant that meets GM
Standard GMW3420 and clean, drinkable
water. Anything else can cause damage
to the engine cooling system and the
vehicle, which would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
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308 Vehicle Care
Never dispose of engine coolant by putting
it in the trash, or by pouring it on the
ground, or into sewers, streams, or bodies of
water. Have the coolant changed by an
authorized service center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used coolant
disposal. This will help protect the
environment and your health.
Checking Coolant
The coolant surge tank is in the engine
compartment on the driver side of the
vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
0 299.
The vehicle must be on a level surface when
checking the coolant level.
5.3L V8 Engine Shown, 6.2L V8 Engine Similar Check to see if coolant is visible in the
coolant surge tank. If the coolant inside the
coolant surge tank is boiling, wait until it
cools down. The coolant level should be at
or above the indicated mark. If it is not,
there may be a leak in the cooling system.
If coolant is visible but the coolant level is
not at or above the indicated mark, see the
following sections on how to add coolant to
the coolant surge tank following.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see
“Cooling System”
in the Duramax diesel
supplement for the proper coolant fill
procedure.
{Warning
Spilling coolant on hot engine parts can
burn you. Coolant contains ethylene
glycol and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough.
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such as
alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. With plain water or
the wrong mixture, the engine could get
too hot but there would not be an
overheat warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be burned.
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot
cooling system are under pressure.
Turning the pressure cap, even a little,
can cause them to come out at high
speed and you could be burned. Never
turn the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot. Wait
for the cooling system and pressure cap
to cool.
GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-15555988) - 2022 - CRC - 12/3/21
Vehicle Care 365
Caution
Avoid using high-pressure washes closer
than 30 cm (12 in) to the surface of the
vehicle. Use of power washers exceeding
8 274 kPa (1,200 psi) can result in
damage or removal of paint and decals.
If using an automatic car wash, follow the
car wash instructions. The windshield wiper
and rear window wiper, if equipped, must
be off. Remove any accessories that may be
damaged or interfere with the car wash
equipment.
Rinse the vehicle well, before washing and
after, to remove all cleaning agents
completely. If they are allowed to dry on
the surface, they could stain.
Dry the finish with a soft, clean chamois or
an all-cotton towel to avoid surface
scratches and water spotting.
Cleaning Underhood Components
Caution
Do not power wash any component
under the hood that has this
e
symbol.(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
This could cause damage that would not
be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Solvents or aggressive cleaners may harm
underhood components. The usages of these
chemicals should be avoided.
Recommend water only.
A pressure washer may be used, but care
must be utilized. The following criteria must
be followed:
.Water pressure must be kept below
14,000 KPa (2,000 PSI).
.Water temperature must be below 80 °C
(180 °F).
.Spray nozzle with a 40 degree wide angle
spray pattern or wider must be used.
.Nozzle must be kept at least 30 cm (1 ft)
away from all surfaces.
Finish Care
Application of aftermarket clearcoat sealant/
wax materials is not recommended.
If painted surfaces are damaged, see your
dealer to have the damage assessed and
repaired. Foreign materials such as calcium
chloride and other salts, ice melting agents,
road oil and tar, tree sap, bird droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage the vehicle's finish if they remain
on painted surfaces. Wash the vehicle as
soon as possible. If necessary, use
non-abrasive cleaners that are marked safe
for painted surfaces to remove foreign
matter.
Occasional hand waxing or mild polishing
should be done to remove residue from the
paint finish. See your dealer for approved
cleaning products.
Do not apply waxes or polishes to uncoated
plastic, vinyl, rubber, decals, simulated
wood, or flat paint as damage can occur.
Caution
Machine compounding or aggressive
polishing on a basecoat/clearcoat paint
finish may damage it. Use only
non-abrasive waxes and polishes that are
made for a basecoat/clearcoat paint finish
on the vehicle.
To keep the paint finish looking new, keep
the vehicle garaged or covered whenever
possible.
GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
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368 Vehicle Care
Inspect power steering for proper
attachment, connections, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc.
Visually check constant velocity joint boots
and axle seals for leaks.
Lubricate the outer tie rod ends at least
every other oil change.
Control arm ball joints are maintenance-free.
Caution
Lubrication of applicable steering/
suspension points should not be done
unless the temperature is−12 °C (10 °F) or
higher, or damage could result.
Body Component Lubrication
Lubricate all key lock cylinders, hood hinges,
liftgate hinges, steel fuel door hinge and
power assist step hinges, unless the
components are plastic. Applying silicone
grease on weatherstrips with a clean cloth
will make them last longer, seal better, and
not stick or squeak.
Underbody Maintenance
Caution
Avoid pressure washing the vehicle frame.
Use of high-pressure washers can result
in removal of corrosion protection and
possible vehicle damage.
At least twice a year, spring and fall, use
plain water to flush any corrosive materials
from the underbody. Take care to
thoroughly clean any areas where mud and
other debris can collect. If equipped with
power assist steps, extend them and then
use a high pressure wash to clean all joints
and gaps.
Do not directly pressure wash the transfer
case and/or front/rear axle output seals.
High pressure water can overcome the seals
and contaminate the fluid. Contaminated
fluid will decrease the life of the transfer
case and/or axles and should be replaced.
Sheet Metal Damage
If the vehicle is damaged and requires sheet
metal repair or replacement, make sure the
body repair shop applies anti-corrosion
material to parts repaired or replaced to
restore corrosion protection. Original manufacturer replacement parts will
provide the corrosion protection while
maintaining the vehicle warranty.
Finish Damage
Quickly repair minor chips and scratches
with touch-up materials available from your
dealer to avoid corrosion. Larger areas of
finish damage can be corrected in your
dealer's body and paint shop.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Airborne pollutants can fall upon and attack
painted vehicle surfaces causing blotchy,
ring-shaped discolorations, and small,
irregular dark spots etched into the paint
surface. See
“Finish Care” previously in this
section.
Interior Care
To prevent dirt particle abrasions, regularly
clean the vehicle's interior. Before using
cleaners, read and follow all safety
instructions on the label. While cleaning the
interior, open the doors and windows to get
proper ventilation. Newspapers or dark
garments can transfer color to the vehicle’s
interior.
GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
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Vehicle Care 369
Caution
Immediately remove cleaners, hand
lotions, sunscreen, and insect repellent
from all interior surfaces or permanent
damage may result.
Caution
Use cleaners specifically designed for the
surfaces being cleaned to prevent
permanent damage to the vehicle. Apply
all cleaners directly to a cleaning cloth.
Do not spray cleaners on any switches or
controls.
When using liquid soap cleaners, follow the
directions on the specific cleaner or soap
solution for dilution instructions.
Caution
To prevent damage:
.Never use a razor or any other sharp
object to remove soil from any interior
surface
.Never use a brush with stiff bristles.(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
.Never rub any surface aggressively or
with too much pressure.
.Do not get any exposed electrical
components wet.
.Do not use laundry detergents or
dishwashing soaps with degreasers. Do
not use solutions that contain strong
or caustic soap.
.Do not heavily saturate the upholstery
when cleaning.
.Do not use solvents or cleaners
containing solvents.
.Do not use disinfecting wipes that are
scented or contain bleach. Do not use
wipes or cleaners that show a color
transfer to the wipe or change the
appearance of the interior surface
when used.
.Do not use scented or gel-type hand
sanitizers. If hand sanitizer comes in
contact with interior surfaces of the
vehicle, blot immediately and clean
with a soft cloth dampened with a
mild soap and water solution.
Interior Glass
To clean, use a microfiber cloth fabric
dampened with water. Wipe droplets left
behind with a clean dry cloth. If necessary,
use a commercial glass cleaner after
cleaning with plain water.
Caution
To prevent scratching, never use abrasive
cleaners on automotive glass. Abrasive
cleaners or aggressive cleaning may
damage the rear window defogger.
Cleaning the windshield with water during
the first three to six months of ownership
will reduce tendency to fog.
Speaker Covers
Vacuum around a speaker cover gently, so
that the speaker will not be damaged. Clean
spots with water and mild soap.
Coated Moldings
Coated moldings should be cleaned.
.When lightly soiled, wipe with a sponge
or soft, lint-free cloth dampened with
water.
.When heavily soiled, use warm soapy
water.
GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
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Service and Maintenance 375
last service. Reset the oil life system when
the oil is changed. SeeEngine Oil Life
System 0304.
Engine Air Filter Change
When the REPLACE AT NEXT OIL CHANGE
message displays, the engine air filter
should be replaced at the next engine oil
change. When the REPLACE ENGINE AIR
FILTER SOON message displays, the engine
air filter should be replaced at the earliest
convenience. Reset the engine air filter life
system after the engine air filter is replaced.
See Engine Air Filter Life System 0305.
Extended Idle Use
When the vehicle is used in a way that
requires extended idle time, one hour of use
shall be deemed the same as 53 km (33 mi).
See Driver Information Center (DIC) 0123 for
hourmeter.
Air Conditioning Desiccant (Replace Every
Seven Years)
The air conditioning system requires
maintenance every seven years. This service
requires replacement of the desiccant to
help the longevity and efficient operation of
the air conditioning system. This service can
be complex. See your dealer.
Tire Rotation and Required Services
Every 12 000 km/7,500 mi
Rotate the tires, if recommended for the
vehicle, and perform the following services.
See Tire Rotation 0339.
.Check engine oil level and oil
life percentage. If needed, change engine
oil and filter, and reset oil life system.
See Engine Oil 0302 and
Engine Oil Life System 0304.
.Check the air filter life percentage.
If necessary, replace the engine air filter
and reset the engine air filter life system.
See Engine Air Filter Life System 0305.
.Check engine coolant level. See Cooling
System 0306.
.Check windshield washer fluid level. See
Washer Fluid 0311.
.Check tire inflation pressures, including
the spare. See Tire Pressure0333.
.Inspect tire wear. See Tire Inspection
0 339.
.Visually check for fluid leaks.
.Inspect brake system. See Exterior Care
0 364.
.Visually inspect steering, suspension, and
chassis components for damage, including
cracks or tears in the rubber boots, loose
or missing parts, or signs of wear at least
once a year. See Exterior Care0364.
Lubricate the suspension and steering
components at least every other oil
change (if equipped with grease fittings).
.Inspect power steering for proper
attachment, connections, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc.