GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-15555988) - 2022 - CRC - 12/3/21
268 Driving and Operating
If equipped, the following driver assistance
features should be turned to alert or off
when towing a trailer, unless equipped with
Super Cruise:
.Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
.Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB)
If equipped with Lane Change Alert (LCA),
the LCA detection zones that extend back
from the side of the vehicle do not move
further back when a trailer is towed. Use
caution while changing lanes when towing a
trailer.
If equipped with Rear Cross Traffic Alert
(RCTA), use caution while backing up when
towing a trailer, as the RCTA detection zones
that extend out from the back of the vehicle
do not move further back when a trailer is
towed.
{Warning
When towing a trailer, exhaust gases
may collect at the rear of the vehicle and
enter if the liftgate, trunk/hatch,
or rear-most window is open. (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
When towing a trailer:
.Do not drive with the liftgate, trunk/
hatch, or rear-most window open.
.Fully open the air outlets on or under
the instrument panel.
.Also adjust the climate control system
to a setting that brings in only outside
air. See“Climate Control Systems” in
the Index.
For more information about carbon
monoxide, see Engine Exhaust 0211.
Towing a trailer requires experience. The
combination of the vehicle and trailer is
longer and not as responsive as the vehicle
itself. Get used to the handling and braking
of the combination by driving on a level
road surface before driving on public roads.
The trailer structure, the tires, and the
brakes must be all be rated to carry the
intended cargo. Inadequate trailer
equipment can cause the combination to
operate in an unexpected or unsafe manner.
Before driving, inspect all trailer hitch parts
and attachments, safety chains, electrical connectors, lamps, tires, and mirrors. See
Towing Equipment
0274. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start the combination
moving and then manually apply the trailer
brake controller to check the trailer brakes
work. During the trip, occasionally check
that the cargo and trailer are secure and
that the lamps and any trailer brakes are
working.Towing with a Stability Control System
When towing, the stability control system
might be heard. The system reacts to
vehicle movement caused by the trailer,
which mainly occurs during cornering. This is
normal when towing heavier trailers.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle
ahead as you would when driving without a
trailer. This can help to avoid heavy braking
and sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed when
towing a trailer. The combination of the
vehicle and trailer will not accelerate as
quickly and is much longer than the vehicle
alone. It is necessary to go much farther
GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-15555988) - 2022 - CRC - 12/3/21
Driving and Operating 271
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. SeeMaintenance
Schedule 0374. It is especially important to
check the 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 0309.
Trailer Towing
If equipped with a diesel engine, see the
Duramax diesel supplement.
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.
Trailering is different than just driving the
vehicle by itself. Trailering means changes in
handling, acceleration, braking, durability,
and fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering
takes correct equipment, and it has to be
used properly.
The following information has many
time-tested, important trailering tips and
safety rules. Many of these are important
for your safety and that of your passengers.
Read this section carefully before pulling a
trailer.
Trailer Weight
{Warning
Never exceed the towing capacity for
your vehicle. Safe trailering requires monitoring the
weight, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature, and how frequently the vehicle
is used to tow a trailer.
Trailer Weight Ratings
When towing a trailer, the combined weight
of the vehicle, vehicle contents, trailer, and
trailer contents must be below all of the
maximum weight ratings for the vehicle,
including:
.GCWR: Gross Combined Weight Rating
.GVWR: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
.Maximum Trailer Weight Rating
.GAWR-RR: Gross Axle Weight Rating-Rear
.Maximum Trailer Tongue Weight Rating
See “Weight-Distributing Hitch and
Adjustment” underTowing Equipment 0274
to determine if equalizer bars are required
to obtain the maximum trailer weight
rating.
See “Trailer Brakes” underTowing
Equipment 0274 to determine if brakes are
required based on your trailer's weight.
GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-15555988) - 2022 - CRC - 12/3/21
294 Driving and Operating
Tow/Haul Mode Reminder
This is a reminder to turn on the Tow/Haul
Mode when towing a trailer. SeeDriver
Mode Control 0224.
Touch Tow/Haul Mode Reminder to turn
on/off Tow/Haul Mode reminders for the
selected profile. These alerts are based on
the Trailer Profile, so the settings for each
Trailer Profile must be turned on or off.
This setting will default to OFF for each
Trailer Profile, including the Guest Trailer
Profile.
If Tow/Haul Mode is off and this setting is
on for a Trailer Profile, each time the
ignition is turned on a reminder will appear
to turn on Tow/Haul Mode when the Trailer
Profile is active.
If Tow/Haul Mode is on and this setting is
on for a Trailer Profile, the reminder will not
appear when the Trailer Profile is active.Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is used for
vehicle service and Emission Inspection/
Maintenance testing. See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) 0114.
A device connected to the DLC —such as
an aftermarket fleet or driver-behavior
tracking device —may interfere with
vehicle systems. This could affect vehicle
operation and cause a crash. Such devices
may also access information stored in the
vehicle’s systems.
Caution
Some electrical equipment can damage
the vehicle or cause components to not
work and would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always check with your
dealer before adding electrical equipment.
{Warning
Certain mobile radio equipment,
like amplifiers and antennas used for
two-way communication, can interfere
with some vehicle systems. Always
ensure this equipment is supplied with
proper local grounding. Follow all of the
instructions that came with the
equipment and see your GM dealer for
additional mobile radio installation
instructions.
Add-on equipment can drain the vehicle's
12-volt battery, even if the vehicle is not
operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system. Before
attempting to add anything electrical to the
vehicle, see Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle 069 and
Adding Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle 069.
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
Vehicle Care 297
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work
{Warning
It can be dangerous to work on your
vehicle if you do not have the proper
knowledge, service manual, tools,
or parts. Always follow owner’s manual
procedures and consult the service
manual for your vehicle before doing any
service work.
If doing some of your own service work, use
the proper service manual. It tells you much
more about how to service the vehicle than
this manual can. To order the proper service
manual, see Publication Ordering
Information 0397. This vehicle has an airbag system. Before
attempting to do your own service work,
see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
0 69.
If equipped with remote vehicle start, open
the hood before performing any service
work to prevent remote starting the vehicle
accidentally. See Remote Vehicle Start 013.
Keep a record with all parts receipts and list
the mileage and the date of any service
work performed. See Maintenance Records
0 385.
Caution
Even small amounts of contamination can
cause damage to vehicle systems. Do not
allow contaminants to contact the fluids,
reservoir caps, or dipsticks.
Hood
{Warning
For vehicles with auto engine stop/start,
turn the vehicle off before opening the
hood. If the vehicle is on, the engine will
start when the hood is opened. You or
others could be injured.
{Warning
Components under the hood can get hot
from running the engine. To help avoid
the risk of burning unprotected skin,
never touch these components until they
have cooled, and always use a glove or
towel to avoid direct skin contact.
Clear any snow from the hood before
opening.
GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-15555988) - 2022 - CRC - 12/3/21
300 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.
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./
Canada/Mexico-15555988) - 2022 - CRC - 12/3/21
Vehicle Care 303
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at
the tip of the dipstick and the engine has
been off for at least 15 minutes, add 1 L
(1 qt) of the recommended oil and then
recheck the level. See“Selecting the Right
Engine Oil” later in this section for an
explanation of what kind of oil to use. For
engine oil crankcase capacity, see Capacities
and Specifications 0387.
Caution
Do not add too much oil. Oil levels above
or below the acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful to the
engine. If the oil level is above the
operating range (i.e., the engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper
operating range), the engine could be
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
damaged. Drain the excess oil or limit
driving of the vehicle, and seek a service
professional to remove the excess oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview 0299 for
the location of the engine oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level somewhere
in the proper operating range. Push the
dipstick all the way back in when through.
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil depends on
both the proper oil specification and
viscosity grade. See Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants 0383.
Specification
Use full synthetic engine oils that meet the
dexos1 specification. Engine oils that have
been approved by GM as meeting the
dexos1 specification are marked with the
dexos1 approved logo.
Caution
Failure to use the recommended engine
oil or equivalent can result in engine
damage not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Viscosity Grade
Use SAE 0W-20 viscosity grade engine oil.
When selecting an oil of the appropriate
viscosity grade, it is recommended to select
an oil of the correct specification. See
“Specification” earlier in this section.
Engine Oil Additives/Engine Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils meeting the dexos1
specification are all that is needed for good
performance and engine protection.