GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-15555988) - 2022 - CRC - 12/3/21
Driving and Operating 227
Terrain Mode is only available on vehicles
equipped with the single speed
transfer case.
Terrain Mode can only be active when:
.Vehicle speed is less than 80 km/h
(50 mph).
.The transfer case is in 4m.
Frequent use of this mode may cause brake
wear due to the light braking.
The vehicle automatically exits the mode if
the brakes get too hot. Terrain Mode can be
turned back on after the brakes have cooled.
When Terrain Mode is selected:
.Auto Engine Start/Stop is disabled.
.The Terrain Mode indicator displays on
the instrument cluster.
Magnetic Ride Control
This vehicle may have a semi-active damping
system called Magnetic Ride Control. With
this feature, improved vehicle ride and
handling is provided under a variety of
passenger and loading conditions.
Locking Rear Axle
Vehicles with a locking rear axle can give
more traction on snow, mud, ice, sand,
or gravel. It works like a standard axle most
of the time, but when traction is low, this
feature will allow the rear wheel with the
most traction to move the vehicle.
Four Corner Air Suspension
System
The Four Corner Air Suspension feature
provides full time load leveling capability
along with the benefit of adjusting ride
height for increased convenience and
capability.
{Warning
To help avoid personal injury or death,
make sure the area underneath the
vehicle and inside the wheel wells is clear
when lowering the vehicle.
{Warning
To help avoid personal injury or death,
always select the lowest ride height for
the current driving conditions. Higher ride
heights raise the vehicle's center of
gravity, increasing the chance of a
rollover during extreme maneuvers.
{Warning
Heavy loads on the roof rack will make
the vehicle's center of gravity higher,
increasing the possibility of a rollover. To
avoid losing control of the vehicle, always
select the normal height setting and
avoid high speeds, sudden starts, sharp
turns, sudden braking, or abrupt
maneuvers when carrying cargo on the
roof rack.
GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-15555988) - 2022 - CRC - 12/3/21
Driving and Operating 239
In some cases, when ACC is temporarily
unavailable, regular cruise control may be
used. See“Switching Between ACC and
Regular Cruise Control” previously in this
section. Always consider driving conditions
before using either cruise control system.
Notification to Resume ACC
ACC will maintain a follow gap behind a
detected vehicle and slow your vehicle to a
stop behind that vehicle.
If the stopped vehicle ahead has driven
away and ACC has not resumed, the vehicle
ahead indicator will flash as a reminder to
check traffic ahead before proceeding. In
addition, the left and right sides of the
Safety Alert Seat (if equipped) will pulse
three times, or three beeps will sound. See
”Alert Type” and“Adaptive Cruise Go
Notifier” in“Collision/Detection Systems”
under Vehicle Personalization 0130.
When the vehicle ahead drives away, press
RES+ or the accelerator pedal to resume
ACC. If stopped for more than two minutes
or if the driver door is opened and the
driver seat belt is unbuckled, the ACC
automatically applies the Electric Parking
Brake (EPB) to hold the vehicle. The EPB
status light will turn on. See Electric Parking
Brake 0219. A DIC warning message may display
indicating to shift to P (Park) before exiting
the vehicle. See
Vehicle Messages 0130.
{Warning
If ACC has stopped the vehicle, and if ACC
is disengaged, turned off, or canceled, the
vehicle will no longer be held at a stop.
The vehicle can move. When ACC is
holding the vehicle at a stop, always be
prepared to manually apply the brakes.
{Warning
Leaving the vehicle without placing it in
P (Park) can be dangerous. Do not leave
the vehicle while it is being held at a
stop by ACC. Always place the vehicle in
P (Park) and turn off the ignition before
leaving the vehicle.
ACC Override
If using the accelerator pedal while ACC is
active, the ACC indicator turns blue on the
instrument cluster indicating ACC braking
will not occur. ACC will resume operation
when the accelerator pedal is not being
pressed.
{Warning
The ACC will not automatically apply the
brakes if your foot is resting on the
accelerator pedal. You could crash into a
vehicle ahead of you.
Curves in the Road
{Warning
On curves, ACC may not detect a vehicle
ahead in your lane. You could be startled
if the vehicle accelerates up to the set
speed, especially when following a vehicle
exiting or entering exit ramps. You could
lose control of the vehicle or crash. Do
not use ACC while driving on an entrance
or exit ramp. Always be ready to use the
brakes if necessary.
{Warning
On curves, ACC may respond to a vehicle
in another lane, or may not have time to
react to a vehicle in your lane. You could
crash into a vehicle ahead of you, or lose
control of your vehicle. Give extra (Continued)
GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-15555988) - 2022 - CRC - 12/3/21
260 Driving and Operating
areas. The extended side blind zone area
adds the blind zone area along the side of a
trailer that the host vehicle is pulling.
When the vehicle is in a forward gear, the
left or right side mirror display will light up
if a moving vehicle is detected in that
extended blind zone. If the turn signal is
activated and a vehicle is also detected on
the same side, the display will flash as an
extra warning not to change lanes. Since
this system is part of the Lane Change Alert
system, read the entire Lane Change Alert
section before using this feature.
{Warning
ESBZA does not alert the driver to
vehicles outside of the system detection
zones, pedestrians, bicyclists, or animals.
It may not provide alerts when changing
lanes under all driving conditions. Failure
to use proper care when changing lanes
may result in injury, death, or vehicle
damage. Before making a lane change,
always check mirrors, glance over your
shoulder, and use the turn signals.ESBZA Detection Zones
1. SBZA Detection Zone
2. ESBZA Detection Zone
3. LCA Detection Zone
The Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) warning
area starts at approximately the middle of
the vehicle and goes back 5 m (16 ft). The
Extended Side Blind Zone Alert (ESBZA)
warning area starts at approximately 3 m
(10 ft) to the trailing edge of the vehicle and
goes back up to 21 m (69 ft) behind the
vehicle. The maximum trailer length is
12 m (39 ft).
How the System Works
The LCA/ESBZA symbol lights up in the side
mirrors when the system detects a moving
vehicle in the next lane over that is in the
extended side blind zone. This indicates it
may be unsafe to change lanes. Before making a lane change, check the SBZA
display, check mirrors, glance over your
shoulder, and use the turn signals.
Left Side Mirror
DisplayRight Side Mirror Display
When the vehicle is started, both outside
mirror LCA/ESBZA displays will briefly come
on to indicate the system is operating.
When the vehicle is in a forward gear, the
left- or right-side mirror display will light up
if a moving vehicle is detected in that blind
zone. If the turn signal is activated in the
same direction as a detected vehicle, this
display will flash as an extra warning not to
change lanes.
LCA/ESBZA displays may not come on when
passing a vehicle quickly, or when passing a
stopped vehicle. LCA/ESBZA may alert to
objects attached to the vehicle, such as a
bicycle, or object extending out to either
GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-15555988) - 2022 - CRC - 12/3/21
Driving and Operating 267
Trailer Towing
General Towing Information
Only use towing equipment that has been
designed for the vehicle. Contact your dealer
or trailering dealer for assistance with
preparing the vehicle to tow a trailer. Read
the entire section before towing a trailer.
To tow a disabled vehicle, seeTowing the
Vehicle 0360. To tow the vehicle behind
another vehicle such as a motor home, see
Recreational Vehicle Towing 0361.
Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips
{Warning
You can lose control when towing a
trailer if the correct equipment is not
used or the vehicle is not driven properly.
For example, if the trailer is too heavy or
the trailer brakes are inadequate for the
load, the vehicle may not stop as
expected. You and others could be
seriously injured. The vehicle may also be
damaged, and the repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Pull a
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
trailer only if all the steps in this section
have been followed. Ask your dealer for
advice and information about towing a
trailer with the vehicle.
Driving with a Trailer
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.
When towing a trailer:
.Become familiar with and follow all state
and local laws that apply to trailer
towing. These requirements vary from
state to state.
.State laws may require the use of
extended side view mirrors. Even if not
required, you should install extended side
view mirrors if your visibility is limited or
restricted while towing.
.Do not tow a trailer during the first
800 km (500 mi) of vehicle use to prevent
damage to the engine, axle, or other
parts.
.It is recommended to perform the first oil
change before heavy towing.
.During the first 800 km (500 mi) of trailer
towing, do not drive over 80 km/h
(50 mph) and do not make starts at full
throttle.
.Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Tow/Haul
Mode is recommended for heavier trailers.
SeeDriver Mode Control 0224. If the
transmission downshifts too often, a
lower gear may be selected using Manual
Mode. See Manual Mode 0214.
If equipped, the following driver assistance
features should be turned off when towing
a trailer:
.Park Assist
.Automatic Parking Assist (APA)
.Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB)
GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-15555988) - 2022 - CRC - 12/3/21
270 Driving and Operating
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear ofthe chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Launching and Retrieving a Boat
Backing the Trailer into the Water
{Warning
.Have all passengers get out of the
vehicle before backing onto the sloped
part of the ramp. Lower the driver and
passenger side windows before
backing onto the ramp. This will
provide a means of escape in the
unlikely event the vehicle slides into
the water.
.If the boat launch surface is slippery,
have the driver remain in the vehicle
with the brake pedal applied while the
boat is being launched. The boat
launch can be especially slippery at
low tide when part of the ramp was
previously submerged at high tide. Do
not back onto the ramp to launch the
boat if you are not sure the vehicle
can maintain traction.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Do not move the vehicle if someone is
in the path of the trailer. Some parts
of the trailer might be underwater and
not visible to people who are assisting
in launching the boat.
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before
backing the trailer into the water to prevent
damage to the electrical circuits on the
trailer. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer
after removing the trailer from the water.
If the trailer has electric brakes that can
function when the trailer is submerged, it
might help to leave the electrical trailer
connector attached to maintain trailer brake
functionality while on the boat ramp.
To back the trailer into the water: 1. If equipped, place the vehicle in four-wheel-drive high.
2. Slowly back down the boat ramp until the boat is floating, but no further than
necessary.
3. Press and hold the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet.
4. Have someone place chocks under the front wheels of the vehicle. 5. Gradually release the brake pedal to
allow the chocks to absorb the load of
the trailer.
6. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift into P (Park).
7. Release the brake pedal.
Pulling the Trailer from the Water 1. 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.
GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-15555988) - 2022 - CRC - 12/3/21
Driving and Operating 279
Use only a round, seven-wire connector with
flat blade terminals meeting SAE J2863
specifications for proper electrical
connectivity.
The seven-wire harness contains the
following trailer circuits:
.Yellow/Grey: Left Stop/Turn Signal
.Green/Violet: Right Stop/Turn Signal
.Grey/Brown: Taillamps
.White: Ground
.White/Green: Back-up Lamps
.Red/Green: Battery Feed
.Dark Blue: Trailer Brake
To help charge a remote (non-vehicle)
battery change drive mode to Tow Haul.
If the trailer is too light for Tow/Haul Mode,
turn on the headlamps to help charge the
battery.
Electric Brake Control Wiring Provisions
These wiring provisions are included with
the vehicle as part of the trailer wiring
package. These provisions are for an electric
brake controller.
The harness should be installed by your
dealer or a qualified service center. Refer to the aftermarket electric trailer brake
controller owner's manual to determine wire
color coding of the electric trailer brake
controller. The wire colors on the brake
controller may be different from the vehicle.
Trailer Lamps
Always check all trailer lamps are working at
the beginning of each trip, and periodically
on longer trips.
If equipped, the Trailering App will monitor
the RH turn/brake lamp circuit, LH turn/
brake lamp circuit, running lamp circuit, and
reverse lamp circuits on the trailer. DIC
messages and Trailering App alerts may be
displayed if lighting circuit issues are
detected on the trailer.
Pressing START LIGHT TEST in the Trailering
App automatically activates trailer lamps.
The Trailering App is not a substitute for
manually inspecting your trailer lamps. See
Trailering App
0285.
Trailer Connection and Lamp Messages
When a trailer is properly connected and
working, no trailer connection or lamp
messages appear on the Driver Information Center (DIC). However; if the vehicle detects
an issue with a trailer connection or lamp,
you may see the following DIC message(s):
.TRAILER DISCONNECTED CHECK
CONNECTION appears when a connected
trailer is disconnected. It appears
immediately when the vehicle is on,
or upon the next start-up if the trailer
was disconnected while the vehicle was
off. Check the trailer connection as
appropriate.
.CHECK TRAILER XXX LAMP appears when
there is a detected lamp or wiring fault
on the trailer. Check the trailer wiring and
lamps.
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.
GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-15555988) - 2022 - CRC - 12/3/21
Driving and Operating 285
Always know the maximum speed rating for
the trailer tires before driving. This may be
significantly lower than the vehicle tire
speed rating. The speed rating may be on
the trailer tire sidewall. If the speed rating is
not shown, the default trailer tire speed
rating is 105 km/h (65 mph).
Trailering App
Trailer Lights App
If equipped, the Trailer Lights App is on the
Home Page of the infotainment display.
Touch Start to cycle the trailer lamps on and
off to determine if they are working. The
test follows this sequence:1. The running lights turn on first and remain on throughout the sequence.
2. The brake lights turn on for about two seconds.
3. The left turn signal light flashes three times.
4. The right turn signal light flashes three times.
5. The reverse lights turn on for about two seconds. 6. Steps 2–5 repeat for approximately
one minute and 45 seconds, or until the
test deactivates.
Touch Stop to stop the test. The test will
automatically end after one minute and
45 seconds.
The sequence also deactivates when any of
the following occur:
.The ignition is turned off.
.The transmission is shifted out of P (Park).
.The brake pedal is pressed.
.The turn signal is activated.
.The hazard warning lights are activated.
Trailering App
If equipped, the Trailering App is on the
Home Page of the infotainment display.
If equipped this feature allows profiles for
connected trailers to be created to view
status, to store and track trailer usage
information, and to set up towing assist
features.
The Trailering App Welcome Page will
appear when the Trailering App is opened
for the first time from the Home Page. When a trailer is electrically connected and
a trailer profile has not been created, there
will be an option to create a profile, use a
guest profile, or select Accessory/No trailer.
To turn the Trailer Detection Alert on, select
ON in the Settings tab.
When a trailer is electrically connected and
after a Trailer Profile has been created, the
trailer detection pop-up will appear with a
list of all of the custom Trailer Profiles made
on the vehicle. To load an existing Trailer
Profile, select one of the Trailer Profiles
listed, or load the Guest Trailer Profile by
selecting GUEST TRAILER. Touching
Accessory/No trailer will select Accessory/No
trailer as the active Trailer Profile and will
dismiss the pop- up. Shifting the vehicle
from P (Park) will select Guest Trailer as the
active Trailer Profile and will dismiss the
pop-up.
Create a Trailer Profile
Touch Add Trailer on the trailer detection
pop-up or touch + Add Trailer in the
Trailering App.
Follow on-screen instructions to set up
profile.
GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-15555988) - 2022 - CRC - 12/3/21
Driving and Operating 289
Trailering App System will not display a
Trailer Detection Alert to the user when a
trailer is connected.
When a trailer is connected and the ignition
is off, the Trailering App System will
periodically pulse the lighting circuits of the
trailer to verify if it still connected. The
trailer lights may periodically flash as a
result of this trailer connection detection.
These flashes may be more visible in dark
ambient light environments. The flashing or
flickering lights are a normal condition and
the Trailering App System has built-in
protections to prevent the battery from
draining. When Theft Alert is also enabled
the frequency and pattern of this flashing
will change.
If a connected trailer becomes disconnected,
a message about the trailer disconnect will
appear on the DIC immediately (if vehicle is
on) or upon next ignition cycle (if trailer
was disconnected while vehicle is off). Check
your trailer connection if needed.
Connection Problem
If any of the trailer connections are lost, a
message about the connection issue will
appear on the Driver Information Center(DIC). The infotainment display will also
show the connection issue in the Lights
Status view.
Connection Trailer Lighting Faults Detected
The Trailering App System monitors for
electrical faults on the trailer lights.
A message about the lighting issue will
appear on the DIC. The infotainment display
will also show the lighting issue in the
Lights Status view. Repair your trailer lights
if needed. A trailer lighting issue is not
covered by your GM warranty.
The Running Lights connection may not
detect partial outages. Activate the light test
to check all trailer lamps. See
“Light Test”
following.
Light Test
Touch Start Light Test to cycle the trailer
lights on and off to determine if they are
working. The test follows this sequence:
1. The running lights turn on first and remain on throughout the sequence.
2. The brake lights turn on for about two seconds.
3. The left turn signal light flashes three times. 4. The right turn signal light flashes three
times.
5. The reverse lights turn on for about two seconds.
6. Steps 2–5 repeat for approximately one minute and 45 seconds, or until the
test deactivates.
7. Touch Stop to stop the test. The test will automatically end after one minute and
45 seconds.
The sequence also deactivates when any of
the following occur:
.The ignition is turned off.
.The transmission is shifted out of
P (Park).
.The brake pedal is pressed.
.The turn signal is activated.
.The hazard warning lights are activated.