towing GMC YUKON 2006 Owner's Guide

Trailer Wiring Harness
Your vehicle is equipped with the following wiring
harnesses for towing a trailer.
Basic Trailer Wiring
The trailer wiring harness, with a seven-pin connector,
is located at the rear of the vehicle and is tied to
the vehicle’s frame. The harness connector can be
plugged into a seven-pin universal heavy-duty trailer
connector available through your dealer.The seven-wire harness contains the following
trailer circuits:
Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn Signal
Brown: Taillamps
White: Ground
Light Green: Back-up Lamps
Red: Battery Feed
Dark Blue: Trailer Brake
4-74

Heavy-Duty Trailer Wiring Harness
Package
Your vehicle is equipped with the seven-wire trailer
towing harness. This harness with a seven-pin
universal trailer connector is attached to a bracket
on the hitch platform.The seven-wire harness contains the following
trailer circuits:
Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn Signal
Brown: Taillamps
White: Ground
Light Green: Back-up Lamps
Red: Battery Feed**
Dark Blue: Trailer Brake
**If you are charging a remote (non-vehicle) battery,
turn on the headlamps to boost the vehicle system
voltage and properly charge the battery.
4-75

Step-Bumper Pad
Your vehicle has a rear step bumper with a rear step
pad at the center of the bumper.
If you will be using the
bumper to tow a trailer,
and your step-bumper has
three cutout circles you
must push out the center
cutout circle to install
the trailer ball.
If your step-bumper has only one cutout circle, you
will have to cut out the circle, then remove it to install
the trailer ball.
Trailer Recommendations
You must subtract your hitch loads from the Cargo
Weight Rating (CWR) for your vehicle. CWR is
the maximum weight of the load your vehicle can
carry. It doesn’t include the weight of the people inside.
But you can gure about 150 lbs. (68 kg) for each
seat. The total cargo load must not be more than
your vehicle’s CWR.
Weigh your vehicle with the trailer attached, so that you
won’t go over the GVWR or GAWR. If you are using
a weight-distributing hitch, weigh the vehicle without
the spring bars in place.
You’ll get the best performance if you spread out the
weight of your load the right way, and if you choose
the correct hitch and trailer brakes.
For more information, seeTowing a Trailer
on page 4-60.
4-77

If No Steam Is Coming From
Your Engine
The ENGINE COOLANT HOT message, along with a
low coolant condition, can indicate a serious problem.
If you get an engine overheat warning, but see or
hear no steam, the problem may not be too serious.
Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer. SeeTowing a Trailer on page 4-60.
If you get the ENGINE COOLANT HOT message with
no sign of steam, try this for a minute or so:
1. If you have an air conditioner and it is on, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the windows as necessary.
3. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in NEUTRAL (N)
while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the road,
shift to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) and let the
engine idle.If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning does not come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam and your vehicle is
equipped with an engine-driven cooling fan, push down
the accelerator until the engine speed is about twice
as fast as normal idle speed for at least three minutes
while you are parked.
If there is still no sign of steam and your vehicle is
equipped with an electric cooling fan, idle the engine
for three minutes while you are parked.
If you still have the warning, turn off the engine and get
everyone out of the vehicle until it cools down. Also,
see “Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode”
later in this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
5-29

Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
If an overheated engine condition exists and the
REDUCED ENGINE POWER message is displayed,
an overheat protection mode which alternates ring
groups of cylinders helps prevent engine damage.
In this mode, you will notice a loss in power and
engine performance. This operating mode allows your
vehicle to be driven to a safe place in an emergency.
Driving extended miles (km) and/or towing a trailer in
the overheat protection mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any
repair. The engine oil will be severely degraded.
Repair the cause of coolant loss, change the oil
and reset the oil life system. SeeEngine Oil
on page 5-15.
Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is what
you will see:
A. Coolant Surge Tank
B. Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
C. Engine Cooling Fan8.1L V8 Engines
5-30

4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start
the engine and let it run until you can feel the upper
radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan.
By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant
surge tank may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper mixture to the coolant surge tank
until the level reaches the FULL COLD mark.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
Engine Fan Noise
If your vehicle is equipped with a clutched engine
cooling fan, when the clutch is engaged, the fan spins
faster to provide more air to cool the engine. In
most everyday driving conditions, the fan is spinning
slower and the clutch is not fully engaged. This improves
fuel economy and reduces fan noise. Under heavy
vehicle loading, trailer towing, and/or high outside
temperatures, the fan speed increases as the clutch
more fully engages, so you may hear an increase in
fan noise. This is normal and should not be mistaken
as the transmission slipping or making extra shifts.
It is merely the cooling system functioning properly.
The fan will slow down when additional cooling is not
required and the clutch disengages.
You may also hear this fan noise when you start the
engine. It will go away as the fan clutch partially
disengages.
If your vehicle is equipped with electric cooling fans, you
may hear the fans spinning at low speed during most
everyday driving. The fans may turn off if no cooling is
required. Under heavy vehicle loading, trailer towing,
and/or high outside temperatures, or if you are operating
your air conditioning system, the fans change to high
speed and you may hear an increase in fan noise.
This is normal and indicates that the cooling system
is functioning properly. The fans will change to low
speed when additional cooling is no longer required.
5-35

Applying silicone grease on weatherstrips with a clean
cloth will make them last longer, seal better, and
not stick or squeak.
(g)Check vent hose at transfer case for kinks and
proper installation.
(h)Change automatic transmission uid and lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police, or delivery
service.
(i)Drain, ush, and rell cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer perform
this service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-25 for
what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap, and ller neck. Pressure test the
cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired
and the uid level checked. Add uid if needed.(k)Inspect system. Check all fuel and vapor lines
and hoses for proper hook-up, routing, and condition.
Check that the purge valve works properly, if equipped.
Replace as needed.
(l)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, inspect
the lter at each engine oil change.
(m)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive cracks,
or obvious damage. Replace belt if necessary.
Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specied to help ensure the safety,
dependability, and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your GM Goodwrench
®dealer can assist you
with these checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13.
6-9

Insuring Your Vehicle
Protect your investment in your GM vehicle with
comprehensive and collision insurance coverage.
There are signicant differences in the quality of
coverage afforded by various insurance policy terms.
Many insurance policies provide reduced protection
to your GM vehicle by limiting compensation for damage
repairs by using aftermarket collision parts. Some
insurance companies will not specify aftermarket
collision parts. When purchasing insurance, we
recommend that you assure your vehicle will be repaired
with GM original equipment collision parts. If such
insurance coverage is not available from your current
insurance carrier, consider switching to another
insurance carrier.
If your vehicle is leased, the leasing company may
require you to have insurance that assures repairs with
Genuine GM Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)
parts or Genuine Manufacturer replacement parts.
Read your lease carefully, as you may be charged
at the end of your lease for poor quality repairs.
If an Accident Occurs
Here is what to do if you are involved in an accident.
Try to relax and then check to make sure you are all
right. If you are uninjured, make sure that no one else
in your vehicle, or the other vehicle, is injured.
If there has been an injury, call 911 for help. Do not
leave the scene of an accident until all matters have
been taken care of. Move your vehicle only if its
position puts you in danger or you are instructed to
move it by a police officer.
Give only the necessary and requested information
to police and other parties involved in the accident.
Do not discuss your personal condition, mental frame
of mind, or anything unrelated to the accident. This
will help guard against post-accident legal action.
If you need roadside assistance, call GM Roadside
Assistance. SeeRoadside Assistance Program
on page 7-6for more information.
If your vehicle cannot be driven, know where the
towing service will be taking it. Get a card from the
tow truck operator or write down the driver’s name,
the service’s name, and the phone number.
Remove any valuables from your vehicle before it is
towed away. Make sure this includes your insurance
information and registration if you keep these items
in your vehicle.
7-12

Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-31
R
Radios..........................................................3-74
AM-FM Radio.............................................3-76
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player...............3-134
Care of Your CD and DVD Player................3-135
Care of Your CDs and DVDs.......................3-135
Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation
Manual.................................................3-118
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-90
Radio with CD............................................3-79
Radio with Six-Disc CD..............................3-104
Rear Seat Audio........................................3-130
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio
Data Systems (RDS)................................3-75
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)................................3-75
Theft-Deterrent..........................................3-132
Understanding Reception............................3-133
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System.........3-32
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System
and Electronic Climate Controls.....................3-33
Rear Axle......................................................5-46
Locking........................................................ 4-8Rear Door Security Locks................................2-12
Rear Outside Passenger Positions,
Safety Belts................................................1-42
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-44
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)..................................3-130
Rear Seat Entertainment System.....................3-118
Rear Seat Operation......................................... 1-8
Rear Storage Area..........................................2-58
Rear Windshield Washer/Wiper.........................3-10
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
Compass....................................................2-42
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
Compass and Temperature Display................2-44
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
OnStar
®and Compass.................................2-37
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
OnStar
®, Compass and Temperature Display.....2-39
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-37
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-6
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-13
Recovery Hooks.............................................4-45
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-56
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation............ 2-5
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-81
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-78
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-55
10

Tires (cont.)
Cleaning...................................................5-103
Different Size..............................................5-71
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-75
Ination -- Tire Pressure...............................5-63
Inspection and Rotation................................5-68
Installing the Spare Tire................................5-81
Pressure Monitor System..............................5-64
Removing the Flat Tire.................................5-81
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...............5-78
Secondary Latch System..............................5-88
Spare Tire..................................................5-95
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools............5-92
Tire Sidewall Labeling..................................5-58
Tire Terminology and Denitions....................5-61
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-72
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-73
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-73
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-69
Tow/Haul Mode...............................................2-25
Tow/Haul Mode Light.......................................3-50
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-56
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-60
Your Vehicle...............................................4-56
Traction
StabiliTrak
®System....................................... 4-9
Trailer
Recommendations.......................................4-77Transmission
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-22
Temperature Gage.......................................3-44
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-23
Trip Odometer................................................3-37
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-8
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
U
Understanding Radio Reception.......................3-133
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-72
Universal Home Remote System.......................2-52
Operation...................................................2-53
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-5
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-46
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Customization, DIC..............................3-67
Vehicle Data Collection and Event
Data Recorders...........................................7-10
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN)............................................5-105
Service Parts Identication Label..................5-105
13