traction control GMC YUKON XL 2018 Owners Manual

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-11349262) - 2018 - crc - 6/20/17
4 Introduction
d : Traction Control/StabiliTrak
a : Under Pressure
M : Windshield Washer Fluid

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-11349262) - 2018 - crc - 6/20/17
In Brief 5
In Brief Instrument Panel Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Initial Drive Information Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Second Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Third Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Heated and Ventilated Seats . . . 13
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . 13
Seat Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Passenger Sensing System . . . 14
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . 15
Throttle and Brake Pedal
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . 17
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Vehicle Features Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . 20
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Forward Automatic
Braking (FAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . 21
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . 21
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . 22
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Parking Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Universal Remote System . . . . . 23
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Performance and Maintenance Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . . . 24
Fuel (L83 5.3L V8 Engine) . . . . . 25
Fuel (L86 6.2L V8 Engine) . . . . . 25
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . 25 Driving for Better Fuel
Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Roadside Assistance
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-11349262) - 2018 - crc - 6/20/17
In Brief 71. Air Vents 0 185 .
2. Head-Up Display (HUD) 0 154
(If Equipped).
3.
g Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0 229 .
j Power Assist Steps 0 48 (If
Equipped).
X Parking Assist Button (If
Equipped). See Assistance
Systems for Parking or Backing
0 243 .
A Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) 0 252 (If Equipped).
0 Pedal Adjust Switch (If
Equipped). See Adjustable
Throttle and Brake Pedal
0 205 .
4. Turn Signal Lever. See Turn
and Lane-Change Signals
0 174 .
Windshield Wiper/Washer
0 123 . 5. Favorite Switches (Out of
View). See “ Steering Wheel
Controls ” in the infotainment
manual.
Volume Switches (Out of View).
See “ Steering Wheel Controls ”
in the infotainment manual.
6. Hazard Warning Flashers
0 174 .
7. Instrument Cluster 0 133 .
8. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission 0 216 .
Tow/Haul Selector Button. See
Tow/Haul Mode 0 222 .
Range Selection Mode (If
Equipped). See Manual Mode
0 218 .
9. Light Sensor. See Automatic
Headlamp System 0 173 .
10. Infotainment 0 179 .
11. Dual Automatic Climate Control
System 0 180 .
12. Heated and Ventilated Front
Seats 0 67 . 13. Rear Climate Control Buttons.
See Rear Climate Control
System 0 184 .
14. Ignition Positions (Key Access)
0 207 or Ignition Positions
(Keyless Access) 0 205 .
15. Steering Wheel Controls. See
the infotainment manual.
16. Horn 0 123 .
17. Steering Wheel Adjustment
0 123 .
18. Hood Release. See Hood
0 279 .
19. Cruise Control 0 233 .
Adaptive Cruise Control 0 235
(If Equipped).
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0 246 (If Equipped).
Heated Steering Wheel 0 123 .
20. Trailer Brake Control Panel (If
Equipped). See Towing
Equipment 0 267 .
21. Data Link Connector (DLC)
(Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check Engine
Light) 0 143 .

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-11349262) - 2018 - crc - 6/20/17
In Brief 19While using Range Selection Mode,
cruise control and the Tow/Haul
Mode can be used.
Grade Braking is not available when
Range Selection Mode is active.
See Tow/Haul Mode 0 222 .
Four-Wheel Drive If equipped, the engine's driving
power can be sent to all four wheels
for extra traction.
Automatic Transfer Case
Two Speed Transfer Case Single Speed Transfer Case
The transfer case knob is to the left
of the steering wheel. Use this knob
to shift into and out of the different
four-wheel drive modes.
2
m : This setting is used for driving
in most street and highway
situations.
AUTO : This setting is ideal for use
when road surface traction
conditions are variable.
4
m : Use the Four-Wheel Drive High
position when extra traction is
needed, such as on snowy or icy
roads or in most off-road situations. 4
n : Vehicles with a two speed
automatic transfer case have a
Four-Wheel Drive Low position. This
setting sends maximum power to all
four wheels. You might choose 4
n if
you are driving off-road in deep
sand, mud, or snow, and while
climbing or descending steep hills.
N (Neutral) : Vehicles with a two
speed automatic transfer case have
an N (Neutral) position. Shift the
transfer case to N (Neutral) only
when towing the vehicle.
See Recreational Vehicle Towing
0 355 or Towing the Vehicle 0 355 .
See Four-Wheel Drive 0 222 .

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-11349262) - 2018 - crc - 6/20/17
24 In Brief If an object is in the path of the
sunroof while it is closing, the
automatic reversal system will
detect the object and stop the
sunroof.
See Sunroof 0 58 .
Performance and
Maintenance Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control The vehicle has a traction control
system that limits wheel spin and
the StabiliTrak system that assists
with directional control of the vehicle
in difficult driving conditions. Both
systems come on automatically
when the vehicle is started and
begins to move.
.
To turn off traction control, press
and release
g on the instrument
panel to the left of the steering
wheel. The traction off light
idisplays in the instrument
cluster. The appropriate DIC
message displays.
.
To turn off both traction control
and StabiliTrak, press and hold
g until
i and
g illuminate in the
instrument cluster and the
appropriate DIC message
displays. .
Press and release
g again to
turn on both systems.
StabiliTrak will automatically turn on
if the vehicle exceeds 56 km/h
(35 mph). Traction control will
remain off.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0 229 .
Tire Pressure Monitor This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The low tire pressure warning light
alerts to a significant loss in
pressure of one of the vehicle's
tires. If the warning light comes on,
stop as soon as possible and inflate
the tires to the recommended
pressure shown on the Tire and

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-11349262) - 2018 - crc - 6/20/17
122 Instruments and Controls
Instruments and
Controls Controls Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 123
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 123
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 123
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 123
Rear Window Wiper/
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Engine Oil Pressure
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Transmission Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . 140
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 141
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 142
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 143
Brake System Warning
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Four-Wheel-Drive Light . . . . . . . 146
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . 146
Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . 146
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . 147
Traction Control System (TCS)/
StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 149
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 149
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 149
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . 150
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 150
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 150
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Information Displays Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Head-Up Display (HUD) . . . . . . 154
Vehicle Messages Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 158
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . 158
Vehicle Personalization Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 158
Universal Remote System Universal Remote System . . . . 166
Universal Remote System
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Universal Remote System
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-11349262) - 2018 - crc - 6/20/17
Instruments and Controls 147
Traction Off Light This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer. If the system is working
normally, the indicator light then
turns off.
The traction off light comes on when
the Traction Control System (TCS)
has been turned off by pressing and
releasing the TCS/StabiliTrak
button.
This light and the StabiliTrak OFF
light come on when StabiliTrak is
turned off.
If the TCS is off, wheel spin is not
limited. Adjust driving accordingly.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0 229 . StabiliTrak OFF Light This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer.
This light comes on when the
StabiliTrak system is turned off.
If StabiliTrak is off, the Traction
Control System (TCS) is also off.
If StabiliTrak and TCS are off, the
system does not assist in controlling
the vehicle. Turn on the TCS and
the StabiliTrak systems, and the
warning light turns off.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0 229 .Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak Light
This light comes on briefly when the
engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have
the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally,
the indicator light turns off.
If the light is on and not flashing, the
TCS and potentially the StabiliTrak
system have been disabled.
A Driver Information Center (DIC)
message may display. Check the
DIC messages to determine which
feature(s) is no longer functioning
and whether the vehicle requires
service.
If the light is on and flashing, the
TCS and/or the StabiliTrak system
is actively working.

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-11349262) - 2018 - crc - 6/20/17
148 Instruments and Controls See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0 229 .
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the vehicle.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the
system is working normally the
indicator light goes off.
Caution
The engine coolant temperature
warning light indicates that the
vehicle has overheated. Driving
with this light on can damage the
(Continued) Caution (Continued) engine and it may not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. See
Engine Overheating 0 294 .
The engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on when the
engine has overheated.
If this happens, pull over and turn
off the engine as soon as possible.
See Engine Overheating 0 294 .
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this light
comes on briefly when the engine is
started. It provides information
about tire pressures and the TPMS. When the Light Is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of
the tires are significantly
underinflated.
A Driver Information Center (DIC)
tire pressure message may also
display. Stop as soon as possible,
and inflate the tires to the pressure
value shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See Tire
Pressure 0 327 .
When the Light Flashes First and
Then Is On Steady
If the light flashes for about a minute
and then stays on, there may be a
problem with the TPMS. If the
problem is not corrected, the light
will come on at every ignition cycle.
See Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation 0 330 .

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-11349262) - 2018 - crc - 6/21/17
188 Driving and Operating
Driving and
Operating Driving Information Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 197
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 198
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 200
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Starting and Operating New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 204
Adjustable Throttle and Brake
Pedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Ignition Positions (Keyless
Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Ignition Positions (Key
Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210 Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Active Fuel Management . . . . . 214
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Engine Exhaust Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Running the Vehicle While
Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Automatic Transmission Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 216
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Drive Systems Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Brakes Antilock Brake
System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 229
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229 Hill Descent Control (HDC) . . . 231
Magnetic Ride Control . . . . . . . . 232
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Automatic Level Control . . . . . . 232
Cruise Control Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . 235
Driver Assistance Systems Driver Assistance Systems . . . 242
Assistance Systems for
Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 243
Assistance Systems for
Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Forward Automatic
Braking (FAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Side Blind Zone
Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . 250
Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . 252
Fuel Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
California Fuel
Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 255
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-11349262) - 2018 - crc - 6/21/17
Driving and Operating 189E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Trailer Towing General Towing
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . 273
Conversions and Add-Ons Add-On Electrical
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274 Driving Information Distracted Driving Distraction comes in many forms
and can take your focus from the
task of driving. Exercise good
judgment and do not let other
activities divert your attention away
from the road. Many local
governments have enacted laws
regarding driver distraction. Become
familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, keep
your eyes on the road, keep your
hands on the steering wheel, and
focus your attention on driving.
.
Do not use a phone in
demanding driving situations.
Use a hands-free method to
place or receive necessary
phone calls.
.
Watch the road. Do not read,
take notes, or look up
information on phones or other
electronic devices. .
Designate a front seat
passenger to handle potential
distractions.
.
Become familiar with vehicle
features before driving, such as
programming favorite radio
stations and adjusting climate
control and seat settings.
Program all trip information into
any navigation device prior to
driving.
.
Wait until the vehicle is parked
to retrieve items that have fallen
to the floor.
.
Stop or park the vehicle to tend
to children.
.
Keep pets in an appropriate
carrier or restraint.
.
Avoid stressful conversations
while driving, whether with a
passenger or on a cell phone.
{ Warning
Taking your eyes off the road too
long or too often could cause a
crash resulting in injury or death.
Focus your attention on driving.