service CHEVROLET TAHOE 2011 3.G Owners Manual

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
2011 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali HybridM
In Brief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-1
Hybrid Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Performance and
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Instruments and Controls . . . . 5-1
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12 Infotainment System
. . . . . . . . . 7-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . 9-7
Drive Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-15
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-16 Vehicle Care
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14
Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-17
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Service and Maintenance . . . 11-1
Scheduled Maintenance . . . . . . 11-1
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts . . . . . . . 11-1
Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i-1

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
ii Introduction
The names, logos, emblems,
slogans, vehicle model names, and
vehicle body designs appearing in
this manual including, but not limited
to, GM, the GM logo, CHEVROLET,
GMC, the CHEVROLET and GMC
Truck Emblems, TAHOE, YUKON,
and DENALI are trademarks and/or
service marks of General Motors
LLC, its subsidiaries, affiliates,
or licensors.
This manual describes features that
may or may not be on your specific
vehicle either because they are
options that you did not purchase or
due to changes subsequent to the
printing of this owner manual.Please refer to the purchase
documentation relating to your
specific vehicle to confirm each of
the features found on your vehicle.
For vehicles first sold in Canada,
substitute the name
“General
Motors of Canada Limited” for
Chevrolet Motor Division and/or
GMC wherever it appears in this
manual.
Keep this manual in the vehicle for
quick reference.
Introduction
Your hybrid SUV is designed to be
more fuel efficient than the standard
SUV, which results in reduced
carbon dioxide emissions.
Canadian Vehicle Owners
Propriétaires Canadiens
A French language copy of this
manual can be obtained from your
dealer or from:
On peut obtenir un exemplaire de
ce guide en français auprès du
concessionnaire ou à l'adresse
suivante:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
Numéro de poste 6438 de langue
française
www.helminc.com
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 25965923 A First Printing©2010 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
In Brief 1-1
In Brief
Initial Drive Information
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Hybrid Features
High Voltage SafetyInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Fuel Economy Gauge . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Automatic Engine Start/Stop Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Regenerative Braking . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Performance and Maintenance
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Initial Drive
Information
Transmission
Range Selection Mode
The Range Selection Mode switch
is located on the shift lever. To
enable the Range Selection feature,
move the column shift lever to the
M (Manual) position. The current
range will appear next to the M. This
is the highest attainable range with
all lower gears accessible. As an example, when 3 (Third) gear is
selected, 1 (First) through 3 (Third)
gears are available.
Press the plus/minus buttons,
located on the steering column shift
lever, to select the desired range of
gears for current driving conditions.
See Automatic Transmission
Operation in the owner manual.
Cruise control can be used while the
vehicle is in Range Selection Mode.
See
Manual Mode on page 9‑9.
Four-Wheel Drive
If the vehicle has four-wheel drive,
you can send the engine's driving
power to all four wheels for extra
traction. Read the following before
using four-wheel drive.

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
1-2 In Brief
Automatic Transfer Case
The transfer case knob is located to
the left of the instrument panel
cluster. You can choose among
five driving settings:
2
m(Two-Wheel Drive High):This
setting is used for driving in most
street and highway situations.
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel
Drive): This setting is ideal for use
when road surface traction
conditions are variable. 4
m(Four-Wheel Drive High):
Use
the four-wheel high position when
you need extra traction, such as on
snowy or icy roads or in most
off-road situations.
4
n(Four-Wheel Drive Low) : This
setting delivers extra torque. You
might choose Four-Wheel Drive Low
if you are driving off-road in deep
sand, deep mud, deep snow, and
while climbing or descending steep
hills.
N (Neutral): Shift the vehicle's
transfer case to N (Neutral) only
when towing the vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing on
page 10‑36 and“Towing the
Vehicle” in the owner manual.
See Four-Wheel Drive on
page 9‑10.
Hybrid Features
High Voltage Safety
Information
This vehicle has a standard 12-volt
battery and a high voltage hybrid
battery. Only a trained service
technician with the proper
knowledge and tools should inspect,
test, or replace the hybrid battery.
See your dealer if the hybrid battery
needs service.
The 12-volt battery cables, in the
engine compartment, are clearly
labeled. In emergency situations,
first responders can cut those
cables to disable the high voltage
hybrid battery system.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
1-4 In Brief
A chime will sound if the driver door
is opened while in Auto Stop as a
reminder that the ignition switch is
not in the LOCK/OFF position.
Always turn the ignition switch to
LOCK/OFF and remove the key
from the ignition switch when exiting
the vehicle.
Auto Start
The vehicle also has an Auto Start
feature. The engine will remain off
while in Auto Stop mode until
vehicle conditions require the
engine to run. The near-instant
starting of the engine from Auto
Stop mode is called Auto Start.
EV Mode
The vehicle also has an EV mode
which uses only the electric motor to
move the vehicle. With light
acceleration, the vehicle will drive in
EV mode. EV mode is unavailable
when the vehicle is out of fuel.
For more information on Auto Stop,
Auto Start, and EV Mode, see
Starting the Vehicle on page 9‑2.
Regenerative Braking
Regenerative braking enables the
electric drive motor to operate as a
generator when coasting or braking.
Energy from the moving vehicle
recharges the hybrid battery.
The hydraulic disc brakes work with
the regenerative braking to insure
effective braking.
The braking system is computer
controlled and blends the
regenerative braking with the
conventional hydraulic disc brakes
to meet any requirements for
deceleration. Because the controller
applies the hydraulic brakes through
its high pressure accumulator, you
may occasionally hear the motor
driven pump when it recharges the
system. This is normal. In the event
of a controller problem, the brake
pedal may be harder to push and
the stopping distance may be
longer.
SeeRegenerative Braking on
page 9‑15.
Battery
This vehicle has a standard 12-volt
battery and a high voltage hybrid
battery. When a new standard
12-volt battery is needed, see your
dealer for one that has the
replacement number shown on the
original battery's label. Only a
trained service technician with the
proper knowledge and tools should
inspect, test, or replace the hybrid
battery. See your dealer if the hybrid
battery needs service. See Battery
on page 10‑12.
Service
Never try to do your own service on
hybrid components. You can be
injured and the vehicle can be
damaged if you try to do your own
service work. Service and repair of
these hybrid components should
only be performed by a trained
service technician with the proper
knowledge and tools. See Doing
Your Own Service Work on
page 10‑2.

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
3-2 Seats and Restraints
Reclining Seatbacks
(Tahoe and Yukon Hybrid)
To recline the seatback:
1. Lift the reclining seatbacklever (C).
2. Move the seatback to the desired position, then release
the lever to lock the seatback in
place.
3. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked.
To return the seatback to an upright
position:
1. Lift the lever fully without applying pressure to the
seatback and the seatback will
return to the upright position.
2. Release the lever to lock the seatback in place.
3. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked.
Airbag System
Replacing Airbag System
Parts After a Crash
If an airbag inflates or the vehicle
has been in a crash, the vehicle's
sensing system may command the
automatic hybrid battery disconnect
to open. When the battery
disconnect is open, the hybrid
battery will be off and the vehicle
will not start. The airbag readiness
light and/or SERVICE HYBRID
SYSTEM warning message may
come on in the Driver Information
Center (DIC). See “Airbag
Readiness Light” in the owner
manual and Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑11 for more
information. To operate the vehicle, the
automatic hybrid battery disconnect
must be reconnected by a qualified
service technician and sensing
system parts will need to be
replaced. Have the vehicle serviced
right away.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-1
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Fuel Economy Gauge . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Engine Oil Pressure Gauge . . . 5-6
Engine Coolant TemperatureGauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . 5-8 Brake System Warning
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
StabiliTrak
®OFF Light . . . . . . . 5-10
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 5-11
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Battery Voltage and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Brake System Messages . . . . 5-12
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . 5-13
Service Vehicle Messages . . . 5-13
Transmission Messages . . . . . 5-13

Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-7
English
The oil pressure gauge shows the
engine oil pressure in psi (pounds
per square inch) when the engine is
running. Canadian vehicles indicate
pressure in kPa (kilopascals).
Oil pressure should be 200 to
550 kPa (29 to 80 psi). In certain
situations, such as long extended
idles on hot days, it could read as
low as 105 kPa (15 psi) and still be
considered normal. A reading in the low pressure zone
may be caused by a dangerously
low oil level or some other problem
causing low oil pressure. Check the
oil as soon as possible.
{WARNING
Do not keep driving if the oil
pressure is low. The engine can
become so hot that it catches fire.
Someone could be burned. Check
the oil as soon as possible and
have the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always follow the maintenance
schedule for changing engine oil.
AUTO STOP
When the engine goes into
Automatic Engine Stop, the oil
pressure gauge drops to zero when
the tachometer is at the AUTO
STOP position. This is normal and
oil pressure returns to the normal
operating range once the engine
starts.
See Starting the Vehicle on
page 9‑2 for more information.
AUTO STOP displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) when the
vehicle speed is zero. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑11 for more information.

Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
5-8 Instruments and Controls
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge
United States
Canada
This gauge shows the engine
coolant temperature.
It also provides an indicator of how
hard the vehicle is working. During a
majority of the operation, the gauge
reads 100°C (210°F) or less. If a
load is being pulled or going up
hills, it is normal for the temperature
to fluctuate and go over the 113°C
(235°F) mark. However, if the gauge
reaches the 125°C (260°F) mark, it
indicates that the cooling system is
working beyond its capacity.
Charging System Light
This 12‐volt battery light comes on
briefly when the ignition is turned to
ON/RUN, but the engine is not
running, as a check to show it is
working.
It should go out once the engine
has been started. If it stays on,
or comes on while driving, there
could be a problem with the 12‐volt
charging system. Have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. A 12‐volt
charging system Driver Information
Center (DIC) message may also
appear. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑11 for more
information. This light could indicate
that there are electrical problems.

Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-9
Have it checked right away. If a
short distance must be driven with
the light on, be certain to turn off all
the accessories.
Brake System Warning
Light
With the ignition in ON/RUN, the
brake system warning light comes
on when the parking brake is set.
If the vehicle is driven with the
parking brake engaged, a chime
sounds when the vehicle speed is
greater than 8 km/h (5 mph).
The vehicle brake system consists
of two hydraulic circuits. If one
circuit is not working, the remaining
circuit can still work to stop the
vehicle. For normal braking
performance, both circuits need to
be working.If the warning light comes on and a
chime sounds there could be a
brake problem. Have the brake
system inspected right away.
This light also comes on due to low
brake fluid. See the owner manual
for more information.
MetricEnglish
This light should come on briefly
when the ignition key is turned to
ON/RUN. If it does not come on
then, have it fixed so it will be ready
to warn if there is a problem.
{WARNING
The brake system might not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on.
Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after
the vehicle has been pulled off
the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for
service.
If the light comes on while driving,
pull off the road and stop carefully.
The pedal might be harder to push
or can go closer to the floor. It may
take longer to stop. If the light does
not go out, have the vehicle towed
for service. See General Towing
Information on page 9‑16.