towing GMC YUKON 2000 Owner's Guide

5-
5-1
Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you'll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
5
-2 Hazard Warning Flashers
5
-2 Other Warning Devices
5
-3 Jump Starting
5
-8 Towing Your Vehicle
5
-9 Engine Overheating5
-12 Cooling System
5
-18 Engine Fan Noise
5
-18 If a Tire Goes Flat
5
-19 Changing a Flat Tire
5
-31 If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow

5-8
12. Remove the cables in reverse order to prevent
electrical shorting. Take care that they don't touch
each other or any other metal.
A. Heavy Unpainted Metal Engine Part
B. Good Battery
C. Dead Battery
Towing Your Vehicle
CAUTION:
To help avoid serious personal injury to you
or others:

Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that
is being towed.

Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds.

Never tow with damaged parts not fully secured.

Never get under your vehicle after it has
been lifted by the tow truck.

Always secure the vehicle on each side with
separate safety chains when towing it.

Use only the correct hooks.
NOTICE:
Use the proper towing equipment to avoid
damage to the bumper, fascia or fog lamp areas
of the vehicle.

5-9
With current trends in automotive styles and design,
it is essential that the correct towing equipment is
used to tow a vehicle. Your vehicle can be towed
with wheel
-lift equipment or car carrier equipment.
Tw o
-Wheel-Drive vehicle towing limits for wheel lift
equipment are as follows:

Front Towing
-- 35 mph (55 km/h) for 50 miles (80 km)

Rear Towing
-- 55 mph (88 km/h) or legal speed
limit and the distance is unlimited.
Four
-Wheel-Drive vehicles must have the transfer
case in NEUTRAL (N). See ªFour
-Wheel Driveº
in the Index for the proper procedure to select the
NEUTRAL position for your vehicle. The towing limits
for four
-wheel-drive vehicles with wheel-lift equipment
are as follows:

Front Towing
-- 55 mph (88 km/h) or legal speed
limit and distance is unlimited

Rear Towing
-- 55 mph (88 km/h) for 50 miles (80 km).
You cannot tow your vehicle using sling
-type equipment.
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your vehicle towed. See ªRoadside
Assistanceº in the Index.
Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle's instrument panel. See ªEngine Coolant
Temperature Gageº in the Index. In addition,
you will find a LOW COOLANT, CHECK COOLANT
TEMP, ENGINE OVERHEATED and a REDUCED
ENGINE POWER message in the message center on the
instrument panel. See ªMessage Centerº in the Index.
Overheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode (V8 Engines Only)
Should an overheated engine condition exist and the
REDUCED ENGINE POWER message is displayed, an
overheat protection mode which alternates firing 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. Towing a trailer in the
overheat protection mode should be avoided.

5-18
Engine Fan Noise
Your vehicle has 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 a Tire Goes Flat
It's unusual for a tire to ªblow outº while you're driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it's much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a ªblowout,º here are a
few tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like
a skid and may require the same correction you'd use
in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from
the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop
-- well off the road if possible.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.

5-32 Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. If you have a
four
-wheel drive vehicle, shift into 4HI or 4LO. If your
vehicle has the Traction Assist System, you should turn
it off by pressing the TAS on/off button. Then shift back
and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as possible. Release the
accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly on the
accelerator pedal when the transmission is in gear. By
slowly spinning your wheels in the forward and reverse
directions, you will cause a rocking motion that may free
your vehicle. If that doesn't get you out after a few tries,
you may need to be towed out. Or, you can use your
recovery hooks if your vehicle has them. If you do need
to be towed out, see ªTowing Your Vehicleº in the Index.
Using the Recovery Hooks
Your vehicle may be equipped with recovery hooks.
The recovery hooks are provided at the front of your
vehicle. You may need to use them if you're stuck
off
-road and need to be pulled to some place where you
can continue driving.

6-17
3. Remove the air filter by pulling downward on the
element. Remove the second portion of the air filter
by sliding it towards the rear of the vehicle and then
pulling downward.
4. Install the new filter by reversing the steps listed
previously. Be sure to follow any instructions that
may be included in the replacement filter package.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
when to replace the passenger compartment air filter.
See ªScheduled Maintenanceº in the Index.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission
fluid level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one
or more of these conditions:

In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90F (32C) or higher.

In hilly or mountainous terrain.

When doing frequent trailer towing.

Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.If you do not use your vehicle under any of
these conditions, change the fluid and filter every
100,000 miles (166 000 km).
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult,
you may choose to have this done at the dealership
service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading
on the dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission. Too much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire.
Be sure to get an accurate reading if you check
your transmission fluid.

Scheduled Maintenance
7-9
7,500 Miles (12 500 km)

Drive axle service. If your vehicle is used to pull a trailer, a rear axle fluid
change is recommended after a break
-in period. Change the rear axle fluid
after the first 500 miles (800 km) of trailer towing. See ªRecommended Fluids
and Lubricantsº in the Index for the proper fluid to use.

Check rear/front axle fluid level and add fluid as needed. Check constant
velocity joints and axle seals for leaking.

Rotate tires. See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)

If Equipped: Replace passenger compartment air filter. If you drive regularly
under dusty conditions, the filter may require replacement more often.

Check rear/front axle fluid level and add fluid as needed. Check constant
velocity joints and axle seals for leaking.

Rotate tires. See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
22,500 Miles (37 500 km)

Check rear/front axle fluid level and add fluid as needed. Check constant
velocity joints and axle seals for leaking.

Rotate tires. See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE

Scheduled Maintenance
7-11
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)

Change automatic transmission fluid and filter 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.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, change the
fluid and filter at 100,000 miles (166 000 km).
52,500 Miles (87 500 km)
Check rear/front axle fluid level and add fluid as needed. Check constant
velocity joints and axle seals for leaking.
Rotate tires. See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
60,000 Miles (100 000 km)
If Equipped: Replace passenger compartment air filter. If you drive regularly
under dusty conditions, the filter may require replacement more often.
Check rear/front axle fluid level and add fluid as needed. Check constant
velocity joints and axle seals for leaking.
(Continued)
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE

Scheduled Maintenance
7-14
97,500 Miles (162 500 km)

Check rear/front axle fluid level and add fluid as needed. Check constant
velocity joints and axle seals for leaking.

Rotate tires. See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)

Inspect spark plug wires.
An Emission Control Service.

Replace spark plugs.
An Emission Control Service.

Change automatic transmission fluid and filter 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.
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE

8-6
Roadside Assistance
GMC's Roadside Assistance provides stranded owners
with over
-the-phone roadside repairs, location of the
nearest GMC dealer or the following special services:
Flat Tire Change: Installation of spare tire will be
covered at no charge (customer is responsible for repair
or replacement of tire).Fuel Delivery: Delivery of enough fuel for the customer
to get to the nearest service station (up to $4.00) will
be covered.
Jump Start: No
-start situations which require a battery
jump start will be covered at no charge.
Lock Out: Replacement keys or locksmith service will
be covered at no charge if you are unable to gain entry
into your vehicle. Delivery of the replacement key will
be covered at no charge within 10 miles (16 km).
Emergency Towing Service: Towing to the nearest
GMC dealer for warranty related disablements will
be covered.
Deluxe Trip Routing: Custom
-made, computerized
highlighted maps using the most direct or scenic route
are provided free of charge. Maps include points of
interest and a list of GMC dealers along the route. Also
included is a list of hotels along the route that are
discounted through affiliation with ªQuest
International.º Trip Routing is available through
Roadside Assistance by calling 1
-800-GMC-8782
(462-8782). Please be prepared to provide your Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN). Allow five working days
for fulfillment.