tow GMC YUKON 2001 Owner's Guide

2-31 Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. If you have
four
-wheel drive and your transfer case is in
NEUTRAL, your vehicle will be free to roll, even
if your shift lever is in PARK (P). So be sure the
transfer case is in a drive gear
-- not in
NEUTRAL. And, if you leave the vehicle with the
engine running, it could overheat and even catch
fire. You or others could be injured. Don't leave
your vehicle with the engine running unless
you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and the
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After you
move the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the regular
brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the shift
lever away from PARK (P) without first pulling it
toward you. If you can, it means that the shift lever
wasn't fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transmission. You may find it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called ªtorque lock.º
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver's seat. To find out how, see ªShifting Into
PARK (P)º in the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission, so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).

2-34
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you've left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
Four-wheel drive vehicles with the transfer case
in NEUTRAL will allow the vehicle to roll, even if
your shift lever is in PARK (P). So, be sure the
transfer case is in a drive gear
-- not in
NEUTRAL. Always set your parking brake.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won't
move. See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº in
the Index.
Level Control (If Equipped)
Self-Adjusting
The self
-adjusting rear suspension is available on
C/K 1500 vehicles and is available with the premium
smooth ride suspension package.
This type of level control will provide a leveled riding
position as well as improved handling under a variety of
passenger and loading conditions. A hydraulic pump
inside each rear shock absorber raises the rear of the
vehicle to the proper height, based on inputs from
the road surface, while the vehicle is being driven.
It takes approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) of driving
for the leveling to complete, depending on the road
surface conditions.
If the loaded vehicle is not moved for approximately
twelve hours, the leveling system may bleed down to a
lower height. This can be especially apparent if a trailer
is left attached to a parked vehicle for long periods of
time. The vehicle must be driven to re
-level the vehicle.
If a self
-equalizing hitch is being used, the vehicle
should be driven approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) with
the trailer prior to adjusting (leveling) the hitch.

2-35
Automatic Level Control
The automatic level control rear suspension is available
on C/K 1500 vehicles and comes as a part of the
Autoride
suspension.
This type of level control is fully automatic and will
provide a better leveled riding position as well as better
handling under a variety of passenger and loading
conditions. An air compressor connected to the rear
shocks will raise or lower the rear of the vehicle to
maintain proper vehicle height. The system is activated
when the ignition key is turned to RUN and will
automatically adjust vehicle height thereafter.
The system may exhaust (lower vehicle height) for
up to ten minutes after the ignition key has been
turned to OFF. You may hear the air compressor
operating when the height is being adjusted.
If a self
-equalizing hitch is being used, it is
recommended to allow the shocks to inflate, thereby
leveling the vehicle prior to adjusting the hitch.
Autoride
(If Equipped)
The Autoride
feature will provide a superior vehicle
ride and handling under a variety of passenger and
loading conditions.The system is fully automatic and uses a computer
controller to continuously monitor vehicle speed, wheel
to body position, lift/drive and steering position of the
vehicle. The controller then sends signals to each shock
absorber to independently adjust the damping level to
provide the optimum vehicle ride.
Autoride also interacts with the tow/haul switch that,
when engaged, will provide additional control of the
shock absorbers. This additional control results in
better ride and handling characteristics when the vehicle
is loaded or towing a trailer. See ªTow/Haul Modeº in
the Index for more information.
Locking Rear Axle
If your vehicle has this feature, your locking rear axle
can give you additional traction on snow, mud, ice, sand
or gravel. It works like a standard axle most of the time,
but when one of the rear wheels has no traction and the
other does, this feature will allow the wheel with
traction to move the vehicle.

2-38 Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low to high beam or high
to low beam, pull the multifunction lever all the way
toward you. Then release it.
When the high beams
are on, this light on the
instrument panel also
will be on.
Flash-To-Pass Feature
This feature allows you to use your high-beam
headlamps to signal a driver in front of you that you
want to pass. It works even if your headlamps are off.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever toward you, but not
so far that you hear it click.
If your headlamps are off or on low
-beam, your
high
-beam headlamps will turn on. They'll stay on as
long as you hold the lever toward you and the
high
-beam indicator on the instrument panel will
come on. Release the lever to turn the high
-beam
headlamps off.
Windshield Wipers
You control the windshield wipers by turning the band
with the wiper symbol on it.
For a single wiping cycle, turn the band to MIST. Hold
it there until the wipers start, then let go. The wipers will
stop after one wipe. If you want more wipes, hold the
band on MIST longer.
You can set the wiper speed for a long or short delay
between wipes. This can be very useful in light rain or
snow. Turn the band to choose the delay time.
The closer to LO, the shorter the delay.

2-48 Dome Lamps
The dome lamps will come on when you open a door.
You can also turn the dome lamps on by turning the
thumbwheel, located next to the parking/headlamps
knob, all the way up. In this position, the dome lamps
will remain on whether a door is opened or closed.
You can use the DOME OVERRIDE button, located
below the parking/headlamp knob, to set the dome
lamps to come on automatically when a door is opened,
or to remain off. To turn the lamps off, press the button
into the ªinº position. With the button in this position,
the dome lamps will remain off when the doors are
open. To return the lamps to automatic operation, press
the button again and return it to the ªoutº position.
With the button in this position, the dome lamps will
come on when you open a door.
Battery Run-Down Protection
This feature shuts off the dome, reading, glove box
and underhood lamps if they are left on for more than
20 minutes when the ignition is off. This will keep your
battery from running down.
Mirrors
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror
Pull the tab under the mirror toward you to reduce glare
from headlamps behind you after dark. Push the tab
away from you for normal daytime operation.

2-50
Electrochromic Mirror Operation
The right side of the button, labeled TEMP and located
at the bottom of the mirror, turns the electrochromic
mirror on and off. An indicator light, located to the
right of the TEMP button, will come on when the
electrochromic mirror is turned on. To turn the mirror
on, press and hold the TEMP button for 15 seconds.
To turn the mirror off, press and hold the TEMP button
for 15 seconds. The indicator light will turn off.
Compass Operation
With the ignition on, the compass will show two character
boxes. The mirror will display the compass heading.
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror as that may cause
the liquid cleaner to enter the mirror housing.Compass Calibration
The compass may need calibration if:

After five seconds, the display does not show a
compass heading (ªNº for North, for example),
there may be a strong magnetic field interfering with
the compass. Such interference may be caused by a
magnetic antenna mount, magnetic note pad holder
or a similar magnetic item.

The compass does not display the correct heading
and the compass zone variance is set correctly.
In order to calibrate, the letters ªCALº must be displayed
in the mirror compass windows. If ªCALº is not
displayed, push in the ªCOMPº button for approximately
eight seconds or until the letter ªCALº is displayed.
The compass can be calibrated in one of two ways:

Drive the vehicle in circles at five mph (8 km/h) or
less until the display reads a direction, or

Drive the vehicle on your everyday routine and after
several turns the compass will become calibrated and
will display a direction.

2-52 Outside Manual Adjust Mirrors
Adjust your outside mirrors so you can just see the side
of your vehicle and have a clear view of objects behind
you. The mirrors can be folded in to enter narrow areas.
The use of hood
-mounted air deflectors and add-on
convex mirror attachments may adversely affect
mirror performance.
Camper-Type Outside Mirrors
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped with camper-type mirrors,
they can be adjusted so you can have a clear view of
objects behind you.
Pull out the mirror head to extend it for better visibility
when towing a trailer.
Electric Outside Rearview Mirrors
(If Equipped)
The controls are located on
the driver's door armrest.
Move the upper control to the left or right to choose the
mirror you want to adjust. Then press the arrows on the
lower control pad to adjust the mirror in the direction
you want them to go.
Heated Outside Rearview Mirrors
(If Equipped)
The outside rearview mirrors with this option feature a
defrost mode.
To turn on the defrost feature, press the rear window
defogger button. See ªRear Window Defoggerº in the
Index for further information.

2-55 Cargo Security Shade (If Equipped)
CAUTION:
An improperly stored cargo cover could be
thrown about the vehicle during a collision or
sudden maneuver. You or others could be
injured. If you remove the cover, always store it
outside of the vehicle. When you put it back,
always be sure that it is securely reattached.
If you have a cargo security shade, you can use it to
cover items in the cargo area of your vehicle.
To use the shade, pull the shade handle toward the rear
of the vehicle. Latch the shade posts into the retaining
sockets on the cargo area trim panels.
To return the shade to the retracted position, pull up on
the shade handle to release the shade posts from the
retaining sockets. Let the shade move forward to the full
retracted position.To remove the shade from the vehicle, first let the shade
go all the way into the holder. Then, grasping the
passenger's side shade endcap, push the shade endcap
toward the driver's side of the vehicle. The endcap
should lock in the compressed position. Lift the shade
up on the passenger's side, swing the shade rearward
and take it out of the vehicle.
To put the shade in the vehicle, first make sure the shade
slot in the holder faces rearward with the round surface
facing down. Then, hold the shade at an angle and place
the shade holder tab into the slot in the driver's side trim
panel. Move the other end of the shade forward and hold
it next to the passenger's side trim panel slot.
Push the button on top of the passenger's side endcap.
This will allow the shade to extend into the trim slot.
Lightly pull on the shade holder to make sure it is
secure. On Suburban/Yukon XL models there are
two slots. The slots furthest forward allow the shade to
be used if the third seat is removed or folded down.

2-58
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
Front Ashtray
The front ashtray is located near the center of the
instrument panel. Pull on the bottom of the ashtray door
to open it.
NOTICE:
If you store paper or other things that burn in
your ashtrays, they could be set on fire by
cigarettes or other smoking materials. That could
cause a fire and possibly damage your vehicle.
Do not store papers and other things that burn
in your ashtrays.
To remove the front ashtray, press the retainer spring
and pull the ashtray toward you. To replace the ashtray,
place the ashtray on the slides at the side of its location
in the instrument panel. Then slide the ashtray back to
its original position.
To use the cigarette lighter, push it in all the way, and let
go. When it's ready, it will pop back out by itself.
NOTICE:
Holding a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while it's heating can make it overload, damaging
the lighter and the heating element. Just push the
lighter all the way in and let go. When it's done,
it will pop back by itself.

2-67
The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A. Dome Lamp Override Switch
B. Lamp Controls
C. Air Outlets
D. Automatic Transfer Case/Traction Assist
System (If Equipped)
E. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
F. Instrument Panel Cluster
G. Gearshift Lever
H. Tow/Haul Selector Switch
I. Audio System
J. Comfort Control SystemK. Instrument Panel Fuse Block
L. Hood Release
M. Center Instrument Panel Utility Block
N. Tilt Lever (If Equipped)
O. Parking Brake Release
P. Lighter and Accessory Power Outlets
Q. Rear Window Defogger Switch (If Equipped)
R. Storage Area or Compact Disc Player (If Equipped)
S. Ashtray
T. Glove Box