automatic transmission GMC YUKON 2017 User Guide

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-9955936) - 2017 - crc - 11/9/16
Instruments and Controls 169
light will also come on. SeeTire
Pressure Light 0150. You can
receive more than one tire pressure
message at a time. If a tire pressure
message appears on the DIC, stop
as soon as you can. Have the tire
pressures checked and set to those
shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label. See Tires0327,
Vehicle Load Limits 0213, and Tire
Pressure 0334. The DIC also
shows the tire pressure values. See
Driver Information Center (DIC)
0 153.
Transmission Messages
4WD OFF
If equipped with four-wheel drive,
this message displays when the
four-wheel-drive system is
temporarily disabled due to an
overheated condition. The vehicle
will run in two-wheel drive when this
message is present. Once the
four-wheel-drive system cools down,
the message turns off and the
four-wheel-drive system returns to
normal operation.
4WD SHIFT IN PROGRESS
This message will display while the
four-wheel-drive system is shifting.
FOR 4WD LOW SHIFT TO
NEUTRAL
If a four-wheel drive shift into 4nis
requested, and the vehicle speed is
correct, but the transmission is not
in N (Neutral), this message will
display until the transmission is
shifted to N (Neutral).
FOR 4WD LOW SLOW TO XXX
If a four-wheel drive shift into 4nis
requested, but the vehicle speed is
too high, this message will display
until the correct vehicle speed is
reached.
GRADE BRAKING ACTIVE
This message displays when grade
braking has been activated while
driving on downhill grades. This
message will only appear the first
time the feature is activated in an
ignition cycle. See Tow/Haul Mode
0 234, Automatic Transmission
0 229, and Cruise Control 0244.
GRADE BRAKING OFF
This message displays when grade
braking has been disabled with the
Tow/Haul Mode button on the end of
the shift lever. See Tow/Haul Mode
0 234, Automatic Transmission
0 229, and Cruise Control 0244.
GRADE BRAKING ON
This message displays when grade
braking has been enabled with the
Tow/Haul Mode button on the end of
the shift lever. See Tow/Haul Mode
0 234, Automatic Transmission
0 229, and Cruise Control 0244.
SERVICE 4WD
If the vehicle has four-wheel drive,
this message may display if a
problem occurs with the
four-wheel-drive system. If this
message appears, stop as soon as
possible and turn off the vehicle.
Make sure the key is in the LOCK/
OFF position for at least
one minute, then restart the vehicle
and check for the message on the
DIC display. If the message is still
displayed or appears again when

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-9955936) - 2017 - crc - 11/9/16
Lighting 185
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
DRL can make it easier for others to
see the front of the vehicle during
the day. Fully functional DRL are
required on all vehicles first sold in
Canada.
The DRL system comes on when
the following conditions are met:
.The ignition is on.
. The exterior lamp control is
in AUTO.
. The transmission is not in
P (Park).
. The light sensor determines it is
daytime.
When the DRL system is on, only
the DRL are on. The taillamps,
sidemarker lamps, instrument panel
lights, and other lamps will not
be on.
When it begins to get dark, the
automatic headlamp system
switches from DRL to the
headlamps. To turn off the DRL, turn the exterior
lamp control to the off position and
then release. For vehicles first sold
in Canada, off will only work when
the vehicle is parked.
Automatic Headlamp
System
When the exterior lamp control is
set to AUTO and it is dark enough
outside, the headlamps come on
automatically.
There is a light sensor on top of the
instrument panel. Do not cover the
sensor, otherwise the headlamps
will come on when they are not
needed.
The system may also turn on the
headlamps when driving through a
parking garage or tunnel.
If the vehicle is started in a dark
garage, the automatic headlamp
system comes on immediately. If it
is light outside when the vehicle
leaves the garage, there is a slight
delay before the automatic
headlamp system changes to the
DRL. During that delay, the
instrument cluster may not be as
bright as usual. Make sure the
instrument panel brightness control
is in the full bright position. See
Instrument Panel Illumination
Control
0187.
When it is bright enough outside,
the headlamps will turn off or may
change to Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL).
The automatic headlamp system
turns off when the exterior lamp
control is turned to
Oor the ignition
is off.

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-9955936) - 2017 - crc - 11/9/16
200 Driving and Operating
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 209
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 210
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 212
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 217
Adjustable Throttle and BrakePedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Ignition Positions (Key Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Ignition Positions (Keyless Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223 Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Active Fuel Management . . . . . 227
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 229
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 240
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241 Magnetic Ride Control . . . . . . . . 243
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Automatic Level Control . . . . . . 243
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . 246
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 253
Assistance Systems for
Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 254
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Forward Automatic Braking (FAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . 261
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . 263
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
California Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 266
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-9955936) - 2017 - crc - 11/9/16
206 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
of control. Driving across hills can
cause a rollover. You could be
injured or killed. Do not drive on
steep hills.
Before driving on a hill, assess the
steepness, traction, and
obstructions. If the terrain ahead
cannot be seen, get out of the
vehicle and walk the hill before
driving further.
When driving on hills:
. Use a low gear and keep a firm
grip on the steering wheel.
. Maintain a slow speed.
. When possible, drive straight up
or down the hill.
. Slow down when approaching
the top of the hill.
. Use headlamps even during the
day to make the vehicle more
visible.
{Warning
Driving to the top of a hill at high
speed can cause an accident.
There could be a drop-off,
embankment, cliff, or even
another vehicle. You could be
seriously injured or killed. As you
near the top of a hill, slow down
and stay alert.
. Never go downhill forward or
backward with either the
transmission or transfer case in
N (Neutral). The brakes could
overheat and you could lose
control.
{Warning
If the vehicle has the two‐speed
automatic transfer case, shifting
the transfer case to N (Neutral)
can cause your vehicle to roll
even if the transmission is in
P (Park). This is because the
N (Neutral) position on the
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
transfer case overrides the
transmission. You or someone
else could be injured. If leaving
the vehicle, set the parking brake
and shift the transmission to
P (Park). Shift the transfer case to
any position but N (Neutral).
. When driving down a hill, keep
the vehicle headed straight
down. Use a low gear because
the engine will work with the
brakes to slow the vehicle and
help keep the vehicle under
control.
{Warning
Heavy braking when going down
a hill can cause your brakes to
overheat and fade. This could
cause loss of control and you or
others could be injured or killed.
Apply the brakes lightly when
(Continued)

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-9955936) - 2017 - crc - 11/9/16
Driving and Operating 219
Accessory Power (RAP) will remain
active. SeeRetained Accessory
Power (RAP) 0225.
This position locks the ignition and
steering wheel. It also locks the
transmission on automatic
transmission vehicles. The key can
be removed in LOCK/OFF.
The steering can bind with the
wheels turned off center. If this
happens, move the steering wheel
from right to left while turning the
key to ACC/ACCESSORY. If this
does not work, then the vehicle
needs service.
Do not turn the engine off when the
vehicle is moving. This will cause a
loss of power assist in the brake
and steering systems and disable
the airbags.
If the vehicle must be shut off in an
emergency: 1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the
brakes repeatedly. This may
deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force. 2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral).
This can be done while the
vehicle is moving. After shifting
to N (Neutral), firmly apply the
brakes and steer the vehicle to
a safe location.
3. Come to a complete stop, shift to P (Park), and turn the
ignition to LOCK/OFF. On
vehicles with an automatic
transmission, the shift lever
must be in P (Park) to turn the
ignition switch to the LOCK/
OFF position.
4. Set the parking brake. See Parking Brake 0239.
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of power
assist in the brake and steering
systems and disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the
vehicle off in an emergency. If the vehicle cannot be pulled over,
and must be shut off while driving,
turn the ignition to ACC/
ACCESSORY.
Caution
Using a tool to force the key to
turn in the ignition could cause
damage to the switch or break the
key. Use the correct key, make
sure it is all the way in, and turn it
only with your hand. If the key
cannot be turned by hand, see
your dealer.
1 (ACC/ACCESSORY) : This
position lets things like the radio
and the windshield wipers operate
while the engine is off. It also
unlocks the steering wheel. Use this
position if the vehicle must be
pushed or towed.
2 (ON/RUN) : This position can be
used to operate the electrical
accessories and to display some
instrument cluster warning and
indicator lights. This position can
also be used for service and

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-9955936) - 2017 - crc - 11/9/16
220 Driving and Operating
diagnostics, and to verify the proper
operation of the malfunction
indicator lamp as may be required
for emission inspection purposes.
The switch stays in this position
when the engine is running. The
transmission is also unlocked in this
position on automatic transmission
vehicles.
If the key is left in the ACC/
ACCESSORY or ON/RUN position
with the engine off, the battery could
be drained. The vehicle may not
start if the battery is allowed to drain
for an extended period of time.
3 (START) :This is the position that
starts the engine. When the engine
starts, release the key. The ignition
switch returns to ON/RUN for
driving.
A warning tone will sound when the
driver door is opened and the
ignition is in ACC/ACCESSORY or
LOCK/OFF, and the key is in the
ignition.Ignition Positions
(Keyless Access)
Vehicles with Keyless Access have
pushbutton starting.
The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter must be in the vehicle for
the system to operate. If the
pushbutton start is not working, the
vehicle may be near a strong radio
antenna signal causing interference
to the Keyless Access system.
See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation (Keyless Access)
0 34 orRemote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation (Key
Access) 032. To shift out of P (Park), the vehicle
must be in ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN and the brake pedal must
be applied.
Stopping the Engine/LOCK/
OFF (No Indicator Lights) :
When
the vehicle is stopped, press
ENGINE START/STOP once to turn
the engine off.
If the vehicle is in P (Park), the
ignition will turn off, and Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) will remain
active. See Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) 0225.
If the vehicle is not in P (Park), the
ignition will return to ACC/
ACCESSORY and display the
message SHIFT TO PARK in the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
See Transmission Messages 0169.
When the vehicle is shifted into
P (Park), the ignition system will
switch to OFF.
Do not turn the engine off when the
vehicle is moving. This will cause a
loss of power assist in the brake
and steering systems and disable
the airbags.

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-9955936) - 2017 - crc - 11/9/16
Driving and Operating 221
The vehicle may have an electric
steering column lock. The lock is
activated when the vehicle is
switched to OFF and either front
door is opened. A sound may be
heard as the lock actuates or
releases. The steering column lock
may not release with the wheels
turned off center. If this happens,
the vehicle may not start. Move the
steering wheel from left to right
while attempting to start the vehicle.
If this does not work, the vehicle
needs service.
If the vehicle must be shut off in an
emergency:1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the
brakes repeatedly. This may
deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be done while the
vehicle is moving. After shifting
to N (Neutral), firmly apply the
brakes and steer the vehicle to
a safe location. 3. Come to a complete stop, shift
to P (Park), and turn the
ignition to OFF. On vehicles
with an automatic transmission,
the shift lever must be in
P (Park) to turn the ignition
switch to the OFF position.
4. Set the parking brake. See Parking Brake 0239.
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of power
assist in the brake and steering
systems and disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the
vehicle off in an emergency.
If the vehicle cannot be pulled over,
and must be shut off while driving,
press and hold ENGINE START/
STOP for longer than two seconds,
or press twice in five seconds.
ACC/ACCESSORY (Amber
Indicator Light) : This mode allows
some electrical accessories to be
used when the engine is off. With the ignition off, pressing the
button one time without the brake
pedal applied will place the ignition
system in ACC/ACCESSORY.
The ignition will switch from ACC/
ACCESSORY to OFF after
five minutes to prevent battery
rundown.
ON/RUN/START (Green Indicator
Light) :
This mode is for driving and
starting. With the ignition off, and
the brake pedal applied, pressing
the button once will place the
ignition system in ON/RUN/START.
Once engine cranking begins,
release the button. Engine cranking
will continue until the engine starts.
See Starting the Engine 0222. The
ignition will then remain in ON/RUN.
Service Only Mode
This power mode is available for
service and diagnostics, and to
verify the proper operation of the
malfunction indicator lamp as may
be required for emission inspection
purposes. With the vehicle off, and
the brake pedal not applied,
pressing and holding the button for
more than five seconds will place

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-9955936) - 2017 - crc - 11/9/16
Driving and Operating 229
Automatic
Transmission
If equipped, there is an electronic
shift lever position indicator within
the instrument cluster. This display
comes on when the ignition key is
turned to the ON/RUN position.
There are several different positions
for the shift lever.
See“Range Selection Mode” under
Manual Mode 0231.
P : This position locks the rear
wheels. It is the best position to use
when starting the engine because
the vehicle cannot move easily.
When parked on a hill, especially
when the vehicle has a heavy load,
you might notice an increase in the
effort to shift out of P (Park). See
“Torque Lock” underShifting Into
Park 0225.
{Warning
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park).
See Shifting Into Park 0225 and
Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips 0269.
{Warning
If you have four-wheel drive, the
vehicle will be free to roll —even
if the shift lever is in P (Park) —if
the transfer case is in N (Neutral).
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
So, be sure the transfer case is in
a drive gear, Two-Wheel Drive
High or Four-Wheel Drive High or
Four-Wheel Drive Low —not in
N (Neutral). See Shifting Into Park
0 225.
R : Use this gear to back up.
Caution
Shifting to R (Reverse) while the
vehicle is moving forward could
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Shift to
R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to
get out of snow, ice, or sand without
damaging the transmission, see If
the Vehicle Is Stuck 0212.
N : In this position, the engine does
not connect with the wheels. To
restart when you are already

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-9955936) - 2017 - crc - 11/9/16
Driving and Operating 231
shifting might feel different as the
transmission determines the best
settings.
When temperatures are very cold,
the transmission's gear shifting
could be delayed providing more
stable shifts until the engine warms
up. Shifts could be more noticeable
with a cold transmission. This
difference in shifting is normal.
L :This position allows selection of
a range of gears appropriate for
current driving conditions.
If equipped, see “Range Selection
Mode” underManual Mode 0231.
Caution
Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill
using only the accelerator pedal
may damage the transmission.
The repair will not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. If the vehicle
is stuck, do not spin the tires.
When stopping on a hill, use the
brakes to hold the vehicle in
place.
Normal Mode Grade Braking
If equipped with a gasoline engine
and an automatic transmission,
Normal Mode Grade Braking is
enabled when the vehicle is started,
but is not enabled in Range
Selection Mode. It assists in
maintaining desired vehicle speeds
when driving on downhill grades by
using the engine and transmission
to slow the vehicle. The first time
the system engages for each
ignition key cycle, a DIC message
will be displayed. See Transmission
Messages 0169.
To disable or enable Normal Mode
Grade Braking within the current
ignition key cycle, press and hold
the Tow/Haul button for
five seconds. When the button is
released, the requested mode
change is made. A DIC message
displays. See Transmission
Messages 0169.
For other forms of grade braking,
see Tow/Haul Mode 0234 and
Cruise Control 0244.
Kickdown Mode
The accelerator pedal provides an
additional downshift after pressing
through the kickdown feature.
It requires extra pedal pressure near
the end of its travel to engage.
Manual Mode
Range Selection Mode
If equipped, Range Selection Mode
helps control the vehicle's
transmission and vehicle speed
while driving downhill or towing a
trailer by letting you select a desired
range of gears.

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-9955936) - 2017 - crc - 11/9/16
232 Driving and Operating
To use this feature:1. Move the shift lever to L (Manual Mode).
2. Tap the plus/minus buttons on the shift lever to select the
desired range of gears for
current driving conditions.
Hold the plus/minus buttons on the
shift lever to select the highest or
lowest range available for the
current vehicle speed.
When the shift lever is moved from
D (Drive) to L (Manual Mode), a
number displays next to the L,
indicating the current transmission
range.
This number is the highest gear that
the transmission will command while
operating in L (Manual Mode). All
gears below that number are available. As driving conditions
change, the transmission can
automatically shift to lower gears.
For example, when 5 (Fifth) is
selected, 1 (First) through 5 (Fifth)
gears are automatically shifted by
the transmission, but 6 (Sixth)
cannot be used until the plus/minus
button on the shift lever is used to
change to the range.
In vehicles with gasoline engines,
when the shift lever is moved from
D (Drive) to L (Manual Mode), a
downshift may occur. The gear that
the transmission is operating in
when the shift lever is moved from
D (Drive) to L (Manual Mode)
determines if a downshift occurs.
See the following chart.