traction control GMC YUKON 2020 Owner's Manual

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-13566587) - 2020 - CRC - 4/15/19
4 Introduction
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. See the
features in this manual for
information.
u:Air Conditioning System
G:Air Conditioning Refrigerant Oil
9:Airbag Readiness Light
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
$:Brake System Warning Light
9:Dispose of Used Components
Properly
P: Do Not Apply High Pressure
Water
B: Engine Coolant Temperature
_: Flame/Fire Prohibited
H:Flammable
[:Forward Collision Alert
R: Fuse Block Cover Lock
Location
+: Fuses
j:ISOFIX/LATCH System Child
Restraints
Q: Keep Fuse Block Covers
Properly Installed
|: Lane Change Alert
@:Lane Departure Warning
A:Lane Keep Assist
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
X:Park Assist
~:Pedestrian Ahead Indicator
O:Power
7: Rear Cross Traffic Alert
I:Registered Technician
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>: Seat Belt Reminders
I:Side Blind Zone Alert
h:Stop/Start
7: Tire Pressure Monitor
d:Traction Control/StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
a: Under Pressure
V:Vehicle Ahead Indicator

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-13566587) - 2020 - CRC - 4/15/19
6 Introduction
1.Air Vents 0180.
2. Head-Up Display (HUD) 0147
(If Equipped).
3.
gTraction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0226.
jPower Assist Steps 032 (If
Equipped).
XPark Assist Button (If
Equipped). See Assistance
Systems for Parking or Backing
0 242.
ALane Keep Assist (LKA)
0 251 (If Equipped).
0Pedal Adjust Switch (If
Equipped). See Adjustable
Throttle and Brake Pedal
0 201.
4. Turn Signal Lever. See Turn
and Lane-Change Signals
0 169.
Windshield Wiper/Washer
0 116. 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
0168.
7. Instrument Cluster 0126.
8. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission 0213.
Tow/Haul Selector Button. See
Tow/Haul Mode 0218.
Range Selection Mode (If
Equipped). See Manual Mode
0 216.
9. Light Sensor. See Automatic
Headlamp System 0167.
10. Infotainment 0174.
11. Dual Automatic Climate Control
System 0175.
12. Heated and Ventilated Front
Seats 054 (If Equipped). 13. Rear Climate Control Buttons.
SeeRear Climate Control
System 0179.
14. Ignition Positions (Keyless
Access) 0202 or
Ignition Positions (Key Access)
0 204.
15. Steering Wheel Controls. See the infotainment manual.
16. Horn 0116.
17. Steering Wheel Adjustment
0115.
18. Hood Release. See Hood
0 284.
19. Cruise Control 0230.
Adaptive Cruise Control 0232
(If Equipped).
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0245 (If Equipped).
Heated Steering Wheel 0116
(If Equipped).
20. Trailer Brake Control Panel (If Equipped). See Towing
Equipment 0270.

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-13566587) - 2020 - CRC - 4/15/19
114 Instruments and Controls
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 115
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 116
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 116
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 116
Rear Window Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Engine Oil Pressure
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Transmission Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . 133
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 134
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 135
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 136
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Four-Wheel-Drive Light . . . . . . . 139
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . 139
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . 140
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . 140
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 142
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 142 Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 143
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . 143
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 143
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 144
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Information Displays
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Head-Up Display (HUD) . . . . . . 147
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 151
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . 152
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 152
Universal Remote System
Universal Remote System . . . . 160
Universal Remote System Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Universal Remote System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-13566587) - 2020 - CRC - 4/15/19
140 Instruments and Controls
Vehicle Ahead Indicator
If equipped, this indicator will
display green when a vehicle is
detected ahead and amber when
you are following a vehicle ahead
much too closely.
SeeForward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0245.
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/ESC
button.
This light and the StabiliTrak/ESC
OFF light come on when StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is
turned off.
If the TCS is off, wheel spin is not
limited. Adjust driving accordingly.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0226.
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/Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) system is turned off.
If StabiliTrak/ESC is off, the Traction
Control System (TCS) is also off.
If StabiliTrak/ESC and TCS are off,
the system does not assist in
controlling the vehicle. Turn on the
TCS and the StabiliTrak/ESC
systems, and the warning light
turns off.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0226.

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-13566587) - 2020 - CRC - 4/15/19
Instruments and Controls 141
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/
ESC 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/ESC
system is actively working.See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0226.
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 Overheating0300.
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 0300.
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.

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-13566587) - 2020 - CRC - 4/15/19
Driving and Operating 183
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better FuelEconomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 193
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 193
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 195
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 201
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Ignition Positions (Keyless Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202 Ignition Positions (Key
Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Active Fuel Management . . . . . 211
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 213
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 225
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Hill Descent Control (HDC) . . . 228
Magnetic Ride Control . . . . . . . . 229
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Automatic Level Control . . . . . . 229
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . 232
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 240
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 242
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . 250
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . 251
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Recommended Fuel (L83 5.3L V8 Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-13566587) - 2020 - CRC - 4/15/19
184 Driving and Operating
Recommended Fuel (L86 6.2LV8 Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 255
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Trailer Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . 278
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Driving Information
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving tips
to get the best fuel economy
possible:
. Set the climate controls to the
desired temperature after the
engine is started, or turn them
off when not required.
. Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
. Brake gradually and avoid
abrupt stops.
. Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
. When road and weather
conditions are appropriate, use
cruise control.
. Always follow posted speed
limits or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
. Keep vehicle tires properly
inflated. .
Combine several trips into a
single trip.
. Replace the vehicle's tires with
the same TPC Spec number
molded into the tire's sidewall
near the size.
. Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
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.

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-13566587) - 2020 - CRC - 4/15/19
Driving and Operating 185
.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.
Refer to the infotainment manual for
more information on using that
system and the navigation system,
if equipped, including pairing and
using a cell phone.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always
expect the unexpected.” The first
step in driving defensively is to wear
the seat belt. See Seat Belts062.
. Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and
other drivers) are going to be
careless and make mistakes.
Anticipate what they might do
and be ready. .
Allow enough following distance
between you and the driver in
front of you.
. Focus on the task of driving.
Drunk Driving
Death and injury associated with
drinking and driving is a global
tragedy.
{Warning
Drinking and then driving is very
dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even
a small amount of alcohol. You
can have a serious —or even
fatal —collision if you drive after
drinking.
Do not drink and drive or ride with
a driver who has been drinking.
Ride home in a cab; or if you are
with a group, designate a driver
who will not drink.

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-13566587) - 2020 - CRC - 4/15/19
188 Driving and Operating
Defensive drivers avoid most skids
by taking reasonable care suited to
existing conditions, and by not
overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible.
If the vehicle starts to slide, follow
these suggestions:
.Ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and steer the
way you want the vehicle to go.
The vehicle may straighten out.
Be ready for a second skid if it
occurs.
. Slow down and adjust your
driving according to weather
conditions. Stopping distance
can be longer and vehicle
control can be affected when
traction is reduced by water,
snow, ice, gravel, or other
material on the road. Learn to
recognize warning clues —such
as enough water, ice, or packed
snow on the road to make a
mirrored surface —and slow
down when you have any doubt. .
Try to avoid sudden steering,
acceleration, or braking,
including reducing vehicle speed
by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help
avoid only the braking skid.
Off-Road Driving
Four-wheel-drive vehicles can be
used for off-road driving. Vehicles
without four-wheel drive and
vehicles not equipped with All
Terrain (AT) or On-Off Road (OOR)
tires must not be driven off-road
except on a level, solid surface. For
contact information about the
original equipment tires, see the
warranty manual.
One of the best ways for successful
off-road driving is to control the
speed.
{Warning
When driving off-road, bouncing
and quick changes in direction
can easily throw you out of
position. This could cause you to
lose control and crash. You and
your passengers should always
wear seat belts.
Before Driving Off-Road
. Have all necessary maintenance
and service work completed.
. Fuel the vehicle, fill fluid levels,
and check inflation pressure in
all tires, including the spare,
if equipped.
. Read all the information about
four-wheel-drive vehicles in this
manual.
. Remove any underbody air
deflector, if equipped. Re-attach
the air deflector after off-road
driving.
. Know the local laws that apply to
off-road driving.

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-13566587) - 2020 - CRC - 4/15/19
190 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
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 a crash. 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 or electronic 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
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
on the 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)