service GMC YUKON DENALI 2010 Workshop Manual

StabiliTrak®System
The vehicle has a vehicle stability enhancement system
called StabiliTrak. It is an advanced computer controlled
system that assists the driver with directional control of
the vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
StabiliTrak activates when the computer senses a
discrepancy between the intended path and the
direction the vehicle is actually traveling. StabiliTrak
selectively applies braking pressure at any one of the
vehicle's brakes to assist the driver with keeping the
vehicle on the intended path.
When the vehicle is started and begins to move, the
system performs several diagnostic checks to insure
there are no problems. The system may be heard or felt
while it is working. This is normal and does not mean
there is a problem with the vehicle. The system should
initialize before the vehicle reaches 20 mph (32 km/h).
In some cases, it may take approximately two miles of
driving before the system initializes.
If cruise control is being used when StabiliTrak
activates, the cruise control automatically disengages.
The cruise control can be re-engaged when road
conditions allow. SeeCruise Control on page 4‑8. If the system fails to turn on or activate, the StabiliTrak
light along with one of the following messages will be
displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC):
TRACTION CONTROL OFF, SERVICE TRACTION
CONTROL, STABILITRAK OFF, SERVICE
STABILITRAK. If these DIC messages appear, make
sure the StabiliTrak system has not been turned off
using the StabiliTrak on/off button. Then turn the
steering wheel clockwise from the nine o'clock position
to the three o'clock position. If this clears the
message(s), the vehicle does not need servicing. If this
does not clear the message(s), then turn the vehicle off,
wait 15 seconds, and then turn it back on again to reset
the system. If any of these messages still appear on the
Driver Information Center (DIC), the vehicle should be
taken in for service. For more information on the DIC
messages, see
Driver Information Center (DIC)
on
page 4‑42.
5-6

Traction Control Operation
The traction control system is part of the StabiliTrak
system. Traction control limits wheel spin by reducing
engine power to the wheels (engine speed
management) and by applying brakes to each individual
wheel (brake-traction control) as necessary.
The traction control system is enabled automatically
when the vehicle is started. It will activate and the
StabiliTrak light will flash if it senses that any of the
wheels are spinning or beginning to lose traction while
driving. If traction control is turned off, only the
brake-traction control portion of traction control will
work. The engine speed management will be disabled.
In this mode, engine power is not reduced automatically
and the driven wheels can spin more freely. This can
cause the brake-traction control to activate constantly.
Notice:If the wheel(s) of one axle is allowed to spin
excessively while the StabiliTrak, ABS and brake
warning lights and any relevant DIC messages are
displayed, the transfer case could be damaged. The
repairs would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Reduce engine power and do not spin the
wheel(s) excessively while these lights and
messages are displayed. The traction control system may activate on dry or
rough roads or under conditions such as heavy
acceleration while turning or abrupt upshifts/downshifts
of the transmission. When this happens, a reduction in
acceleration may be noticed, or a noise or vibration may
be heard. This is normal.
If cruise control is being used when the system
activates, the StabiliTrak light will flash and cruise
control will automatically disengage. Cruise control may
be reengaged when road conditions allow. See
Cruise
Control on page 4‑8.
StabiliTrak may also turn off automatically if it
determines that a problem exists with the system. If the
problem does not clear itself after restarting the vehicle,
see your dealer/retailer for service.
Locking Rear Axle
Vehicles with a locking rear axle can give more traction
on snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like a
standard axle most of the time, but when traction is low,
this feature will allow the rear wheel with the most
traction to move the vehicle.
5-8

Before You Go Off-Roading
.Have all necessary maintenance and service
work done.
.Make sure there is enough fuel, that fluid levels are
where they should be, and that the spare tire is
fully inflated.
.Be sure to read all the information about
all-wheel-drive vehicles in this manual.
.Make sure all underbody shields, if the vehicle has
them, are properly attached.
.Know the local laws that apply to off-roading where
you will be driving or check with law enforcement
people in the area.
.Be sure to get the necessary permission if you will
be on private land.
If you think you will need some more ground clearance
at the front of your vehicle, you can remove the front
fascia lower air dam. The air dam is held in place by
two bolts and 10 snaps accessible from underneath the
front fascia. To remove the air dam:
1. Remove the two outboard air dam bolts.
2. With a flat‐blade tool, disengage the snaps.
3. After the bolts are removed and the snaps are disengaged, push forward on the air dam until it
is free.
Notice: Operating your vehicle for extended periods
without the front fascia lower air dam installed can
cause improper air flow to the engine. Always be
sure to replace the front fascia air dam when you
are finished off-road driving.
After off-roading, be sure to reinstall the air dam:
1. Line up the snaps and push the air dam rearward to engage the snaps.
2. Install the two outboard bolts.
5-13

Driving in Water
{WARNING:
Driving through rushing water can be dangerous.
Deep water can sweep your vehicle downstream
and you and your passengers could drown. If it is
only shallow water, it can still wash away the
ground from under your tires, and you could lose
traction and roll the vehicle over. Do not drive
through rushing water.
Heavy rain can mean flash flooding, and flood waters
demand extreme caution.
Find out how deep the water is before driving through it.
Do not try it if it is deep enough to cover the wheel
hubs, axles, or exhaust pipe —you probably will not get
through. Deep water can damage the axle and other
vehicle parts.
If the water is not too deep, drive slowly through it. At
faster speeds, water splashes on the ignition system
and the vehicle can stall. Stalling can also occur if you
get the tailpipe under water. If the tailpipe is under
water, you will never be able to start the engine. When
going through water, remember that when the brakes
get wet, it might take longer to stop. See Driving in Rain
and on Wet Roads on page 5‑24.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has collected on the
underbody, chassis, or under the hood. These
accumulations can be a fire hazard.
After operation in mud or sand, have the brake linings
cleaned and checked. These substances can cause
glazing and uneven braking. Check the body structure,
steering, suspension, wheels, tires, and exhaust system
for damage and check the fuel lines and cooling system
for any leakage.
The vehicle requires more frequent service due to
off-road use. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule for
additional information.
5-23

Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can build up under
your vehicle's tires so they actually ride on the water.
This can happen if the road is wet enough and you are
going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning, it
has little or no contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The
best advice is to slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet weather driving tips
include:
.Allow extra following distance.
.Pass with caution.
.Keep windshield wiping equipment in good shape.
.Keep the windshield washer fluid reservoir filled.
.Have good tires with proper tread depth. SeeTireson page 6‑57.
.Turn off cruise control.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
To prepare your vehicle for a long trip, consider having
it serviced by your dealer/retailer before departing.
Things to check on your own include:
.Windshield Washer Fluid:Reservoir full? Windows
clean —inside and outside?
.Wiper Blades: In good shape?
.Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: All levels checked?
.Lamps:Do they all work and are lenses clean?
.Tires:Are treads good? Are tires inflated to
recommended pressure?
.Weather and Maps: Safe to travel? Have
up-to-date maps?
5-25

Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to your surroundings
while driving. If you become tired or sleepy, find a safe
place to park your vehicle and rest.
Other driving tips include:
.Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
.Keep interior temperature cool.
.Keep your eyes moving—scan the road ahead
and to the sides.
.Check the rearview mirror and vehicle instruments
often.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through mountains is different
than driving on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for driving in
these conditions include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in good shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes, tires, cooling
system, and transmission.
.Going down steep or long hills, shift to a
lower gear.
{WARNING:
If you do not shift down, the brakes could get so
hot that they would not work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Shift down to let the engine
assist the brakes on a steep downhill slope.
5-26

Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
To avoid damage, the disabled vehicle should be towed
with all four wheels off the ground. Consult your dealer/
retailer or a professional towing service if the disabled
vehicle must be towed. SeeRoadside Assistance
Program on page 8‑7.
To tow the vehicle behind another vehicle for
recreational purposes, such as behind a motorhome,
see “Recreational Vehicle Towing” following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
If the vehicle has a two–mode hybrid engine, see the
Two–mode Hybrid manual for more information.
Recreational vehicle towing means towing the vehicle
behind another vehicle–such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as “dinghy towing”(towing the vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground) and “dolly towing”
(towing the vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known as a “dolly”).Here are some important things to consider before
recreational vehicle towing:
.What is the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?
Be sure to read the tow vehicle manufacturer's
recommendations.
.What is the distance that will be travelled? Some
vehicles have restrictions on how far and how long
they can tow.
.Is the proper towing equipment going to be used?
See your dealer/retailer or trailering professional
for additional advice and equipment
recommendations.
.Is the vehicle ready to be towed? Just as preparing
the vehicle for a long trip, make sure the vehicle is
prepared to be towed. See
Before Leaving on a
Long Trip on page 5‑25.
5-37

All DIC warning and service messages must first be
acknowledged by the driver by pressing the odometer
trip stem or the DIC Vehicle Information button
(if equipped) before the Trailer Brake Display Page can
be displayed and Trailer Gain can be adjusted.
TRAILER GAIN–This setting is displayed anytime the
Trailer Brake Display Page is active. This setting can be
adjusted from 0.0 to 10.0 with either a trailer connected
or disconnected. To adjust the Trailer Gain, press one of
the Trailer Gain adjustment buttons located on the
Trailer Brake Control Panel. Press and hold a gain
button to cause the Trailer Gain to continuously adjust.
To turn the output to the trailer off, adjust the Trailer
Gain setting to 0.0 (zero).
0.0 (zero) gain is the factory default setting. To properly
adjust trailer gain, see the Trailer Gain Adjustment
Procedure later in this section.
TRAILER OUTPUT –This is displayed any time a trailer
with electric brakes is connected. Output to the electric
brakes is based on the amount of vehicle braking
present and relative to the Trailer Gain setting. Output is
displayed from 0 to 10 bars for each gain setting. The Trailer Output will indicate
“- - - - - -“on the Trailer
Brake Display Page whenever the following occur:
.No trailer is connected.
.A trailer without electric brakes is connected
(no DIC message is displayed).
.A trailer with electric brakes has become
disconnected (a CHECK TRAILER WIRING
message will also be displayed on the DIC).
.There is a fault present in the wiring to the electric
trailer brakes (a CHECK TRAILER WIRING
message will also be displayed on the DIC).
.There is a fault in the ITBC system (a SERVICE
TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM message will also be
displayed in the DIC).
5-52

Manual Trailer Brake Apply
The Manual Trailer Brake Apply Lever is located on the
Trailer Brake Control Panel and is used to apply the
trailer’s electric brakes independent of the vehicle’ s
brakes. This lever is used in the Trailer Gain Adjustment
Procedure to properly adjust the power output to the
trailer brakes. Sliding the lever to the left will apply only
the trailer brakes. The power output to the trailer is
indicated in the Trailer Brake Display Page in the DIC.
If the vehicle’s service brakes are applied while using
the Manual Trailer Brake Apply Lever, the trailer output
power will be the greater of the two.
The trailer and the vehicle's brake lamps will come on
when either vehicle braking or manual trailer brakes are
applied.
Trailer Gain Adjustment Procedure
Trailer Gain should be set for a specific trailering
condition and must be adjusted any time vehicle
loading, trailer loading or road surface conditions
change.
Setting the Trailer Gain properly is needed for the best
trailer stopping performance. A trailer that is
over-gained may result in locked trailer brakes. A trailer
that is under-gained may result in not enough trailer
braking. Both of these conditions may result in poorer
stopping and stability of the vehicle and trailer. Use the following procedure to correctly adjust Trailer
Gain for each towing condition:
1. Make sure the trailer brakes are in proper working condition.
2. Connect a properly loaded trailer to the vehicle and make all necessary mechanical and electrical
connections. See Loading the Vehicle
on
page 5‑31for more information.
3. After the electrical connection is made to a trailer equipped with electric brakes:
.A TRAILER CONNECTED message will be
briefly displayed on the DIC display.
.The Trailer Brake Display Page will appear on
the DIC showing TRAILER GAIN and TRAILER
OUTPUT.
.In the Trailer Output display on the
DIC, “- - - - - -“ will disappear if there is no error
present. Connecting a trailer without electric
brakes will not clear the six dashed lines.
4. Adjust the Trailer Gain by using the gain adjustment (+ / -) buttons on the Trailer Brake
Control Panel.
5-53

2. There is an electrical fault in the wiring to theelectric trailer brakes. This message will continue
as long as there is an electrical fault in the trailer
wiring. This message will also turn off if the driver
acknowledges this message off.
To determine if the electrical fault is on the vehicle side
or trailer side of the trailer wiring harness connection,
do the following: 1. Disconnect the trailer wiring harness from the vehicle.
2. Turn the ignition OFF.
3. Wait ten seconds, then turn the ignition back to RUN.
4. If the CHECK TRAILER WIRING message re-appears, the electrical fault is on the
vehicle side.
If the CHECK TRAILER WIRING message only
re-appears when connecting the trailer wiring
harness to the vehicle, the electrical fault is on the
trailer side. SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM
–This message
will be displayed when there is a problem with the ITBC
system. If this message persists over multiple ignition
cycles there is problem with the ITBC system. Take the
vehicle to an authorized GM dealer to have the ITBC
system diagnosed and repaired.
If either the CHECK TRAILER WIRING or SERVICE
TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM message is displayed while
driving the vehicle, power is no longer available to the
trailer brakes. When traffic conditions allow, carefully
pull the vehicle over to the side of the road and turn the
ignition off. Check the wiring connection to the trailer
and turn the ignition back on. If either of these
messages continues, either the vehicle or trailer needs
service.
An authorized GM dealer may be able to diagnose and
repair problems with the trailer. However, any diagnosis
and repair of the trailer is not covered under the vehicle
warranty. Please contact your trailer dealer for
assistance with trailer repairs and trailer warranty
information.
5-55