GMC YUKON HYBRID 2009 User Guide

Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle
Starting the Vehicle
{CAUTION:
Exiting the vehicle, without first shifting into
P (Park), may cause the vehicle to move, and you
or others can be seriously injured. Because the
vehicle has the Automatic Engine Start/Stop
feature, the vehicle’s engine might seem to be
shut off when you come to a complete stop.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
However, once the brake pedal is released, the
vehicle can move. The vehicle’s engine can also
restart at any time.
Shift to P (Park) and turn the ignition to
LOCK/OFF, before exiting the vehicle.
Start the engine as you would any other engine.
See “Starting the Engine” in the owner manual for more
information on starting. The hybrid system provides
very quiet engine starting. If pulling a trailer with trailer
brakes, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-2for more
information.
2-3

Auto Stop
The vehicle has an Auto Stop feature. After a successful
engine start, the engine may turn off and operate in the
Auto Stop mode. Some of the vehicle conditions that
allow the engine to stop running and enter the Auto Stop
mode are:
•Ignition switch is in the ON/RUN position.
•The hood is closed.
•The gear selector is in P (Park), N (Neutral) or
D (Drive).
•The hybrid battery is at an acceptable state of
charge.
•The hybrid battery voltage, temperature or power
limits are not exceeded. In very hot conditions,
Auto Stop may be unavailable until the hybrid battery
has cooled.
•The engine is at operating temperature.
If you are on an incline, the hybrid drive motor can help
keep the vehicle from rolling backwards, even if the
engine is in Auto Stop.With your foot off the brake and the vehicle on level
ground, the hybrid drive motor may cause the vehicle
to roll slowly forward, even when the engine is in
Auto Stop.
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal until you are
ready for the vehicle to move.
Engine OFF and AUTO STOP modes are indicated on
the tachometer display. When the tachometer needle
indicates OFF, the engine is not running and will remain
off until the ignition key is placed in the START position
or a remote vehicle start is performed. When the
tachometer needle indicates AUTO STOP, the hybrid
system is on, the engine is not running, but may
Auto Start at any time without notice. SeeTachometer
on page 3-4for more information.
A chime will sound if the driver door is opened while
in Auto Stop as a reminder that the ignition switch is
not in the LOCK/OFF position. Always turn the ignition
switch to LOCK/OFF and remove the key from the
ignition switch when exiting the vehicle.
2-4

Auto Start
The vehicle also has an Auto Start feature. The engine
will remain off while in Auto Stop mode until vehicle
conditions require the engine to run. The near-instant
starting of the engine from Auto Stop mode is called
Auto Start. Some of the vehicle conditions that
may cause the engine to Auto Start are:
•The hood is opened.
•The gear selector is in M (Manual Mode) or
R (Reverse).
•The hybrid battery state of charge is too low.
•The hybrid battery voltage, temperature or power
limits are exceeded.
•The engine is not at operating temperature.
•Acceleration demands require the use of the engine.
EV Mode
The vehicle also has an EV mode which uses only the
electric motor to move the vehicle. Depending on
the state of battery charge, the vehicle can travel up to
two miles (3.2 km) in EV mode. EV mode is unavailable
when the vehicle is out of fuel.
With light acceleration, the vehicle will drive in EV mode.
If increased acceleration is required, or the vehicle
reaches approximately 25 mph (40 km/h), the engine
will start automatically. The engine shuts off at speeds
below 25 mph (40 km/h) unless the transmission is
in M (Manual Mode) or Auto Stop is disabled.
During heavy acceleration, both the engine and hybrid
electric motors supply power. A sensation similar to
a transmission gear change can be felt as the
transmission changes modes. Engine RPM may remain
above 4,000 RPM for a longer period during hard
acceleration.
2-5

Automatic Transmission Operation
The vehicle has an electronic shift position indicator
within the instrument panel cluster.
There are several different positions for the shift lever.
See “Range Selection Mode” later in this section.
P (Park):This position locks the rear wheels. It is the
best position to use when you start the engine because
the vehicle cannot move easily.
When parked on a hill, especially when the vehicle
has a heavy load, you may notice an increase in the
effort to shift out of P (Park). See “Shifting Into P (Park)”
in the Index of vehicle’s owner manual for more
information.{CAUTION:
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 unless you have to. 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 in the Owner Manual. If you are pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-2.
2-6

{CAUTION:
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 Neutral.
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 Neutral.
See ‘‘Shifting into Park’’ in the owner manual.
R (Reverse):Use this gear to back up.
Notice: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 Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or
Snow” in the Index of the vehicle’s owner manual.N (Neutral):In this position, the engine and
transmission are not connected with the wheels.
To restart the engine when the vehicle is already
moving, use N (Neutral) only.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your
foot is firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear
while the engine is running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with
the engine running at high speed may damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is
not running at high speed when shifting the vehicle.
2-7

D (Drive):This position is for normal driving. It provides
the best fuel economy. If you need more power for
passing, and you are:
•Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
•Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
D (Drive) or M (Manual Mode) can be used when towing
a trailer, carrying a heavy load, driving on steep hills,
or for off-road driving. You may want to shift the
transmission to a lower gear selection if the transmission
shifts too often.
Downshifting the transmission in slippery road conditions
could result in skidding. See “Skidding” under “Loss of
Control” in the Index of the vehicle’s owner manual
for more information.
When temperatures are very cold, the transmission’s
gear shifting may be delayed, providing more stable
shifts until the engine warms up. Shifts may be more
noticeable with a cold transmission. This difference
in shifting is normal.M (Manual Mode):This position lets drivers select
the range of gears appropriate for current driving
conditions. If the vehicle has this feature, see “Range
Selection Mode” later in this section.
Notice: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 you are
stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
The vehicle has a shift stabilization feature that
adjusts the transmission shifting to the current driving
conditions to reduce rapid upshifts and downshifts.
If the shift stabilization feature determines that a current
vehicle speed cannot be maintained, the transmission
does not upshift. In some cases, this may appear to be a
delayed shift, however the transmission is operating
normally.
2-8

Range Selection Mode
The Range Selection Mode controls the vehicle’s
transmission.
To use this feature:
1. Move the shift lever to the M (Manual Mode).
2. Press the plus/minus button, to upshift or downshift
selecting the desired range of gears.
A number displays next to the M, indicating the current
gear that has been selected. The number displayed in
the gear indicator is the highest gear that can be used.The vehicle can automatically shift to lower gears as it
adjusts to driving conditions. When 3 (Third) is selected,
1 (First) through 3 (Third) gears are automatically shifted
by the vehicle, but 4 (Fourth) cannot be used until it is
selected.
The Range Selection Mode controls the vehicle and
engine speed while driving down a hill or towing a trailer,
by allowing you to select a desired range of gears.
When you move the shift lever into M, the transmission
will default to M4. In this gear range, effective engine
braking occurs at speeds above 45 mph (72 km/h).
Pushing the minus (−) button on the shift lever reduces
the gear range.
In the M3 gear range, effective engine braking occurs at
speeds above 35 mph (56 km/h).
In the M2 gear range, effective engine braking occurs at
speeds above 25 mph (40 km/h).
In the M1 gear range, effective engine braking occurs at
speeds above 10 mph (16 km/h).
When operating in M (Manual Mode), Auto Stop is
disabled. For better vehicle efficiency, operate the
vehicle in D (Drive) not M (Manual Mode).
Cruise control can be used while using the Range
Selection Mode.
2-9

Regenerative Braking
Regenerative braking is a hybrid technology that
enables the electric drive motor to operate as a
generator when coasting or braking. Energy from the
moving vehicle recharges the hybrid battery.
The hydraulic disc brakes work with the regenerative
braking to insure effective braking, such as when a high
braking demand is requested.
The braking system is computer controlled and blends
the regenerative braking with the conventional hydraulic
disc brakes to meet any requirements for deceleration.
The controller interprets the braking request and uses
regenerative braking, conventional hydraulic braking or
a combination of both as necessary. Because the
controller applies the hydraulic brakes through its high
pressure accumulator, you may occasionally hear
the motor driven pump when it recharges the system.
This is normal.
See “Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators” and “Driver
Information Center (DIC)” in the Index of the owner
manual. In the event of a controller problem, the brake
pedal may be harder to push and the stopping
distance may be longer.
Running the Vehicle While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Exiting the vehicle, without first shifting into
P (Park), may cause the vehicle to move, and you
or others can be seriously injured. Because the
vehicle has the Automatic Engine Start/Stop
feature, the vehicle’s engine might seem to be
shut off when you come to a complete stop.
However, once the brake pedal is released, the
vehicle can move. The vehicle’s engine can also
restart at any time.
Shift to P (Park) and turn the ignition to
LOCK/OFF, before exiting the vehicle.
Follow the proper steps to be sure the vehicle will not
move. See “Shifting Into Park” in the owner manual
for more information.
If pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-2for
more information.
2-10

Climate Controls..............................................3-2
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators..............3-3
Instrument Panel Cluster.................................3-3
Tachometer...................................................3-4
Charging System Light....................................3-4
Fuel Economy Gage.......................................3-5
Brake System Warning Light............................3-6
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light.......3-7
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light...............................3-7Engine Coolant Temperature Gage...................3-8
Oil Pressure Gage..........................................3-8
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-10
Fuel Gage...................................................3-11
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-12
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-12
Audio System(s).............................................3-14
Navigation/Radio System...............................3-14
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Climate Controls
For more information on the vehicle’s climate control
system, see “Climate Control System” in the owner
manual.
Electric Air Conditioning Compressor
This hybrid vehicle has a electrically powered air
conditioning compressor. This allows for continuous
air conditioning operation and passenger comfort,
even while the hybrid engine cycles on and off.When operating the climate control system, select the
AUTO mode and the desired temperature setting.
The climate control system automatically adjusts the
fan speed and airflow direction. The climate control
system continues to adjust the climate control settings
chosen for best use of electrical power.
To get maximum engine off time, select a warmer
temperature setting or turn off the air conditioning to
shut off the compressor. Continuous air conditioning use
can cause the engine to autostart more frequently.
Some noise may be heard occasionally from the
compressor, especially when air conditioning use is
high and the engine has turned off.
3-2