trailer GMC YUKON XL 2011 Owner's Manual

Black plate (39,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-39
{WARNING
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. 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 55 km/h
(35 mph), push the accelerator
pedal about halfway down.
.Going about 55 km/h (35 mph) or
more, push the accelerator all
the way down.
By doing this, the vehicle shifts
down to the next gear and has
more power.
D (Drive) can be used when towing
a trailer, carrying a heavy load,
driving on steep hills, or for off-road
driving. You might 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 on page 9‑6. The vehicle has a shift stabilization
feature that adjusts the transmission
shifting to the current driving
conditions in order to reduce rapid
upshifts and downshifts. This shift
stabilization feature is designed
to determine, before making an
upshift, if the engine is able to
maintain vehicle speed by analyzing
things such as vehicle speed,
throttle position, and vehicle load.
If the shift stabilization feature
determines that a current vehicle
speed cannot be maintained, the
transmission does not upshift and
instead holds the current gear. In
some cases, this could appear
to be a delayed shift, however the
transmission is operating normally.
The vehicle's transmission
uses adaptive shift controls.
Adaptive shift controls continually
compares key shift parameters to
pre-programmed ideal shifts stored
in the transmissions computer.

Black plate (40,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
9-40 Driving and Operating
The transmission constantly makes
adjustments to improve vehicle
performance according to how the
vehicle is being used, such as
with a heavy load or when the
temperature changes. During this
adaptive shift control process,
shifting might feel different as the
transmission determines the best
settings.
When temperatures are very cold,
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.
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” underManual Mode on
page 9‑41. 3 (Third):
This position is also used
for normal driving. It reduces vehicle
speed more than D (Drive) without
using the brakes. You might choose
3 (Third) instead of D (Drive) when
driving on hilly, winding roads, when
towing a trailer, so there is less
shifting between gears and when
going down a steep hill.
2 (Second): This position reduces
vehicle speed even more than
3 (Third) without using the brakes.
You can use 2 (Second) on hills.
It can help control vehicle speed as
you go down steep mountain roads,
but then you would also want to use
the brakes off and on.
If you manually select 2 (Second)
in an automatic transmission,
the transmission will start in
second gear. You can use this
feature for reducing the speed of the
rear wheels when you are trying to
start the vehicle from a stop on
slippery road surfaces. 1 (First):
This position reduces
vehicle speed without using the
brakes. You can use it for major/
severe downgrades and off-road
driving where the vehicle would
otherwise accelerate due to
steepness of grade. When you shift
to 1 (First) it provides the lowest
gear appropriate to the vehicle's
current road speed and continues
to downshift as the vehicle slows,
eventually downshifting to
1 (First) gear.
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.

Black plate (41,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-41
Manual Mode
Range Selection Mode
(Hydra-Matic®6-Speed
Transmission)
Base Trim Shown (Uplevel Similar)
The vehicle may have a Range
Selection Mode. The Range
Selection Mode helps control the
vehicle's transmission and vehicle
speed while driving down hill or
towing a trailer by letting you select
a desired range of gears.
To use this feature, do the following:
1. Move the shift lever to M (Manual Mode). 2. Press the plus/minus buttons,
located on the steering column
shift lever, to select the desired
range of gears for the current
driving conditions.
When M (Manual Mode) is selected
a number displays next to the M,
indicating the current gear.
This number is the highest gear that
can be used. However, the vehicle
can automatically shift to lower
gears as it adjusts to driving
conditions. This means that all
gears below that number are
available. When 5 (Fifth) is selected,
1 (First) through 5 (Fifth) gears are
automatically shifted by the vehicle,
but 6 (Sixth) cannot be used until
the plus/minus button located on
the steering column lever is used to
change to the gear.
Grade Braking is not available when
Range Selection Mode is active.
See Tow/Haul Mode on page 9‑42.
While using Range Selection Mode,
Cruise Control and the Tow/Haul
Mode can be used. 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.
Low Traction Mode
If the vehicle has the Hydra-Matic®
6-Speed Automatic Transmission,
it has a Low Traction Mode that
assists in vehicle acceleration when
road conditions are slippery, such
as with ice or snow. While the
vehicle is at a stop, select the
second gear range using Range
Selection Mode. This will limit
torque to the wheels after it detects
wheel slip, preventing the tires from
spinning.

Black plate (42,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
9-42 Driving and Operating
Tow/Haul Mode
The vehicle has a Tow/Haul Mode.
The selector button is located on the
end of the column shift lever. You
can use this feature to assist when
towing or hauling a heavy load or if
there is a need to charge a battery
installed in a trailer. SeeTowing
Equipment on page 9‑84 for more
information.
When Tow/Haul Mode is selected
the tow/haul indicator light will
come on. The Tow/Haul Mode works with the
Autoride
®feature, if the vehicle
has this, to enhance the ride when
trailering or with a loaded vehicle.
See Continuous Damping Control
(CDC) on page 9‑55.
Grade Braking (Hydra-Matic®
6-Speed Automatic
Transmission)
The Grade Braking shift modes can
be activated by pressing the button
on the end of the shift control lever.
While in Range Selection Mode,
Grade Braking is deactivated
allowing the driver to select a
desired range of gears.
Grade Braking is only active while
the Tow/Haul Mode is selected and
you are not in the Range Selection
Mode. See “Tow/Haul Mode” listed
previously and Manual Mode on
page 9‑41 for more information on
the Range Selection Mode. Grade
Braking assists in maintaining
desired vehicle speeds when driving on downhill grades by automatically
implementing a shift schedule that
utilizes the engine and transmission
to slow the vehicle. This reduces
wear on the braking system and
increases control of the vehicle.
Grade Braking monitors vehicle
speed, acceleration, engine torque
and brake pedal usage. Using this
information, it detects when the
truck is on a downhill grade and the
driver desires to slow the vehicle by
pressing the brake.
Also see
Towing Equipment on
page 9‑84 for more information.
Cruise Grade Braking
(Hydra-Matic®6-Speed
Automatic Transmission)
Cruise Grade Braking assists
when driving on a downhill grade.
It maintains vehicle speed by
automatically implementing a shift
schedule that uses the engine and
the transmission to slow the vehicle.

Black plate (51,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-51
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls
braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to
stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly and let
ABS work. You might hear the ABS
pump or motor operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsate, but this is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
more than even the very best
braking.
Parking Brake
Set the parking brake by holding the
regular brake pedal down, then
pushing down the parking brake
pedal.If the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light will come on.
See
Brake System Warning Light on
page 5‑23.
Notice: Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the brake
system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system
parts. Make sure that the parking
brake is fully released and the
brake warning light is off before
driving.
To release the parking brake, hold
the regular brake pedal down, then
push down momentarily on the
parking brake pedal until you feel
the pedal release. Slowly pull your
foot up off the parking brake pedal.
If the parking brake is not released
when you begin to drive, the brake
system warning light will flash and a
chime will sound warning you that
the parking brake is still on.
If you are towing a trailer and
are parking on a hill, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips on
page 9‑75.

Black plate (55,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-55
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.
Continuous Damping
Control (CDC)
This vehicle may have a continuous
damping control system called
Autoride
®or MagneRide™. With
this feature, improved vehicle ride
and handling is provided under a
variety of passenger and loading
conditions.
Autoride and MagneRide are fully
automatic and use a computer
controller to continuously monitor
vehicle speed, wheel to body
position, lift/dive 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 and MagneRide also
interact with the tow/haul mode
that, when activated, 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
“Tow/Haul Mode”
underTrailer
Towing on page 9‑79 for more
information.Automatic Level Control
The automatic level control rear
suspension is available on
light‐duty vehicles and comes as a
part of the Continuous Damping
Control (CDC) suspension,
if equipped. 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 ON/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 off. You may hear
the air compressor operating when
the height is being adjusted.
If a weight‐distributing hitch is
being used, it is recommended to
allow the shocks to inflate, thereby
leveling the vehicle prior to adjusting
the hitch.

Black plate (60,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
9-60 Driving and Operating
.A trailer was attached to the
vehicle, or a bicycle or an object
was hanging out of the liftgate
during the last drive cycle. Once
the attached object is removed,
URPA will return to normal
operation.
.A tow bar is attached to the
vehicle.
.The vehicle's bumper is
damaged. Take the vehicle to
your dealer to repair the system.
.Other conditions may affect
system performance, such as
vibrations from a jackhammer or
the compression of air brakes on
a very large truck.
Side Blind Zone
Alert (SBZA)
The vehicle may have a Side Blind
Zone Alert (SBZA) system. Read
this entire section before using the
system.
{WARNING
SBZA is only a lane changing aid
and does not replace driver
vision. SBZA does not detect:
.Vehicles outside the side
blind zones which may be
rapidly approaching.
.Pedestrians, bicyclists,
or animals.
Failure to use proper care when
changing lanes may result in
damage to the vehicle, injury,
or death. Always check the
outside and rearview mirrors,
glance over your shoulder, and
use the turn signal before
changing lanes.
When the system detects a vehicle
in the side blind zone, amber SBZA
displays light up in the side mirrors.
This indicates that it may be unsafe
to change lanes. Before making a
lane change, always check the
SBZA display, check the outside and rearview mirrors, look over your
shoulder for vehicles and hazards,
and use the turn signal.
SBZA Detection Zones
The SBZA sensor covers a zone of
approximately one lane over from
both sides of the vehicle, 3.5 m
(11 ft). This zone starts at each side
mirror and goes back approximately
5.0 m (16 ft). The height of the
zone is approximately between
0.5 m (1.5 ft) and 2.0 m (6 ft) off the
ground.

Black plate (61,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-61
Use caution while changing lanes
when towing a trailer, as the SBZA
detection zones do not change
when a trailer is towed.
How the System Works
Left Side MirrorDisplayRight Side Mirror Display
When the vehicle is started, both
outside mirror displays will briefly
come on to indicate that the system
is operating. When the vehicle is
moving forward, the left or right side
mirror SBZA display will light up if
a vehicle is detected in that blind
zone. If the turn signal is activated
and a vehicle is also detected on
the same side, the SBZA display will
flash to give you extra warning not
to change lanes. SBZA displays do not come on
while the vehicle is approaching or
passing other vehicles. At speeds
greater then 32 km/h (20 mph),
SBZA displays may come on
when a vehicle you have passed
remains in or drops back into the
detection zone.
SBZA can be disabled through the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
See
Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 5‑28 for more information.
If the SBZA is disabled by the
driver, the SBZA mirror displays will
not light up during normal driving.
When the System Does Not Seem
To Work Properly
Occasional missed alerts can
occur under normal circumstances
and will increase in wet conditions.
The system does not need to be
serviced due to an occasional
missed alert. The number of missed
alerts will increase with increased
rainfall or road spray. If the SBZA displays do not light up
when the system is on and vehicles
are in the blind zone, the system
may need service. Take the vehicle
to your dealer.
SBZA is designed to ignore
stationary objects; however, the
system may occasionally light up
due to guard rails, signs, trees,
shrubs, and other stationary objects.
This is normal system operation, the
vehicle does not need service.
SBZA does not operate when the
left or right corners of the rear
bumper are covered with mud,
dirt, snow, ice, slush, or in
heavy rainstorms. For cleaning
instructions, see
“Washing the
Vehicle” underExterior Care on
page 10‑98. If the DIC still displays
the SIDE BLIND ZONE SYS.
UNAVAILABLE message after
cleaning the bumper, see your
dealer.

Black plate (62,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
9-62 Driving and Operating
The SBZA displays may remain on
if a trailer is attached to the vehicle,
or a bicycle or object is extending
out to either side of the vehicle.
When SBZA is disabled for any
reason other than the driver turning
it off, the driver will not be able to
turn SBZA back on using the DIC.
The SIDE BLIND ZONE ALERT
ON option will not be selectable if
the conditions for normal system
operation are not met. Until normal
operating conditions for SBZA are
met, you should not rely upon SBZA
while driving.
SBZA Error Messages
The following messages may
appear in the DIC:
SIDE BLIND ZONE ALERT
SYSTEM OFF:This message
indicates that the driver has turned
the system off. SIDE BLIND ZONE SYS.
UNAVAILABLE:
This message
indicates that the SBZA system is
disabled either because the sensor
is blocked and cannot detect
vehicles in your blind zone, or the
vehicle is passing through an open
field of view area, such as the
desert, where there is insufficient
data for operation. The sensor may
be blocked by mud, dirt, snow, ice,
slush, or even heavy rainstorms.
This message may also activate
during heavy rain or due to road
spray. The vehicle does not need
service. For cleaning, see “Washing
the Vehicle” underExterior Care on
page 10‑98.
SERVICE SIDE BLIND ZONE
ALERT SYSTEM: If this message
appears, both SBZA displays will
remain on indicating there is a
problem with the SBZA system.
If these displays remain on after
continued driving, the system needs
service. Take the vehicle to your
dealer.FCC Information
See Radio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑16 for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-210/220/310.
Frequency of operation:
24.05GHz –24.25GHz
Field Strength: Not greater than
2.5V/m peak (0.25V/m average) at a
distance of 3m
The manufacturer is not
responsible for any radio or
TV interference caused by
unauthorized modifications to this
equipment. Such modifications
could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.

Black plate (74,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
9-74 Driving and Operating
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container
{WARNING
Never fill a portable fuel container
while it is in the vehicle. Static
electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the fuel
vapor. You can be badly burned
and the vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you
and others:
.Dispense fuel only into
approved containers.
.Do not fill a container while
it is inside a vehicle, in a
vehicle's trunk, pickup bed,
or on any surface other than
the ground.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Bring the fill nozzle in contact
with the inside of the fill
opening before operating the
nozzle. Contact should be
maintained until the filling is
complete.
.Do not smoke while
pumping fuel.
.Do not use a cellular phone
while pumping fuel.
Towing
General Towing
Information
Only use towing equipment that
has been designed for the vehicle.
Contact your dealer or trailering
dealer for assistance with preparing
the vehicle for towing a trailer.
See the following trailer towing
information in this section:
.For information on driving
while towing a trailer, see
“Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips.”
.For maximum vehicle and trailer
weights, see“Trailer Towing.”
.For information on equipment
to tow a trailer, see “Towing
Equipment.”