Cadillac Chevrolet Tahoe 2012 User manual

Black plate (1,1)
Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2012
2012 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali
Hybrid M
In Brief ........................ 1-1
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-1
Hybrid Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Performance and
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Instruments and Controls . . . . 5-1
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . 9-7
Drive Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-15
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-16
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-14
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
Service and Maintenance . . . 11-1
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . 11-1
Recommended Fluids,
Lubricants, and Parts . . . . . . . 11-2
Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Index ..................... i-1

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Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2012
ii Introduction
The names, logos, emblems,
slogans, vehicle model names, and
vehicle body designs appearing in
this manual including, but not limited
to, GM, the GM logo, CHEVROLET,
GMC, the CHEVROLET and GMC
Truck Emblems, TAHOE, YUKON,
and DENALI are trademarks and/or
service marks of General Motors
LLC, its subsidiaries, affiliates,
or licensors.
This manual describes features that
may or may not be on your specific
vehicle either because they are
options that you did not purchase or
due to changes subsequent to the
printing of this owner manual.
Please refer to the purchase
documentation relating to your
specific vehicle to confirm each of
the features found on your vehicle.
For vehicles first sold in Canada,
substitute the name “General
Motors of Canada Limited”for
Chevrolet Motor Division and/or
GMC wherever it appears in this
manual.
Keep this manual in the vehicle for
quick reference.
Your hybrid SUV is designed to be
more fuel efficient than the standard
SUV, which results in reduced
carbon dioxide emissions.
Canadian Vehicle Owners
Propriétaires Canadiens
A French language copy of this
manual can be obtained from your
dealer or from:
On peut obtenir un exemplaire de
ce guide en français auprès du
concessionnaire ou à l'adresse
suivante:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
Numéro de poste 6438 de langue
française
www.helminc.com
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 20902923 A First Printing ©2011 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2012
Introduction iii
Using this Supplement
This supplement contains
information specific to the unique
components of the vehicle. It does
not explain everything you need to
know about the vehicle. Read this
supplement along with the owner
manual to learn about the vehicle's
features and controls.
Index
A good place to look for what you
need is the Index in back of this
supplement. It is an alphabetical list
of what is in the supplement, and
the page number where you will
find it.

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Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2012
iv Introduction
2NOTES

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Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2012
In Brief 1-1
In Brief
Initial Drive Information
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Hybrid Features
High Voltage Safety
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Fuel Economy Gauge . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Automatic Engine Start/Stop
Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Regenerative Braking . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Service ....................... 1-5
Performance and Maintenance
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Initial Drive
Information
Transmission
Range Selection Mode
The Range Selection Mode switch
is located on the shift lever.
To enable the Range Selection
feature:
1. Move the column shift lever
to the M (Manual) position.
The current range will appear
next to the M. This is the highest
attainable range with all lower
gears accessible. As an
example, when 3 (Third) gear
is selected, 1 (First) through
3 (Third) gears are available.
2. Press the plus/minus buttons,
located on the steering column
shift lever, to select the desired
range of gears for current driving
conditions. See Automatic
Transmission Operation in the
owner manual.
Cruise control can be used while the
vehicle is in Range Selection Mode.
See Manual Mode on page 9‑9.

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Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2012
1-2 In Brief
Four-Wheel Drive
If the vehicle has four-wheel drive,
you can send the engine's driving
power to all four wheels for extra
traction. Read the following before
using four-wheel drive.
Automatic Transfer Case
The transfer case knob is located
to the left of the instrument panel
cluster. You can choose among
five driving settings:
2m(Two-Wheel Drive High):
This setting is used for driving in
most street and highway situations.
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel
Drive): This setting is ideal for
use when road surface traction
conditions are variable.
4m(Four-Wheel Drive High):
Use the four-wheel high position
when you need extra traction, such
as on snowy or icy roads or in most
off-road situations.
4n(Four-Wheel Drive Low) :
This setting delivers extra torque.
You might choose Four-Wheel Drive
Low if you are driving off-road in
deep sand, deep mud, deep snow,
and while climbing or descending
steep hills.
N (Neutral): Shift the vehicle's
transfer case to N (Neutral) only
when towing the vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing on
page 10‑38 and “Towing the
Vehicle”in the owner manual.
See Four-Wheel Drive on
page 9‑10.
Hybrid Features
High Voltage Safety
Information
This vehicle has a standard
12-volt battery and a high voltage
hybrid battery. Only a trained
service technician with the proper
knowledge and tools should inspect,
test, or replace the hybrid battery.
See your dealer if the hybrid battery
needs service.
The 12-volt battery cables, in the
engine compartment, are clearly
labeled. In emergency situations,
first responders can cut those
cables to disable the high voltage
hybrid battery system.

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Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2012
In Brief 1-3
Fuel Economy Gauge
Metric
English
This gauge shows when the vehicle
is operating at a fuel efficient point.
By modifying driving behavior to
increase the economy time during
driving, fuel mileage will be
improved.
See Fuel Economy Gauge on
page 5‑5.
Automatic Engine
Start/Stop Feature
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, see Trailer
Towing on page 9‑16 for more
information.
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.
Keep your foot firmly on the brake
pedal until you are ready for the
vehicle to move.

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Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2012
1-4 In Brief
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. See Tachometer
on page 5‑4for 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.
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.
EV Mode
The vehicle also has an EV mode
which uses only the electric motor
to move the vehicle. With light
acceleration, the vehicle will drive in
EV mode. EV mode is unavailable
when the vehicle is out of fuel.
For more information on Auto Stop,
Auto Start, and EV Mode, see
Starting the Vehicle on page 9‑2.
Regenerative Braking
Regenerative braking 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.
The braking system is computer
controlled and blends the
regenerative braking with the
conventional hydraulic disc brakes
to meet any requirements for
deceleration. 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.

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Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2012
In Brief 1-5
In the event of a controller problem,
the brake pedal may be harder to
push and the stopping distance may
be longer.
See Regenerative Braking on
page 9‑15.
Battery
This vehicle has a standard
12-volt battery and a high voltage
hybrid battery. When a new
standard 12-volt battery is needed,
see your dealer for one that has the
replacement number shown on the
original battery's label. Only a
trained service technician with the
proper knowledge and tools should
inspect, test, or replace the hybrid
battery. See your dealer if the hybrid
battery needs service. See Battery
on page 10‑13.
Service
Never try to do your own service on
hybrid components. You can be
injured and the vehicle can be
damaged if you try to do your own
service work. Service and repair of
these hybrid components should
only be performed by a trained
service technician with the proper
knowledge and tools. See Doing
Your Own Service Work on
page 10‑2.
Performance and
Maintenance
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit
This vehicle has a tire sealant and
compressor kit that can be used to
seal small punctures in the tread
area of the tire. Significant sidewall
damage will require the tire to be
replaced.
See Tire Sealant and Compressor
Kit on page 10‑25 for complete
operating information.

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Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2012
1-6 In Brief
2NOTES

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Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2012
Seats and Restraints 3-1
Seats and
Restraints
Front Seats
Power Seat Adjustment
(Tahoe and Yukon Hybrid) . . . 3-1
Lumbar Adjustment
(Tahoe and Yukon Hybrid) . . . 3-1
Reclining Seatbacks
(Tahoe and Yukon Hybrid) . . . 3-2
Airbag System
Replacing Airbag System
Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats
Power Seat Adjustment
(Tahoe and Yukon Hybrid)
A. Power Seat Adjustment Control
B. Manual Lumbar Control
C. Manual Reclining Seatback
Lever
Adjust the seat forward or rearward
by sliding the control (A) forward or
rearward.
Your vehicle may have additional
features to adjust the power seat:
.Raise or lower the front part of
the seat cushion by moving the
front of the control up or down.
.Raise or lower the entire seat by
moving the rear of the control up
or down.
Lumbar Adjustment
(Tahoe and Yukon Hybrid)
Increase or decrease lumbar
support by turning the control (B)
forward or rearward.

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Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2012
3-2 Seats and Restraints
Reclining Seatbacks
(Tahoe and Yukon Hybrid)
To recline the seatback:
1. Lift the reclining seatback
lever (C).
2. Move the seatback to the
desired position, then release
the lever to lock the seatback
in place.
3. Push and pull on the seatback to
make sure it is locked.
To return the seatback to an upright
position:
1. Lift the lever fully without
applying pressure to the
seatback and the seatback will
return to the upright position.
2. Release the lever to lock the
seatback in place.
3. Push and pull on the seatback to
make sure it is locked.
Airbag System
Replacing Airbag System
Parts after a Crash
If an airbag inflates or the vehicle
has been in a crash, the vehicle's
sensing system may command
the automatic hybrid battery
disconnect to open. When the
battery disconnect is open, the
hybrid battery will be off and the
vehicle will not start. The airbag
readiness light and/or SERVICE
HYBRID SYSTEM warning
message may come on in the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
See “Airbag Readiness Light”in
the owner manual and Driver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑11 for more information.
To operate the vehicle, the
automatic hybrid battery disconnect
must be reconnected by a qualified
service technician and sensing
system parts will need to be
replaced. Have the vehicle serviced
right away.

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Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-1
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Fuel Economy Gauge . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Engine Oil Pressure Gauge . . . 5-6
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . 5-8
Brake System Warning
Light ......................... 5-8
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
StabiliTrak
®
OFF Light . . . . . . . 5-10
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak
®
Light . . . . 5-10
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 5-10
Information Displays
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Battery Voltage and Charging
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Brake System Messages . . . . 5-12
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . 5-13
Service Vehicle Messages . . . 5-13
Transmission Messages . . . . . 5-13
Controls
Power Outlets
Power Outlet Alternating
Current
The vehicle may have a power
outlet that can be used to plug in
electrical equipment that uses a
maximum limit of 150 watts.
The power outlet is located in the
rear cargo area on the driver side.

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Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2012
5-2 Instruments and Controls
An indicator light on the outlet
comes on when in use. The ignition
must be in ON/RUN and equipment
requiring less than 150 watts is
plugged into the outlet, and no
system fault is detected.
If equipment is connected using
more than 150 watts, or a system
fault is detected, a protection circuit
shuts off the power supply and the
indicator light turns off. To reset the
circuit, unplug the item and plug it
back in or turn the Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) off and
then back on. The power restarts
when equipment using 150 watts or
less is plugged into the outlet and a
system fault is not detected.
The power outlet is not designed for
and may not work properly if the
following are plugged in:
.Equipment with high initial
peak wattage such as:
compressor-driven refrigerators
and electric power tools.
.Other equipment requiring an
extremely stable power supply
such as:
microcomputer-controlled
electric blankets, touch sensor
lamps, etc.
See High Voltage Devices and
Wiring on page 10‑16.

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Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-3
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators
Instrument Cluster
English version shown, Metric similar

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Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2012
5-4 Instruments and Controls
Tachometer
When the ignition is in ON/RUN,
the tachometer indicates the vehicle
status:
This gauge is to assist in driving
efficiently and may vary during
normal operation.
The vehicle is being driven the most
efficient when the gauge is kept in
the middle.
The gauge moves to the left when
braking and to the right when
accelerating. When either are done
aggressively, the efficiency is
decreased.
Fuel Gauge
Metric
English
When the ignition is on, the fuel
gauge shows approximately how
much fuel is left in the tank.
The gauge will first indicate
E (empty) before it is out of fuel,
but the vehicle should be refueled
as soon as possible.
An arrow on the fuel gauge
indicates the side of the vehicle the
fuel door is on.

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Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-5
Listed are four situations that may
occur with the fuel gauge, none of
these indicate a problem:
.At the gas station, the fuel pump
shuts off before the gauge reads
F (full).
.It takes a little more or less fuel
to fill up than the fuel gauge
indicated. For example, the
gauge may have indicated the
tank was half full, but it actually
took a little more or less than
half the tank's capacity to fill
the tank.
.The gauge moves a little while
turning a corner or speeding up.
.The gauge does not go back to
E (empty) when the ignition is
turned off.
Fuel Economy Gauge
Metric
English
This gauge is to assist in driving
efficiently and may vary during
normal operation.
The vehicle is being driven the most
efficient when the gauge is kept in
the middle.
The gauge moves to the left when
braking and to the right when
accelerating. when either are done
aggressively, the efficiency is
decreased.

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Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2012
5-6 Instruments and Controls
Engine Oil Pressure
Gauge
Metric
English
The oil pressure gauge shows the
engine oil pressure in psi (pounds
per square inch) when the engine is
running. Canadian vehicles indicate
pressure in kPa (kilopascals).
The oil pressure gauge will read
zero when operating in the AUTO
STOP mode.
Oil pressure should be 200 to
550 kPa (29 to 80 psi). In certain
situations, such as long extended
idles on hot days, it could read as
low as 105 kPa (15 psi) and still be
considered normal.
When the engine is running,
readings in the low pressure zone
may be caused by a dangerously
low oil level or some other problem
causing low oil pressure. Check the
oil as soon a possible.
{WARNING
Do not keep driving if the oil
pressure is low. The engine can
become so hot that it catches fire.
Someone could be burned. Check
the oil as soon as possible and
have the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always follow the maintenance
schedule for changing engine oil.

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Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-7
AUTO STOP
When the engine goes into AUTO
STOP mode, the oil pressure gauge
drops to zero. Oil pressure returns
to the normal operating range after
the engine starts.
See Starting the Vehicle on
page 9‑2for more information.
AUTO STOP displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) when the
vehicle speed is zero. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑11 for more information.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge
Metric
English
This gauge shows the engine
coolant temperature.
It also provides an indicator of how
hard the vehicle is working. During a
majority of the operation, the gauge
reads 100°C (210°F) or less. If a
load is being pulled or going up
hills, it is normal for the temperature
to fluctuate and go over the 113°C
(235°F) mark. However, if the gauge
reaches the 125°C (260°F) mark, it
indicates that the cooling system is
working beyond its capacity.

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Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali Hybrid - 2012
5-8 Instruments and Controls
Charging System Light
This 12‐volt battery light comes on
briefly when the ignition is turned to
ON/RUN, but the engine is not
running, as a check to show it is
working.
It should go out once the engine
has been started. If it stays on,
or comes on while driving, there
could be a problem with the 12‐volt
charging system. Have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. A 12‐volt
charging system Driver Information
Center (DIC) message may also
appear. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑11 for more
information. This light could indicate
that there are electrical problems.
Have it checked right away. If a
short distance must be driven with
the light on, be certain to turn off all
the accessories.
Brake System Warning
Light
With the ignition in ON/RUN, the
brake system warning light comes
on when the parking brake is set.
If the vehicle is driven with the
parking brake engaged, a chime
sounds when the vehicle speed is
greater than 8 km/h (5 mph).
The vehicle brake system consists
of two hydraulic circuits. If one
circuit is not working, the remaining
circuit can still work to stop the
vehicle. For normal braking
performance, both circuits need to
be working.
If the warning light comes on and a
chime sounds there could be a
brake problem. Have the brake
system inspected right away.
This light also comes on due to low
brake fluid. See the owner manual
for more information.
Metric English
This light should come on briefly
when the ignition key is turned to
ON/RUN. If it does not come on
then, have it fixed so it will be ready
to warn if there is a problem.