Do you have a new GMC Yukon, and you want to know how to keep your running boards down? You’ve come to the right place, for we have researched this question and have the answer for you.
There is a cluster of buttons on the 2015 to 2020 models of the GMC Yukon on the left side of the steering wheel. The control button for the running boards is the left button of the middle row. Press this button while the vehicle is in “Park” (P) or “Neutral” (N) to deploy the running boards.
Keep in mind that the running boards will automatically retract once you start to drive your Yukon. Learn how to customize the behavior of the power boards on your GMC Yukon in the succeeding sections. Read on!
How to keep the running boards out while driving my 2021 and 2022 GMC Yukon?
Follow the steps below to keep the running boards out on your 2021 or 2022 GMC Yukon while you drive. These steps also apply to the 2021 or 2022 GMC Yukon XL or the 2021 or 2022 GMC Denali.
- Look for the “Settings” icon on your infotainment display and tap it.
- Tap on the “Vehicle” tile. You will see a list of available options for your GMC Yukon.
- Look for “Power Assist Steps” and tap it. You will see two options: “Automatic Power Assist Steps” and “Move Power Assist Steps.”
- Tap on “Move Power Assist Steps.” You have two options after tapping this option: “Off” or “Deployed.”
- Tap on “Deployed.”
Selecting “Deployed” will cause the power running boards to deploy. They will stay out even after you open and close any of the doors of your GMC Yukon. Selecting “Off” will disable this and return your running boards to their regular deployment function when you open a door and retract once all doors are closed.
How to keep the running boards out while driving a 2015 model to a 2020 GMC Yukon?
There is no way to keep the running boards out on the GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon XL models.
The only options that you have for the running boards on these year models are to turn off the automatic deployment of the running boards or to turn them on.
How to keep the running boards out while driving a 2009 model to a 2014 GMC Yukon?
The button for the running boards can be found in the middle of the control console, right under the climate controls. The button allows you to turn the power running boards on or off.
Turning the power running boards will stop it from deploying when you open any of the doors of the GMC Yukon.
Unfortunately, there is no way to make the running boards on these models stay out. The 2011 GMC Yukon Hybrid does not have power running boards. Additionally, GMC Yukon does not have power running boards on any trim that is older than 2009.
How to deploy running boards for cleaning?
The running boards are one of the busiest components of the GMC Yukon. They can easily get dirty as you and your passengers step on and off of your vehicle. Thus, it is important to clean your running boards whenever you clean your Yukon.
However, you will need to keep the running boards out to properly clean them. So, how do you keep running boards out for cleaning?
GMC Yukon Models 2009 to 2014
The only way to keep the running boards on these models out is to have one door open while cleaning. Open one of the doors on the left side while you clean the running board on the right side. This will prevent the inside of the car from getting wet while you clean the running board on that side.
When it is time to clean the running board on the left side, close the door on the left side and open one of the doors on the right side.
GMC Yukon Models 2015 to 2020
You can follow the steps above to keep the running boards out for these models.
GMC Yukon Models 2021 and 2022
Follow the steps above to keep the running boards out while driving. The running boards should stay out while you clean your Yukon. If you prefer your running boards to deploy and retract automatically, change the setting to "Automatic" once you finish cleaning your Yukon.
How to lubricate running boards?
Keep your running boards clean each time you wash your Yukon. After washing and drying, spray some silicone lubricant on the hinges and gears of the power running boards.
The WD-40 Specialist is available on Amazon through this link.
What is the difference between side bars and running boards?
Side bars—also known as nerf bars, side steps, or step bars—are usually round bars of metal that you install to the side of your vehicle to provide a transition step into the vehicle. This makes it easier to get into larger vehicles like trucks and SUVs.
Side bars are usually closer to the ground than a running board. This makes them more prone to damage when you’re driving off-road. They can even get caught on an obstacle and make it difficult to drive off.
Side bars also have specific areas that are made for stepping because of the rubber traction pads that are on these areas only. Stepping on surfaces without any traction pad could be dangerous because side bars are made of round metal. Surfaces without any traction pads can be slippery.
Additionally, side bars can have a short surface that is big enough only for a foot.
Running boards, on the other hand, serve the same purpose, but they are safer to use for the elderly and children. They are also always installed with a length that matches the entire length of the doors on one side of your vehicle.
Running boards have traction pads on their entire length and width. Moreover, their surface is flat as a regular board. In addition to being safe for the elderly and children, running boards are great for loading or unloading cargo on the roof of your SUV or truck because you can step anywhere on its surface to get a better grip on the cargo.
The wider surface area of running boards makes them better at deflecting rocks and debris from your vehicle. They are also closer to the level of the floor of the vehicle. Thus, they give your vehicle a better clearance than sidebars.
Do running boards reduce gas mileage?
Running boards create a disadvantage for your vehicle when it comes to aerodynamics. The flat surface of a running board and the location where it is normally installed can easily capture air currents and make your vehicle less aerodynamic. This can impact your gas mileage.
Fortunately, this impact on gas mileage is small. However, if you add up the small amount of fuel that you lose from the additional weight and impact on aerodynamics, you can end up with a large amount of lost fuel at the end of the year.
Fortunately, power running boards, like the ones on a GMC Yukon from the model year 2009 up to the present, can fold themselves close to the side of the vehicle. These running boards are also contoured to match the contour of the sides of your vehicle to eliminate any negative impact on your vehicle’s aerodynamics.
Thus, if you keep your running boards out to protect your Yukon from rock hits while you’re driving offroad, always remember to fold them back when you start to drive on the road or on highways.
How much weight can running boards hold?
Running boards can normally carry the weight of a human being and the cargo that they can carry with them. Thus, an average running board can support a weight that is anywhere between 300 pounds and 500 pounds.
Unfortunately, most aftermarket running boards do not always indicate the maximum weight that their products can support. Even running boards that are pre-installed on vehicles do not always carry this information. If you plan to replace your running boards with an aftermarket part, make sure to get running boards that can support the heaviest possible weight of two passengers and the cargo that they carry with them.
Yukon Denali Power Running Boards Not Working
The first thing you need to do is to spray your power running boards with penetrating oil and let them soak. This will get rid of any rust. If you start to see an improvement, keep repeating the process until your running boards work once more.
However, if your running boards do not improve after soaking them with penetrating oil, then you will need to check the motors.
Follow the steps below to check the running board motors:
- Get under your GMC Yukon Denali to access the motor of the running boards.
- Disconnect the motor on one side. Check if the board will open and close then reconnect.
- Do the same thing to the other motor.
- If one of the boards did not extend, replace the motor on that side. If both boards did not extend, you need to replace the control module for the running boards.
Conclusion
The power running boards or the power assist steps of a GMC Yukon can be operated in three different ways depending on the year model. However, not all of them can be configured to stay out while you drive your GMC Yukon.
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