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2013 GMC Truck Yukon XL Denali

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 Yukon XL Denali.

The 2013 GMC Yukon XL Denali is a full‑size SUV that, according to its service specifications, requires a 6.0‑quart fill of 5W‑30 engine oil. Within the broader 2001‑2026 complaint record for the model line, the 2007 model year recorded the peak of 776 complaints, while the most recent 2025 data show a low of just 22, positioning the 2013 iteration toward the middle of a gradual improvement in reliability. This placement suggests that the 2013 Denali benefits from the platform’s maturing engineering without yet reaching the exceptionally low issue rates observed in later years.

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified

Lug nut torque140 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 660 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12690386. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 660 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP265-70R17OEM · verified

Wheel / rim8.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12690386
Engine air filter	22845992 alt 15908916
Spark plug	12680072
Front wiper blades	15214346 alt 25877402
Serpentine belt	19210691 alt 12626222
Thermostat	89018168 alt 12587397
Cabin air filter	22759203 alt 23101674

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, Synthetic · SAE 75W in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	6
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	Synthetic · SAE 75W · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.83 qt
Differential Gear Oil	Synthetic · SAE 75W
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	3.17 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30

Engine torques

Cylinder Head Steps	Install the NEW cylinder head bolts.
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	9.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	9.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)	74.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket	125.0 plus 90 degrees ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle	70.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket	70.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts	140 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	177 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Oil Group	PAG
Standard BCI Group Number	48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	660 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	48
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	730 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	48
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	730 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH RPO J92, JD9 / WITH RPO JH6
Torque Caliper to Bracket	74 ft-lbs / 28 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	148 ft-lbs / 122 ft-lbs
Brake Application	WITH RPO J92, JD9 / WITH RPO JH6
Torque Caliper to Bracket	80 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	221 ft-lbs / 148 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Brake Application	WITH RPO J92, JD9 / WITH RPO JH6

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

Installation, 110 ft. lbs., step 2: 360 degrees., step 3: 59 ft. lbs., step 4: 125 degrees, install new bolt.

110 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

installation, 110 ft. lbs., step 2: 360 degrees., step 3: 59 ft. lbs., step 4: 125 degrees., install new bolt.

110 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head or head bolt bosses · M11 Bolts:

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	70 degrees; M8 Bolts:	70 degrees
1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head or head bolt bosses · M11 Bolts 1-10:

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	70 degrees; M8 Bolts 11-15:	70 degrees
1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

3.7 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.4

3.7 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

11 ft. lbs, step 2: 15

11 ft. lbs

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

3.7 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.4

3.7 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

11 ft. lbs., step 2: 15

11 ft. lbs

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

3.7 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.4

3.7 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

11 ft. lbs., step 2: 15

11 ft. lbs

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

3.7 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.4

3.7 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

11 ft. lbs., step 2: 15

11 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 97,500 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Accelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection)
Every 45,000 mi	Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 97,500 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V054000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 05/02/2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk…

21V053000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 05/02/2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk…