2008 Buick Lacrosse Owners Manual

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Prices are subject to change without notice and without incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery. Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make checks payable in U.S. funds. Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy Your GM vehicle has a number of sophisticated computers that record information about the vehicle’s performance and how it is driven. For example, your vehicle uses computer modules to monitor and control engine and transmission performance, to monitor the conditions for airbag deployment and deploy airbags in a crash and, if so equipped, to provide antilock braking to help the driver control the vehicle. These modules may store data to help your dealer/retailer technician service your vehicle. Some modules may also store data about how you operate the vehicle, such as rate of fuel consumption or average speed. These modules may also retain the owner’s personal preferences, such as radio pre-sets, seat positions, and temperature settings. 7-17 Event Data Recorders This vehicle has an Event Data Recorder (EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain crash or near crash-like situations, such as an airbag deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist in understanding how a vehicle’s systems performed. The EDR is designed to record data related to vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period of time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this vehicle is designed to record such data as: (cid:127) How various systems in your vehicle were operating (cid:127) Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts were buckled/fastened (cid:127) How far, if at all, the driver was pressing the accelerator and/or brake pedal (cid:127) How fast the vehicle was traveling This data can help provide a better understanding of the circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur. Important: EDR data is recorded by your vehicle only if a non-trivial crash situation occurs; no data is recorded by the EDR under normal driving conditions and no personal data (e.g., name, gender, age, and crash location) is recorded. However, other parties, such as law enforcement, could combine the EDR data with the type of personally identifying data routinely acquired during a crash investigation. To read data recorded by an EDR, special equipment is required, and access to the vehicle or the EDR is needed. In addition to the vehicle manufacturer, other parties, such as law enforcement, that have the special equipment, can read the information if they have access to the vehicle or the EDR. GM will not access this data or share it with others except: with the consent of the vehicle owner or, if the vehicle is leased, with the consent of the lessee; in response to an official request of police or similar government office; as part of GM’s defense of litigation through the discovery process; or, as required by law. Data that GM collects or receives may also be used for GM research needs or may be made available to others for research purposes, where a need is shown and the data is not tied to a speciﬁc vehicle or vehicle owner. 7-18 OnStar® If your vehicle has OnStar and you subscribe to the OnStar services, please refer to the OnStar Terms and Conditions for information on data collection and use. See also OnStar® System on page 2-43 in this manual for more information. Navigation System If your vehicle has a navigation system, use of the system may result in the storage of destinations, addresses, telephone numbers, and other trip information. Refer to the navigation system operating manual for information on stored data and for deletion instructions. Radio Frequency Identiﬁcation (RFID) RFID technology is used in some vehicles for functions such as tire pressure monitoring and ignition system security, as well as in connection with conveniences such as key fobs for remote door locking/unlocking and starting, and in-vehicle transmitters for garage door openers. RFID technology in GM vehicles does not use or record personal information or link with any other GM system containing personal information. 7-19 ✍ NOTES 7-20 A Accessories and Modiﬁcations ............................ 5-3 Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle ....................................................... 1-67 Additives, Fuel ................................................. 5-7 Add-On Electrical Equipment ........................... 5-108 Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine ................................. 5-23 Air Conditioning ...................................... 3-20, 3-24 Airbag Passenger Status Indicator ........................... 3-34 Readiness Light .......................................... 3-33 Airbag System ................................................ 1-54 What Will You See After an Airbag Inﬂates? .... 1-60 When Should an Airbag Inﬂate? .................... 1-59 Where Are the Airbags? ............................... 1-57 Airbag Systems Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle ................................................... 1-67 How Does an Airbag Restrain? ...................... 1-60 Passenger Sensing System ........................... 1-62 Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle .......... 1-66 What Makes an Airbag Inﬂate? ...................... 1-60 Antenna, Backglass ....................................... 3-104 Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System ..................................................... 3-105 Antilock Brake System (ABS) ............................. 4-4 Antilock Brake, System Warning Light ................ 3-38 Appearance Care Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels ............. 5-104 Care of Safety Belts ................................... 5-102 Chemical Paint Spotting .............................. 5-106 Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses .................. 5-103 Fabric/Carpet ............................................ 5-100 Finish Care ............................................... 5-103 Finish Damage .......................................... 5-105 Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic Surfaces ............................................... 5-101 Interior Cleaning .......................................... 5-99 Leather .................................................... 5-101 Sheet Metal Damage .................................. 5-105 Tires ........................................................ 5-105 Underbody Maintenance ............................. 5-106 Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials ............... 5-106 Washing Your Vehicle ................................. 5-102 Weatherstrips ............................................ 5-102 Windshield and Wiper Blades ...................... 5-104 Appointments, Scheduling Service ..................... 7-10 Ashtray ......................................................... 3-20 Audio System ................................................. 3-84 Audio Steering Wheel Controls .................... 3-102 Backglass Antenna ..................................... 3-104 Chime Level Adjustment ............................. 3-105 Radio Reception ........................................ 3-103 Setting the Clock ......................................... 3-85 Theft-Deterrent Feature ............................... 3-101 XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System ........... 3-105 Audio System(s) ............................................. 3-86 Automatic Door Lock ....................................... 2-12 Automatic Transmission Fluid .......................................................... 5-25 Operation ................................................... 2-29 Backglass Antenna ........................................ 3-104 Battery .......................................................... 5-49 Electric Power Management .......................... 3-18 Exterior Lighting Battery Saver ...................... 3-15 Run-Down Protection ................................... 3-19 Brake Emergencies ................................................ 4-5 Brakes .......................................................... 5-46 System Warning Light .................................. 3-37 Braking ........................................................... 4-3 Braking in Emergencies ..................................... 4-5 Break-In, New Vehicle ..................................... 2-24 Bulb Replacement ........................................... 5-58 Halogen Bulbs ............................................ 5-58 Headlamp Aiming ........................................ 5-56 License Plate Lamps .................................... 5-61 Replacement Bulbs ...................................... 5-61 Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps, and Back-Up Lamps ................................. 5-59 Buying New Tires ........................................... 5-78 Calibration ..................................................... 3-56 California Fuel .................................................. 5-6 California Perchlorate Materials Requirements ....... 5-4 California Proposition 65 Warning ....................... 5-3 Canadian Owners ................................................ ii Capacities and Speciﬁcations .......................... 5-116 Carbon Monoxide ................... 2-14, 2-37, 4-17, 4-28 Care of Safety Belts .............................................. 5-102 CD, MP3 ....................................................... 3-97 Center Console Storage Area ........................... 2-53 Center Seat ..................................................... 1-7 Chains, Tire ................................................... 5-84 Charging System Light .................................... 3-36 Check Engine Light ............................................... 3-42 Check Gas Cap Light ...................................... 3-49 Checking Things Under the Hood ...................... 5-10 Chemical Paint Spotting ................................. 5-106 Child Restraints Child Restraint Systems ............................... 1-37 Infants and Young Children ........................... 1-33 Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children .......... 1-41 Older Children ............................................. 1-29 Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat Position ........................................... 1-47 Child Restraints (cont.) Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Front Seat Position ................................... 1-50 Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position ........................................... 1-50 Where to Put the Restraint ........................... 1-39 Chime Level Adjustment ................................. 3-105 Cigarette Lighter ............................................. 3-20 Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels ............. 5-104 Exterior Lamps/Lenses ................................ 5-103 Fabric/Carpet ............................................ 5-100 Finish Care ............................................... 5-103 Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic Surfaces ............................................... 5-101 Interior ....................................................... 5-99 Leather .................................................... 5-101 Tires ........................................................ 5-105 Underbody Maintenance ............................. 5-106 Washing Your Vehicle ................................. 5-102 Weatherstrips ............................................ 5-102 Windshield and Wiper Blades ...................... 5-104 Climate Control System ................................... 3-20 Air Filter, Passenger Compartment ................. 3-29 Dual Automatic ............................................ 3-24 Outlet Adjustment ........................................ 3-28 Clock, Setting ................................................. 3-85 Collision Damage Repair .................................. 7-12 Compact Spare Tire ........................................ 5-98 Compass ....................................................... 3-56 Content Theft-Deterrent .................................... 2-20 Control of a Vehicle .......................................... 4-3 Convenience Net ............................................ 2-54 Coolant Engine Temperature Gage ............................ 3-40 Engine Temperature Warning Light ................. 3-40 Heater, Engine ............................................ 2-27 Low Warning Light ....................................... 3-41 Cooling System .............................................. 5-33 Courtesy Lamps ............................................. 3-16 Cruise Control ................................................ 3-10 Cruise Control Light ........................................ 3-46 Cupholder(s) .................................................. 2-52 Customer Assistance Information Courtesy Transportation ................................ 7-10 Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users .............................................. 7-6 Customer Assistance Offices ........................... 7-6 Customer Satisfaction Procedure ..................... 7-2 GM Mobility Reimbursement Program ............... 7-7 Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors .... 7-16 Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government ............................................ 7-15 Reporting Safety Defects to the United States Government ................................... 7-15 Roadside Assistance Program ......................... 7-8 Service Publications Ordering Information ........ 7-16 D Daytime Running Lamps/Automatic Headlamp System ....................................... 3-14 Defensive Driving ............................................. 4-2 Delayed Entry Lighting ..................................... 3-17 Delayed Exit Lighting ....................................... 3-17 Delayed Locking ............................................. 2-12 DIC Compass ................................................. 3-56 Diesel Running Out of Fuel .................................... 2-37 Disc, MP3 ...................................................... 3-97 Doing Your Own Service Work ........................... 5-4 Door Ajar Light ................................................... 3-47 Automatic Door Lock .................................... 2-12 Delayed Locking .......................................... 2-12 Locks ........................................................ 2-11 Power Door Locks ....................................... 2-11 Programmable Automatic Door Unlock ............ 2-12 Rear Door Security Locks ............................. 2-12 Driver Information Center (DIC) ......................... 3-49 DIC Operation and Displays .......................... 3-50 DIC Vehicle Personalization .......................... 3-76 DIC Warnings and Messages ........................ 3-58 Driving At Night ..................................................... 4-13 Before a Long Trip ...................................... 4-15 Defensive ..................................................... 4-2 Drunken ....................................................... 4-2 Highway Hypnosis ....................................... 4-15 Hill and Mountain Roads .............................. 4-16 In Rain and on Wet Roads ........................... 4-14 Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out ................. 4-21 Winter ........................................................ 4-17 Dual Automatic Climate Control System ............. 3-24 EDR ............................................................. 7-17 Electrical System Add-On Equipment ..................................... 5-108 Fuses and Circuit Breakers ......................... 5-109 Headlamp Wiring ....................................... 5-109 Instrument Panel Fuse Block ....................... 5-110 Power Windows and Other Power Options .... 5-109 Underhood Fuse Block ............................... 5-112 Windshield Wiper Fuses ............................. 5-109 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter ......................................... 5-23 Change Engine Oil Light ............................... 3-45 Check and Service Engine Soon Light ............ 3-42 Coolant ...................................................... 5-27 Coolant Heater ............................................ 2-27 Coolant Temperature Gage ........................... 3-40 Coolant Temperature Warning Light ................ 3-40 Drive Belt Routing ....................................... 6-14 Engine Compartment Overview ...................... 5-12 Exhaust ..................................................... 2-37 Oil ............................................................. 5-18 Oil Life System ........................................... 5-21 Overheated Protection Operating Mode ........... 5-32 Overheating ................................................ 5-30 Reduced Power Light ................................... 3-46 Starting ...................................................... 2-26 Enhanced Traction System (ETS) ........................ 4-7 ............................................. 3-39 Entry Lighting ................................................. 3-16 Event Data Recorders ..................................... 7-18 Extender, Safety Belt ....................................... 1-29 Exterior Lamps ............................................... 3-13 Exterior Lighting Battery Saver .......................... 3-15 Warning Light Filter Engine Air Cleaner ...................................... 5-23 Finish Damage ............................................. 5-105 Flashers, Hazard Warning .................................. 3-6 Flash-to-Pass ................................................... 3-8 Flat Tire ........................................................ 5-86 Flat Tire, Changing ......................................... 5-87 Flat Tire, Storing ..................................... 5-95, 5-97 Fluid ............................................................. 5-25 Power Steering ........................................... 5-43 Windshield Washer ...................................... 5-44 Fog Lamp Fog ........................................................... 3-15 Folding Rear Seat ............................................ 1-8 ............................................................... 5-5 Fuel Additives ...................................................... 5-7 California Fuel .............................................. 5-6 Check Gas Cap Light ................................... 3-49 Filling a Portable Fuel Container .................... 5-10 Filling the Tank ............................................. 5-8 Fuels in Foreign Countries .............................. 5-7 Gage ......................................................... 3-48 Gasoline Octane ........................................... 5-5 Gasoline Speciﬁcations .................................. 5-6 Low Warning Light ....................................... 3-48 Running Out of ........................................... 2-37 Fuses Fuses and Circuit Breakers ......................... 5-109 Instrument Panel Fuse Block ....................... 5-110 Underhood Fuse Block ............................... 5-112 Windshield Wiper ....................................... 5-109 Gage Engine Coolant Temperature ......................... 3-40 Fuel .......................................................... 3-48 Speedometer .............................................. 3-32 Tachometer ................................................. 3-32 Garage Door Opener ....................................... 2-47 Gasoline Octane ........................................................ 5-5 Speciﬁcations ............................................... 5-6 Glove Box ..................................................... 2-52 GM Mobility Reimbursement Program .................. 7-7 Headlamps Bulb Replacement ....................................... 5-58 Daytime Running Lamps/Automatic Headlamp System .................................... 3-14 Exterior Lamps ............................................ 3-13 Flash-to-Pass ............................................... 3-8 Halogen Bulbs ............................................ 5-58 High/Low Beam Changer ................................ 3-8 Suggested Light .......................................... 3-47 Heated Seats ................................................... 1-3 Heater ........................................................... 3-20 Heater ........................................................... 3-24 Highbeam On Light ......................................... 3-46 Highway Hypnosis ........................................... 4-15 Hill and Mountain Roads .................................. 4-16 Hood Checking Things Under ................................ 5-10 Release ..................................................... 5-11 Horn ............................................................... 3-6 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly ................... 1-14 Hazard Warning Flashers ................................... 3-6 Head Restraints ............................................... 1-6 Headlamp Aiming ....................................................... 5-56 Headlamp Wiring ........................................... 5-109 Ignition Positions ............................................. 2-24 Infants and Young Children, Restraints ............... 1-33 Inﬂation - Tire Pressure ................................... 5-70 Instrument Panel Overview ..................................................... 3-4 Instrument Panel (I/P) Brightness .................................................. 3-16 Cluster ....................................................... 3-31 Interior Lamps ................................................ 3-16 Jump Starting ................................................. 5-50 Keyless Entry System ....................................... 2-4 Keys ............................................................... 2-3 Labeling, Tire Sidewall ..................................... 5-64 Lamps Courtesy .................................................... 3-16 Exterior Lighting Battery Saver ...................... 3-15 Overhead Console Reading .......................... 3-18 Rear Assist Handle Reading .......................... 3-18 Lap Belt ........................................................ 1-28 Lap-Shoulder Belt ........................................... 1-22 LATCH System Child Restraints ........................................... 1-41 License Plate Lamps ....................................... 5-61 Light Airbag Readiness ........................................ 3-33 Antilock Brake System Warning ..................... 3-38 Brake System Warning ................................. 3-37 Change Engine Oil ...................................... 3-45 Charging System ......................................... 3-36 Check Gas Cap .......................................... 3-49 Cruise Control ............................................. 3-46 Door Ajar ................................................... 3-47 Engine Coolant Temperature Warning ............. 3-40 Enhanced Traction System (ETS) Warning Light .......................................... 3-39 Headlamps Suggested ................................. 3-47 Highbeam On ............................................. 3-46 Low Coolant Warning ................................... 3-41 Low Fuel Warning ....................................... 3-48 Low Washer Fluid Warning ........................... 3-47 Malfunction Indicator .................................... 3-42 Oil Pressure ............................................... 3-45 Passenger Airbag Status Indicator .................. 3-34 Reduced Engine Power ................................ 3-46 Safety Belt Reminders .................................. 3-32 Security ..................................................... 3-45 Service Vehicle Soon ................................... 3-48 TCS Warning Light ...................................... 3-38 Tire Pressure .............................................. 3-41 Traction Control System (TCS) Warning .......... 3-38 Trunk Ajar .................................................. 3-47 Lighting Lights Delayed Entry ............................................. 3-17 Delayed Exit ............................................... 3-17 Entry ......................................................... 3-16 Perimeter ................................................... 3-17 Theater Dimming ......................................... 3-17 Exterior Lamps ............................................ 3-13 Flash-to-Pass ............................................... 3-8 High/Low Beam Changer ................................ 3-8 Interior Lamps ............................................. 3-16 Loading Your Vehicle ....................................... 4-21 Lockout Protection .......................................... 2-13 Locks Automatic Door Lock .................................... 2-12 Delayed Locking .......................................... 2-12 Door .......................................................... 2-11 Lockout Protection ....................................... 2-13 Power Door ................................................ 2-11 Programmable Automatic Door Unlock ............ 2-12 Rear Door Security Locks ............................. 2-12 Loss of Control ............................................... 4-12 Low Coolant Warning Light .............................. 3-41 Low Fuel Warning Light ................................... 3-48 Low Washer Fluid Warning Light ....................... 3-47 Lumbar Power Controls ............................................. 1-3 Maintenance Schedule Additional Required Services ........................... 6-6 At Each Fuel Fill ........................................... 6-8 At Least Once a Month .................................. 6-9 At Least Once a Year .................................... 6-9 Introduction .................................................. 6-2 Maintenance Footnotes .................................. 6-7 Maintenance Record .................................... 6-16 Maintenance Replacement Parts .................... 6-13 Maintenance Requirements ............................. 6-2 Owner Checks and Services ........................... 6-8 Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ............. 6-12 Scheduled Maintenance ................................. 6-4 Using .......................................................... 6-2 Your Vehicle and the Environment ................... 6-2 Malfunction Indicator Light ................................ 3-42 Manual, Using .................................................... iii Message DIC Warnings and Messages ........................ 3-58 Mirrors Automatic Dimming Rearview ........................ 2-39 Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar® ..... 2-39 Manual Rearview Mirror ................................ 2-38 Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar® ............. 2-38 Outside Convex Mirror ................................. 2-40 Outside Power Heated Mirrors ....................... 2-40 Outside Power Mirrors .................................. 2-40 MP3 ............................................................. 3-97 MyGMLink.com ................................................ 7-5 Navigation System, Privacy .............................. 7-19 New Vehicle Break-In ...................................... 2-24 Odometer ...................................................... 3-32 Off-Road Recovery .......................................... 4-11 Oil Change Engine Oil Light ............................... 3-45 Engine ....................................................... 5-18 Pressure Light ............................................. 3-45 Oil, Engine Oil Life System .............................. 5-21 Older Children, Restraints ................................ 1-29 Online Owner Center ........................................ 7-5 OnStar, Privacy .............................................. 7-19 OnStar® System, see OnStar® Manual ............... 2-43 Operation, Universal Home Remote System ........ 2-48 Other Warning Devices ...................................... 3-6 Outlet Adjustment ............................................ 3-28 Outlets Accessory Power ......................................... 3-19 Outside Convex Mirror ............................................. 2-40 Power Heated Mirrors .................................. 2-40 Power Mirrors ............................................. 2-40 Overhead Console Reading Lamps .................... 3-18 Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode .......................................... 5-32 Owner Checks and Services .............................. 6-8 Owners, Canadian ............................................... ii Paint, Damage .............................................. 5-105 Park Aid ........................................................ 2-41 Park Brake .................................................... 2-32 Park (P) Shifting Into ................................................ 2-33 ............................................ 2-35 Shifting Out of Parking Assist ........................................................ 2-41 Over Things That Burn ................................. 2-36 Passenger Airbag Status Indicator ..................... 3-34 Passenger Compartment Air Filter ..................... 3-29 Passenger Sensing System .............................. 1-62 Passing ......................................................... 4-11 PASS-Key® III ................................................ 2-22 PASS-Key® III Operation .................................. 2-22 Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California ...... 5-4 Perimeter Lighting ........................................... 3-17 Power Door Locks ................................................. 2-11 Electrical System ....................................... 5-109 Lumbar Controls ........................................... 1-3 Reduced Engine Light .................................. 3-46 Retained Accessory (RAP) ............................ 2-25 Seat ............................................................ 1-2 Steering Fluid ............................................. 5-43 Windows .................................................... 2-18 Pressure Cap ................................................. 5-30 Privacy .......................................................... 7-17 Event Data Recorders .................................. 7-18 Navigation System ....................................... 7-19 OnStar ....................................................... 7-19 Radio Frequency Identiﬁcation ....................... 7-19 Programmable Automatic Door Unlock ............... 2-12 Radiator Pressure Cap .................................... 5-29 Radio Frequency Identiﬁcation (RFID), Privacy .... 7-19 Radios .......................................................... 3-84 Radio(s) ........................................................ 3-86 Radios Reception ................................................. 3-103 Setting the Clock ......................................... 3-85 Theft-Deterrent .......................................... 3-101 Rear Assist Handle Reading Lamps ................... 3-18 10 Rear Door Security Locks ................................ 2-12 Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming .................. 2-39 Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with OnStar® .............................................. 2-39 Rearview Mirror with OnStar® ........................... 2-38 Rearview Mirrors ............................................. 2-38 Reclining Seatbacks .......................................... 1-4 Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ................. 6-12 Recreational Vehicle Towing ............................. 4-27 Reduced Engine Power Light ............................ 3-46 Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System .................. 2-4 Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System, Operation ..................................................... 2-5 Remote Vehicle Start ........................................ 2-8 Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire .................................................. 5-89 Removing the Spare Tire and Tools ................... 5-88 Replacement Bulbs ......................................... 5-61 Replacement Parts, Maintenance ...................... 6-13 Replacement, Windshield ................................. 5-62 Reporting Safety Defects Canadian Government .................................. 7-15 General Motors ........................................... 7-16 United States Government ............................ 7-15 Restraint System Check Checking the Restraint Systems .................... 1-68 Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash .................................................. 1-69 Retained Accessory Power (RAP) ...................... 2-25 Roadside Assistance Program ....................................... 7-8 Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out .................... 4-21 Routing, Engine Drive Belt ............................... 6-14 Running Out of Fuel ........................................ 2-37 Safety Belt Safety Belts Reminder Light ............................................ 3-32 Care of .................................................... 5-102 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly ................ 1-14 Lap Belt ..................................................... 1-28 Lap-Shoulder Belt ........................................ 1-22 Safety Belt Extender .................................... 1-29 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy ................. 1-27 Safety Belts Are for Everyone ......................... 1-9 Safety Warnings and Symbols .............................. iii Scheduled Maintenance ..................................... 6-4 Seats Center Seat .................................................. 1-7 Head Restraints ............................................ 1-6 Heated Seats ............................................... 1-3 Power Lumbar .............................................. 1-3 Power Seats ................................................. 1-2 Reclining Seatbacks ...................................... 1-4 Split Folding Rear Seat .................................. 1-8 Securing a Child Restraint Center Front Seat Position ............................ 1-50 Rear Seat Position ...................................... 1-47 Right Front Seat Position .............................. 1-50 Security Light ................................................. 3-45 Service ........................................................... 5-3 Accessories and Modiﬁcations ......................... 5-3 Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle ..................................................... 5-5 California Pershlorate Materials Requirements ............................................ 5-4 California Proposition 65 Warning .................... 5-3 Doing Your Own Work ................................... 5-4 Engine Soon Light ....................................... 3-42 Publications Ordering Information ................... 7-16 Vehicle Soon Light ....................................... 3-48 Service, Scheduling Appointments ..................... 7-10 Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle .............. 1-66 Sheet Metal Damage ..................................... 5-105 Shifting Into Park (P) ....................................... 2-33 Shifting Out of Park (P) ................................... 2-35 Signals, Turn and Lane-Change .......................... 3-8 Spare Tire Compact .................................................... 5-98 Installing .................................................... 5-89 Removing ................................................... 5-88 Storing ............................................... 5-95, 5-97 Speciﬁcations, Capacities ............................... 5-116 Speedometer .................................................. 3-32 Split Folding Rear Seat ..................................... 1-8 11 StabiliTrak® System .......................................... 4-8 Start Vehicle, Remote ....................................... 2-8 Starting the Engine ......................................... 2-26 Steering .......................................................... 4-9 Steering Wheel Controls, Audio ....................... 3-102 Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel ................................. 3-6 Storage Areas Center Console Storage Area ........................ 2-53 Convenience Net ......................................... 2-54 Cupholder(s) ............................................... 2-52 Glove Box .................................................. 2-52 Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow ..................... 4-20 Sun Visors ..................................................... 2-19 Sunroof ......................................................... 2-54 Tachometer .................................................... 3-32 Taillamps Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps, and Back-Up Lamps ....................................... 5-59 TCS Warning Light .......................................... 3-38 Theater Dimming ............................................ 3-17 Theft-Deterrent, Radio .................................... 3-101 Theft-Deterrent Systems ................................... 2-20 Content Theft-Deterrent ................................ 2-20 PASS-Key® III ............................................. 2-22 PASS-Key® III Operation .............................. 2-22 12 Tilt Wheel ........................................................ 3-6 Time, Setting .................................................. 3-85 Tire Pressure Light ............................................. 3-41 Tires ............................................................. 5-63 Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels, Cleaning ............................................... 5-104 Buying New Tires ........................................ 5-78 Chains ....................................................... 5-84 Changing a Flat Tire .................................... 5-87 Cleaning ................................................... 5-105 Compact Spare Tire ..................................... 5-98 Different Size .............................................. 5-80 If a Tire Goes Flat ....................................... 5-86 Inﬂation - Tire Pressure ................................ 5-70 Inspection and Rotation ................................ 5-75 Installing the Spare Tire ................................ 5-89 Pressure Monitor Operation ........................... 5-73 Pressure Monitor System .............................. 5-71 Removing the Flat Tire ................................. 5-89 Removing the Spare Tire and Tools ............... 5-88 Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools .... 5-95, 5-97 Tire Sidewall Labeling .................................. 5-64 Tire Terminology and Deﬁnitions .................... 5-67 Uniform Tire Quality Grading ......................... 5-80 Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance ................. 5-82 Wheel Replacement ..................................... 5-82 When It Is Time for New Tires ...................... 5-77 Towing Traction Recreational Vehicle ..................................... 4-27 Towing a Trailer .......................................... 4-28 Your Vehicle ............................................... 4-27 Control System (TCS) .................................... 4-6 Control System Warning Light ....................... 3-38 Enhanced Traction System (ETS) .................... 4-7 Enhanced Traction System (ETS) Warning Light .......................................... 3-39 StabiliTrak® System ....................................... 4-8 Transmission Fluid, Automatic ........................................... 5-25 Transmission Operation, Automatic .................... 2-29 Trunk ............................................................ 2-14 Trunk Ajar Light .............................................. 3-47 Turn and Lane-Change Signals .......................... 3-8 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever ........................... 3-7 Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) ............... 2-41 Uniform Tire Quality Grading ............................ 5-80 Universal Home Remote System ....................... 2-47 Operation ................................................... 2-48 Using this Manual ............................................... iii Vehicle Control ........................................................ 4-3 Damage Warnings ........................................... iv Loading ...................................................... 4-21 Service Soon Light ...................................... 3-48 Symbols ......................................................... iv Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy .................. 7-17 Vehicle Identiﬁcation Number (VIN) ............................................ 5-107 Service Parts Identiﬁcation Label .................. 5-108 Vehicle Personalization DIC ........................................................... 3-76 Vehicle, Remote Start ....................................... 2-8 Ventilation Adjustment ...................................... 3-28 Visors ........................................................... 2-19 13 W Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators ................ 3-30 Warnings DIC Warnings and Messages ........................ 3-58 Hazard Warning Flashers ............................... 3-6 Other Warning Devices .................................. 3-6 Safety and Symbols ......................................... iii Vehicle Damage .............................................. iv Washer Fluid, Low Warning Light ...................... 3-47 Wheels Alignment and Tire Balance .......................... 5-82 Different Size .............................................. 5-80 Replacement ............................................... 5-82 Where to Put the Restraint ............................... 1-39 Windows ....................................................... 2-17 Power ........................................................ 2-18 Windshield Replacement ............................................... 5-62 Washer ........................................................ 3-9 Washer Fluid .............................................. 5-44 Wiper Blade Replacement ............................. 5-62 Wiper Blades, Cleaning .............................. 5-104 Wiper Fuses ............................................. 5-109 Wipers ......................................................... 3-9 Winter Driving ................................................ 4-17 XM Radio Messages ..................................... 3-100 XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System .............. 3-105 Your Vehicle and the Environment ....................... 6-2 14 2008 Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual M Seats and Restraint Systems ........................... 1-1 Front Seats ............................................... 1-2 Rear Seats ............................................... 1-8 Safety Belts .............................................. 1-9 Child Restraints ....................................... 1-29 Airbag System ......................................... 1-54 Restraint System Check ............................ 1-68 Features and Controls ..................................... 2-1 Keys ........................................................ 2-3 Doors and Locks ...................................... 2-11 Windows ................................................. 2-17 Theft-Deterrent Systems ............................ 2-20 Starting and Operating Your Vehicle ........... 2-24 Mirrors .................................................... 2-38 Object Detection Systems .......................... 2-41 OnStar® System ...................................... 2-43 Universal Home Remote System ................ 2-47 Storage Areas ......................................... 2-52 Sunroof .................................................. 2-54 Instrument Panel ............................................. 3-1 .......................... 3-4 ...................................... 3-20 ........ 3-30 .................. 3-49 ....................................... 3-84 Instrument Panel Overview Climate Controls Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators Driver Information Center (DIC) Audio System(s) Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle Towing Driving Your Vehicle ....................................... 4-1 ..... 4-2 ................................................... 4-27 Service and Appearance Care .......................... 5-1 Service ..................................................... 5-3 Fuel ......................................................... 5-5 Checking Things Under the Hood ............... 5-10 Headlamp Aiming ..................................... 5-56 Bulb Replacement .................................... 5-58 Windshield Replacement ........................... 5-62 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement ......... 5-62 Tires ...................................................... 5-63 Appearance Care ..................................... 5-99 Vehicle Identiﬁcation ............................... 5-107 Electrical System .................................... 5-108 Capacities and Speciﬁcations ................... 5-116 Maintenance Schedule ..................................... 6-1 ................................ 6-2 Customer Assistance Information .................... 7-1 ........... 7-2 ........................... 7-15 ........... 7-17 Index ................................................................ 1 Customer Assistance and Information Reporting Safety Defects Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy Maintenance Schedule Keep this manual in the vehicle for quick reference. Canadian Owners A French language copy of this manual can be obtained from your dealer/retailer or from: Helm, Incorporated P.O. Box 07130 Detroit, MI 48207 1-800-551-4123 www.helminc.com Propriétaires Canadiens On peut obtenir un exemplaire de ce guide en français auprès de concessionnaire ou à l’adresse suivante: Helm Incorporated P.O. Box 07130 Detroit, MI 48207 1-800-551-4123 www.helminc.com GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, BUICK, the BUICK Emblem, and the name LACROSSE are registered trademarks of General Motors Corporation. This manual includes the latest information at the time it was printed. We reserve the right to make changes after that time without notice. For vehicles ﬁrst sold in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors of Canada Limited” for Buick Motor Division whenever it appears in this manual. This manual describes features that may be available in this model, but your vehicle may not have all of them. For example, more than one entertainment system may be offered or your vehicle may have been ordered without a front passenger or rear seats. Litho in U.S.A. Part No. 15864654 A First Printing ©2007 General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved. ii Using this Manual Many people read the owner manual from beginning to end when they ﬁrst receive their new vehicle to learn about the vehicle’s features and controls. Pictures and words work together to explain things. Index A good place to quickly locate information about the vehicle is the Index in the back of the manual. It is an alphabetical list of what is in the manual and the page number where it can be found. Safety Warnings and Symbols There are a number of safety cautions in this book. A box with the word CAUTION is used to tell about things that could hurt you or others if you were to ignore the warning. {CAUTION: These mean there is something that could hurt you or other people. We tell you what the hazard is and what to do to help avoid or reduce the hazard. Please read these cautions. If you do not, you or others could be hurt. A circle with a slash through it is a safety symbol which means “Do Not,” “Do Not do this” or “Do Not let this happen.” iii Vehicle Symbols The vehicle has components and labels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols are shown along with the text describing the operation or information relating to a speciﬁc component, control, message, gage, or indicator. Vehicle Damage Warnings You will also ﬁnd notices in this manual. Notice: These mean there is something that could damage your vehicle. A notice tells about something that can damage the vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty, and it could be costly. The notice tells what to do to help avoid the damage. When you read other manuals, you might see CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different colors or in different words. There are also warning labels on the vehicle which use the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE. iv Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems Front Seats ......................................................1-2 Power Seats ..................................................1-2 Power Lumbar ...............................................1-3 Heated Seats .................................................1-3 Reclining Seatbacks ........................................1-4 Head Restraints .............................................1-6 Center Seat ...................................................1-7 Rear Seats .......................................................1-8 Split Folding Rear Seat ...................................1-8 Safety Belts .....................................................1-9 Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone .................1-9 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly .................1-14 Lap-Shoulder Belt .........................................1-22 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy ..................1-27 Lap Belt ......................................................1-28 Safety Belt Extender .....................................1-29 Child Restraints .............................................1-29 Older Children ..............................................1-29 Infants and Young Children ............................1-33 Child Restraint Systems .................................1-37 Where to Put the Restraint .............................1-39 Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) ......................................1-41 Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat Position ....................................1-47 Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Front Seat Position ....................................1-50 Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position ....................................1-50 Airbag System ...............................................1-54 Where Are the Airbags? ................................1-57 When Should an Airbag Inﬂate? .....................1-59 What Makes an Airbag Inﬂate? .......................1-60 How Does an Airbag Restrain? .......................1-60 What Will You See After an Airbag Inﬂates? .....1-60 Passenger Sensing System ............................1-62 Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle ...........1-66 Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle ....................................................1-67 Restraint System Check ..................................1-68 Checking the Restraint Systems ......................1-68 Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash ...................................................1-69 1-1 Front Seats Power Seats If the vehicle has power seats, the controls used to operate them are located on the outboard side of the seats. To adjust the seat, do any of the following: (cid:127) Move the seat forward or rearward by sliding the control forward or rearward. (cid:127) Raise or lower the front part of the seat cushion by moving the front of the control up or down. (cid:127) Raise or lower the rear part of the seat cushion by moving the rear of the control up or down. (cid:127) Raise or lower the entire seat by moving the entire control up or down. Driver Side shown, Passenger Side similar 1-2 Power Lumbar Heated Seats On vehicles with this feature, the buttons are located on the climate control panel. On seats with power lumbar, the control is located on the outboard side of the seat cushion. Press the front of the control to increase lumbar support. Press the rear of the control to decrease lumbar support. Keep in mind that as your seating position changes, as it may during long trips, so should the position of your lumbar support. Adjust the seat as needed. Press the button once to activate the high heat setting. Both indicator lights on the button will come on. Press the button again to select the lower temperature setting. Only one indicator light will come on. Press the button a third time to turn the heat off. This feature only works when the ignition is on. 1-3 Your seats have manual reclining seatbacks. The lever used to operate them is located on the outboard side of the seats. Reclining Seatbacks {CAUTION: You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to adjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicle is moving. The sudden movement could startle and confuse you, or make you push a pedal when you do not want to. Adjust the driver’s seat only when the vehicle is not moving. {CAUTION: If the seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked. To recline the seatback, do the following: 1. Lift the recline lever. 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. 1-4 To return the seatback to an upright position, do the following: 1. Lift the lever fully without applying pressure to the seatback and the seatback will return to the upright position. 2. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked. {CAUTION: Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle is in motion can be dangerous. Even if you buckle up, your safety belts cannot do their job when you are reclined like this. The shoulder belt cannot do its job because it will not be against your body. Instead, it will be in front of you. In a crash, you could go into it, receiving neck or other injuries. The lap belt cannot do its job either. In a crash, the belt could go up over your abdomen. The belt forces would be there, not at your pelvic bones. This could cause serious internal injuries. For proper protection when the vehicle is in motion, have the seatback upright. Then sit well back in the seat and wear your safety belt properly. Do not have a seatback reclined if your vehicle is moving. 1-5 Head Restraints Pull the head restraint up to raise it. To lower the head restraint, press the button, located on the top of the seatback, and push the head restraint down. Adjust the head restraint so that the top of the restraint is at the same height as the top of the occupant’s head. This position reduces the chance of a neck injury in a crash. 1-6 Center Seat Your vehicle may have a front center seat. There are cupholders on the underside of the seat cushion. To use them, raise the seat cushion. This seat can also be converted to a storage area by lowering the armrest. See Center Console Storage on page 2-53. 1-7 Rear Seats Split Folding Rear Seat If your vehicle has this feature, both sides of the rear seatback can be folded down. This gives direct access to the trunk. Make sure the front seats are not reclined. If they are, the rear seatback(s) may not fold down all the way. Notice: Folding a rear seat with the safety belts still fastened may cause damage to the seat or the safety belts. Always unbuckle the safety belts and return them to their normal stowed position before folding a rear seat. To lower the rear seatback, pull the tab located on the outboard side of the seatback and fold the seatback forward. {CAUTION: If the seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked. To raise the rear seatback, lift the seatback up until it latches. Push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked in position. The seatbacks should be kept in the upright, locked position when they are not being used to extend the cargo area. 1-8 Safety Belts Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone This part of the manual tells you how to use safety belts properly. It also tells you some things you should not do with safety belts. {CAUTION: Do not let anyone ride where he or she cannot wear a safety belt properly. If you are in a crash and you are not wearing a safety belt, your injuries can be much worse. You can hit things inside the vehicle harder or be ejected from it and be seriously injured or killed. In the same crash, you might not be, if you are buckled up. Always fasten your safety belt, and check that your passenger(s) are restrained properly too. {CAUTION: It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area, inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously injured or killed. Do not allow people to ride in any area of your vehicle that is not equipped with seats and safety belts. Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a safety belt properly. Your vehicle has indicators as a reminder to buckle your safety belts. See Safety Belt Reminders on page 3-32. In most states and in all Canadian provinces, the law requires wearing safety belts. Here is why: You never know if you will be in a crash. If you do have a crash, you do not know if it will be a serious one. A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so serious that even buckled up, a person would not survive. But most crashes are in between. In many of them, people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt or killed. After more than 40 years of safety belts in vehicles, the facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does matter... a lot! 1-9 Why Safety Belts Work When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as it goes. Put someone on it. Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it is just a seat on wheels. 1-10 Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider does not stop. The person keeps going until stopped by something. In a real vehicle, it could be the windshield... 1-11 or the instrument panel... 1-12 or the safety belts! With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does. You get more time to stop. You stop over more distance, and your strongest bones take the forces. That is why safety belts make such good sense. Q: If I am a good driver, and I never drive far from home, why should I wear safety belts? A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you are in a crash — even one that is not your fault — you and your passenger(s) can be hurt. Being a good driver does not protect you from things beyond your control, such as bad drivers. Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km) of home. And the greatest number of serious injuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than 40 mph (65 km/h). Safety belts are for everyone. Questions and Answers About Safety Belts Q: Will I be trapped in the vehicle after a crash if I am wearing a safety belt? A: You could be — whether you are wearing a safety belt or not. But your chance of being conscious during and after an accident, so you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if you are belted. And you can unbuckle a safety belt, even if you are upside down. Q: If my vehicle has airbags, why should I have to wear safety belts? A: Airbags are supplemental systems only; so they work with safety belts — not instead of them. Whether or not an airbag is provided, all occupants still have to buckle up to get the most protection. That is true not only in frontal collisions, but especially in side and other collisions. 1-13 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly This section is only for people of adult size. Be aware that there are special things to know about safety belts and children. And there are different rules for smaller children and babies. If a child will be riding in your vehicle, see Older Children on page 1-29 or Infants and Young Children on page 1-33. Follow those rules for everyone’s protection. It is very important for all occupants to buckle up. Statistics show that unbelted people are hurt more often in crashes than those who are wearing safety belts. Occupants who are not buckled up can be thrown out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts. First, before you or your passenger(s) wear a safety belt, there is important information you should know. 1-14 Sit up straight and always keep your feet on the ﬂoor in front of you. The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the strong pelvic bones and you would be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt would apply force on your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces. The shoulder belt locks if there is a sudden stop or crash. Q: What is wrong with this? {CAUTION: You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is too loose. In a crash, you would move forward too much, which could increase injury. The shoulder belt should ﬁt snugly against your body. A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It will not give as much protection this way. 1-15 Q: What is wrong with this? {CAUTION: You can be seriously hurt if your lap belt is too loose. In a crash, you could slide under the lap belt and apply force on your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The lap belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. A: The lap belt is too loose. It will not give nearly as much protection this way. 1-16 Q: What is wrong with this? {CAUTION: You can be seriously injured if your belt is buckled in the wrong place like this. In a crash, the belt would go up over your abdomen. The belt forces would be there, not on the pelvic bones. This could cause serious internal injuries. Always buckle your belt into the buckle nearest you. A: The belt is buckled in the wrong place. 1-17 {CAUTION: You can be seriously injured if your belt goes over an armrest like this. The belt would be much too high. In a crash, you can slide under the belt. The belt force would then be applied on the abdomen, not on the pelvic bones, and that could cause serious or fatal injuries. Be sure the belt goes under the armrests. Q: What is wrong with this? A: The belt is over an armrest. 1-18 Q: What is wrong with this? A: The shoulder belt is worn under the arm. It should be worn over the shoulder at all times. {CAUTION: You can be seriously injured if you wear the shoulder belt under your arm. In a crash, your body would move too far forward, which would increase the chance of head and neck injury. Also, the belt would apply too much force to the ribs, which are not as strong as shoulder bones. You could also severely injure internal organs like your liver or spleen. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. 1-19 {CAUTION: You can be seriously injured by not wearing the lap-shoulder belt properly. In a crash, you would not be restrained by the shoulder belt. Your body could move too far forward increasing the chance of head and neck injury. You might also slide under the lap belt. The belt force would then be applied right on the abdomen. That could cause serious or fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. Q: What is wrong with this? A: The belt is behind the body. 1-20 Q: What is wrong with this? {CAUTION: You can be seriously injured by a twisted belt. In a crash, you would not have the full width of the belt to spread impact forces. If a belt is twisted, make it straight so it can work properly, or ask your dealer/retailer to ﬁx it. A: The belt is twisted across the body. 1-21 Lap-Shoulder Belt All seating positions in your vehicle have a lap-shoulder except for the center front passenger position, if your vehicle has one, which has a lap belt. See Lap Belt on page 1-28 for more information. Here is how to wear a lap-shoulder belt properly. 1. Adjust the seat, if the seat is adjustable, so you can sit up straight. To see how, see “Seats” in the Index. 2. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Do not let it get twisted. The lap-shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt across you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt go back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt across you more slowly. If you ever pull the shoulder portion of a passenger belt out all the way, you may engage the child restraint locking feature. If this happens, just let the belt go back all the way and start again. 1-22 3. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks. If you ﬁnd that the latch plate will not go fully into the buckle, see if you are using the correct buckle. Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. If the belt is not long enough, see Safety Belt Extender on page 1-29. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if necessary. 4. If equipped with a shoulder belt height adjuster, move it to the height that is right for you. Improper shoulder belt height adjustment could reduce the effectiveness of the safety belt in a crash. See “Shoulder Belt Height Adjustment” later in this section. 5. To make the lap part tight, pull up on the shoulder belt. It may be necessary to pull stitching on the safety belt through the latch plate to fully tighten the lap belt on smaller occupants. To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle. The belt should go back out of the way. When the safety belt is not in use, slide the latch plate up the safety belt webbing. The latch plate should rest on the stitching on the safety belt, near the guide loop on the side wall. Before you close a door, be sure the belt is out of the way. If you slam the door on it, you can damage both the belt and your vehicle. 1-23 Safety Belt Pretensioners Your vehicle has safety belt pretensioners for front outboard occupants. Although you cannot see them, they are part of the safety belt assembly. They can help tighten the safety belts during the early stages of a moderate to severe frontal or near frontal crash if the threshold conditions for pretensioner activation are met. Pretensioners work only once. If they activate in a crash, you will need to get new ones, and probably other new parts for your safety belt system. See Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash on page 1-69. Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides Rear shoulder belt comfort guides may provide added safety belt comfort for older children who have outgrown booster seats and for some adults. When installed on a shoulder belt, the comfort guide positions the belt away from the neck and head. There is one guide for each outboard passenger position in the rear seat. Here is how to install a comfort guide to the safety belt: Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster Your vehicle has a shoulder belt height adjuster for the driver and right front passenger position. Adjust the height so that the shoulder portion of the belt is centered on your shoulder. The belt should be away from your face and neck, but not falling off your shoulder. Improper shoulder belt height adjustment could reduce the effectiveness of the safety belt in a crash. To move it down, press down on the release lever (A) and move the height adjuster to the desired position. You can move the height adjuster up just by pressing up on the shoulder belt guide. After you move the adjuster to where you want it, try to move it down without squeezing the release lever to make sure it has locked into position. 1-24 1. Pull the elastic cord out from between the edge of the seatback and the interior body to remove the guide from its storage clip. 2. Place the guide over the belt and insert the two edges of the belt into the slots of the guide. 1-25 {CAUTION: A safety belt that is not properly worn may not provide the protection needed in a crash. The person wearing the belt could be seriously injured. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces. 3. Be sure that the belt is not twisted and it lies ﬂat. The elastic cord must be under the belt and the guide on top. 1-26 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy Safety belts work for everyone, including pregnant women. Like all occupants, they are more likely to be seriously injured if they do not wear safety belts. 4. Buckle, position, and release the safety belt as described previously in this section. Make sure that the shoulder belt crosses the shoulder. To remove and store the comfort guide, squeeze the belt edges together so that you can take them out of the guide. Pull the guide upward to expose its storage clip, and then slide the guide onto the clip. Turn the guide and clip inward and slide them in between the seatback and the interior body, leaving only the loop of the elastic cord exposed. A pregnant woman should wear a lap-shoulder belt, and the lap portion should be worn as low as possible, below the rounding, throughout the pregnancy. The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the mother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it is more likely that the fetus will not be hurt in a crash. For pregnant women, as for anyone, the key to making safety belts effective is wearing them properly. 1-27 Lap Belt This part is only for the lap belt. To learn how to wear a lap-shoulder belt, see Lap-Shoulder Belt on page 1-22. You vehicle may have a center seating position. When you sit in the center front seating position, you have a lap safety belt, which has no retractor. To make the belt shorter, pull its free end as shown until the belt is snug. If the belt is not long enough, see Safety Belt Extender on page 1-29. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if necessary. If you ﬁnd that the latch plate will not go fully into the buckle, see if you are using the correct buckle. Be sure that the latch plate clicks when inserted into the buckle. To make the belt longer, tilt the latch plate and pull it along the belt. Buckle, position and release it the same way as the lap part of a lap-shoulder belt. 1-28 Child Restraints Older Children Safety Belt Extender If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you should use it. But if a safety belt is not long enough, your dealer/ retailer will order you an extender. When you go in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the extender will be long enough for you. To help avoid personal injury, do not let someone else use it, and use it only for the seat it is made to ﬁt. The extender has been designed for adults. Never use it for securing child seats. To wear it, attach it to the regular safety belt. For more information, see the instruction sheet that comes with the extender. Older children who have outgrown booster seats should wear the vehicle’s safety belts. The manufacturer’s instructions that come with the booster seat, state the weight and height limitations for that booster. 1-29 Use a booster seat with a lap-shoulder belt until the child passes the below ﬁt test: (cid:127) Sit all the way back on the seat. Do the knees bend at the seat edge? If yes, continue. If no, return to the booster seat. (cid:127) Buckle the lap-shoulder belt. Does the shoulder belt rest on the shoulder? If yes, continue. If no, try using the rear safety belt comfort guide. See “Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides” under Lap-Shoulder Belt on page 1-22 for more information. If the shoulder belt still does not rest on the shoulder, then return to the booster seat. (cid:127) Does the lap belt ﬁt low and snug on the hips, touching the thighs? If yes, continue. If no, return to the booster seat. (cid:127) Can proper safety belt ﬁt be maintained for length of trip? If yes, continue. If no, return to the booster seat. If you have the choice, a child should sit in a position with a lap-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide. Q: What is the proper way to wear safety belts? A: An older child should wear a lap-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide. The shoulder belt should not cross the face or neck. The lap belt should ﬁt snugly below the hips, just touching the top of the thighs. This applies belt force to the child’s pelvic bones in a crash. It should never be worn over the abdomen, which could cause severe or even fatal internal injuries in a crash. Also see “Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides” under Lap-Shoulder Belt on page 1-22. According to accident statistics, children and infants are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seating positions. In a crash, children who are not buckled up can strike other people who are buckled up, or can be thrown out of the vehicle. Older children need to use safety belts properly. 1-30 {CAUTION: Never do this. Here two children are wearing the same belt. The belt cannot properly spread the impact forces. In a crash, the two children can be crushed together and seriously injured. A belt must be used by only one person at a time. 1-31 {CAUTION: Never do this. Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a lap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind the child. In a crash, the child would not be restrained by the shoulder belt. The child might slide under the lap belt. The belt force would then be applied right on the abdomen. That could cause serious or fatal injuries. The child could also move too far forward increasing the chance of head and neck injury. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. 1-32 Infants and Young Children Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! This includes infants and all other children. Neither the distance traveled nor the age and size of the traveler changes the need, for everyone, to use safety restraints. In fact, the law in every state in the United States and in every Canadian province says children up to some age must be restrained while in a vehicle. {CAUTION: Children can be seriously injured or strangled if a shoulder belt is wrapped around their neck and the safety belt continues to tighten. Never leave children unattended in a vehicle and never allow children to play with the safety belts. Every time infants and young children ride in vehicles, they should have the protection provided by appropriate restraints. Children who are not restrained properly can strike other people, or can be thrown out of the vehicle. In addition, young children should not use the vehicle’s adult safety belts alone; they need to use a child restraint. 1-33 {CAUTION: People should never hold an infant in their arms while riding in a vehicle. An infant does not weigh much — until a crash. During a crash an infant will become so heavy it is not possible to hold it. For example, in a crash at only 25 mph (40 km/h), a 12 lb (5.5 kg) infant will suddenly become a 240 lb (110 kg) force on a person’s arms. An infant should be secured in an appropriate restraint. 1-34 {CAUTION: Children who are up against, or very close to, any airbag when it inﬂates can be seriously injured or killed. Airbags plus lap-shoulder belts offer protection for adults and older children, but not for young children and infants. Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system nor its airbag system is designed for them. Young children and infants need the protection that a child restraint system can provide. 1-35 {CAUTION: Newborn infants need complete support, including support for the head and neck. This is necessary because a newborn infant’s neck is weak and its head weighs so much compared with the rest of its body. In a crash, an infant in a rear-facing seat settles into the restraint, so the crash forces can be distributed across the strongest part of an infant’s body, the back and shoulders. Infants should always be secured in appropriate infant restraints. Q: What are the different types of add-on child restraints? A: Add-on child restraints, which are purchased by the vehicle’s owner, are available in four basic types. Selection of a particular restraint should take into consideration not only the child’s weight, height, and age but also whether or not the restraint will be compatible with the motor vehicle in which it will be used. For most basic types of child restraints, there are many different models available. When purchasing a child restraint, be sure it is designed to be used in a motor vehicle. If it is, the restraint will have a label saying that it meets federal motor vehicle safety standards. The restraint manufacturer’s instructions that come with the restraint state the weight and height limitations for a particular child restraint. In addition, there are many kinds of restraints available for children with special needs. 1-36 {CAUTION: The body structure of a young child is quite unlike that of an adult or older child, for whom the safety belts are designed. A young child’s hip bones are still so small that the vehicle’s regular safety belt may not remain low on the hip bones, as it should. Instead, it may settle up around the child’s abdomen. In a crash, the belt would apply force on a body area that is unprotected by any bony structure. This alone could cause serious or fatal injuries. Young children should always be secured in appropriate child restraints. Child Restraint Systems A rear-facing infant seat (A) provides restraint with the seating surface against the back of the infant. The harness system holds the infant in place and, in a crash, acts to keep the infant positioned in the restraint. A forward-facing child seat (B) provides restraint for the child’s body with the harness. 1-37 Securing an Add-On Child Restraint in the Vehicle {CAUTION: A child can be seriously injured or killed in a crash if the child restraint is not properly secured in the vehicle. Make sure the child restraint is properly installed in the vehicle using the vehicle’s safety belt or LATCH system, following the instructions that came with that restraint, and also the instructions in this manual. To help reduce the chance of injury, the child restraint must be secured in the vehicle. Child restraint systems must be secured in vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt portion of a lap-shoulder belt, or by the LATCH system. See Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-41 for more information. A child can be endangered in a crash if the child restraint is not properly secured in the vehicle. A booster seat (C-D) is a child restraint designed to improve the ﬁt of the vehicle’s safety belt system. A booster seat can also help a child to see out the window. 1-38 Where to Put the Restraint Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. We recommend that children and child restraints be secured in a rear seat, including: an infant or a child riding in a rear-facing child restraint; a child riding in a forward-facing child seat; an older child riding in a booster seat; and children, who are large enough, using safety belts. When securing an add-on child restraint, refer to the instructions that come with the restraint which may be on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both, and to this manual. The child restraint instructions are important, so if they are not available, obtain a replacement copy from the manufacturer. Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint can move around in a collision or sudden stop and injure people in the vehicle. Be sure to properly secure any child restraint in your vehicle — even when no child is in it. Securing the Child Within the Child Restraint {CAUTION: A child can be seriously injured or killed in a crash if the child is not properly secured in the child restraint. Because there are different systems, it is important to refer to the instructions that come with the restraint. Make sure the child is properly secured, following the instructions that came with that restraint. 1-39 A label on your sun visor says, “Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front.” This is because the risk to the rear-facing child is so great, if the airbag deploys. CAUTION: (Continued) {CAUTION: A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger’s airbag inﬂates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inﬂating airbag. Even though the passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag if the system detects a rear-facing child restraint, no system is fail-safe, and no one can guarantee that an airbag will not deploy under some unusual circumstance, even though it is turned off. We recommend that rear-facing child restraints be secured in a rear seat, even if the airbag is off. (Continued) CAUTION: If you secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat, always move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go. It is better to secure the child restraint in a rear seat. See Passenger Sensing System on page 1-62 for additional information. {CAUTION: A child in a child restraint in the center front seat can be badly injured or killed by the frontal airbags if they inﬂate. Never secure a child restraint in the center front seat. It is always better to secure a child restraint in a rear seat. Do not use child restraints in the center front seat position. 1-40 When securing a child restraint in a rear seating position, study the instructions that came with your child restraint to make sure it is compatible with this vehicle. Wherever you install a child restraint, be sure to secure the child restraint properly. Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint can move around in a collision or sudden stop and injure people in the vehicle. Be sure to properly secure any child restraint in your vehicle — even when no child is in it. Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) The LATCH system holds a child restraint during driving or in a crash. This system is designed to make installation of a child restraint easier. The LATCH system uses anchors in the vehicle and attachments on the child restraint that are made for use with the LATCH system. Make sure that a LATCH-compatible child restraint is properly installed using the anchors, or use the vehicle’s safety belts to secure the restraint, following the instructions that came with that restraint, and also the instructions in this manual. When installing a child restraint with a top tether, you must also use either the lower anchors or the safety belts to properly secure the child restraint. A child restraint must never be installed using only the top tether and anchor. In order to use the LATCH system in your vehicle, you need a child restraint that has LATCH attachments. The child restraint manufacturer will provide you with instructions on how to use the child restraint and its attachments. The following explains how to attach a child restraint with these attachments in your vehicle. Not all vehicle seating positions or child restraints have lower anchors and attachments or top tether anchors and attachments. Lower Anchors Lower anchors (A) are metal bars built into the vehicle. There are two lower anchors for each LATCH seating position that will accommodate a child restraint with lower attachments (B). 1-41 Top Tether Anchor Your child restraint may have a single tether (A) or a dual tether (C). Either will have a single attachment (B) to secure the top tether to the anchor. Some child restraints that have top tethers are designed for use with or without the top tether being attached. Others require the top tether always to be attached. In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child restraints have a top tether, and that the tether be attached. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for your child restraint. If the child restraint does not have a top tether, one can be obtained, in kit form, for many child restraints. Ask the child restraint manufacturer whether or not a kit is available. A top tether (A, C) anchors the top of the child restraint to the vehicle. A top tether anchor is built into the vehicle. The top tether attachment (B) on the child restraint connects to the top tether anchor in the vehicle in order to reduce the forward movement and rotation of the child restraint during driving or in a crash. 1-42 Lower Anchor and Top Tether Anchor Locations Rear Seat i (Top Tether Anchor): Seating positions with top tether anchors. j (Lower Anchor): Seating positions with two lower anchors. To assist you in locating the lower anchors, each seating position with lower anchors has two labels, near the crease between the seatback and the seat cushion. To assist you in locating the top tether anchors, the top tether anchor symbol is located on the cover. The top tether anchors are located under the covers on the rear seatback ﬁller panel. Flip open the cover to access the anchors. Be sure to use an anchor located on the same side of the vehicle as the seating position where the child restraint will be placed. 1-43 Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System {CAUTION: If a LATCH-type child restraint is not attached to anchors, the restraint will not be able to protect the child correctly. In a crash, the child could be seriously injured or killed. Make sure that a LATCH-type child restraint is properly installed using the anchors, or use the vehicle’s safety belts to secure the restraint, following the instructions that came with that restraint, and also the instructions in this manual. {CAUTION: Each top tether anchor and lower anchor in the vehicle is designed to hold only one child restraint. Attaching more than one child restraint to a single anchor could cause the CAUTION: (Continued) Do not secure a child restraint in a position without a top tether anchor if a national or local law requires that the top tether be attached, or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top tether must be attached. Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. See Where to Put the Restraint on page 1-39 for additional information. 1-44 CAUTION: (Continued) anchor or attachment to come loose or even break during a crash. A child or others could be injured if this happens. To help prevent injury to people and damage to your vehicle, attach only one child restraint per anchor. {CAUTION: Children can be seriously injured or strangled if a shoulder belt is wrapped around their neck and the safety belt continues to tighten. Secure any unused safety belts behind the child restraint so children cannot reach them. Pull the shoulder belt all the way out of the retractor to set the lock, if your vehicle has one, after the child restraint has been installed. Be sure to follow the instructions of the child restraint manufacturer. Notice: Contact between the child restraint LATCH attachment parts and the vehicle’s safety belt assembly may cause damage to these parts. Make sure when securing unused safety belts behind the child restraint that there is no contact between the child restraint LATCH attachment parts and the vehicle’s safety belt assembly. Folding an empty rear seat with the safety belts secured may cause damage to the safety belt or the seat. When removing the child restraint, always remember to return the safety belts to their normal, stowed position before folding the rear seat. 1. Attach and tighten the lower attachments to the lower anchors. If the child restraint does not have lower attachments or the desired seating position does not have lower anchors, secure the child restraint with the top tether and the safety belts. Refer to your child restraint manufacturer instructions and the instructions in this manual. 1.1. Find the lower anchors for the desired seating position. 1.2. Put the child restraint on the seat. 1.3. Attach and tighten the lower attachments on the child restraint to the lower anchors. 1-45 2. If the child restraint manufacturer recommends that the top tether be attached, attach and tighten the top tether to the top tether anchor, if equipped. Refer to the child restraint instructions and the following steps: 2.1. Find the top tether anchor. 2.2. Open the top tether anchor cover to expose the anchor. 2.3. Route, attach, and tighten the top tether according to your child restraint instructions and the following instructions: If the position you are using does not have a headrest or head restraint and you are using a single tether, route the tether over the seatback. If the position you are using does not have a headrest or head restraint and you are using a dual tether, route the tether over the seatback. If the position you are using has a ﬁxed headrest or head restraint and you are using a single tether, route the tether over the headrest or head restraint.

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2008 Buick Lacrosse Owners Manual