2011 Buick Lacrosse Owners Manual

Or write to: Helm, Incorporated P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery. All listed prices are quoted in U.S. funds. Make checks payable in U.S. funds.

Reporting Safety Defects

Reporting Safety Defects to the United States Government If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying General Motors. If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy campaign.

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Customer Information

13-17

However, NHTSA cannot become involved in individual problems between you, your dealer, or General Motors. To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-888-327-4236
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to http://www.safercar.gov; or write to: Administrator, NHTSA 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, D.C. 20590
You can also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from http://www.safercar.gov.

Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government If you live in Canada, and you believe that the vehicle has a safety defect, notify Transport Canada immediately, and notify General Motors of Canada Limited. Call them at 1-800-333-0510 or write to: Transport Canada Road Safety Branch 2780 Sheffield Road Ottawa, Ontario K1B 3V9

Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in a situation like this, please notify General Motors. Call 1-800-521-7300, or write: Buick Customer Assistance Center P.O. Box 33136
Detroit, MI 48232-5136
In Canada, call 1-800-263-3777
(English) or 1-800-263-7854
(French), or write: General Motors of Canada Limited Customer Communication Centre, Mail Code: CA1-163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7

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13-18

Customer Information

Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy This GM vehicle has a number of sophisticated computers that record information about the vehicle’s performance and how it is driven. For example, the 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 the dealer technician service the 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.

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: . How various systems in the

vehicle were operating.

. Whether or not the driver and

passenger safety belts were buckled/fastened.

. How far, if at all, the driver was pressing the accelerator and/or brake pedal.

. 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 the 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.

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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 by 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.

Customer Information

13-19

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.

OnStar® If the vehicle is equipped with an active OnStar system, that system may also record data in crash or near crash‐like situations. The OnStar Terms and Conditions provides information on data collection and use and is available in the OnStar glove box kit, at www.onstar.com (U.S.) or www.onstar.ca (Canada), or by pressing the Q button and speaking to an advisor.

Navigation System If the 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.

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Customer Information

Radio Frequency Statement This vehicle has systems that operate on a radio frequency that comply with Part 15 of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and with Industry Canada Standards RSS‐210/220/310. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. The device may not cause

interference.

2. The device must accept any

interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

Changes or modifications to any of these systems by other than an authorized service facility could void authorization to use this equipment.

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INDEX

i-1

Accessories and

Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Adaptive Forward

Lighting (AFL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4

Add-On Electrical

Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-62

Adjustments

Lumbar, Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . 10-15
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Air Filter, Passenger

Compartment

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8
Air Intake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8
Airbag System

Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-43
How Does an Airbag

Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-34

Passenger Sensing

System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-37

What Makes an Airbag

Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-34

Airbag System (cont.)

What Will You See After

an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . .3-35

When Should an Airbag

Antilock Brake

System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-21

Appearance Care

Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-32
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . .3-31

Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-92
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-97

Airbags

Adding Equipment to the

Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-42
Passenger Status Indicator . . .5-15
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-14
Servicing Airbag-Equipped

Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-41
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-29

Alarm System

Anti-Theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-14
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-31
AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12
Antenna

Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-20

Anti-Theft

Alarm System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-14
Alarm System Messages . . . . .5-38

Assistance Program,

Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-8, 13-10
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-20
CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-20
CD/DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-23

Audio System

Backglass Antenna . . . . . . . . . . .7-19
Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-19
Theft-Deterrent Feature . . . . . . . . 7-2

Automatic

Climate Control System . . . . . . . . 8-1
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . 9-28
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-30
Shift Lock Control

Function Check . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Auxiliary Devices . . . . . . . . 7-31, 7-34

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i-2

INDEX

Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-86
Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Voltage and Charging

Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-33
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . 10-29
Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . 7-46, 7-48, 7-53
Brake System Warning Light . . . 5-19
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-32
Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-35
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-33
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . .5-33
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3

Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . 9-16
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Headlamps, Front Turn

Signal and Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34

High Intensity Discharge

(HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . 10-36
Taillamps, Turn Signal,

Stoplamps, and Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-64

Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
California

Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . .9-51
Perchlorate Materials

Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-3
Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-3
Camera, Rear Vision . . . . . . . . . . 9-46
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . iv Capacities and

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2

Carbon Monoxide

Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-27
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-12
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-9

Cautions, Danger, and

Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .v

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CD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-20
CD/DVD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-23
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . 4-1
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-69
Charging

System Light

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-16

Check

Engine Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-17
Ignition

Transmission Lock . . . . . . . . 10-28

Child Restraints

Infants and Young

Cleaning

Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-92
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-97

Climate Control Systems

Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Dual Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5, 5-6
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . 13-13
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 10-85
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-34

Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-46

Compressor Kit, Tire

Lower Anchors and

Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . .3-52
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-44
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-61, 3-63
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-49
Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39

Sealant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-72
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Coolant

Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18
Engine Temperature

Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-13

INDEX

i-3

Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-17
Engine Messages . . . . . . . . . . . .5-35

Courtesy Transportation

Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-11
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-39
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-25
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-34
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . 13-6
Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-5, 13-6
Text Telephone (TTY)

Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13-6

Customer Information Service Publications

Ordering Information . . . . . . 13-15

Customer Satisfaction

Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-1, 13-3

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i-4

INDEX

Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . 13-13
Danger, Warnings, and

Cautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .v . . . . . . . 13-18

Data Recorders, Event Daytime Running

Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Devices, Auxiliary . . . . . . . 7-31, 7-34
Differential, Limited-Slip . . . . . . . 9-38
Displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Door

Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-34
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-12
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-10
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Rear Seat Pass-Through . . . . .3-13

Drive Systems

All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-31

Driver Information

Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25

Driving

Characteristics and

Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-56
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-8
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . 9-8
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 9-11
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . .9-12
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-9

Driving for Better Fuel

Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23

Dual Automatic Climate

Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4

DVD

Rear Seat Entertainment

System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-36
DVD/CD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-23

Electric Parking Brake Light . . . 5-20
Electrical Equipment,

Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-62

Electrical System

Engine Compartment

Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39

Fuses and Circuit

Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39

Instrument Panel Fuse

Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Rear Compartment Fuse

Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Electronic Stability Control . . . . . 9-37
Electronic Stability Control

(ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22

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INDEX

i-5

Electronic Stability Control

Engine Oil

Fluid

Indicator Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22

Engine

Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Check and Service Engine

Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-17
Compartment Overview . . . . . . .10-6
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18
Coolant Temperature

Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-13
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-17
Cooling System Messages . . .5-35
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . .12-4
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-27
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-23
Overheated Protection

Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-36
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-23
Running While Parked . . . . . . . .9-28
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-20

Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-35
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-61
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . 13-18
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 6-2

Features

Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7

Filter,

Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 6-4
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-70
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-79
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-100

Automatic Transmission . . . . 10-15
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24

Fog Lamps

Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Front Fog Lamps

Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-25

Front Seats

Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Heated and Ventilated . . . . . . . .3-10
Front Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-50
Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-52
Filling a Portable Fuel

Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-54
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-53
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . .9-52
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . .9-51

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i-6

INDEX

Fuel (cont.)

Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . .5-24
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-50
Requirements, California . . . . .9-51
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . .5-36

Fuel Economy

Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-23

Fuses

Engine Compartment

Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39

Fuses and Circuit

Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39

Instrument Panel Fuse

Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42

Rear Compartment Fuse

Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44

Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . 5-45
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-45

Gasoline

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-51

Gauges

Engine Coolant

Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-13
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Warning Lights and

Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9

General Information

Service and Maintenance . . . . . 11-1
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-55
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-2
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
GM Mobility Reimbursement

Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-8

Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . 6-4
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Head Up Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Headlamps

Adaptive Forward

Lighting (AFL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Daytime Running

Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
High Intensity Discharge

(HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . .5-24
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . . 6-2

Heated

Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

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Heated and Ventilated Front

Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Heater

Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-23
Heating and Air Conditioning . . . 8-1
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-8
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 9-8
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
How to Wear Safety Belts

Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-17

INDEX

i-7

Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . 10-48
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-37
Lamps

Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . . 6-3
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lamps Off

Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2

Headlamps, Front Turn

Signal and Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
License Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Malfunction Indicator . . . . . . . . .5-17
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Sun Visor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22

Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . 9-17, 9-19
Ignition Transmission Lock

Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Infants and Young Children,

Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-46
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii

Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-86

Key and Lock Messages . . . . . . . 5-36
Keyless Entry

Remote (RKE) System . . . . . . . . 2-4
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

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i-8

INDEX

LATCH System

Replacing Parts After a

Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-61

LATCH, Lower Anchors and

Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . 3-52

Light

Electronic Stability Control

(ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-22

Lighting

Adaptive Forward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5

Lights

Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-14
Antilock Brake System

(ABS) Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-21
Brake System Warning . . . . . . .5-19
Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-16
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-25
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . .5-20
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . .5-23

Lights (cont.)

Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Front Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-25
High-Beam On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-24
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . . 6-2
Low Fuel Warning . . . . . . . . . . . .5-24
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . .5-14
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-24
Taillamp Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-25
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-23
Traction Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-21
Limited-Slip Differential . . . . . . . . 9-38
Locks

Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-12
Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-10
Power Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-12
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . 5-24
Lower Anchors and

Tethers for Children (LATCH System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-52
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7

Maintenance

Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-10

Maintenance Schedule

Recommended Fluids and

Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-7
Scheduled Maintenance . . . . . . 11-2
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . 5-17
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Mass Storage Media (MEM) . . . 7-27
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Messages

Anti-Theft Alarm System . . . . . .5-38
Battery Voltage and

Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-33
Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-33
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-34
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-34
Engine Cooling System . . . . . . .5-35
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-35
Engine Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-36
Fuel System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-36
Key and Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-36

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Black plate (9,1)

Messages (cont.)

Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-37
Object Detection System . . . . .5-37
Ride Control System . . . . . . . . . .5-37
Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-38
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-38
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-33
Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-39

Mirrors

Folding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-17
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-17
Manual Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-18
Park Tilt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-17
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-16

Monitor System, Tire

Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-56

Navigation

Vehicle Data Recording

and Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-19
Net, Convenience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . 9-16

Object Detection System

Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-37

Object Detection, Side Blind

Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . 9-44
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Off-Road

Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6

Oil

Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-9
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . 10-13
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-35
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-23
Older Children, Restraints . . . . . 3-44
Online Owner Center . . . . . . . . . . 13-7
OnStar® System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Operation, Infotainment

System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7

Outlets

INDEX

i-9

Park

Shifting Into . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-25
Shifting Out of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-26
Park Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Parking

Assist, Ultrasonic . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-42
Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-33
Brake and P (Park)

Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-29
Over Things That Burn . . . . . . .9-27

Passenger Airbag Status

Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15

Passenger Compartment Air

Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8
Passenger Sensing System . . . 3-37
Perchlorate Materials

Requirements, California . . . . . 10-3

Personalization

Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7

Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-39

Overheated Engine

Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Overheating, Engine . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Overview, Infotainment

System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3, 7-5

Phone

Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . 7-46, 7-48, 7-53

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i-10

INDEX

Power

Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-16
Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Protection, Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . .9-24
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-19

Pregnancy, Using Safety

Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27

Privacy

Radio Frequency

Identification (RFID) . . . . . . . 13-19

Program

Courtesy Transportation . . . . .13-11

Proposition 65 Warning,

California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3

Radio Frequency

Identification (RFID) . . . . . . . . 13-19
Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-20

Radios

AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-12
CD/DVD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-23
Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-19
Satellite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-15
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Rear Seat Entertainment

System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-36

Rear Seat

Pass-Through Door . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . 9-46
Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8

Recommended Fluids and

Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-7
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . 9-50
Records

Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-10

Recreational Vehicle

Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-89

Reimbursement Program,

GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-8

Remote Keyless Entry

(RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3, 2-4
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Replacement Parts

Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-43
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-9
Replacing Airbag System . . . . . . 3-43
Replacing LATCH System

Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . 3-61

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Black plate (11,1)

Replacing Safety Belt System Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-28

Reporting Safety Defects

Canadian Government . . . . . . 13-17
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-17
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . 13-16

Restraints

Where to Put . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-51

Retained Accessory

Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . . 9-37
Electronic Stability (ESC) . . . . .9-37
Enhanced Traction

System (ETS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-38
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-37
Selective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-38

Roads

Driving, Wet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7

Roadside Assistance

Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-8, 13-10

Roof

Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-21
Rotation, Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-61
Routing, Engine Drive Belt . . . . . 12-4
Running the Vehicle While

Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28

Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-28
Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-27
How to Wear Safety Belts

Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-17
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . .3-22
Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-14
Replacing After a Crash . . . . . .3-28
Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . .3-27

Safety Defects Reporting

Canadian Government . . . . . . 13-17
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-17
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . 13-16

INDEX

i-11

Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15
Scheduled Maintenance . . . . . . . 11-2
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . 13-11
Sealant Kit, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-72
Seats

Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Heated and Ventilated

Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-10
Lumbar Adjustment, Front . . . . . 3-7
Power Adjustment, Front . . . . . . 3-5
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8

Securing Child

Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-61, 3-63

Security

Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-24
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-14
Selective Ride Control . . . . . . . . . 9-38

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Black plate (12,1)

i-12

INDEX

Service

Accessories and

Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-3
Doing Your Own Work . . . . . . . .10-4
Engine Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . .5-17
Maintenance Records . . . . . . .11-10
Maintenance, General

Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
. . . . .12-1

Parts Identification Label Publications Ordering

Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-15
Scheduling Appointments . . . .13-11
Servicing the Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . 3-41
Shift Lock Control Function

Check, Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28

Shifting

Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-25
Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-26

Side Blind Zone Alert . . . . . . . . . . 9-44
Signals, Turn and

Storage

Mass Media (MEM) . . . . . . . . . . .7-27

Lane-Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4

Storage Areas

Spare Tire

Compact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-85

Specifications and

Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Start Assist, Hills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Start Vehicle, Remote . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Fluid, Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Heated Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2

Stoplamps and Back-Up Lamps

Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-35

Center Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

Storing the Tire Sealant

and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . 10-79
Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-11
Sun Visor Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-21
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .v System

Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1

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Black plate (13,1)

INDEX

i-13

Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Taillamp Indicator Light . . . . . . . . 5-25
Taillamps

Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . 13-6
Theft-Deterrent

Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14, 2-15
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-14
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5, 5-6
Tires

Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-64
Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-69
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-79
Compact Spare . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-85
Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-66
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . 10-70
Inflation Monitor System . . . . 10-57
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-61
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-38

Tires (cont.)

Towing (cont.)

Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-23
Pressure Monitor System . . . 10-56
Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-61
Sealant and

Compressor Kit

. . . . . . . . . . . 10-72

Sealant and Compressor

Kit, Storing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-79
Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Terminology and

Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-51

Uniform Tire Quality

Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-66

Wheel Alignment and Tire

Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-68
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . 10-68
When It Is Time for New

Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-63
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-47

Towing

Driving Characteristics . . . . . . . .9-56
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-61
General Information . . . . . . . . . .9-55

Recreational Vehicle . . . . . . . . 10-89
Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-60
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-89

Traction

Control System (TCS) . . . . . . . .9-36
Limited-Slip Differential . . . . . . .9-38
Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-21
Selective Ride Control . . . . . . . .9-38
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-60
Transmission

Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-28
Fluid, Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-38

Transportation Program,

Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-11
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Turn and Lane-Change

Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4

Turn Signal

Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-35

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i-14

INDEX

Ultrasonic Parking Assist . . . . . . 9-42
Uniform Tire Quality

Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-66
Universal Remote System . . . . . 5-45
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-48
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-45
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv

Using this Manual

Vehicle

Canadian Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .iv Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Identification

Number (VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-1
Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-12
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-33
Personalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-39
Remote Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-14
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-89

Vehicle Care

Storing the Tire Sealant

and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . 10-79
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-54

Vehicle Identification

Service Parts Identification

Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-1
Ventilation, Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8
Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20

Warning

Brake System Light . . . . . . . . . . .5-19

Warning Lights, Gauges, and

Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .v Cautions and Danger . . . . . . . . . . . . v Hazard Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24

Wheels

Alignment and Tire

Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-68
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-66
Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-68

When It Is Time for New

Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-63
. . . . 3-51
Where to Put the Restraint Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-39
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-19

Windshield

Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-9
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-47
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 10-29

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2011 Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual M

In Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Performance and

Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22

Keys, Doors and Windows . . . 2-1
Keys and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Vehicle Security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Exterior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Interior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-21

Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-29
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-44

Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 4-1
Additional Storage Features . . . 4-2

Instruments and Controls . . . . 5-1
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Warning Lights, Gauges, and

Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-33
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 5-39
Universal Remote System . . . . 5-45

Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Lighting Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6

Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-20
Rear Seat Infotainment . . . . . . . 7-36
Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-46

Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8

Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 9-16
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 9-28
Drive Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-31
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-36
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-39
Object Detection Systems . . . . 9-42
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-50
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-55
Conversions and Add-Ons . . . 9-62

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2011 Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual M

Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Identification . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2

Customer Information . . . . . . . 13-1
Customer Information . . . . . . . . 13-1
Reporting Safety Defects . . . . 13-16
Vehicle Data Recording and

Privacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-18
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i-1

Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-86
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-89
Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . 10-92

Service and Maintenance . . . 11-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Scheduled Maintenance . . . . . . 11-2
Recommended Fluids,

Lubricants, and Parts . . . . . . . 11-7
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . 11-10

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This manual describes features that may or may not be on your specific vehicle either because they are options that you did not purchase or due to changes subsequent to the printing of this owner manual. Please refer to the purchase documentation relating to your specific vehicle to confirm each of the features found on your vehicle. For vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors of Canada Limited” for Buick Motor Division wherever it appears in this manual.

Introduction

iii

Manufactured under license under U.S. Patent #'s: 5,451, 942; 5,956,674; 5,974,380; 5,978,762; 6,487,535 & other U.S. and worldwide patents issued & pending. DTS and the Symbol are registered trademarks and DTS Digital Surround and the DTS logos are trademarks of DTS, Inc. Product includes software. All Rights Reserved.

The names, logos, emblems, slogans, vehicle model names, and vehicle body designs appearing in this manual including, but not limited to, GM, the GM logo, BUICK, the BUICK Emblem, and LACROSSE are trademarks and/or service marks of General Motors LLC, its subsidiaries, affiliates, or licensors.

Litho in U.S.A. Part No. 20859621 B Second Printing

©2010 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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iv

Introduction

limited viewing uses only unless otherwise authorized by Macrovision. Reverse engineering or disassembly is prohibited.

Manufactured under license from Dolby® Laboratories. Dolby and the double-D symbol are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.

This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by U.S. patents and other intellectual property rights. Use of this copyright protection technology must be authorized by Macrovision, and is intended for home and other

"Made for iPod" means that an electronic accessory has been designed to connect specifically to iPod and has been certified by the developer to meet Apple performance standards. Apple is not responsible for the operation of this device or its compliance with safety and regulatory standards. iPod, iPod classic, iPod nano, and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Canadian Vehicle Owners

Propriétaires Canadiens A French language copy of this manual can be obtained from your dealer or from: On peut obtenir un exemplaire de ce guide en français auprès du concessionnaire ou à l'adresse suivante: Helm, Incorporated P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
Numéro de poste 6438
de langue française www.helminc.com

Using this Manual To quickly locate information about the vehicle, use 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.

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Danger, Warnings, and Cautions Warning messages found on vehicle labels and in this manual describe hazards and what to do to avoid or reduce them. Danger indicates a hazard with a high level of risk which will result in serious injury or death. Warning or Caution indicates a hazard that could result in injury or death.

{ WARNING

These mean there is something that could hurt you or other people.

Notice: This means there is something that could result in property or vehicle damage. This would not be covered by the vehicle's warranty.

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.”

Introduction

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, gauge, or indicator. M : This symbol is shown when you need to see your owner manual for additional instructions or information. * : This symbol is shown when you need to see a service manual for additional instructions or information.

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vi

Introduction

Vehicle Symbol Chart Here are some additional symbols that may be found on the vehicle and what they mean. For more information on the symbol, refer to the Index. 9 : Airbag Readiness Light # : Air Conditioning ! : Antilock Brake System (ABS) % : Audio Steering Wheel Controls or OnStar® $ : Brake System Warning Light " : Charging System I : Cruise Control B : Engine Coolant Temperature O : Exterior Lamps

# : Fog Lamps . : Fuel Gauge + : Fuses 3 : Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer j : LATCH System Child Restraints * : Malfunction Indicator Lamp : : Oil Pressure } : Power / : Remote Vehicle Start > : Safety Belt Reminders 7 : Tire Pressure Monitor d : Traction Control M : Windshield Washer Fluid

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In Brief

1-1

Performance and Maintenance

Traction Control

System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22

Electronic Stability

Control (ESC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . 1-22
Tire Sealant and

Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 1-23
Driving for Better Fuel

Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23

Roadside Assistance

Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
OnStar® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24

In Brief

Instrument Panel

Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

Initial Drive Information

Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)

System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Trunk Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Heated and Ventilated

Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . 1-9
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Sensing System for

Passenger Airbag . . . . . . . . . . 1-10

Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Steering Wheel

Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 1-13
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15

Vehicle Features

Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . 1-17
Bluetooth® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . 1-18
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Navigation System . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Driver Information

Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . 1-20
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Universal Remote System . . . 1-20
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21

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1-2

In Brief

Instrument Panel

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A. Air Vents on page 8‑8. B. Head-Up Display (HUD) on

page 5‑29 (If Equipped).

C. Turn and Lane‐Change Lever.

See Turn and Lane-Change Signals on page 6‑4. Driver Information Center Buttons. See Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 5‑25. Instrument Cluster on page 5‑10. Driver Information Center Display. See Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 5‑25.

D.

E. Windshield Wiper/Washer on

page 5‑3. Infotainment Display Screen. F. G. Infotainment on page 7‑1. H. Exterior Lamp Controls on

page 6‑1. Fog Lamps on page 6‑5
(If Equipped). Instrument Panel Illumination Control on page 6‑5.

I. Front Storage on page 4‑1. J. Data Link Connector (DLC)

(Out of View). See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 5‑17. K. Cruise Control on page 9‑39. L. Steering Wheel Adjustment on

page 5‑2.

M. Horn on page 5‑3. N. Steering Wheel Controls on

O.

page 5‑2 (If Equipped). Ignition Positions (Key Access) on page 9‑17 or Ignition Positions (Keyless Access) on page 9‑19.

P. Heated and Ventilated Front

Seats on page 3‑10.

Q. Automatic Climate Control

System on page 8‑1
(If Equipped). Dual Automatic Climate Control System on page 8‑4
(If Equipped).

In Brief

1-3

R. Power Door Locks on

page 2‑11. Hazard Warning Flashers on page 6‑4. Passenger Sensing System on page 3‑37.

S. Parking Brake on page 9‑33. T. Shift Lever Position Indicator.

See Automatic Transmission on page 9‑28.

U. Shift Lever. See Shifting Into

Park on page 9‑25.

V. Traction Control System (TCS)

on page 9‑36. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) on page 9‑37. Ultrasonic Parking Assist on page 9‑42. Rear Window Sunshade (If Equipped). See Rear Window Sunshade on page 2‑20.

W. Glove Box on page 4‑1.

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1-4

In Brief

Initial Drive Information This section provides a brief overview about some of the important features that may or may not be on your specific vehicle. For more detailed information, refer to each of the features which can be found later in this owner manual.

Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter will work up to 20 m (65 ft) away from the vehicle. On vehicles with remote start the distance will be greater.

7 : Press and release to locate the vehicle. Press and hold for more than two seconds to sound the panic alarm. Press again to cancel the panic alarm. See Keys on page 2‑2 and Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation on page 2‑4.

Remote Vehicle Start For vehicles with this feature, the engine can be started from outside of the vehicle. Starting the Vehicle 1. Aim the Remote Keyless Entry

transmitter at the vehicle.

2. Press Q. 3.

Immediately after completing Step 2, press and hold / until the turn signal lamps flash, or for about 2 seconds if the vehicle is not in view.

Press the button to extend the key. The key can be used for all locks. This key is also used for the ignition, if the vehicle does not have push-button start K : Press to unlock the driver door or all doors. Q : Press to lock all doors. Lock and unlock feedback can be personalized. V : Press and hold to open the trunk.

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When the vehicle starts, the parking lamps will turn on and remain on as long as the engine is running. The doors will be locked and the climate control system may come on. The engine will continue to run for 10 minutes. Repeat the steps for a 10-minute time extension. Remote start can be extended only once. Canceling a Remote Start To cancel a remote start: . Aim the RKE transmitter at the vehicle and press and hold / until the parking lamps turn off. Turn on the hazard warning flashers. Turn the vehicle on and then off.

See Remote Vehicle Start on page 2‑8.

In Brief

1-5

Trunk Release The trunk may be opened by pressing V on the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter or the touchpad located on the rear of the trunk above the license plate. See Trunk on page 2‑12 for more information.

Windows On vehicles with power windows, the switches are on the driver door armrest. Each passenger door has a switch that controls only that window. Press the switch to lower the window. Pull the switch up to raise it. For more information, see Power Windows on page 2‑19.

Door Locks To lock or unlock the doors:

From inside the vehicle, use the door lock knob or the power door lock controls, pull once on the door handle to unlock it, and a second time to open it. From outside, use the key, or press Q or K on the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter. See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation on page 2‑4.

See Door Locks on page 2‑10. Power Door Locks On vehicles with power door locks, the controls are located on the center of the instrument panel. K : Press to unlock the doors. Q : Press to lock the doors. See Power Door Locks on page 2‑11.

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1-6

In Brief

Seat Adjustment

Manual Seats

A. Seatback Recline Lever B. Height Adjustment Switch C. Seat Position Handle

To adjust the seat position: 1. Pull the handle (C) under the

front of the seat cushion.

2. Slide the seat to the desired

position and release the handle.

3. Try to move the seat back and

forth to be sure it is locked in place.

Press and hold the top or bottom of the switch (B) to raise or lower the seat. Release the switch when the desired height is reached. To raise or recline the seatback, use the lever (A) on the outboard side of the seat. See Seat Adjustment on page 3‑4
and Reclining Seatbacks on page 3‑8 for more information.

Power Seats

To adjust the seat: . Move the seat forward or

rearward by moving the horizontal control forward or rearward.

. Raise or lower the front or

rear part of the seat cushion by moving the front or rear of the horizontal control up or down.

. Raise or lower the entire seat by

moving the control up or down.

See Power Seat Adjustment on page 3‑5.

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Power Reclining Seatbacks

Lumbar Adjustment

Memory Features

In Brief

1-7

To raise or recline the seatback, tilt the top of the vertical control forward or rearward. See Reclining Seatbacks on page 3‑8.

To adjust the lumbar support: . Press and hold the front or rear

of the control to increase or decrease lumbar support.

. Press and hold the top or bottom

of the control to raise or lower lumbar support.

See Lumbar Adjustment on page 3‑7.

On vehicles with the memory feature, the “1” and “2” buttons on the outboard side of the driver seat are used to manually save and recall the driver seat and outside mirror positions. These manually stored positions are referred to as Button Memory positions.

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1-8

In Brief

The vehicle will also automatically save driver seat and outside mirror positions to the current driver Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter when the ignition is placed in OFF. These automatically stored positions are referred to as RKE Memory positions.

Storing Button Memory Positions To save positions into Button Memory: 1. Adjust the driver seat, seatback

recliner, and both outside mirrors to the desired driving positions.

2. Press and release the MEM (Memory) button.

3. Press “1” until a beep sounds. 4. Repeat Steps 1 through 3 for a

second driver using “2.”

To recall the manually saved Button Memory positions, press and hold “1” or “2.” The driver seat and outside mirrors move to the positions stored to those buttons when pressed. Releasing “1” or “2” before the stored positions are reached stops the recall. To automatically recall RKE Memory positions, unlock the driver door with the RKE transmitter, and open the driver door. On vehicles with Keyless Access, opening the driver door when an RKE transmitter is present will activate the RKE Memory recall. If the driver door is already open, pressing the RKE transmitter K button will also activate the RKE Memory recall. The driver seat and outside mirrors will move to the previously saved RKE Memory positions. See “Memory Seats” under Power Seat Adjustment on page 3‑5 for more information.

Easy Exit Driver Seat This feature moves the seat rearward allowing the driver more room to exit the vehicle. To activate, place the ignition in OFF and open the driver door. If the driver door is already open, placing the ignition in OFF will activate the easy exit driver seat. This feature is turned on or off using the vehicle personalization menu. See “Driver Seat Easy Exit” under Vehicle Personalization on page 5‑39 for more information.

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