2005 BUICK LACROSSE heater

What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and
one-half DEX-COOL®engine coolant which will
not damage aluminum parts. If this coolant mixture is
used, nothing else needs to be added.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
Notice:If you use an improper coolant mixture,
your engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.If coolant needs to be added more than four times a
year, have your dealer check the cooling system.
Notice:If you use the proper coolant, you do not
have to add extra inhibitors or additives which claim
to improve the system. These can be harmful.
Checking Coolant
The coolant recovery tank
is located in the engine
compartment toward
the rear of the engine on
the passenger’s side of the
vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for more
information on location.
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking
the coolant level.
When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the cold ll line or a little higher. The cold ll line is
near the bottom of the surge tank and has an arrow
pointing down at it.3.8L V6 engine shown,
3.6L V6 engine similar
5-22

When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
or above the cold ll line on the coolant recovery
tank. If it is not, there may be a leak at the pressure cap
or in the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water
pump, or somewhere else in the cooling system.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Do not touch them. If
you do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you
run the engine, it could lose all coolant. That
could cause an engine re, and you could be
burned. Get any leak xed before you drive
the vehicle.If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check
to see if the electric engine cooling fans are running.
If the engine is overheating, the fans should be running.
If the fans are not running, the vehicle needs service.
Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant is not covered by your warranty. See
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode on
page 5-26for information on driving to a safe place
in an emergency.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-28

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.If you have not found a problem yet, but the coolant
level is not at the cold ll line, add a 50/50 mixture
ofclean, drinkable waterand DEX-COOL
®engine
coolant at the coolant recovery tank. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-21for more information.
Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
When the coolant level in the coolant recovery tank is at
the cold ll line, start the vehicle.
5-29

3. If your vehicle has the
3.8L V6 engine, open
the coolant air
bleed valve located on
the thermostat
housing near the
heater hose. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12
for more information
on location.4. Fill the radiator with the proper DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture, up to the base of the ller
neck. SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-21for more
information about the proper coolant mixture.
If your vehicle has the 3.8L V6 engine and you see
a stream of coolant coming from the air bleed
valve, close the valve. Otherwise, close the valve
after the radiator is lled.
5. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from the engine
and the compartment.
6. Then ll the coolant recovery tank to the cold
ll line.
7. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank, but
leave the radiator pressure cap off. 3.8L V6 engine
3.8L V6 engine shown, 3.6L V6 engine similar
5-31

Check
Engine Light...............................................3-39
Check Gas Cap Light......................................3-46
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-84
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-37
Infants and Young Children...........................1-33
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-43
Older Children.............................................1-31
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-45
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-46
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center
Front Seat Position...................................1-48
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................1-48
Top Strap...................................................1-41
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-43
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-40
Chime Level Adjustment.................................3-120
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..............5-83
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-81
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-78
Finish Care.................................................5-82Cleaning (cont.)
Glass Surfaces............................................5-80
Instrument Panel.........................................5-80
Interior Plastic Components...........................5-80
Leather......................................................5-80
Tires..........................................................5-83
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-84
Vinyl..........................................................5-80
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-81
Weatherstrips..............................................5-81
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-82
Climate Control System...................................3-21
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-28
Dual Automatic............................................3-24
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-28
Steering Wheel Controls...............................3-30
Comfort Guides, Rear Safety Belt.....................1-27
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-77
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-17
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Convenience Net............................................2-41
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-38
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-38
Heater, Engine............................................2-23
Low Warning Light.......................................3-39
Cooling System..............................................5-26
Courtesy Lamps.............................................3-16
3

Electrical System (cont.)
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-88
Underhood Fuse Block.................................5-90
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-87
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-19
Battery.......................................................5-38
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-43
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-39
Coolant......................................................5-21
Coolant Heater............................................2-23
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-38
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-38
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-30
Oil .............................................................5-15
Oil Life System...........................................5-18
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-26
Overheating................................................5-24
Reduced Power Light...................................3-44
Starting......................................................2-22
Entry Lighting.................................................3-16
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-9
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-30
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-13
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver..........................3-15F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-19
Finish Damage...............................................5-84
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-67
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-68
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-76
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-21
Power Steering...........................................5-33
Windshield Washer......................................5-34
Fog Lamps............................................3-15, 5-48
Folding Rear Seat............................................ 1-8
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Check Gas Cap Light...................................3-46
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-46
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-6
Low Warning Light.......................................3-46
5

Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-88
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-88
Underhood Fuse Block.................................5-90
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-87
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-38
Fuel..........................................................3-46
Speedometer..............................................3-32
Tachometer.................................................3-32
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-36
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-6
Glove Box.....................................................2-40
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-7
Headlamp
Aiming.......................................................5-43Headlamp Wiring............................................5-87
Headlamps
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-45
Daytime Running Lamps/Automatic
Headlamp System....................................3-14
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps.............5-47
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-45
Headlamps and Sidemarker Lamps................5-46
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
Suggested Light..........................................3-44
Headlamps and Sidemarker Lamps...................5-46
Heated Seats................................................... 1-5
Heater...........................................................3-21
Heater...........................................................3-24
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-44
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-21
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-22
HomeLink
®Transmitter....................................2-36
HomeLink®Transmitter, Programming................2-36
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn............................................................... 3-6
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-15
6

Light (cont.)
Reduced Engine Power................................3-44
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-32
Security.....................................................3-43
Service Vehicle Soon...................................3-45
TCS Warning Light......................................3-37
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning..........3-37
Trunk Ajar..................................................3-45
Lighting
Delayed Entry.............................................3-17
Delayed Exit...............................................3-17
Entry.........................................................3-16
Perimeter...................................................3-18
Theater Dimming.........................................3-17
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-29
Lockout Protection..........................................2-12
Locks
Delayed Locking..........................................2-11
Door..........................................................2-10
Lockout Protection.......................................2-12
Power Door................................................2-11
Loss of Control...............................................4-13
Low Coolant Warning Light..............................3-39
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-46
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light.......................3-45
Lumbar
Power Controls............................................. 1-4M
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....................................6-14
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........6-13
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-8
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-12
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using.......................................................... 6-3
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-39
Manual Seats................................................... 1-3
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-53
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview........................2-32
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
®.....2-33
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-32
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®.............2-32
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-34
8