2005 BUICK LACROSSE warning

If there is a problem with the battery charging system, a
DIC message will display. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-53for more information.
Your vehicle’s charging system regulates voltage based
on the state of the battery. The battery voltage may
uctuate when viewing this information on the DIC. This
is normal.
Oil Life
Press the gages button until OIL LIFE displays. This
mode shows an estimate of the oil’s remaining useful
life. If you see OIL LIFE 99% on the display, that means
99% of the current oil life remains. The engine oil life
system will alert you to change your oil on a schedule
consistent with your driving conditions.
When the remaining oil life is low, the CHANGE OIL
SOON message will appear on the display. You should
change your oil as soon as possible. SeeEngine Oil
on page 5-15. In addition to the engine oil life system
monitoring the oil life, additional maintenance is
recommended in the Maintenance Schedule in this
manual. SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4for
more information.
Remember, you must reset the OIL LIFE yourself after
each oil change. It will not reset itself. Also, be
careful not to reset the OIL LIFE accidentally at any
time other than when the oil has just been changed. It
cannot be reset accurately until the next oil change.To reset the engine oil life system, press and hold the
set/reset button while OIL LIFE is displayed. The display
will show 100% when the system is reset. SeeEngine
Oil Life System on page 5-18for more information.
Option Menu Items (Uplevel Only)
4
(Option):Press this button to scroll through the
following menu items:
Units
Press the option button until UNITS displays. This mode
allows you to select between English or Metric units
of measurement. Once in this mode, press the set/reset
button to select between ENGLISH or METRIC units.
Language
Press the option button until the language screen
displays. This mode allows you to select the language
in which the DIC messages will appear. Once in
this mode, press the set/reset button to select among
the following choices:
English
Francais (French)
Espanol (Spanish)
3-51

3. Press the set/reset button to scroll through and
select the appropriate variance zone.
The direction the vehicle is moving will be displayed
in the top right corner of the DIC display.
4. If you need to calibrate the compass, use the
compass calibration procedure. See “Compass
Calibration Procedure” following.
Compass Calibration
The compass is manually calibrated. Only calibrate the
compass in a safe location where driving the vehicle
in circles is not a problem.
To calibrate the compass, use the following procedure:
Compass Calibration Procedure
1. Press the option button until the COMPASS
CALIBRATION screen is displayed.
2. Press the set/reset button to start the compass
calibration.
3. The DIC will display CALIBRATION BEGUN DRIVE
IN CIRCLES. Drive the vehicle in a circle until the
DIC displays CALIBRATION FINISHED. The
DIC will display CALIBRATION FINISHED for
several seconds and then will display the
COMPASS CALIBRATION screen.
DIC Warnings and Messages
Messages are displayed on the uplevel DIC to notify the
driver that the status of the vehicle has changed and
that some action may be needed by the driver to
correct the condition. Multiple messages may appear
one after another.
Some messages may not require immediate action, but
you can press any of the DIC buttons on the uplevel
vehicle to acknowledge that you received the message
and clear it from the DIC display.
Some messages cannot be cleared from the DIC
display because they are more urgent. These messages
require action before they can be cleared.
If there are any active warning messages when the
vehicle is turned off, two chimes will sound and the DIC
will go into a reminder mode. The reminder mode
displays any active message. If there are multiple
messages, the DIC will display each message for
ve seconds. After each active message is displayed
once, the reminder mode will turn off.
You should take any messages that appear on the
display seriously and remember that clearing the
messages will only make the messages disappear, not
correct the problem.
The following are the possible messages that can be
displayed and some information about them.
3-53

A/C OFF FOR ENGINE PROTECTION
This message will display when the engine coolant
becomes hotter than the normal operating temperature.
SeeEngine Coolant Temperature Gage on page 3-38.
To avoid added strain on a hot engine, the air
conditioning compressor is automatically turned off.
When the coolant temperature returns to normal, the air
conditioning compressor will turn back on. You can
continue to drive your vehicle.
This message will come on while the ignition is in RUN.
Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this
warning message and to clear it from the screen.
This message will continue to display for two seconds if
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still
exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear
when the engine is turned on. If this message continues
to appear, have the system repaired by your GM dealer
as soon as possible to avoid damage to your engine.
BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE
This message will display when the system detects that
the battery voltage is dropping beyond a reasonable
level. The battery saver system will start reducing certain
features of the vehicle that you may be able to notice.At the point that the features are disabled, this message
is displayed. It means that the vehicle is trying to
save the charge in the battery.
Turn off all unnecessary accessories to allow the battery
to recharge.
The normal battery voltage range is 11.5 to 15.5 volts. If
you have an uplevel DIC, you can monitor the battery
voltage by pressing the gages button until BATTERY
displays.
CHANGE OIL SOON
This message will display when service is required for
the vehicle. See your GM dealer. SeeEngine Oil
on page 5-15andScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4
for more information.
The CHANGE OIL SOON message is reset by
acknowledging the message. The OIL LIFE screen
under the gages menu on the DIC must also be reset.
See “Oil Life” underDIC Operation and Displays on
page 3-47andEngine Oil Life System on page 5-18.
This message will display while the ignition is in
RUN. Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this
message and to clear it from the screen.
3-54

ENGINE COOLANT HOT
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine is
overheating, severe engine damage may occur. If
an overheat warning appears on the instrument
panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the vehicle as soon
as possible. Do not increase the engine speed above
normal idling speed. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-24for more information.
This message will display when the engine coolant
temperature is too hot. The engine coolant temperature
warning light will also appear on the instrument panel
cluster. SeeEngine Coolant Temperature Warning Light
on page 3-38andEngine Coolant Temperature Gage
on page 3-38for more information.
To avoid added strain on the engine, turn off the air
conditioner if it is on. When the coolant temperature
returns to normal, the air conditioner can be turned
back on.
This message will display only when the ignition is in
RUN. A chime will sound continuously when this
message is displayed. Press any of the DIC buttons
to acknowledge this message and to clear it from
the screen.This message will continue to display for two seconds if
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still
exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear
when the engine is turned on.
HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED
This message will display when the amount of available
light outside of the vehicle is low, or the windshield
wipers have been on for approximately 30 seconds, and
the exterior lamps control is off or in the park lamps
position. This message informs the driver that turning on
the exterior lamps is recommended. SeeExterior
Lamps on page 3-13for more information.
This message will display while the ignition is in RUN.
Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this
message and to clear it from the screen.
This message will continue to display for two seconds if
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still
exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear
when the engine is turned on.
3-57

HOOD AJAR
This message will display when the hood is not closed
properly. When this message appears, you should
make sure that the hood is closed completely. SeeHood
Release on page 5-11.
This message will display while the ignition is in RUN.
Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this
message and to clear it from the screen.
This message will continue to display for two seconds if
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still
exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear
when the engine is turned on.
HOT TRANS FLUID
This message will display when the transaxle uid in
your vehicle is too hot. Stop the vehicle and allow it to
idle until it cools down. If the warning message
continues to display, have the vehicle serviced by your
GM dealer as soon as possible.
This message will display and a chime will sound only
while the ignition is in RUN. Press any of the DIC
buttons to acknowledge this message and to clear it
from the screen.This message will continue to display for two seconds if
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still
exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear
when the engine is turned on.
KEY FOB BATTERY LOW
This message will display when the battery in the
remote keyless entry transmitter needs to be replaced.
To replace the battery, see “Battery Replacement”
underRemote Keyless Entry System Operation
on page 2-4.
This message will display while the ignition is in RUN.
Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this
message and to clear it from the screen.
This message will continue to display for two seconds if
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still
exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear
when the engine is turned on.
3-58

The brake system warning light will also appear on the
instrument panel cluster when this message appears
on the DIC. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-36.
This message will display and a chime will sound only
while the ignition is in RUN. Press any of the DIC
buttons to acknowledge this message and to clear it
from the screen.
This message will continue to display for two seconds if
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still
exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear
when the engine is turned on.
LOW FUEL
This message will display when your vehicle is low on
fuel. You should rell the tank as soon as possible. See
Fuel Gage on page 3-46andFilling the Tank on
page 5-8for more information.
The message will display and a chime will sound while
the ignition is in RUN. Press any of the DIC buttons
to acknowledge this message and to clear it from
the screen.
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear
when the engine is turned on.
LOW OIL LEVEL
This message will display when the vehicle’s engine oil
is low. Fill the oil to the proper level as soon as
possible. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for the engine oil ll location. Also, see
Engine Oil on page 5-15for information on the kind of
oil to use and the proper oil level.
The message will display and a chime will sound while
the ignition is in RUN. Press any of the DIC buttons
to acknowledge this message and to clear it from
the screen.
This message will continue to display for two seconds if
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still
exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear
when the engine is turned on.
3-60

LOW OIL PRESSURE
Notice:If the LOW OIL PRESSURE warning
message appears on the DIC display, stop the
vehicle immediately. Do not drive the vehicle until
the cause of the low oil pressure is corrected.
Severe engine damage can result from driving a
vehicle with low oil pressure. SeeEngine Oil
on page 5-15for more information.
This message will display when the vehicle’s engine oil
pressure is low. The oil pressure light will also appear
on the instrument panel cluster. SeeOil Pressure Light
on page 3-42.
Stop the vehicle immediately, as engine damage can
result from driving a vehicle with low oil pressure. Have
the vehicle serviced by your GM dealer as soon as
possible when this message is displayed.
This message will display only when the ignition is in
RUN. A chime will sound continuously when this
message is displayed.
This message cannot be acknowledged and cleared
from the screen. This message will re-display for a few
seconds if the condition still exists when the engine
is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear
when the engine is turned on.
LOW WASHER FLUID
This message will display when the windshield washer
uid is low. Fill the windshield washer reservoir as
soon as possible. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for the location of the windshield
washer reservoir. Also, seeWindshield Washer Fluid on
page 5-34for more information.
This message will display and a chime will sound only
when the ignition is in RUN. Press any of the DIC
buttons to acknowledge this message and to clear it
from the screen.
This message will continue to display for two seconds if
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still
exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear
when the engine is turned on.
3-61

PARKING BRAKE ON
This message will display to alert the driver when the
vehicle’s parking brake is on, the ignition is in RUN, and
the vehicle speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h).
Release the parking brake before driving. SeeParking
Brake on page 2-27for more information.
The brake light will also appear on the instrument panel
cluster when this message appears on the DIC. See
Brake System Warning Light on page 3-36.
A chime will sound continuously while this message is
displayed if driving above 5 mph (8 km/h). Press
any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this message
and to clear it from the screen.
This message will continue to display for two seconds if
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still
exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear
when the engine is turned on.
PARK LAMPS ON
This message will display to alert the driver when the
headlamps or parking lamps are on while the ignition is
off and the driver’s door is opened. SeeExterior
Lamps on page 3-13for more information.
A chime will sound continuously while this message is
displayed. Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge
this message and to clear it from the screen.
PASSENGER’S DOOR AJAR
This message will display when the front passenger’s
door is not closed properly. When this message
appears, you should make sure that the front
passenger’s door is closed completely.
This message will display while the ignition is in RUN. A
chime will sound when the ignition is shifted out of
PARK (P). Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge
this message and to clear it from the screen.
This message will continue to display for two seconds if
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still
exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear
when the engine is turned on.
3-62