2005 BUICK LACROSSE engine

Change Engine Oil Light
If this light comes on, it
means that service is
required for your vehicle.
SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4
andEngine Oil on
page 5-15for more
information.
After having the oil changed you will need to reset the
light. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-15for more information.
If this light is blinking, a chime will sound indicating
low engine oil.
Security Light
For information regarding
this light, see
Theft-Deterrent Systems
on page 2-17.
Cruise Control Light
This light comes on
whenever you set your
cruise control.
The light will go out when the cruise control is
turned off. SeeCruise Control on page 3-10for
more information.
3-43

Reduced Engine Power Light
If the reduced engine
power light is on, a chime
will sound and a
noticeable reduction in the
vehicle’s performance
may occur.
If the reduced engine power light is on, but there is no
reduction in performance, proceed to your destination.
The performance may be reduced the next time
the vehicle is driven. The vehicle may be driven at a
reduced speed while the reduced engine power light is
on, but acceleration and speed may be reduced.
Anytime the reduced engine power light stays on, the
vehicle should be taken to an authorized GM dealer as
soon as possible for service.
Highbeam On Light
This light will come on
when the high-beam
headlamps are in use.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on page 3-8.
Headlamps Suggested Light
This light will come on
when the use of
headlamps is suggested.
3-44

Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
This light will come on
briey when the ignition is
on. If the light stays on,
a chime will sound
indicating your windshield
washer uid is low.
SeeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 5-34for more
information.
Door Ajar Light
When the ignition is on,
this light will stay on until
all doors are closed
and completely latched.
You will hear a chime if a door is unlatched after the
engine is started and the vehicle is not in PARK (P).
Trunk Ajar Light
This light will come on and
a chime will sound if the
trunk is ajar and the
vehicle is not in Park (P).
Try closing the trunk
again. Never drive with the
trunk open.
Service Vehicle Soon Light
If equipped, this light will
come on and a chime will
sound if it detects a
problem on the vehicle.
3-45

Driver Information Center (DIC)
Your vehicle may have a Driver Information
Center (DIC).
All messages will appear in the DIC display located in
the instrument panel cluster, below the speedometer.
The DIC buttons are located on the center of the
instrument panel, below the center outlets.
The DIC comes on when the ignition is on. After a short
delay, the DIC on the uplevel vehicle will display the
WELCOME DRIVER (1 or 2) if a personalized key 1 or 2
is used, and then the information that was last
displayed before the engine was turned off.
The DIC on the base level vehicle displays the odometer
and trip odometers only.
The DIC on the uplevel vehicle displays the odometer,
trip odometers, fuel economy, trip computer, vehicle
system, and compass display information. It also
displays warning messages if a system problem is
detected. In addition, the DIC on the uplevel vehicle
displays phone numbers that are called using the
OnStar
®system, if equipped. SeeOnStar®System on
page 2-34.The outside air temperature automatically appears in
the bottom right corner of the uplevel DIC display when
viewing the trip/odometer screens, fuel screens and
some of the gages screens. If the outside air
temperature is at or below 37°F (3°C), the temperature
reading will toggle between displaying the outside
temperature and the word ICE for two minutes. If there
is a problem with the system that controls the
temperature display, the letters OC (open circuit) or SC
(short circuit) will appear on the display. If this occurs,
have the vehicle serviced by your GM dealer.
The DIC on the uplevel vehicle also allows some
features to be customized or personalized. SeeDIC
Vehicle Personalization on page 3-71for more
information.
DIC Operation and Displays
The DIC has different modes which can be accessed by
pressing the DIC buttons located on the center of the
instrument panel. Depending on whether your vehicle
has the base level or uplevel DIC, the buttons and
modes available will differ.
The buttons on the base level vehicle are the
trip/odometer and English/Metric buttons.
The buttons on the uplevel vehicle are the trip/odometer,
set/reset, gages, fuel, and option buttons.
The button functions are detailed in the following pages.
3-47

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

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

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.
CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE
This message will display when there is a problem with
the generator and battery charging systems. Driving
with this problem could drain your battery. Turn off all
unnecessary accessories. Stop and turn off the
vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. Have the electrical
system checked by your GM dealer immediately.
This 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.
CHECK GAS CAP
This message may be displayed if the gas cap is not
on, or is not fully tightened. Check the gas cap to ensure
that it is on properly. The diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed. A loose or missing fuel cap will allow fuel
to evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving trips
with the cap properly installed should turn this message
off. SeeFilling the Tank on page 5-8for 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.
3-55

DELAYED LOCKING
This message will display to inform the driver that even
though a door lock switch has been pressed, that
actual locking of the doors is being delayed because
the delayed locking feature has been activated in
the DIC. See “DELAYED LOCKING” underDIC Vehicle
Personalization on page 3-71for more information.
This message will appear and a chime will sound when
the ignition is off.
This message cannot be acknowledged.
DRIVER’S DOOR AJAR
This message will display when the driver’s door is not
closed properly. When this message appears, you
should make sure that the driver’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.
DRIVER’S REAR DOOR AJAR
This message will display when the driver’s side rear
door is not closed properly. When this message
appears, you should make sure that the 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.
3-56