2006 BUICK LACROSSE brake

Shifting Out of Park (P)
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock
This vehicle is equipped with an electronic shift lock
release system. The shift lock release is designed to:
Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift
lever is in PARK (P)
Prevent movement of the shift lever out of PARK (P)
unless the ignition is in a position other than OFF.
The shift lock is always functional except in the case
of a an uncharged or low voltage (less than 9 volt)
battery.
If your vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery
with low voltage, try charging or jump starting the
battery. SeeJump Starting on page 5-42.
Console Shift
If your console shift cannot be moved out of PARK (P)
1. Apply and maintain the regular brakes.
2. Turn the ignition to the RUN position. SeeIgnition
Positions on page 2-23for more information.
3. Let up on the shift lever and make sure the shift
lever is pushed all the way into PARK (P).
4. Then, move the shift into the desired gear.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from PARK (P),
consult your dealer or a professional towing service.
Column Shift
If your park lock cable cannot be moved out of PARK (P)
1. Apply and maintain the regular brakes.
2. Turn the Ignition key to the ACCESSORY or RUN
position. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-23for
more information.
3. Shift out of the PARK (P) position to the
NEUTRAL (N) position.
4. Move the vehicle to a safe location.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from PARK (P),
consult your dealer or a professional towing service.
2-33

Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-34.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 4-26.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle will not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set your parking
brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will
not move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-31.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a trailer,
also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-38.
2-35

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-8
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Windshield Washer.........................................3-9
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-13
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)/
Automatic Headlamp System........................3-14
Fog Lamps..................................................3-15
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver........................3-15
Interior Lamps..............................................3-16
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-16
Courtesy Lamps...........................................3-16
Entry Lighting...............................................3-16
Delayed Entry Lighting...................................3-17
Theater Dimming..........................................3-17
Delayed Exit Lighting.....................................3-17
Perimeter Lighting.........................................3-18
Overhead Console Reading Lamps.................3-18Rear Assist Handle Reading Lamps................3-18
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-18
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)............3-18
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-20
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-21
Climate Controls............................................3-22
Climate Control System.................................3-22
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-25
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-29
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-30
Steering Wheel Climate Controls.....................3-31
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-31
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-32
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-33
Tachometer.................................................3-33
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-33
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light.............3-34
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-34
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-35
Charging System Light..................................3-37
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-38
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-39
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light...........................................3-40
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light......3-40
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-29.
B. Interior Lamps Control. SeeInterior Lamps on
page 3-16.
C. Exterior Lamps Control. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 3-13. Fog Lamp Control. SeeFog Lamps on
page 3-15.
D. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn Signal/
Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
E. Audio Steering Wheel Controls. SeeAudio Steering
Wheel Controls on page 3-126.
F. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-32.
G. DIC Buttons (If Equipped) and Hazard Warning
Flasher Button. SeeDIC Operation and Displays on
page 3-51andHazard Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
H. Passenger Airbag Status Indicator. SeePassenger
Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-35.I. Audio System Controls. SeeAudio System(s)
on page 3-84.
J. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-11.
K. Parking Brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-30.
L. Cruise Controls. SeeCruise Control on page 3-10.
M. Tilt Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-6.
N. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
O. Steering Wheel Climate Controls. SeeSteering
Wheel Climate Controls on page 3-31.
P. Climate Controls. SeeClimate Control System on
page 3-22orDual Automatic Climate Control System
on page 3-25.
Q. Shift Lever. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-31.
R. Accessory Power Outlet. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 3-20.
S. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-44.
3-5

Cruise Control
The buttons for the cruise control are located on the
steering wheel.
I(Cruise On/Off):Push this button to turn the
system on and off.
RES + (Resume/Accelerate):Push this button to make
the vehicle resume a previously set speed or to
accelerate when cruise is already active.
SET−(Set/Decelerate):Push this button to set the
speed or to decrease the speed when cruise is already
active.With cruise control, a speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h)
or more can be maintained without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This can really help on long trips.
Cruise control does not work at speeds below about
25 mph (40 km/h).
When the brakes are applied, the cruise control shuts off.
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use your cruise control on winding roads
or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
The cruise control will automatically disengage if the
vehicle has the traction control system and begins
to limit wheel spin. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 4-10. When road conditions allow, the cruise
control can be used again.
3-10

Setting Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when you
are not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even lose control.
Keep the cruise control switch off until you
want to use cruise control.
1. Press the cruise on/off button. The indicator light in
the button will come on.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Press the SET−button. The cruise symbol will
display in the instrument panel cluster when the
system is engaged.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired
speed and then you apply the brake. This, of course,
disengages the cruise control. The cruise symbol in the
instrument panel cluster will go out, indicating cruise
control is no longer engaged.To return to your previously set speed, press the
RES + button once you are going about 25 mph
(40 km/h) or more.
You will go right back up to your chosen speed and
stay there.
If you hold the RES + button, the vehicle will keep going
faster until you release the button or apply the brake.
So unless you want to go faster, do not hold the RES +
button.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:
Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher
speed. Press the SET−button, then release
the button and the accelerator pedal. You’ll now
cruise at the higher speed.
Press the RES + button. Hold it there until you get up
to the speed you want, and then release the button.
To increase your speed in very small amounts, press
the button briey. Each time you do this, your vehicle
will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
3-11

Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:
Press the SET−button until you reach the lower
speed you want, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, briey press
the SET−button. Each time you do this, you will
go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase the vehicle’s
speed. When you take your foot off the pedal, the
vehicle will slow down to the cruise control speed
you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control will work on hills depends
upon the speed and load of the vehicle, and the
steepness of the hills. When going up steep hills, you
may have to step on the accelerator pedal to maintain the
vehicle’s speed. When going downhill, you may have to
brake or shift to a lower gear to keep the vehicle’s speed
down. Of course, applying the brake takes the vehicle out
of cruise control. Many drivers nd this to be too much
trouble and do not use cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
To end a cruise control session, step lightly on the
brake pedal.
Stepping on the brake will end the current cruise control
session only. Press the cruise on/off button to turn off
the system completely.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition, your
cruise control set speed memory is erased.
3-12

<(Parking Lamps):Turn the control to this position
to turn on the parking lamps together with the
following:
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Sidemarker Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
2(Headlamps):Turn the control to this position to
turn your headlamps on, together with the previously
listed lamps and lights.
A warning chime will sound if the driver’s door is
opened when the ignition switch is turned to OFF
or ACCESSORY and the headlamps are on.
-(Foglamps):If your vehicle is equipped with fog
lamps, press this button to turn them on and off. See
Fog Lamps on page 3-15for additional information.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)/
Automatic Headlamp System
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier
for others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving conditions,
but they can be especially helpful in the short periods
after dawn and before sunset. Daytime running lamps
are required to function at all times on all vehicles rst
sold in Canada.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the
DRL work, so be sure it is not covered.
The DRL system will make the low-beam headlamps
come on at reduced brightness when the following
conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamps control is off.
The parking brake is released.
While the DRL are on, only the vehicle’s low-beam
headlamps will be on at reduced brightness. The turn
signal, taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps will not be
on. The instrument panel will not be lit up either.
3-14