2006 BUICK LACROSSE bulb

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When towing a trailer, the vehicle may need a different
turn signal asher and/or extra wiring. Check with your
dealer. The arrows on the instrument panel will ash
whenever signaling a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked up, the trailer lamps will also ash, telling other
drivers you are about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on the instrument
panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. You may think drivers behind you
are seeing your signal when they are not. It is important
to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are
still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforestarting
down a long hill or steep downgrade. If the vehicle
is not shifted down, the brakes might have to be
used so much that they would get hot and no longer
work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce the
vehicle’s speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce
the possibility of engine and transaxle overheating.
If towing a trailer, you may want to drive in THIRD (3)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D). Shift to
a lower gear as needed.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle, with
a trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People
can be injured, and both your vehicle and the
trailer can be damaged.
But if the rig ever has to be parked on a hill, here is
how to do it:
1. Apply the regular brakes, but do not shift into
PARK (P) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer’s
wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply the parking
brake, and shift to PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
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Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-15
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-20
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-21
Engine Coolant.............................................5-24
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-27
Engine Overheating.......................................5-27
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-29Cooling System............................................5-30
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-37
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-38
Brakes........................................................5-39
Battery........................................................5-42
Jump Starting...............................................5-42
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-48
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-51
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-51
Headlamps and Sidemarker Lamps.................5-51
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps..............5-53
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps...................5-54
Replacement Bulb..........................................5-56
Windshield Replacement.................................5-56
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-56
Tires..............................................................5-57
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-58
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-60
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-63
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-64
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-66
Buying New Tires.........................................5-66
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................5-68
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-68
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement bulbs, see
Replacement Bulbs on page 5-56.
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact your dealer.
Halogen Bulbs
{CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
Headlamps and Sidemarker Lamps
A. Sidemarker Lamp
B. Low-Beam Headlamp
C. High-Beam Headlamp
5-51

Low-Beam Headlamp and
Sidemarker Bulbs
To replace a low-beam headlamp or sidemarker bulb,
do the following:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on page 5-11
for more information.
2. Remove the fastener from the front fascia.
The fastener is located inboard of the headlamp
assembly, near the high-beam headlamp.
3. Pull up on the plastic retaining clip (C) while
pushing rearward on the headlamp. Align the square
cut-out on the retaining clip with the notch on the
headlamp.
4. Remove the screw (A) from the metal headlamp
retainer to pull up and release the headlamp
assembly.
5. Remove the push pin (B) retaining the front fascia.
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6. Pull back on the front fascia and then pull the
headlamp assembly out from the vehicle. Moving
the headlamp up and down slightly may help with
its removal.
You may have someone assist you with this step.
7. Remove the access cover from behind the bulb
being replaced.
8. Turn the bulb socket one-quarter of a turn to
remove it from the headlamp assembly.
9. Holding the base of the socket, pull the old bulb
from the socket.
10. Replace with a new bulb.
11. Reverse all the steps to reassemble the headlamp
assembly.
When replacing the plastic retaining clip, push down
on it while pushing rearward on the headlamp,
making sure the headlamp assembly is secure.
High-Beam Headlamp Bulbs
To replace the high-beam headlamp bulb, do the
following:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on page 5-11
for more information.
2. Locate the high-beam headlamp bulb socket.3. Remove the access cover from behind the bulb
being replaced.
4. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and pull it
from the headlamp assembly.
5. Holding the base of the socket, pull the old bulb
from the socket.
6. Replace with a new bulb.
7. Reverse Steps 2 through 4 to reinstall.
Front Turn Signal and
Parking Lamps
To replace a front turn signal/parking lamp bulb in the
front fascia, do the following:
1. Locate the front turn signal/parking bulb socket by
reaching behind the front bumper.
2. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and pull it
out of the assembly.
3. Holding the base of the socket, pull the old bulb
from the socket.
4. Push the new bulb into the socket.
5. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 to reinstall.
5-53

Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps
To replace a taillamp, turn signal, sidemarker, stoplamp
or back-up lamp bulb, do the following:
1. Open the trunk. SeeTrunk on page 2-13for more
information.
2. Remove the convenience net if the vehicle has one.
3. Remove the four plastic wing nuts retaining the
trunk trim. There are two wing nuts located on
the driver’s side (shown) and two located on the
passenger’s side of the vehicle.
4. Pull back the trunk trim.
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5. Remove the two wing nuts holding the taillamp
assembly in place.
6. Pull out the taillamp assembly and disconnect the
wiring harness.A. Taillamp
B. Back-up
C. TaillampD. Stoplamp/Taillamp/
Turn Signal
E. Sidemarker
7. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise to remove it.
8. Replace with a new bulb.
9. Turn the bulb socket clockwise to reinstall.
10. Reverse these steps to reinstall the taillamp
assembly.
5-55

Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Lamps Bulb Number
Back-Up Lamps 921
Fog Lamp H11
Front Turn Signal and
Parking Lamps3157NAK
License Plate Lamp 194
Headlamps
High-Beam H9
Low-Beam H11
Front/Rear Sidemarker and
Taillamp194
Stoplamps and Taillamps 3057
For replacement bulbs not listed here, contact your
dealer.
Windshield Replacement
Your vehicle is equipped with an acoustic windshield.
If you ever have to have your windshield replaced
be sure to get an acoustic windshield so you will
continue to have the benets an acoustic windshield
can provide.
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected for wear
or cracking. SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4
for more information on wiper blade inspection.
Replacement blades come in different types and are
removed in different ways. For the proper type and
length, seeNormal Maintenance Replacement Parts
on page 6-13. Here’s how to remove the wiper blade:
1. Pull the windshield wiper arm connector away from
the windshield.
5-56