2006 BUICK LACROSSE light

Notice:Improper use of the power outlet can cause
damage not covered by your warranty. Do not hang
any type of accessory or accessory bracket from the
plug because the power outlets are designed for
accessory power plugs only.
Notice:Leaving electrical equipment on for
extended periods will drain the battery. Always turn
off electrical equipment when not in use and do not
plug in equipment that exceeds the maximum
amperage rating.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow
the proper installation instructions included with
the equipment.Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter
If your vehicle has a front ashtray and cigarette lighter
it may be located near the center instrument panel or on
the front console. Pull on the ashtray door to open it.
Notice:If you put papers, pins, or other ammable
items in the ashtray, hot cigarettes or other smoking
materials could ignite them and possibly damage
your vehicle. Never put ammable items in the
ashtray.
To remove the ashtray, pull it from the center console.
Slide it back in and push down to be sure it is secure.
To use the cigarette lighter, push it in all the way, and let
go. When the heating element is ready, it will pop back
out by itself.
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it is
heating will not allow the lighter to back away from
the heating element when it is hot. Damage from
overheating may occur to the lighter or heating
element, or a fuse could be blown. Do not hold a
cigarette lighter in while it is heating.
3-21

Use the right knob to select from the following modes:
H(Vent):This mode directs outside air to the
instrument panel outlets. If driving in city traffic, and
the vehicle is stopped and idling, or the weather is hot,
turn on the recirculation mode. To prevent the air inside
the vehicle from becoming stale, after ve minutes
recirculate will allow outside air into the vehicle.
)(Bi-Level):This mode directs half of the air to
the instrument panel outlets, and the remaining air to
the oor outlets. Some air may be directed toward the
windshield. Slightly cooler air is directed to the instrument
panel outlets and warmer air is directed to the oor
outlets.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to
the oor outlets with some air directed toward the side
window outlets and a little air directed to the windshield.
In this mode, the system will automatically use outside
air. The air conditioning compressor will be engaged
unless the outside temperature is 40°F (4°C) or below.
If recirculation is selected, the led will come on.You can also select modes by using the following
buttons:
h(Recirculate):Press this button to recirculate
cabin air through the vehicle. It can be used to prevent
outside air and odors from entering your vehicle or to help
heat or cool the air inside your vehicle more quickly. An
indicator light below the button will come on in this mode.
Operation in this mode during periods of high humidity
and cool outside temperatures may result in increased
window fogging. If window fogging is experienced, select
the defrost mode. To prevent the air inside the vehicle
from becoming stale, after ve minutes recirculate will
allow outside air into the vehicle.
#(Air Conditioning):Press this button to turn the
air conditioning system on or off. When this button is
pressed, an indicator light below the button will come
on to let you know the air conditioning is activated. Air
conditioning can be selected in any mode as long as
the fan switch is on. Note that the indicator light will
change with each button press even when conditions
prevent operation.
3-23

On hot days during the vehicle’s initial start-up, open
the windows to let hot inside air escape; then close them.
This helps to reduce the time it takes for the vehicle to
cool down. It also helps the system to operate more
efficiently.
For quicker cool down on hot days, do the following:
1. Select the vent air mode.
2. Select the recirculation mode.
3. Select the air conditioner.
4. Select the coolest temperature.
5. Select the highest fan speed.
The air-conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling
or after turning off the engine. This is normal.
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of the vehicle is a result of high
humidity causing moisture to condense on the cool
window glass. This can be minimized if the climate
control system is used properly. There are two modes
to clear frost or fog from the windshield. Use the defog
mode to clear the windows of condensation and to warm
the vehicle’s occupants.Use the defrost mode to remove frost or condensation
from the windshield quickly. Recirculation cannot be
selected when in these modes (the indicator light will
come on when pressed).
See “Rear Window Defogger” later in this section for
information on clearing the rear window of fog or ice.
Turn the right knob to select the defog or defrost mode.
-(Defog):This mode directs half of the air to the
windshield and the side window outlets and half to the
oor outlets. When you select this mode, the system
turns recirculation off and runs the air conditioning
compressor unless the outside temperature is near or
below freezing. Pressing the recirculation button will have
no effect other than turning on the indicator light while in
defog mode.
0(Defrost):This mode directs most of the air to
the windshield and the side window outlets, with some
air directed to the oor outlets. When you select this
mode, the system turns recirculation off and runs the air
conditioning compressor unless the outside temperature
is near or below freezing. Pressing the recirculation
button will have no effect other than turning on the
indicator light while in defrost mode.
3-24

Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
<(Rear):Press the button to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. An indicator light below the button will
come on to let you know that the rear window defogger
is activated.
The rear window defogger will only work when the
ignition is in run. The rear window defogger will stay
on for approximately 20 minutes after the button is
pressed, unless the ignition is turned to ACCESSORY
or RUN. If turned on again, the defogger will only run
for approximately 20 minutes before turning off.
The defogger can also be turned off by pressing the
button again or by turning off the engine.
Notice:Do not use anything sharp on the inside of
the rear window. If you do, you could cut or damage
the warming grid, and the repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Do not attach a temporary
vehicle license, tape, a decal or anything similar to
the defogger grid.
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System
Your vehicle may have this climate control system.
The heating, cooling and ventilation can be controlled
with it.
Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic):Press the AUTO button for
automatic control of the inside temperature, the air
delivery mode and the fan speed. There might be a
delay of two to three minutes before the fan comes on
when the automatic operation is used in cold weather.
3-25

Manual Operation
During daylight hours, the instrument panel brightness
control might need to be adjusted to the highest setting,
in order to see the indicator lights for the various
climate control settings.
OFF:Press this button to turn the climate control
system off.
yz(Temperature):Press these buttons to manually
adjust the temperature inside the vehicle. Press the
up arrow on the driver or passenger side to raise the
temperature and press the down arrow to lower the
temperature. The display will show the selected
temperature.
You may also have controls on your steering wheel
that can be used to adjust the temperature inside your
vehicle. SeeSteering Wheel Climate Controls on
page 3-31for additional information.
z9(Fan):Press this button to decrease
the fan speed. Pressing the arrows cancels the
automatic operation and places the system in manual or
semi-automatic mode. Press the AUTO button to return
to automatic operation. If the airow seems low when the
fan is at the highest setting, the passenger compartment
air lter may need to be replaced. For more information
seePassenger Compartment Air Filter on page 3-30and
Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
9y(Fan):Press this button to increase the fan
speed. Pressing the arrows cancels the automatic
operation and places the system in manual or
semi-automatic mode. Press the AUTO button to return
to automatic operation. If the airow seems low when the
fan is at the highest setting, the passenger compartment
air lter may need to be replaced. For more information
seePassenger Compartment Air Filter on page 3-30and
Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to the
oor, with some air directed to the side window outlets
and a small amount to the windshield.
)(Bi-Level):This setting directs airow to the
instrument panel and oor outlets. A small amount of
air is also directed to the windshield and the side window
outlets.
Y(Vent):This mode directs air through the instrument
panel outlets.
3-27

h(Recirculation):Press this button to turn
recirculation mode on or off. This mode keeps outside
air from coming into the vehicle. It can be used to prevent
outside air and odors from entering your vehicle or to help
cool the air inside the vehicle more quickly.
Recirculation is not available while in the oor, defrost, or
oor/defog modes. Using recirculation for long periods of
time may cause the air inside your vehicle to become too
dry. Recirculation mode has a 5 minute timer after which
the system allows for some fresh outside air into the
vehicle to maintain interior air quality.
#(Air Conditioning):Press this button to turn the air
conditioning compressor on and off. The indicator light
on the button will come on when the air conditioning is
on. Note that the indicator light will change with each
button press even when conditions prevent operation.
The indicator light on the air conditioning button will come
on every time the vehicle is started. The air conditioning
may be turned off by pressing the air conditioner button.
((Heated Seats):Press this button to turn the driver
or passenger heated seats on and off. SeeHeated
Seats on page 1-4for additional information.
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity
(moisture) condensing on the cool window glass. This
can be minimized if the climate control system is used
properly. There are two modes to clear fog or frost from
your windshield. Use the oor/defog mode to clear the
windows of fog or moisture and warm the passengers.
Use defrost to remove fog or frost from the windshield
more quickly.
-(Floor/Defog):Press this button to direct the air
between the windshield, oor outlets and side windows.
When you select this mode, the system turns recirculation
off and runs the air conditioning compressor unless the
outside temperature is near or below freezing. Pressing
the recirculation button will have no effect other than
turning on the indicator light while in oor/defog mode.
1(Defrost):Press this button to direct most of the
air to the windshield, with some air directed to the side
windows. In this mode, the system will automatically
turn off the recirculation and run the air conditioning
compressor, unless the outside temperature is near or
below freezing. Pressing the recirculation button will have
no effect other than turning on the indicator light while in
defrost mode.
Do not drive the vehicle until all windows are clear.
3-28

Steering Wheel Climate Controls
If your vehicle has this
feature, you can control
the driver’s temperature
setting by using the
control located on your
steering wheel.
yz(Temperature):Press the up arrow to increase
or the down arrow decrease the temperature inside
your vehicle.
Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that may
be on the vehicle. The pictures will help you locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to the
warning lights and gages could also save you or others
from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of the vehicle’s functions. As you will
see in the details on the next few pages, some warning
lights come on briey when you start the engine just to let
you know they are working. If you are familiar with this
section, you should not be alarmed when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when there
is a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays
on when you are driving, or when one of the gages
shows there may be a problem, check the section that
tells you what to do about it. Please follow this manual’s
advice. Waiting to do repairs can be costly – and even
dangerous. So please get to know the warning lights and
gages. They are a big help.
3-31

Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both
miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h).
Your vehicle’s odometer works together with the
driver information center. You can set a Trip A and
Trip B odometer. See “Trip Information” underDIC
Operation and Displays on page 3-51.
The odometer mileage can be checked without the
vehicle running. Simply press the odometer/trip switch
on the instrument panel cluster.
If your vehicle ever needs a new odometer installed, the
new one will be set to the correct mileage total of the old
odometer.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays
the engine speed in
thousands of revolutions
per minute (rpm).
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime
will sound for several seconds to remind you and your
passengers to buckle your safety belts. The driver
safety belt light will also come on and stay on for several
seconds, then it will ash for several more. You should
buckle your seat belt.
If the driver’s belt is
buckled, neither the chime
nor the light will come on.
3-33