2007 BUICK LACROSSE service

Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an
elaborate break-in. But it will perform better in
the long run if you follow these guidelines:
Do not drive at any one constant speed,
fast or slow, for the rst 500 miles
(805 km). Do not make full-throttle starts.
Avoid downshifting to brake, or slow,
the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings are not yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every time
you get new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. See
Towing a Trailer on page 327for the trailer
towing capabilities of your vehicle and more
information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can
be gradually increased.
Ignition Positions
With the ignition key in the ignition, the key can be
turned to four different positions:
Notice:Using a tool to force the key from the
ignition switch could cause damage or
break the key. Use the correct key and turn the
key only with your hand. Make sure the key
is in all the way. If none of this works,
then your vehicle needs service.
A (OFF):This is the only position in which the
ignition key can be inserted or removed. This
position locks the ignition and transaxle. It is a
theft-deterrent feature.
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Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P)
before starting the engine. The vehicle has
an electronic shift lock release system. You must
fully apply the regular brakes before shifting
from PARK (P) when the ignition is in RUN. If you
cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever by pushing it all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application.
Then move the shift lever into another gear.
SeeShifting Out of Park (P) on page 120
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving forward could damage the
transaxle. The repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Shift to REVERSE (R) only after
your vehicle is stopped.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
To rock the vehicle back and forth in order to get
it out of snow, ice, or sand without damaging
the transaxle, seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 318.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, the engine does
not connect with the wheels. To restart when
you are already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Also, use NEUTRAL (N) when the vehicle is
being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine
is running at high speed is dangerous.
Unless your foot is rmly on the brake
pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into a
drive gear while your engine is running
at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while the engine is running at
high speed may damage the transaxle.
The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Be sure the engine is not running at
high speeds when shifting your vehicle.
Notice:Driving your vehicle if you notice that
it is moving slowly or not shifting gears as
you increase speed may damage the transaxle.
Have your vehicle serviced right away. You
can drive in SECOND (2) when you are driving
less than 35 mph (55 km/h) and DRIVE (D)
for higher speeds until then.
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Shifting Out of Park (P)
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock
This vehicle has 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 385.
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 ACESSORY or RUN
position. SeeIgnition Positions on page 109
for 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 109for 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.
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Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
While sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind
your vehicle. Hold the mirror in the center to move
it up or down and side to side. The day/night
control at the bottom of the mirror lets you adjust
the mirror to avoid glare from the lamps behind
you. Turn the control to the right for nighttime
conditions and to the center for daytime conditions.
Manual Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®
The vehicle may have a mirror with Onstar®.
While sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind
your vehicle. Hold the mirror in the center to move
it up and down and side to side.
The mirror has a day/night control located at the
bottom. Turn the control to the right for the
night position to reduce glare from other vehicles’
headlamps. Turn the control to the front for the
day position.There are also three OnStar
®buttons located at
the bottom of the mirror. See your dealer for more
information on the system and how to subscribe
to OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on page 126
for more information about the services OnStar®
provides.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
While sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind
your vehicle. Hold the mirror in the center to move
it up or down and side to side.
The vehicle may have an automatic dimming
rearview mirror that darkens gradually to reduce
the glare of headlamps from behind. Press
the button in the center of the mirror to turn this
feature on or off.
One photocell on the front of the mirror senses
when it is becoming dark outside. Another
photocell, facing rearward, senses headlamps
behind you.
To keep the photocells operating well, occasionally
clean them with a cotton swab and glass cleaner.
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Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®
While sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind
your vehicle. Hold the mirror in the center to move
it up or down and side to side.
The vehicle may have an automatic dimming
rearview mirror with the OnStar
®System.
The automatic dimming feature is turned on or off
by pressing the left button, located on the lower
part of the mirror, for up to three seconds.
When turned on, this mirror functions like the
automatic dimming rearview mirror described
previously. SeeAutomatic Dimming Rearview
Mirror on page 124.
There are also three OnStar
®buttons located at
the bottom of the mirror. See your dealer for more
information on the system and how to subscribe
to OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on page 126
for more information about the services OnStar®
provides.
Outside Power Mirrors
The controls for the
outside power mirrors,
are located on the
driver’s door armrest.
Move the selector switch located below the
four-way control pad to the left or right to choose
either the driver’s side or passenger’s side
mirror. To adjust a mirror, use the arrows located
on the four-way control pad to move the mirror
in the desired direction. Adjust each outside mirror
so that a little of the vehicle and the area behind
it can be seen while sitting in a comfortable driving
position. Keep the selector switch in the center
position when not adjusting either outside mirror.
125

Outside Power Heated Mirrors
For information on the operation of the outside
power mirrors seeOutside Power Mirrors on
page 125.
If the vehicle has heated mirrors, they will warm
up to melt ice and snow, and remove condensation
when the defroster is turned on. SeeDual
Automatic Climate Control System on page 172or
Climate Control System on page 168.
Outside Convex Mirror
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like
other vehicles) look farther away than
they really are. If you cut too sharply into
the right lane, you could hit a vehicle on
your right. Check your inside mirror or
glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.The passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so more can be
seen from the driver’s seat, but it also makes
things look farther away than they really are.
OnStar®System
OnStar®uses several innovative technologies and
live advisors to provide you with a wide range
of safety, security, information, and convenience
services. If your airbags deploy, the system is
designed to make an automatic call to OnStar
®
Emergency advisors who can request emergency
services be sent to your location. If you lock
your keys in the vehicle, call OnStar
®at
1-888-4-ONSTAR and they can send a signal to
unlock your doors. If you need roadside
assistance, press the OnStar
®button and they
can contact Roadside Service for you.
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OnStar®service is provided to you subject to the
OnStar®Terms and Conditions. You may cancel
your OnStar®service at any time by contacting
OnStar®as provided below. A complete OnStar®
Owners Guide and the OnStar®Terms and
Conditions are included in the vehicle’s OnStar®
Subscriber glove box literature. For more
information, visit onstar.com or onstar.ca, contact
OnStar
®at 1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827)
or TTY 1-877-248-2080, or press the OnStar®
button to speak with an OnStar®advisor 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week.
Not all OnStar
®features are available on all
vehicles. To check if your vehicle is equipped to
provide the services described below, or for a
full description of OnStar
®services and system
limitations, see the OnStar®Owner’s Guide in your
glove box or visit onstar.com.
OnStar®Services
For new vehicles with OnStar®, the Safe & Sound
Plan, or the Directions & Connections®Plan is
included for one year from the date of purchase.
You can extend this plan beyond the rst year,
or upgrade to the Directions & Connections
®Plan.For more information, press the OnStar
®button to
speak with an advisor. Some OnStar®services
(such as Remote Door Unlock or Stolen Vehicle
Location Assistance) may not be available
until you register with OnStar
®.
Available Services with Safe &
Sound®Plan

Automatic Notication of Airbag Deployment
Advanced Automatic Crash Notication
(AACN) (If equipped)
Link to Emergency Services
Roadside Assistance
Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance
AccidentAssist
Remote Door Unlock/Vehicle Alert
OnStar®Vehicle Diagnostics
GM®Goodwrench®On Demand Diagnostics
OnStar®Hands-Free Calling with
30 complimentary minutes
OnStar®Virtual Advisor ( U.S. Only)
127

Available Services included with Directions
& Connections®Plan

All Safe and Sound Plan Services
Driving Directions - Advisor delivered or
OnStar®Turn-by-Turn Navigation (If equipped)
RideAssist
Information and Convenience Services
OnStar®Hands-Free Calling
OnStar®Hands-Free Calling allows eligible
OnStar®subscribers to make and receive calls
using voice commands. Hands-Free Calling is fully
integrated into the vehicle, and can be used
with OnStar
®Pre-Paid Minute Packages.
Hands-Free Calling may also be linked to a
Verizon Wireless service plan in the U.S. or a Bell
Mobility service plan in Canada, depending on
eligibility. To nd out more, refer to the OnStar
®
Owners Guide in the vehicle’s glove box, visit
www.onstar.com or www.onstar.ca, or speak with
an OnStar
®advisor by pressing the OnStar®
button or calling 1-888-4-ONSTAR
(1-888-466-7827).
OnStar®Virtual Advisor
OnStar®Virtual Advisor is a feature of OnStar®
Hands-Free Calling that uses your minutes to
access location-based weather, local traffic reports,
and stock quotes. By pressing the phone button
and giving a few simple voice commands, you can
browse through the various topics. See the OnStar
®
Owners Guide for more information (Only available
in the continental U.S.).
OnStar®Steering Wheel Controls
Your vehicle may have a Talk/Mute button that
can be used to interact with OnStar®Hands-Free
Calling. SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls on
page 280for more information.
On some vehicles, you may have to hold the
button for a few seconds and give the command
“ONSTAR” in order to activate the OnStar
®
Hands-Free Calling feature.
On some vehicles, the mute button can be used to
dial numbers into voicemail systems, or to dial
phone extensions. See the OnStar
®Owner’s
Guide for more information.
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