2008 BUICK LACROSSE headlamp

PARKING BRAKE ON
This message displays to alert the driver when the
vehicle’s parking brake is on, the ignition is in ON/RUN,
and the vehicle speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h).
Release the parking brake before driving. SeeParking
Brake on page 2-32for more information.
The brake system warning light also appears on the
instrument panel cluster when this message appears on
the DIC. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-37.
A chime sounds continuously while this message is
displayed if driving above 5 mph (8 km/h). Press any of
the DIC buttons to acknowledge this message and
to clear it from the screen.
This message continues to display for two seconds if it
has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It also re-displays 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 re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
PARK LAMPS ON
This message displays to alert the driver when the
headlamps or parking lamps are on while the ignition is
off and the driver’s door is opened. SeeExterior
Lamps on page 3-13for more information. A chime
sounds continuously while this message is displayed.
Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this
message and to clear it from the screen.
PASSENGER’S DOOR AJAR
This message displays when the front passenger door
is not closed properly. Make sure that the door is closed
completely.
This message displays while the ignition is in ON/RUN.
A chime sounds when the gear position 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 continues to display for two seconds if it
has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It also re-displays 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 re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
3-67

All of the customization and personalization options may
not be available on your vehicle. Only the options
available will be displayed on the DIC.
The default settings for the customization and
personalization features were set when your vehicle left
the factory, but may have been changed from their
default state since then.
The customization preferences are automatically
recalled.
The driver’s personalization preferences are recalled by
using the key programmed for driver 1 or 2.
To change customization and personalization
preferences, use the following procedure:
Entering the Personal Program Menu
1. Turn the ignition on and place the vehicle in
PARK (P).
To avoid excessive drain on the battery, it is
recommended that the headlamps are turned off.
2. Press the option button until PERSONAL
PROGRAM displays.
If the vehicle is not in PARK (P), PERSONAL
PROGRAM ONLY IN PARK will display.
If the vehicle is not able to enter the personal
program menu, PERSONAL PROGRAM NOT
AVAILABLE will display.3. Press the set/reset button to begin.
4. The DIC will then display an instruction screen.
Press the option button to display the features
that are available to program.
Press the set/reset button to change the setting of
each feature.
Customization Menu Items
The following are customization features that allow you
to program settings to the vehicle:
FACTORY DEFAULTS
This feature allows you to set all of the customization
and personalization features back to their factory default
settings.
Press the option button until FACTORY DEFAULTS
appears on the DIC display. Press the set/reset button
to scroll through the following settings:
NO (default):The customization and personalization
features will not be set to their factory default settings.
YES:The customization and personalization features
will be set to their factory default settings.
To select a setting and move on to the next feature,
press the option button while the desired setting
is displayed on the DIC.
3-77

While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or
braking, including reducing vehicle speed by shifting to a
lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause the tires to
slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery until
your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues — such as enough water, ice, or packed snow on
the road to make a mirrored surface — and slow down
when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Antilock Brake System (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving because
some drivers are likely to be impaired — by alcohol or
drugs, with night vision problems, or by fatigue.
Night driving tips include:
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Reduce headlamp glare by adjusting the inside
rearview mirror.
Slow down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles because your headlamps can only
light up so much road ahead.
Watch for animals.
When tired, pull off the road.
Do not wear sunglasses.
Avoid staring directly into approaching headlamps.
Keep the windshield and all glass on your vehicle
clean — inside and out.
Keep your eyes moving, especially during turns or
curves.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But,
as we get older, these differences increase. A
50-year-old driver might need at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
4-13

You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.
{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could
overcome you and kill you. You cannot see it
or smell it, so you might not know it is in your
vehicle. Clear away snow from around the
base of your vehicle, especially any that is
blocking the exhaust pipe. And check around
again from time to time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that is away from the wind. This will
help keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little
faster than just idle. That is, push the accelerator
slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat that you get and
it keeps the battery charged. You will need a
well-charged battery to restart the vehicle, and possibly
for signaling later on with the headlamps. Let the
heater run for a while.
4-19

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-3
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....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.......................................................5-7
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...................................................5-18
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-21
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-23
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-25
Engine Coolant.............................................5-27
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-29
Pressure Cap...............................................5-30Engine Overheating.......................................5-30
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-32
Cooling System............................................5-33
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-43
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-44
Brakes........................................................5-46
Battery........................................................5-49
Jump Starting...............................................5-50
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-56
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-58
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-58
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps
and Back-up Lamps...................................5-59
License Plate Lamp......................................5-61
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-61
Windshield Replacement.................................5-62
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-62
Tires..............................................................5-63
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-64
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-67
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-70
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-71
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................5-73
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-75
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-77
Buying New Tires.........................................5-78
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................5-80
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-80
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-82
Wheel Replacement......................................5-82
Tire Chains..................................................5-84
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-86
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-87
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools................5-88
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire................................................5-89
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools
(Base Model)............................................5-95
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools
(Super Only).............................................5-97
Compact Spare Tire......................................5-98
Appearance Care............................................5-99
Interior Cleaning...........................................5-99
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-100
Leather......................................................5-101
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-101
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-102
Weatherstrips.............................................5-102Washing Your Vehicle..................................5-102
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-103
Finish Care................................................5-103
Windshield and Wiper Blades.......................5-104
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels
and Trim................................................5-104
Tires.........................................................5-105
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-105
Finish Damage...........................................5-105
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-106
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-106
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-106
Vehicle Identication.....................................5-107
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)................5-107
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-108
Electrical System..........................................5-108
Add-On Electrical Equipment.........................5-108
Headlamp Wiring........................................5-109
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-109
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-109
Fuses and Circuit Breakers..........................5-109
Instrument Panel Fuse Block........................5-110
Underhood Fuse Block................................5-112
Capacities and Specications........................5-116
Capacities and Specications........................5-116
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

Headlamp Aiming
The vehicle has a visual optical headlamp aiming
system. The aim has been preset at the factory and
should need no further adjustment
However, if the vehicle is damaged in a crash, the
headlamp aim may be affected and adjustment may be
necessary.
If oncoming vehicles ash their high beams at you, this
may also mean the vertical aim needs to be adjusted.
It is recommended that the vehicle is taken to your
dealer/retailer for service if the headlamps need to be
re-aimed. It is possible however, to re-aim the
headlamps as described.
The vehicle should:
Be placed so the headlamps are 25 ft. (7.6 m) from
a light colored wall.
Have all four tires on a perfectly level surface which
is level all the way to the wall.
Be placed so it is perpendicular to the wall.
Not have any snow, ice or mud on it.
Be fully assembled and all other work stopped while
headlamp aiming is being done.
Be normally loaded with a full tank of fuel and one
person or 160 lbs (75 kg) on the driver seat.
Have all tires properly inated.Headlamp aiming is done with the vehicle’s low-beam
headlamps. The high-beam headlamps will be correctly
aimed if the low-beam headlamps are aimed properly.
Locate the vertical headlamp aiming screws under
the hood near the headlamps.
The adjustment screw can be turned with a 6 mm
male hex.
5-56

To adjust the vertical aim on the headlamps:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on page 5-11
for more information.
2. Locate the aim dot on the lens of the low-beam
headlamp.
3. Measure the distance from the ground to the aim
dot on the low-beam headlamp. Record the
distance.4. At the wall measure from the ground upward (A) to
the recorded distance from Step 3 and mark it.
Notice:Do not cover a headlamp to improve beam
cut-off when aiming. Covering a headlamp may
cause excessive heat build-up which may cause
damage to the headlamp.
5. Draw or tape a horizontal line (B) on the wall the
width of the vehicle at the height of the mark
in Step 4.
6. Turn on the low-beam headlamps and place a
piece of cardboard or equivalent in front of the
headlamp not being adjusted. Do not place directly
on the headlamp. This allows only the beam of light
from the headlamp being adjusted to be seen on the
at surface.
5-57