2008 BUICK LACROSSE tow

Turn and Lane-Change Signals
To signal a turn, move the lever up or down. The lever
returns to its original position when the turn is completed.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will ash in
the direction of the
turn or lane change.
To signal a lane change, raise or lower the lever until
the arrow starts to ash. Hold it there until the lane
change is completed. The lever will return to its original
position when released.
Arrows that ash rapidly when signaling for a turn or
lane change, or that fail to work, may indicate a
burned-out signal bulb or fuse. Other drivers will not see
the signal. SeeTaillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps on page 5-59for turn
signal bulb replacement procedures. Also seeFuses and
Circuit Breakers on page 5-109for location of fuses.
A chime will sound if the turn signal is left on for more
than 3/4 mile (1.2 km).
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high beam,
push the turn signal/multifunction lever away from you.
This light comes on in the
instrument panel cluster if
the high beam lamps
are turned on while the
ignition is in ON/RUN.
To change the headlamps from high beam to low beam,
pull the turn signal lever toward you.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps
momentarily to signal a driver in front of you that
you want to pass.
To use it, pull the turn signal/multifunction lever toward
you until the high-beam headlamps come on, then
release the lever to turn them off.
3-8

Operation
OFF:Turn the left knob to this position to turn the
climate control system off.
9(Fan):Turn the knob by this symbol, located on
the left side of the climate control panel, clockwise
or counterclockwise to increase or decrease the
fan speed. The fan speed will be temporarily reduced
between the transition to a new mode. The fan will
resume the original speed when the transition to the new
mode is complete.
Temperature Control:Turn the center knob clockwise
or counterclockwise to increase or decrease the
temperature inside your vehicle.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,
turning on the recirculation mode helps to prevent the
air inside the vehicle from becoming stale. After ve
minutes recirculate will allow some 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.
3-21

Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two
parts. If one part is not working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on and the parking brake is
not applied, there is a brake problem. Have your
brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on
briey when you turn the
ignition key to ON/RUN.
If it does not come on then, have it xed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake.
The light will stay on if your parking brake does
not release fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is
fully released, it means you have a brake problem.If the light comes on while you are driving, a chime will
sound and you should pull off the road and stop
carefully. You may notice that the pedal is harder to
push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the oor. It
may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle
on page 4-27.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light is
on. Driving with the brake system warning light
on can lead to an accident. If the light is still
on after you have pulled off the road and
stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed for
service.
3-37

Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
The engine coolant
temperature warning light
will come on when the
engine has overheated.
If this happens you should pull over and turn off the
engine as soon as possible. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-30for more information.
Notice:Driving with the engine coolant temperature
warning light on could cause your vehicle to
overheat. SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-30.
Your vehicle could be damaged, and it might not be
covered by your warranty. Never drive with the
engine coolant temperature warning light on.
This light will also come on briey when starting your
vehicle. If it does not, have your vehicle serviced.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
The vehicle has a gage
that shows the engine
coolant temperature.
If the gage pointer moves towards the H, the engine is
too hot.
This reading indicates the same thing as the warning
light. It means that the engine coolant has overheated.
If the vehicle has been operating under normal
driving conditions, pull off the road, stop the vehicle,
and turn off the engine as soon as possible. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 5-30.
3-40

This light comes on, as a check to show it is working,
when the ignition is turned ON/RUN but the engine is not
running. If the light does not come on, have it repaired.
This light also comes on during a malfunction in
one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has been
detected. A misre increases vehicle emissions and
could damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Diagnosis and service might be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be required.
If the Light is Flashing
The following can prevent more serious damage to your
vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light stops ashing and remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following.If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park the vehicle.
Turn the ignition off, wait at least 10 seconds, and restart
the engine. If the light remains on steady, see “If the
Light Is On Steady” following. If the light is still ashing,
follow the previous steps and see your dealer/retailer
for service as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You might be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 5-8. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has
been left off or improperly installed. A loose or missing
fuel cap allows fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap properly installed should
turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your vehicle’s electrical system might be wet.
The condition is usually corrected when the electrical
system dries out. A few driving trips should turn the
light off.
3-43

To adjust all tone and speaker controls to the middle
position, press and hold when no tone or speaker control
displays. ALL CENTERED displays and the radio
beeps once.
EQ (Equalization):Press to select customized
equalization settings.
To return the bass and treble to the manual mode,
press and release until BASS or TREBLE displays.
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)
e
(Balance/Fade):To adjust the balance between
the right and the left speakers, press and release until
BAL (balance) displays. Turn this knob to move the
sound toward the right or the left speakers.
To adjust the fade between the front and the rear
speakers, press and release until FAD (fade) displays.
Turn this knob to move the sound toward the front
or the rear speakers.
To adjust the balance and the fade to the middle position,
press, then press and hold until the radio beeps once.
To adjust all tone and speaker controls to the middle
position, press and hold when no tone or speaker control
displays. ALL CENTERED displays and the radio
beeps once.
Finding a Category (CAT) Station
(XM™ Satellite Radio Service Only)
To select and nd a desired category, perform
the following:
1. Press the CAT button to enter the category select
mode. The current category displays.
2. Turn the
eknob to select a category.
3. Once the desired category is displayed, press either
SEEK arrow to go to the category’s rst station.
4. Press either SEEK arrow again to go to another
station within that category. The category will
display. If CAT times out and is no longer on the
display, go back to Step 1.
5. Press CAT to exit the category select mode or wait
for CAT to time out.
If the radio cannot nd the desired category, NOT
FOUND displays and the radio returns to the last station
you were listening to.
3-89

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunk Driving.................................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-3
Braking.........................................................4-3
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................4-4
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-5
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-6
Enhanced Traction System (ETS).....................4-7
StabiliTrak
®System........................................4-8
Steering........................................................4-9
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-11
Passing.......................................................4-11
Loss of Control.............................................4-12Driving at Night............................................4-13
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-14
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-15
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-15
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-16
Winter Driving..............................................4-17
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow...................................................4-20
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-21
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-21
Towing..........................................................4-27
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-27
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-27
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-28
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and right to clear the
area around the front wheels. Turn off any traction or
stability system. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 4-6,Enhanced Traction System (ETS) on page 4-7,
andStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-8. Then shift back
and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as possible. To prevent
transmission wear, wait until the wheels stop spinning
before shifting gears. Release the accelerator pedal while
you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal when
the transmission is in gear. By slowly spinning the wheels
in the forward and reverse directions, you will cause a
rocking motion that could free your vehicle. If that does
not get your vehicle out after a few tries, it might need to
be towed out. If your vehicle does need to be towed out,
seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-27.
Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. Two labels on your vehicle
show how much weight it may properly carry, the
Tire and Loading Information label and the
Vehicle Certication label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do,
parts on your vehicle can break, and it
can change the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten
the life of your vehicle.
4-21