2008 BUICK LACROSSE child seat

If, after reinstalling the child restraint and restarting the
vehicle, the on indicator is still lit, check to make sure that
the vehicle’s seatback is not pressing the child restraint
into the seat cushion. If this happens, slightly recline
the vehicle’s seatback and adjust the seat cushion if
possible. Also make sure the child restraint is not trapped
under the vehicle head restraint. If this happens, adjust
the head restraint. SeeHead Restraints on page 1-6.
Remove any additional material from the seat such
as blankets, cushions, seat covers, seat heaters, or
seat massagers before reinstalling or securing the child
restraint.
If the on indicator is still lit, secure the child in the
child restraint in a rear seat position in the vehicle,
and check with your dealer/retailer.
The passenger sensing system is designed to enable
(may inate) the right front passenger’s frontal airbag
anytime the system senses that a person of adult size is
sitting properly in the right front passenger’s seat. When
the passenger sensing system has allowed the airbag to
be enabled, the on indicator will light and stay lit to remind
you that the airbag is active.For some children who have outgrown child restraints
and for very small adults, the passenger sensing system
may or may not turn off the right front passenger’s frontal
airbag, depending upon the person’s seating posture
and body build. Everyone in your vehicle who has
outgrown child restraints should wear a safety belt
properly — whether or not there is an airbag for that
person.
If a person of adult-size is sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat, but the off indicator is lit, it could be
because that person is not sitting properly in the seat.
If this happens, turn the vehicle off, remove any
additional material from the seat, such as blankets,
cushions, seat covers, seat heaters or seat massagers
and ask the person to place the seatback in the fully
upright position, then sit upright in the seat, centered
on the seat cushion, with the person’s legs comfortably
extended. Restart the vehicle and have the person
remain in this position for two to three minutes.
This will allow the system to detect that person and
then enable the right front passenger’s frontal airbag.
1-64

Safety belts help keep the passenger in position on the
seat during vehicle maneuvers and braking, which helps
the passenger sensing system maintain the passenger
airbag status. See “Safety Belts” and “Child Restraints” in
the Index for additional information about the importance
of proper restraint use.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the instrument
panel cluster ever comes on and stays on,
it means that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. If this ever happens, have
the vehicle serviced promptly, because an
adult-size person sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat may not have the protection
of the airbag(s). SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-33for more on this, including
important safety information.
A thick layer of additional material, such as a blanket or
cushion, or aftermarket equipment such as seat covers,
seat heaters, and seat massagers can affect how well the
passenger sensing system operates. We recommend
that you not use seat covers or other aftermarket
equipment other than any that GM has approved for
your specic vehicle. SeeAdding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-67for more
information about modications that can affect how
the system operates.
1-65

Power Windows
{CAUTION:
Leaving children, helpless adults, or pets in a
vehicle with the windows closed is dangerous.
They can be overcome from extreme heat in
warm or hot weather and suffer permanent
injuries or even death from heat stroke.
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons, children
or others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate the power windows or
other controls or even make the vehicle move.
The windows will function with the keys in the
ignition and they could be seriously injured or
killed if caught in the path of a closing
window. Do not leave keys in a vehicle with
children.
When there are children in the rear seat use
the window lockout button to prevent
unintentional operation of the windows.The switches on the driver’s door armrest are used
to control each of the windows. The power window
switches work while the ignition is in ON/RUN,
ACC/ACCESSORY, or while Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) is active. SeeRetained Accessory
Power (RAP) on page 2-25. Each passenger door
has its own window switch.
To lower the window, press and hold the front of the
switch to the rst position until the window is at
the desired level. To raise the window, pull up and
hold the front of the switch.
2-18

{CAUTION:
If the on indicator comes on when you have a
rear-facing child restraint installed in the right
front passenger’s seat, it means that the
passenger sensing system has not turned off
the passenger’s frontal airbag. A child in a
rear-facing child restraint can be seriously
injured or killed if the right front passenger’s
airbag inates. This is because the back of the
rear-facing child restraint would be very close
to the inating airbag. Do not use a rear-facing
child restraint in the right front passenger’s
seat if the airbag is turned on.
{CAUTION:
Even though the passenger sensing system is
designed to turn off the right front passenger’s
frontal airbag if the system detects a rear-facing
child restraint, no system is fail-safe, and no
one can guarantee that an airbag will not deploy
under some unusual circumstance, even
though it is turned off. We recommend that
rear-facing child restraints be secured in the
rear seat, even if the airbag is off.
If the word OFF is lit on the airbag status indicator, it
means that the passenger sensing system has turned off
the right front passenger’s frontal airbag. SeePassenger
Sensing System on page 1-62for more on this,
including important safety information.
3-35

Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle or the
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for either
the front or rear axle.
If the vehicle is going to carry a heavy load,
spread it out. See “Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit” earlier in this section.
{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.
Notice:Overloading your vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not overload your vehicle.If things like suitcases, tools, packages, or
anything else are put inside the vehicle, they will
go as fast as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop
or turn quickly, or if there is a crash, they will
keep going.
{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can
strike and injure people in a sudden stop
or turn, or in a crash.
Put things in the trunk of your vehicle.
In a trunk, put them as far forward as
you can. Try to spread the weight
evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above the tops of
the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded down
unless you need to.
4-26

Audio System(s).............................................3-86
Automatic Door Lock.......................................2-12
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-25
Operation...................................................2-29
B
Backglass Antenna........................................3-104
Battery..........................................................5-49
Electric Power Management..........................3-18
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver......................3-15
Run-Down Protection...................................3-19
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-5
Brakes..........................................................5-46
System Warning Light..................................3-37
Braking........................................................... 4-3
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-5
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-24
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-58
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-58
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-56
License Plate Lamps....................................5-61
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-61
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps,
and Back-Up Lamps.................................5-59
Buying New Tires...........................................5-78
C
Calibration.....................................................3-56
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements....... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-3
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-116
Carbon Monoxide...................2-14, 2-37, 4-17, 4-28
Care of
Safety Belts..............................................5-102
CD, MP3 .......................................................3-97
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-53
Center Seat..................................................... 1-7
Chains, Tire...................................................5-84
Charging System Light....................................3-36
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-42
Check Gas Cap Light......................................3-49
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-106
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-37
Infants and Young Children...........................1-33
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-41
Older Children.............................................1-29
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-47
2

Child Restraints (cont.)
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center
Front Seat Position...................................1-50
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-50
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-39
Chime Level Adjustment.................................3-105
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-20
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.............5-104
Exterior Lamps/Lenses................................5-103
Fabric/Carpet............................................5-100
Finish Care...............................................5-103
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces...............................................5-101
Interior.......................................................5-99
Leather....................................................5-101
Tires........................................................5-105
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-106
Washing Your Vehicle.................................5-102
Weatherstrips............................................5-102
Windshield and Wiper Blades......................5-104
Climate Control System...................................3-20
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-29
Dual Automatic............................................3-24
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-28
Clock, Setting.................................................3-85
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-12
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-98Compass.......................................................3-56
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-20
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-3
Convenience Net............................................2-54
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-40
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-40
Heater, Engine............................................2-27
Low Warning Light.......................................3-41
Cooling System..............................................5-33
Courtesy Lamps.............................................3-16
Cruise Control................................................3-10
Cruise Control Light........................................3-46
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-52
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation................................7-10
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone
(TTY) Users.............................................. 7-6
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-6
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program............... 7-7
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-16
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-15
Reporting Safety Defects to the United
States Government...................................7-15
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-8
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-16
3

Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-109
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................5-110
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-112
Windshield Wiper.......................................5-109
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-40
Fuel..........................................................3-48
Speedometer..............................................3-32
Tachometer.................................................3-32
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-47
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-6
Glove Box.....................................................2-52
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-7
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-6
Headlamp
Aiming.......................................................5-56
Headlamp Wiring...........................................5-109Headlamps
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-58
Daytime Running Lamps/Automatic
Headlamp System....................................3-14
Exterior Lamps............................................3-13
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-58
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
Suggested Light..........................................3-47
Heated Seats................................................... 1-3
Heater...........................................................3-20
Heater...........................................................3-24
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-46
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-15
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-16
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn............................................................... 3-6
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-14I
Ignition Positions.............................................2-24
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-33
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-70
Instrument Panel
Overview..................................................... 3-4
6