2008 BUICK LACROSSE key

Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transmission. You may nd it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called torque lock. To
prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver’s
seat. To nd out how, seeShifting Into PARK (P) on
page 2-33.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have
another vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of
the pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission,
so you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Automatic Transmission 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 ON/RUN and the
regular brake pedal is applied.
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 5-50.
2-35

Console Shift
If your console shift lever cannot be moved out of
PARK (P)
1. Apply and maintain the regular brakes.
2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN position. SeeIgnition
Positions on page 2-24for more information.
3. Let up on the shift lever and make sure the shift
lever is pushed all the way into PARK (P).
4. Press the shift lever button
5. Then, move the shift into the desired gear.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from PARK (P),
consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service.
Column Shift
If your column shift lever cannot be moved out of
PARK (P)
1. Apply and maintain the regular brakes.
2. Turn the ignition key to the ON/RUN position. See
Ignition Positions on page 2-24for 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/retailer or a professional towing
service.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not
park over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other
things that can burn.
2-36

A trailer was attached to your vehicle, or a bicycle
or an object was hanging out of your trunk during
your last drive cycle, the red light may illuminate.
Once the attached object is removed, URPA
will return to normal operation.
A tow bar is attached to your vehicle.
The vehicle’s bumper is damaged. Take the vehicle
to your dealer/retailer to repair the system.
Other conditions may affect system performance,
such as vibrations from a jackhammer or the
compression of air brakes on a very large truck.
If the system is still disabled, after driving forward at
least 15 mph (25 km/h), take your vehicle to your
dealer/retailer.
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.
2-43

Hazard Warning Flashers
The hazard warning ashers let you warn the police and
others that you have a problem. The front and rear
turn signal lamps will ash on and off.
The hazard warning
asher button is on the
instrument panel.
Press the button to make the front and rear turn signal
lamps ash on and off. Press again to turn the
ashers completely off.
The hazard warning ashers work even if the key is not
in the ignition switch.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reective triangles, you can set them up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Horn
Press near or on the horn symbols on the steering
wheel pad to sound the horn.
Tilt Wheel
If the vehicle has a tilt wheel the steering wheel can be
adjusted to a higher or lower position. Do not adjust
the tilt wheel while driving.
The lever used to tilt the
steering wheel is located
on the left side of the
steering column.
To tilt the wheel, pull the lever towards you, move the
wheel to a comfortable position, and then release
the lever to lock the wheel in place.
3-6

Interior Lamps
Your interior lamps
control is located next to
the exterior lamps
control and to the left of
the steering wheel on
the instrument panel.
9(Off):Turn the control to this position to disable
courtesy lamps, entry lighting, delayed entry lighting, and
delayed exit lighting.
1(Door):Turn the control to this position to turn the
interior lamps on when any door is open and when
the ignition key is removed from the ignition.
+(On):Turn the control to this position to turn on
the interior lamps.
The interior lamps can be controlled, or automatically
turned on or off under certain conditions. They are
explained in the following text.
Instrument Panel Brightness
The instrument panel lights can be brightened or
dimmed by pressing the center knob of the interior lamp
controls until it pops out. Turn the knob clockwise to
brighten the lights or counterclockwise to dim them.
Courtesy Lamps
Courtesy lamps come on to make it easier to enter and
exit the vehicle. These lamps will come on when the
interior lamp control is in the door position and any door
is opened.
Entry Lighting
The courtesy lamps come on and stay on for a set time
whenever the interior lamp control is in the door
position and the UNLOCK button on the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter is pressed.
The lamps stay on while a door is opened and then turn
off automatically about 25 seconds after it is closed. If
the UNLOCK button is pressed and a door is not
opened, the lamps will turn off after about 25 seconds.
The courtesy lamps turn off when the ignition key is
turned to ON/RUN or START. They will come on again
when a door is opened.
3-16

Delayed Entry Lighting
Delayed entry lighting lights the vehicle’s interior for a
period of time after all the doors have been closed.
After all the doors have been closed, the delayed entry
lighting feature will continue to work until one of the
following occurs:
The ignition is in ON/RUN.
The doors are locked.
25 seconds has passed.
If during the illumination period a door is opened, the
timed illumination period will be canceled and the interior
lamps will remain on.
Theater Dimming
This feature allows for a three to ve second fade out of
the courtesy lamps instead of immediate turn off.
Delayed Exit Lighting
This feature can be programmed either on or off using
the Driver Information Center. SeeDIC Vehicle
Personalization on page 3-76under INT (Interior)
LIGHTS KEYS REMOVED. When activated, the interior
will be lit for a short period of time after the ignition
key is removed from the ignition.The ignition must be off and the interior lamp control
must be in the door position for delayed exit lighting to
work. When the ignition key is removed, interior
illumination will activate and remain on until one of the
following occurs:
The ignition is in ON/RUN.
The power door locks are activated.
25 seconds has passed.
If during the illumination period a door is opened, the
timed illumination period will be canceled and the interior
lamps will remain on.
Perimeter Lighting
Perimeter lighting provides a period of exterior vehicle
lighting. Perimeter lighting activates when the key
is removed from the ignition or the vehicle is unlocked
using the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
The amount of time the exterior lamps will remain on
can be programmed using the Driver Information
Center (DIC). See “EXIT LIGHT DELAY” underDIC
Vehicle Personalization on page 3-76for additional
information.
3-17

Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter
Your vehicle may have a removable ashtray and
cigarette lighter. The cigarette lighter may be located
under the climate control system. The removable ashtray
can be placed into the front console cupholder.
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 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. Do not
use equipment exceeding maximum amperage rating
of 20 amperes.
Climate Controls
Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation for your vehicle.
If your vehicle has the remote start feature and it is
activated, the climate control system will automatically
cool the vehicle if the temperature is greater than
90°F (32°C) and heat the vehicle if the temperature is
below 37°F (3°C). If the temperature is between
37°F (3°C) and 90°F (32°C), the last control setting
selected when the engine was running will be used.
Normal operation and the last setting of the climate
control system will return after the key is turned to the
ON/RUN position.
3-20

4. Press OFF to turn the climate control system off.
Only the rear defog and heated seats will function.
Press AUTO or any other button except the
heated seats or rear defog to turn the climate
control system back on.
This control has four types of operation.
Automatic can set/change the temperature only.
AUTO and temperature only will appear on the
display.
Semi-Automatic Fan can set/change the
temperature and mode. The fan operates
automatically. The temperature and mode will
appear on the display.
Semi-Automatic Mode can set/change the
temperature and fan speed. The mode operates
automatically. The fan speed and temperature will
appear on the display.
Manual can set/change the temperature, mode and
fan. The fan speed, temperature, and mode will
appear on the display.
If your vehicle has the remote start feature, the climate
control system will automatically regulate the inside
temperature of your vehicle when the remote start
system is activated. Normal operation and the last
setting of the climate control system will return after the
key is turned on.
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.
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 3-29andScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
3-25