2008 BUICK LACROSSE engine control

(i)Drain, flush, and refill cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer/retailer
perform this service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-27
for what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator,
condenser, pressure cap, and filler neck. Pressure test
the cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)Check throttle system for interference or binding and
for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any components that have high effort
or excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator or
cruise control cables.
(k)A fluid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired
and the fluid level checked. Add fluid if needed.
(l)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, inspect
the filter at each engine oil change.
(m)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive cracks, or
obvious damage. Replace belt if necessary.Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specied to help ensure the safety,
dependability, and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your dealer/retailer can assist you with these
checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks at
each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Notice:It is important to check the engine oil
regularly and keep it at the proper level. Failure to
keep the engine oil at the proper level can cause
damage to the engine not covered by your warranty.
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-18.
6-8

Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Control System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level
surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-32.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.3. With the engine off, turn the ignition to ON/RUN,
but do not start the engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of PARK (P), contact your dealer/retailer
for service.Ignition Transmission Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition to LOCK/OFF in each shift lever position.
The ignition should turn to LOCK/OFF only
when the shift lever is in PARK (P).
The ignition key should come out only in
LOCK/OFF.
Contact your dealer/retailer if service is required.
6-10

ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the
World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy
Your GM vehicle has a number of sophisticated
computers that record information about the vehicle’s
performance and how it is driven. For example, your
vehicle uses computer modules to monitor and control
engine and transmission performance, to monitor the
conditions for airbag deployment and deploy airbags in a
crash and, if so equipped, to provide antilock braking to
help the driver control the vehicle. These modules may
store data to help your dealer/retailer technician service
your vehicle. Some modules may also store data about
how you operate the vehicle, such as rate of fuel
consumption or average speed. These modules may also
retain the owner’s personal preferences, such as radio
pre-sets, seat positions, and temperature settings.
7-17

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-3
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-67
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-7
Add-On Electrical Equipment...........................5-108
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-23
Air Conditioning......................................3-20, 3-24
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-34
Readiness Light..........................................3-33
Airbag System................................................1-54
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-60
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-59
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-57
Airbag Systems
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-67
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-60
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-62
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-66
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-60
Antenna, Backglass.......................................3-104
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System.....................................................3-105
Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 4-4
Antilock Brake, System Warning Light................3-38Appearance Care
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.............5-104
Care of Safety Belts...................................5-102
Chemical Paint Spotting..............................5-106
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses..................5-103
Fabric/Carpet............................................5-100
Finish Care...............................................5-103
Finish Damage..........................................5-105
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces...............................................5-101
Interior Cleaning..........................................5-99
Leather....................................................5-101
Sheet Metal Damage..................................5-105
Tires........................................................5-105
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-106
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials...............5-106
Washing Your Vehicle.................................5-102
Weatherstrips............................................5-102
Windshield and Wiper Blades......................5-104
Appointments, Scheduling Service.....................7-10
Ashtray.........................................................3-20
Audio System.................................................3-84
Audio Steering Wheel Controls....................3-102
Backglass Antenna.....................................3-104
Chime Level Adjustment.............................3-105
Radio Reception........................................3-103
Setting the Clock.........................................3-85
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-101
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-105
1

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

Instrument Panel (I/P)
Brightness..................................................3-16
Cluster.......................................................3-31
Interior Lamps................................................3-16
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-50
K
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-4
Keys............................................................... 2-3
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall.....................................5-64
Lamps
Courtesy....................................................3-16
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver......................3-15
Overhead Console Reading..........................3-18
Rear Assist Handle Reading..........................3-18
Lap Belt........................................................1-28
Lap-Shoulder Belt...........................................1-22
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-41
License Plate Lamps.......................................5-61Light
Airbag Readiness........................................3-33
Antilock Brake System Warning.....................3-38
Brake System Warning.................................3-37
Change Engine Oil......................................3-45
Charging System.........................................3-36
Check Gas Cap..........................................3-49
Cruise Control.............................................3-46
Door Ajar...................................................3-47
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning.............3-40
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
Warning Light..........................................3-39
Headlamps Suggested.................................3-47
Highbeam On.............................................3-46
Low Coolant Warning...................................3-41
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-48
Low Washer Fluid Warning...........................3-47
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-42
Oil Pressure...............................................3-45
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator..................3-34
Reduced Engine Power................................3-46
Safety Belt Reminders..................................3-32
Security.....................................................3-45
Service Vehicle Soon...................................3-48
TCS Warning Light......................................3-38
Tire Pressure..............................................3-41
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning..........3-38
Trunk Ajar..................................................3-47
7

Perimeter Lighting...........................................3-17
Power
Door Locks.................................................2-11
Electrical System.......................................5-109
Lumbar Controls........................................... 1-3
Reduced Engine Light..................................3-46
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-25
Seat............................................................ 1-2
Steering Fluid.............................................5-43
Windows....................................................2-18
Pressure Cap.................................................5-30
Privacy..........................................................7-17
Event Data Recorders..................................7-18
Navigation System.......................................7-19
OnStar.......................................................7-19
Radio Frequency Identication.......................7-19
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock...............2-12
R
Radiator Pressure Cap....................................5-29
Radio Frequency Identication (RFID), Privacy....7-19
Radios..........................................................3-84
Radio(s)........................................................3-86
Radios
Reception.................................................3-103
Setting the Clock.........................................3-85
Theft-Deterrent..........................................3-101
Rear Assist Handle Reading Lamps...................3-18Rear Door Security Locks................................2-12
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming..................2-39
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming
with OnStar
®..............................................2-39
Rearview Mirror with OnStar®...........................2-38
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-38
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-4
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-12
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-27
Reduced Engine Power Light............................3-46
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System.................. 2-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System,
Operation..................................................... 2-5
Remote Vehicle Start........................................ 2-8
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-89
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-88
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-61
Replacement Parts, Maintenance......................6-13
Replacement, Windshield.................................5-62
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-15
General Motors...........................................7-16
United States Government............................7-15
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems....................1-68
Replacing Restraint System Parts After
a Crash..................................................1-69
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-25
10

StabiliTrak®System.......................................... 4-8
Start Vehicle, Remote....................................... 2-8
Starting the Engine.........................................2-26
Steering.......................................................... 4-9
Steering Wheel Controls, Audio.......................3-102
Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel................................. 3-6
Storage Areas
Center Console Storage Area........................2-53
Convenience Net.........................................2-54
Cupholder(s)...............................................2-52
Glove Box..................................................2-52
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow.....................4-20
Sun Visors.....................................................2-19
Sunroof.........................................................2-54
T
Tachometer....................................................3-32
Taillamps
Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps, and
Back-Up Lamps.......................................5-59
TCS Warning Light..........................................3-38
Theater Dimming............................................3-17
Theft-Deterrent, Radio....................................3-101
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-20
Content Theft-Deterrent................................2-20
PASS-Key
®III .............................................2-22
PASS-Key®III Operation..............................2-22Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-6
Time, Setting..................................................3-85
Tire
Pressure Light.............................................3-41
Tires.............................................................5-63
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels,
Cleaning...............................................5-104
Buying New Tires........................................5-78
Chains.......................................................5-84
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-87
Cleaning...................................................5-105
Compact Spare Tire.....................................5-98
Different Size..............................................5-80
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-86
Ination - Tire Pressure................................5-70
Inspection and Rotation................................5-75
Installing the Spare Tire................................5-89
Pressure Monitor Operation...........................5-73
Pressure Monitor System..............................5-71
Removing the Flat Tire.................................5-89
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...............5-88
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools....5-95, 5-97
Tire Sidewall Labeling..................................5-64
Tire Terminology and Denitions....................5-67
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-80
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-82
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-82
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-77
12