2009 BUICK LACROSSE checking

Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking
the coolant level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the coolant recovery
tank. If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank
is boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down.
If coolant is visible but the coolant level is not at or above
the FULL COLD mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant at the coolant
recovery tank, but be sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done.
The coolant recovery tank
is located in the engine
compartment toward the
rear of the engine on the
passenger side of the
vehicle.
If your vehicle is equipped with the 5.3L engine
the coolant recovery tank is located in the engine
compartment toward the rear of the engine on the driver
side of the vehicle SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for more information on location.When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the COLD FILL line or a little higher. The COLD FILL line
is near the bottom of the recovery tank and has an arrow
pointing down at it.
How to Add Coolant to the
Recovery Tank
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot enough.
Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
Notice:This vehicle has a specic coolant ll
procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could
cause the engine to overheat and be severely
damaged.
If coolant is needed, add the proper DEX-COOL
®
coolant mixture at the coolant recovery tank.
5-27

Maintenance Footnotes
(a)Visually inspect brake lines and hoses for proper
hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect
disc brake pads for wear and rotors for surface
condition. Inspect other brake parts, including calipers,
parking brake, etc.
(b)Visually inspect front and rear suspension and
steering system for damaged, loose, or missing parts or
signs of wear. Inspect power steering lines and hoses
for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc.
(c)Visually inspect hoses and have them replaced if
they are cracked, swollen, or deteriorated. Inspect all
pipes, fittings and clamps; replace with genuine parts as
needed. To help ensure proper operation, a pressure
test of the cooling system and pressure cap and
cleaning the outside of the radiator and air conditioning
condenser is recommended at least once a year.
(d)Inspect wiper blades for wear, cracking, or
contamination. Clean the windshield and wiper blades,
if contaminated. Replace wiper blades that are worn
or damaged. See Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
on page 5-53 and Windshield and Wiper Blades on
page 5-95 for more information.(e)Make sure the safety belt reminder light and safety
belt assemblies are working properly. Look for any
other loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you
see anything that might keep a safety belt system
from doing its job, have it repaired. Have any torn or
frayed safety belts replaced. Also see Checking
the Restraint Systems on page 1-68.
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders. Lubricate all hinges
and latches, including those for the body doors, hood,
secondary latch, pivots, spring anchor, release pawl,
rear compartment, glove box door, and console door.
More frequent lubrication may be required when
exposed to a corrosive environment. Applying silicone
grease on weatherstrips with a clean cloth will make
them last longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak.
(g)If driving regularly under dusty conditions, the
filter may require replacement more often.
(h)Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police, or delivery
service.
6-7

Audio System(s).............................................3-83
Automatic Door Lock.......................................2-10
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-22
Operation...................................................2-26
B
Backglass Antenna........................................3-113
Battery..........................................................5-40
Electric Power Management..........................3-18
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver......................3-15
Run-Down Protection...................................3-19
Bluetooth
®.....................................................3-99
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-5
Brake Fluid....................................................5-37
Brakes..........................................................5-37
System Warning Light..................................3-35
Braking........................................................... 4-4
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-5
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-21
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-49
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-49
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-46
License Plate Lamps....................................5-52Bulb Replacement (cont.)
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-52
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps, and Back-Up Lamps.................5-50
Buying New Tires...........................................5-69
C
Calibration.....................................................3-54
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Perchlorate Materials
Requirements............................................... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-106
Carbon Monoxide...........................2-12, 2-33, 4-17
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-93
CD, MP3 .......................................................3-95
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-47
Center Seat..................................................... 1-7
Chains, Tire...................................................5-75
Charging System Light....................................3-35
Check
Engine Lamp..............................................3-40
Check Gas Cap Light......................................3-47
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
2

Fuel (cont.)
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling the Tank............................................. 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage .........................................................3-46
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-6
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-6
Low Warning Light.......................................3-47
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-99
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................5-100
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-101
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-99
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-38
Fuel..........................................................3-46
Speedometer..............................................3-32
Tachometer.................................................3-32
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-43
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-6
Specications............................................... 5-6
Glove Box.....................................................2-47
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-7
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-6
Headlamp
Aiming .......................................................5-46
Headlamp Wiring............................................5-99
Headlamps
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-49
Daytime Running Lamps/Automatic
Headlamp System....................................3-14
Exterior Lamps............................................3-13
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-49
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
Suggested Light..........................................3-44
Heated Seats................................................... 1-3
Heater...........................................................3-21
Engine Coolant...........................................2-24
Heater...........................................................3-25
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-44
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...................1-13
6

Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-15
General Motors...........................................7-15
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...............................2-22
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-7
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out....................4-20
Routing, Engine Drive Belt...............................6-14
Running the Vehicle While Parked.....................2-34
S
Safety Belt Reminders.....................................3-32
Safety Belts
Care of ......................................................5-93
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-13
Lap Belt.....................................................1-28
Lap-Shoulder Belt........................................1-22
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-29
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-27
Safety Belts Are for Everyone......................... 1-8Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-4
Seats
Center Seat.................................................. 1-7
Head Restraints............................................ 1-6
Heated Seats............................................... 1-3
Power Lumbar .............................................. 1-3
Power Seats................................................. 1-2
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-4
Split Folding Rear Seat.................................. 1-7
Securing a Child Restraint
Center Front Seat Position............................1-49
Rear Seat Position......................................1-47
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-50
Security Light.................................................3-43
Service........................................................... 5-3
Accessories and Modications......................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
the Vehicle................................................ 5-5
California Perchlorate Materials
Requirements............................................ 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning.................... 5-4
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-4
Engine Soon Lamp......................................3-40
Publications Ordering Information...................7-16
Vehicle Soon Light.......................................3-45
Service, Scheduling Appointments.....................7-10
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..............1-66
11