2009 BUICK LACROSSE tow

Shifting Out of Park
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
The 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 P (Park)
Prevent movement of the shift lever out of P (Park),
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 the vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery with
low voltage, try charging or jump starting the battery.
SeeJump Starting on page 5-41.
Console Shift
If the console shift lever cannot be moved out of P (Park):
1. Apply and maintain the regular brakes.
2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN position. SeeIgnition
Positions on page 2-21for more information.3. Let up on the shift lever and make sure the shift
lever is pushed all the way into P (Park).
4. Press the shift lever button
5. Then, move the shift into the desired gear.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from P (Park),
consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service.
Column Shift
If the column shift lever cannot be moved out of
P (Park):
1. Apply and maintain the regular brakes.
2. Turn the ignition key to the ON/RUN position. See
Ignition Positions on page 2-21for more information.
3. Shift out of the P (Park) position to the N (Neutral)
position.
4. Move the vehicle to a safe location.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from P (Park),
consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service.
2-32

Running the Vehicle While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed area with poor
ventilation is dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Never run the engine in an enclosed area that has
no fresh air ventilation. For more information, see
Engine Exhaust on page 2-33.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
automatic transmission shift lever is not fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake rmly set. The
vehicle can roll. Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running unless you have to. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be
sure the vehicle will not move, even when you are
on fairly level ground, always set the parking
brake and move the shift lever to P (Park).
Follow the proper steps to be sure the vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park on page 2-29.
If parking on a hill and pulling a trailer, seeTowing a
Trailer on page 4-28.
2-34

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Hold the mirror in the center to move it for a clearer
view behind the vehicle.
Adjust the mirror to avoid glare from the headlamps
behind you. Push the tab forward for daytime use and
pull it for nighttime use.
If the vehicle has OnStar
®, the mirror has a day/night
control located at the bottom. Turn the control to
the right for the night position. Turn the control to the
front for the day position.
Vehicles with OnStar have three control buttons located
at the bottom of the mirror. See your dealer/retailer
for more information on the system and how to
subscribe to OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on
page 2-39for more information about the services
OnStar
®provides.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
Adjust the mirror to see clearly behind your vehicle.
Hold the mirror in the center to move it up or down and
side to side.The vehicle may have an automatic dimming rearview
mirror that reduces the glare of lights from behind
the vehicle. Press the AUTO button located in the lower
center of the mirror to turn automatic dimming on and
the
((off) button located next to the AUTO button
to turn automatic dimming off.
It the vehicle has the OnStar
®System. The automatic
dimming feature is turned on or off by pressing
O
for about three seconds. This button is located on the
lower part of the mirror.
Vehicles with OnStar
®have three control buttons
located at the bottom of the mirror. See your
dealer/retailer for more information on the system and
how to subscribe to OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System
on page 2-39for more information about the services
OnStar
®provides.
Cleaning the Mirror
Do not spray glass cleaner directly on the mirror. Use a
soft towel dampened with water.
2-35

When the System Does Not Seem to
Work Properly
The ultrasonic sensors are not clean, a red URPA
display light may illuminate when the vehicle is in
R (Reverse). Keep the rear bumper free of
mud, dirt, snow, ice and slush. For cleaning
instructions, seeWashing Your Vehicle on
page 5-93.
A trailer was attached to the vehicle, or a bicycle or
an object was hanging out of the trunk during the
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 the 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 the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer.
OnStar®System
OnStar uses several innovative technologies and live
advisors to provide a wide range of safety, security,
information, and convenience services. If the 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
the keys are locked in the vehicle, call OnStar at
1-888-4-ONSTAR to have a signal sent to unlock
the doors. OnStar Hands-Free Calling, including
30 trial minutes good for 60 days, is available on most
vehicles. OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation service,
with one trial route, is available on most vehicles. Press
the OnStar button to have an OnStar advisor contact
Roadside Service.
OnStar service is provided subject to the OnStar Terms
and Conditions included in the OnStar Subscriber
glove box literature.
2-39

Hazard Warning Flashers
|(Hazard Warning Flasher):Press this button
located on the instrument panel, to make the front and
rear turn signal lamps ash on and off. This warns others
that you are having trouble.
Press
|again to turn the ashers off.
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.
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. Do not adjust the steering
wheel while driving.
3-6

Turn and Lane-Change Signals
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster ashes in the
direction of the turn or
lane change.
Move the lever up or down to signal a turn.
Raise or lower the lever until the arrow starts to ash to
signal a lane change. Hold it there until the lane change is
complete.
The lever returns to its original position whenever it is
released.
If after signaling a turn or lane change the arrow ashes
rapidly or does not come on, a signal bulb may be
burned out.
Have the bulbs replaced. If the bulb is not burned out,
check the fuse. SeeTaillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps on page 5-50for turn
signal bulb replacement procedures andFuses and
Circuit Breakers on page 5-99for 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 instrument panel cluster light
3comes on 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

A. Fan Control
B. Temperature Control
C. Air Delivery Mode
ControlD. Recirculation
E. Air Conditioning
F. Rear Window
Defogger
OFF:Turn the fan control 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 is temporarily reduced when adjusting
modes, but resumes the original speed when the
transition to the new mode is complete.Temperature Control:Turn clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the
temperature inside the vehicle.
Air Delivery Mode Control:Turn clockwise or
counterclockwise to change the direction of the
airow inside the vehicle.
Select from the following air delivery modes:
H(Vent):Air is directed 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):Air is divided between the instrument
panel and 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):Air is directed to the oor outlets, with
some air directed toward the side window outlets and
windshield.
In this mode, the system automatically uses outside air.
The air conditioning compressor will be engaged unless
the outside temperature is 40°F (4°C) or below.
3-22

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 4-26.
{CAUTION:
The brake system might not be working properly if
the brake system warning light is on. Driving with
the brake system warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after the vehicle has
been pulled off the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for service.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
For vehicles with
the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), this light
comes on briey when
the engine is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off. If the
light comes on while driving, stop as soon as it is safely
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the ABS light stays on, or
comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs service.
If the regular brake system warning light is not on, the
vehicle still has brakes, but not antilock brakes. If the
regular brake system warning light is also on, the vehicle
does not have antilock brakes and there is a problem with
the regular brakes. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-35.
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC),
seeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-56for
all brake related DIC messages.
3-36