2009 BUICK LACROSSE doors

Seats and Restraint System............................. 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-7
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-8
Child Restraints
.......................................1-29
Airbag System
.........................................1-53
Restraint System Check
............................1-68
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-9
Windows
.................................................2-14
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-16
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-21
Mirrors
....................................................2-35
Object Detection Systems
..........................2-37
OnStar
®System
......................................2-39
Universal Home Remote System
................2-43
Storage Areas
.........................................2-47
Sunroof
..................................................2-48
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-21
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-30
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-47
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-82Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle
....... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-26
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under
the Hood
.............................................5-10
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-46
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-49
Windshield Replacement
...........................5-53
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-53
Tires
......................................................5-54
Appearance Care
.....................................5-90
Vehicle Identication
.................................5-98
Electrical System
......................................5-99
Capacities and Specications
...................5-106
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-15
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy
...........7-17
Index................................................................ 1
2009 Buick LaCrosse Owner ManualM

What Will You See After an Airbag
Inates?
After the frontal airbags inate, they quickly deate, so
quickly that some people may not even realize an
airbag inated. Roof-rail airbags may still be at least
partially inated for some time after they deploy. Some
components of the airbag module may be hot for
several minutes. For location of the airbag modules, see
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? on page 1-59.
The parts of the airbag that come into contact with you
may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There may
be some smoke and dust coming from the vents in the
deated airbags. Airbag ination does not prevent
the driver from seeing out of the windshield or being
able to steer the vehicle, nor does it prevent people from
leaving the vehicle.
{CAUTION:
When an airbag inates, there may be dust in the
air. This dust could cause breathing problems for
people with a history of asthma or other breathing
trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the vehicle
should get out as soon as it is safe to do so. If
you have breathing problems but cannot get out of
the vehicle after an airbag inates, then get fresh
air by opening a window or a door. If you
experience breathing problems following an airbag
deployment, you should seek medical attention.
The vehicle has a feature that may automatically unlock
the doors, turn the interior lamps on, and turn the
hazard warning ashers on when the airbags inate.
You can lock the doors, turn the interior lamps off, and
turn the hazard warning ashers off by using the
controls for those features.
1-60

Keys...............................................................2-2
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation...................................................2-4
Remote Vehicle Start......................................2-7
Doors and Locks.............................................2-9
Door Locks....................................................2-9
Power Door Locks..........................................2-9
Delayed Locking...........................................2-10
Automatic Door Lock.....................................2-10
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock.............2-10
Rear Door Security Locks..............................2-11
Lockout Protection........................................2-11
Trunk..........................................................2-12
Windows........................................................2-14
Power Windows............................................2-15
Sun Visors...................................................2-16
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-16
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-17
PASS-Key
®III Electronic Immobilizer...............2-18
PASS-Key®III Electronic Immobilizer
Operation.................................................2-19
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-21
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-21
Ignition Positions..........................................2-21
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)...................2-22
Starting the Engine.......................................2-23Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-24
Active Fuel Management™.............................2-25
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-26
Parking Brake..............................................2-29
Shifting Into Park..........................................2-29
Shifting Out of Park......................................2-32
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-33
Engine Exhaust............................................2-33
Running the Vehicle While Parked..................2-34
Mirrors...........................................................2-35
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-35
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror................2-35
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-36
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-36
Outside Heated Mirrors..................................2-36
Object Detection Systems...............................2-37
Ultrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA)...........................................2-37
OnStar
®System.............................................2-39
Universal Home Remote System......................2-43
Universal Home Remote System Operation......2-43
Storage Areas................................................2-47
Glove Box...................................................2-47
Cupholders..................................................2-47
Center Console Storage.................................2-47
Convenience Net..........................................2-48
Sunroof.........................................................2-48
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

/(Remote Vehicle Start):For vehicles with this
feature, press to start the engine from outside the
vehicle using the RKE transmitter. SeeRemote Vehicle
Start on page 2-7for additional information.
Q(Lock):Press to lock all the doors. If enabled
through the Driver Information Center (DIC), the parking
lamps may ash once to indicate locking has occurred.
If
Qis pressed again within ve seconds the horn
may chirp. See “FOB LOCK FEEDBACK” underDIC
Vehicle Personalization on page 3-74for additional
information.
For vehicles with a content theft-deterrent system,
pressing
Qmay arm it. SeeContent Theft-Deterrent on
page 2-17.
K(Unlock):Press once to unlock the driver door.
If
Kis pressed again within ve seconds, all remaining
doors unlock. The interior lamps come on and stay
on for 20 seconds or until the ignition is turned on. If
enabled through the DIC, the parking lamps may come
on. See “EXT (Exterior) LIGHT DELAY” underDIC
Vehicle Personalization on page 3-74.For vehicles with a content theft-deterrent system,
pressing
Kmay disarm it. SeeContent Theft-Deterrent
on page 2-17.
V(Remote Trunk Release):Press and hold for
about one second to unlock the trunk. The transmission
must be in P (Park).
L(Panic Alarm):Press to activate the alarm. The
headlamps ash and the horn sounds repeatedly for
two minutes. The alarm turns off when the ignition
is moved to ON/RUN or
Lis pressed again. The
ignition must be in LOCK/OFF or ACC/ACCESSORY for
the alarm to work.
2-5

Remote Vehicle Start
Your vehicle may have a remote starting feature that
allows you to start the engine from outside the vehicle.
It may also start the vehicle’s heating or air conditioning
systems and rear window defogger. When the remote
start system is active and the vehicle has an automatic
climate control system, it will automatically regulate
the inside temperature. Normal operation of these
systems will return after the ignition key is turned to
ON/RUN.
Laws in some communities may restrict the use of
remote starters. For example, some laws may require a
person using remote start to have the vehicle in view
when doing so. Check local regulations for any
requirements on remote starting of vehicles.
Do not use the remote start feature if your vehicle
is low on fuel. Your vehicle may run out of fuel.
If your vehicle has the remote start feature, the RKE
transmitter functions will have an increased range
of operation. However, the range may be less while the
vehicle is running.
There are other conditions which can affect the
performance of the transmitter, seeRemote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System on page 2-3for additional
information.
/(Remote Start):This button will be on the RKE
transmitter if you have remote start.
To start the vehicle using the remote start feature:
1. Aim the transmitter at the vehicle.
2. Press and release the transmitter’s lock button,
then immediately press and hold the transmitter’s
remote start button for about four seconds or
until the vehicle’s turn signal lamps ash. The doors
will lock.
When the vehicle starts, the parking lamps turn on
and remain on while the engine is running.
The remote start feature provides two separate starts
per ignition cycle, each with 10 minutes of engine
running time, or one start with a time extension. The
rst start must expire or be canceled to get two separate
10 minute starts.
If it is the rst remote start since the vehicle has been
driven, repeat the previous steps, while the engine is still
running, to extend the engine running time by 10 minutes
from the time you repeat the steps for remote starting.
The remote start running time can be extended one time
and only after the rst remote start.
After entering the vehicle during a remote start, insert
and turn the key to ON/RUN to drive the vehicle.
2-7

Doors and Locks
Door Locks
{CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers, especially children, can easily
open the doors and fall out of a moving
vehicle. When a door is locked, the handle
will not open it. You increase the chance of
being thrown out of the vehicle in a crash if
the doors are not locked. So, wear safety
belts properly and lock the doors whenever
you drive.
Young children who get into unlocked vehicles
may be unable to get out. A child can be
overcome by extreme heat and can suffer
permanent injuries or even death from heat
stroke. Always lock your vehicle whenever
you leave it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an
unlocked door when you slow down or stop
your vehicle. Locking your doors can help
prevent this from happening.There are several ways to lock and unlock the vehicle.
From the outside, turn the key in the driver’s door
lock cylinder briey counterclockwise to unlock the
driver’s door. Turn and hold it to unlock all the doors.
You can also use the remote keyless entry transmitter.
From the inside use the manual or power door locks.
Power Door Locks
To lock or unlock all doors
from inside the vehicle,
use the power door
lock switch located on
either front door armrest.
Press the bottom of the switch to lock all doors. Press
the top of the switch to unlock all doors.Driver’s side shown
2-9

If the vehicle has the content theft-deterrent system, the
vehicle is programmed to arm the system with the
power door lock switch. If your vehicle has a Driver
Information Center (DIC) this feature can be turned off.
See “Content Theft” underDIC Vehicle Personalization
on page 3-74.
Delayed Locking
Your vehicle may have this feature. It delays the locking
of the vehicle’s doors for ve seconds after the last
door is closed. Two chimes will sound when the power
door lock switch or the LOCK button on the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter is pressed when a door
is open. If your vehicle has a Driver Information
Center (DIC), a Delayed Locking warning will be
displayed.
The doors can be locked immediately by pressing the
power door lock switch or the LOCK button on the
transmitter a second time.
The delayed locking feature will not activate when the
ignition is in ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY.
You can program this feature on or off through the
Driver Information Center (DIC), if equipped. See
“Delayed Locking” underDIC Vehicle Personalization on
page 3-74.
Automatic Door Lock
The doors are programmed to automatically lock when
the shift lever is moved into a forward gear.
If someone needs to get in or out of the vehicle after
the doors have been locked, place the shift lever
into P (PARK). You may also unlock all doors using the
power door lock switch or unlock one door using the
inside manual door lock.
The automatic door lock feature cannot be disabled.
Programmable Automatic Door
Unlock
The vehicle’s doors are programmed from the factory to
unlock when the shift lever is moved into PARK (P).
On vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC), there
are different programming options for unlocking the
doors automatically. SeeDIC Vehicle Personalization on
page 3-74.
2-10

Rear Door Security Locks
Rear door security locks prevent passengers from
opening the rear doors from the inside.
The rear door security locks are located on the inside
edge of each rear door. The rear doors must be opened
to access them.
To assist in nding the lock, the vehicle has the following:
To use the lock:
1. Insert the key into the security lock slot and turn it
so the slot is in the horizontal position.
2. Close the door.
3. Do the same for the other rear door.To open a rear door when the security lock is on, do the
following:
1. Unlock the door using the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter, if the vehicle has one, the
power door lock switch, or by lifting the rear door
manual lock.
2. Open the door from the outside.
To cancel the rear door security lock:
1. Unlock the door and open it from the outside.
2. Insert the key into the security lock slot and turn it
so the slot is in the vertical position.
3. Do the same for the other rear door.
Lockout Protection
The lockout protection feature makes it more difficult to
lock the key in the vehicle. If the driver’s door is
open while the key is in the ignition, the door cannot be
locked with the power door lock switch.
This feature cannot guarantee that you will never be
locked out of the vehicle. If the key is not left in
the ignition, or, if the manual door lock is used, the key
could still be locked inside the vehicle. Always
remember to take the key with you.
2-11