2010 Buick LaCrosse Owner ManualM
Keys, Doors and Windows. . . 1-1
Keys and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Exterior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Interior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-24
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-40
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 3-1
Additional Storage Features . . . 3-2 Instruments and Controls
. . . . 4-1
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . 4-4
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . 4-25
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-32
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 4-38
OnStar System
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-43
Universal Remote System . . . . 4-45
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Lighting Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-12
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-20
Rear Seat Infotainment . . . . . . . 6-34
Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-42 Climate Controls
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 7-1
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . 8-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 8-17
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-26
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 8-27
Drive Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-30
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-31
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 8-34
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-37
Object Detection Systems . . . . 8-40
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-49
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-54
Conversions and Add-Ons . . . 8-60
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Keys, Doors and Windows 1-1
Keys, Doors and
Windows
Keys and Locks
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Remote KeylessEntry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation (Key Access) . . . . . 1-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation
(Keyless Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Doors
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Vehicle Security
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Anti-Theft Alarm System . . . . . 1-13
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Immobilizer Operation (Key Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Immobilizer Operation (Keyless Access) . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Exterior Mirrors
Power Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Park Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Interior Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror . . . . . . 1-16
Windows
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Power Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Roof
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
1-12 Keys, Doors and Windows
Emergency Trunk Release
Handle
Notice:Do not use the
emergency trunk release handle
as a tie-down or anchor point
when securing items in the trunk
as it could damage the handle.
The emergency trunk release
handle is only intended to aid a
person trapped in a latched trunk,
enabling them to open the trunk
from the inside.
There is an emergency trunk
release handle located inside the
trunk on the trunk latch. On some
vehicles, the release handle can be
accessed by folding the rear seat
center seatback. See Rear Seats
on page 2‑9. Pull the release
handle to open the trunk from
the inside.
Rear Seat Pass-Through
The vehicle has a small door in the
rear seat. This door allows access
to the trunk from inside the vehicle.
The rear seat armrest must be down
for the pass-through door to open.
To release the pass-through door,
pull the release handle. To close the
door, raise it and push it until it
latches.
Keys, Doors and Windows 1-13
Vehicle Security
Vehicle theft is big business,
especially in some cities. This
vehicle has theft-deterrent features,
however, they do not make it
impossible to steal.
Anti-Theft Alarm System
This vehicle has an anti-theft alarm
system.
Arming the System
To arm the system, pressQon the
RKE transmitter.
The alarm automatically arms after
about 30 seconds. The security
light, located on the instrument
panel, flashes.
Press
Von the RKE transmitter to
open the trunk without setting off the
alarm. The system rearms when the
trunk is closed.
Disarming the System
To disarm the system, do one of the
following:
.PressKon the RKE transmitter.
.Approach the vehicle with the
RKE transmitter (Keyless
Access).
.Start the engine.
The alarm automatically disarms.
How to Detect a Tamper
Condition
IfKis pressed and the horn
sounds, an attempted break-in has
occurred while the system was
armed.
If the alarm has been activated, the
Theft Attempted message will
appear on the DIC. See Key and
Lock Messages
on page 4‑36for
additional information.
Immobilizer
See Radio Frequency Statement
(US, Can)on page 12‑16for
information regarding Part 15 of
the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and
RSS-210/211 of Industry and
Science Canada.
Immobilizer Operation
(Key Access)
This vehicle has a passive
theft-deterrent system.
The system does not have to be
manually armed or disarmed.
The vehicle is automatically
immobilized when the key is
removed from the ignition.
The system is automatically
disarmed when the vehicle is
started with the correct key. The key
uses a transponder that matches an
immobilizer control unit in the
vehicle and automatically disarms
1-14 Keys, Doors and Windows
the system. Only the correct key
starts the vehicle. The vehicle may
not start if the key is damaged.
The security light, located in the
instrument panel cluster, comes on
if there is a problem with arming or
disarming the theft-deterrent
system.
When trying to start the vehicle, the
security light comes on briefly when
the ignition is turned on.
If the engine does not start and the
security light stays on there is a
problem with the system. Turn the
ignition off and try again.
If the engine still does not start, and
the key appears to be undamaged
or the light continues to stay on, try
another ignition key.If the engine still does not start with
the other key, the vehicle needs
service. If the vehicle does start, the
first key may be damaged. See your
dealer/retailer who can service the
theft-deterrent system and have a
new key made.
Do not leave the key or device that
disarms or deactivates the theft
deterrent system in the vehicle.
Immobilizer Operation
(Keyless Access)
This vehicle has a passive
theft-deterrent system.
The system does not have to be
manually armed or disarmed.
The vehicle is automatically
immobilized when the transmitter
leaves the vehicle.
The immobilization system is
disarmed when the ignition button is
pushed in and a valid transmitter is
found in the vehicle.
The security light, located in the
instrument panel cluster, comes on
if there is a problem with arming or
disarming the theft-deterrent
system.
The system has one or more
transmitters that are matched to an
immobilizer control unit in your
vehicle. Only a correctly matched
transmitter will start the vehicle.
If the transmitter is ever damaged,
you may not be able to start your
vehicle.
When trying to start the vehicle, the
security light comes on briefly when
the ignition is turned on.
If the engine does not start and the
security light stays on there is a
problem with the system. Turn the
ignition off and try again.
Seats and Restraints 2-1
Seats and
Restraints
Head Restraints
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Front Seats
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Power Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . 2-4
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Heated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Heated and Ventilated FrontSeats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Rear Seats
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Safety Belts
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
How to Wear Safety BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19 Safety Belt Use During
Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22
Safety Belt Extender . . . . . . . . . 2-23
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . 2-23
Safety Belt Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-23
Replacing Safety Belt System Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . 2-24
Airbag System
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-24
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . 2-27
When Should an AirbagInflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-28
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-30
How Does an Airbag Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-30
What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-30
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-32
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-37 Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . 2-38
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . 2-39
Replacing Airbag System Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . 2-39
Child Restraints
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-40
Infants and Young
Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-42
Child Restraint Systems . . . . . 2-45
Where to Put the Restraint . . . 2-46
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH
System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-48
Replacing LATCH System Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . 2-55
Securing Child Restraints (Rear Seat) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-55
Securing Child Restraints (Front Seat ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-57
Seats and Restraints 2-19
Lap-Shoulder Belt
All seating positions in the vehicle
have a lap-shoulder belt.
The following instructions explain
how to wear a lap-shoulder belt
properly.
1. Adjust the seat, if the seat isadjustable, so you can sit up
straight. To see how, see “Seats”
in the Index.
2. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Do not let it
get twisted. The lap-shoulder belt may lock if
you pull the belt across you very
quickly. If this happens, let the
belt go back slightly to unlock it.
Then pull the belt across you
more slowly.
If the shoulder portion of a
passenger belt is pulled out all
the way, the child restraint
locking feature may be engaged.
If this happens, let the belt go
back all the way and start again.3. Push the latch plate into the
buckle until it clicks. Pull up on the latch plate to
make sure it is secure. If the belt
is not long enough, see
Safety
Belt Extender
on page 2‑23.
Position the release button on
the buckle so that the safety belt
could be quickly unbuckled if
necessary.
If equipped with a shoulder belt
height adjuster, move it to the
height that is right for you. See
“Shoulder Belt Height
Adjustment” later in this section
for instructions on use and
important safety information.
4. To make the lap part tight, pull up on the shoulder belt.
It may be necessary to pull
stitching on the safety belt
through the latch plate to fully
tighten the lap belt on smaller
occupants.
Seats and Restraints 2-23
The best way to protect the fetus is
to protect the mother. When a safety
belt is worn properly, it is more likely
that the fetus will not be hurt in a
crash. For pregnant women, as for
anyone, the key to making safety
belts effective is wearing them
properly.
Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle's safety belt will fasten
around you, you should use it.
But if a safety belt is not long
enough, your dealer/retailer will
order you an extender. When you
go in to order it, take the heaviest
coat you will wear, so the extender
will be long enough for you. To help
avoid personal injury, do not let
someone else use it, and use it only
for the seat it is made to fit. The
extender has been designed for
adults. Never use it for securing
child seats. To wear it, attach it to
the regular safety belt. For more
information, see the instruction
sheet that comes with the extender.
Safety System Check
Now and then, check that the safety
belt reminder light, safety belts,
buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly.
Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts
that might keep a safety belt system
from doing its job. See your dealer/
retailer to have it repaired. Torn or
frayed safety belts may not protect
you in a crash. They can rip apart
under impact forces. If a belt is torn
or frayed, get a new one right away.
Make sure the safety belt reminder
light is working. SeeSafety Belt
Reminders
on page 4‑15for more
information.
Keep safety belts clean and dry.
See Safety Belt Care
on
page 2‑23.
Safety Belt Care
Keep belts clean and dry.
{WARNING
Do not bleach or dye safety belts.
It may severely weaken them. In
a crash, they might not be able to
provide adequate protection.
Clean safety belts only with mild
soap and lukewarm water.