2010 BUICK LACROSSE ABS

Driving and Operating 8-31
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that helps
prevent a braking skid.
When the engine is started and the
vehicle begins to drive away, ABS
checks itself. A momentary motor or
clicking noise might be heard while
this test is going on, and it might
even be noticed that the brake
pedal moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
on page 4‑21. If driving safely on a wet road and it
becomes necessary to slam on the
brakes and continue braking to
avoid a sudden obstacle, a
computer senses that the wheels
are slowing down. If one of the
wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the
brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
the driver steer around the obstacle
while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls
braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to
stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly and let
ABS work. The ABS pump or motor
might be heard operating, and the
brake pedal might be felt to pulsate,
but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
more than even the very best
braking.

8-34 Driving and Operating
Brake Assist
This vehicle has a Brake Assist
feature designed to assist the driver
in stopping or decreasing vehicle
speed in emergency driving
conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake
control module to supplement the
power brake system under
conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle. The
stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates.
Minor brake pedal pulsations or
pedal movement during this time
is normal and the driver should
continue to apply the brake pedal
as the driving situation dictates.
The Brake Assist feature will
automatically disengage when the
brake pedal is released or brake
pedal pressure is quickly
decreased.
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control
System (TCS)
The vehicle has a traction control
system that limits wheel spin. This is
especially useful in slippery road
conditions. On a front-wheel-drive
vehicle, the system operates if it
senses that one or both of the front
wheels are spinning or beginning to
lose traction. On an All-Wheel-Drive
(AWD) vehicle, the system will
operate if it senses that any of the
wheels are spinning or beginning to
lose traction. When this happens,
the system brakes the spinning
wheel(s) and/or reduces engine
power to limit wheel spin.
The system may be heard or felt
while it is working, but this is
normal.The TCS/StabiliTrak warning light
flashes to indicate that the traction
control system is active.
This warning light comes on if there
is a problem with the traction control
system.
SeeTraction Off Light
on
page 4‑22. When this warning light
is on, the system does not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
TCS automatically comes on
whenever the vehicle is started. To
limit wheel spin, especially in
slippery road conditions, the system
should always be left on. But, TCS
can be turned off if needed.

Driving and Operating 8-57
If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but donot shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if facing
downhill or into traffic if facing
uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the brake pedal
until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift
into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal while you:
.Start the engine.
.Shift into a gear.
.Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See this
manual's Maintenance Schedule or
Index for more information. Things
that are especially important in
trailer operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle
lubricant, belts, cooling system and
brake system. Inspect these before
and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.

Vehicle Care 9-87
Fabric/Carpet
Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft
brush attachment to remove dust
and loose dirt. A canister vacuum
with a beater bar in the nozzle may
only be used on floor carpet and
carpeted floor mats. For soils,
always try to remove them first with
plain water or club soda. Before
cleaning, gently remove as much of
the soil as possible using one of the
following techniques:
.For liquids: gently blot the
remaining soil with a paper
towel. Allow the soil to absorb
into the paper towel until no
more can be removed.
.For solid dry soils: remove as
much as possible and then
vacuum.
To clean:
1. Saturate a lint-free, clean white cloth with water or club soda.
2. Remove excess moisture. 3. Start on the outside edge of the
soil and gently rub toward the
center. Continue cleaning, using
a clean area of the cloth each
time it becomes soiled.
4. Continue to gently rub the soiled area.
5. If the soil is not completely removed, use a mild soap
solution and repeat the cleaning
process with plain water.
If any of the soil remains, a
commercial fabric cleaner or spot
lifter may be necessary. Test a small
hidden area for colorfastness before
using a commercial upholstery
cleaner or spot lifter. If the locally
cleaned area gives any impression
that a ring formation may result,
clean the entire surface.
A paper towel can be used to blot
excess moisture from the fabric or
carpet after the cleaning process.
Leather
To remove dust, a soft cloth
dampened with water can be used.
If a more thorough cleaning is
necessary, a soft cloth dampened
with a mild soap solution can be
used. Allow the leather to dry
naturally. Do not use heat, steam,
or spot lifters or spot removers,
or shoe polish on leather. Many
commercial leather cleaners and
coatings that are sold to preserve
and protect leather may
permanently change the
appearance and feel of the leather
and are not recommended. Do not
use silicone or wax-based products,
or those containing organic solvents
to clean the vehicle's interior
because they can alter the
appearance by increasing the gloss
in a non-uniform manner.

INDEX i-1
A
Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-20
Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Add-On Electrical
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-60
Adding Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . 2-38
Adjustments
Lumbar, Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . . 9-15
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Air Intake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Airbag System
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-39
How Does an AirbagRestrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-30
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-32 Airbag System (cont.)
What Makes an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-30
What Will You See After
an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . 2-30
When Should an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-28
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . 2-27
Airbags
Adding Equipment to theVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-38
Passenger Status Indicator . . . 4-16
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16
Servicing Airbag-Equipped Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-37
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-24
Alarm System Anti-Theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-30
AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-12
Antenna Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-19
Anti-Theft
Alarm System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Alarm System Messages . . . . . 4-37 Antilock Brake
System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-31
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-21
Appearance Care Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-82
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-86
Assistance Program,
Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-6
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-20 CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-20
Audio System
Backglass Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . 6-19
Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-18
Theft-Deterrent Feature . . . . . . . . 6-2
Automatic Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . 8-27 Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-15
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-29
Shiftlock Control SystemCheck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Auxiliary Devices . . . . . . . . 6-28, 6-31

i-6 INDEX
Heated and Ventilated FrontSeats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Heated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . 4-24
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 8-9
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
I
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . 8-18, 8-19
Ignition Transmission Lock
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28
Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Infants and Young Children, Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-42
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .iii, 6-2
J
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-75
K
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . . . 4-36
Keyless Entry Remote (RKE) System . . . 1-3, 1-5
Keyless Entry System . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . . 9-47
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-36
Lamps Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . . 5-2
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Exterior Lamps Off
Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Headlamps, Front Turn
Signal and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
License Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-36 Lamps (cont.)
Malfunction Indicator . . . . . . . . . 4-17
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Sun Visor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
LATCH System Replacing Parts After aCrash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-55
Latch, Lower Anchors and
Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . 2-48
Light Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . 4-20
Lighting Adaptive Forward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Lights Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-21
Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-25
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 4-23