
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

Introduction v
A circle with a slash through it is a
safety symbol which means“Do
Not,” “Do not do this” or“Do not let
this happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead of
text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or
information relating to a specific
component, control, message, gage,
or indicator.
M: This symbol is shown when
you need to see your owner manual
for additional instructions or
information.
*: This symbol is shown when
you need to see a service manual
for additional instructions or
information. Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the index.
9:
Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel Controls
or OnStar®
$: Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B: Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.: Fuel Gage
+:Fuses
i: Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j: LATCH System Child
Restraints
*: Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
d:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid

1-8 Keys, Doors and Windows
3. With the vehicle in P (Park) orN (Neutral), press the brake
pedal and the ignition control.
See Starting the Engine
on
page 8‑20, for additional
information about the vehicle's
keyless ignition with push start.
Replace the transmitter battery
as soon as possible.
Battery Replacement
Replace the battery if the Replace
Battery in Remote Key message
displays in the DIC. See “Replace
Battery in Remote Key” underKey
and Lock Messages on page 4‑36.
The battery is not rechargeable.
See your dealer/retailer to replace
the battery.
Remote Vehicle Start
If available, this feature allows the
engine to be started from outside
the vehicle. This button
/will be on the
RKE transmitter if the vehicle has
remote start.
To enable and disable remote start,
see “Remote Vehicle Start” under
Vehicle Personalization
on
page 4‑38.
Laws in some local 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.
Check local regulations for any
requirements.
Starting the Engine Using Remote
Start
To start the engine using the remote
start feature:
1. Press
Qon the RKE transmitter.
The vehicle's doors will be
locked.
2. Within five seconds, press and hold
/until the turn signal
lamps flash. This confirms the
request to remote start the vehicle has been received.
Once the vehicle is started, the
parking lamps will turn on and
remain on as long as the engine
is running.
3. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN (Key Access), or select the
ON/RUN/START ignition position
(Keyless Access), to drive the
vehicle.
The engine will shut off after
10 minutes unless a time
extension is done or the ignition
is put in ON/RUN (Key Access)
or ON/RUN/START (Keyless
Access).
Vehicles with an automatic climate
control system will default to a
heating or cooling mode depending
on the outside temperature during a
remote start. When the key is turned
to ON/RUN (Key Access), or the
ON/RUN/START ignition position is
selected (Keyless Access), the
climate control system will turn on at
the setting the vehicle was set to
when the vehicle was last turned off.

Seats and Restraints 2-31
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 deflated
airbags. Airbag inflation 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.
{WARNING
When an airbag inflates, 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(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
breathing problems but cannot
get out of the vehicle after an
airbag inflates, 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
on the interior lamps and hazard
warning flashers, and shut off the
fuel system after the airbags inflate.
You can lock the doors, turn off the
interior lamps and hazard warning
flashers by using the controls for
those features.
{WARNING
A crash severe enough to inflate
the airbags may have also
damaged important functions in
the vehicle, such as the fuel
system, brake and steering
systems, etc. Even if the vehicle
appears to be drivable after a
moderate crash, there may be
concealed damage that could
make it difficult to safely operate
the vehicle.
Use caution if you should attempt
to restart the engine after a cash
has occurred.

Instruments and Controls 4-1
Instruments and
Controls
Instrument Panel Overview
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . 4-4
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 4-6
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 4-6
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 4-7
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . 4-7
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
Clock (Without DateDisplay) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
Clock (With Date Display) . . . . . 4-9
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10
Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Fuel Gage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage . . . . . . . . . 4-15
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . 4-15
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . 4-16
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16
Charging System Light . . . . . . 4-17
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-20 Electric Parking Brake
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-20
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-21
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-22
Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) Indicator Light . . . . . . . 4-22
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control
System (TCS) Indicator/
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-22
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . 4-23
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 4-23
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 4-24
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-24
High-Beam on Light . . . . . . . . . 4-24
Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-24
Taillamp Indicator Light . . . . . . 4-25
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . 4-25

4-2 Instruments and Controls
Information Displays
Driver InformationCenter (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-25
Head-Up Display (HUD) . . . . . 4-28
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 4-32
Battery Voltage and Charging Messages . . . . . . . . 4-33
Brake System Messages . . . . 4-33
Compass Messages . . . . . . . . . 4-33
Cruise Control Messages . . . . 4-34
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . 4-34
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-34
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . 4-35
Engine Power Messages . . . . 4-35
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . 4-36
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 4-36
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-36 Ride Control System
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-36
Anti-Theft Alarm System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-37
Tire Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-37
Transmission Messages . . . . . 4-37
Window Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 4-38
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . 4-38
OnStar System®
OnStar®System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-43
Universal Remote System
Universal Remote
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-45
Universal Remote System Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-45
Universal Remote System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-48

Instruments and Controls 4-5
A.Air Vents on page 7‑8.
B. Head-Up Display (HUD)
on
page 4‑28(If Equipped).
C. Turn and Lane-Change Lever. See Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
on page 5‑4. Driver
Information Center Buttons. See
Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 4‑25.
D. Instrument Cluster
on
page 4‑13. Driver Information
Center Display. See Driver
Information Center (DIC)
on
page 4‑25.
E. Windshield Wiper/Washer
on
page 4‑7.
F. Info-Display.
G. AM-FM Radio on page 6‑12.
H. Exterior Lamp Controls
on
page 5‑1. Fog Lampson
page 5‑5(If Equipped).
Instrument Panel Illumination
Control on page 5‑5. I.
Front Storage on page 3‑1.
J. Cruise Control
on page 8‑37.
Heated Steering Wheelon
page 4‑7.
K. Steering Wheel Adjustment
on
page 4‑6.
L. Horn on page 4‑7.
M. Steering Wheel Controls
on
page 4‑6.
N. Ignition Positions (Key Access)
on page 8‑18orIgnition
Positions (Keyless Access)on
page 8‑19.
O. Heated and Ventilated Front
Seats on page 2‑8.
P. Automatic Climate Control
System
on page 7‑1orDual
Automatic Climate Control
System on page 7‑4.
Q. Power Door Locks
on
page 1‑10. Hazard Warning
Flasherson page 5‑4.
Passenger Sensing Systemon
page 2‑32. R.
Parking Brake on page 8‑32.
S. PRNDL. See Automatic
Transmission on page 8‑27.
T. Shift Lever. See Shifting Into
Park on page 8‑23.
U. Traction Control System (TCS)
on page 8‑34.Electronic
Stability Control (ESC)on
page 8‑35. Ultrasonic Parking
Assiston page 8‑40. Power
Rear Sunshade.
V. Glove Box on page 3‑1.

4-20 Instruments and Controls
the battery has recently been
replaced or if the battery has run
down. The diagnostic system is
designed to evaluate critical
emission control systems during
normal driving. This can take
several days of routine driving.
If this has been done and the
vehicle still does not pass the
inspection for lack of OBD II
system readiness, your dealer/
retailer can prepare the vehicle
for inspection.
Brake System Warning
Light
The vehicle's hydraulic brake
system is divided into two parts.
If one part is not working, the other
part can still work and stop the
vehicle. For good braking both parts
need to working.
If the warning light comes on, there
is a brake problem. Have your brake
system inspected right away.
If the vehicle has antilock brakes,
this light should come on when the
vehicle is placed in START. If it does
not, have the vehicle serviced by
your dealer/retailer.
If the light comes on while driving,
pull off the road and stop carefully.
The pedal may be harder to push or
it can go closer to the floor. It may
take longer to stop. Try turning off
and restarting the vehicle one or two
times, if the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. See
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
on page 4‑21and
Driving Characteristics and Towing
Tips on page 8‑54.
{WARNING
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.
Electric Parking Brake
Light
For vehicles with the Electric Park
Brake (EPB), the park brake status
light comes on when the brake is
applied. If the light continues
flashing after the park brake is