2010 BUICK LACROSSE parking brake

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.

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

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

Instruments and Controls 4-21
released, or while driving, there is a
problem with the Electric Parking
Brake system. A Service Parking
Brake message may also display in
the Driver Information Center (DIC).
SeeBrake System Messages
on
page 4‑33for more information.
If the light does not come on,
or remains flashing, see you dealer/
retailer.
For vehicles with the Electric Park
Brake (EPB), the park brake
warning light should come on briefly
when ignition is placed in ON/RUN.
If it does not come on, then have it
fixed so it will be ready to warn if
there is a problem.
If this light comes on, there is a
problem with a system on the
vehicle that is causing the park
brake system to work at a reduced level. The vehicle can still be driven,
but should be taken to a dealer/
retailer as soon as possible. See
Parking Brake
on page 8‑32for
more information.
For vehicles with the uplevel cluster,
this telltale displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) screen.
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
This light comes on briefly when the
engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have it
fixed so it will be ready to warn if
there is a problem.
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 off the vehicle. 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. A chime may
also sound when the light comes on
steady.
If the ABS light is the only light on,
the vehicle has regular brakes, but
the antilock brakes are not
functioning.
If both lights are on, the vehicle's
antilock brakes are not functioning
and there is a problem with the
regular brakes. See your dealer/
retailer for service.
See
Brake System Warning Light
on page 4‑20.
See Brake System Messages
on
page 4‑33for all brake related
DIC messages.

Instruments and Controls 4-33
Battery Voltage and
Charging Messages
Battery Saver Active
This message displays when the
vehicle has detected that the battery
voltage is dropping beyond a
reasonable point. The battery saver
system starts reducing certain
features of the vehicle that you may
be able to notice. At the point that
features are disabled, this message
is displayed. It means that the
vehicle is trying to save the charge
in the battery. Turn off unnecessary
accessories to allow the battery to
recharge.
Low Battery
This message is displayed when the
battery voltage is low. SeeBattery
on page 9‑26for more information.
Service Battery Charging
System
This message is displayed when
there is a fault in the battery
charging system. Take the vehicle to
your dealer/retailer for service.
Brake System Messages
Brake Fluid Low
This message is displayed when the
brake fluid level is low. See Brake
Fluid on page 9‑25.
Press Brake Pedal To Release
Park Brake
This message is displayed if you
attempt to release the electric
parking brake without the brake
pedal applied. See Parking Brake
on page 8‑32for more information.
Release Park Brake Switch
This message is displayed if the
electric parking brake is on while the
vehicle is in motion. Release it before you attempt to
drive. See
Parking Brake
on
page 8‑32for more information.
Service Parking Brake
This message is displayed when
there is a problem with the electric
parking brake. See Parking Brake
on page 8‑32for more information.
Take the vehicle to your dealer/
retailer.
Compass Messages
CAL
This message is displayed when the
compass needs to be calibrated.
See Compass on page 4‑8.
– – –
Three dashes will be displayed if the
compass needs service. See your
dealer/retailer for service.

Driving and Operating 8-1
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better FuelEconomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-7
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . 8-8
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 8-9
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . 8-11
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . 8-12
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . 8-17
Ignition Positions (Key Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-18
Ignition Positions (Keyless Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-19 Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-20
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . 8-20
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-22
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-23
Shifting Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . 8-25
Parking Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-25
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-26
Running the Vehicle WhileParked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-26
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . 8-27
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-29
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-30
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-31
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-32
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-34
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-34
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-35
Selective Ride Control . . . . . . . 8-36
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-37
Object Detection Systems
Ultrasonic Parking Assist . . . . 8-40
Side Blind Zone
Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-43
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-46
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-49
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . 8-50
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . 8-50
California FuelRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-51
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 8-51
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-51
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-52
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-53

Driving and Operating 8-5
If the engine ever stops while the
vehicle is being driven, brake
normally but do not pump the
brakes. If the brakes are pumped,
the pedal could get harder to push
down. If the engine stops, there will
still be some power brake assist but
it will be used when the brake is
applied. Once the power assist is
used up, it can take longer to stop
and the brake pedal will be harder
to push.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect vehicle
performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 9‑3.
Steering
Power Steering
If power steering assist is lost
because the engine stops or the
power steering system is not
functioning, the vehicle can be
steered but it will take more effort.
Speed Variable Assist Steering
The vehicle has a steering system
that varies the amount of effort
required to steer the vehicle in
relation to the speed of the vehicle.
The amount of steering effort
required is less at slower speeds to
make the vehicle more
maneuverable and easier to park. At
faster speeds, the steering effort
increases to provide a sport-like feel
to the steering. This provides
maximum control and stability.
If the vehicle seems harder to steer
than normal when parking or driving
slowly, there may be a problem with
the system. You will still have power
steering, but steering will be stiffer
than normal at slow speeds. See
your dealer/retailer for service.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a
reasonable speed.
Traction in a curve depends on the
condition of the tires and the road
surface, the angle at which the
curve is banked, and vehicle speed.
While in a curve, speed is the one
factor that can be controlled.
If there is a need to reduce speed,
do it before entering the curve, while
the front wheels are straight.
Try to adjust the speed so you can
drive through the curve. Maintain a
reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until out of the curve, and
then accelerate gently into the
straightaway.