2011 BUICK LACROSSE warning

Black plate (35,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-35
Notice:Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the brake
system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system
parts. Make sure that the parking
brake is fully released and the
brake warning light is off before
driving.
Automatic EPB Release
The EPB will automatically
release if the vehicle is running,
placed into gear, and an attempt
is made to drive away. Avoid rapid
acceleration when the EPB is
applied, to preserve parking brake
lining life.
For maximum EPB force when
towing a trailer or parking on a hill,
pull the EPB switch twice. If you
are towing a trailer and parking on a
hill, see Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips on page 9‑56 for more
information.
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
pulsation 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.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
This vehicle has a Hill Start Assist
(HSA) feature, which may be useful
when the vehicle is stopped on a
grade. This feature is designed
to prevent the vehicle from rolling,
either forward or rearward, during
vehicle drive off. After the driver
completely stops and holds the
vehicle in a complete standstill on
a grade, HSA will be automatically
activated. During the transition
period between when the driver
releases the brake pedal and
starts to accelerate to drive off
on a grade, HSA holds the braking
pressure to ensure that there is no
rolling. The brakes will automatically
release when the accelerator pedal
is applied within the two‐second
window. It will not activate if the
vehicle is in a drive gear and facing
downhill or if the vehicle is facing
uphill and in R (Reverse).

Black plate (36,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
9-36 Driving and Operating
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 5‑21.
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.
Notice: Do not repeatedly brake
or accelerate heavily when TCS is
off. The vehicle's driveline could
be damaged.The TCS off light comes on to
indicate that the traction control
system has been turned off.
When TCS is switched off on AWD
vehicles, the system may still make
noise. This is normal and necessary
with the AWD hardware on the
vehicle.
It might be necessary to turn the
system off if the vehicle gets stuck
in sand, mud or snow and rocking
the vehicle is required. See If the
Vehicle is Stuck on page 9‑11 for
more information. See also Winter
Driving on page 9‑9 for information
on using TCS when driving in snowy
or icy conditions.

Black plate (37,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-37
To turn the system off, pressg
located on the console to the right
of the shifter.
Press and release
gand the traction
control system turns off and the
traction control system warning light
comes on. Press
gagain to turn the
system back on. For information on
turning StabiliTrak off and on, see
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) on
page 9‑37.
Adding non‐GM accessories can
affect the vehicle's performance.
See Accessories and Modifications
on page 10‑3 for more information.
Electronic Stability
Control (ESC)
The vehicle has a vehicle
stability enhancement system
called StabiliTrak. It is an advanced
computer controlled system that
assists with directional control of the
vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
StabiliTrak activates when the
computer senses a difference
between the intended path and
the direction the vehicle is actually
traveling. StabiliTrak selectively
applies braking pressure at any one
of the vehicle's brakes to help steer
the vehicle in the intended direction.
When the stability control system
activates, the Traction Control
System (TCS)/StabiliTrak light
flashes on the instrument panel.
This also occurs when traction
control is activated. A noise might
be heard or vibration might be felt
in the brake pedal. This is normal.
Continue to steer the vehicle in the
intended direction.
If there is a problem detected with
StabiliTrak, the TCS/StabiliTrak light
comes on and the system is not
operational. See Electronic Stability
Control (ESC)/Traction Control
System (TCS) Indicator/Warning
Light on page 5‑22. Driving should
be adjusted accordingly.

Black plate (39,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-39
Cruise Control
With cruise control, the vehicle can
maintain a speed of about 40 km/h
(25 mph) or more without keeping
your foot on the accelerator. Cruise
control does not work at speeds
below 40 km/h (25 mph).
On vehicles with the Traction
Control System (TCS) or Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), the system
may begin to limit wheel spin
while you are using cruise control.
If this happens, the cruise control
will automatically disengage. See
Traction Control System (TCS) on
page 9‑36orElectronic Stability
Control (ESC) on page 9‑37.
{WARNING
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. So, do not use
the cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.
The cruise control buttons are
located on the steering wheel.
5(On/Off): Press to turn the
cruise control system on and off.
An indicator light will turn on or
off in the instrument panel cluster.
\(Cancel): Press to disengage
cruise control without erasing the
set speed from memory.

Black plate (42,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
9-42 Driving and Operating
Object Detection
Systems
Ultrasonic Parking Assist
For vehicles with the Ultrasonic
Rear Parking Assist (URPA)
system, it assists the driver with
parking and avoiding objects while
in R (Reverse). URPA operates at
speeds less than 8 km/h (5 mph),
and the sensors on the rear bumper
detect objects up to 2.5 m (8 ft)
behind the vehicle, and at least
20 cm (8 in) off the ground.
{WARNING
The Ultrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA) system does not
replace driver vision. It cannot
detect:
.Objects that are below the
bumper, underneath the
vehicle, or too close or far
from the vehicle.
.Children, pedestrians,
bicyclists, or pets.
If you do not use proper care
before and while backing, vehicle
damage, injury, or death could
occur. Even with URPA, always
check behind the vehicle before
backing up. While backing, be
sure to look for objects and check
the vehicle's mirrors.
How the System Works
URPA comes on automatically
when the shift lever is moved into
R (Reverse). A single tone sounds
to indicate the system is working.
URPA operates only at speeds less
than 8 km/h (5 mph).
An obstacle is indicated by audible
beeps. The interval between
the beeps becomes shorter as
the vehicle gets closer to the
obstacle. When the distance is
less than 30 cm (12 in) the beeps
are continuous.
To be detected, objects must be at
least 20 cm (8 in) off the ground and
below trunk level. Objects must also
be within 2.5 m (8 ft) from the rear
bumper. The distance objects can
be detected may be less during
warmer or humid weather.

Black plate (44,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
9-44 Driving and Operating
Side Blind Zone
Alert (SBZA)
The vehicle may have a Side
Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) system.
Read this entire section before
using the system.
{WARNING
SBZA is only a lane changing
aid and does not replace driver
vision. SBZA does not detect:
.Vehicles outside the side
blind zones which may be
rapidly approaching.
.Pedestrians, bicyclists,
or animals.
Failure to use proper care when
changing lanes may result in
damage to the vehicle, injury,
or death. Always check the
outside and rearview mirrors,
glance over your shoulder,
and use the turn signal before
changing lanes. When the system detects a vehicle
in the side blind zone, amber
SBZA displays will light up in the
side mirrors. This indicates that it
may be unsafe to change lanes.
Before making a lane change,
always check the SBZA display,
check the outside and rearview
mirrors, look over your shoulder
for vehicles and hazards, and use
the turn signal.
SBZA Detection Zones
The SBZA sensor covers a
zone of approximately one lane
over from both sides of the vehicle,
or 3.5 m (11 ft). This zone starts
at each side mirror and goes
back approximately 5.0 m (16 ft.).
The height of the zone is
approximately between 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
and 2.0 m (6 ft) off the ground.
The SBZA detection zones do not
change if the vehicle is towing a
trailer. So be extra careful when
changing lanes while towing a
trailer.
How the System Works
Left Side Mirror
DisplayRight Side Mirror Display
When the vehicle is started, both
outside mirror displays will briefly
come on to indicate that the system
is operating. While driving forward,
the left or right side mirror SBZA
display will light up if a vehicle is
detected in that blind zone. If you
activate a turn signal and a vehicle
has been detected on the same
side, the SBZA display will flash
to give you extra warning not to
change lanes.

Black plate (46,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
9-46 Driving and Operating
SBZA Error Messages
The following messages may
appear on the infotainment display:
SIDE BLIND ZONE ALERT
SYSTEM OFF:This message
indicates that the driver has turned
the system off.
SIDE BLIND ZONE SYS.
UNAVAILABLE: This message
indicates that the SBZA system
is disabled because the sensor is
blocked and cannot detect vehicles
in the blind zone. The sensor may
be blocked by mud, dirt, snow, ice,
or slush. This message may also
activate during heavy rain or due to
road spray. The vehicle does not
need service. For cleaning, see
Exterior Care on page 10‑92. SERVICE SIDE BLIND ZONE
ALERT SYSTEM:
If this message
appears, both SBZA displays will
remain on indicating there is a
problem with the SBZA system.
If these displays remain on after
continued driving, the system needs
service. Take the vehicle to your
dealer.
FCC Information
See Radio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑20 for FCC information.
Rear Vision
Camera (RVC)
This vehicle may have an RVC
system. Read this entire section
before using it.
The RVC system can assist
the driver when backing up by
displaying a view of the area
behind the vehicle.
{WARNING
The Rear Vision Camera (RVC)
system does not replace driver
vision. RVC does not:
.Detect objects that are
outside the camera's field
of view, below the bumper,
or underneath the vehicle.
.Detect children, pedestrians,
bicyclists, or pets.
(Continued)

Black plate (47,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-47
WARNING (Continued)
Do not back the vehicle by only
looking at the RVC screen, or use
the screen during longer, higher
speed backing maneuvers or
where there could be cross-traffic.
Your judged distances using the
screen will differ from actual
distances.
If you do not use proper care
before backing up, you could
hit a vehicle, child, pedestrian,
bicyclist, or pet, resulting in
vehicle damage, injury, or death.
Even though the vehicle has
the RVC system, always check
carefully before backing up by
checking behind and around the
vehicle.An image appears on the navigation
screen with the message Check
Surroundings for Safety when the
vehicle is shifted into R (Reverse).
The navigation screen goes to the
previous screen after approximately
10 seconds once the vehicle is
shifted out of R (Reverse).
To cancel the delay, do one of the
following:
.Press a hard key on the
navigation system.
.Shift into P (Park).
.Reach a vehicle speed of
8 km/h (5 mph).
Turning the Rear Vision Camera
System On or Off
To turn the RVC system on or off:
1. Shift into P (Park).
2. Press the CONFIG button to enter the configure menu
options.
3. Select Display.
4. Select Rear Camera Options.
5. Select Camera. When a checkmark appears next to the
Camera option, then the RVC
system is on.