Page 45 of 462

Black plate (13,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-13
WARNING (Continued)
If the vehicle must be driven with
the liftgate, or trunk/hatch open:
.Close all of the windows.
.Fully open the air outlets
on or under the instrument
panel.
.Adjust the Climate Control
system to a setting that
brings in only outside air
and set the fan speed to the
highest setting. See Climate
Control System in the Index.
.If the vehicle has a power
liftgate, disable the power
liftgate function.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9‑27.
Remote Trunk Release
To open the trunk from the outside
the vehicle, press
Von the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter, or press the touchpad
above the license plate.
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 3‑11. Pull the release handle
to open the trunk from the inside.
Page 46 of 462

Black plate (14,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
2-14 Keys, Doors and Windows
Vehicle Security
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 5‑36 for
additional information.
Immobilizer
See Radio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑20 for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission
(FCC) rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-210/220/310.
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.
Page 67 of 462

Black plate (13,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-13
Rear Seat
Pass-Through Door
The vehicle may have a door in the
rear seat that provides access to the
trunk.
Lower the rear seat armrest to
access the pass-through door. Pull
the release handle to open the door.
To close, push and latch the door.
Safety Belts
This section of the manual
describes how to use safety belts
properly. It also describes some
things not to do with safety belts.
{WARNING
Do not let anyone ride where
a safety belt cannot be worn
properly. In a crash, if you or
your passenger(s) are not
wearing safety belts, the injuries
can be much worse. You can hit
things inside the vehicle harder
or be ejected from the vehicle.
You and your passenger(s) can
be seriously injured or killed.
In the same crash, you might
not be, if you are buckled up.
Always fasten your safety belt,
and check that your passenger(s)
are restrained properly too.
{WARNING
It is extremely dangerous to ride
in a cargo area, inside or outside
of a vehicle. In a collision, people
riding in these areas are more
likely to be seriously injured or
killed. Do not allow people to ride
in any area of your vehicle that
is not equipped with seats and
safety belts. Be sure everyone
in the vehicle is in a seat and
using a safety belt properly.
This vehicle has indicators as a
reminder to buckle the safety belts.
See Safety Belt Reminders on
page 5‑14 for additional information.
Page 114 of 462
Black plate (60,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
3-60 Seats and Restraints
3. Store the head restraint in thetrunk of the vehicle.
4. When the child restraint is removed, reinstall the head
restraint before the seating
position is used.
{WARNING
With head restraints that are
not installed and adjusted
properly, there is a greater
chance that occupants will suffer
a neck/spinal injury in a crash.
Do not drive until the head
restraints for all occupants are
installed and adjusted properly. To reinstall the head restraint:
1. Insert the head restraint posts
into the holes in the top of the
seatback. The notches (A) on
the posts must face the driver
side of the vehicle. 2. Push the head restraint down.
If necessary, press the height
adjustment release button to
further lower the head restraint.
See Head Restraints on
page 3‑2.
3. Try to move the head restraint to make sure that it is locked in
place.
Page 122 of 462
Black plate (2,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
4-2 Storage
To access the main storage area,
adjust the armrest to the rear
position and push button (A) to
open. Push button (B) to access
the upper tray.
An accessory power outlet is in the
lower area. SeePower Outlets on
page 5‑7.
Some vehicles might also have
input jacks for auxiliary audio
devices. See Auxiliary Devices
(Radio with CD) on page 7‑31
or Auxiliary Devices (Radio with
CD/DVD and MEM) on page 7‑34.Additional Storage
Features
Convenience Net
Use the convenience net located in
the trunk to store small loads as far
forward as possible. The net should
not be used to store heavy loads.
Attach the loops on each corner of
the net to the hooks located on the
sides of the trunk.
Page 157 of 462

Black plate (35,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-35
TRUNK OPEN
This message will display when
the trunk is open. Close the trunk
completely.
Engine Cooling System
Messages
A/C OFF DUE TO HIGH
ENGINE TEMP
This message displays when
the engine coolant becomes
hotter than the normal operating
temperature. To avoid added
strain on a hot engine, the
air conditioning compressor
automatically turns off. When
the coolant temperature returns
to normal, the air conditioning
compressor turns back on.
You can continue to drive
the vehicle.
If this message continues to appear,
have the system repaired by your
dealer as soon as possible to avoid
damage to the engine.
COOLANT LEVEL LOW ADD
COOLANT
This message will display if the
coolant is low. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 10‑18.
ENGINE OVERHEATED —
IDLE ENGINE
This message displays when the
engine coolant temperature is too
hot. Stop and allow the vehicle to
idle until it cools down.
ENGINE OVERHEATED —
STOP ENGINE
This message displays and a
continuous chime sounds if the
engine cooling system reaches
unsafe temperatures for operation.
Stop and turn off the vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so to avoid
severe damage. This message
clears when the engine has cooled
to a safe operating temperature.
HIGH COOLANT
TEMPERATURE
This message displays if the coolant
temperature is hot. See Engine
Overheating on page 10‑21.
Engine Oil Messages
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
This message displays when the
engine oil needs to be changed.
When you change the engine oil,
be sure to reset the Oil Life System.
See Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑13 andDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑25 for
information on how to reset the
system. See Engine Oil on
page 10‑9 andScheduled
Maintenance on page 11‑2
for more information.
Page 292 of 462

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.
Page 293 of 462

Black plate (43,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-43
PARK ASSIST OFF displays on
the Driver Information Center (DIC)
to indicate that URPA is off. The
message disappears after a short
period of time.
Turning the System On and Off
The URPA system can be turned on
and off using the park assist button
located next to the shift lever.
The park assist button lights up
when the system is on and turns
off when it has been disabled.
URPA defaults to the on setting
each time the vehicle is started.
When the System Does Not
Seem to Work Properly
SERVICE PARK ASSIST:If this
message occurs, take the vehicle
to your dealer to repair the system.
PARK ASSIST OFF: If the URPA
system does not activate due to a
temporary condition, the message
displays on the DIC. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑25 for more information.
This can occur under the following
conditions:
.The driver has disabled the
system.
.The ultrasonic sensors are not
clean. Keep the vehicle's rear
bumper free of mud, dirt, snow,
ice, and slush. For cleaning
instructions, see Exterior Care
on page 10‑92.
.An object was hanging out of the
trunk during the last drive cycle.
Once the object is removed,
URPA will return to normal
operation.
.The vehicle's bumper is
damaged. Take the vehicle to
your dealer to repair the system.
.Other conditions may affect
system performance, such as
vibrations from a jackhammer
or the compression of air brakes
on a very large truck.
If the system is still disabled after
driving forward at least 40 km/h
(25 mph), take the vehicle to your
dealer.