2011 BUICK LACROSSE battery

Black plate (7,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Lighting 6-7
The battery can be discharged at
idle if the electrical loads are very
high. This is true for all vehicles.
This is because the generator
(alternator) may not be spinning
fast enough at idle to produce
all the power needed for very
high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when
several of the following are on,
such as: headlamps, high beams,
fog lamps, rear window defogger,
climate control fan at high speed,
heated seats, engine cooling fans,
trailer loads, and loads plugged into
accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive
discharge of the battery. It does this
by balancing the generator's output
and the vehicle's electrical needs.It can increase engine idle speed
to generate more power, whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce
the power demands of some
accessories.
Normally, these actions occur
in steps or levels, without being
noticeable. In rare cases at the
highest levels of corrective action,
this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a Driver Information
Center (DIC) message might be
displayed, such as BATTERY
SAVER ACTIVE, BATTERY
VOLTAGE LOW, or LOW BATTERY.
If one of these messages displays,
it is recommended that the driver
reduce the electrical loads as much
as possible. See
Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑25.Battery Power Protection
The battery saver feature is
designed to protect the vehicle's
battery.
If the exterior lamps or any interior
light is left on and the ignition is
turned off, the battery rundown
protection system automatically
turns the lamp off after about
10 minutes.

Black plate (19,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Infotainment System 7-19
Radio Reception
Frequency interference and
static can occur during normal
radio reception if items such as
cellular phone chargers, vehicle
convenience accessories, and
external electronic devices are
plugged into the accessory power
outlet. If there is interference or
static, unplug the item from the
accessory power outlet.
FM
FM signals only reach about
16 to 65 km (10 to 40 mi). Although
the radio has a built-in electronic
circuit that automatically works to
reduce interference, some static
can occur, especially around tall
buildings or hills, causing the
sound to fade in and out.
AM
The range for most AM stations is
greater than for FM, especially at
night. The longer range can cause
station frequencies to interfere
with each other. For better radio
reception, most AM radio stations
boost the power levels during the
day, and then reduce these levels
during the night. Static can also
occur when things like storms and
power lines interfere with radio
reception. When this happens, try
reducing the treble on the radio.
XM™Satellite Radio Service
XM satellite radio service gives
digital radio reception from coast
to coast in the 48 contiguous
United States, and in Canada.
Just as with FM, tall buildings or
hills can interfere with satellite radio
signals, causing the sound to fade
in and out. In addition, traveling
or standing under heavy foliage,
bridges, garages, or tunnels may
cause loss of the XM signal for a
period of time.
Cellular Phone Usage
Cellular phone usage may cause
interference with the vehicle's radio.
This interference may occur when
making or receiving phone calls,
charging the phone's battery,
or simply having the phone on.
This interference can cause an
increased level of static while
listening to the radio. If static is
received while listening to the
radio, unplug the cellular phone
and turn it off.
Backglass Antenna
The AM-FM antenna is integrated
with the rear window defogger,
located in the rear window. Make
sure that the inside surface of the
rear window is not scratched and
that the lines on the glass are not
damaged. If the inside surface is
damaged, it could interfere with
radio reception. For proper radio
reception, the antenna connector
needs to be properly attached to
the post on the glass.

Black plate (37,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Infotainment System 7-37
Before Driving
The RSE is for rear seat
passengers only. The driver
cannot safely view the video
screen while driving.
In severe or extreme weather
conditions, the RSE system may
not work until the temperature
is within the operating range.
The operating range is above
−20°C (−4°F) and below
60°C (140°F). If the temperature
is outside of this range, heat
or cool the vehicle until it is
within the operating range.
Global Off
Depending on the infotainment
system, the RSE system may
have a Global Off feature.
The Global Off feature disables
all RSE system features. Press
and hold the radio power button formore than three seconds for Global
Off to disable the RSE features.
On some infotainment systems, the
Global Off feature can be turned off
by performing one of the following:
.Press and hold the radio
power button for more than
three seconds.
.Insert or eject any disc.
.Insert a DVD video disc.
.Press the remote control power
button.
.Press the MEM/DVD/AUX button
or
kwhen a DVD video disc is
in the player.
.Press the SRC button on the
steering wheel when a DVD
video disc is in the player.
.Cycle the ignition.
Headphones
A. Battery Cover
B. Channel 1 or 2 Switch
C. Power Button
D. Volume Control
E. Power Indicator Light
RSE includes two 2-channel
wireless headphones. Channel 1
is dedicated to the DVD player,
and Channel 2 is dedicated
to any external auxiliary device
connected to the A/V jacks.

Black plate (38,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
7-38 Infotainment System
The headphones are used to listen
to various multi‐media. The wireless
headphones have an On/Off button,
channel 1/2 switch, and a volume
control. Turn the headphones off
when not in use.
Push the On/Off button to turn
on the headphones. A light on
the headphones comes on. If the
light does not come on, check the
batteries. Intermittent sound or static
can also indicate weak batteries.
See“Battery Replacement” later in
this section for more information.
Infrared transmitters are on the
top of the left seatback video
screen. The headphones shut off
automatically to save the battery
power if the RSE system is shut
off or if the headphones are out
of range of the transmitters for
more than three minutes. Moving
too far forward or stepping out of the
vehicle can cause the headphones
to lose the signal or have static. To adjust the volume on the
headphones, use the volume
control.
For optimal audio performance, the
headphones must be worn correctly.
Headphones should be worn with
the headband over the top of the
head for best audio reception.
The symbol L (Left) appears on the
outside bottom edge of the ear cup
and should be positioned on the left
ear. The symbol R (Right) appears
on the outside bottom edge of the
ear cup and should be positioned
on the right ear.
Notice:
Do not store the
headphones in heat or direct
sunlight. This could damage
the headphones and repairs will
not be covered by the warranty.
Storage in extreme cold can
weaken the batteries. Keep the
headphones stored in a cool,
dry place. If the foam ear pads attached to
the headphones become worn or
damaged, the pads can be replaced
separately from the headphone set.
To purchase replacement ear pads,
call 1‐888‐293‐3332, then prompt
zero (0), or contact your dealer.
Battery Replacement
To change the batteries:
1. Loosen the screw to the battery
door located on the left side of
the headphones.
2. Slide the battery door open.
3. Replace the two AAA batteries.
4. Replace the battery door and tighten the screw.
Remove the batteries if the
headphones are not going to be
used for a long period of time.

Black plate (41,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Infotainment System 7-41
Video Screen Input Jack
Each video screen is equipped
with a video input jack to allow
video cables to be connected
from an auxiliary device such as
a camcorder or a video game
system. This signal will override
any video provided by the RSE
system; either the DVD or auxiliary
A/V jack source. The RSE system
must be on for this input to operate.
Remote Control
To use the remote control, aim it
at the transmitter window at either
seatback console and press thebutton. Direct sunlight or very bright
light could affect the ability of the
RSE transmitter to receive signals
from the remote control. Check
the batteries if the remote control
does not seem to be working. See
“Battery Replacement”
later in this
section. Objects blocking the line of
sight could also affect the function
of the remote control.
If a CD, DVD, or MP3 disc is in the
Radio DVD slot, the remote control
Obutton can be used to turn on
the video screen display and start
the disc. The infotainment system
can also turn on the video screen
display. See CD/DVD Player on
page 7‑23 or the separate
navigation system manual for
more information.
Notice: Storing the remote
control in a hot area or in direct
sunlight can damage it, and the
repairs will not be covered by the
warranty. Storage in extreme cold
can weaken the batteries. Keep
the remote control stored in a
cool, dry place. Remote Control Buttons
O(Power):
Press to turn the video
screens on and off.
P(Illumination): Press to turn
the remote control backlight on.
The backlight times out after
several seconds if no other
button is pressed.
v(Title): Press to return to
the main menu of the DVD. This
function could vary for each disc.
y(Main Menu): Press to access
the DVD menu. The DVD menu is
different on every DVD. Use the
navigation arrows to move the
cursor. After making a selection
press the enter button. This button
only operates when using a DVD.
n,q,p,o(Menu Navigation
Arrows): Use the arrow buttons to
navigate through a menu.
r(Enter): Press to select the
highlighted choice in any menu.

Black plate (43,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Infotainment System 7-43
The AUX button also controls the
source display between the left and
right video screens as described in
the table below:Aux
Button
Press Left
Screen Right
Screen
Default
State (No
Press) DVD
Media DVD
Media
First
Press Aux Video
Source Aux Video
Source
Second Press DVD
Media Aux Video
Source
Third
Press Aux Video
Source DVD
Media
Fourth Press Return to
DefaultState Return to
DefaultState2(Camera): Press to change
the camera angle on DVDs that
have this feature when the DVD
is playing.
\(Clear) (If Available): Press
this button within three seconds
after inputting a numeric selection,
to clear all numeric inputs.
}10 (Double Digit Entries)
(If Available): Press this button
to select chapter or track numbers
greater than 9. Press this button
before inputting the number.
1 through 0 (Numeric Keypad):
The numbered keypad provides the
capability of direct chapter or track
number selection. Replacing the Remote Control
If the remote control becomes
lost or damaged, a new universal
remote control can be purchased.
Use a Toshiba
®code set for
replacement universal remote
controls.
Battery Replacement
To change the remote control
batteries:
1. Slide back the rear cover on the remote control.
2. Replace the two batteries in the compartment.
3. Replace the battery cover.
Remove the batteries from the
remote control if unused for an
extended period of time.

Black plate (11,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-11
To save fuel, run the engine for only
short periods as needed to warm
the vehicle and then shut the engine
off and close the window most of
the way to save heat. Repeat this
until help arrives but only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the
cold. Moving about to keep warm
also helps.
If it takes some time for help to
arrive, now and then when you run
the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine
runs faster than the idle speed.
This keeps the battery charged to
restart the vehicle and to signal for
help with the headlamps. Do this
as little as possible to save fuel.If the Vehicle is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the
traction system off and use the
rocking method.
{WARNING
If the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and
you or others could be injured.
The vehicle can overheat,
causing an engine compartment
fire or other damage. Spin the
wheels as little as possible and
avoid going above 55 km/h
(35 mph).
For information about using tire
chains on the vehicle, see Tire
Chains on page 10‑69.
Rocking the Vehicle to Get
it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around
the front wheels. Turn off any
traction system. Shift back and
forth between R (Reverse) and a
forward gear, spinning the wheels
as little as possible. To prevent
transmission wear, wait until the
wheels stop spinning before shifting
gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while shifting, and press
lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear.
Slowly spinning the wheels in the
forward and reverse directions
causes a rocking motion that could
free the vehicle. If that does not
get the vehicle out after a few tries,
it might need to be towed out.
If the vehicle does need to be
towed out, see Towing the Vehicle
on page 10‑89.

Black plate (18,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
9-18 Driving and Operating
In an emergency, if the vehicle must
be shut off while driving:
1. Brake using a firm and steadypressure. Do not pump the
brakes repeatedly. This may
deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be done while the
vehicle is moving. After shifting
to N (Neutral), firmly apply the
brakes and steer the vehicle to
a safe location.
3. Come to a complete stop, shift to P (Park), and turn the ignition
to LOCK/OFF. On vehicles with
an automatic transmission, the
shift lever must be in P (Park)
to turn the ignition switch to
the LOCK/OFF position.
4. Set the parking brake. See Parking Brake on
page 9‑33.{WARNING
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of power
assist in the brake and steering
systems and disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the
vehicle off in an emergency.
5. If the vehicle must be shut off while driving, turn the ignition to
ACC/ACCESSORY.
The ignition switch can bind in the
LOCK/OFF position with the wheels
turned off center. If this happens,
move the steering wheel from
right to left while turning the key
to ACC/ACCESSORY. If this does
not work, then the vehicle needs
service.
B (ACC/ACCESSORY): This
position provides power to some of
the electrical accessories. It unlocks
the ignition. To move the key from
ACC/ACCESSORY to LOCK/OFF,
the shift lever must be in P (Park). C (ON/RUN):
The ignition
switch stays in this position
when the engine is running.
This position can be used to
operate the electrical accessories,
including the ventilation fan and
12‐volt power outlet, as well as to
display some warning and indicator
lights. The transmission is also
unlocked in this position.
The battery could be drained if the
key is left in the ACC/ACCESSORY
or ON/RUN position with the engine
off. The vehicle might not restart if
the battery is allowed to drain for an
extended period of time.
D (START): This position starts
the engine. When the engine starts,
release the key. The ignition switch
will return to ON/RUN for normal
driving.
A warning tone sounds when the
driver door is opened when the
ignition is still in ACC/ACCESSORY
and the key is in the ignition.