
Black plate (40,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
3-40 Seats and Restraints
5. If, after reinstalling the childrestraint and restarting the
vehicle, the on indicator is
still lit, turn the vehicle off.
Then slightly recline the vehicle
seatback and adjust the seat
cushion, if adjustable, to make
sure that the vehicle seatback
is not pushing the child restraint
into the seat cushion.
Also make sure the child
restraint is not trapped under
the vehicle head restraint.
If this happens, adjust the
head restraint. See Head
Restraints on page 3‑2.
6. Restart the vehicle.
If the on indicator is still lit,
secure the child in the child
restraint in a rear seat position
in the vehicle, and check with
your dealer.If the Off Indicator is Lit for an
Adult-Size Occupant
If a person of adult-size is sitting
in the right front passenger seat,
but the off indicator is lit, it could be
because that person is not sitting
properly in the seat. If this happens, use the following steps to allow the
system to detect that person and
enable the right front passenger
frontal airbag:
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Remove any additional material
from the seat, such as blankets,
cushions, seat covers, seat
heaters, or seat massagers.
3. Place the seatback in the fully upright position.
4. Have the person sit upright in the seat, centered on the seat
cushion, with legs comfortably
extended.
5. Restart the vehicle and have the person remain in this position for
two to three minutes after the on
indicator is lit.

Black plate (56,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
3-56 Seats and Restraints
{WARNING
Children can be seriously injured
or strangled if a shoulder belt
is wrapped around their neck
and the safety belt continues to
tighten. Buckle any unused safety
belts behind the child restraint
so children cannot reach them.
Pull the shoulder belt all the way
out of the retractor to set the lock,
if the vehicle has one, after the
child restraint has been installed.
Notice: Do not let the LATCH
attachments rub against the
vehicle’ s safety belts. This may
damage these parts. If necessary,
move buckled safety belts to
avoid rubbing the LATCH
attachments. Do not fold the empty rear
seat with a safety belt buckled.
This could damage the safety
belt or the seat. Unbuckle and
return the safety belt to its
stowed position, before folding
the seat.
If you need to secure more than
one child restraint in the rear seat,
see
Where to Put the Restraint on
page 3‑51.
You cannot secure three child
restraints using the LATCH anchors
in the rear seat at the same time,
but you can install two of them.
If you want to do this, install
one LATCH child restraint in
the passenger-side position, and
install the other one either in the
driver-side position or in the center
position. If you need to install child
restraints in both the center and
driver‐side position, the one in the
center seating position will need to
be secured using the vehicle safety
belts instead of the LATCH anchors. Refer to the following illustration to
learn which anchors to use.
A. Passenger Side Rear
Seating Position and Lower
Anchors 1 and 2
B. Center Rear Seating Position and Lower Anchors 3 and 4
C. Driver Side Rear Seating Position and Lower
Anchors 4 and 5

Black plate (1,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Storage 4-1
Storage
Storage Compartments
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Front Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Center Console Storage . . . . . . 4-1
Additional Storage Features
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Storage
Compartments
Glove Box
The glove box is located on the
passenger side of the instrument
panel. Lift up on the lever to open it.
Cupholders
There are removable cupholders
located in the center console.
Slide the cover (A) to access the
cupholders. Cupholders are also
located in the rear armrest.
Front Storage
The driver's storage compartment
is located near the left side of the
steering column on the bottom of
the instrument panel. Pull the cover
down to open.
Center Console Storage
The armrest can be adjusted by
sliding it to the desired position.
The center console has an upper
tray and a lower main storage area.

Black plate (1,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-1
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 5-2
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 5-2
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 5-3
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . 5-3
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Clock (Without DateDisplay) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Clock (With Date Display) . . . . . 5-6
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11 Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . 5-14
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . 5-14
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Charging System Light . . . . . . 5-16
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Indicator Light . . . . . . . 5-22
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control
System (TCS) Indicator/
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22 Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 5-23
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 5-24
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . 5-25
Taillamp Indicator Light . . . . . . 5-25
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Information Displays
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Head-Up Display (HUD) . . . . . 5-29
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 5-33
Battery Voltage and Charging Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-33
Brake System Messages . . . . 5-33
Compass Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-34
Cruise Control Messages . . . . 5-34
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-34
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35

Black plate (5,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-5
Compass
The vehicle may have a compass
display on the Driver Information
Center (DIC). The compass receives
its heading and other information
from the Global Positioning
System (GPS) antenna, StabiliTrak,
and vehicle speed information.
Avoid covering the GPS antenna
for long periods of time with objects
that may interfere with the antenna's
ability to receive a satellite signal.
SeeBackglass Antenna on
page 7‑19 andSatellite Radio
Antenna on page 7‑20 for the
location of the vehicle's antennas. The compass system is designed
to operate for a certain number of
miles or degrees of turn before
needing a signal from the GPS
satellites. When the compass
display shows CAL, drive the
vehicle for a short distance in an
open area where it can receive
a GPS signal. The compass
system will automatically determine
when the GPS signal is restored
and provide a heading again.
See
Compass Messages on
page 5‑34 for more information
on the messages that may be
displayed for the compass.
Clock (Without Date
Display)
The infotainment system controls
are used to access the time and
date settings through the menu
system. See Operation on page 7‑7
for information about how to use the
menu system.
Setting the Time
1. Press the CONFIG button and select Time Settings,
or press
H.
2. Select Set Time.

Black plate (7,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-7
Setting the Month & Day
Format
1. Press the CONFIG button andselect Time and Date Settings,
or press
H.
2. Highlight Set Date Format.
3. Press the SELECT button to select MM/DD/YY
(month/day/year) or DD/MM/YY
(day/month/year).
Setting the Auto Time Adjust
1. Press the CONFIG button andselect Time and Date Settings,
or press
H.
2. Highlight Auto Time Adjust.
3. Press the SELECT button to turn Auto Time Adjust on or off.
4. Press the SELECT button to select Time Zone, and then
select the Time Zone.
5. Press the SELECT button to turn Daylight Savings on or off.
Power Outlets
The accessory power outlets can be
used to plug in electrical equipment,
such as a cell phone or MP3 player.
There are two accessory power
outlets. One is located under the
armrest inside the center console
storage and the other is on the rear
of the center floor console.
These outlets are powered
when the ignition is in ON/RUN
or ACC/ACCESSORY, or until
the driver door is opened within
10 minutes of turning off the vehicle.
See Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) on page 9‑24.

Black plate (8,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
5-8 Instruments and Controls
Remove the cover to access and
replace when not in use.
Certain electrical accessories
may not be compatible with the
accessory power outlets and could
overload vehicle or adapter fuses.
If there is a problem, see your
dealer.
When adding electrical equipment,
be sure to follow the installation
instructions included with the
equipment. SeeAdd-On Electrical
Equipment on page 9‑62.
Notice: Hanging heavy
equipment from the power
outlet can cause damage not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
The power outlets are designed
for accessory power plugs only,
such as cell phone charge cords. Power Outlet 110 Volt Alternating
Current
The vehicle may have a power
outlet that can be used to plug
in electrical equipment with a
maximum limit of 150 watts.
The power outlet is located on the
rear of the center console.An indicator light on the outlet
comes on when in use. The light
comes on when the ignition is in
ON/RUN and equipment requiring
less than 150 watts is plugged into
the outlet, and no system fault is
detected.
If you try to connect equipment
using more than 150 watts or
a system fault is detected, the
equipment may operate for a
short period and turn itself off.
A protection circuit shuts off the
power supply and the indicator
light turns off. To reset the circuit,
unplug the item and plug it back
in or turn the Remote Accessory
Power (RAP) off and then back on.

Black plate (20,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
5-20 Instruments and Controls
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.
SeeAntilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light on page 5‑21 and
Towing the Vehicle on page 10‑89.
{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
EnglishMetric
For vehicles with the Electric
Parking Brake (EPB), the parking
brake status light comes on
when the brake is applied. If the
light continues flashing after the
parking brake is 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).
See Brake System Messages on
page 5‑33 for more information.
If the light does not come on,
or remains flashing, see your dealer.
For vehicles with the Electric
Parking Brake (EPB), the parking
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 parking
brake system to work at a reduced
level. The vehicle can still be driven,
but should be taken to a dealer
as soon as possible. See Parking
Brake on page 9‑33 for more
information.
For vehicles with the uplevel cluster,
this telltale displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) screen.