2011 BUICK LACROSSE fuel

Black plate (27,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-27
Digital Speedometer
The speedometer shows how fast
the vehicle is moving in either
kilometers per hour (km/h) or miles
per hour (mph). The speedometer
cannot be reset.
Trip 1 and Trip 2
This display shows the current
distance traveled, in either
kilometers (km) or miles (mi), since
the last reset for the trip odometer.
The trip odometer can be reset to
zero by pressing SET/CLR while
the trip odometer display is
showing.
Fuel Range
This display shows the approximate
distance the vehicle can be driven
without refueling. The fuel range
estimate is based on an average
of the vehicle's fuel economy
over recent driving history and the
amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank. Fuel range cannot be reset.Average Fuel Economy
This display shows the
approximate average liters per
100 kilometers (L/100 km) or miles
per gallon (mpg). This number is
calculated based on the number
of L/100 km (mpg) recorded since
the last time this menu item was
reset. The fuel economy can be
reset by pressing SET/CLR while
the Average Fuel Economy display
is showing.
Average Vehicle Speed
This display shows the average
speed of the vehicle in miles
per hour (mph) or kilometers
per hour (km/h). This average is
calculated based on the various
vehicle speeds recorded since
the last reset of this value.
The average speed can be reset
by pressing SET/CLR while the
Average Vehicle Speed display
is showing.
Timer
This display can be used as
a timer. To start the timer, press
SET/CLR while Timer is displayed.
The display will show the amount of
time that has passed since the timer
was last reset, not including time the
ignition is off. Time will continue to
be counted as long as the ignition is
on, even if another display is being
shown on the DIC. The timer will
record up to 99 hours, 59 minutes
and 59 seconds (99:59:59) after
which the display will return to zero.
To stop the timer, press SET/CLR
briefly while Timer is displayed.
To reset the timer to zero, press
and hold SET/CLR.
Turn-by-Turn
This display is used for the OnStar
or Navigation System Turn-by-Turn
guidance. See the OnStar manual
or the Navigation manual, if the
vehicle has navigation, for more
information.

Black plate (30,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
5-30 Instruments and Controls
HUD Display on the VehicleWindshield
The HUD information appears as an
image focused out toward the front
of the vehicle.
When the ignition key is turned to
ON/RUN, the HUD will display an
introductory message for a short
time, until the HUD is ready. The following indicator lights come
on the instrument panel when
activated and also appear on
the HUD:
.Turn Signal Indicators
.High-Beam Indicator Symbol
The HUD temporarily displays
some vehicle warnings, such as
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE and
FUEL LEVEL LOW when these
messages are on the DIC trip
computer.
The HUD also displays the following
messages on vehicles with these
systems, when they are active:
.TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE
.STABILITRAK ACTIVE
When the HUD is on, the
speedometer reading is continually
displayed. The current radio
station or CD track number will
display for a short period of time after the radio or CD track status
changes. This happens whenever
radio information is changed.
The speedometer size is reduced
when radio, CD information,
warnings, or turn-by-turn navigation
information are displayed on
the HUD.
The HUD control is located to the
left of the steering wheel.

Black plate (36,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
5-36 Instruments and Controls
ENGINE OIL HOT, IDLE
ENGINE
This message displays when the
engine oil temperature is too hot.
Stop and allow the vehicle to idle
until it cools down.
ENGINE OIL LOW—ADD OIL
This message displays when the
engine oil level is too low. Check
the oil level. See Engine Oil on
page 10‑9.
OIL PRESSURE LOW —STOP
ENGINE
This message displays if low oil
pressure levels occur. Stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible
and do not operate it until the cause
of the low oil pressure has been
corrected. Check the oil as soon
as possible and have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer.
Engine Power Messages
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message displays when the
vehicle's engine power is reduced.
Reduced engine power can affect
the vehicle's ability to accelerate.
If this message is on, but there
is no reduction in performance,
proceed to your destination.
The performance may be reduced
the next time the vehicle is driven.
The vehicle may be driven at a
reduced speed while this message
is on, but maximum acceleration
and speed may be reduced.
Anytime this message stays on,
the vehicle should be taken to
your dealer for service as soon
as possible.
Fuel System Messages
FUEL LEVEL LOW
This message displays when the
vehicle is low on fuel. Refuel as
soon as possible.
TIGHTEN GAS CAP
This message displays when the
fuel cap is not on tight. Tighten the
fuel cap.
Key and Lock Messages
NO REMOTE DETECTED
This message displays when the
transmitter battery is weak on
vehicles with keyless access.
See “Starting the Vehicle with
a Low Transmitter Battery” under
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2‑4
for more information.
REPLACE BATTERY IN
REMOTE KEY
This message displays when the
battery in the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter needs
to be replaced.

Black plate (2,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
9-2 Driving and Operating
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-50
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . 9-50
Gasoline Specifications(U.S. and Canada Only) . . . . 9-51
California Fuel
Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-51
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 9-52
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-52
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-53
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-55
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-56
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-60
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 9-61
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-62
Driving Information
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always
expect the unexpected.” The first
step in driving defensively is to wear
the safety belt. See Safety Belts on
page 3‑13.
{WARNING
Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and other
drivers) are going to be careless
and make mistakes. Anticipate
what they might do and be ready.
In addition:
.Allow enough following
distance between you and
the driver in front of you.
.Focus on the task of driving.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
Driver distraction can cause
collisions resulting in injury or
possible death. These simple
defensive driving techniques
could save your life.
Drunk Driving
{WARNING
Drinking and then driving is
very dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by
even a small amount of alcohol.
You can have a serious —or
even fatal —collision if you drive
after drinking. Do not drink and
drive or ride with a driver who has
been drinking. Ride home in a
cab; or if you are with a group,
designate a driver who will not
drink.

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 (15,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-15
Example 3
A.
Vehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 3 = 453 kg
(1,000 lbs).
B.Subtract Occupant Weight
@ 91 kg (200 lbs) × 5 =
453 kg (1,000 lbs).
C.Available Cargo
Weight = 0 kg (0 lbs).
Refer to the vehicle's Tire and
Loading Information label for
specific information about the
vehicle's capacity weight and seating positions. The combined
weight of the driver, passengers,
and cargo should never exceed
the vehicle's capacity weight.
Certification Label
Label Example
A vehicle-specific Certification
label is attached to the driver
side center pillar (B-pillar).
The label tells the gross weight
capacity of the vehicle, called
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR). The GVWR includes
the weight of the vehicle, alloccupants, fuel, and cargo.
Never exceed the GVWR for
the vehicle, or the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR) for either
the front or rear axle.
And, if there is a heavy load,
it should be spread out.
See
“Steps for Determining
Correct Load Limit” earlier
in this section.
{WARNING
Do not load the vehicle
any heavier than the
Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR), or either the
maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
This can cause systems to
break and change the way the
vehicle handles. This could
cause loss of control and a
crash. Overloading can also
shorten the life of the vehicle.

Black plate (23,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-23
2. If the engine does not start after5‐10 seconds, especially in very
cold weather (below −18°C or
0°F), it could be flooded with too
much gasoline. Try pushing the
accelerator pedal all the way
to the floor and holding it there
as you hold the key in START,
or press the START button, for
up to a maximum of 15 seconds.
Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to allow the
cranking motor to cool down.
When the engine starts, let go
of the key or button, and the
accelerator. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again,
do the same thing. This clears
the extra gasoline from the
engine. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and
transmission gently until the
oil warms up and lubricates
all moving parts.Engine Heater
The engine coolant heater,
if available, can help in cold weather
conditions at or below −18°C (0°F)
for easier starting and better fuel
economy during engine warm-up.
Plug in the coolant heater at least
four hours before starting the
vehicle. An internal thermostat in
the plug-end of the cord will prevent
engine coolant heater operation at
temperatures above −18°C (0°F).
To Use the Engine Coolant
Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the
electrical cord.
V6 Engine
The electrical cord is located
on the driver side of the
engine compartment, between
the fender and the engine
compartment fuse block on
vehicles with a six cylinder
engine.

Black plate (30,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
9-30 Driving and Operating
D (Drive):This position is for
normal driving. It provides the
best fuel economy. If more power
is needed for passing, and the
vehicle is:
.Going less than 56 km/h
(35 mph), push the accelerator
pedal about halfway down.
.Going about 56 km/h (35 mph) or
more, push the accelerator all
the way down.
Notice: If the vehicle seems to
accelerate slowly or not shift
gears when you go faster, and
you continue to drive the vehicle
that way, you could damage the
transmission. Have the vehicle
serviced right away. You can
drive in L (Low) when you are
driving less than 56 km/h (35 mph)
and D (Drive) for higher speeds
until then.
Manual Mode: This position is
shown on the shifter as a +/−.
It allows the driver to select the
gears appropriate for current driving
conditions. See Manual Mode on
page 9‑30 for more information.
Manual Mode
Driver Shift Control (DSC)
Notice:If you drive the vehicle
at a high rpm without upshifting
while using Driver Shift Control
(DSC), you could damage the
vehicle. Always upshift when
necessary while using DSC.
Driver Shift Control (DSC)
allows you to shift an automatic
transmission similar to a manual
transmission. To use the DSC
feature:
With Selective Ride Control
1. Move the shift lever to the left from D (Drive).
The vehicle will be in Sport
Mode. The gear indicator in
the DIC will still display a D for
Drive, and the SPORT MODE
ON message will be displayed
momentarily. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑25. When you are in
Sport Mode, the vehicle will still shift automatically, but
chassis tuning is modified.
See
Selective Ride Control on
page 9‑38. If you move the
shift lever forward or rearward,
the transmission will enter
Manual Mode, and the DIC
gear indicator will change to
an M followed by a number
representing the gear the
vehicle is currently in.
2. In Manual Mode, press the shift lever forward to upshift
or rearward to downshift.
Without Selective Ride Control
1. Move the shift lever to the left from D (Drive).
The transmission will enter
Manual Mode. The DIC gear
indicator will change to an
M followed by a number
representing the gear the
vehicle is currently in.
2. In Manual Mode, press the shift lever forward to upshift
or rearward to downshift.