2011 BUICK LACROSSE ignition

Black plate (15,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-15
The key uses a transponder that
matches an immobilizer control unit
in the vehicle and automatically
disarms the system. Only the
correct key starts the vehicle.
The vehicle may not start if the
key is damaged.
The security light, located in the
instrument panel cluster, comes on
if there is a problem with arming
or disarming the theft-deterrent
system.
When trying to start the vehicle, the
security light comes on briefly when
the ignition is turned on.If the engine does not start and the
security light stays on, there is a
problem with the system. Turn the
ignition off and try again.
If the engine still does not start, and
the key appears to be undamaged
or the light continues to stay on,
try another ignition key.
If the engine still does not start
with the other key, the vehicle needs
service. If the vehicle does start,
the first key may be damaged.
See your dealer who can service
the theft-deterrent system and
have a new key made.
Do not leave the key or device
that disarms or deactivates the
theft-deterrent system in the vehicle.
Immobilizer Operation
(Keyless 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 transmitter
leaves the vehicle.
The immobilization system is
disarmed when the ignition button
is pushed in and a valid transmitter
is found in the vehicle.
The security light, located in the
instrument panel cluster, comes on
if there is a problem with arming
or disarming the theft-deterrent
system.

Black plate (16,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
2-16 Keys, Doors and Windows
The system has one or more
transmitters that are matched to
an immobilizer control unit in your
vehicle. Only a correctly matched
transmitter will start the vehicle.
If the transmitter is ever damaged,
you may not be able to start your
vehicle.
When trying to start the vehicle, the
security light comes on briefly when
the ignition is turned on.
If the engine does not start and the
security light stays on, there is a
problem with the system. Turn the
ignition off and try again.If the RKE appears to be
undamaged, try another
transmitter. Or, you may try
placing the transmitter in the
transmitter pocket located in the
center console. See
“No Remote
Detected” underKey and Lock
Messages on page 5‑36.
If the engine does not start with
the other transmitter or when the
transmitter is on the pocket in the
center console, your vehicle needs
service. See your dealer who can
service the theft-deterrent system
and have a new transmitter
programmed to the vehicle.
Do not leave the key or device
that disarms or deactivates the
theft-deterrent system in the vehicle.Exterior Mirrors
Power Mirrors
To adjust the mirrors:
1. Turn the control knob to the L (left) or R (right) selecting the
driver or passenger mirror.
2. Push the control knob to the left, right, up, or down to adjust the
mirror.

Black plate (17,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-17
Vehicles with the memory feature
can store a preferred mirror position.
See“Memory Seats” underPower
Seat Adjustment on page 3‑5 for
more information.
Folding Mirrors
Manual Foldaway Mirrors
The mirrors on vehicles with manual
folded mirrors are folded inward
to prevent damage when going
through an automatic car wash.
To fold, pull the mirror toward the
vehicle. Push the mirror outward
to return it to the original position.
Automatic Dimming Feature
The driver outside mirror
automatically adjusts for the glare
of the headlamps behind you.
Turn Signal Indicator
The vehicle may have a turn signal
indicator lamp built into the mirror
housing. The turn signal lamp
flashes with the use of the vehicle's
turn signal and hazard flashers.
Heated Mirrors
For vehicles with heated mirrors:
<(Rear Window Defogger):
Press to heat the mirrors.
See “Rear Window Defogger” under
Automatic Climate Control System
on page 8‑1 for more information.
Park Tilt Mirrors
If the vehicle is equipped with
memory mirrors, there is an option
to have the mirrors tilt down, when
in R (Reverse), to more easily see
the ground near the vehicle.
When the vehicle is shifted to
R (Reverse), both the driver and
passenger mirrors will tilt downward.
They will return to their previous
position when the vehicle is shifted
out of R (Reverse), the ignition is
turned to OFF, or the vehicle is left
in R (Reverse) for an extended
period of time.
This feature can be turned on or off.
SeeVehicle Personalization on
page 5‑39.

Black plate (19,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-19
Power Windows
The power window switches located
on the driver door control all four
windows. The passenger doors
have a window switch that controls
that window. Push the switch down
to open the window. Pull the front
of the switch up to close it.The switches work when
the ignition is in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY, or in Retained
Accessory Power (RAP). See
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
on page 9‑24.
Express Window Operation
Windows with an express-up
or down feature allow the front
windows to be lowered or raised
without holding the switch. Rear
windows only have express-down.
Pull a window switch up or push
it down all the way, release it,
and the window goes down or up
automatically. Stop the window
by pushing or pulling the switch.
Rear Window Lockout
The rear window lockout button
is on the driver door. Press
vto
disable the rear window controls.
The light on the button comes on
indicating the feature is in use.
The rear windows can still be raised
or lowered using the driver window
switches when the lockout feature is
active. To restore power to the rear
windows, press the button again.
The light on the button goes out.
If the light flashes, the feature
may not be working properly.
This switch also activates the
safety locks. See Safety Locks on
page 2‑12.

Black plate (20,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
2-20 Keys, Doors and Windows
Programming the Power
Windows
If the battery on the vehicle has
been recharged, disconnected,
or is not working, you will need to
reprogram each front power window
for the express-up feature to work.
Before reprogramming, replace or
recharge the vehicle's battery.
To program each front window:
1. With the ignition in ON/RUNor ACC/ACCESSORY, or in
Retained Accessory Power
(RAP), close all doors.
2. Press and hold the power window switch until the window
is fully open.
3. Pull the power window switch up until the window is fully closed.
4. Continue holding the switch up for approximately two seconds
after the window is completely
closed. The window is now reprogrammed.
Repeat the process for the other
windows.
Sun Visors
Pull the sun visor down to block
glare. Detach the sun visor from
the center mount to pivot to the side
window, or to extend along the rod,
if available.
Rear Window Sunshade
On vehicles with a rear window
sunshade, the switch is on the
console to the right of the shifter.
The sunshade only operates
when the ignition is in ON/RUN
or ACC/ACCESSORY.
To open the sunshade, press and
release the switch. The sunshade
will fully extend. To close the
sunshade, press and release the
switch again. The sunshade will
fully close.
If the vehicle is shifted into
R (Reverse) when the sunshade is
extended, it will automatically close.

Black plate (21,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-21
Roof
Sunroof
On vehicles with a sunroof, the
switch is located on the overhead
console.The sunroof only operates
when the ignition is in ON/RUN
or ACC/ACCESSORY, or in
Retained Accessory Power (RAP).
See
Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) on page 9‑24.
Vent
The sunroof has an express-vent
open feature. From the closed
position, press the rear of the
sunroof switch (B) to the first
detent to vent the sunroof.
To close the sunroof, press the
front of the sunroof switch (A)
to the second detent.
Express-Open/Express-Close
To express-open the sunroof from
the closed or vent position, fully
press and release the rear of the
switch (B). The sunroof opens
automatically. To stop the sunroof
partway, press the switch a second
time. To express-close the sunroof,
fully press and release the front of
the switch (A). The sunroof closes
automatically. To stop the sunroof
partway, press the switch a
second time.
If the sunshade is closed, it opens
automatically with the sunroof
but can also be express-opened/
express-closed by using the
sunshade control (C) or (D).
The sunshade cannot be fully
closed with the sunroof open.

Black plate (5,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-5
Power Seat Adjustment
To adjust a power seat:
.Move the seat forward or
rearward by sliding the control
forward or rearward.
.Raise or lower the front or rear
part of the seat cushion by
moving the front or rear of
the control up or down.
.Raise or lower the entire seat
by moving the entire control up
or down.
Memory Seats
On vehicles with the memory
feature, the“1”and “2”buttons
on the outboard side of the driver
seat are used to manually save
and recall the driver seat and
outside mirror positions. These
manually stored positions are
referred to as Button Memory
positions. The vehicle will also automatically
save driver seat and outside
mirror positions to the current
driver Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter when the ignition is
placed in OFF. These automatically
stored positions are referred
to as RKE Memory positions.
See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2‑4
for more information.
Storing Button Memory Positions
To save positions into Button
Memory:
1. Adjust the driver seat, seatback recliner, and both outside mirrors
to the desired driving positions.
2. Press and release the MEM (Memory) button.
3. Press “1”until a beep sounds.
4. Repeat Steps 1 through 3 for a second driver using “2.”

Black plate (6,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
3-6 Seats and Restraints
Recalling Button Memory
Positions
To recall the manually saved
Button Memory positions, press
and hold“1”or“2.” The driver seat
and outside mirrors move to the
positions stored to those buttons
when pressed. Releasing “1”or“2”
before the stored positions are
reached stops the recall.
If something has blocked the
driver seat while recalling a
memory position, the recall may
stop. Remove the obstruction;
then press and hold the appropriate
manual control for the memory item
that is not recalling for two seconds.
Try recalling the memory position
again by pressing the appropriate
memory button. If the memory
position is still not recalling,
see your dealer for service. Recalling RKE Memory Positions
(Memory Remote Recall)
The Memory Remote Recall
feature can recall the driver seat
and outside mirrors to previously
stored RKE Memory positions
when entering the vehicle.
Every time the ignition is placed
in OFF, the positions of the driver
seat and outside mirrors are
automatically stored to the RKE
transmitter that was used to start
the vehicle. These positions are
called RKE Memory positions and
may be different than the previously
mentioned Button Memory positions
saved to the
“1”or“2” buttons. To automatically recall RKE
Memory positions, unlock
the driver door with the RKE
transmitter, and open the driver
door. On vehicles with Keyless
Access, opening the driver door
when an RKE transmitter is
present will activate the RKE
Memory recall. If the driver door
is already open, pressing the
RKE transmitter
Kbutton will also
activate the RKE Memory recall.
The driver seat and outside mirrors
will move to the previously saved
RKE Memory positions.