2011 BUICK LACROSSE center

Black plate (22,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
5-22 Instruments and Controls
Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) Indicator
Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the
system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.If the light comes on and stays
on while driving, there could be
a problem with the ESC and the
vehicle might need service. When
this warning light is on, the ESC is
off and does not limit wheel spin.
The light flashes if the system is
active and is working to assist the
driver with directional control of the
vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
For vehicles with the uplevel cluster,
this light is shown in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) screen.
See
Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) on page 9‑37 for more
information.
Electronic Stability
Control (ESC)/Traction
Control System (TCS)
Indicator/Warning Light
This light comes on when the
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
system is turned off. When the ESC
is off the Traction Control System
(TCS) is also off, and wheel spin
is not limited. If the ESC is off, the
system does not assist in controlling
the vehicle. Switch on the TCS
and the ESC and the warning
light turns off.
See Traction Control System (TCS)
on page 9‑36 andElectronic
Stability Control (ESC) on
page 9‑37 for more information.

Black plate (23,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-23
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this light
comes on briefly when the engine
is started. It provides information
about tire pressures and the TPMS.
When the Light is On Steady
This indicates that one or
more of the tires are significantly
underinflated.
A tire pressure message can
accompany the light. SeeTire
Messages on page 5‑38 for more
information. Stop as soon as
possible, and inflate the tires to
the pressure value shown on the
Tire and Loading Information label.
See Tire Pressure on page 10‑54
for more information. When the Light Flashes First and
Then is On Steady
This indicates that there may
be a problem with the TPMS.
The light flashes for about a
minute and stays on steady for
the remainder of the ignition cycle.
This sequence repeats with every
ignition cycle. See
Tire Pressure
Monitor Operation on page 10‑57
for more information.
Engine Oil Pressure Light
{WARNING
Do not keep driving if the oil
pressure is low. The engine can
become so hot that it catches fire.
Someone could be burned. Check
the oil as soon as possible and
have the vehicle serviced. Notice:
Lack of proper engine
oil maintenance can damage the
engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always follow the maintenance
schedule for changing engine oil.
The oil pressure light should come
on briefly as the engine is started.
If it does not come on have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the light comes on and stays on,
it means that oil is not flowing
through the engine properly. The
vehicle could be low on oil and
might have some other system
problem. See your dealer.
For vehicles with the uplevel cluster,
this telltale displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) screen.

Black plate (24,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
5-24 Instruments and Controls
Low Fuel Warning Light
This light, below the fuel gauge,
comes on briefly when the engine
is started.
If it does not come on have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally,
the indicator light then goes off.
This light also comes on when the
fuel tank is low on fuel. When fuel
is added the light should go off.
If it does not, have your vehicle
serviced.
For vehicles with the uplevel cluster,
this telltale displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) screen.
Security Light
This light flashes when the security
system is activated.
For more information, seeVehicle
Security on page 2‑14.
For vehicles with the uplevel cluster,
this telltale displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) screen.
High-Beam On Light
This light comes on when the
high-beam headlamps are in use.
See Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer on page 6‑2 for more
information.

Black plate (25,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-25
Front Fog Lamp Light
For vehicles with fog lamps, this
light comes on when the fog lamps
are on.
The light goes out when the fog
lamps are turned off. SeeFog
Lamps on page 6‑5 for more
information.
Taillamp Indicator Light
This light comes on when the
taillamps are in use.
Cruise Control Light
This light is white whenever the
cruise control is set and turns green
when the cruise control is active.
The light goes out when the cruise
control is turned off. See Cruise
Control on page 9‑39 for more
information.
For vehicles with the uplevel cluster,
this telltale will be shown in the
Driver Information Center (DIC)
screen.
Information Displays
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
The Driver Information Center (DIC)
displays information about the
vehicle. It also displays warning
messages if a system problem
is detected. See Vehicle Messages
on page 5‑33 for more information.
All messages appear in the DIC
display located in the center of
the instrument panel cluster.
On some models, the DIC may
have some warning lights or
indicators shown in the top portion
of the display. See Warning Lights,
Gauges, and Indicators on page 5‑9
for more information.
The vehicle may also have features
that can be customized through the
controls on the radio. See Vehicle
Personalization on page 5‑39 for
more information.

Black plate (29,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-29
Battery Voltage
This display, available on some
vehicles, shows the current battery
voltage. If the voltage is in the
normal range, the value will display.
For example, the display may
read Battery Voltage 15.0 Volts.
The vehicle's charging system
regulates voltage based on the
state of the battery. The battery
voltage can fluctuate while viewing
this information on the DIC. This is
normal. SeeCharging System Light
on page 5‑16 for more information.
If there is a problem with the battery
charging system, the DIC will
display a message
Compass
The vehicle may have a compass
display in the Driver Information
Center (DIC). See Compass on
page 5‑5 for more information.
Head-Up Display (HUD)
{WARNING
If the HUD image is too bright or
too high in your field of view, it
may take you more time to see
things you need to see when it is
dark outside. Be sure to keep the
HUD image dim and placed low in
your field of view.
For vehicles with the Head-Up
Display (HUD), some information
concerning the operation of the
vehicle is projected onto the
windshield. This includes the
speedometer reading, RPM
reading, transmission position,
outside air temperature, compass
heading and a brief display of the
current radio station, including XM
information or CD track. It will also
display turn-by-turn navigation
information if the vehicle has a
navigation radio. The images are projected through the HUD lens
located on the driver side of the
instrument panel.
Notice:
If you try to use the HUD
image as a parking aid, you
may misjudge the distance and
damage your vehicle. Do not use
the HUD image as a parking aid.
The tap shift gear will also appear
on the HUD if the vehicle has tap
shift and it is active.
The HUD information can be
displayed in one of three languages,
English, French, or Spanish.
The speedometer reading and other
numerical values can be displayed
in either English or metric units.
The language selection is changed
through the radio and the units
of measurement is changed
through the trip computer in the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
See AM-FM Radio on page 7‑12
and Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 5‑25.

Black plate (31,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-31
To adjust the HUD image so that
items are properly displayed, do the
following:
1. Adjust the driver seat to acomfortable position.
2. Start the engine.
3. Adjust the HUD controls.
Use the following settings to adjust
the HUD.
OFF: To turn HUD off, turn the HUD
dimming knob fully counterclockwise
until the HUD display turns off.
Brightness: Turn the dimming knob
clockwise or counterclockwise to
brighten or dim the display.
«(Up):ª(Down): Press the up
or down arrows to center the HUD
image in your view. The HUD image
can only be adjusted up and down,
not side to side. PAGE:
Press to select the display
formats. Release the PAGE button
when the format number with the
desired display is shown on the
HUD. If vehicle messages are
displayed, pressing PAGE may
clear the message.
The three formats are as follows:
English Shown, Metric Similar
Format One: This display gives the
speedometer reading (in English or
metric units), turn signal indication,
high‐beam indication, transmission
positions, outside air temperature,
and compass heading.
English Shown, Metric Similar
Format Two: This display
includes the information in
Format One without the
transmission information,
the outside air temperature,
and compass heading.
English Shown, Metric Similar
Format Three: This display
includes all the information in
Format One along with a circular
tachometer, but without outside air
temperature and compass heading.

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.

Black plate (38,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
5-38 Instruments and Controls
Anti-Theft Alarm System
Messages
THEFT ATTEMPTED
This message displays if the vehicle
detects a tamper condition.
Tire Messages
TIRE PRESSURE LOW ADD
AIR TO TIRE
On vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this
message displays when the
pressure in one or more of
the vehicle's tires is low.
The low tire pressure warning
light will also come on. SeeTire
Pressure Light on page 5‑23.
If a tire pressure message appears
on the DIC, stop as soon as you
can. Inflate the tires by adding air
until the tire pressure is equal to
the values shown on the Tire
and Loading Information label. See
Tires on page 10‑46, Vehicle
Load Limits on page 9‑12, and Tire
Pressure on page 10‑54.
You can receive more than one
tire pressure message at a time.
To read the other messages that
may have been sent at the same
time, press the SET/CLR button.
The DIC also shows the tire
pressure values. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑25.SERVICE TIRE MONITOR
SYSTEM
This message displays if there is
a problem with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS). See Tire
Pressure Monitor Operation on
page 10‑57 for more information.
TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
This message displays when
the system is learning new tires.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor
Operation on page 10‑57 for
more information.
Transmission Messages
SERVICE TRANSMISSION
This message displays if there is
a problem with the transmission.
See your dealer.
SHIFT TO PARK
This message displays when the
transmission needs to be shifted to
P (Park). This may appear when
attempting to remove the key if the
vehicle is not in P (Park).
TRANSMISSION HOT —IDLE
ENGINE
This message displays and a chime
sounds if the transmission fluid in
the vehicle gets hot. Driving with the
transmission fluid temperature high
can cause damage to the vehicle.
Stop the vehicle and let it idle to
allow the transmission to cool.
This message clears when the fluid
temperature reaches a safe level.