
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 (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 (32,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
5-32 Instruments and Controls
All formats will show the turn-by-turn
navigation information and provide
details about the next driving
maneuver to be made. When
you near your destination, the
HUD will display a distance bar
that will empty the closer you get
to your destination. All navigation
information is provided to the HUD
by the navigation radio or OnStar
®
service, for vehicles that have these
features.
English Shown, Metric Similar
The HUD image displayed on
the windshield will automatically
dim and brighten to compensate
for outside lighting. However, the
HUD brightness control can still
be adjusted as needed. The HUD image can temporarily
light up depending on the angle
and position of the sunlight on the
HUD display. This is normal and
will change when the angle of
the sunlight on the HUD display
changes.
Polarized sunglasses could make
the HUD image harder to see.
Care of the HUD
Clean the inside of the windshield
as needed to remove any dirt or film
that could reduce the sharpness or
clarity of the HUD image.
To clean the HUD lens, use a soft,
clean cloth that has household glass
cleaner sprayed on it. Wipe the
HUD lens gently, then dry it. Do not
spray cleaner directly on the lens
because the cleaner could leak into
the unit.
If You Cannot See the HUD
Image When the Ignition Is On
.Is anything covering the
HUD lens?
.Is the HUD dimmer setting bright
enough?
.Is the HUD image adjusted to
the proper height?
.Are you wearing polarized
sunglasses?
.Still no HUD image? Check the
fuse in the instrument panel fuse
block. See
Instrument Panel
Fuse Block on page 10‑42.
If the HUD Image Is Not Clear
.Is the HUD image too bright?
.Are the windshield and HUD
lens clean?
If the HUD image is not correct,
contact your dealer.
Keep in mind that the windshield is
part of the HUD system.

Black plate (1,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Lighting 6-1
Lighting
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lamps OffReminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Automatic Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4 Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . 6-4
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Sun Visor Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Battery Load Management . . . . 6-6
Battery Power Protection . . . . . . 6-7
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls
The exterior lamp control is located
on the instrument panel on the
outboard side of the steering wheel.

Black plate (2,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
6-2 Lighting
Turn the control to the following
positions:
O(Off):Turns off the exterior
lamps. The knob returns to the
AUTO position after it is released.
Turn to off again to reactivate the
AUTO mode.
AUTO (Automatic): Automatically
turns the exterior lamps on and off,
depending on outside lighting.
The current status of the AUTO
system is displayed in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) uplevel
display. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑25.
;(Parking Lamps): Turns on
the parking lamps together with the
following:
.Sidemarker Lamps
.Taillamps
.License Plate Lamps
.Instrument Panel Lights
5(Headlamps): Turns on the
headlamps together with the
following:
.Sidemarker Lamps
.Taillamps
.License Plate Lamps
.Instrument Panel Lights
.Parking Lamps
Exterior Lamps Off
Reminder
A warning chime sounds if the driver
door is opened while the ignition is
off and the exterior lamps are on.
Headlamp High/
Low-Beam Changer
2 3
Headlamp High/Low‐Beam
Changer: Push the turn signal/lane
change lever away from you and
release, to turn the high beams on.
To return to low beams, push the
lever again or pull it toward you
and release.
This indicator light turns on in the
instrument panel cluster when the
high‐beam headlamps are on.
Flash-to-Pass
To flash the high beams, pull the
turn signal/lane change lever toward
you, and release.

Black plate (3,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Lighting 6-3
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can
make it easier for others to see the
front of your vehicle during the day.
Fully functional daytime running
lamps are required on all vehicles
first sold in Canada.
The DRL system turns on the
low-beam headlamps at a reduced
brightness. For vehicles with
High Intensity Discharge (HID)
headlamps, the dedicated DRL
will come on when all of the
following conditions are met:
.The engine is running.
.The exterior lamp band is
in AUTO.
.The light sensor determines it is
daytime.When the DRL are on, the
low-beam headlamps will be
on. The taillamps, sidemarker,
instrument panel lights, and
other lamps will not be on.
The DRL turn off when the
headlamps are turned to
Oor
the ignition is off.
Automatic Headlamp
System
When the exterior lamp control is
set to AUTO and it is dark enough
outside, the headlamps come on
automatically. There is a light sensor located on
top of the instrument panel. Do not
cover the sensor or the headlamps
will come on when they are not
needed.
The system may also turn on the
headlamps when driving through
a parking garage or tunnel.
When it is bright enough outside,
the headlamps will turn off or may
change to Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL).
The automatic headlamp system
turns off when the exterior lamp
control is turned to
Oor the ignition
is off.

Black plate (4,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
6-4 Lighting
Adaptive Forward
Lighting (AFL)
The Adaptive Forward Lighting
System (AFL) pivots the headlamps
horizontally to provide greater
road illumination while turning.
To enable AFL, set the exterior
lamp switch to the AUTO position.
Moving the switch out of the AUTO
position deactivates the system.
AFL operates when the vehicle
speed is greater than 3 km/h
(2 mph). AFL does not operate
when the transmission is in
R (Reverse). AFL is not immediately
operable after starting the vehicle;
driving a short distance is required
to calibrate the AFL. SeeExterior
Lamp Controls on page 6‑1.
Hazard Warning Flashers
|
Hazard Warning Flasher:
Press this button located on the
instrument panel below the climate
control system, to make the front
and rear turn signal lamps flash
on and off. Press again to turn the
flashers off.
The hazard warning flashers turn on
automatically if the airbags deploy.
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
Move the lever all the way up or
down to signal a turn. An arrow on the instrument panel
cluster flashes in the direction of the
turn or lane change.
Raise or lower the lever until the
arrow starts to flash to signal a lane
change. Hold it there until the lane
change is completed. If the lever is
briefly pressed and released, the
turn signal flashes three times.
The turn and lane‐change signal
can be turned off manually by
moving the lever back to its
original position.
If after signaling a turn or lane
change the arrow flashes rapidly
or does not come on, a signal bulb
might be burned out.
Have the bulbs replaced. If the bulb
is not burned out, check the fuse.
See
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 10‑39.

Black plate (5,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Lighting 6-5
Fog Lamps
For vehicles with fog lamps, the
button is located on the exterior
lamp control, on the outboard side
of the steering wheel.
To turn on the fog lamps, the ignition
and the headlamps or parking lamps
must be on.
If the fog lamps are turned on while
the exterior lamp switch is in the
AUTO position, the headlamps
come on automatically.
#:Press to turn on or off. An
indicator light on the instrument
panel cluster comes on when the
fog lamps are on.
Some localities have laws that
require the headlamps to be on
along with the fog lamps.
Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel
Illumination Control
The brightness of the instrument
panel lighting and steering
wheel controls can be adjusted.
Use the thumbwheel located next
to the exterior lamps control on the
outboard side of the steering wheel.
D: Move the thumbwheel up or
down to brighten or dim the lights.
Dome Lamps
The interior lamps control located in
the overhead console controls both
the front and rear interior lamps.
To operate, press the following
buttons:
((Off): Turns the lamps off.
HDoor: Turns the lamps on
when any door is opened.
'ON: Keeps the lamps on all
the time.
Reading Lamps
There are front and rear reading
lamps.
The front reading lamps are located
in the overhead console.
# $: Press to turn each lamp on
or off.
The rear reading lamps are located
in the headliner.
Sun Visor Lamps
This lamp turns on when the cover
is opened.