2011 BUICK LACROSSE Owner's Manual

Black plate (57,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-57
Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) and
Industry Canada
SeeRadio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑20 for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission
(FCC) rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-210/220/310.
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation
This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The TPMS is designed to warn
the driver when a low tire pressure
condition exists. TPMS sensors are
mounted onto each tire and wheel
assembly, excluding the spare tire
and wheel assembly. The TPMS
sensors monitor the air pressure
in the tires and transmits the tire
pressure readings to a receiver
located in the vehicle.
When a low tire pressure condition
is detected, the TPMS illuminates
the low tire pressure warning light
located on the instrument cluster.
If the warning light comes on, stop
as soon as possible and inflate
the tires to the recommended
pressure shown on the tire loading
information label. See Vehicle
Load Limits on page 9‑12.
A message to check the pressure in
a specific tire displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). The low
tire pressure warning light and the
DIC warning message come on at
each ignition cycle until the tires
are inflated to the correct inflation
pressure. Using the DIC, tire
pressure levels can be viewed. For additional information and
details about the DIC operation and
displays see
Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑25.
The low tire pressure warning light
may come on in cool weather when
the vehicle is first started, and then
turn off as the vehicle is driven.
This could be an early indicator
that the air pressure is getting low
and needs to be inflated to the
proper pressure.
A Tire and Loading Information
label, attached to your vehicle,
shows the size of the original
equipment tires and the correct
inflation pressure for the tires when
they are cold. See Vehicle Load
Limits on page 9‑12, for an example
of the Tire and Loading Information
label and its location. Also see Tire
Pressure on page 10‑54.

Black plate (58,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
10-58 Vehicle Care
The TPMS can warn about a
low tire pressure condition but
it does not replace normal tire
maintenance. SeeTire Inspection
on page 10‑61, Tire Rotation on
page 10‑61 andTires on
page 10‑46.
Notice: Tire sealant materials are
not all the same. A non-approved
tire sealant could damage the
TPMS sensors. TPMS sensor
damage caused by using
an incorrect tire sealant is
not covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always use only
the GM-approved tire sealant
available through your dealer
or included in the vehicle.
Factory-installed Tire Inflator Kits
use a GM approved liquid tire
sealant. Using non-approved tire
sealants could damage the TPMS
sensors. See Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit on page 10‑72 for
information regarding the inflator
kit materials and instructions.TPMS Malfunction Light and
Message
The TPMS will not function properly
if one or more of the TPMS sensors
are missing or inoperable. When
the system detects a malfunction,
the low tire warning light flashes for
about one minute and then stays
on for the remainder of the ignition
cycle. A DIC warning message also
displays. The malfunction light and
DIC warning message come on at
each ignition cycle until the problem
is corrected. Some of the conditions
that can cause these to come
on are:
.One of the road tires has been
replaced with the spare tire.
The spare tire does not have a
TPMS sensor. The malfunction
light and DIC message should
go off after the road tire is
replaced and the sensor
matching process is performed
successfully. See “TPMS Sensor
Matching Process” later in this
section.
.The TPMS sensor matching
process was not done or
not completed successfully
after rotating the tires. The
malfunction light and the DIC
message should go off after
successfully completing the
sensor matching process.
See "TPMS Sensor Matching
Process" later in this section.
.One or more TPMS sensors
are missing or damaged.
The malfunction light and
the DIC message should go
off when the TPMS sensors
are installed and the sensor
matching process is performed
successfully. See your dealer
for service.

Black plate (59,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-59
.Replacement tires or wheels do
not match the original equipment
tires or wheels. Tires and wheels
other than those recommended
could prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. SeeBuying
New Tires on page 10‑64.
.Operating electronic devices or
being near facilities using radio
wave frequencies similar to the
TPMS could cause the TPMS
sensors to malfunction.
If the TPMS is not functioning
properly it cannot detect or signal a
low tire condition. See your dealer
for service if the TPMS malfunction
light and DIC message comes on
and stays on.
TPMS Sensor Matching
Process
Each TPMS sensor has a unique
identification code. The identification
code needs to be matched to a
new tire/wheel position after rotating
the vehicle’ s tires or replacing
one or more of the TPMS sensors.
The TPMS sensor matching process
should also be performed after
replacing a spare tire with a road
tire containing the TPMS sensor.
The malfunction light and the DIC
message should go off at the next
ignition cycle. The sensors are
matched to the tire/wheel positions,
using a TPMS relearn tool, in the
following order: driver side front tire,
passenger side front tire, passenger
side rear tire, and driver side rear.
See your dealer for service or to
purchase a relearn tool. There are two minutes to match
the first tire/wheel position, and
five minutes overall to match all
four tire/wheel positions. If it takes
longer, the matching process stops
and must be restarted.
The TPMS sensor matching
process is:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with
the engine off.
3. Use the MENU button to select the Vehicle Information Menu
in the Driver Information
Center (DIC).
4. Use the thumbwheel to scroll to the Tire Pressure Menu Item
screen.

Black plate (60,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
10-60 Vehicle Care
5. Press the SET/CLR button tobegin the sensor matching
process.
A message asking if the process
should begin should appear.
6. Press the SET/CLR button again to confirm the selection.
The horn sounds twice to
signal the receiver is in relearn
mode and the TIRE LEARNING
ACTIVE message displays on
the DIC screen.
7. Start with the driver side front tire. 8. Place the relearn tool against
the tire sidewall, near the valve
stem. Then press the button
to activate the TPMS sensor.
A horn chirp confirms that the
sensor identification code has
been matched to this tire and
wheel position.
9. Proceed to the passenger side front tire, and repeat the
procedure in Step 8.
10. Proceed to the passenger side rear tire, and repeat the
procedure in Step 8. 11. Proceed to the driver side rear
tire, and repeat the procedure
in Step 8. The horn sounds
two times to indicate the
sensor identification code has
been matched to the driver
side rear tire, and the TPMS
sensor matching process is
no longer active. The TIRE
LEARNING ACTIVE message
on the DIC display screen
goes off.
12. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
13. Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure
level as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information label.

Black plate (61,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-61
Tire Inspection
GM recommends that the tires,
including the spare tire, if the
vehicle has one, be inspected
for signs of wear or damage at
least once a month.
Replace the tire if:
.The indicators at three or
more places around the tire
can be seen.
.There is cord or fabric
showing through the tire's
rubber.
.The tread or sidewall is
cracked, cut, or snagged
deep enough to show cord
or fabric.
.The tire has a bump, bulge,
or split.
.The tire has a puncture, cut,
or other damage that cannot
be repaired well because of
the size or location of the
damage.
Tire Rotation
Tires should be rotated
every 12 000 km (7,500 mi).
SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 11‑2.
The purpose of a regular tire
rotation is to achieve a uniform
wear for all tires on the vehicle.
This will ensure that the vehicle
continues to perform most like it
did when the tires were new. Any time you notice unusual
wear, rotate the tires as soon
as possible and check wheel
alignment. Also check for
damaged tires or wheels.
See
When It Is Time for New
Tires on page 10‑63 andWheel
Replacement on page 10‑68.
When rotating the vehicle's tires,
always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.

Black plate (62,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
10-62 Vehicle Care
Do not include the compact
spare tire in the tire rotation.
After the tires have been
rotated, adjust the front and
rear inflation pressures as
shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label. SeeTire
Pressure on page 10‑54
and Vehicle Load Limits on
page 9‑12.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor
System. See Tire Pressure
Monitor Operation on
page 10‑57. Make certain that all wheel
nuts are properly tightened.
See
“Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and Specifications on
page 12‑2.
{WARNING
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the
parts to which it is fastened, can
make wheel nuts become loose
after time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident. When
changing a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where the
wheel attaches to the vehicle.
In an emergency, use a cloth or
a paper towel to do this; but be
sure to use a scraper or wire
brush later, if needed, to get all
the rust or dirt off. See If a Tire
Goes Flat on page 10‑70.
Lightly coat the center of the
wheel hub with wheel bearing
grease after a wheel change
or tire rotation to prevent
corrosion or rust build-up.
Do not get grease on the flat
wheel mounting surface or
on the wheel nuts or bolts.

Black plate (63,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-63
When It Is Time for New
Tires
Factors such as maintenance,
temperatures, driving speeds,
vehicle loading, and road conditions
affect the wear rate of the tires.
Treadwear indicators are one way
to tell when it is time for new tires.
Treadwear indicators appear whenthe tires have only 1.6 mm (1/16 in)
or less of tread remaining. See
Tire
Inspection on page 10‑61 andTire
Rotation on page 10‑61 for more
information.
The rubber in tires ages over time.
This also applies for the spare tire,
if the vehicle has one, even if it is
never used. Multiple conditions
including temperatures, loading
conditions, and inflation pressure
maintenance affect how fast aging
takes place. Tires will typically
need to be replaced due to wear
before they may need to be
replaced due to age. Consult
the tire manufacturer for more
information on when tires should
be replaced.
Vehicle Storage
Tires age when stored normally
mounted on a parked vehicle.
Park a vehicle that will be stored
for at least a month in a cool, dry,
clean area away from direct sunlight
to slow aging. This area should be
free of grease, gasoline, or other
substances that can deteriorate
rubber.
Parking for an extended period
can cause flat spots on the tires
that may result in vibrations while
driving. When storing a vehicle for
at least a month, remove the tires
or raise the vehicle to reduce the
weight from the tires.

Black plate (64,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
10-64 Vehicle Care
Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched
specific tires for the vehicle.
The original equipment tires
installed on the vehicle, when
it was new, were designed
to meet General Motors
Tire Performance Criteria
Specification (TPC Spec)
system rating. If you need
replacement tires, GM strongly
recommends that you get
tires with the same TPC Spec
rating. This way, the vehicle
will continue to have tires that
are designed to give the same
performance and vehicle safety,
during normal use, as the
original tires.GM's exclusive TPC Spec
system considers over a
dozen critical specifications
that impact the overall
performance of the vehicle,
including brake system
performance, ride and
handling, traction control,
and tire pressure monitoring
performance. GM's TPC Spec
number is molded onto the
tire's sidewall near the tire size.
If the tires have an all‐season
tread design, the TPC Spec
number will be followed by
an MS for mud and snow.
See
Tire Sidewall Labeling on
page 10‑48 for additional
information.
GM recommends replacing tires
in sets of four. This is because
uniform tread depth on all tires will help keep the vehicle
performing most like it did
when the tires were new.
Replacing less than a full set
of tires can affect the braking
and handling performance of the
vehicle. See
Tire Inspection on
page 10‑61 andTire Rotation on
page 10‑61 for information on
proper tire rotation.
{WARNING
Tires could explode during
improper service. Attempting to
mount or dismount a tire could
cause injury or death. Only your
dealer or authorized tire service
center should mount or dismount
the tires.