2011 BUICK LACROSSE Owner's Manual

Black plate (81,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-81
Coin/Pierce Jack Shown,Hex Head Jack Similar
5. If you have a coin/pierce jack, attach the jack handle extension
to the jack by sliding the hook
through the end of the jack.
If you have a hex head jack,
attach the jack lift assist tool
to the jack by fitting both ends
of the jack and tool over one
another.
{WARNING
Getting under a vehicle when it
is jacked up is dangerous. If the
vehicle slips off the jack, you
could be badly injured or killed.
Never get under a vehicle when
it is supported only by a jack.
{WARNING
Raising the vehicle with the
jack improperly positioned can
damage the vehicle and even
make the vehicle fall. To help
avoid personal injury and vehicle
damage, be sure to fit the jack
lift head into the proper location
before raising the vehicle.
{WARNING
Lifting a vehicle and getting
under it to do maintenance or
repairs is dangerous without the
appropriate safety equipment and
training. If a jack is provided with
the vehicle, it is designed only for
changing a flat tire. If it is used for
anything else, you or others could
be badly injured or killed if the
vehicle slips off the jack. If a jack
is provided with the vehicle, only
use it for changing a flat tire.

Black plate (82,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
10-82 Vehicle Care
Hex Head Jack Shown,
Coin/Pierce Jack Similar
6. Turn the jack handle clockwise to raise the vehicle far enough
off the ground for the compact
spare to fit under the vehicle.7. Remove all of the wheel nuts.
8. Remove the flat tire.
{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.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
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. SeeIf a Tire Goes Flat
on page 10‑70.
9. Remove any rust or dirt from the wheel bolts, mounting surfaces,
and spare wheel.

Black plate (83,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-83
10. Install the compact spare tire.
{WARNING
Never use oil or grease on bolts
or nuts because the nuts might
come loose. The vehicle's wheel
could fall off, causing a crash.
11. Put the wheel nuts back on with the rounded end of the
nuts toward the wheel. Turn
each nut clockwise by hand
until the wheel is held against
the hub.
12. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle
counterclockwise. Lower
the jack completely.
{WARNING
Wheel nuts that are improperly or
incorrectly tightened can cause
the wheels to become loose or
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
come off. The wheel nuts should
be tightened with a torque wrench
to the proper torque specification
after replacing. Follow the
torque specification supplied by
the aftermarket manufacturer
when using accessory locking
wheel nuts. SeeCapacities and
Specifications on page 12‑2 for
original equipment wheel nut
torque specifications.
Notice: Improperly tightened
wheel nuts can lead to brake
pulsation and rotor damage.
To avoid expensive brake repairs,
evenly tighten the wheel nuts
in the proper sequence and to
the proper torque specification.
See Capacities and Specifications
on page 12‑2 for the wheel nut
torque specification.
13. Tighten the wheel nuts firmly
in a crisscross sequence, as
shown.
14. Lower the jack all the way and remove the jack from under the
vehicle.
15. Tighten the wheel nuts firmly with the wheel wrench.
Notice: Wheel covers will not fit
on the vehicle's compact spare.
If you try to put a wheel cover on
the compact spare, the cover or
the spare could be damaged.

Black plate (84,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
10-84 Vehicle Care
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire
and Tools
{WARNING
Storing a jack, a tire, or other
equipment in the passenger
compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or
collision, loose equipment could
strike someone. Store all these
in the proper place.
To store the flat or spare tire and
tools:
1. If the flat tire is larger than the spare tire, use the longer
mounting bolt.
2. Slide the shorter bolt to remove
it from the floor and insert the
longer one.
3. Replace the jack and tools in their original storage location. 4. Place the tire, lying flat, facing
up in the spare tire well.
Secure it with the retainer nut.
Place the floor cover over the
tire even though it may not lay
flat if the tire is larger than the
spare.
The compact spare is for temporary
use only. Replace the compact
spare tire with a full-size tire as
soon as you can.

Black plate (85,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-85
Compact Spare Tire
{WARNING
Driving with more than one
compact spare tire at a time
could result in loss of braking
and handling. This could lead
to a crash and you or others
could be injured. Use only one
compact spare tire at a time.
If this vehicle has a compact spare
tire, it was fully inflated when the
vehicle was new; however, it can
lose air after a time. Check the
inflation pressure regularly. It should
be 420 kPa (60 psi). After installing the compact spare
on the vehicle, stop as soon
as possible and make sure the
spare tire is correctly inflated.
The compact spare is made to
perform well at speeds up to
105 km/h (65 mph) for distances
up to 5 000 km (3,000 mi), so you
can finish your trip and have the
full-size tire repaired or replaced
at your convenience. Of course,
it is best to replace the spare with
a full-size tire as soon as possible.
The spare tire will last longer and be
in good shape in case it is needed
again.
Notice:
When the compact
spare is installed, do not take
the vehicle through an automatic
car wash with guide rails. The
compact spare can get caught on
the rails which can damage the
tire, wheel and other parts of the
vehicle. Do not use the compact spare on
other vehicles.
Do not mix the compact spare tire
or wheel with other wheels or tires.
They will not fit. Keep the spare tire
and its wheel together.
Notice:
Tire chains will not fit
the compact spare. Using them
can damage the vehicle and can
damage the chains too. Do not
use tire chains on the compact
spare.

Black plate (86,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
10-86 Vehicle Care
Jump Starting
For more information about the
vehicle battery, seeBattery on
page 10‑27.
If the battery has run down, try to
use another vehicle and some
jumper cables to start your vehicle.
Be sure to use the following steps
to do it safely.
{WARNING
Batteries can hurt you. They can
be dangerous because:
.They contain acid that can
burn you.
.They contain gas that can
explode or ignite.
.They contain enough
electricity to burn you.
If you do not follow these steps
exactly, some or all of these
things can hurt you. Notice:
Ignoring these steps
could result in costly damage
to the vehicle that would not
be covered by the warranty.
Trying to start the vehicle by
pushing or pulling it will not
work, and it could damage the
vehicle.
The jump start positive (A) is
located under a trim cover in the
engine compartment on the driver
side of the vehicle.
This post is used instead of a direct
connection to the battery.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must
have a 12-volt battery with a
negative ground system.
Notice: Only use a vehicle
that has a 12-volt system with
a negative ground for jump
starting. If the other vehicle does
not have a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles
can be damaged.
2. Position the two vehicles so that they are not touching.

Black plate (87,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-87
3. Set the parking brake firmly andput the shift lever in P (Park).
See Shifting Into Park on
page 9‑25.
Notice: If the radio or other
accessories are left on during
the jump starting procedure, they
could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by the
warranty. Always turn off the
radio and other accessories
when jump starting the vehicle.
4. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF
and switch off all lights and
accessories in both vehicles,
except the hazard warning
flashers if needed.
{WARNING
An electric fan can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{WARNING
Using a match near a battery can
cause battery gas to explode.
People have been hurt doing
this, and some have been
blinded. Use a flashlight if you
need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough
water. You do not need to add
water to the battery installed in
your new vehicle. But if a battery
has filler caps, be sure the right
amount of fluid is there. If it is low,
add water to take care of that
first. If you don't, explosive gas
could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that
can burn you. Do not get it on
you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
{WARNING
Fans or other moving engine
parts can injure you badly. Keep
your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
5. Connect one end of the redpositive (+) cable to the jump
start positive (+) post (A). Use a
remote positive (+) terminal if the
vehicle has one.

Black plate (88,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
10-88 Vehicle Care
6. Do not let the other endof the red positive (+) cable
touch metal. Connect it to
the positive (+) terminal of the
good battery (B). Use a remote
positive (+) terminal if the vehicle
has one.
7. Connect one end of the black negative (–) cable to
the negative (–) terminal of
the good battery (C). Use a
remote negative (−) terminal
if the vehicle has one.
Do not let the other end touch
anything until the next step.
The other end of the negative (–)
cable does not go to the dead
battery. It goes to a heavy,
unpainted metal engine part or
to a remote negative (–) terminal
on the vehicle with the dead
battery. 8. Connect the other end of the
black negative (–) cable to an
unpainted heavy metal engine
part (D) away from the dead
battery, but not near engine
parts that move.
9. Start the engine in the vehicle with the good battery and run
the engine at idle speed for at
least four minutes.
10. Try to start the vehicle that had the dead battery. If it will
not start after a few tries,
it probably needs service.
Notice: If the jumper cables
are connected or removed in
the wrong order, electrical
shorting may occur and damage
the vehicle. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always connect and
remove the jumper cables in the
correct order, making sure that
the cables do not touch each
other or other metal.
Jumper Cable Removal
A. Heavy, Unpainted Metal Engine Part or Remote Negative (–)
Terminal
B. Good Battery or Remote Positive (+) and Remote
Negative (–) Terminals
C. Dead Battery or Remote Positive (+) Terminal