2011 BUICK LACROSSE Owner's Manual

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 (18,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
2-18 Keys, Doors and Windows
Interior Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Adjust the inside rearview mirror
for a clear view of the area behind
your vehicle. To avoid glare of the
headlamps from behind, push the
tab forward for daytime and pull it
for nighttime use.
Vehicles with OnStar
®have three
control buttons at the bottom of the
mirror. See your dealer for more
information about OnStar and how
to subscribe to it. See the OnStar
Owner's Guide for more information
about the services OnStar provides.
Windows
{WARNING
Leaving children, helpless
adults, or pets in a vehicle
with the windows closed is
dangerous. They can be
overcome by the extreme heat
and suffer permanent injuries
or even death from heat stroke.
Never leave a child, a helpless
adult, or a pet alone in a vehicle,
especially with the windows
closed in warm or hot weather.
The vehicle aerodynamics are
designed to improve fuel economy
performance. This may result in a
pulsing sound when either rear
window is down and the front
windows are up. To reduce the
sound, open either a front window
or the sunroof (if equipped).

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 (22,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
2-22 Keys, Doors and Windows
To express-open the sunshade from
the closed position, fully press and
release the rear of the switch (C).
The sunshade opens automatically.
To stop the sunshade partway,
press the switch a second time.
To express-close the sunshade
fully press and release the front
of the switch (D). The sunshade
closes automatically. To stop the
sunshade partway, press the switch
a second time.
Notice:Forcing the sunshade
forward of the sliding glass
panel may cause damage and
the sunroof may not operate
properly. Always close the
glass panel before closing
the sunshade.
The sunroof glass panel cannot be
opened or closed if the vehicle has
an electrical failure.Anti-Pinch Feature
If an object is in the path of
the sunroof while it is closing,
the anti-pinch feature will detect
the object and stop the sunroof
from closing at the point of the
obstruction. The sunroof and
sunshade will then return to the
open or vent position. To close
the sunroof once the obstruction
has been removed, refer to
"Express-Open/Express-Close"
earlier in this section.
Dirt and debris may collect on
the sunroof seal or in the track.
This could cause issues with
sunroof operation and noise.
It could also plug the water drainage
system. Periodically open the
sunroof and remove any obstacles
or loose debris. Wipe the sunroof
seal and roof sealing area using a
clean cloth, mild soap, and water.
Do not remove grease from the
sunroof.

Black plate (1,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-1
Seats and
Restraints
Head Restraints
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Power Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . 3-5
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Heated and Ventilated FrontSeats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Rear Seats
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Rear SeatPass-Through Door . . . . . . . . 3-13
Safety Belts
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
How to Wear Safety BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-17
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
Safety Belt Extender . . . . . . . . . 3-27
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . 3-27
Safety Belt Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-28
Replacing Safety Belt System Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-28
Airbag System
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-29
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . 3-31
When Should an AirbagInflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-32
What Makes an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-34
How Does an Airbag Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-34
What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-37
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-41

Black plate (2,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
3-2 Seats and Restraints
Adding Equipment to theAirbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . 3-42
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . 3-43
Replacing Airbag System Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-43
Child Restraints
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-44
Infants and Young
Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-46
Child Restraint Systems . . . . . 3-49
Where to Put the Restraint . . . 3-51
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children
(LATCH System) . . . . . . . . . . . 3-52
Replacing LATCH System Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-61
Securing Child Restraints (Rear Seat) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-61
Securing Child Restraints (Front Passenger Seat) . . . . 3-63
Head Restraints
The vehicle's front seats have
adjustable head restraints in the
outboard seating positions.
The vehicle's rear seats have
adjustable head restraints in the
outboard seating positions.
{WARNING
With head restraints that are
not installed and adjusted
properly, there is a greater
chance that occupants will suffer
a neck/spinal injury in a crash.
Do not drive until the head
restraints for all occupants are
installed and adjusted properly.
Adjust the head restraint so that the
top of the restraint is at the same
height as the top of the occupant's
head. This position reduces the
chance of a neck injury in a crash.