2011 BUICK LACROSSE cooling system

Black plate (14,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
1-14 In Brief
Climate Controls
The heating, cooling, and ventilation for the vehicle can be controlled with
these systems.
Automatic Climate Control System
A. Power
B. Temperature Control
C. Fan Control
D. Air Delivery Mode ControlE. Recirculation
F. AUTO
G. Defrost
H. Air Conditioning
I. Rear Window Defogger

Black plate (9,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-9
Starting the Engine Using Remote
Start
To start the engine using the remote
start feature:
1. Aim the Remote Keyless Entrytransmitter at the vehicle.
2. Press
Q.
3. Immediately after completing Step 2, press and hold
/until
the turn signal lamps flash, or for
about 2 seconds if the vehicle is
not in view.
Once the vehicle is started, the
parking lamps will turn on and
remain on as long as the engine
is running.
Turn the ignition to ON/RUN
(key access), or select the
ON/RUN/START ignition position
(keyless access), to drive the
vehicle. The engine will shut off after
10 minutes unless a time
extension is done or the ignition
is put in ON/RUN (key access) or
ON/RUN/START (keyless access).
Vehicles with an automatic climate
control system will default to a
heating or cooling mode depending
on the outside temperature during a
remote start. When the key is turned
to ON/RUN (key access), or the
ON/RUN/START ignition position
is selected (keyless access), the
climate control system will turn on
at the setting the vehicle was set to
when the vehicle was last turned off.
Vehicles with heated or heated and
ventilated front seats can have this
feature turn on automatically during
a remote start. See
“Remote Start
Heated Seats” and“Remote Start
Vented Seats” underVehicle
Personalization on page 5‑39
for more information. Extending Engine Run Time
For a 10-minute extension, repeat
Steps 1 and 2 while the engine is
still running. The remote start can
only be extended once.
When the remote start is extended,
the second 10 minutes will start
immediately.
For example, if the vehicle has
been running for five minutes, and
10 minutes are added, the engine
will run for a total of 15 minutes.
A maximum of two remote starts or
remote start attempts are allowed
between ignition cycles.
The vehicle's ignition must be
turned on and then back off before
the remote start procedure can be
used again.

Black plate (1,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-1
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 5-2
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 5-2
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 5-3
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . 5-3
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Clock (Without DateDisplay) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Clock (With Date Display) . . . . . 5-6
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11 Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . 5-14
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . 5-14
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Charging System Light . . . . . . 5-16
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Indicator Light . . . . . . . 5-22
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control
System (TCS) Indicator/
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22 Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 5-23
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 5-24
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . 5-25
Taillamp Indicator Light . . . . . . 5-25
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Information Displays
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Head-Up Display (HUD) . . . . . 5-29
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 5-33
Battery Voltage and Charging Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-33
Brake System Messages . . . . 5-33
Compass Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-34
Cruise Control Messages . . . . 5-34
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-34
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35

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 (7,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Lighting 6-7
The battery can be discharged at
idle if the electrical loads are very
high. This is true for all vehicles.
This is because the generator
(alternator) may not be spinning
fast enough at idle to produce
all the power needed for very
high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when
several of the following are on,
such as: headlamps, high beams,
fog lamps, rear window defogger,
climate control fan at high speed,
heated seats, engine cooling fans,
trailer loads, and loads plugged into
accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive
discharge of the battery. It does this
by balancing the generator's output
and the vehicle's electrical needs.It can increase engine idle speed
to generate more power, whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce
the power demands of some
accessories.
Normally, these actions occur
in steps or levels, without being
noticeable. In rare cases at the
highest levels of corrective action,
this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a Driver Information
Center (DIC) message might be
displayed, such as BATTERY
SAVER ACTIVE, BATTERY
VOLTAGE LOW, or LOW BATTERY.
If one of these messages displays,
it is recommended that the driver
reduce the electrical loads as much
as possible. See
Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑25.Battery Power Protection
The battery saver feature is
designed to protect the vehicle's
battery.
If the exterior lamps or any interior
light is left on and the ignition is
turned off, the battery rundown
protection system automatically
turns the lamp off after about
10 minutes.

Black plate (1,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Climate Controls 8-1
Climate Controls
Climate Control Systems
Automatic Climate ControlSystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
Air Vents
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8
Maintenance
Air Intake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8
Passenger Compartment AirFilter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8
Climate Control Systems
Automatic Climate Control System
For vehicles with this system, it controls the heating, cooling, and ventilation.
A. Power
B. Temperature Control
C. Fan Control
D. Air Delivery Mode Control
E. Recirculation F. AUTO
G. Defrost
H. Air Conditioning
I. Rear Window Defogger

Black plate (4,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
8-4 Climate Controls
Sensor
The solar sensor, located on top
of the instrument panel near the
windshield, monitors the solar heat.
The climate control system uses
the sensor information to adjust
the temperature, fan speed,
recirculation, and air delivery
mode for best comfort.
Do not cover the sensor or the
automatic climate control system
may not work properly.
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
For vehicles with this system, it controls the heating, cooling, and ventilation.
A. Power
B. Driver Temperature Control
C. Defrost
D. Fan Control
E. Air Delivery Mode Control
F. Recirculation/AutomaticRecirculation G. Passenger Temperature Control
H. AUTO
I. Rear Window Defogger
J. Heated Steering Wheel
K. Air Conditioning
L. ZONE

Black plate (8,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
9-8 Driving and Operating
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
.Pass with caution.
.Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
.Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
.Have good tires with proper
tread depth. SeeTires on
page 10‑46.
.Turn off cruise control.
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention
to your surroundings while driving.
If you become tired or sleepy, find
a safe place to park the vehicle
and rest.
Other driving tips include:
.Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
.Keep interior temperature cool.
.Keep your eyes moving —scan
the road ahead and to the sides.
.Check the rearview mirror and
vehicle instruments often.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for
driving in these conditions include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
.Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{WARNING
If you do not shift down, the
brakes could get so hot that they
would not work well. You would
then have poor braking or even
none going down a hill. You could
crash. Shift down to let the engine
assist the brakes on a steep
downhill slope.