
Black plate (3,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-3
A.Air Vents on page 8‑8.
B. Head-Up Display (HUD) on
page 5‑29 (If Equipped).
C. Turn and Lane‐Change Lever. See Turn and Lane-Change
Signals on page 6‑4.
Driver Information Center
Buttons. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑25.
D. Instrument Cluster on
page 5‑10.
Driver Information Center
Display. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑25.
E. Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5‑3.
F. Infotainment Display Screen.
G. Infotainment on page 7‑1.
H. Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 6‑1.
Fog Lamps on page 6‑5
(If Equipped).
Instrument Panel Illumination
Control on page 6‑5. I.
Front Storage on page 4‑1.
J. Data Link Connector (DLC) (Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 5‑17.
K. Cruise Control on page 9‑39.
L. Steering Wheel Adjustment on
page 5‑2.
M. Horn on page 5‑3.
N. Steering Wheel Controls on
page 5‑2 (If Equipped).
O. Ignition Positions (Key Access)
on page 9‑17 orIgnition
Positions (Keyless Access) on
page 9‑19.
P. Heated and Ventilated Front
Seats on page 3‑10.
Q. Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8‑1
(If Equipped).
Dual Automatic Climate
Control System on page 8‑4
(If Equipped). R.
Power Door Locks on
page 2‑11.
Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 6‑4.
Passenger Sensing System on
page 3‑37.
S. Parking Brake on page 9‑33.
T. Shift Lever Position Indicator. See Automatic Transmission on
page 9‑28.
U. Shift Lever. See Shifting Into
Park on page 9‑25.
V. Traction Control System (TCS)
on page 9‑36.
Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) on page 9‑37.
Ultrasonic Parking Assist on
page 9‑42.
Rear Window Sunshade
(If Equipped). See Rear
Window Sunshade on
page 2‑20.
W. Glove Box on page 4‑1.

Black plate (18,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
1-18 In Brief
Steering Wheel Controls
For vehicles with audio steering
wheel controls, some audio controls
can be adjusted at the steering
wheel.
bg: Press to interact with
the available Bluetooth, OnStar,
or navigation system.
$ i: Press to silence the
vehicle speakers only. Press again
to turn the sound on. For vehicles
with OnStar or Bluetooth systems,
press to reject an incoming call,
or to end a current call.
_SRC^: Turn_or^to select a
radio band or audio source.
Turn
_or^to select the next or
previous favorite radio station, CD,
DVD track/chapter (with navigation),
or MP3 track.
Press SRC to change between
radio and CD or DVD.
+
x−: Press + to increase or −to
decrease the volume.
For more information, see Steering
Wheel Controls on page 5‑2.
Cruise Control
The cruise control buttons are
located on the steering wheel.
5: Press to turn the cruise control
system on and off. An indicator light
will turn on or off in the instrument
panel cluster.

Black plate (19,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-19
\:Press to disengage cruise
control without erasing the set
speed from memory.
RES/+ : Move the thumbwheel
up to make the vehicle resume
to a previously set speed or to
accelerate.
SET/− :Move the thumbwheel
down to set the speed and activate
cruise control or make the vehicle
decelerate.
See Cruise Control on page 9‑39.
Navigation System
If the vehicle has a navigation
system, there is a separate
Navigation System Manual that
includes information on the radio,
audio players, and navigation
system. The navigation system provides
detailed maps of most major
freeways and roads. After a
destination has been set, the
system provides turn-by-turn
instructions for reaching the
destination. In addition, the system
can help locate a variety of points
of interest (POIs), such as banks,
airports, restaurants, and more.
See the Navigation System Manual
for more information.
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
The DIC display is located in the
center of the instrument panel
cluster. It shows the status of many
vehicle systems. The controls for
the DIC are located on the turn
signal lever.
A.
SET/CLR: Press to set or
clear the menu item when
it is displayed.
B.
w x: Use the thumbwheel
to scroll through the items in
each menu.
C. MENU: Press to get to the
Trip/Fuel Menu and the Vehicle
Information Menu. This button
is also used to return to or exit
the last screen displayed on
the DIC.
For more information, see Driver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑25.

Black plate (15,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-15
The key uses a transponder that
matches an immobilizer control unit
in the vehicle and automatically
disarms the system. Only the
correct key starts the vehicle.
The vehicle may not start if the
key is damaged.
The security light, located in the
instrument panel cluster, comes on
if there is a problem with arming
or disarming the theft-deterrent
system.
When trying to start the vehicle, the
security light comes on briefly when
the ignition is turned on.If the engine does not start and the
security light stays on, there is a
problem with the system. Turn the
ignition off and try again.
If the engine still does not start, and
the key appears to be undamaged
or the light continues to stay on,
try another ignition key.
If the engine still does not start
with the other key, the vehicle needs
service. If the vehicle does start,
the first key may be damaged.
See your dealer who can service
the theft-deterrent system and
have a new key made.
Do not leave the key or device
that disarms or deactivates the
theft-deterrent system in the vehicle.
Immobilizer Operation
(Keyless Access)
This vehicle has a passive
theft-deterrent system.
The system does not have to be
manually armed or disarmed.
The vehicle is automatically
immobilized when the transmitter
leaves the vehicle.
The immobilization system is
disarmed when the ignition button
is pushed in and a valid transmitter
is found in the vehicle.
The security light, located in the
instrument panel cluster, comes on
if there is a problem with arming
or disarming the theft-deterrent
system.

Black plate (31,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-31
There is an airbag readiness light
on the instrument panel cluster,
which shows the airbag symbol.
The system checks the airbag
electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an
electrical problem. SeeAirbag
Readiness Light on page 5‑14
for more information.
Where Are the Airbags?
The driver frontal airbag is in the
middle of the steering wheel.
The right front passenger frontal
airbag is in the instrument panel on
the passenger side.
Driver Side Shown,
Passenger Side Similar
The seat-mounted side impact
airbags for the driver and right front
passenger are in the side of the
seatbacks closest to the door.
The roof-rail airbags for the driver,
right front passenger, and second
row outboard passengers are in the
ceiling above the side windows.

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 (10,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
5-10 Instruments and Controls
Instrument Cluster
English Shown, Metric Similar

Black plate (14,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
5-14 Instruments and Controls
Safety Belt Reminders
Driver Safety Belt Reminder
Light
There is a driver safety belt
reminder light on the instrument
panel cluster.
When the vehicle is started this
light flashes and a chime may come
on to remind the driver to fasten
their safety belt. Then the light stays
on solid until the belt is buckled.
This cycle may continue several
times if the driver remains or
becomes unbuckled while the
vehicle is moving.
If the driver safety belt is buckled,
neither the light nor the chime
comes on.
Passenger Safety Belt
Reminder Light
When the vehicle is started this
light flashes and a chime comes
on to remind passengers to fasten
their safety belt. Then the light stays
on solid until the belt is buckled.
This cycle continues several times
if the passenger remains or
becomes unbuckled while the
vehicle is moving.
If the passenger safety belt is
buckled, neither the chime nor
the light comes on.The front passenger safety belt
warning light and chime may turn
on if an object is put on the seat
such as a briefcase, handbag,
grocery bag, laptop or other
electronic device. To turn off the
warning light and/or chime, remove
the object from the seat or buckle
the safety beltAirbag Readiness Light
This light shows if there is an
electrical problem. The system
check includes the airbag sensor,
the pretensioners, the airbag
modules, the wiring, and the crash
sensing and diagnostic module.
For more information on the airbag
system, see
Airbag System on
page 3‑29.