
Black plate (1,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-1
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Trunk Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Heated and Ventilated Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . 1-9
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Sensing System for Passenger Airbag . . . . . . . . . . 1-10 Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Steering Wheel
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 1-13
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Vehicle Features
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . 1-17
Bluetooth
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . 1-18
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Navigation System . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . 1-20
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Universal Remote System . . . 1-20
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . 1-22
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 1-23
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24

Black plate (21,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-21
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).
SeeRetained 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. 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.
See Sunroof on page 2‑21.

Black plate (1,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-1
Keys, Doors and
Windows
Keys and Locks
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Doors
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Vehicle Security
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Anti-Theft Alarm System . . . . . 2-14
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Immobilizer Operation (Key Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Immobilizer Operation (Keyless Access) . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Exterior Mirrors
Power Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Park Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Interior Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror . . . . . . 2-18
Windows
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Power Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Rear Window Sunshade . . . . . 2-20
Roof
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-21

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 (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 (24,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
9-24 Driving and Operating
4 Cylinder Engine
The electrical cord is located
on the passenger side of the
engine compartment, between
the fender and the air cleaner
on vehicles with a four cylinder
engine.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{WARNING
Plugging the cord into an
ungrounded outlet could cause
an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord
could overheat and cause a fire.
You could be seriously injured.
Plug the cord into a properly
grounded three-prong 110-volt AC
outlet. If the cord will not reach,
use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least
15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store the
cord as it was before to keep it
away from moving engine parts.
The length of time the heater should
remain plugged in depends on
several factors. Ask a dealer in the
area where you will be parking the
vehicle for the best advice on this.
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories can be
used for up to 10 minutes after the
engine is turned off:
.Audio System
.Power Windows
.Sunroof (If Equipped)
.Auxiliary Power Outlet
Power to the audio system will
continue to operate for up to
10 minutes or until the driver
door is opened.
Power to the power windows and
sunroof will continue to operate for
up to 10 minutes or until any door is
opened.
All of these features will work
when the ignition is in ON/RUN
or ACC/ACCESSORY.

Black plate (40,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
10-40 Vehicle Care
Engine Compartment Fuse Block
The vehicle may not be equipped
with all of the fuses, relays, and
features shown. J-CaseFuses Usage
6 Wiper
12 Starter J-Case
Fuses Usage
21 Rear Power
Windows
22 Sunroof
24 Front Power
Windows J-Case
Fuses Usage
26 Antilock Brake
System Pump
27 Electric Park Brake
28 Rear Window
Defogger
41 Brake
Vacuum Pump
42 Cooling Fan K2
45 Cooling Fan K1
Mini Fuses Usage 1 Transmission
Control Module
2 Engine Control
Module Battery
5 Engine Control
Module Ignition
8 Ignition Coils ‐Even
9 Ignition Coils ‐Odd