2012 BUICK LACROSSE compass

Black plate (1,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2012
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 (Radio with CD andTouchscreen) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Driver Efficiency Gauge . . . . . . 5-13
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . 5-15 Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . 5-16
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Charging System Light . . . . . . 5-17
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
StabiliTrak
®OFF Light . . . . . . . 5-22
Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
®Light . . . . 5-23
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 5-25
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 5-25
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . 5-26
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . 5-27
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27
Head-Up Display (HUD) . . . . . 5-31
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35
Battery Voltage and Charging Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35
Brake System Messages . . . . 5-36
Compass Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-36
Cruise Control Messages . . . . 5-36
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-37
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-37
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . 5-38
Engine Power Messages . . . . 5-38
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . 5-39
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 5-39
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-39
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-39
Ride Control System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-40
Anti-theft Alarm System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-41
Starting the Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-41

Black plate (5,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-5
Compass
The vehicle may have a compass
display on the Driver Information
Center (DIC). The compass receives
its heading and other information
from the Global Positioning
System (GPS) antenna, StabiliTrak,
and vehicle speed information.
Avoid covering the GPS antenna for
long periods of time with objects
that may interfere with the antenna's
ability to receive a satellite signal.
SeeBackglass Antenna on
page 7‑27 andSatellite Radio
Antenna on page 7‑27 for the
location of the vehicle's antennas.
The compass system is designed to
operate for a certain number of
miles or degrees of turn before
needing a signal from the GPS
satellites. When the compass
display shows CAL, drive the
vehicle for a short distance in an
open area where it can receive a GPS signal. The compass system
will automatically determine when
the GPS signal is restored and
provide a heading again. See
Compass Messages on page 5‑36
for more information on the
messages that may be displayed for
the compass.
Clock (Radio with CD and
Touchscreen)
The infotainment system controls
are used to access the time and
date settings through the menu
system. See
Overview (Radio with
CD) on page 7‑3 orOverview
(Radio with CD/DVD and MEM) on
page 7‑5 orOverview (Radio with
CD and Touchscreen) on page 7‑7
and Operation on page 7‑13 for
information about how to use the
menu system.
Setting the Time (Without Date
Display)
1. Press the CONFIG button and
select Time Settings,
or press
H.
2. Select Set Time.
3. Turn the Menu knob to adjust the highlighted value.
4. Press SELECT to select the next value.
5. To save the time and return to the Time Settings menu, press
the
/BACK button at any time
or press SELECT after adjusting
the minutes.

Black plate (31,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-31
When the remaining oil life is low,
the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message will appear on the display.
SeeEngine Oil Messages on
page 5‑38. The oil should be
changed as soon as possible. See
Engine Oil on page 10‑9. In addition
to the engine oil life system
monitoring the oil life, additional
maintenance is recommended in the
Maintenance Schedule in this
manual. See Maintenance Schedule
on page 11‑3 for more information.
Remember, the Oil Life display must
be reset after each oil change. It will
not reset itself. Also, be careful not
to reset the Oil Life display
accidentally at any time other than
when the oil has just been changed.
It cannot be reset accurately until
the next oil change. To reset the
engine oil life system, press SET/
CLR while the Oil Life display is
active. See Engine Oil Life System
on page 10‑12. Battery Voltage
This display, available on some
vehicles, shows the current battery
voltage. If the voltage is in the
normal range, the value will display.
For example, the display may read
Battery Voltage 15.0 Volts. The
vehicle's charging system regulates
voltage based on the state of the
battery. The battery voltage can
fluctuate while viewing this
information on the DIC. This is
normal. See
Charging System Light
on page 5‑17 for more information.
If there is a problem with the battery
charging system, the DIC will
display a message
Compass
The vehicle may have a compass
display in the Driver Information
Center (DIC). See Compass on
page 5‑5 for more information.
Head-Up Display (HUD)
{WARNING
If the HUD image is too bright or
too high in your field of view, it
may take you more time to see
things you need to see when it is
dark outside. Be sure to keep the
HUD image dim and placed low in
your field of view.
For vehicles with the Head-Up
Display (HUD), some information
concerning the operation of the
vehicle is projected onto the
windshield. This includes the
speedometer reading, rpm reading,
transmission position, outside air
temperature, compass heading, and
a brief display of the current radio
station, including XM information or
CD track. It will also display
turn-by-turn navigation information if
the vehicle has a navigation radio.

Black plate (33,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-33
When the HUD is on, the
speedometer reading is continually
displayed. The current radio station
or CD track number will display for a
short period of time after the radio
or CD track status changes. This
happens whenever radio information
is changed. The speedometer size
is reduced when radio, CD
information, warnings,
or turn-by-turn navigation
information are displayed on
the HUD.
The HUD control is located to the
left of the steering wheel.To adjust the HUD image so that
items are properly displayed, do the
following:
1. Adjust the driver seat to a
comfortable position.
2. Start the engine.
3. Adjust the HUD controls.
Use the following settings to adjust
the HUD.
OFF: To turn HUD off, turn the HUD
dimming knob fully counterclockwise
until the HUD display turns off.
Brightness: Turn the dimming knob
clockwise or counterclockwise to
brighten or dim the display.
«(Up) orª(Down): Press the
up or down arrows to center the
HUD image in your view. The HUD
image can only be adjusted up and
down, not side to side. PAGE:
Press to select the display
formats. Release the PAGE button
when the format number with the
desired display is shown on the
HUD. If vehicle messages are
displayed, pressing PAGE may clear
the message.
The three formats are as follows:
English Shown, Metric Similar
Format One: This display gives the
speedometer reading (in English or
metric units), turn signal indication,
high‐beam indication, transmission
positions, outside air temperature,
and compass heading.

Black plate (34,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2012
5-34 Instruments and Controls
English Shown, Metric Similar
Format Two: This display includes
the information in Format One
without the transmission
information, the outside air
temperature, and compass heading.
English Shown, Metric Similar
Format Three: This display
includes much of the information in
Format One along with a circular
tachometer, but without outside air
temperature and compass heading. All formats will show the turn-by-turn
navigation information and provide
details about the next driving
maneuver to be made. When you
near your next maneuver, the HUD
will display a distance bar that will
empty the closer you get to your
maneuver. All navigation information
is provided to the HUD by the
navigation radio or OnStar service,
for vehicles that have these
features.English Shown, Metric Similar
The HUD image displayed on the
windshield will automatically dim
and brighten to compensate for
outside lighting. However, the HUD
brightness control can still be
adjusted as needed. The HUD image can temporarily
light up depending on the angle and
position of the sunlight on the HUD
display. This is normal and will
change when the angle of the
sunlight on the HUD display
changes.
Polarized sunglasses could make
the HUD image harder to see.
Care of the HUD
Clean the inside of the windshield
as needed to remove any dirt or film
that could reduce the sharpness or
clarity of the HUD image.
To clean the HUD lens, use a soft,
clean cloth that has household glass
cleaner sprayed on it. Wipe the
HUD lens gently, then dry it. Do not
spray cleaner directly on the lens
because the cleaner could leak into
the unit.

Black plate (36,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2012
5-36 Instruments and Controls
SERVICE BATTERY
CHARGING SYSTEM
This message is displayed when
there is a fault in the battery
charging system. Take the vehicle to
your dealer for service.
Brake System Messages
BRAKE FLUID LOW
This message is displayed when the
brake fluid level is low. SeeBrake
Fluid on page 10‑24.
STEP ON BRAKE TO
RELEASE PARK BRAKE
This message is displayed if you
attempt to release the electric
parking brake without the brake
pedal applied. See Parking Brake
on page 9‑36 for more information.
RELEASE PARK BRAKE
This message is displayed if the
electric parking brake is on while the
vehicle is in motion. Release it
before you attempt to drive. See
Parking Brake on page 9‑36 for
more information.
SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST
This message may be displayed
when there is a problem with the
brake boost assist system. When
this message is displayed, the brake
boost assist motor might be heard
operating and you might notice
pulsation in the brake pedal. This is
normal under these conditions. Take
the vehicle to your dealer for
service.
SERVICE PARKING BRAKE
This message is displayed when
there is a problem with the electric
parking brake. See Parking Brake
on page 9‑36 for more information.
Take the vehicle to your dealer.
Compass Messages
CAL
This message is displayed when the
compass needs to be calibrated.
See Compass on page 5‑5.
– – –
Three dashes will be displayed if the
compass needs service. See your
dealer for service.
Cruise Control Messages
CRUISE SET TO XXX
This message displays when the
cruise control is set and shows the
speed it was set to. See Cruise
Control on page 9‑42 for more
information.

Black plate (3,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2012
INDEX i-3
CheckEngine Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Ignition
Transmission Lock . . . . . . . . 10-28
Child Restraints Infants and YoungChildren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-38
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . 3-44
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-36
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-52, 3-55
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-41
Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Cleaning Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-102
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-105
Climate Control Systems Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Dual Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . 13-15 Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 10-93
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36
Compressor Kit, Tire Sealant . . . . . . . . . .10-71, 10-78
Connections, OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . 14-4
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Coolant Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Engine Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Engine Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Engine Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-37
Courtesy Transportation Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-14
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42 Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1 Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . 13-6
Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-5
Text Telephone (TTY)
Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-6
Customer Information Service PublicationsOrdering Information . . . . . . 13-18
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-1, 13-3
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . 13-15
Danger, Warnings, andCautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . 13-20
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Devices, Auxiliary . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-39
Diagnostics, OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . 14-5

Black plate (8,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2012
i-8 INDEX
LocksDelayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Power Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . 5-25
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH
System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-44
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
M
MaintenanceRecords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-15
Maintenance Schedule Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-12
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . 5-17
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33 Mass Storage Media (MEM) . . . 7-36
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Memory Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Messages
Anti-theft Alarm System . . . . . . . 5-41
Battery Voltage andCharging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35
Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-37
Engine Cooling System . . . . . . . 5-37
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-38
Engine Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-38
Fuel System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-39
Key and Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-39
Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-39
Object Detection System . . . . . 5-39
Ride Control System . . . . . . . . . . 5-40
Starting the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 5-41
Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-41
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-42
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35
Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-42 Mirrors
Automatic Dimming
Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
Convex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Folding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Manual Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Park Tilt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Monitor System, Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-56
MP3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-33
N
Navigation OnStar®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-21
Net, Convenience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . 9-17