2013 BUICK LACROSSE ignition

Black plate (2,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
2-2 Keys, Doors, and Windows
The key that is part of the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter can
be used for the ignition and all locks
if the vehicle is a key access
vehicle. If the vehicle has the
keyless ignition, the key can be
used for the locks.Press the button on the RKE
transmitter to extend the key. Press
the button and the key blade to
retract the key.
If it becomes difficult to turn the key
in a vehicle lock, inspect the key
blade for debris. Periodically clean
with a brush or pick.
See your dealer if a new key is
needed.
If locked out of the vehicle, see
Roadside Assistance Program (U.S.
and Canada) on page 13‑7or
Roadside Assistance Program
(Mexico) on page 13‑9. With an active OnStar subscription,
an OnStar Advisor may remotely
unlock the vehicle. See
OnStar
Overview on page 14‑1.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System
See Radio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑20 for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-GEN/210/220/310.
If there is a decrease in the RKE
operating range:
.Check the distance. The
transmitter may be too far from
the vehicle.
.Check the location. Other
vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal.
.Check the transmitter's battery.
See “Battery Replacement” later
in this section.

Black plate (4,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
2-4 Keys, Doors, and Windows
7(Vehicle Locator/Panic
Alarm): Press and release one
time to initiate vehicle locator. The
exterior lamps flash and the horn
chirps three times.
Press and hold
7for at least
three seconds to sound the panic
alarm. The horn sounds and the
turn signals flash until
7is pressed
again or the vehicle is started.
/(Remote Vehicle Start): For
vehicles with this feature, press to
operate the remote start feature.
See Remote Vehicle Start on
page 2‑8.
The buttons on the keys are
disabled when there is a key in the
ignition, if equipped.
Keyless Access Operation
Some vehicles have a keyless
access system that lets you lock
and unlock the doors and access
the trunk without removing the RKE
transmitter from your pocket, purse,
briefcase, etc. The RKE transmitter should be within 1 m (3 ft) of the
door or trunk being opened. if the
vehicle has this feature, there will be
buttons on the outside of the door
handles.
The keyless access can be
programmed to unlock all doors on
the first unlock/lock button press
from the driver door. See
Vehicle
Personalization on page 5‑39.
Keyless Unlocking/Locking from
the Driver Door
When the doors are locked and the
RKE transmitter is within 1 m (3 ft)
of the driver door handle, pressing
the lock/unlock button on the driver
door handle will unlock the driver
door. If the lock/unlock button is
pressed again within five seconds,
all passenger doors will unlock.
Driver Side Shown, Passenger
Similar
Pressing the lock/unlock button will
cause all doors to lock if any of the
following occur:
.It has been more than
five seconds since the first lock/
unlock button press.
.Two lock/unlock button presses
were used to unlock all doors.
.Any vehicle door has opened
and all doors are now closed.

Black plate (6,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
2-6 Keys, Doors, and Windows
2. Insert the vehicle key of the newtransmitter into the key lock
cylinder located on the outside
of the driver door and turn the
key to the unlock position five
times within 10 seconds.
The Driver Information Center
(DIC) displays READY FOR
REMOTE #2, 3, 4 or 5.
3. Place the new transmitter into the transmitter pocket. The
transmitter pocket is located
inside the center console
storage area under the
cupholder. The cupholder will
need to be pulled out to access
the transmitter pocket.
4. Press the ignition. When the transmitter is learned, the DIC
will show that it is ready to
program the next transmitter.
5. Remove the transmitter from the transmitter pocket and press
K.
To program additional
transmitters, repeat Steps 3–5. When all additional transmitters
are programmed, press and hold
the ignition for 10 seconds to
exit programming mode.
Programming without a
Recognized Transmitter (Keyless
Access Vehicles Only)
If there are no currently recognized
transmitters available, follow this
procedure to program up to eight
transmitters. This feature is not
available in Canada. This procedure
will take approximately 30 minutes
to complete. The vehicle must be off
and all of the transmitters you wish
to program must be with you.
1. Insert the vehicle key of the transmitter into the key lock
cylinder located on the outside
of the driver door and turn the
key to the unlock position five
times within 10 seconds.
The Driver Information Center
(DIC) displays REMOTE LEARN
PENDING, PLEASE WAIT. 2. Wait for 10 minutes until the DIC
displays PRESS ENGINE
START BUTTON TO LEARN
and then press the ignition.
The DIC displays will again
show REMOTE LEARN
PENDING, PLEASE WAIT.
3. Repeat Step 2 two additional times. After the third time, all
previously known transmitters
will no longer work with the
vehicle. Remaining transmitters
can be relearned during the next
steps.
The DIC display should now
show READY FOR REMOTE
# 1.
4. Place the new transmitter into the transmitter pocket. The
transmitter pocket is located
inside the center console
storage area under the
cupholder. The cupholder will
need to be pulled out to access
the transmitter pocket.

Black plate (7,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-7
5. Press the ignition. When thetransmitter is learned the DIC
will show that it is ready to
program the next transmitter.
6. Remove the transmitter from the transmitter pocket and press
K.
To program additional
transmitters, repeat Steps 4–6.
When all additional transmitters
are programmed, press and hold
the ignition for 10 seconds to
exit programming mode.
Starting the Vehicle with a Low
Transmitter Battery
If the transmitter battery is weak, the
DIC may display NO REMOTE
DETECTED when you try to start
the vehicle. The REPLACE
BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY
message may also be displayed at
this time.
To start the vehicle:
1. Remove the cupholder from the center console storage area.
2. Place the transmitter in the transmitter pocket with the
buttons facing up.
3. With the vehicle in P (Park) or N (Neutral), press the brake
pedal and the START/STOP
button. See Starting the Engine
on page 9‑19 for additional
information about the vehicle's
keyless ignition with pushbutton
start. Replace the transmitter battery
as soon as possible.
Battery Replacement
Replace the battery if the REPLACE
BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY
message displays in the DIC. See
“REPLACE BATTERY IN REMOTE
KEY”
under Key and Lock
Messages on page 5‑36.
The battery is not rechargeable. To
replace the battery:
1. Push the button on the transmitter to extend the key.
2. Remove the battery cover by prying it with a finger.
3. Remove the battery by pushing on the battery and sliding it
toward the key blade.
4. Insert the new battery, positive side facing up. Push the battery
down until it is held in place.
Replace with a CR2032 or
equivalent battery.
5. Snap the battery cover back on to the transmitter.

Black plate (8,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
2-8 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Remote Vehicle Start
If available, this feature allows the
engine to be started from outside
the vehicle.
The
/button will be on the RKE
transmitter if the vehicle has remote
start.
Laws in some local communities
may restrict the use of remote
starters. For example, some laws
may require a person using remote
start to have the vehicle in view.
Check local regulations for any
requirements.
Starting the Engine Using Remote
Start
To start the engine using the remote
start feature:
1. Aim the RKE transmitter at the vehicle.
2. Press and release
Q. 3. Immediately after completing
Step 2, press and hold
/for at
least two seconds or until the
turn signal lamps flash. The turn
signal lamps flashing confirms
the request to remote start the
vehicle has been received.
When the engine starts, the
parking lamps will turn on and
remain on as long as the engine
is running. The doors will be
locked and the climate control
system may come on.
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).
The climate control system will use
the previous setting during a remote
start. The rear defog may come on
during remote start based on cold
ambient conditions. The rear defog indicator light does not come on
during remote start. See
“Remote
Start Climate Control Operation” in
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8‑1. 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
Cooled Seats” underVehicle
Personalization on page 5‑39 for
more information.
Extending Engine Run Time
The engine will continue to run for
10 minutes. Repeat the steps for a
10-minute time extension. Remote
start can only be extended once.
When 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.

Black plate (9,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-9
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.
Canceling a Remote Start
To cancel a remote start, do any of
the following:
.Aim the RKE transmitter at the
vehicle and press and hold
/
until the parking lamps turn off.
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Turn the vehicle on and then off.
Conditions in Which Remote Start
Will Not Work
The remote start will not operate if:
.The key is in the ignition (key
access) or the ignition is in any
position other than OFF (keyless
access).
.The transmitter is in the vehicle
(keyless access).
.The hood is not closed.
.The hazard warning flashers
are on.
.There is an emission control
system malfunction.
.The engine coolant temperature
is too high.
.The oil pressure is low.
.Two remote vehicle starts have
already been used.
.The vehicle is not in P (Park).
Door Locks
{WARNING
Unlocked doors can be
dangerous.
.Passengers, especially
children, can easily open the
doors and fall out of a moving (Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
vehicle. The chance of being
thrown out of the vehicle in a
crash is increased if the
doors are not locked. So, all
passengers should wear
safety belts properly and the
doors should be locked
whenever the vehicle is
driven.
.Young children who get into
unlocked vehicles may be
unable to get out. A child can
be overcome by extreme heat
and can suffer permanent
injuries or even death from
heat stroke. Always lock the
vehicle whenever leaving it.
.Outsiders can easily enter
through an unlocked door
when slowing or stopping the
vehicle. Lock the doors to
help prevent this from
happening.

Black plate (10,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
2-10 Keys, Doors, and Windows
To lock and unlock the doors from
the outside, use the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter or
the key.
To lock the doors from inside, use
the power door lock switch or door
lock knob. To unlock the doors, use
the power door lock switch or pull
once on the door handle to unlock it,
and a second time to open it.
Manually locking the driver door
also automatically locks all other
doors.
For more information see:
.Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2‑3.
.Power Door Locks on
page 2‑10.
.Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑39.
Power Door Locks
The power door lock controls are on
the front door panels.
K(Unlock):Press to unlock all
doors.
Q(Lock): Press to lock all doors.
Locking or unlocking the doors will
also lock or unlock the fuel door.
Locking features can be
programmed by using the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See
“Power Door Locks” inVehicle
Personalization on page 5‑39.
Delayed Locking
When locking the doors with the
power lock switch and a door is
open, the doors will lock
five seconds after the last door is
closed. You will hear three chimes
to signal that the delayed locking
feature is in use. Pressing the power lock switch
twice or the lock button on the RKE
transmitter twice will override the
delayed locking feature and
immediately lock all the doors.
This feature will not operate if the
key is in the ignition.
This feature can be programmed by
using the Driver Information Center
(DIC). See
“Delayed Door Lock”
under Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑39.
Safety Locks

Black plate (13,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-13
Disarming the System
To disarm the system, do one of the
following:
.PressKon the RKE transmitter.
.Unlock the vehicle with the RKE
transmitter (keyless access).
.Start the engine.
The alarm automatically disarms.
How to Detect a Tamper
Condition
IfKis pressed and the horn
sounds, an attempted break-in
occurred while the system was
armed.
If the alarm has been activated, a
message will appear on the DIC.
See Security Messages on
page 5‑37.
Immobilizer
See Radio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑20 for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-GEN/210/220/310.
Immobilizer Operation
(Key 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 key is
removed from the ignition.
The system is automatically
disarmed when the vehicle is
started with the correct key. 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 in the instrument
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