2013 BUICK LACROSSE shield

Black plate (5,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Climate Controls 8-5
When the indicator light is on, air is
recirculated inside the vehicle. If the
indicator light is off, outside air will
flow into the vehicle. Press AUTO or
@to return to automatic
operation.
Auto Defog: The climate control
system may have a sensor to
automatically detect high humidity
inside the vehicle. When high
humidity is detected, the climate
control system may adjust to
outside air supply and turn on the
air conditioner. The fan speed may
slightly increase to help prevent
fogging. If the climate control
system does not detect possible
window fogging, it returns to normal
operation. For eAssist vehicles,
there may be shorter and less
frequent auto stops when auto
defog is in use.
To turn Auto Defog off or on, see
“Climate and Air Quality” under
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑39.
Rear Window Defogger
=(Rear Window Defogger):
Press to turn the rear window
defogger on or off.
The rear window defogger turns off
automatically after about
10 minutes. If turned on again it
runs for about five minutes before
turning off. The defogger can also
be turned off by turning the ignition
to ACC/ACCESSORY or
LOCK/OFF.
The rear window defogger can be
set to automatic operation. See
“Climate and Air Quality” under
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑39. When auto rear defog is
selected, the rear window defogger
turns on automatically when the
interior temperature is cold and the
outside temperature is about 4°C
(40°F) and below. The auto rear
defogger turns off automatically
after about 10 minutes, or after
five minutes if the outside
temperature is not as cold. For eAssist vehicles, auto rear
defog will only run during a remote
start and the feature is not available
in the Vehicle Personalization menu.
For vehicles with heated outside
rearview mirrors, they turn on when
the rear window defogger button is
on and help to clear fog or frost from
the surface of the mirror. See
Heated Mirrors on page 2‑16.
Notice:
Do not try to clear frost
or other material from the inside
of the front windshield and rear
window with a razor blade or
anything else that is sharp. This
may damage the rear window
defogger grid and affect the
radio's ability to pick up stations
clearly. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
((Heated Steering Wheel): For
vehicles with this feature, press to
turn on or off. See Heated Steering
Wheel on page 5‑3.

Black plate (6,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
8-6 Climate Controls
Remote Start Climate Control
Operation (If Equipped):For
vehicles with the remote start
feature, the climate control system
may run when the vehicle is started
remotely. The system uses the
driver ’s previous settings to heat or
cool the inside of the vehicle. The
rear defog may come on during
remote start based on cold ambient
conditions. If the vehicle has heated
or ventilated seats, they may come
on during a remote start. See
Remote Vehicle Start on page 2‑8
and Heated and Ventilated Seats on
page 1‑8.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; otherwise
the automatic climate control system
may not work properly.
Air Vents
Use the louvers located on the air
vents to change the direction of the
airflow.
To open the vent, move the
thumbwheel to
t. To close the vent,
move the thumbwheel to
l.
For vehicles with eAssist, there is a
battery cooling air vent located on
the shelf behind the rear passenger
seats below the rear window. Keep
this air inlet clear from items that
may block air flow. Proper airflow is
required to keep the eAssist battery
and control system cool.

Black plate (7,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Climate Controls 8-7
Operation Tips
.Keep all outlets open whenever
possible for best system
performance.
.Keep the path under all seats
clear of objects to help circulate
the air inside the vehicle more
effectively.
.Use of non-GM approved hood
deflectors can adversely affect
the performance of the system.
Maintenance
Air Intake
Clear away any ice, snow, or leaves
from the air intake at the base of the
windshield that can block the flow of
air into the vehicle.
Passenger Compartment
Air Filter
The filter removes dust, pollen, and
other airborne irritants from outside
air that is pulled into the vehicle.
The filter should be replaced as part
of routine scheduled maintenance.
SeeMaintenance Schedule on
page 11‑2 for replacement intervals.
For more information, see your
dealer.
Service
This vehicle may have the new
environmentally friendly refrigerant,
R1234yf. This refrigerant has a
significantly reduced global warming impact on the environment,
compared to the traditional
automotive refrigerant, R-134a. All
vehicles have a label underhood
that identifies the refrigerant used in
the vehicle.
The refrigerant system should only
be serviced by trained and certified
technicians. The air conditioning
evaporator should never be repaired
or replaced by one from a salvage
vehicle. It should only be replaced
by a new evaporator to ensure
proper and safe operation.
During service, all refrigerants
should be reclaimed with proper
equipment. Venting refrigerants
directly to the atmosphere is harmful
to the environment and may also
create unsafe conditions based on
inhalation, combustion, frostbite,
or other health-based concerns.

Black plate (7,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Driving and Operating 9-7
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 10‑42.
.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 the 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
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
none going down a hill. You could
crash. Shift down to let the engine
assist the brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
{WARNING
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. The brakes will have
to do all the work of slowing down
and they could get so hot that
they would not work well. You
would then have poor braking or
even none going down a hill.
Steering may also be affected
when ignition is off. You could
crash. Always have the engine
running and the vehicle in gear
when going downhill.

Black plate (7,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Vehicle Care 10-7
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑15.
2. Engine Cover.
3. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System on
page 10‑17.
4. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑11.
5. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See Engine Oil on
page 10‑11.
6. High Voltage Cable (Orange Color).
7. Transmission Fluid Cap. See Automatic Transmission Fluid on
page 10‑14.
8. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See Brakes on
page 10‑25.
9. Battery (Under Cover). See Battery on page 10‑27.
10. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant on page 10‑18. 11.
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10‑36.
12. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
on page 10‑24.

Black plate (9,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Vehicle Care 10-9
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑15.
2. Power Steering Reservoir and Cap. See Power Steering Fluid
(2.4L L4 Engine and 3.6L
V6 Engine with FWD) on
page 10‑23 orPower Steering
Fluid (3.6L V6 Engine with AWD)
on page 10‑23.
3. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑11.
4. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑11.
5. Engine Cover.
6. Transmission Fluid Cap and Dipstick. See Automatic
Transmission Fluid on
page 10‑14.
7. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See Brakes on
page 10‑25.
8. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant on page 10‑18. 9. Battery Cover. See
Battery on
page 10‑27.
10. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10‑36.
11. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
on page 10‑24.

Black plate (11,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Vehicle Care 10-11
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑15.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑11.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑11.
4. Engine Cover.
5. Transmission Fluid Cap and Dipstick. See Automatic
Transmission Fluid on
page 10‑14.
6. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See Brakes on
page 10‑25.
7. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant on page 10‑18.
8. Battery Cover. See Battery on
page 10‑27.
9. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10‑36.
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
on page 10‑24.Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.Always use engine oil approved
to the proper specification and of
the proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
.Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
.Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System on page 10‑13.
.Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine
oil level at each fuel fill. In order to
get an accurate reading, the vehicle
must be on level ground. The
engine oil dipstick handle is a loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6 for the location of the
engine oil dipstick.
Obtaining an accurate oil level
reading is essential:
1. If the engine has been running recently, turn off the engine and
allow several minutes for the oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
Checking the oil level too soon
after engine shutoff will not
provide an accurate oil level
reading.
{WARNING
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.

Black plate (24,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
10-24 Vehicle Care
The fluid level should be between
MIN and MAX on the dipstick.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to
use, seeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑12. Always
use the proper fluid.
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When windshield washer fluid is
needed, be sure to read the
manufacturer's instructions before
use. If operating the vehicle in an
area where the temperature may fall
below freezing, use a fluid that has
sufficient protection against
freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer fluid until
the tank is full. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑6 for reservoir location. Notice
.When using concentrated
washer fluid, follow the
manufacturer instructions for
adding water.
.Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the solution
to freeze and damage the
washer fluid tank and other
parts of the washer system.
.Fill the washer fluid tank only
three-quarters full when it is
very cold. This allows for
fluid expansion if freezing
occurs, which could damage
the tank if it is
completely full.
.Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the windshield
washer. It can damage the
windshield washer system
and paint.