Black plate (25,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6043609) - 2014 - 2nd Edition - 10/17/13
Driving and Operating 9-25
Torque Lock
Torque lock is when the weight of
the vehicle puts too much force on
the parking pawl in the
transmission. This happens when
parking on a hill and shifting the
transmission into P (Park) is not
done properly and then it is difficult
to shift out of P (Park). To prevent
torque lock, set the parking brake
and then shift into P (Park). To find
out how, see "Shifting Into P (Park)"
listed previously.
If torque lock does occur, your
vehicle may need to be pushed
uphill by another vehicle to relieve
the parking pawl pressure, so you
can shift out of P (Park).
If you are towing a trailer and
parking on a hill, seeDriving
Characteristics and Towing Tips on
page 9-63.
Shifting out of Park
Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock
The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control
system. The shift lock control
system is designed to:
.Prevent ignition key removal
unless the shift lever is in
P (Park).
.Prevent movement of the shift
lever out of P (Park), unless the
ignition is in ON/RUN and the
brake pedal is applied.
The shift lock is always functional
except in the case of an uncharged
or low voltage (less than 9‐volt)
battery.
If the vehicle has an uncharged
battery or a battery with low voltage,
try charging or jump starting the
battery. See Jump Starting (with or
without eAssist) on page 10-78 or
Jump Starting (On-board with
eAssist Only) on page 10-77. If the shift lever cannot be moved
out of P (Park):
1. Apply and maintain the regular
brakes.
2. Turn the ignition to the ON/RUN position. See Ignition Positions
(Key Access) on page 9-15 or
Ignition Positions (Keyless
Access) on page 9-16 for more
information.
3. Let up on the shift lever and make sure the shift lever is
pushed all the way into P (Park).
4. Press the shift lever button.
5. Move the shift lever into the desired gear.
If you still cannot move the shift
lever from P (Park), consult your
dealer or a professional towing
service.
Black plate (32,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6043609) - 2014 - 2nd Edition - 10/17/13
9-32 Driving and Operating
Parking Brake
The Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
switch is on the center console. The
EPB can always be activated, even
if the ignition is off. To prevent
draining the battery, avoid repeated
cycles of the EPB when the engine
is not running.
The system has a red parking brake
status light and an amber parking
brake warning light. SeeElectric
Parking Brake Light on page 5-19
and Service Electric Parking Brake
Light on page 5-19. There are also parking brake-related Driver
Information Center (DIC) messages.
See
Brake System Messages on
page 5-34. In case of insufficient
electrical power, the EPB cannot be
applied or released.
Before leaving the vehicle, check
the red parking brake status light to
ensure that the parking brake is
applied.
EPB Apply
To apply the EPB:
1. Be sure the vehicle is at a complete stop.
2. Lift up the EPB switch momentarily.
The red parking brake status light
will flash and then stay on once the
EPB is fully applied. If the red
parking brake status light flashes
continuously, then the EPB is only
partially applied or there is a
problem with the EPB. A DIC
message will display. Release the
EPB and try to apply it again. If the
light does not come on, or keeps flashing, have the vehicle serviced.
Do not drive the vehicle if the red
parking brake status light is flashing.
See your dealer. See
Electric
Parking Brake Light on page 5-19.
If the amber parking brake warning
light is on, lift up on the EPB switch
and hold it up. Continue to hold the
switch until the red parking brake
status light remains on. If the amber
parking brake warning light is on,
see your dealer.
If the EPB is applied while the
vehicle is moving, the vehicle will
decelerate as long as the switch is
held up. If the switch is held up until
the vehicle comes to a stop, the
EPB will remain applied.
The vehicle may automatically apply
the EPB in some situations when
the vehicle is not moving. This is
normal, and is done to periodically
check the correct operation of the
EPB system.
If the EPB fails to apply, the rear
wheels should be blocked to
prevent vehicle movement.
Black plate (68,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6043609) - 2014 - 2nd Edition - 10/17/13
9-68 Driving and Operating
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Caution
Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle or cause
components to not work and
would not be covered by the
warranty. Always check with your
dealer before adding electrical
equipment.
Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle's 12-volt battery, even if the
vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 3-30 andAdding
Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 3-30.
Black plate (1,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6043609) - 2014 - 2nd Edition - 10/17/13
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . 10-3
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . 10-13
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-15
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-17
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-19
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-21
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23 Power Steering Fluid (2.4L
L4 Engine and 3.6L
V6 Engine with FWD) . . . . . 10-23
Power Steering Fluid (3.6L V6 Engine with AWD) . . . . . 10-23
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-28
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-29
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Windshield Replacement . . . 10-30
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31 High Intensity Discharge
(HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . 10-33
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
Black plate (7,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6043609) - 2014 - 2nd Edition - 10/17/13
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 10-24.
9. Battery (Under Cover). See Battery on page 10-27.
10. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant on page 10-19. 11.
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10-35.
12. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
on page 10-24.
Black plate (9,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6043609) - 2014 - 2nd Edition - 10/17/13
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 10-24.
8. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant on page 10-19. 9. Battery Cover. See
Battery on
page 10-27.
10. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10-35.
11. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
on page 10-24.
Black plate (11,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6043609) - 2014 - 2nd Edition - 10/17/13
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 10-24.
7. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant on page 10-19.
8. Battery Cover. See Battery on
page 10-27.
9. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10-35.
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 (27,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6043609) - 2014 - 2nd Edition - 10/17/13
Vehicle Care 10-27
Caution (Continued)
.If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces,
the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to
spill brake fluid on the
vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately.
Battery
This vehicle has a standard 12-volt
battery. Refer to the replacement
number on the original battery label
when a new standard 12-volt battery
is needed.
eAssist vehicles also have a high
voltage battery. Only a trained
service technician with the proper
knowledge and tools should inspect,
test, or replace the high voltage
battery. See your dealer if the high
voltage battery needs service. The
dealer has information on how torecycle the high voltage battery.
There is also information available
at http://www.recyclemybattery.com.
The eAssist system high voltage
battery is cooled with air drawn from
the vehicle interior. The cold air
intake for the battery is behind the
rear seat, on the filler panel. Do not
cover the intake.
{Warning
Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and reproductive
harm. Wash hands after handling.
Vehicle Storage
{Warning
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful. See
Jump Starting
(with or without eAssist) on
page 10-78 orJump Starting
(On-board with eAssist Only) on
page 10-77 for tips on working
around a battery without
getting hurt.