
Black plate (36,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707475) - 2015 - CRC - 10/9/14
5-36 Instruments and Controls
Brake System Messages
BRAKE FLUID LOW
This message is displayed when the
brake fluid level is low. SeeBrake
Fluid on page 10-26.
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 9-31 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 9-31 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 9-31 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 5-4.
– –
Dashes will be displayed if the
compass needs service. See your
dealer for service.
Cruise Control Messages
ADAPTIVE CRUISE SET
TO XXX
This message displays when the
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
speed is set. See Adaptive Cruise
Control on page 9-39.
ADAPTIVE CRUISE
TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE
This message displays when
attempting to activate Adaptive
Cruise Control (ACC) when it is
temporarily unavailable. The ACC
system does not need service.
This can occur under the following
conditions:
.Cruise is turned on when the
vehicle is stopped.
.The radar can't see objects well.
See next message.

Black plate (41,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707475) - 2015 - CRC - 10/9/14
Instruments and Controls 5-41
LANE CHANGE ALERT OFF
This message indicates that the
driver has turned the Side Blind
Zone Alert (SBZA) and Lane
Change Alert (LCA) systems off.
LANE DEPARTURE WARNING
UNAVAILABLE
This message displays when
attempting to activate the Lane
Departure Warning (LDW) system
when it is temporarily unavailable.
The LDW system does not need
service.
This message could be due to the
camera being blocked. Cleaning the
outside of the windshield behind the
rearview mirror may correct the
issue.
PARK ASSIST OFF
This message displays when the
Parking Assist system has been
turned off or when there is a
temporary condition causing the
system to be disabled.
REAR CROSS TRAFFIC
ALERT OFF
This message displays when the
Rear Cross Traffic Alert has been
turned off.
SERVICE AUTOMATIC
COLLISION PREP
If this message displays, take the
vehicle to your dealer to repair the
system. Adaptive Cruise Control
(ACC), Forward Collision Alert
(FCA), and/or the Active Emergency
Braking System may not work. Do
not use these systems until the
vehicle has been repaired.
SERVICE FRONT CAMERA
If this message remains on after
continued driving, the vehicle needs
service. Do not use the Lane
Departure Warning (LDW) and
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
features. Take the vehicle to your
dealer.
SERVICE PARKING ASSIST
This message displays if there is a
problem with the Parking Assist
system. Do not use this system to
help you park. See your dealer for
service.
SERVICE SIDE DETECTION
SYSTEM
If this message remains on after
continued driving, the vehicle needs
service. Side Blind Zone Alert
(SBZA), Lane Change Alert (LCA),
and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
features will not work. Take the
vehicle to your dealer.
SIDE DETECTION SYSTEM
UNAVAILABLE
This message indicates that Side
Blind Zone Alert (SBZA), Lane
Change Alert (LCA), and Rear
Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) are
disabled either because the sensor
is blocked and cannot detect
vehicles in the blind zone, or the
vehicle is passing through an open
area, such as the desert, where

Black plate (47,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707475) - 2015 - CRC - 10/9/14
Instruments and Controls 5-47
Go Notifier
This feature will give a reminder that
Adaptive Cruise Control provides
when it has brought the vehicle to a
complete stop behind another
stopping vehicle, and then that
vehicle drives on.
Select Off or On.
SeeAdaptive Cruise Control on
page 9-39.
Side Blind Zone Alert
Select Off or On. See Side Blind
Zone Alert (SBZA) on page 9-54.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Select Off or On. See Assistance
Systems for Parking or Backing on
page 9-48.
Comfort and Convenience
Select and the following may be
displayed:
.Auto Memory Recall
.Easy Exit Options
.Chime Volume Auto Memory Recall
This feature automatically recalls
the current driver
’s previously stored
1 or 2 button positions when
entering the vehicle. See Memory
Seats on page 3-7.
Select Off, On - Driver Door Open,
or On - At ignition On.
Easy Exit Options
This feature moves the seat
rearward allowing the driver more
room to exit the vehicle. See
Memory Seats on page 3-7.
Select Off or On.
Chime Volume
This allows the selection of the
chime volume level.
Press + or −to adjust the volume. Lighting
Select and the following may be
displayed:
.Vehicle Locator Lights
.Exit Lighting
.Daytime Tail Lights
Vehicle Locator Lights
This feature will flash the exterior
lamps when
Kon the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter is
pressed to locate the vehicle.
Select Off or On.
Exit Lighting
This allows the selection of how
long the exterior lamps stay on
when leaving the vehicle when it is
dark outside.
Select Off, 30 Seconds,
60 Seconds, or 120 Seconds.

Black plate (50,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707475) - 2015 - CRC - 10/9/14
5-50 Instruments and Controls
Display
Select and the following may be
displayed:
.Theme
.Calibrate Touchscreen
.Turn Display Off
Theme
Select to change the color, font, and
art of the display.
Select Contemporary, Mainstreet,
Edge, or Velocity.
Calibrate Touchscreen
Select to calibrate the touchscreen,
then follow the prompts.
Turn Display Off
Select to turn the display off. Press
anywhere on the display area or any
faceplate button to turn the
display on.
Rear Camera
Select and the following may be
displayed:
.Guidance Lines
.Rear Park Assist Symbols
Guidance Lines
Select to turn Off or On. See
Assistance Systems for Parking or
Backing on page 9-48.
Rear Park Assist Symbols
Select to turn Off or On. See
Assistance Systems for Parking or
Backing on page 9-48.
Return to Factory Settings
Select and the following may be
displayed:
.Restore Vehicle Settings
.Clear All Private Data
.Restore Radio Settings Restore Vehicle Settings
This allows selection of restoring
vehicle settings.
Select Cancel or Restore.
Clear All Private Data
This allows selection to clear all
private information from the vehicle.
Select Cancel or Delete.
Restore Radio Settings
This allows selection to restore
radio settings.
Select Cancel or Restore.
Software Information
Select to view the infotainment
system current software information.

Black plate (51,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707475) - 2015 - CRC - 10/9/14
Instruments and Controls 5-51
Universal Remote
System
SeeRadio Frequency Statement on
page 13-12.
Universal Remote System
Programming
If equipped, these buttons are in the
overhead console.
This system can replace up to three
remote control transmitters used to
activate devices such as garage
door openers, security systems, and home automation devices. These
instructions refer to a garage door
opener, but can be used for other
devices.
Do not use the Universal Remote
system with any garage door opener
that does not have the stop and
reverse feature. This includes any
garage door opener model
manufactured before April 1, 1982.
Read these instructions completely
before programming the Universal
Remote system. It may help to have
another person assist with the
programming process.
Keep the original hand-held
transmitter for use in other vehicles
as well as for future programming.
Erase the programming when
vehicle ownership is terminated.
See
“Erasing Universal Remote
System Buttons” later in this
section. To program a garage door opener,
park outside directly in line with and
facing the garage door opener
receiver. Clear all people and
objects near the garage door.
Make sure the hand-held transmitter
has a new battery for quick and
accurate transmission of the
radio-frequency signal.
Programming the Universal
Remote System
For questions or help programming
the Universal Remote system, call
1-800-355-3515 or see
www.homelink.com.
Programming involves
time-sensitive actions, and may time
out causing the procedure to be
repeated.
To program up to three devices:
1. Hold the end of the hand-held
transmitter about 3 to 8 cm (1 to
3 in) away from the Universal
Remote system buttons with the
indicator light in view. The

Black plate (1,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707475) - 2015 - CRC - 10/9/14
Driving and Operating 9-1
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 9-7
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-8
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 9-9
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . 9-10
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . 9-14
Ignition Positions (KeyAccess) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-15
Ignition Positions (Keyless Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-16
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . 9-18
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22 Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Running the Vehicle WhileParked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . 9-27
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-29
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-31
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . 9-33
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-34
Limited-Slip Differential . . . . . . 9-36
Selective Ride Control . . . . . . . 9-36
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-37
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . 9-39
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-47
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . 9-48
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-50
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-50
Active Emergency Braking System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-53
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
Lane Change Alert . . . . . . . . . . . 9-55
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-57

Black plate (2,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707475) - 2015 - CRC - 10/9/14
9-2 Driving and Operating
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-58
California FuelRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-59
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 9-60
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-60
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-60
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-61
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-62
Trailer Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-63
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-63
Trailer Towing (Except eAssist) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-66
Trailer Towing (eAssist) . . . . . . 9-67
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 9-67
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-68
Driving Information
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms
and can take your focus from the
task of driving. Exercise good
judgment and do not let other
activities divert your attention away
from the road. Many local
governments have enacted laws
regarding driver distraction. Become
familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, always
keep your eyes on the road, hands
on the wheel, and mind on the drive.
.Do not use a phone in
demanding driving situations.
Use a hands-free method to
place or receive necessary
phone calls.
.Watch the road. Do not read,
take notes, or look up
information on phones or other
electronic devices.
.Designate a front seat
passenger to handle potential
distractions.
.Become familiar with vehicle
features before driving, such as
programming favorite radio
stations and adjusting climate
control and seat settings.
Program all trip information into
any navigation device prior to
driving.
.Wait until the vehicle is parked
to retrieve items that have fallen
to the floor.
.Stop or park the vehicle to tend
to children.
.Keep pets in an appropriate
carrier or restraint.
.Avoid stressful conversations
while driving, whether with a
passenger or on a cell phone.

Black plate (4,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707475) - 2015 - CRC - 10/9/14
9-4 Driving and Operating
If the engine ever stops while the
vehicle is being driven, brake
normally but do not pump the
brakes. Doing so could make the
pedal harder to push down. If the
engine stops, there will be some
power brake assist but it will be
used when the brake is applied.
Once the power assist is used up, it
can take longer to stop and the
brake pedal will be harder to push.
Steering
Electric Power Steering
If the vehicle has electric power
steering it does not have power
steering fluid. Regular maintenance
is not required.
If power steering assist is lost due
to a system malfunction, the vehicle
can be steered, but may require
increased effort.
See your dealer if there is a
problem.If the steering wheel is turned until it
reaches the end of its travel and is
held against that position for an
extended period of time, power
steering assist may be reduced.
If the steering assist is used for an
extended period of time, power
assist may be reduced.
Normal use of the power steering
assist should return when the
system cools down.
See specific vehicle steering
messages under
Vehicle Messages
on page 5-35.Variable Effort Steering
Some vehicles have a steering
system that varies the amount of
effort required to steer the vehicle in
relation to the speed of the vehicle.
The amount of steering effort
required is less at slower speeds to
make the vehicle more
maneuverable and easier to park. At
faster speeds, the steering effort increases to provide a sport-like feel
to the steering. This provides
maximum control and stability.
If the vehicle seems harder to steer
than normal when parking or driving
slowly, there may be a problem with
the system. You will still have power
steering, but steering will be stiffer
than normal at slow speeds. See
your dealer for service.
Hydraulic Power Steering
If the vehicle has hydraulic power
steering, it may require
maintenance. 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.
If power steering assist is lost
because the engine stops or a
system malfunction, the vehicle can
be steered but may require
increased effort. See your dealer if
there is a problem.