Black plate (59,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707475) - 2015 - CRC - 10/9/14
Driving and Operating 9-59
If the vehicle has a yellow fuel cap,
E85 or FlexFuel can be used in the
vehicle. SeeE85 or FlexFuel on
page 9-60.
Use regular unleaded gasoline
meeting ASTM specification D4814
with a posted octane rating of 87 or
higher. Do not use gasoline with an
octane rating below 87, as it may
cause engine damage and will lower
fuel economy.
Use of Seasonal Fuels
Use summer and winter fuels in the
appropriate season. The fuels
industry automatically modifies the
fuel for the appropriate season.
If fuel is left in the vehicle tank for
long periods of time, driving or
starting could be affected. Drive the
vehicle until the fuel is at one-half
tank or less, then refuel with the
current seasonal fuel.
Prohibited Fuels
Gasolines containing oxygenates
such as ethers and ethanol, as well
as reformulated gasolines, are available in some cities. If these
gasolines comply with the
previously described specification,
then they are acceptable to use.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and
other fuels containing more than
15% ethanol must be used only in
FlexFuel vehicles.
{Caution
Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal
parts in the fuel system and also
damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be
covered under the vehicle
warranty.
Some gasolines, mainly high octane
racing gasolines, can contain an
octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). Do not use
gasolines and/or fuel additives with
MMT as they can reduce spark plug
life and affect emission control
system performance. The malfunction indicator lamp may turn
on. If this occurs, see your dealer
for service.
California Fuel
Requirements
If the vehicle is certified to meet
California Emissions Standards, it is
designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specifications. See
the underhood emission control
label. If this fuel is not available in
states adopting California Emissions
Standards, the vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specifications, but emission
control system performance might
be affected. The malfunction
indicator lamp could turn on and the
vehicle may not pass a smog-check
test. See
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 5-16. If this occurs,
return to your authorized dealer for
diagnosis. If it is determined that the
condition is caused by the type of
fuel used, repairs may not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Black plate (25,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707475) - 2015 - CRC - 10/9/14
Vehicle Care 10-25
{Caution
.Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the windshield
washer. It can damage the
windshield washer system
and paint.
.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.
.When using concentrated
washer fluid, follow the
manufacturer instructions for
adding water.
.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.
Brakes
Disc brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or be
heard all the time when the vehicle
is moving, except when applying the
brake pedal firmly.
{Warning
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
a crash. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.
{Caution
Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly
brake repair.Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and
evenly tighten wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to torque
specifications. See
Capacities and
Specifications on page 12-2.
Brake pads should be replaced as
complete sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal
does not return to normal height,
or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign
that brake service may be required.
Black plate (10,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707475) - 2015 - CRC - 10/9/14
11-10 Service and Maintenance
Shocks and Struts
Shocks and struts help aid in control
for a smoother ride.
.Signs of wear may include
steering wheel vibration, bounce/
sway while braking, longer
stopping distance, or uneven
tire wear.
.As part of the multi-point
inspection, trained dealer
technicians can visually inspect
the shocks and struts for signs
of leaking, blown seals,
or damage, and can advise
when service is needed.Tires
Tires need to be properly inflated,
rotated, and balanced. Maintaining
the tires can save money and fuel,
and can reduce the risk of tire
failure.
.Signs that the tires need to be
replaced include three or more
visible treadwear indicators; cord
or fabric showing through the
rubber; cracks or cuts in the
tread or sidewall; or a bulge or
split in the tire.
.Trained dealer technicians can
inspect and recommend the right
tires. Your dealer can also
provide tire/wheel balancing
services to ensure smooth
vehicle operation at all speeds.
Your dealer sells and services
name brand tires.
Vehicle Care
To help keep the vehicle looking like
new, vehicle care products are
available from your dealer. For
information on how to clean and
protect the vehicle’s interior and
exterior, see Interior Care on
page 10-89 andExterior Care on
page 10-85.
Black plate (5,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707475) - 2015 - CRC - 10/9/14
INDEX i-5
Forward Collision Alert(FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-50
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-12
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Front Seats
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Heated and Ventilated . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Front Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-58 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-60
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-62
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-61
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-60
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 5-24
Requirements, California . . . . . 9-59
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-39 Fuses
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
G
Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . 5-51
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-51
Gauges Engine Coolant
Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Warning Lights and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7 General Information
Service and Maintenance . . . . . 11-1
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-63
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-5
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . 6-4
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Head-up Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-31
Headlamps
Adaptive ForwardLighting (AFL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Black plate (8,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707475) - 2015 - CRC - 10/9/14
i-8 INDEX
M
MaintenanceRecords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-14
Maintenance and Care Additional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . 11-2 Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-12
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . 5-16
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-29
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Memory Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Messages Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-42
Battery Voltage andCharging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35
Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-37
Engine Cooling System . . . . . . . 5-38
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-38
Engine Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-39
Fuel System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-39
Key and Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-39 Messages (cont'd)
Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-40
Object Detection System . . . . . 5-40
Ride Control System . . . . . . . . . . 5-42
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Service Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Starting the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-44
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35
Vehicle Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-44
Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-44
Mirrors Automatic Dimming
Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Convex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Folding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
Manual Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Tilt in Reverse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
Mirrors, Interior Rearview . . . . . . 2-19
Monitor System, Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-51
N
NavigationOnStar®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-3
Net, Convenience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . 9-14
O
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-40
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Oil
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-11
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . 10-13
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-38
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Older Children, Restraints . . . . . 3-33
Online Owner Center . . . . . . . . . . 13-4
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-15
OnStar
®
System, In Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Black plate (9,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7707475) - 2015 - CRC - 10/9/14
INDEX i-9
OnStar®Additional
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-6
OnStar
®Connections . . . . . . . . . . 14-4
OnStar®Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
OnStar®Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-3
OnStar®Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
OnStar®Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-3
OnStar®Vehicle
Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-6
Operating Mode Overheated Engine
Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Ordering Service Publications . . . . . . . . .13-11
Outlets Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Overheating, Engine . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
P
Park Shifting Into . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Shifting Out of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-31
Brake and P (Park)Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-29
Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . 9-25
Parking or Backing Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 9-48
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Passenger Compartment Air Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
Passenger Sensing System . . . 3-26
Perchlorate Materials
Requirements, California . . . . . 10-3
Personalization Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-45 Power
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Protection, Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . . 9-23
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Pregnancy, Using Safety
Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18
Privacy Vehicle Data Recording . . . . . 13-14
Program Courtesy Transportation . . . . . . 13-7
Proposition 65 Warning, California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3