Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159288) - 2016 - CRC - 10/5/15
192 Driving and Operating
Brake Assist
The Brake Assist feature is
designed to assist the driver in
stopping or decreasing vehicle
speed in emergency driving
conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake
control module to supplement the
power brake system under
conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle. The
stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates.
Minor brake pedal pulsation or
pedal movement during this time is
normal and the driver should
continue to apply the brake pedal as
the driving situation dictates. The
Brake Assist feature will
automatically disengage when the
brake pedal is released or brake
pedal pressure is quickly
decreased.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
This vehicle has an HSA feature,
which may be useful when the
vehicle is stopped on a grade
sufficient enough to activate HSA.
This feature is designed to prevent
the vehicle from rolling, either
forward or rearward, during vehicle
drive off. After the driver completely
stops and holds the vehicle in a
complete standstill on a grade, HSA
will be automatically activated.
During the transition period between
when the driver releases the brake
pedal and starts to accelerate to
drive off on a grade, HSA holds the
braking pressure for a maximum of
two seconds to ensure that there is
no rolling. The brakes will
automatically release when the
accelerator pedal is applied within
the two-second window. It will not
activate if the vehicle is in a drive
gear and facing downhill, or if the
vehicle is facing uphill and in
R (Reverse).
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and StabiliTrak®, an
electronic stability control system.
These systems help limit wheel slip
and assist the driver in maintaining
control, especially on slippery road
conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any
of the drive wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, TCS applies the brakes to
the spinning wheels and reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak activates when the
vehicle senses a difference between
the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak selectively applies
braking pressure to any one of the
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159288) - 2016 - CRC - 10/5/15
222 Driving and Operating
vehicle may show signs similar to
engine overheating. To avoid this,
let the engine run while parked,
preferably on level ground, with the
automatic transmission in P (Park)
for a few minutes before turning the
engine off. If the overheat warning
comes on, seeEngine
Overheating 0245.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic if
facing uphill. 2. Have someone place chocks
under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the regular
brakes until the chocks absorb
the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and
shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift into a gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Let up on the brake pedal.
6. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
7. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See
Maintenance Schedule 0314.
Things that are especially important
in trailer operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle
lubricant, belts, cooling system, and
brake system. It is a good idea to
inspect these before and during
the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Trailer Towing (Except
eAssist)
Before pulling a trailer, three
important considerations have to do
with weight:
. Weight of the trailer.
. Weight of the trailer tongue.
. Total weight on your vehicle's
tires.
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159288) - 2016 - CRC - 10/5/15
250 Vehicle Care
{Warning
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake fluid only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic
system.
When the brake fluid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. See Brake System Warning
Light 0115.
Brake fluid absorbs water over time
which degrades the effectiveness of
the brake fluid. Replace brake fluid
at the specified intervals to prevent
increased stopping distance. See
Maintenance Schedule 0314.
What to Add
Use only GM approved DOT 3
brake fluid from a clean, sealed
container. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0323.
{Warning
The wrong or contaminated brake
fluid could result in damage to the
brake system. This could result in
the loss of braking leading to a
possible injury. Always use the
proper GM approved brake fluid.
Caution
If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces, the
paint finish can be damaged.
Immediately wash off any painted
surface.
Battery - North America
The original equipment battery is
maintenance free. Do not remove
the cap and do not add fluid.
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 to
recycle 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.
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159288) - 2016 - CRC - 10/5/15
296 Vehicle Care
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and
Tools With a Screw in Fastener
1. Turn the wrenchcounterclockwise to remove the
fastener.
2. Replace the fastener with the one provided in the foam.
3. Turn the wrench clockwise to tighten the fastener.
4. Replace the foam, jack and tools, and the tire.
5. Turn the retainer nut clockwise to secure the tire.
6. Place the floor cover on the wheel. The compact spare is for temporary
use only. Replace the compact
spare tire with a full-size tire as
soon as you can.
Compact Spare Tire
{Warning
Driving with more than one
compact spare tire at a time could
result in loss of braking and
handling. This could lead to a
crash and you or others could be
injured. Use only one compact
spare tire at a time.
If this vehicle has a compact spare
tire, it was fully inflated when new;
however, it can lose air over time.
Check the inflation pressure
regularly. It should be 420 kPa
(60 psi).
Stop as soon as possible and check
that the spare tire is correctly
inflated after being installed on the
vehicle. The compact spare tire is
designed for temporary use only.
The vehicle will perform differently with the spare tire installed and it is
recommended that the vehicle
speed be limited to 80 km/h
(50 mph). To conserve the tread of
the spare tire, have the standard tire
repaired or replaced as soon as
convenient and return the spare tire
to the storage area.
When using a compact spare tire,
the AWD (if equipped), ABS, and
Traction Control systems may
engage until the spare tire is
recognized by the vehicle,
especially on slippery roads. Adjust
driving to reduce possible
wheel slip.
Caution
When the compact spare is
installed, do not take the vehicle
through an automatic car wash
with guide rails. The compact
spare can get caught on the rails
which can damage the tire, wheel,
and other parts of the vehicle.
Do not use the compact spare on
other vehicles.
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159288) - 2016 - CRC - 10/5/15
304 Vehicle Care
Appearance Care
Exterior Care
Locks
Locks are lubricated at the factory.
Use a de-icing agent only when
absolutely necessary, and have the
locks greased after using. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants0323.
Washing the Vehicle
To preserve the vehicle's finish,
wash it often and out of direct
sunlight.
Caution
Do not use petroleum-based,
acidic, or abrasive cleaning
agents as they can damage the
vehicle's paint, metal, or plastic
parts. If damage occurs, it would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Approved cleaning
products can be obtained from
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
your dealer. Follow all
manufacturer directions regarding
correct product usage, necessary
safety precautions, and
appropriate disposal of any
vehicle care product.
Caution
Avoid using high-pressure
washes closer than 30 cm (12 in)
to the surface of the vehicle. Use
of power washers exceeding
8,274 kPa (1,200 psi) can result
in damage or removal of paint
and decals.
Caution
Do not power wash any
component under the hood that
has this
esymbol.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
This could cause damage that
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
If using an automatic car wash,
follow the car wash instructions. The
windshield wiper and rear window
wiper, if equipped, must be off.
Remove any accessories that may
be damaged or interfere with the car
wash equipment.
Rinse the vehicle well, before
washing and after, to remove all
cleaning agents completely. If they
are allowed to dry on the surface,
they could stain.
Dry the finish with a soft, clean
chamois or an all-cotton towel to
avoid surface scratches and water
spotting.
Finish Care
Application of aftermarket clearcoat
sealant/wax materials is not
recommended. If painted surfaces
are damaged, see your dealer to
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159288) - 2016 - CRC - 10/5/15
Index 355
IndexA
Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . . . 197
Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . 225
Additional Information
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
Additional Maintenance and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Adjustments Lumbar, Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . . . 239
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Air Intake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
How Does an AirbagRestrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Passenger Sensing System . . . . 71
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Airbag System (cont'd)
What Will You See after an
Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
When Should an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . . 67
Airbags Adding Equipment to theVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Passenger Status Indicator . . . .112
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Servicing Airbag-Equipped Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Alarm Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Alert Lane Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211
Side Blind Zone (SBZA) . . . . . . .211
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . 189, 251
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . 189 Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Appearance Care Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Armrest Rear Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159288) - 2016 - CRC - 10/5/15
360 Index
IndicatorVehicle Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Infants and Young Children, Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Information Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Interior Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . 44
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
J
Jump Starting - North
America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297, 298
K
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . . . . 133
Keyless EntryRemote (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . 28
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . . . 266
Lamps Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . 149
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Exterior Lamps OffReminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 Lamps (cont'd)
Headlamps, Front Turn
Signal, and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
License Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Malfunction Indicator . . . . . . . . . .114
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Sun Visor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . . 211
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Lane Departure Warning
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
LATCH System Replacing Parts after a
Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
LATCH, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Light Adaptive Forward Lighting(AFL) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Lighting Adaptive Forward . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 Lighting (cont'd)
Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . 152
LED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Antilock Brake System(ABS) Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Brake System Warning . . . . . . . .115
Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . .116
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning . . . . . . . .118
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . .119
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Front Fog Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
High-Beam On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 149
Lane Departure Warning . . . . . . .117
Low Fuel Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . 111
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Service Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
StabiliTrak
®OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119