
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159288) - 2016 - CRC - 10/5/15
70 Seats and Restraints
What Will You See after
an Airbag Inflates?
After the frontal airbags and
seat-mounted side impact airbags
inflate, they quickly deflate, so
quickly that some people may not
even realize an airbag inflated.
Roof-rail airbags may still be at least
partially inflated for some time after
they inflate. Some components of
the airbag module may be hot for
several minutes. For location of the
airbags, seeWhere Are the
Airbags? 067.
The parts of the airbag that come
into contact with you may be warm,
but not too hot to touch. There may
be some smoke and dust coming
from the vents in the deflated
airbags. Airbag inflation does not
prevent the driver from seeing out of
the windshield or being able to steer
the vehicle, nor does it prevent
people from leaving the vehicle.
{Warning
When an airbag inflates, there
may be dust in the air. This dust
could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of
asthma or other breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as
it is safe to do so. If you have
breathing problems but cannot
get out of the vehicle after an
airbag inflates, then get fresh air
by opening a window or a door.
If you experience breathing
problems following an airbag
deployment, you should seek
medical attention.
The vehicle has a feature that may
automatically unlock the doors, turn
on the interior lamps and hazard
warning flashers, and shut off the
fuel system after the airbags inflate.
The feature may also activate,
without airbag inflation, after an
event that exceeds a predetermined
threshold. You can lock the doors, and turn off the interior lamps and
hazard warning flashers by using
the controls for those features.
{Warning
A crash severe enough to inflate
the airbags may have also
damaged important functions in
the vehicle, such as the fuel
system, brake and steering
systems, etc. Even if the vehicle
appears to be drivable after a
moderate crash, there may be
concealed damage that could
make it difficult to safely operate
the vehicle.
Use caution if you should attempt
to restart the engine after a crash
has occurred.
Vehicles with eAssist have a high
voltage battery and a standard
12-volt battery. If an airbag inflates
or the vehicle has been in a crash,
the vehicle's sensing system may
shut down the high voltage system.
When this occurs, the high voltage
battery is disconnected and the

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Seats and Restraints 71
vehicle is not charging the 12-volt
battery or the electrical system. The
vehicle may start but it shuts down
once the 12-volt battery is depleted.
When the 12-volt battery is
depleted, the vehicle will not start
and the on-board jump start feature
is disabled. The airbag readiness
light and/or the 12-volt battery
warning light are displayed. Before
the vehicle can be operated again, it
must be serviced at your dealer.
In many crashes severe enough to
inflate the airbag, windshields are
broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may
also occur from the front outboard
passenger airbag.
.Airbags are designed to inflate
only once. After an airbag
inflates, you will need some new
parts for the airbag system.
If you do not get them, the
airbag system will not be there
to help protect you in another
crash. A new system will include
airbag modules and possibly
other parts. The service manual
for the vehicle covers the need
to replace other parts. .
The vehicle has a crash sensing
and diagnostic module which
records information after a
crash. See Vehicle Data
Recording and Privacy 0342
and Event Data
Recorders 0343.
. Let only qualified technicians
work on the airbag systems.
Improper service can mean that
an airbag system will not work
properly. See your dealer for
service.
Passenger Sensing
System
The vehicle has a passenger
sensing system for the front
outboard passenger position. The
passenger airbag status indicator
will light on the overhead console
when the vehicle is started.
United States
Canada and Mexico
The words ON and OFF, or the
symbol for on and off, will be visible
during the system check. When the
system check is complete, either the
word ON or OFF, or the symbol for
on or off, will be visible. See
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator 0112.
The passenger sensing system
turns off the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag under
certain conditions. No other airbag
is affected by the passenger
sensing system.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Seats and Restraints 75
passenger sensing system
operates. We recommend that you
not use seat covers or other
aftermarket equipment except when
approved by GM for your specific
vehicle. SeeAdding Equipment to
the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 076
for more information about
modifications that can affect how
the system operates.
A wet seat can affect the
performance of the passenger
sensing system. Here is how:
. The passenger sensing system
may turn off the passenger
frontal airbag when liquid is
soaked into the seat. If this
happens, the off indicator will be
lit, and the airbag readiness light
on the instrument cluster will
also be lit.
. Liquid pooled on the seat that
has not soaked in may make it
more likely that the passenger
sensing system will turn on the
passenger frontal airbag while a
child restraint or child occupant is on the seat. If the passenger
frontal airbag is turned on, the
on indicator will be lit.
If the passenger seat gets wet, dry
the seat immediately. If the airbag
readiness light is lit, do not install a
child restraint or allow anyone to
occupy the seat. See Airbag
Readiness Light 0112 for important
safety information.
The on indicator may be lit if an
object, such as a briefcase,
handbag, grocery bag, laptop or
other electronic device, is put on an
unoccupied seat. If this is not
desired remove the object from
the seat.
{Warning
Stowing of articles under the
passenger seat or between the
passenger seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the
proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle
should be serviced. There are parts
of the airbag system in several
places around the vehicle. Your
dealer and the service manual have
information about servicing the
vehicle and the airbag system. To
purchase a service manual, see
Service Publications Ordering
Information 0340.
{Warning
For up to 10 seconds after the
vehicle is turned off and the
battery is disconnected, an airbag
can still inflate during improper
service. You can be injured if you
are close to an airbag when it
inflates. Avoid yellow connectors.
They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow
proper service procedures, and
make sure the person performing
work for you is qualified to do so.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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100 Instruments and Controls
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 101
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 101
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 101
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 102
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . 111
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 112
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 113 Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 114
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Electric Parking Brake
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Service Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . 117
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
StabiliTrak
®OFF Light . . . . . . . . 118
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak
®Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . . 119
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 120
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 120
Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . 121
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 121
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 121
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Information Displays
Power Flows (eAssist Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Energy Information (eAssist Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Head-Up Display (HUD) . . . . . . 126
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Battery Voltage and Charging Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Brake System Messages . . . . . 130
Compass Messages . . . . . . . . . . 131
Cruise Control Messages . . . . . 131
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . 132
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . 133
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 133
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . . 133
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 133
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Ride Control System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Airbag System Messages . . . . 137
Security Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Service Vehicle Messages . . . . 137

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Instruments and Controls 113
United States
Canada and Mexico
When the vehicle is started, the
passenger airbag status indicator
will light ON and OFF, or the symbol
for on and off, for several seconds
as a system check. Then, after
several more seconds, the status
indicator will light either ON or OFF,
or either the on or off symbol, to let
you know the status of the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag. If the word ON or the on symbol is
lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag is
allowed to inflate.
If the word OFF or the off symbol is
lit on the airbag status indicator, it
means that the passenger sensing
system has turned off the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag.
If, after several seconds, both status
indicator lights remain on, or if there
are no lights at all, there may be a
problem with the lights or the
passenger sensing system. See
your dealer for service.
{Warning
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others,
have the vehicle serviced right
away. See
Airbag Readiness
Light 0112 for more information,
including important safety
information.
Charging System Light
The charging system light comes on
briefly when the ignition is turned
on, but the engine is not running, as
a check to show the light is working.
The light turns off when the engine
is started. If it does not, have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the light stays on, or comes on
while driving, there could be a
problem with the electrical charging
system. Have it checked by your
dealer. Driving while this light is on
could drain the battery.
If a short distance must be driven
with the light on, be sure to turn off
all accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.

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Instruments and Controls 115
driving trips with the cap
properly installed may turn the
light off.
. Poor fuel quality can cause
inefficient engine operation and
poor driveability, which may go
away once the engine is warmed
up. If this occurs, change the
fuel brand. It may require at
least one full tank of the proper
fuel to turn the light off. See
Fuel 0215.
If the light remains on, see your
dealer.
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
If the vehicle requires an Emissions
Inspection/Maintenance test, the
test equipment will likely connect to
the vehicle's Data Link
Connector (DLC).
The DLC is under the instrument
panel to the left of the steering
wheel. Connecting devices that are
not used to perform an Emissions
Inspection/Maintenance test or to
service the vehicle may affect
vehicle operation See Add-On
Electrical Equipment 0225. See
your dealer if assistance is needed.
The vehicle may not pass
inspection if:
. The light is on when the engine
is running.
. The light does not come on
when the ignition is in ON/RUN
with the engine not running for
Key Access or in Service Only
Mode for Keyless Access.
. Critical emission control systems
have not been completely
diagnosed. If this happens, the
vehicle would not be ready for
inspection and might require
several days of routine driving
before the system is ready for
inspection. This can happen if
the 12-volt battery has recently been replaced or run down, or if
the vehicle has been recently
serviced.
See your dealer if the vehicle will
not pass or cannot be made ready
for the test.
Brake System Warning
Light
The vehicle brake system consists
of two hydraulic circuits. If one
circuit is not working, the remaining
circuit can still work to stop the
vehicle. For normal braking
performance, both circuits need to
be working.
If the warning light comes on, there
is a brake problem. Have the brake
system inspected right away.
MetricEnglish

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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122 Instruments and Controls
Information Displays
Power Flows
(eAssist Only)
To view the Power Flow screens in
the center stack display, press the
[button on the Home screen or
on the Application Tray on the top of
the infotainment system touch
screen. Then press the Flow button
at the bottom of the touch screen.
These screens indicate the current
operating condition and the energy
flow between the engine, generator,
and high voltage battery.
Auto Stop –Vehicle is stationary
with battery active and no power is
flowing to the wheels.
Engine Power –Engine is active
with energy flowing to the wheels.
Engine Idle –Vehicle is stationary
with engine active and no power is
flowing to the wheels.
Regen Recovery –Power from the
wheels returns to the battery during
regenerative braking or coasting.
Hybrid Power –Both the engine and
battery are active with energy
flowing to the wheels.

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130 Instruments and Controls
Vehicle Messages
Messages displayed on the DIC
indicate the status of the vehicle or
some action that may be needed to
correct a condition. Multiple
messages may appear one after
another.
The messages that do not require
immediate action can be
acknowledged and cleared by
pressing
V.
The messages that require
immediate action cannot be cleared
until that action is performed.
All messages should be taken
seriously; clearing the message
does not correct the problem.
The following are the possible
messages and some information
about them.
Battery Voltage and
Charging Messages
BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE
This message displays when the
vehicle has detected that the battery
voltage is dropping beyond a
reasonable point. The battery saver
system starts reducing features of
the vehicle that may be noticed. At
the point that features are disabled,
this message displays. Turn off
unnecessary accessories to allow
the battery to recharge.
LOW BATTERY
This message is displayed when the
battery voltage is low. See Battery -
North America 0250.
SERVICE BATTERY
CHARGING SYSTEM
This message is displayed when
there is a fault in the battery
charging system. Take the vehicle to
your dealer for service.
Brake System Messages
BRAKE FLUID LOW
This message is displayed when the
brake fluid level is low. See Brake
Fluid 0249.
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
0 190 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 0190 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