Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159288) - 2016 - CRC - 10/5/15
44 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Folding Mirrors
Manual Folding Mirrors
These mirrors can be folded inward
to prevent damage when going
through an automatic car wash. To
fold, pull the mirror toward the
vehicle. Push the mirror outward to
return it to the original position.
Automatic Dimming Feature
The vehicle may have a driver
outside mirror that automatically
adjusts for the glare of the
headlamps behind.
Turn Signal Indicator
The vehicle may have a turn signal
indicator lamp built into the mirror
housing. The turn signal lamp
flashes when the turn signals or
hazard flashers are used.
Heated Mirrors
For vehicles with heated mirrors:
1(Rear Window Defogger) :
Press to heat the mirrors. See
“Rear Window Defogger” under
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System 0157.
Reverse Tilt Mirrors
If equipped with memory seats, the
passenger and/or driver mirror tilts
to a preselected position when the
vehicle is in R (Reverse). This
allows the curb to be seen when
parallel parking.
The mirror(s) return to the original
position when:
.
The vehicle is shifted out of
R (Reverse), or remains in
R (Reverse) for about
30 seconds.
. The ignition is turned off.
. The vehicle is driven in
R (Reverse) above a set speed.
To turn this feature on or off, see
Vehicle Personalization 0139.
Interior Mirrors
Interior Rearview Mirrors
Adjust the rearview mirror for a clear
view of the area behind your
vehicle.
If equipped with OnStar, the vehicle
may have three control buttons at
the bottom of the mirror. See your
dealer for more information about
OnStar and how to subscribe to it.
See OnStar Overview 0345.
Do not spray glass cleaner directly
on the mirror. Use a soft towel
dampened with water.
Manual Rearview Mirror
If equipped, push the tab forward for
daytime use and pull it for nighttime
use to avoid glare from the
headlamps from behind.
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159288) - 2016 - CRC - 10/5/15
Instruments and Controls 103
If the windshield wiper lever is then
moved to OFF before the driver
door is opened or within 10 minutes,
the wipers will restart and move to
the base of the windshield.
If the ignition is put in OFF while the
wipers are performing wipes due to
windshield washing, the wipers
continue to run until they reach the
base of the windshield.
Compass
The vehicle may have a compass
display on the Driver Information
Center (DIC). The compass receives
its heading and other information
from the Global Positioning
System (GPS) antenna,
StabiliTrak
®, and vehicle speed
information.
The compass system is designed to
operate for a certain number of
miles or degrees of turn before
needing a signal from the GPS
satellites. When the compass
display shows CAL, drive the
vehicle for a short distance in an
open area where it can receive a
GPS signal. The compass system will automatically determine when a
GPS signal is restored and provide
a heading again. See
Compass
Messages 0131 for the messages
that may be displayed for the
compass.
Clock
Setting the Time and Date
To set the time or date:
1. Select Settings from the Home Page, then select Time and
Date Settings.
2. Select the desired function.
To set the time or date, press
«or
ªto change the hour, minutes,
AM, PM, day, month, or year.
To change the 12-24Hr setting,
press the 12-24Hr button.
To turn Auto Set on and off, press
the Auto Set button.
If auto timing is set, the time
displayed on the clock may not
update immediately when driving
into a new time zone. Press
qBACK to go to the last
menu and save the changes or
{to
return to the Home Page.
Power Outlets
Power Outlets 12 Volt Direct
Current
The accessory power outlets can be
used to plug in electrical equipment,
such as a cell phone or MP3 player.
There are two accessory power
outlets: one under the armrest
inside the center console storage,
and one on the rear of the center
floor console.
The outlet is powered when the
ignition is in ON/RUN or ACC/
ACCESSORY, or until the driver
door is opened within 10 minutes of
turning off the vehicle. See Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) 0183.
Open the protective cover to use the
accessory power outlet.
Certain electrical accessories may
not be compatible with the
accessory power outlet and could
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159288) - 2016 - CRC - 10/5/15
Instruments and Controls 117
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
This light comes on briefly when the
engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have it
fixed so it will be ready to warn if
there is a problem.
If the light comes on while driving,
stop as soon as it is safely possible
and turn off the vehicle. Then start
the engine again to reset the
system. If the ABS light stays on,
or comes on again while driving, the
vehicle needs service. A chime may
also sound when the light comes on
steady.
If the ABS light is the only light on,
the vehicle has regular brakes, but
the antilock brakes are not
functioning.If both the ABS and the brake
system warning light are on, the
vehicle's antilock brakes are not
functioning and there is a problem
with the regular brakes. See your
dealer for service.
See
Brake System Warning Light
0 115 and Brake System
Messages 0130.Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) Light
This light is green if LDW is on and
ready to operate.
This light changes to amber and
flashes to indicate that the lane
marking has been crossed without
using a turn signal in that direction.
See Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) 0213.
Vehicle Ahead Indicator
If equipped, this indicator will
display green when a vehicle is
detected ahead and amber when
you are following a vehicle ahead
much too closely.
See Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0208.
Traction Off Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159288) - 2016 - CRC - 10/5/15
148 Lighting
Lighting
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . 148
Exterior Lamps OffReminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Automatic Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . 151
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Sun Visor Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Battery Load Management . . . 154
Battery Power Protection . . . . . 155Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls
The exterior lamp control is on the
instrument panel on the outboard
side of the steering wheel.
Turn the control to the following
positions:
O(Off) : Turns off the exterior
lamps. The knob returns to the
AUTO position after it is released.
Turn to off again to reactivate the
AUTO mode.
AUTO (Automatic) : Automatically
turns the exterior lamps on and off,
depending on outside lighting.
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159288) - 2016 - CRC - 10/5/15
Lighting 149
;(Parking Lamps) :Turns on the
parking lamps, together with the
sidemarker lamps, taillamps, license
plate lamps, and instrument panel
lights.
5(Headlamps) : Turns on the
headlamps, together with the
parking lamps, sidemarker lamps,
taillamps, license plate lamps, and
instrument panel lights.
Exterior Lamps Off
Reminder
A warning chime sounds if the driver
door is opened while the ignition is
off and the exterior lamps are on.
Headlamp High/
Low-Beam Changer
2 3
(Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer) : Push the turn signal
lever away from you and release, to
turn the high beams on. To return to
low beams, push the lever again or
pull it toward you and release.
This indicator light turns on in the
instrument cluster when the
high-beam headlamps are on.
Flash-to-Pass
To flash the high beams, pull the
turn signal lever toward you, and
release.
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
DRL can make it easier for others to
see the front of your vehicle during
the day. Fully functional DRL are
required on all vehicles first sold in
Canada.
If equipped with High Intensity
Discharge (HID) headlamps, the
dedicated DRL will come on when
all of the following conditions
are met:
. The ignition is on. .
The exterior lamps control is
in AUTO.
. The light sensor determines it is
daytime.
. The parking brake is released or
the vehicle is not in P (Park).
When the DRL are on, the taillamps,
sidemarker lamps, instrument panel
lights, and other lamps will not
be on.
The DRL turn off when the
headlamps are turned to
Oor the
ignition is off.
This vehicle may have a DRL
disabling function. When the DRL
are on and a turn signal is activated,
the DRL on that side will be off until
the turn signal goes off.
Automatic Headlamp
System
When the exterior lamp control is
set to AUTO and it is dark enough
outside, the headlamps come on
automatically.
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159288) - 2016 - CRC - 10/5/15
Lighting 151
Hazard Warning Flashers
|(Hazard Warning Flashers) :
Press this button on the center
stack above the audio system, to
make the front and rear turn signal
lamps flash on and off. Press again
to turn the flashers off.
The hazard warning flashers turn on
automatically if the airbags deploy.
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
Move the lever all the way up or
down to signal a turn.
An arrow on the instrument cluster
flashes in the direction of the turn or
lane change.
Raise or lower the lever until the
arrow starts to flash to signal a lane
change. Hold it there until the lane
change is completed. If the lever is
briefly pressed and released, the
turn signal flashes three times.
The turn and lane-change signal
can be turned off manually by
moving the lever back to its original
position. If after signaling a turn or lane
change the arrow flashes rapidly or
does not come on, a signal bulb
might be burned out.
Have any burned out bulbs
replaced. If the bulb is not burned
out, check the fuse. See
Fuses and
Circuit Breakers 0258.
Fog Lamps
If equipped with fog lamps, the
button is on the exterior lamp
control, left of the steering wheel.
To turn on the fog lamps, the ignition
and the headlamps or parking lamps
must be on.
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159288) - 2016 - CRC - 10/5/15
170 Driving and Operating
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and
signal for help. Stay with the vehicle
unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use Roadside
Assistance. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program 0334. To get
help and keep everyone in the
vehicle safe:
. Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
. Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{Warning
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may
cause exhaust gases to get
inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO), which
cannot be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and even
death.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:
. Clear snow from the base of
the vehicle, especially any
blocking the exhaust pipe.
. Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the vehicle side
that is away from the wind,
to bring in fresh air.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Adjust the climate control
system to circulate the air
inside the vehicle and set
the fan speed to the highest
setting. See “Climate
Control Systems.”
For more information about CO,
see Engine Exhaust 0185.
To save fuel, run the engine for
short periods to warm the vehicle
and then shut the engine off and
partially close the window. Moving
about to keep warm also helps. If it takes time for help to arrive,
when running the engine, push the
accelerator pedal slightly so the
engine runs faster than the idle
speed. This keeps the battery
charged to restart the vehicle and to
signal for help with the headlamps.
Do this as little as possible, to
save fuel.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the
traction system off and use the
rocking method. See
Traction
Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0192.
{Warning
If the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you
or others could be injured. The
vehicle can overheat, causing an
engine compartment fire or other
(Continued)
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159288) - 2016 - CRC - 10/5/15
Driving and Operating 175
Caution (Continued)
breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake
linings.
Following break-in, engine speed
and load can be gradually
increased.
Ignition Positions
(Keyless Access)
The vehicle has an electronic
keyless ignition with pushbutton
start. Pressing the button cycles it through
three modes, ACC/ACCESSORY,
ON/RUN/START, and Stopping the
Engine/OFF.
The transmitter must be in the
vehicle for the system to operate.
If the pushbutton start is not
working, the vehicle may be near a
strong radio antenna signal causing
interference to the keyless access
system. See
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation 028.
To shift out of P (Park), the vehicle
must be in ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN and the brake pedal must
be applied.
Stopping the Engine/OFF (No
Indicator Lights) : When the
vehicle is stopped, press the
ENGINE START/STOP button once
to turn the engine off.
If the vehicle is in P (Park), the
ignition will turn off, and Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) will remain
active. See Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) 0183. If the vehicle is not in P (Park), the
ignition will return to ACC/
ACCESSORY and display the
message SHIFT TO PARK in the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
See
Transmission Messages 0138.
When the vehicle is shifted into
P (Park), the ignition system will
switch to OFF.
Do not turn the engine off when the
vehicle is moving. This will cause a
loss of power assist in the brake
and steering systems and disable
the airbags.
If the vehicle must be shut off in an
emergency:
1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the
brakes repeatedly. This may
deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be done while the
vehicle is moving. After shifting
to N (Neutral), firmly apply the
brakes and steer the vehicle to
a safe location.