Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159288) - 2016 - CRC - 10/5/15
Vehicle Care 245
The coolant surge tank pressure
cap can be removed when the
cooling system, including the surge
tank pressure cap and upper
radiator hose, is no longer hot.1. Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise. If a hiss is
heard, wait for that to stop.
A hiss means there is still
some pressure left.
2. Keep turning the cap and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank withthe proper mixture to the mark
pointed to on the front of the
coolant surge tank.
4. With the coolant surge tank cap off, start the engine and let
it run until the upper radiator
hose starts getting hot. Watch
out for the engine cooling fans.
By this time, the coolant level
inside the coolant surge tank
may be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper
mixture to the coolant surge
tank until the level reaches the
mark pointed to on the front of
the coolant surge tank. 5. Replace the cap tightly.
Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and
possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
Engine Overheating
There is a coolant temperature
gauge and a engine coolant
temperature warning light on the
instrument cluster that indicate an
overheated engine condition. See
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
0
111 and Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light 0118.
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when this warning appears,
get service help right away. See
Roadside Assistance
Program 0334.
If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface.
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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246 Vehicle Care
Then check to see if the engine
cooling fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, the fans
should be running. If not, do not
continue to run the engine and have
the vehicle serviced.
Caution
Running the engine without
coolant may cause damage or a
fire. Vehicle damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
If Steam Is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
SeeOverheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode 0246 for
information on driving to a safe
place in an emergency.
If No Steam Is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem might not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle: .
Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
. Stops after high-speed driving.
. Idles for long periods in traffic.
. Tows a trailer.
If the overheat warning displays with
no sign of steam: 1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the
highest fan speed. Open the
windows as necessary.
3. When it is safe to do so, pull off the road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral), and let the
engine idle.
If the temperature overheat gauge is
no longer in the overheat zone or an
engine coolant temperature warning
light no longer displays, the vehicle
can be driven. Continue to drive the
vehicle slowly for about 10 minutes.
Keep a safe vehicle distance from
the vehicle in front. If the warning
does not come back on, continue to
drive normally and have the cooling
system checked for proper fill and
function. If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle
right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for three minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it
cools down. Also, see
Overheated
Engine Protection Operating
Mode 0246.
Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode
allows the vehicle to be driven to a
safe place in an emergency
situation. If an overheated engine
condition exists, an overheat
protection mode which alternates
firing groups of cylinders helps
prevent engine damage. In this
mode, there is significant loss in
power and engine performance.
The engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on the
instrument panel, to indicate the
vehicle has entered overheated
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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248 Vehicle Care
below freezing, use a fluid that has
sufficient protection against
freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer fluid until
the tank is full. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview 0231 for
reservoir location.
Caution
. Do not use washer fluid that
contains any type of water
repellent coating. This can
cause the wiper blades to
chatter or skip.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
.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 can
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.
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159288) - 2016 - CRC - 10/5/15
260 Vehicle Care
FusesUsage
9 Ignition coils–odd (6–cylinder engine)
10 Engine control module–switched
battery
11 6–cylinder Engine: post catalytic
converter/O2 sensor/
Heater/Mass air flow
sensor/FlexFuel
sensor/Secondary
air induction
solenoid
12 Starter
13 Crank for transmission control
module/Fuel pump
power/Chassis
control module
(eAssist)
14 Cabin heater coolant pump (eAssist)/
secondary air
injector/Secondary
air injector with
pressure sensor Fuses
Usage
15 Motor generator unit coolant pump
(eAssist)
16 Run/Crank for eAssist power
inverter module
17 –
18 Sunshade module/ Vehicle air
purification system/
Ventilated seats
20 Heated steering wheel (non eAssist)
21 Rear power windows
22 Sunroof
23 Variable effort steering (if
equipped) or eAssist
power inverter
module
24 Front power windows
25 Rear heated seats Fuses
Usage
26 Antilock brake system pump
27 Electric parking brake
28 Rear window defogger
29 Heated seat/Left power lumbar
30 Heated Seat/Right power pack cooling
fan (eAssist)
31 AWD/Electronic suspension control
32 Body control module 6
33 Memory seat–front
34 Antilock brake system valves
35 Amplifier
36 Adaptive forward lighting (AFL)
motors–battery
37 Right high-beam
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 261
FusesUsage
38 Left high-beam
41 Brake vacuum pump
42 Cooling fan K2
43 –
44 Transmission auxiliary oil pump
(eAssist)
45 Cooling fan K1
46 Cooling fan relay
47 6–cylinder engine: Pre-catalytic
converter O2 sensor
heater/Canister
purge solenoid.
4–cylinder engine:
Pre and post
catalytic converter
O2 sensor Heaters/
Canister purge
solenoid
48 Fog lamps
49 Right HID headlamp
50 Left HID headlamp
51 Horn Fuses
Usage
52 Cluster Run/Crank
53 Run/Crank for: rearview mirror/Rear
vision camera/Air
quality sensor/Aero
shutter motor
54 Run/Crank for: HVAC/Headlamp
switch
55 Outside rearview mirror/Universal
remote system/Front
window switches
56 Windshield washer
59 AIR pump
60 Heated mirror
62 Canister vent
64 Adaptive forward lighting (AFL)
module–battery
65 –
66 AIR solenoid (eAssist) Fuses
Usage
67 Fuel pump power module/Chassis
control module
69 Regulated voltage control sensor
70 Parking assist/Side blind zone
71 Passive entry/ Passive start
Relays Usage
1 A/C Clutch
2 Starter
4 Wiper speed
5 Wiper control
6 Cabin heater coolant pump (eAssist)/
Secondary air
injector/Secondary
air injector with
pressure sensor
7 Engine control module
9 Cooling fan
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159288) - 2016 - CRC - 10/5/15
Service and Maintenance 315
a year and the oil life system must
be reset. Your trained dealer
technician can perform this work.
If the engine oil life system is reset
accidentally, service the vehicle
within 5 000 km/3,000 mi since the
last service. Reset the oil life
system when the oil is changed.
SeeEngine Oil Life System 0238.
Tire Rotation and Required
Services Every 12 000 km/
7,500 mi
Rotate the tires, if recommended for
the vehicle, and perform the
following services. See Tire
Rotation 0277.
. Check engine oil level and oil
life percentage. If needed,
change engine oil and filter, and
reset oil life system. See Engine
Oil 0236 andEngine Oil Life
System 0238. .
Check engine coolant level. See
Engine Coolant 0243.
. Check windshield washer fluid
level. See Washer Fluid 0247.
. Visually inspect windshield wiper
blades for wear, cracking,
or contamination. See Exterior
Care 0304. Replace worn or
damaged wiper blades. See
Wiper Blade
Replacement 0253.
. Check tire inflation pressures.
See Tire Pressure 0271.
. Inspect tire wear. See Tire
Inspection 0277.
. Visually check for fluid leaks.
. Inspect engine air cleaner filter.
See Engine Air Cleaner/
Filter 0239. .
Inspect brake system. See
Exterior Care 0304.
. Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damaged, loose,
or missing parts or signs of
wear. See Exterior Care 0304.
. Check restraint system
components. See Safety System
Check 064.
. Visually inspect fuel system for
damage or leaks.
. Visually inspect exhaust system
and nearby heat shields for
loose or damaged parts.
. Lubricate body components. See
Exterior Care 0304.
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159288) - 2016 - CRC - 10/5/15
Service and Maintenance 323
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
UsageFluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil Engine oil meeting the dexos1™ specification of the proper SAE viscosity
grade. ACDelco dexos1 Synthetic Blend is recommended. See Engine
Oil 0236.
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL
®Coolant.
See Engine Coolant 0243.
Hydraulic Brake System DOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid (GM Part No. 19299818, in Canada 19299819).
Windshield Washer Automotive windshield washer fluid that meets regional freeze protection requirements.
Hydraulic Power Steering System (If Equipped) DEXRON
®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Automatic Transmission DEXRON
®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Hood Latch Assembly, Secondary Latch, Pivots, Spring Anchor, and Release Pawl Lubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM Part No. 89021668, in
Canada 89021674) or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Key Lock Cylinders, Hood and Door Hinges Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Weatherstrip Conditioning Weatherstrip Lubricant (GM Part No. 3634770, in Canada 10953518) or Dielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part No. 12345579, in Canada 10953481).
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159288) - 2016 - CRC - 10/5/15
Index 357
CleaningExterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Climate Control Systems Dual Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . 337
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Compartments Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Compressor Kit, Tire Sealant . . . 285
Connections OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Control Traction and ElectronicStability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Coolant Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Engine Temperature Gauge . . . 111
Engine TemperatureWarning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242 Cooling System (cont'd)
Engine Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Courtesy Transportation Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195 Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Cruise Control, Adaptive . . . . . . . . 197
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . 333 Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Text Telephone (TTY)Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Customer Information
Service PublicationsOrdering Information . . . . . . . . 340
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . 337
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . 2
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . 343
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Diagnostics OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349 Differential, Limited-Slip . . . . . . . . 194
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Door
Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . 329
Drive Systems All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . 189, 251
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . 204
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Driving
Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 207
Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
For Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 25
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 168
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 170
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168