2016 BUICK LACROSSE climate control

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
180 Driving and Operating
eAssist Automatic Engine
Start/Stop
{Warning
Exiting the vehicle without first
shifting into P (Park) may cause
the vehicle to move. You or others
may be injured. Because the
vehicle has the automatic engine
start/stop feature, the vehicle's
engine might seem to be shut off;
however, once the brake pedal is
released, the engine will start up
again.
Shift to P (Park) and turn the
ignition to LOCK/OFF, before
exiting the vehicle.
Vehicles with eAssist have an
automatic engine start/stop feature.
After the engine is started and has
reached operating temperature, the
auto stop feature may cause the
engine to turn off when the brakes
are applied and the vehicle comes
to a complete stop. The vehicle may
remain in auto stop for up to
two minutes. When the brake is released or the accelerator pedal
applied, the engine will start. The
engine will continue to run until the
next auto stop.
AUTO STOP on the tachometer
signifies that the engine is in auto
stop mode. See
Tachometer0109.
When the vehicle is turned off, the
tachometer will move to OFF. If the
driver door is opened while in auto
stop mode, a chime will sound.
To restart the engine during auto
stop, release the brake pedal or
press the accelerator pedal. The
engine starts immediately. The
vehicle continues to run until the
next stop.
There are several conditions that
may prevent an auto stop or cause
an auto start.
The Engine Will Remain
Running When:
. The engine, transmission,
or high voltage battery is not
warmed up yet.
. The outside temperature is less
than −20 °C (−4 °F). .
The air conditioning or defrost
system need the compressor to
maintain interior comfort. See
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System 0157 When it is very
warm or humid, the system may
not be able to shut the engine off
while maintaining interior
comfort. To maximize fuel
economy, use the eco air
conditioning mode.
. The shift lever is in P (Park),
N (Neutral), R (Reverse),
or M (Manual Mode).
. The high voltage battery pack
charge is low.
. The hood is not fully closed.
. Brake pedal pressure is low.
. If the malfunction indicator lamp
is on, auto stop may be
prevented.
. High humidity is detected.
The Engine Will Restart When:
. The brake pedal is released.
. The accelerator pedal is applied.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159288) - 2016 - CRC - 10/5/15
Driving and Operating 181
.Shifting out of D (Drive) to any
other gear.
. The air conditioning or defrost
system need the compressor to
maintain interior comfort. See
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System 0157. The warmer it is
outside, the shorter the time
before the engine is restarted to
provide interior cooling. To
maximize fuel economy, use the
eco air conditioning mode.
. The climate control system is
turned from off to normal air
conditioning or defrost. See Dual
Automatic Climate Control
System 0157.
. The engine is required to run for
either heater or climate control
performance. See Dual
Automatic Climate Control
System 0157.
. The high voltage battery pack
charge is low and requires
recharging.
. Auto stop time is greater than
two minutes.
. The hood is opened.Engine Heater
The engine coolant heater,
if available, can help in cold weather
conditions at or below −18 °C (0 °F)
for easier starting and better fuel
economy during engine warm-up.
Plug in the coolant heater at least
four hours before starting the
vehicle. An internal thermostat in
the plug end of the cord will prevent
engine coolant heater operation at
temperatures above −18 °C (0 °F).
To Use the Engine Coolant
Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the
electrical cord.
3.6L V6 Engine
The electrical cord is on the
driver side of the engine
compartment, between the
fender and the engine
compartment fuse block on
vehicles with a 6-cylinder
engine.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159288) - 2016 - CRC - 10/5/15
220 Driving and Operating
Trailer Towing
General Towing
Information
Only use towing equipment that has
been designed for the vehicle.
Contact your dealer or trailering
dealer for assistance with preparing
the vehicle for towing a trailer. Read
the entire section before towing a
trailer.
For towing a disabled vehicle, see
Towing the Vehicle0301. For
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle such as a motor home, see
Recreational Vehicle Towing 0301.
Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips
Driving with a Trailer
When towing a trailer:
.
Become familiar with the state
and local laws that apply to
trailer towing. .
Do not tow a trailer during the
first 800 km (500 mi) to prevent
damage to the engine, axle,
or other parts.
. Then during the first 800 km
(500 mi) of trailer towing, do not
drive over 80 km/h (50 mph) and
do not make starts at full throttle.
. Vehicles can tow in D (Drive).
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear if the transmission shifts
too often under heavy loads and/
or hilly conditions.
. Do not use Adaptive Cruise
Control when towing.
. The Automatic Collision
Preparation System should be
set to Off when towing. See
Front Automatic Braking (FAB)
System 0210.
. Turn off Park Assist when
towing.
{Warning
When towing a trailer, exhaust
gases may collect at the rear of
the vehicle and enter if the
liftgate, trunk/hatch, or rear-most
window is open.
When towing a trailer:
. Do not drive with the
liftgate, trunk/hatch,
or rear-most window open.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Also adjust the climate
control system to a setting
that brings in only outside
air. See “Climate Control
Systems” in the Index.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust 0185.
Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. The
combination you are driving is
longer and not as responsive as the

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159288) - 2016 - CRC - 10/5/15
Vehicle Care 281
Warning (Continued)
tires not recommended for those
wheels are selected. This
increases the chance of a crash
and serious injury. Only use GM
specific wheel and tire systems
developed for the vehicle, and
have them properly installed by a
GM certified technician.
See Buying New Tires 0279 and
Accessories and
Modifications 0228.
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading
The following information relates
to the system developed by the
United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA), which grades tires by
treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance. This
applies only to vehicles sold in
the United States. The grades
are molded on the sidewalls of most passenger car tires. The
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
(UTQG) system does not apply
to deep tread, winter tires,
compact spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited-production
tires.
While the tires available on
General Motors passenger cars
and light trucks may vary with
respect to these grades, they
must also conform to federal
safety requirements and
additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC)
standards.
Quality grades can be found
where applicable on the tire
sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
All Passenger Car Tires Must
Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements In Addition To
These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specified government test
course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and
one-half (1½) times as well on
the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of
their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and
differences in road
characteristics and climate.

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

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159288) - 2016 - CRC - 10/5/15
358 Index
Driving (cont'd)Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
E
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . 116
Electrical Equipment,Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Electrical System Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 258
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Emergency OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Energy Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Check and Service EngineSoon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 231
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 Engine (cont'd)
Coolant Temperature
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Cooling System Messages . . . 132
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Overheated Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 186
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 343
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 148
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 149
F
Features
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 151
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
FlexFuel
E85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 239
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Fog Lamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Front Automatic Braking (FAB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121