Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159288) - 2016 - CRC - 10/5/15
322 Service and Maintenance
Shocks and Struts
Shocks and struts help aid in control
for a smoother ride.
.Signs of wear may include
steering wheel vibration, bounce/
sway while braking, longer
stopping distance, or uneven
tire wear.
. As part of the multi-point
inspection, trained dealer
technicians can visually inspect
the shocks and struts for signs
of leaking, blown seals,
or damage, and can advise
when service is needed.
Tires
Tires need to be properly inflated,
rotated, and balanced. Maintaining
the tires can save money and fuel,
and can reduce the risk of tire
failure.
. Signs that the tires need to be
replaced include three or more
visible treadwear indicators; cord
or fabric showing through the
rubber; cracks or cuts in the
tread or sidewall; or a bulge or
split in the tire. .
Trained dealer technicians can
inspect and recommend the right
tires. Your dealer can also
provide tire/wheel balancing
services to ensure smooth
vehicle operation at all speeds.
Your dealer sells and services
name brand tires.
Vehicle Care
To help keep the vehicle looking like
new, vehicle care products are
available from your dealer. For
information on how to clean and
protect the vehicle’s interior and
exterior, see Interior Care 0308 and
Exterior Care 0304.
Wheel Alignment
Wheel alignment is critical for
ensuring that the tires deliver
optimal wear and performance.
. Signs that the alignment may
need to be adjusted include
pulling, improper vehicle
handling, or unusual tire wear.
. Your dealer has the required
equipment to ensure proper
wheel alignment. Windshield
For safety, appearance, and the
best viewing, keep the windshield
clean and clear.
.
Signs of damage include
scratches, cracks, and chips.
. Trained dealer technicians can
inspect the windshield and
recommend proper replacement
if needed.
Wiper Blades
Wiper blades need to be cleaned
and kept in good condition to
provide a clear view.
. Signs of wear include streaking,
skipping across the windshield,
and worn or split rubber.
. Trained dealer technicians can
check the wiper blades and
replace them when needed.
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
340 Customer Information
Service Publications
Ordering Information
(U.S. and Canada Only)
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis
and repair information on the
engines, transmission, axle,
suspension, brakes, electrical,
steering, body, etc.
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give additional
technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service
General Motors cars and trucks.
Each bulletin contains instructions
to assist in the diagnosis and
service of the vehicle.
Owner Information
Owner publications are written
specifically for owners and intended
to provide basic operational
information about the vehicle. The
Owner Manual includes the
Maintenance Schedule for all
models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio,
Owner Manual, and Warranty
Manual.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00–
$40.00 (U.S.) plus handling and
shipping fees.
Without Pouch: Owner Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$25.00 (U.S.) plus handling and
shipping fees.
Current and Past Models
Technical Service Bulletins and
Manuals are available for current
and past model GM vehicles. ORDER TOLL FREE:
1-800-551-4123 Monday
–Friday
8:00 AM –6:00 PM Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), see
Helm, Inc. at: www.helminc.com.
Or write to:
Helm, Incorporated
Attention: Customer Service
47911 Halyard Drive
Plymouth, MI 48170
Prices are subject to change without
notice and without incurring
obligation. Allow ample time for
delivery.
All listed prices are quoted in U.S.
funds. Make checks payable in U.S.
funds.
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
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Index 359
Front SeatsAdjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Heated and Ventilated . . . . . . . . . . 56
Front Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 120
Requirements, California . . . . . 216
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Fuses
Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 258
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
G
Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Gauges
Engine CoolantTemperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110 Gauges (cont'd)
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Warning Lights and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
General Information Service and Maintenance . . . . . 313
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . 151
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Head-up Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
HeadlampsAdaptive ForwardLighting (AFL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 Headlamps (cont'd)
High Intensity Discharge
(HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 120
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 149
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 121
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Heated and Ventilated Front
Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Heater Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
High Voltage Devices and
Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . 272
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 168
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . 192
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
I
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . 175, 176
Ignition Transmission LockCheck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9159288) - 2016 - CRC - 10/5/15
362 Index
Oil (cont'd)Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Older Children, Restraints . . . . . . . 77
Online Owner Center . . . . . . . . . . . 333
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
OnStar
®Additional
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
OnStar
®Connections . . . . . . . . . . . 347
OnStar®Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
OnStar®Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
OnStar®Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
OnStar®Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
OnStar®Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Operating Mode
Overheated EngineProtection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Ordering Service Publications . . . . . . . . . . 340
Outlets Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . . 246
Overheating, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
P
Park
Shifting Into . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Shifting Out of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184 Parking
Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 252
Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . 185
Parking or Backing Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 205
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Passenger Compartment Air Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . 71
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California . . . . . . 228
Personalization Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Protection, Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . . 183
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Pregnancy, Using Safety Belts . . . 64 Privacy
Vehicle Data Recording . . . . . . . 342
Program Courtesy Transportation . . . . . . 336
Proposition 65 Warning,
California . . . . . . . . . 227, 250, 297, 298
R
Radio Frequency Statement . . . . 341
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Rear Seat Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Rear Window Sunshade . . . . . . . . . 47
Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Automatic Dimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Records Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . 301
Reimbursement Program,
GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
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364 Index
ServicesSpecial Application . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Servicing the Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Shift Lock Control Function Check, Automatic
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Shifting
Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . 211
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Spare Tire Compact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Special Application Services . . . . 320
Specifications and Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Start Assist, Hills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Start Vehicle, Remote . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Starting the Vehicle
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 Fluid, Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247 Steering (cont'd)
Heated Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Storage Areas Center Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Sunglasses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . . . 97
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Sun Visor Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Sunglass Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Sunshade Rear Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
System Forward CollisionAlert (FCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156, 344 Systems
Driver Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
T
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
TaillampsBulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . . 333
Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . 41, 42 Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264 All-Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Compact Spare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Pressure Monitor Operation . . 274
Pressure Monitor System . . . . . 273
Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Sealant andCompressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285