2017 BUICK LACROSSE coolant temperature

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
2017 - crc - 9/7/16
222 Driving and Operating
or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
If the trailer turn signal bulbs burn
out, the arrows on the instrument
cluster will still flash for turns. It is
important to check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gearbefore starting down a long or
steep downgrade. If the
transmission is not shifted down, the
brakes might get hot and no longer
work well.
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.
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, consider the
following: Engine coolant will boil at
a lower temperature than at normal
altitudes. If the engine is turned off
immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the vehicle may show signs similar to
engine overheating. To avoid this,
let the engine run while parked,
preferably on level ground, with the
automatic transmission in P (Park)
for a few minutes before turning the
engine off. If the overheat warning
comes on, see
Engine Overheating
0 239.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic if
facing uphill. 2. Have someone place chocks
under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the regular
brakes until the chocks absorb
the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and
shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift into a gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Let up on the brake pedal.
6. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
7. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
2017 - crc - 9/7/16
236 Vehicle Care
Cooling System
The cooling system allows the
engine to maintain the correct
working temperature.
1. Engine Cooling Fans (Outof View)
2. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
{Warning
An electric engine cooling fan
under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can cause injury. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{Warning
Heater and radiator hoses, and
other engine parts, can be very
hot. Do not touch them. If you do,
you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak. If you run the engine, it
could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you
could be burned. Get any leak
fixed before you drive the vehicle.
Caution
Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL®can cause
premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition,
the engine coolant could require
changing sooner. Any repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL (silicate-free) coolant
in the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The coolant surge tank is located in
the engine compartment on the
driver side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0 230.
The cooling system in the vehicle is
filled with DEX-COOL
®engine
coolant. This coolant needs to be
checked and replaced at
appropriate intervals. See
Maintenance Schedule 0297.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
2017 - crc - 9/7/16
Vehicle Care 237
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
seeEngine Overheating 0239.
What to Use
{Warning
Adding only plain water or some
other liquid to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water
and other liquids, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The coolant warning system is set
for the proper coolant mixture.
With plain water or the wrong
mixture, the engine could get too
hot but you would not get the
overheat warning. The engine
could catch fire and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/
50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. If using this mixture,
nothing else needs to be added.
This mixture:
.
Gives freezing protection down
to−37 °C (−34 °F), outside
temperature.
. Gives boiling protection up to
129 °C (265 °F), engine
temperature.
. Protects against rust and
corrosion.
. Will not damage aluminum parts.
. Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Caution
If improper coolant mixture,
inhibitors, or additives are used in
the vehicle cooling system, the
engine could overheat and be
damaged. Too much water in the
mixture can freeze and crack
engine cooling parts. The repairs
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Use only the
proper mixture of engine coolant
for the cooling system. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants0305.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on
the ground, or into sewers, streams,
or bodies of water. Have the coolant
changed by an authorized service
center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used
coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
2017 - crc - 9/7/16
Vehicle Care 239
Caution
In cold weather, water can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator,
heater core, and other parts. Use
the recommended coolant and
the proper coolant mixture.
{Warning
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
1. Remove the coolant surge tank pressure cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is no
longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about
one-quarter of a turn. If you
hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. This will allow any
pressure still left to be vented
out the discharge hose.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap slowly and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture to the
indicated level mark.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until you
can feel the upper radiator
hose getting hot. Watch out for
the engine cooling fan.
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
indicated level mark.
5. Replace the pressure cap tightly.
6. Verify coolant level after the engine is shut off and the
coolant is cold. If necessary,
repeat coolant fill procedure
Steps 1–6. If the coolant still is not at the
proper level when the system
cools down again, see your
dealer.
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
The vehicle has several indicators
to warn of the engine overheating.
The instrument cluster has an
engine coolant temperature gauge
and an engine coolant temperature
warning light.
See
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge 0111 and Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light 0119.
The vehicle may also display a
message on the Driver Information
Center (DIC). See Engine Cooling
System Messages 0131.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
2017 - crc - 9/7/16
240 Vehicle Care
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when this warning appears,
get service help right away. See
Roadside Assistance Program
0315.
If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface. Then
check to see if the engine cooling
fans are running. If the engine is
overheating, the fans should be
running. If they are not, do not
continue to run the engine. 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
See Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode 0240 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 may 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.
If the overheat warning is displayed
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 engine coolant temperature
gauge is no longer in the
overheated area or the 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 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
0 240.
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

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
2017 - crc - 9/7/16
Vehicle Care 241
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
engine protection operating mode.
The temperature gauge also
indicates an overheat condition
exists. Driving extended distances
and/or towing a trailer in the
overheat protection mode should be
avoided.
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When windshield washer fluid is
needed, be sure to read the
manufacturer's instructions before
use. If operating the vehicle in an
area where the temperature may fall
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 0230 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.
. Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the
windshield washer. It can
damage the windshield
washer system and paint.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
.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.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
2017 - crc - 9/7/16
Index 337
Child Restraints (cont'd)Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92, 94
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Cleaning Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Climate Control Systems
Dual Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . 318
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Compartments Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Connections OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Control Traction and ElectronicStability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Coolant Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236 Coolant (cont'd)
Engine Temperature Gauge . . . 111
Engine Temperature
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236 Engine Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Courtesy Transportation Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192 Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Cruise Control, Adaptive . . . . . . . . 194
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . 314 Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Text Telephone (TTY)Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Customer Information Service PublicationsOrdering Information . . . . . . . . 320
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . 318
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . 2
Data Collection
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . 324 Data Collection (cont'd)
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . 323
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Diagnostics OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . 310
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . 186, 244
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . 202
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Driving Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 206
Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
2017 - crc - 9/7/16
338 Index
Driving (cont'd)Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
For Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 24
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 167
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 169
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
E
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . 187
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . 116
Electrical Equipment,Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Electrical System
Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 249
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Emergency OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235 Engine (cont'd)
Check and Service Engine
Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 230
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Cooling System Messages . . . 131
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Overheated Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 181
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 323
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180 Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 148
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 149
F
Features
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 150
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 234
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Forward Automatic Braking . . . . . 209
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Front Fog Lamp
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210