
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
2017 - crc - 9/7/16
224 Driving and Operating
The trailer tongue (1) should weigh
10 % of the total loaded trailer
weight (2).
After loading the trailer, weigh the
trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they are not, adjustments
might be made by moving some
items around in the trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle's
Tires
Be sure the vehicle's tires are
inflated to the upper limit for cold
tires. These numbers can be found
on the Tire and Loading Informationlabel. See
Vehicle Load Limits
0 170. Make sure not to go over the
GVW limit for the vehicle, including
the weight of the trailer tongue.
Towing Equipment
Hitches
Use the correct hitch equipment.
See your dealer or a hitch dealer for
assistance.
. The rear bumper on the vehicle
is not intended for hitches. Do
not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to it. Use
only a frame-mounted hitch that
does not attach to the bumper.
. Will any holes be made in the
body of the vehicle when the
trailer hitch is installed? If so,
seal the holes when the hitch is
removed. If the holes are not
sealed, dirt, water, and deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) from the
exhaust can get into the vehicle.
See Engine Exhaust 0180.
Safety Chains
Always attach chains between the
vehicle and the trailer. Cross the
safety chains under the tongue of
the trailer to help prevent the tongue
from contacting the road if it
becomes separated from the hitch.
Leave enough slack so the rig can
turn. Never allow safety chains to
drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Does the trailer have its own
brakes? Be sure to read and follow
the instructions for the trailer brakes
so they are installed, adjusted, and
maintained properly.
Because the vehicle has antilock
brakes, do not tap into the vehicle's
brake system. If this is done, both
brake systems will not work well or
at all.

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
284 Vehicle Care
Towing the Vehicle
Caution
Incorrectly towing a disabled
vehicle may cause damage. The
damage would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Do not lash or hook to
suspension components. Use the
proper straps around the tires to
secure the vehicle.
Have the vehicle towed on a wheel
lift tow truck. A flatbed car carrier
could damage the vehicle. The
wheel lift tow truck must raise the
rear of the vehicle and wheel dollies
must be used to lift the front wheels
off the ground.
Consult your dealer or a
professional towing service if the
disabled vehicle must be towed.
Recreational Vehicle
Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle such as a motor home. The
two most common types of
recreational vehicle towing are
known as dinghy towing and dolly
towing. Dinghy towing is towing the
vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground. Dolly towing is towing the
vehicle with two wheels on the
ground and two wheels up on a
device known as a dolly.
Here are some important things to
consider before recreational vehicle
towing:
. What is the towing capacity of
the towing vehicle? Be sure to
read the tow vehicle
manufacturer's
recommendations.
. What is the distance that will be
traveled? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how
long they can tow. .
Is the proper towing equipment
going to be used? See your
dealer or trailering professional
for additional advice and
equipment recommendations.
. Is the vehicle ready to be
towed? Just as preparing the
vehicle for a long trip, make sure
the vehicle is prepared to be
towed.
Caution
Use of a shield mounted in front
of the vehicle grille could restrict
airflow and cause damage to the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. If using a shield, only
use one that attaches to the
towing vehicle.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
2017 - crc - 9/7/16
Service and Maintenance 297
frequent checks and services. The
Additional Required Services -
Normal are for vehicles that:
.Carry passengers and cargo
within recommended limits on
the Tire and Loading Information
label. See Vehicle Load Limits
0 170.
. Are driven on reasonable road
surfaces within legal driving
limits.
. Use the recommended fuel. See
Fuel 0217.
Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Normal chart.
The Additional Required Services -
Severe are for vehicles that are:
. Mainly driven in heavy city traffic
in hot weather.
. Mainly driven in hilly or
mountainous terrain.
. Frequently towing a trailer.
. Used for high speed or
competitive driving. .
Used for taxi, police, or delivery
service.
Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Severe chart.
{Warning
Performing maintenance work can
be dangerous and can cause
serious injury. Perform
maintenance work only if the
required information, proper tools,
and equipment are available.
If they are not, see your dealer to
have a trained technician do the
work. See Doing Your Own
Service Work 0228.
Maintenance
Schedule
Owner Checks and Services
At Each Fuel Stop
.
Check the engine oil level. See
Engine Oil 0231.
Once a Month
. Check the tire inflation
pressures. See Tire Pressure
0 261.
. Inspect the tires for wear. See
Tire Inspection 0267.
. Check the windshield washer
fluid level. See Washer Fluid
0 241.
Engine Oil Change
When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message displays, have the
engine oil and filter changed within
the next 1 000 km/600 mi. If driven
under the best conditions, the
engine oil life system may not
indicate the need for vehicle service
for up to a year. The engine oil and
filter must be changed at least once

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
2017 - crc - 9/7/16
344 Index
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Starting the VehicleMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 Heated Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Steering System Messages . . . . . 136
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Storage Areas Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Center Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . . . 97
Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Sun Visor Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Sunshade Rear Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
System Forward CollisionAlert (FCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 System (cont'd)
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155, 324
Systems Driver Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
T
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Taillamps
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . . 314
Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . . . . . 41
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254 All-Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Compact Spare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261, 262
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Pressure Monitor Operation . . 264
Pressure Monitor System . . . . . 263
Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267 Tires (cont'd)
Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Terminology and Definitions . . 259
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 272
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Towing Driving Characteristics . . . . . . . . 220
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 220
Recreational Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 284
Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
®Light . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Selective Ride Control . . . . . . . . 192
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223