
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
2017 - crc - 9/7/16
Vehicle Care 277
Warning (Continued)
damage, be sure to fit the jack lift
head into the proper location
before raising the vehicle.
{Warning
Lifting a vehicle and getting under
it to do maintenance or repairs is
dangerous without the
appropriate safety equipment and
training. If a jack is provided with
the vehicle, it is designed only for
changing a flat tire. If it is used for
anything else, you or others could
be badly injured or killed if the
vehicle slips off the jack. If a jack
is provided with the vehicle, only
use it for changing a flat tire.
7. Attach the wrench to the jack by fitting the hex end of the
wrench over the hex head of
the jack.
8. Place the jack under the vehicle.
Caution
Make sure that the jack lift head
is in the correct position or you
may damage your vehicle. The
repairs would not be covered by
your warranty.
9. Position the jack lift head at thejack location nearest the flat
tire. The location is indicated
by a notch in the vertical
bottom edge of the body side
sheet metal. The notches in the jack must
align with the notch in the
rocker pinch weld. The jack lift
head lifts on the inward side of
the pinch weld flange.
The jack must not be used in
any other position.
10. Raise the vehicle by turning the
jack handle clockwise. Raise
the vehicle far enough off the
ground so there is enough
room for the road tire to clear
the ground.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
2017 - crc - 9/7/16
278 Vehicle Care
11. Remove all of the wheel nuts.
12. Remove the flat tire.
{Warning
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the
parts to which it is fastened, can
make wheel nuts become loose
after time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident. When
changing a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where the
wheel attaches to the vehicle. In
an emergency, a cloth or a paper(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
towel can be used; however, use
a scraper or wire brush later to
remove all rust or dirt.
13. Remove any rust or dirt fromthe wheel bolts, mounting
surfaces, and spare wheel.
14. Place the compact spare tire on the wheel-mounting surface.
{Warning
Never use oil or grease on bolts
or nuts because the nuts might
come loose. The vehicle's wheel
could fall off, causing a crash.
15. Reinstall the wheel nuts. Tighten each nut by hand until
the wheel is held against
the hub.
16. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle
counterclockwise.
{Warning
Wheel nuts that are improperly or
incorrectly tightened can cause
the wheels to become loose or
come off. The wheel nuts should
be tightened with a torque wrench
to the proper torque specification
after replacing. Follow the torque
specification supplied by the
aftermarket manufacturer when
using accessory locking wheel
(Continued)

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
2017 - crc - 9/7/16
Vehicle Care 279
Warning (Continued)
nuts. SeeCapacities and
Specifications 0309 for original
equipment wheel nut torque
specifications.
Caution
Improperly tightened wheel nuts
can lead to brake pulsation and
rotor damage. To avoid expensive
brake repairs, evenly tighten the
wheel nuts in the proper
sequence and to the proper
torque specification. See
Capacities and Specifications
0 309 for the wheel nut torque
specification.
17. Tighten the wheel nuts firmly in a crisscross sequence, as
shown.
18. Lower the jack all the way and remove the jack from under the
vehicle.
19. Tighten the wheel nuts firmly with the wheel wrench.
When reinstalling the wheel cover or
center cap on the full-size tire,
tighten all five plastic caps hand
snug, then tighten them with the
wheel wrench an additional
one-quarter turn.
Caution
Wheel covers will not fit on the
vehicle's compact spare. If you try
to put a wheel cover on the
compact spare, the cover or the
spare could be damaged.
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire
and Tools
{Warning
Storing a jack, a tire, or other
equipment in the passenger
compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or
collision, loose equipment could
strike someone. Store all these in
the proper place.
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and
Tools with a Screw in Fastener 1. Remove the extension bolt from the foam holder.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
2017 - crc - 9/7/16
280 Vehicle Care
2. Screw the extension bolt ontothe end of the spare tire stow
bolt by hand.
3. Replace the foam, jack and tools, and the tire in their
original storage location.
4. Remove the insulator pad and place it over the foam holder to
protect the wheel of the flat tire
from the jack.
5. Place the tire facing down over the extension bolt.
6. Turn the retainer nut clockwise to secure the tire.
7. Place the floor cover on the wheel. The compact spare is for temporary
use only. Replace the compact
spare tire with a full-size tire as
soon as you can.
Compact Spare Tire
{Warning
Driving with more than one
compact spare tire at a time could
result in loss of braking and
handling. This could lead to a
crash and you or others could be
injured. Use only one compact
spare tire at a time.
If this vehicle has a compact spare
tire, it was fully inflated when new;
however, it can lose air over time.
Check the inflation pressure
regularly. It should be 420 kPa
(60 psi).
Stop as soon as possible and check
that the spare tire is correctly
inflated after being installed on the
vehicle. The compact spare tire is
designed for temporary use only.
The vehicle will perform differently with the spare tire installed and it is
recommended that the vehicle
speed be limited to 80 km/h
(50 mph). To conserve the tread of
the spare tire, have the standard tire
repaired or replaced as soon as
convenient and return the spare tire
to the storage area.
When using a compact spare tire,
the AWD (if equipped), ABS, and
Traction Control systems may
engage until the spare tire is
recognized by the vehicle,
especially on slippery roads. Adjust
driving to reduce possible
wheel slip.
Caution
When the compact spare is
installed, do not take the vehicle
through an automatic car wash
with guide rails. The compact
spare can get caught on the rails
which can damage the tire, wheel,
and other parts of the vehicle.
Do not use the compact spare on
other vehicles.

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
298 Service and Maintenance
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 0233.
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 0267.
. Check engine oil level and oil
life percentage. If needed,
change engine oil and filter, and
reset oil life system.
See Engine Oil 0231 and
Engine Oil Life System 0233.
. Check engine coolant level. See
Engine Coolant 0236.
. Check windshield washer fluid
level. See Washer Fluid 0241. .
Visually inspect windshield wiper
blades for wear, cracking,
or contamination. See Exterior
Care 0286. Replace worn or
damaged wiper blades. See
Wiper Blade Replacement
0 245.
. Check tire inflation pressures.
See Tire Pressure 0261.
. Inspect tire wear. See Tire
Inspection 0267.
. Visually check for fluid leaks.
. Inspect engine air cleaner filter.
See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
0 235.
. Inspect brake system. See
Exterior Care 0286.
. Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damaged, loose,
or missing parts or signs of
wear. See Exterior Care 0286.
. 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 0286.
. Check starter switch. See Starter
Switch Check 0244.
. Check parking brake and
automatic transmission park
mechanism. See Park Brake and
P (Park) Mechanism Check
0 245.
. Check accelerator pedal for
damage, high effort, or binding.
Replace if needed.
. Visually inspect gas strut for
signs of wear, cracks, or other
damage. Check the hold open
ability of the strut. See your
dealer if service is required.
. Inspect sunroof track and seal,
if equipped. See Sunroof047.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
2017 - crc - 9/7/16
304 Service and Maintenance
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 0291 and
Exterior Care 0286.
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.