2018 BUICK LACROSSE coolant temperature

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
240 Vehicle Care
3.6L V6 Engine
1. Engine Cooling Fans (Outof View)
2. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
{Warning
An underhood electric fan 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
Do not touch heater or radiator
hoses, or other engine parts.
They can be very hot and can
burn you. Do not run the engine if
there is a leak; all coolant could
leak out. That could cause an
engine fire and can burn you. Fix
any leak before driving the
vehicle.
Engine Coolant
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 0311.
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,
see Engine Overheating 0243.
What to Use
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such
as alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will. With
plain water or the wrong mixture,
the engine could get too hot but
there would not be an 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. 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

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Vehicle Care 241
.Helps keep the proper engine
temperature
Caution
Do not use anything other than a
mix of DEX-COOL coolant that
meets GM Standard
GMW3420 and clean, drinkable
water. Anything else can cause
damage to the vehicle’ s engine
cooling system and vehicle, which
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
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.
2.5L L4 Engine Coolant Surge Tank
3.6L V6 Engine CoolantSurge Tank
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant surge tank. If the coolant
inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until
it cools down. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level mark is not
visible, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL coolant at the coolant
surge tank to the top rib on the
middle of the tank, but be sure the
cooling system is cool before this is
done. See Engine Overheating
0 243.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Vehicle Care 243
2. Keep turning the pressure capslowly 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 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 0114 and Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light 0122.
The vehicle may also display a
message on the Driver Information
Center (DIC). If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when this warning appears,
get service help right away. See
Roadside Assistance Program
0
329.
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
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak in the engine cooling system.
This can cause a loss of all
coolant and can damage the
system and vehicle. Have any
leaks fixed right away.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
244 Vehicle Care
If Steam Is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system are under
pressure. Turning the pressure
cap, even a little, can cause them
to come out at high speed and
you could be burned. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
pressure cap to cool.
See Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode 0244 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
0 244.
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
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

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Vehicle Care 245
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 0231 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.
. 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.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
.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.
Brakes
Disc brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or can
be heard all the time when the
vehicle is moving, except when
applying the brake pedal firmly.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
352 Index
CheckEngine Light (Malfunction
Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Child Restraints Infants and Young Children . . . . . 82
Lower Anchors and Tethersfor Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94, 96
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Cleaning
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Climate Control Systems Dual Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . 332
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Compartments Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Compressor Kit, Tire Sealant . . . 280
Connections OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341 Control
Traction and Electronic
Stability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Coolant Engine Temperature Gauge . . .114
Engine TemperatureWarning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Courtesy Transportation
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193 Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Cruise Control, Adaptive . . . . . . . . 195
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . 328 Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Text Telephone (TTY)Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Customer Information Service PublicationsOrdering Information . . . . . . . . 334
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . 332
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . 2
Data CollectionInfotainment System . . . . . . . . . . 338
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . 337
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Diagnostics
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Door
Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . 324
Drive Systems All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . 187, 248
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . 203
Driver Efficiency Gauge . . . . . . . . 114
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Index 353
DrivingAssistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 207
Characteristics and
Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
For Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 26
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 164
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 166
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
E
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . 188
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . 119
Electrical Equipment,
Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Electrical System Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 253
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 Emergency
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Energy Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Check Light (MalfunctionIndicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 231
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Coolant Temperature
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Overheated Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 180
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 337
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 144
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 145
Exterior Lighting Battery
Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
F
FeaturesMemory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 146
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Fluid
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 238
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Forward Automatic Braking . . . . . 210
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
354 Index
Front Fog LampLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Front Seats Heated and Ventilated . . . . . . . . . . 58
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 123
Requirements, California . . . . . 218
Fuses Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 253
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
G
Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . . 140Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Gauges Driver Efficiency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114 Gauges (cont'd)
Engine Coolant
Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Warning Lights and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
General Information Service and Maintenance . . . . . 310
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
GM Mobility Reimbursement
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
H
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . 146
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Head-up Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
HeadlampsAdaptive ForwardLighting (AFL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 Headlamps (cont'd)
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
High Intensity Discharge
(HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 124
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 145
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 124
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Heater Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . 267
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 164
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
How to Wear Seat Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
HVAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
I
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43