2018 BUICK LACROSSE climate control

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
154 Climate Controls
.Turn off the air conditioning
when it is not needed.
. Only use defrost to clear the
windows.
Automatic Operation
The system automatically controls
the fan speed, air delivery, air
conditioning, and recirculation in
order to heat or cool the vehicle to
the desired temperature.
When AUTO is lit, all four functions
operate automatically. Each function
can also be manually set and the
selected setting is displayed.
Functions not manually set will
continue to be automatically
controlled, even if the AUTO
indicator is not lit.
For automatic operation:
1. Press AUTO.
2. Set the temperature. Allow the system time to stabilize. Adjust
the temperature as needed for
best comfort.
To improve fuel efficiency and to
cool the vehicle faster with A/C on,
recirculation may be automatically selected in warm weather. Press
@to select recirculation; press it
again to select outside air.
Driver and Passenger
Temperature Controls : The
temperature can be adjusted
separately for the driver and the
passenger. Turn the knob clockwise
or counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the driver or passenger
temperature setting.
The driver and passenger
temperatures can also be adjusted
by touching the controls on the
climate control display.
Sync : Touch Sync on the climate
control display to link all passenger
settings to the driver settings. Adjust
the driver side temperature control
to change the linked temperature.
When the passenger settings are
adjusted, Sync is displayed when
the temperatures are unlinked.
Manual Operation
CLIMATE : Press CLIMATE to show
the climate control display.
ON/OFF : Press to turn the fan on
or off.
hi: Touch or press the fan controls
on the climate control display or
center stack to increase or decrease
the fan speed. The fan speed
setting displays. When the fan
speed is decreased completely, the
climate control system turns off.
It will turn back on if the fan speed
is increased.
Pressing either control cancels
automatic fan control and the fan is
controlled manually. Press AUTO to
return to automatic operation.
Air Delivery Mode Control : When
the climate information is displayed,
touch
6,Y, orXon the climate
control display to change the
direction of air flow. Any
combination of the three controls
can be selected. The selected air
delivery mode is lit. Pressing any
control cancels automatic air
delivery control and the direction of
the airflow is controlled manually.
Press AUTO to return to automatic
operation.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Climate Controls 155
To change the current mode, select
one or more of the following:
6:Air is directed to the floor
outlets, with some air to the
windshield and side windows.
Y: Air is directed to the instrument
panel outlets.
X: Clears the windows of fog or
moisture. Air is directed to the
windshield.
1MAX : Air is directed to the
windshield, the fan runs at a higher
speed, and the temperature of the
air is increased if not already at
maximum. This mode overrides the
previous mode selected and clears
fog or frost from the windshield
more quickly. When the control is
pressed again, the system returns
to the previous mode setting and
fan speed.
For best results, clear all snow and
ice from the windshield before
defrosting.
For eAssist vehicles that have the
auto defog feature, Auto Stops can
occur in defrost mode. In this mode, the Auto Stops are shorter and less
frequent than other air delivery
modes to prevent window fogging.
A/C (Air Conditioning) :
Touch A/C
on the climate control display to
cycle between the MAX, ECO, and
OFF modes. The MAX, ECO or OFF
indicator will appear on the display.
If the fan is turned off, the air
conditioner will not run and the
indicator light will turn off.
Touch AUTO to return to automatic
operation and the air conditioner
runs automatically as needed. The
A/C will return to ECO a/c operation.
For MAX a/c, touch A/C. Auto Stops
will occur less frequently, be shorter,
and will not occur in extremely warm
weather.
For ECO a/c, touch A/C again. This
setting balances fuel economy and
air conditioning comfort. In warm
weather conditions, Auto Stops may
occur more frequently, last longer,
and the vehicle interior may be
warmer during Auto Stops as
compared to the MAX A/C setting.
This setting allows higher humidity inside the vehicle and window
fogging may occur before the
engine restarts.
@:
Press to turn on recirculation.
An indicator light comes on. Air is
recirculated to quickly cool the
inside of the vehicle or to reduce the
entry of outside air and odors.
If selected during cool or cold
weather, the windshield and
windows may fog. Turn off
recirculation to help clear the
windshield and windows.
If equipped, the Air Quality Sensor
may operate the recirculation mode
automatically. See “Climate and Air
Quality” underVehicle
Personalization 0133.
Auto Defog : If equipped, the
climate control system may have a
sensor to automatically detect high
humidity inside the vehicle. When
high humidity is detected, the
climate control system may adjust to
outside air supply and turn on the
air conditioner. The fan speed may
slightly increase to help prevent
fogging. If the climate control
system does not detect possible

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
156 Climate Controls
window fogging, it returns to normal
operation. For eAssist vehicles,
there may be shorter and less
frequent Auto Stops when auto
defog is in use.
To turn Auto Defog off or on, see
“Climate and Air Quality”under
Vehicle Personalization 0133.
Ionizer : If equipped with an ionizer,
this feature helps to clean the air
inside the vehicle and remove
contaminants; such as pollen,
odors, and dust. If the climate
control system is on and the ionizer
is enabled, the ionizer status
indicator will be lit on the climate
control display. To turn the ionizer
on or off, see “Climate and Air
Quality” underVehicle
Personalization 0133.
Rear Window Defogger
K:Press to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. An indicator light
on the control comes on to show
that the rear window defogger is on.
The rear window defogger only
works when the engine is running.
It turns off when the ignition is
turned off or in ACC/ACCESSORY. The rear window defogger can be
set to automatic operation. See
“Climate and Air Quality”
under
Vehicle Personalization 0133.
When Auto Rear Defog is selected,
the rear window defogger turns on
automatically when the interior
temperature is cold and the outside
temperature is about 4 °C (40 °F)
and below. The auto rear defogger
turns off automatically after about
10 minutes, or after five minutes if
the outside temperature is not
as cold.
For eAssist vehicles, auto rear
defog will only run during a remote
start and the feature is not available
in the Vehicle Personalization menu.
The upper gridlines on the rear
window are antenna lines and are
not intended to heat when the
defogger is activated.
If the vehicle is equipped with
heated outside mirrors, they turn on
when the rear window defogger
control is on and help to clear fog or
frost from the surface of the mirror.
See Heated Mirrors 045.
Caution
Do not try to clear frost or other
material from the inside of the
front windshield and rear window
with a razor blade or anything
else that is sharp. This may
damage the rear window
defogger grid and affect the
radio's ability to pick up stations
clearly. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Heated and Ventilated Seats
LorM:If equipped, pressLorMto heat the driver or passenger seat.
{orC:If equipped, press{orCto ventilate the driver or
passenger seat. See Heated and
Ventilated Seats 012.
Remote Start Climate Control
Operation : If equipped with remote
start, the climate control system
may run when the vehicle is started
remotely. If equipped with heated or
ventilated seats, they may come on

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Climate Controls 157
during a remote start.
SeeRemote Vehicle Start 034 and
Heated and Ventilated Seats 012.
Sensors
The solar sensor on top of the
instrument panel near the
windshield, monitors the solar heat.
Do not cover the solar sensor or the
system will not work properly.
The climate control system uses the
sensor information to adjust the
temperature, fan speed,
recirculation, and air delivery mode
for best comfort.
Do not cover the sensor; otherwise
the automatic climate control system
may not work properly.
Air Vents
Use the slider knob on the air vent
louvers to change the amount and
direction of the airflow.
To close the outboard air vents,
move the slider knob to the full
outboard position.
To close the center air vents, move
the slide knob to the full inboard
position.
To close the rear passenger air
vents, move the slider knob to the
full inboard position. Operation Tips
.
Clear away any ice, snow,
or leaves from air inlets at the
base of the windshield that could
block the flow of air into the
vehicle.
. Clear snow off the hood to
improve visibility and help
decrease moisture drawn into
the vehicle.
. Keep all outlets open whenever
possible for best system
performance.
. Keep the path under all seats
clear of objects to help circulate
the air inside the vehicle more
effectively.
. Use of non-GM approved hood
deflectors can adversely affect
the performance of the system.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
158 Climate Controls
Maintenance
Air Intake
Clear away any ice, snow, or leaves
from the air intake at the base of the
windshield that can block the flow of
air into the vehicle.
Passenger Compartment
Air Filter
The filter removes dust, pollen, and
other airborne irritants from outside
air that is pulled into the vehicle.
The filter should be replaced as part
of routine scheduled maintenance.
SeeMaintenance Schedule 0311
for replacement intervals. For more
information, see your dealer.
Service
All vehicles have a label underhood
that identifies the refrigerant used in
the vehicle. The refrigerant system
should only be serviced by trained
and certified technicians. The air
conditioning evaporator should
never be repaired or replaced by one from a salvage vehicle.
It should only be replaced by a new
evaporator to ensure proper and
safe operation.
During service, all refrigerants
should be reclaimed with proper
equipment. Venting refrigerants
directly to the atmosphere is harmful
to the environment and may also
create unsafe conditions based on
inhalation, combustion, frostbite,
or other health-based concerns.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
160 Driving and Operating
Driving Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Driving Information
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms
and can take your focus from the
task of driving. Exercise good
judgment and do not let other
activities divert your attention away
from the road. Many local
governments have enacted laws
regarding driver distraction. Become
familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, keep
your eyes on the road, keep your
hands on the steering wheel, and
focus your attention on driving.
. Do not use a phone in
demanding driving situations.
Use a hands-free method to
place or receive necessary
phone calls.
. Watch the road. Do not read,
take notes, or look up
information on phones or other
electronic devices. .
Designate a front seat
passenger to handle potential
distractions.
. Become familiar with vehicle
features before driving, such as
programming favorite radio
stations and adjusting climate
control and seat settings.
Program all trip information into
any navigation device prior to
driving.
. Wait until the vehicle is parked
to retrieve items that have fallen
to the floor.
. Stop or park the vehicle to tend
to children.
. Keep pets in an appropriate
carrier or restraint.
. Avoid stressful conversations
while driving, whether with a
passenger or on a cell phone.
{Warning
Taking your eyes off the road too
long or too often could cause a
crash resulting in injury or death.
Focus your attention on driving.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
166 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
.Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Adjust the climate control
system to circulate the air
inside the vehicle and set
the fan speed to the highest
setting. See “Climate
Control Systems.”
For more information about CO,
see Engine Exhaust 0180.
To save fuel, run the engine for
short periods to warm the vehicle
and then shut the engine off and
partially close the window. Moving
about to keep warm also helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive,
when running the engine, push the
accelerator pedal slightly so the
engine runs faster than the idle
speed. This keeps the battery
charged to restart the vehicle and to
signal for help with the headlamps.
Do this as little as possible, to
save fuel.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the
traction system off and use the
rocking method. See Traction
Control/Electronic Stability Control
0 190.
{Warning
If the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you
or others could be injured. The
vehicle can overheat, causing an
engine compartment fire or other
damage. Spin the wheels as little
as possible and avoid going
above 56 km/h (35 mph).
Rocking the Vehicle to Get
it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around the
front wheels. Turn off any traction
system. Shift back and forth between R (Reverse) and a low
forward gear, spinning the wheels
as little as possible. To prevent
transmission wear, wait until the
wheels stop spinning before shifting
gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while shifting, and press
lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear.
Slowly spinning the wheels in the
forward and reverse directions
causes a rocking motion that could
free the vehicle. If that does not get
the vehicle out after a few tries, it
might need to be towed out. If the
vehicle does need to be towed out,
see
Towing the Vehicle 0297.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how
much weight the vehicle can
carry. This weight is called the
vehicle capacity weight and
includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options.
Two labels on the vehicle may
show how much weight it may

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Driving and Operating 173
starting it. Operate the engine
and transmission gently until
the oil warms up and lubricates
all moving parts.
Stop/Start System
{Warning
Exiting the vehicle without first
shifting into P (Park) may cause
the vehicle to move. You or others
may be injured. Because the
vehicle may have an auto engine
stop/start feature, the vehicle's
engine might seem to be shut off;
however, once the brake pedal is
released, the engine will start up
again.
Shift to P (Park) and turn the
ignition off before exiting the
vehicle.
The vehicle may be equipped with a
fuel saving Stop/Start system to
shut off the engine to help
conserve fuel.
Auto Stop (Vehicles without
eAssist)
If equipped, when the brakes are
applied and the vehicle is at a
complete stop, the engine may turn
off. When stopped, the tachometer
displays AUTO STOP. See
Tachometer 0112. When the brake
pedal is released or the accelerator
pedal is pushed, the engine will
restart.
The vehicle may remain in Auto
Stop even after it is shifted into
P (Park). Auto Stop will be
maintained until the door is opened
or the seat belt is unbuckled. There are several conditions that
may prevent an Auto Stop or cause
an Auto Start.
Auto Stop may be deactivated if:
.
A minimum vehicle speed is not
reached.
. The engine or transmission is
not at the required operating
temperature.
. The outside temperature is not
in the required operating range,
typically below −10 °C (14 °F) or
above 50 °C (122 °F).
. The transmission is in any gear
other than D (Drive).
. The battery charge is low.
. The battery has been
disconnected.
. The system may not be able to
shut off the engine in order to
maintain the air conditioning
comfort level or defrost system
settings. See Dual Automatic
Climate Control System 0152.
To maximize fuel economy, use
the ECO air conditioning mode.