
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Driving and Operating 225
In general, trailer tongue weight (1)
should be 10–15% of the total
loaded trailer weight (2). Some
specific trailer types, such as boat
trailers, fall outside of this range.
Refer to the trailer owner’s manual
for the recommended trailer tongue
weight. In all cases, do not exceed
the maximum loads for the vehicle
series and hitch type.
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 Information
label. See Vehicle Load Limits
0 166. 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-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
298 Vehicle Care
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.
Dinghy Towing
Caution
If the vehicle is towed with all four
wheels on the ground, the
drivetrain components could be
damaged. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Do not tow the vehicle
with all four wheels on the
ground.
The vehicle was not designed to be
towed with all four wheels on the
ground. If the vehicle must be

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Service and Maintenance 311
have your dealer perform these
services every 12 000 km/7,500 mi.
Proper vehicle maintenance helps to
keep the vehicle in good working
condition, improves fuel economy,
and reduces vehicle emissions.
Because of the way people use
vehicles, maintenance needs vary.
There may need to be more
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
0 166.
. Are driven on reasonable road
surfaces within legal driving
limits.
. Use the recommended fuel. See
Fuel 0218.
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 0229.
Maintenance
Schedule
Owner Checks and Services
At Each Fuel Stop
.
Check the engine oil level. See
Engine Oil 0234.
Once a Month
. Check the tire inflation
pressures. See Tire Pressure
0 266.
. Inspect the tires for wear. See
Tire Inspection 0272.
. Check the windshield washer
fluid level. See Washer Fluid
0 245.
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-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Index 359
Storage Areas (cont'd)Center Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . . 100
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Struts Gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Sun Visor Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Sunshade Rear Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
System Forward Collision
Alert (FCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151, 338
Systems Driver Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
T
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
TaillampsBulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . . 328
Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . . . . . 43 Theft-Deterrent Systems (cont'd)
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259 All-Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Compact Spare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266, 267
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Pressure Monitor Operation . . 269
Pressure Monitor System . . . . . 268
Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Sealant andCompressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Sealant and Compressor Kit, Storing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Terminology and Definitions . . 264
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277 Tires (cont'd)
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 277
When It Is Time for New
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Towing Driving Characteristics . . . . . . . . 221
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 221
Recreational Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 298
Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Traction Control System (TCS)/
StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Selective Ride Control . . . . . . . . 192
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Transmission Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Fluid, Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Transportation Program, Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40