
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
222 Driving and Operating
{Warning
When towing a trailer, exhaust
gases may collect at the rear of
the vehicle and enter if the
liftgate, trunk/hatch, or rear-most
window is open.
When towing a trailer:. Do not drive with the
liftgate, trunk/hatch,
or rear-most window open.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Also adjust the climate
control system to a setting
that brings in only outside
air. See “Climate Control
Systems” in the Index.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust 0180.
Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. The
combination you are driving is
longer and not as responsive as the vehicle itself. Get acquainted with
the handling and braking of the rig
before setting out for the open road.
Before starting, check all trailer hitch
parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connectors, lamps,
tires, and mirrors. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start the
combination moving and then apply
the trailer brake controller by hand
to be sure the brakes work.
During the trip, check occasionally
to be sure that the load is secure
and the lamps and any trailer
brakes still work.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving the vehicle without a trailer.
This can help to avoid heavy
braking and sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed
when towing a trailer. The
combination will not accelerate as
quickly and is longer so it is
necessary to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before
returning to the lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. To move the
trailer to the left, move that hand to
the left. To move the trailer to the
right, move your hand to the right.
Always back up slowly and,
if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making Turns
Caution
Making very sharp turns while
trailering could cause the trailer to
come in contact with the vehicle.
The vehicle could be damaged.
Avoid making very sharp turns
while trailering.
When turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal. Do this so
the trailer will not strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees,

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
248 Vehicle Care
dealer has information on how to
recycle the high voltage battery.
There is also information available
at http://www.recyclemybattery.com.
The eAssist system high voltage
battery is cooled with air drawn from
the vehicle interior. The cold air
intake is under the leading edge of
the rear seat. The exhaust for warm
air is in the trunk. Do not cover the
intake or exhaust.
{Warning
WARNING:Battery posts,
terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Batteries also
contain other chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer. WASH HANDS AFTER
HANDLING. For more information
go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle. See
California Proposition
65 Warning 0228 and on the back
cover.
Vehicle Storage
{Warning
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful.
See Jump Starting - North
America (with or without eAssist)
0 294 orJump Starting - North
America (On-board with eAssist
Only) 0293 for tips on working
around a battery without
getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: Remove the
12-volt battery black, negative (−)
cable from the battery to keep the
battery from running down.
Extended Storage: Remove the
12-volt battery black, negative (−)
cable from the battery or use a
battery trickle charger. Remember to reconnect the battery
when ready to drive the vehicle.
All-Wheel Drive
Transfer Case
Under normal driving conditions,
transfer case fluid does not require
maintenance unless there is a fluid
leak or unusual noise. If required,
have the transfer case serviced by
your dealer.
Starter Switch Check
{Warning
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Apply both the parking brake and the regular brake.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Vehicle Care 249
Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it
starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The vehicle should start
only in P (Park) or N (Neutral).
If the vehicle starts in any other
position, contact your dealer for
service.
Wiper Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be
inspected for wear and cracking.
See the Maintenance Schedule
0 311.
To replace the windshield wiper
blade:
1. Pull the windshield wiper assembly away from the
windshield.3. Press the button in the middle
of the wiper arm connector,
and pull the wiper blade away
from the arm connector.
4. Remove the wiper blade.
5. Reverse Steps 1–3 for wiper blade replacement.
Windshield Replacement
HUD System
The windshield is part of the HUD
system. If the windshield must be
replaced, get one that is designed
for HUD or the HUD image may
look out of focus.
Driver Assistance Systems
When a windshield replacement is
needed and the vehicle is equipped
with a front-looking camera sensor
for the Driver Assistance Systems,
the windshield must be installed
according to GM specifications for
these systems to work properly. If it
is not, there may be unexpected
behavior and/or messages from
these systems.
Gas Strut(s)
This vehicle is equipped with gas
strut(s) to provide assistance in
lifting and holding open the hood/
trunk/liftgate system in full open
position.
{Warning
If the gas struts that hold open
the hood, trunk, and/or liftgate fail,
you or others could be seriously
injured. Take the vehicle to your
dealer for service immediately.
Visually inspect the gas struts for
(Continued)

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
250 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
signs of wear, cracks, or other
damage periodically. Check to
make sure the hood/trunk/liftgate
is held open with enough force.
If struts are failing to hold the
hood/trunk/liftgate, do not
operate. Have the vehicle
serviced.
Caution
Do not apply tape or hang any
objects from gas struts. Also do
not push down or pull on gas
struts. This may cause damage to
the vehicle.
See Maintenance Schedule 0311.
Hood
Trunk
Liftgate

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
252 Vehicle Care
To replace one of these bulbs:1. Open the trunk. See Trunk
0 40.
2. Remove the fasteners to pull the trunk trim out.
3. Remove and retain the four nuts fastening the taillamp
assembly to the vehicle body.
4. Remove the taillamp assembly by pulling straight back.
5. Remove the bulb socket by turning it counterclockwise.
6. Remove the old bulb by pulling it straight out.
7. Reverse Steps 1–6 to install.License Plate Lamp
To replace one of these bulbs:
1. Push the lamp assembly toward the center of the
vehicle, then move the lamp
downward, and remove it from
the vehicle body.
2. Turn the bulb socket (1)counterclockwise to remove it
from the lamp assembly (3).
3. Pull the bulb (2) out of the bulb socket.
4. Push the replacement bulb straight into the bulb socket
and turn the bulb socket
clockwise to install into the
lamp assembly.
5. Push the lamp assembly back into position until the release
tab locks into place.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Vehicle Care 287
Storing the Tire Sealant
and Compressor Kit
To access the tire sealant and
compressor kit:1. Open the trunk. See Trunk
0 40.
2. Lift the cover.
3. Turn the wing nut counterclockwise to remove the
tire sealant and compressor
kit bag. 4. Remove the tire sealant and
compressor kit from the bag.
To store the tire sealant and
compressor kit, reverse the steps.
Tire Changing
Removing the Spare Tire and
Tools
1. Tow Hook (If Equipped)
2. Extension Bolt
3. Jack
4. Wrench
To access the spare tire and tools: 1. Open the trunk.
2. Remove the spare tire cover.
3. Turn the retainer nut counterclockwise and remove
the spare tire. Place the spare
tire next to the tire being
changed.
4. The jack and tools are stored below the spare tire. Remove
them from their container and
place them near the tire being
changed.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Index 351
ArmrestRear Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Armrest Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Assistance Program, Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Assistance Systems for Parking and Backing . . . . . . . . . . 204
Automatic Dimming Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Forward Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Automatic Transmission Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Automatic Vehicle Hold (AVH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
B
BatteryExterior Lighting BatterySaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 Battery (cont'd)
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . .247, 293, 294
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . . . 249
Brake Parking, Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
System Warning Light . . . . . . . . .119
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 Automatic Forward . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Braking System Front Pedestrian (FPB) . . . . . . . .211
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 170
Bulb Replacement Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
High Intensity Discharge(HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . . . 252
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps, and Back-up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
California Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
California Proposition
65 Warning . . . . . . . 228, 247, 293, 294,
Back Cover
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . 2
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Carbon Monoxide Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Cargo
Tie-Downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Caution, Danger, and Warning . . . . 2
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . 101
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Charging Wireless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . 117

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