Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
206 Driving and Operating
or three Safety Alert Seat pulses
occur on the left or right side,
depending on the direction of the
detected vehicle.
Turning the Features On or Off
Use theXbutton on the center
stack to turn on or off the Front and
Rear Parking Assist and the Rear
Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA). The
indicator light in the button comes
on when the features are on and
turns off when the features have
been disabled.
RCTA can also be turned off
through vehicle personalization. See
“Collision/Detection Systems” under
Vehicle Personalization 0133.
Automatic Parking
Assist (APA)
If equipped, APA searches for and
steers the vehicle into parallel and
perpendicular parking spots. When
using APA, you must still shift gears,
and control the brakes and
accelerator. The Driver Information
Center (DIC) and audible beeps
help to guide parking maneuvers.
{Warning
APA does not apply the brakes.
APA may not detect objects in the
parking space, objects that are
soft or narrow, objects high off the
ground such as flatbed trucks,
or objects below ground level
such as large potholes. Always
verify that the parking space is
appropriate for parking a vehicle.
APA does not respond to changes
in the parking space, such as
movement of an adjacent vehicle,
or a person or object entering the
parking space. APA does not
detect or avoid traffic that is
behind or alongside of the
vehicle. Always be prepared to
stop the vehicle during the
parking maneuver.
Press
Oon the center stack to
enable the system to search for a
parking space that is large enough
and within 1.5 m (5 ft) of the vehicle.
The vehicle speed must be below
30 km/h (18 mph). The system cannot:
.
Detect whether it is a legal
parking space.
. Park exactly lined up with the
vehicle next to it if the spot is
approached at an angle or if the
parking space is angled.
. Park exactly centered in a spot
that is marked too large.
. Always detect short curbs.
When enabled, APA searches for
parallel parking spaces to the right
of the vehicle. To search for a
parking space to the left, turn on the
left turn signal or, if available,
change the side selection in the
infotainment display. To switch the
parking mode between parallel and
perpendicular, press and hold
O
during the search process or,
if available, change the parking
mode in the infotainment display.
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Driving and Operating 207
After completely passing a large
enough space bordered by two
vehicles or other objects, an audible
beep occurs and a red symbol
displays in the DIC.
APA will instruct the vehicle to stop
once a large enough space is found.
Follow the instructions in the DIC.
When instructed to drive in reverse,
shift to R (Reverse) to engage
automatic steering. The steeringwheel will briefly vibrate as a
reminder to remove hands from the
steering wheel. Check surroundings
and continue braking or accelerating
as needed, and be prepared to stop
to avoid vehicles, pedestrians,
or objects.
If the vehicle is in R (Reverse), but
does not steer into the expected
space, this may be because the
system is maneuvering the vehicle
into a previously detected space.
The APA system does not need
service.
If the vehicle exceeds 10 km/h
(6 mph), APA is automatically
disengaged and automatic steering
will turn off. A DIC progress arrow
displays the status of the parking
maneuver. Depending on the space
size, additional maneuvers may be
required, and there will be additional
instructions. When changing gears,
allow the automatic steering to
complete before continuing the
parking maneuver. Upon successful
completion of a maneuver, APA will
beep and display a PARKING
COMPLETE message. Place the
vehicle in P (Park).APA may automatically disengage if:
.
The steering wheel is used by
the driver.
. The maximum allowed speed is
exceeded.
. There is a failure with the APA
system.
. Electronic Stability Control or
antilock brakes are activated.
. A high priority vehicle message
is displayed in the DIC.
To cancel APA, press
Oagain.
Assistance Systems for
Driving
If equipped, when driving the
vehicle in a forward gear, Forward
Collision Alert (FCA), Lane
Departure Warning (LDW), Lane
Keep Assist (LKA), Side Blind Zone
Alert (SBZA), Lane Change Alert
(LCA), and/or Forward Automatic
Braking (FAB) can help to avoid a
crash or reduce crash damage.
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Driving and Operating 213
Automatic Braking
If FPB detects it is about to crash
into a pedestrian directly ahead, and
the brakes have not been applied,
FPB may automatically brake
moderately or brake hard. This can
help to avoid some very low speed
pedestrian crashes or reduce
pedestrian injury. FPB can
automatically brake to detected
pedestrians between 8 km/h (5 mph)
and 80 km/h (50 mph). Automatic
braking levels may be reduced
under certain conditions, such as
higher speeds.
If this happens, Automatic Braking
may engage the Electric Parking
Brake (EPB) to hold the vehicle at a
stop. Release the EPB. A firm press
of the accelerator pedal will also
release Automatic Braking and
the EPB.
{Warning
FPB may alert or automatically
brake the vehicle suddenly in
situations where it is unexpected(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
and undesired. It could falsely
alert or brake for objects similar in
shape or size to pedestrians,
including shadows. This is normal
operation and the vehicle does
not need service. To override
Automatic Braking, firmly press
the accelerator pedal, if it is safe
to do so.
Automatic Braking can be disabled
through vehicle personalization. See
“Front Pedestrian Detection” in
“Collision/Detection Systems” under
Vehicle Personalization 0133.
{Warning
Using the Front Pedestrian
Braking system while towing a
trailer could cause you to lose
control of the vehicle and crash.
Turn the system to Alert or Off
when towing a trailer.
Cleaning the System
If FPB does not seem to operate
properly, cleaning the outside of the
windshield in front of the rearview
mirror may correct the issue.
Side Blind Zone
Alert (SBZA)
If equipped, the SBZA system is a
lane-changing aid that assists
drivers with avoiding crashes that
occur with moving vehicles in the
side blind zone (or spot) areas.
When the vehicle is in a forward
gear, the left or right side mirror
display will light up if a moving
vehicle is detected in that blind
zone. If the turn signal is activated
and a vehicle is also detected on
the same side, the display will flash
as an extra warning not to change
lanes. Since this system is part of
the Lane Change Alert (LCA)
system, read the entire LCA section
before using this feature.
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Driving and Operating 221
Warning (Continued)
.Use approved fuel
containers.
. Remove the container from
the vehicle, trunk, or pickup
bed before filling.
. Place the container on the
ground.
. Place the nozzle inside the
fill opening of the container
before dispensing fuel, and
keep it in contact with the fill
opening until filling is
complete.
. Fill the container no more
than 95% full to allow for
expansion.
. Do not smoke, light
matches, or use lighters
while pumping fuel.
. Avoid using cell phones or
other electronic devices.
Trailer Towing
General Towing
Information
Only use towing equipment that has
been designed for the vehicle.
Contact your dealer or trailering
dealer for assistance with preparing
the vehicle for towing a trailer. Read
the entire section before towing a
trailer.
For towing a disabled vehicle, see
Towing the Vehicle 0297. For
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle such as a motor home, see
Recreational Vehicle Towing 0298.
Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips
Driving with a Trailer
When towing a trailer:
.
Become familiar with the state
and local laws that apply to
trailer towing. .
Do not tow a trailer during the
first 800 km (500 mi) to prevent
damage to the engine, axle,
or other parts.
. Then during the first 800 km
(500 mi) of trailer towing, do not
drive over 80 km/h (50 mph) and
do not make starts at full throttle.
. Vehicles can tow in D (Drive).
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear if the transmission shifts
too often under heavy loads and/
or hilly conditions.
. Do not use Adaptive Cruise
Control when towing.
. The Forward Automatic Braking
system should be set to Off
when towing. See Forward
Automatic Braking (FAB) 0210.
. Turn off Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
when towing.
. Turn off Parking Assist when
towing.
. Front Pedestrian Braking should
be on Off or Alert.
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
234 Vehicle Care
1. Windshield Washer FluidReservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 245.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0234.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0234.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 239.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0246.
6. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0238.
7. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0239.
8. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal (Under Cover).
See Jump Starting - North
America (with or without
eAssist) 0294 orJump Starting
- North America (On-board with
eAssist Only) 0293.
9. Remote Negative (-) Battery Terminal.
See Jump Starting - North
America (with or without eAssist)
0293 orJump Starting
- North America (On-board with
eAssist Only) 0293.
10. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0254.
Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.
Use engine oil approved to the
proper specification and of the
proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
. Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
. Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System 0237. .
Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly,
every 650 km (400 mi), especially
prior to a long trip. The engine oil
dipstick handle is a loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0231 for the location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
If a low oil Driver Information Center
(DIC) message displays, check the
oil level.
Follow these guidelines:
. To get an accurate reading, park
the vehicle on level ground.
Check the engine oil level after
the engine has been off for at
least two hours. Checking the
engine oil level on steep grades
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
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)