Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Vehicle Care 279
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blow out
while driving, especially if the tires
are maintained properly. SeeTires
0 259. If air goes out of a tire, it is
much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if there is ever a blowout, here
are a few tips about what to expect
and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire
creates a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel firmly. Steer to
maintain lane position, and then
gently brake to a stop, well off the
road, if possible.
A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and
may require the same correction as
used in a skid. Stop pressing the
accelerator pedal and steer to
straighten the vehicle. It may be
very bumpy and noisy. Gently brake
to a stop, well off the road,
if possible.{Warning
Driving on a flat tire will cause
permanent damage to the tire.
Re-inflating a tire after it has been
driven on while severely
underinflated or flat may cause a
blowout and a serious crash.
Never attempt to re-inflate a tire
that has been driven on while
severely underinflated or flat.
Have your dealer or an authorized
tire service center repair or
replace the flat tire as soon as
possible.
{Warning
Lifting a vehicle and getting under
it to do maintenance or repairs is
dangerous without the
appropriate safety equipment and
training. If a jack is provided with
the vehicle, it is designed only for
changing a flat tire. If it is used for
anything else, you or others could
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
be badly injured or killed if the
vehicle slips off the jack. If a jack
is provided with the vehicle, only
use it for changing a flat tire.
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly
to a level place, well off the road,
if possible. Turn on the hazard
warning flashers. See Hazard
Warning Flashers 0146.
{Warning
Changing a tire can be
dangerous. The vehicle can slip
off the jack and roll over or fall
causing injury or death. Find a
level place to change the tire. To
help prevent the vehicle from
moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly. (Continued)
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
304 Vehicle Care
Caution (Continued)
chlorides are used on roads for
conditions such as ice and dust.
Always wash the chrome with
soap and water after exposure.
Caution
To avoid surface damage, do not
use strong soaps, chemicals,
abrasive polishes, cleaners,
brushes, or cleaners that contain
acid on aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels. Use only
approved cleaners. Also, never
drive a vehicle with aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels through an
automatic car wash that uses
silicone carbide tire cleaning
brushes. Damage could occur
and the repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Brake System
Visually inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding,
leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect
disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Inspect drum
brake linings/shoes for wear or
cracks. Inspect all other brake parts.
Steering, Suspension, and
Chassis Components
Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damaged, loose,
or missing parts or signs of wear at
least once a year.
Inspect power steering for proper
attachment, connections, binding,
leaks, cracks, chafing, etc.
Visually check constant velocity joint
boots and axle seals for leaks.
Body Component Lubrication
Lubricate all key lock cylinders,
hood hinges, liftgate hinges, and the
steel fuel door hinges, unless the
components are plastic. Applying
silicone grease on weatherstripswith a clean cloth will make them
last longer, seal better, and not stick
or squeak.
Underbody Maintenance
At least twice a year, spring and fall,
use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from the
underbody. Take care to thoroughly
clean any areas where mud and
other debris can collect.
Do not directly power wash the
transfer case and/or front/rear axle
output seals. High pressure water
can overcome the seals and
contaminate the fluid. Contaminated
fluid will decrease the life of the
transfer case and/or axles and
should be replaced.
Sheet Metal Damage
If the vehicle is damaged and
requires sheet metal repair or
replacement, make sure the body
repair shop applies anti-corrosion
material to parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion
protection.
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Service and Maintenance 317
.To avoid break-down or failure to
start the vehicle, maintain a
battery with full cranking power.
. Trained dealer technicians have
the diagnostic equipment to test
the battery and ensure that the
connections and cables are
corrosion-free.
Belts
. Belts may need replacing if they
squeak or show signs of
cracking or splitting.
. Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the belts and
recommend adjustment or
replacement when necessary.
Brakes
Brakes stop the vehicle and are
crucial to safe driving.
. Signs of brake wear may include
chirping, grinding, or squealing
noises, or difficulty stopping. .
Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the brakes and
recommend quality parts
engineered for the vehicle.
Fluids
Proper fluid levels and approved
fluids protect the vehicle’s systems
and components. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0319 for GM approved
fluids.
. Engine oil and windshield
washer fluid levels should be
checked at every fuel fill.
. Instrument cluster lights may
come on to indicate that fluids
may be low and need to be
filled.
Hoses
Hoses transport fluids and should
be regularly inspected to ensure
that there are no cracks or leaks.
With a multi-point inspection, your
dealer can inspect the hoses and
advise if replacement is needed. Lamps
Properly working headlamps,
taillamps, and brake lamps are
important to see and be seen on
the road.
.
Signs that the headlamps need
attention include dimming, failure
to light, cracking, or damage.
The brake lamps need to be
checked periodically to ensure
that they light when braking.
. With a multi-point inspection,
your dealer can check the lamps
and note any concerns.
Shocks and Struts
Shocks and struts help aid in control
for a smoother ride.
. Signs of wear may include
steering wheel vibration, bounce/
sway while braking, longer
stopping distance, or uneven
tire wear.
. As part of the multi-point
inspection, trained dealer
technicians can visually inspect
the shocks and struts for signs
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
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
358 Index
Roadside AssistanceProgram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Roof Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Rotation, Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Routing, Engine Drive Belt . . . . . . 324
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
S
Safety Defects ReportingCanadian Government . . . . . . . . 336
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . . . 331
Sealant Kit, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Seat Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
How to Wear Seat BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Replacing after a Crash . . . . . . . . 68
Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . 66
Seats Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Seats (cont'd)
Heated and Ventilated Front . . . . 58
Lumbar Adjustment, Front . . . . . . 54
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Power Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . 53
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Securing Child Restraints . . . . 94, 96
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Vehicle Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Selective Ride Control . . . . . . . . . . 192
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Doing Your Own Work . . . . . . . . 229
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . . 321
Maintenance, General
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Parts Identification Label . . . . . 322
Publications Ordering Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . 331
Service Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Services
Special Application . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Servicing the Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . 213
Signals, Turn and
Lane-Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Spare Tire Compact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Special Application Services . . . . 316
Specifications and Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Start Vehicle, Remote . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 Heated Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Storage Areas Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101