
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
132 Instruments and Controls
If You Cannot See the HUD
Image When the Ignition Is On
Check that:
.Nothing is covering the
HUD lens.
. HUD brightness setting is not
too dim or too bright.
. HUD is adjusted to the proper
height.
. Polarized sunglasses are
not worn.
. Windshield and HUD lens are
clean.
If the HUD image is not correct,
contact your dealer.
The windshield is part of the HUD
system. See Windshield
Replacement 0249.
Vehicle Messages
Messages displayed on the DIC
indicate the status of the vehicle or
some action that may be needed to
correct a condition. Multiple
messages may appear one after
another.
The messages that do not require
immediate action can be
acknowledged and cleared by
pressing
V. The messages that
require immediate action cannot be
cleared until that action is
performed.
All messages should be taken
seriously; clearing the message
does not correct the problem.
If a SERVICE message appears,
see your dealer.
Follow the instructions given in the
messages. The system displays
messages regarding the following
topics:
. Service Messages
. Fluid Levels
. Vehicle Security .
Brakes
. Ride Control Systems
. Driver Assistance Systems
. Cruise Control
. Lighting and Bulb Replacement
. Wiper/Washer Systems
. Doors and Windows
. Seat Belts
. Airbag Systems
. Engine and Transmission
. Tire Pressure
. Battery
Engine Power Messages
ENGINE/PROPULSION POWER
IS REDUCED
This message displays when the
vehicle's propulsion power is
reduced. Reduced propulsion power
can affect the vehicle's ability to
accelerate. If this message is on,
but there is no observed reduction
in performance, proceed to your
destination. The performance may

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Lighting 147
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
Move the lever all the way up or
down to signal a turn.
An arrow on the instrument cluster
flashes in the direction of the turn or
lane change.
Raise or lower the lever until the
arrow starts to flash to signal a lane
change. Hold it there until the lane
change is completed. If the lever is
briefly pressed and released, the
turn signal flashes three times.
The turn and lane-change signal
can be turned off manually by
moving the lever back to its original
position.If after signaling a turn or lane
change the arrow flashes rapidly or
does not come on, a signal bulb
might be burned out.
Have any burned out bulbs
replaced. If the bulb is not burned
out, check the fuse. See
Fuses and
Circuit Breakers 0253.
Fog Lamps
The fog lamps button is on the
instrument panel to left of the
steering wheel.
To turn on the fog lamps, the ignition
and the headlamps or parking lamps
must be on. If the fog lamps are turned on while
the exterior lamp control is in the
AUTO position, the headlamps
come on automatically.
9:
Press to turn on or off. An
indicator light on the instrument
cluster comes on when the fog
lamps are on.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Driving and Operating 223
or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
If the trailer turn signal bulbs burn
out, the arrows on the instrument
cluster will still flash for turns. It is
important to check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gearbefore starting down a long or
steep downgrade. If the
transmission is not shifted down, the
brakes might get hot and no longer
work well.
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.
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, consider the
following: Engine coolant will boil at
a lower temperature than at normal
altitudes. If the engine is turned off
immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the vehicle may show signs similar to
engine overheating. To avoid this,
let the engine run while parked,
preferably on level ground, with the
automatic transmission in P (Park)
for a few minutes before turning the
engine off. If the overheat warning
comes on, see
Engine Overheating
0 243.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic if
facing uphill. 2. Have someone place chocks
under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the regular
brakes until the chocks absorb
the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and
shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift into a gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Let up on the brake pedal.
6. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
7. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Vehicle Care 227
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 228
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 229
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 237
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 238
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 243
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Battery - North America . . . . . . 247 All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 248
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 249
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 249
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
High Intensity Discharge (HID)
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 252
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 253
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 253
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 261 Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Tire Terminology and
Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 277
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 292

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Vehicle Care 251
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp aim has been preset and
should need no further adjustment.
If the vehicle is damaged in a crash,
the headlamp aim may be affected.
If adjustment to the headlamps is
necessary, see your dealer.
Bulb Replacement
For any bulb-changing procedure
not listed in this section, contact
your dealer.
High Intensity Discharge
(HID) Lighting
{Warning
The High Intensity Discharge
(HID) lighting system operates at
a very high voltage. If you try to
service any of the system
components, you could be
seriously injured. Have your
dealer or a qualified technician
service them.
After an HID headlamp bulb has
been replaced, the beam might be a
slightly different shade than it was
originally. This is normal.
LED Lighting
This vehicle has several LED lamps.
For replacement of any LED lighting
assembly, contact your dealer.
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps
Driver Side Shown, Passenger Side Similar
1. Stoplamp/Turn Signal
2. Back-Up Lamp

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
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
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