Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12032549) -
2019 - crc - 8/20/18
182 Driving and Operating
Shifting Into Park
To shift into P (Park):1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking brake. See
Electric Parking Brake 0193.
2. Press the button on top of the shift lever to shift into P (Park).
See Automatic Transmission
0 187.
3. The P indicator on the shift lever will turn red when the
vehicle is in P (Park).
Leaving the Vehicle with the
Engine Running
{Warning
It can be dangerous to leave the
vehicle with the engine running.
It could overheat and catch fire.
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the vehicle is not in
P (Park) with the parking brake
set. The vehicle can roll.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
shift to P (Park). SeeShifting Into
Park 0182. If you are towing a
trailer, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips 0227.
If you have to leave the vehicle with
the engine running, be sure the
vehicle is in P (Park) and the
parking brake is firmly set before
you leave it.
If you are towing a trailer and
parking on a hill, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips
0 227.
Shifting out of Park
This vehicle is equipped with an
electronic transmission. The shift
lock release button is designed to
prevent unintended shifting out of
P (Park) unless the ignition is in on,
the brake pedal is applied, and the
shift lock release button is pressed.
To shift out of P (Park):
1. Ensure the engine is running.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Press and hold the shift lock release button.
4. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
5. The P indicator will turn white and the gear indicator on the
shift lever will turn red when
the vehicle is no longer in
P (Park).
6. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center
position.
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12032549) -
2019 - crc - 8/20/18
Driving and Operating 183
If the vehicle cannot shift from
P (Park), a Driver Information Center
(DIC) message will be displayed.
See your dealer for service.
Manual Park Release
{Warning
The transmission will be placed in
N (Neutral) when the manual park
release is pulled. The vehicle can
roll and you or others could be
injured. Ensure the vehicle is on
level ground.
Caution
The manual park release is not
intended to be used for towing.
Damage may result from using
the manual park release in this
way. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.Vehicles with the 3.6L V6 engine
may include a manual park release
that can be used to shift the vehicle
into N (Neutral) when the engine is
not running.
Pulling the manual park release
while the vehicle is on or turning the
ignition on while the manual park
release is pulled, will cause a
service transmission message to
display.
To place the vehicle in N (Neutral)
using the manual park release:
1. Ensure the vehicle is on level ground and set the parking
brake. Release the brake
pedal.
2. Turn the vehicle off.
3. Use a flat-bladed tool to remove the interior trim pieces
shown.
4. Lift the rear end of the upper piece.
5. Slide the upper piece rearward.
6. Starting at the front, pull the lower trim panel outward from
the console.
7. Use a flat-bladed tool to remove the center portion of
the fastener that holds the
carpet to the console.
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12032549) -
2019 - crc - 8/20/18
Driving and Operating 187
Automatic
Transmission
The shift pattern is displayed in the
top of the shift lever. The selected
gear position will illuminate red on
the shift lever, while all others will
be displayed in white. If the shift is
not immediate, as in very cold
conditions, the indicator on the shift
lever may blink until it is fully
engaged.The shift lever always starts from a
center position, represented by an
amber dot on the shift pattern. After
releasing the shift lever, it will return
to the center position.
The transmission does not operate
when the ignition is off.
If the ignition is in ACC/
ACCESSORY, the transmission can
be shifted into P (Park).
If the ignition is turned off while at a
relatively high vehicle speed, the
transmission will automatically shift
to N (Neutral). Once the vehicle is
stopped, P (Park) can be selected.
P :
This position locks the drive
wheels. It is the best position to use
when you start the engine because
the vehicle cannot move easily.
{Warning
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the transmission is not
in P (Park) with the parking brake
set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If the engine
has been left running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
on fairly level ground, always set
the parking brake and place the
transmission into P (Park).
See Shifting Into Park 0182 and
Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips 0227.
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12032549) -
2019 - crc - 8/20/18
Driving and Operating 189
N :In this position, the engine does
not connect with the wheels. To
restart the engine when the vehicle
is already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
{Warning
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift
into a drive gear while the engine
is running at high speed.
Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the
engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle.
The vehicle is not designed to stay
in N (Neutral) for more than
five minutes. It may automatically
shift into P (Park). N (Neutral) is not
intended for towing. If the vehicle
does need to be towed, see Towing
the Vehicle 0305.
To shift into N (Neutral): 1. From the center position, move the shift lever forward. If the
vehicle is in P (Park), apply the
brake pedal and press and
hold the shift lock release
button while moving the shift
lever forward.
2. N will illuminate in red.
3. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center
position. To shift out of N (Neutral):
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear. If selecting R (Reverse), press
and hold the shift lock release
button.
3. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center
position.
Car Wash Mode
This vehicle includes a Car Wash
Mode that allows the vehicle to
remain in N (Neutral) for use in
automatic car washes. The vehicle
may not stay in N (Neutral) for more
than five minutes. It may
automatically shift into P (Park).
Car Wash Mode (Engine Off –
Driver in Vehicle)
To place the vehicle in N (Neutral)
with the engine off and the vehicle
occupied:
1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12032549) -
2019 - crc - 8/20/18
Driving and Operating 207
{Warning
On curves, ACC may respond to
a vehicle in another lane, or may
not have time to react to a vehicle
in your lane. You could crash into
a vehicle ahead of you, or lose
control of your vehicle. Give extra
attention in curves and be ready
to use the brakes if necessary.
Select an appropriate speed while
driving in curves.
ACC may operate differently in a
sharp curve. It may reduce the
vehicle speed if the curve is too
sharp.
When following a vehicle and
entering a curve, ACC may not
detect the vehicle ahead and
accelerate to the set speed. When
this happens, the vehicle ahead
indicator will not appear.
ACC may detect a vehicle that is
not in your lane and apply the
brakes.
ACC may occasionally provide an
alert and/or braking that is
considered unnecessary. It could
respond to vehicles in different
lanes, signs, guardrails, and other
stationary objects when entering or
exiting a curve. This is normal
operation. The vehicle does not
need service. Other Vehicle Lane Changes
ACC will not detect a vehicle ahead
until it is completely in the lane. The
brakes may need to be manually
applied.
Do Not Use ACC on Hills and
When Towing a Trailer
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12032549) -
2019 - crc - 8/20/18
208 Driving and Operating
Do not use ACC when driving on
steep hills or when towing a trailer.
ACC will not detect a vehicle in the
lane while driving on steep hills. The
driver will often need to take over
acceleration and braking on steep
hills, especially when towing a
trailer. If the brakes are applied, the
ACC disengages.
Disengaging ACC
There are three ways to
disengage ACC:
.Step lightly on the brake pedal.
. Press
*.
. Press
5.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is
erased from memory if
5is pressed
or if the ignition is turned off.
Cleaning the Sensing System
The radar sensor on the front of the
vehicle can become blocked by
snow, ice, dirt, or mud. This area
needs to be cleaned for ACC to
operate properly. For cleaning instructions, see
“Washing the Vehicle”
under
Exterior Care 0309.
System operation may also be
limited under snow, heavy rain,
or road spray conditions.
Driver Assistance
Systems
This vehicle may have features that
work together to help avoid crashes
or reduce crash damage while
driving, backing, and parking. Read
this entire section before using
these systems.
{Warning
Do not rely on the Driver
Assistance Systems. These
systems do not replace the need
for paying attention and driving
safely. You may not hear or feel
alerts or warnings provided by
these systems. Failure to use
proper care when driving may
result in injury, death, or vehicle
damage. See Defensive Driving
0 166.
Under many conditions, these
systems will not: (Continued)
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12032549) -
2019 - crc - 8/20/18
Driving and Operating 217
Warning (Continued)
.Detect all vehicles,
especially vehicles with a
trailer, tractors, muddy
vehicles, etc.
. Detect a vehicle when
weather limits visibility, such
as in fog, rain, or snow.
. Detect a vehicle ahead if it
is partially blocked by
pedestrians or other objects.
Complete attention is always
required while driving, and you
should be ready to take action
and apply the brakes and/or steer
the vehicle to avoid crashes.
FAB may slow the vehicle to a
complete stop to try to avoid a
potential crash. The vehicle will only
hold at a stop briefly. A firm press of
the accelerator pedal will also
release FAB.
{Warning
FAB may automatically brake the
vehicle suddenly in situations
where it is unexpected and
undesired. It could respond to a
turning vehicle ahead, guardrails,
signs, and other non-moving
objects. To override FAB, firmly
press the accelerator pedal, if it is
safe to do so.
Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA)
IBA may activate when the brake
pedal is applied quickly by providing
a boost to braking based on the
speed of approach and distance to
a vehicle ahead.
Minor brake pedal pulsations or
pedal movement during this time is
normal and the brake pedal should
continue to be applied as needed.
IBA will automatically disengage
only when the brake pedal is
released.
{Warning
IBA may increase vehicle braking
in situations when it may not be
necessary. You could block the
flow of traffic. If this occurs, take
your foot off the brake pedal and
then apply the brakes as needed.
FAB and IBA can be disabled
through vehicle personalization. See
Vehicle Personalization 0138.
{Warning
Using FAB or IBA while towing a
trailer could cause you to lose
control of the vehicle and crash.
Turn the system to Off when
towing a trailer.
A system unavailable message may
display if:
. The front of the vehicle or
windshield is not clean.
. Heavy rain or snow is interfering
with object detection.
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12032549) -
2019 - crc - 8/20/18
Driving and Operating 219
FPB alerts and automatic braking
will not occur unless the FPB
system detects a pedestrian. When
a nearby pedestrian is detected
directly in front of the vehicle, the
pedestrian ahead indicator will
display amber.
Front Pedestrian Alert
When the vehicle approaches a
pedestrian ahead too rapidly, the
red FPB alert display will flash on
the windshield. Eight rapid
high-pitched beeps will sound from
the front, or both sides of the Safety
Alert Seat will pulse five times.
When this Pedestrian Alert occurs,
the brake system may prepare for
driver braking to occur more rapidly
which can cause a brief, mild
deceleration. Continue to apply thebrake pedal as needed. Cruise
control may be disengaged when
the Front Pedestrian Alert occurs.
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
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 0138.
{Warning
Using the Front Pedestrian
Braking system while towing a
trailer could cause you to lose
(Continued)