heating BUICK LACROSSE 2007 Owner's Manual

Remote Vehicle Start
Your vehicle may have a remote starting feature.
This feature allows you to start the engine
from outside of the vehicle. It may also start up
the vehicle’s heating or air conditioning systems
and rear window defogger. When the remote start
system is active, the climate control system will
heat or cool the inside of the vehicle based on the
outside temperature. The rear window defogger
will be turned on by the climate control system
when it is heating the inside of the vehicle. Normal
operation of the system will return after the key
is turned to the RUN position.
Laws in some communities may restrict the use of
remote starters. For example, some laws may
require a person using remote start to have
the vehicle in view when doing so. Check local
regulations for any requirements on remote starting
of vehicles.
Do not use the remote start feature if your vehicle
is low on fuel. Your vehicle may run out of fuel.The remote start feature provides two separate
starts per ignition cycle, each with 10 minutes
of engine running time.
The remote vehicle start feature needs to be reset
after your vehicle’s engine is started two times
using the transmitter’s remote start button.
The remote start system is reset by inserting the
vehicle’s key into the ignition switch and turning it
to RUN. SeeIgnition Positions on page 109for
information regarding the ignition positions on your
vehicle.
The RKE transmitter with the remote start button
provides an increased range of operation. You can
start your vehicle from an average range of about
492 feet (150 m) away. However the range may be
less while the vehicle is running, and as a result,
you may need to be closer to your vehicle to turn it
off than you were to turn it on.
There are other conditions which can affect the
performance of the transmitter, seeRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System on page 89for
additional information.
93

Trunk
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the
trunk lid open because carbon monoxide
(CO) gas can come into your vehicle. You
cannot see or smell CO. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death. If you
must drive with the trunk lid open or if
electrical wiring or other cable
connections must pass through the seal
between the body and the trunk lid:
Make sure all other windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or
cooling system to its highest speed
and select the control setting that will
force outside air into your vehicle. See
Climate Control System.
If you have air outlets on or under
the instrument panel, open them
all the way.
SeeEngine Exhaust on page 122.
Opening the Trunk
To open the trunk from the outside, use the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation on
page 90for more information.
The ignition must be off, or the transaxle must be
in PARK (P) to open the trunk.
Remote Trunk Release
This feature is used to unlock the trunk from inside
the vehicle using the power door lock switch.
Press and hold the top
of the driver’s or front
passenger’s power door
lock switch to unlock
the trunk.
The vehicle must be in PARK (P) to unlock
the trunk.
100

Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter
Your vehicle may have a removable ashtray and
cigarette lighter. The cigarette lighter may be
located under the climate control system.
The removable ashtray can be placed into the
front console cupholder.
Notice:If you put papers, pins, or other
ammable items in the ashtray, hot cigarettes
or other smoking materials could ignite
them and possibly damage your vehicle.
Never put ammable items in the ashtray.
To use the cigarette lighter, push it in all the way,
and let go. When the heating element is ready,
it will pop back out by itself.
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it is
heating will not allow the lighter to back away
from the heating element when it is hot. Damage
from overheating may occur to the lighter or
heating element, or a fuse could be blown. Do
not hold a cigarette lighter in while it is heating.
Do not use equipment exceeding maximum
amperage rating of 20 amperes.
Climate Controls
Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating,
cooling and ventilation for your vehicle.
If your vehicle has the remote start feature and
it is activated, the climate control system will
automatically cool the vehicle if the temperature is
greater than 90°F (32°C) and heat the vehicle if the
temperature is below 37°F (3°C). If the temperature
is between 37°F (3°C) and 90°F (32°C), the last
control setting selected when the engine was
running will be used. Normal operation and the last
setting of the climate control system will return after
the key is turned to the RUN position.
168

Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
<(Rear):Press the button to turn the rear
window defogger on or off. An indicator light below
the button will come on to let you know that the
rear window defogger is activated.
The rear window defogger will only work when the
ignition is in RUN. The rear window defogger
will stay on for about 20 minutes after the button is
pressed. If turned on again, the defogger will
only run for about 20 minutes before turning off.
The defogger can also be turned off by pressing
the button again or by turning off the engine.
Do not drive the vehicle until all windows are clear.
Notice:Do not use anything sharp on the
inside of the rear window. If you do, you could
cut or damage the warming grid, and the
repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Do not attach a temporary vehicle license,
tape, a decal or anything similar to the
defogger grid.
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System
With this system you can control the heating,
cooling, and ventilation for the vehicle.
172

The TCS warning light will come on briey when
you turn the ignition to RUN. If it does not come on
then, have it xed so it will be ready to warn
you if there is a problem.
If the TCS warning light stays on or comes on
while you are driving, pull off the road as soon as
possible and stop carefully. Try resetting the
system by turning the ignition off then back on. If
the light still stays on or comes back on again
while you are driving, your vehicle needs service.
Have the traction control system and, if your
vehicle has this feature, the StabiliTrak
®system
inspected as soon as possible. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 294and
StabiliTrak
®System on page 296for more
information.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
This light tells you that
your engine is very hot.
This light will come on when you rst start the
vehicle as a check to let you know that the light is
working. It will go out after a few seconds. If the
light does not come on, the bulb may be burned out.
See your dealer to have it corrected.
If the light does not go out or if the light comes on
and stays on while you are driving, your vehicle
may have a problem with the cooling system. You
should stop the vehicle and turn off the engine
as soon as possible to avoid damage to the
engine. A warning chime will sound when this light
is on, also.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 367.
188

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
The vehicle has a gage
that shows the engine
coolant temperature.
If the gage pointer moves towards the H, the
engine is too hot.This reading indicates the same thing as the
warning light. It means that the engine coolant has
overheated. If the vehicle has been operating
under normal driving conditions, pull off the road,
stop the vehicle, and turn off the engine as
soon as possible. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 367.
Low Coolant Warning Light
If your vehicle has this
light, it comes on briey
when you turn your
ignition on as a
bulb check only.
189

ENGINE COOLANT HOT
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the
engine is overheating, severe engine damage
may occur. If an overheat warning appears
on the instrument panel cluster and/or
DIC, stop the vehicle as soon as possible.
Do not increase the engine speed above
normal idling speed. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 367for more information.
This message displays when the engine coolant
temperature is too hot. The engine coolant
temperature warning light also appears on the
instrument panel cluster. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light on page 188
andEngine Coolant Temperature Gage on
page 189for more information.
To avoid added strain on the engine, turn off the
air conditioner if it is on. When the coolant
temperature returns to normal, the air conditioner
can be turned back on.
This message displays only when the ignition is in
RUN. A chime sounds continuously when this
message is displayed. Press any of the DIC
buttons to acknowledge this message and to clear
it from the screen.This message continues to display for two seconds
if it has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It also re-displays for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the
condition still exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED
This message displays when the amount of
available light outside of the vehicle is low, or the
windshield wipers have been on for about
30 seconds, and the exterior lamps control is off
or in the parking lamps position. This message
informs the driver that turning on the exterior lamps
is recommended. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 158for more information.
This message displays while the ignition is in RUN.
Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this
message and to clear it from the screen.
213

Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbefore
starting down a long hill or steep downgrade. If the
vehicle is not shifted down, the brakes might
have to be used so much that they would get hot
and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce the
vehicle’s speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to
reduce the possibility of engine and transaxle
overheating.
If towing a trailer, you may want to drive in
THIRD (3) instead of DRIVE (D). Shift to a lower
gear as needed.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle,
with a trailer attached, on a hill. If
something goes wrong, your rig could
start to move. People can be injured, and
both your vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged.
But if the rig ever has to be parked on a hill, here
is how to do it:
1. Apply the regular brakes, but do not shift into
PARK (P) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks under the
trailer’s wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release
the regular brakes until the chocks absorb
the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply the
parking brake, and shift to PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
334

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply the regular brakes and hold the pedal
down while you:
Start the engine.
Shift into a gear.
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the
chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the
chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
The vehicle will need service more often when it
pulls a trailer. SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 462for more information. Things that are
especially important in trailer operation are
automatic transaxle uid; which should not be
overlled; engine oil, drive belt(s), and cooling and
brake systems. Each of these is covered in this
manual, and the Index will help you nd them
quickly. If trailering, it is a good idea to review this
information before starting on a trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and
bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
The cooling system may temporarily overheat
during severe operating conditions. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 367.
335

Service........................................................ 340
Accessories and Modications................... 341
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 341
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 342
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...................................... 343
Fuel............................................................. 343
Gasoline Octane........................................ 343
Gasoline Specications.............................. 344
California Fuel........................................... 344
Additives................................................... 344
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 345
Filling the Tank......................................... 346
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 348
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 348
Hood Release........................................... 349
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 350
Engine Oil................................................. 353
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 356
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 358
Automatic Transaxle Fluid......................... 360Engine Coolant.......................................... 363
Radiator Pressure Cap.............................. 367
Engine Overheating................................... 367
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 370
Cooling System......................................... 370
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 378
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 380
Brakes...................................................... 381
Battery...................................................... 384
Jump Starting............................................ 385
Headlamp Aiming........................................ 391
Bulb Replacement....................................... 394
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 394
Headlamps and Sidemarker Lamps........... 395
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps....... 397
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps.............. 398
License Plate Lamp................................... 400
Replacement Bulbs................................... 400
Windshield Replacement............................ 401
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
337