octane BUICK LACROSSE 2007 Owner's Manual

Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel.
SeeGasoline Octane on page 343. Poor fuel
quality will cause your engine not to run as
efficiently as designed. You may notice this as
stalling after start-up, stalling when you put
the vehicle into gear, misring, hesitation on
acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine is
warmed up.) This will be detected by the system
and cause the light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at
least one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the
light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light
turn off, your dealer can check the vehicle.
Your dealer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to x any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have
or may begin programs to inspect the emission
control equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass
this inspection could prevent you from getting a
vehicle registration.
Here are some things you need to know to help
your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
check engine light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if
the OBD (on-board diagnostic) system determines
that critical emission control systems have not
been completely diagnosed by the system.
The vehicle would be considered not ready for
inspection. This can happen if you have recently
replaced your battery or if your battery has
run down. The diagnostic system is designed to
evaluate critical emission control systems
during normal driving. This may take several days
of routine driving. If you have done this and
your vehicle still does not pass the inspection for
lack of OBD system readiness, your dealer
can prepare the vehicle for inspection.
193

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

Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your
vehicle can affect the airow around it. This may
cause wind noise and affect windshield washer
performance. Check with your dealer before
adding equipment to the outside of your vehicle.
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an important
part of the proper maintenance of your vehicle.
To help keep your engine clean and maintain
optimum vehicle performance, GM recommends
the use of gasoline advertised as TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline.
The 8th digit of your Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN) shows the code letter or number
that identies your engine. You will nd the VIN
at the top left of the instrument panel. SeeVehicle
Identication Number (VIN) on page 448.
Gasoline Octane
If your vehicle has the 3.8L V6 engine (VIN
Code 2), use regular unleaded gasoline with a
posted octane rating of 87 or higher. If the octane
rating is less than 87, you may notice an audible
knocking noise when you drive, commonly referred
to as spark knock. If this occurs, use a gasoline
rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible.
If you are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher and you hear heavy knocking, your engine
needs service.
If your vehicle has the 3.6L V6 engine (VIN
Code 7), use regular unleaded gasoline with
a posted octane rating of 87 or higher. For best
performance or trailer towing, you may choose to
use middle grade 89 octane unleaded gasoline.
If the octane rating is less than 87, you may
notice an audible knocking noise when you drive,
commonly referred to as spark knock. If this
occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher as soon as possible. If you are using
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher and you
hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service.
343

Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM
specication D 4814 in the United States or
CAN/CGSB-3.5 in Canada. Some gasolines may
contain an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT). General Motors recommends against the
use of gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives
on page 344for additional information.
California Fuel
If your vehicle is certied to meet California
Emissions Standards, it is designed to operate
on fuels that meet California specications.
See the underhood emission control label.
If this fuel is not available in states adopting
California emissions standards, your vehicle will
operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specications, but emission control system
performance may be affected. The malfunction
indicator lamp may turn on and your vehicle may
fail a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 190. If this occurs, return to
your authorized GM dealer for diagnosis.If it is determined that the condition is caused
by the type of fuel used, repairs may not be
covered by your warranty.
Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the
United States are now required to contain additives
that will help prevent engine and fuel system
deposits from forming, allowing your emission
control system to work properly. In most cases,
you should not have to add anything to your
fuel. However, some gasolines contain only the
minimum amount of additive required to meet
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations.
To help keep fuel injectors and intake valves
clean, or if your vehicle experiences problems due
to dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline that
is advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.
Also, your dealer has additives that will help
correct and prevent most deposit-related problems.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as
ethers and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines
may be available in your area. General Motors
recommends that you use these gasolines if they
comply with the specications described earlier.
344

However, E85 (85% ethanol) and other fuels
containing more than 10% ethanol must not be
used in vehicles that were not designed for
those fuels.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for
fuel that contains methanol. Do not use
fuel containing methanol. It can corrode metal
parts in your fuel system and also damage
the plastic and rubber parts. That damage
would not be covered under your warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane-enhancing
additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT); ask the attendant where you
buy gasoline whether the fuel contains MMT.
General Motors recommends against the use of
such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT can reduce
the life of spark plugs and the performance of
the emission control system may be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp may turn on.
If this occurs, return to your dealer for service.Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside
the United States or Canada, the proper fuel may
be hard to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or
any other fuel not recommended in the previous
text on fuel. Costly repairs caused by use of
improper fuel would not be covered by your
warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business
in the country where you will be driving.
345

Because of all the different ways people use their
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may
need more frequent checks and replacements.
So please read the following and note how
you drive. If you have any questions on how to
keep your vehicle in good condition, see your
GM Goodwrench
®dealer.
This schedule is for vehicles that:
carry passengers and cargo within
recommended limits. You will nd these limits
on the Tire and Loading Information label.
SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 319.
are driven on reasonable road surfaces within
legal driving limits.
use the recommended fuel. SeeGasoline
Octane on page 343.The services inScheduled Maintenance on
page 462should be performed when indicated.
SeeAdditional Required Services on page 464and
Maintenance Footnotes on page 465for further
information.
{CAUTION:
Performing maintenance work on a
vehicle can be dangerous. In trying to do
some jobs, you can be seriously injured.
Do your own maintenance work only if
you have the required know-how and the
proper tools and equipment for the job.
If you have any doubt, see your GM
Goodwrench
®dealer to have a qualied
technician do the work.
460

Engine (cont.)
Overheated Protection Operating Mode.... 370
Overheating............................................. 367
Reduced Power Light............................... 196
Starting.................................................... 111
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)................ 295
Entry Lighting.............................................. 161
Event Data Recorders (EDR)...................... 489
Extender, Safety Belt..................................... 38
Exterior Lamps............................................ 158
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver.................... 160
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner................................... 358
Finish Damage............................................ 446
Flashers, Hazard Warning........................... 150
Flash-to-Pass.............................................. 153
Flat Tire...................................................... 425
Flat Tire, Changing...................................... 426
Flat Tire, Storing......................................... 435Fluid
Automatic Transaxle................................. 360
Power Steering........................................ 378
Windshield Washer.................................. 380
Fog Lamps.................................................. 160
Folding Rear Seat......................................... 14
Fuel............................................................ 343
Additives.................................................. 344
California Fuel.......................................... 344
Check Gas Cap Light.............................. 199
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.............. 348
Filling Your Tank...................................... 346
Fuels in Foreign Countries....................... 345
Gage....................................................... 198
Gasoline Octane...................................... 343
Gasoline Specications............................ 344
Low Warning Light................................... 198
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...................... 450
Instrument Panel Fuse Block................... 450
Underhood Fuse Block............................. 452
Windshield Wiper..................................... 449
502

G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.................... 189
Fuel......................................................... 198
Speedometer........................................... 181
Tachometer.............................................. 181
Garage Door Opener................................... 130
Gasoline
Octane..................................................... 343
Specications........................................... 344
Glove Box................................................... 141
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.......... 483
H
Hazard Warning Flashers............................ 150
Head Restraints............................................ 13
Headlamp
Aiming..................................................... 391
Headlamp Wiring......................................... 449
Headlamps
Bulb Replacement.................................... 394
Daytime Running Lamps/Automatic
Headlamp System................................ 159Headlamps (cont.)
Flash-to-Pass........................................... 153
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps...... 397
Halogen Bulbs......................................... 394
Headlamps and Sidemarker Lamps.......... 395
High/Low Beam Changer......................... 153
Suggested Light....................................... 196
Headlamps and Sidemarker Lamps............. 395
Heated Seats................................................ 10
Heater......................................................... 168
Heater......................................................... 172
Highbeam On Light..................................... 196
Highway Hypnosis....................................... 311
Hill and Mountain Roads............................. 312
Hood
Checking Things Under............................ 348
Release................................................... 349
Horn............................................................ 150
How to Use This Manual ................................ 3
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly............... 21
503