trailer BUICK LACROSSE 2007 Owner's Manual

Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an
elaborate break-in. But it will perform better in
the long run if you follow these guidelines:
Do not drive at any one constant speed,
fast or slow, for the rst 500 miles
(805 km). Do not make full-throttle starts.
Avoid downshifting to brake, or slow,
the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings are not yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every time
you get new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. See
Towing a Trailer on page 327for the trailer
towing capabilities of your vehicle and more
information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can
be gradually increased.
Ignition Positions
With the ignition key in the ignition, the key can be
turned to four different positions:
Notice:Using a tool to force the key from the
ignition switch could cause damage or
break the key. Use the correct key and turn the
key only with your hand. Make sure the key
is in all the way. If none of this works,
then your vehicle needs service.
A (OFF):This is the only position in which the
ignition key can be inserted or removed. This
position locks the ignition and transaxle. It is a
theft-deterrent feature.
109

Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your vehicle’s automatic
transaxle may have a
shift lever on the
steering column or on
the console between
the seats.
There is also a display
located on the
instrument panel cluster
that indicates the
vehicle’s gear position.{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake rmly set. Your
vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle will not
move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P). See
Shifting Into Park (P) on page 118.Ifyou
are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 327.
The positions for the shift lever are:
PARK (P): This position locks the vehicle’s front
wheels. It is the best position to use when the
engine is started because the vehicle cannot
move easily.
Console Shift Lever
114

DRIVE (D): This position is for normal driving.
It provides the best fuel economy for your vehicle.
If more power is needed for passing, and the
vehicle is:
Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push
the accelerator pedal all the way down.
By doing this the vehicle will automatically
shift down to the next gear and have
more power.
Downshifting the transaxle in slippery road
conditions could result in skidding, see Skidding
underLoss of Control on page 302.
THIRD (3):This position is also used for normal
driving. However it reduces vehicle speed
more than DRIVE (D) without using your brakes.
You might choose THIRD (3) instead of DRIVE (D)
when driving on hilly, winding roads, when
towing a trailer, so there is less shifting between
gears and when going down a steep hill.Notice:Driving in SECOND (2) for more than
25 miles (40 km) or at speeds over 55 mph
(90 km/h) may damage the transaxle. Also,
shifting into SECOND (2) at speeds above
65 mph (105 km/h) can cause damage. Drive in
THIRD (3) or DRIVE (D) instead of SECOND (2).
SECOND (2): This position reduces vehicle
speed even more than THIRD (3) without using
your brakes. You can use SECOND (2) on hills.
It can help control your speed as you go down
steep mountain roads, but then you would
also want to use your brakes off and on.
FIRST (1): This position reduces vehicle speed
even more than SECOND (2) without using
your brakes. You can use it on very steep hills, or
in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever is put in
FIRST (1) while the vehicle is moving forward, the
transmission will not shift into rst gear until the
vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill using only the
accelerator pedal may damage the transaxle.
If you are stuck, do not spin the tires. When
stopping on a hill, use the brakes, or parking
brake to hold the vehicle in place.
116

Parking Brake
To set the parking
brake, hold the regular
brake pedal down
with your right foot.
Push down the parking
brake pedal with
your left foot.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular
brake pedal down with your right foot and push the
parking brake pedal with your left foot. While
you lift your left foot, the parking brake pedal will
follow it to the released position.A warning chime will sound and PARKING
BRAKE ON will display in the DIC if the parking
brake is set, the ignition is on, and the vehicle
speed is greater than 5 mph (8km/h). For more
information seeBrake System Warning Light
on page 186andDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 208.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system and cause
premature wear or damage to brake system
parts. Verify that the parking brake is fully
released and the brake warning light is
off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and parking on any
hill, seeTowing a Trailer on page 327. That
section shows what to do rst to keep the trailer
from moving.
117

Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
Your vehicle can roll. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, use
the steps that follow. If you are pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 327.
Steering Column Shift Lever
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the
parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into the PARK (P)
like this:
Pull the lever toward you.
Move the lever up as far as it will go.3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Console Shift Lever
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the
parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into the PARK (P)
position by holding in the button on the
shift lever and pushing it all the way toward
the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
118

Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust
into your vehicle. See the earlier caution
underEngine Exhaust on page 122.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let
deadly carbon monoxide (CO) into your
vehicle even if the climate control fan is at
the highest setting. One place this can
happen is a garage. Exhaust — with
CO — can come in easily. NEVER park in
a garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 314.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly
set. Your vehicle can roll. Do not leave
your vehicle when the engine is running
unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground,
always set your parking brake and move
the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle
will not move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on
page 118.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 327.
123

A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following loads are on: headlamps, high beams,
fog lamps, rear window defogger, climate
control fan at high speed, heated seats, engine
cooling fans, trailer loads, and loads plugged into
accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator’s
output and the vehicle’s electrical needs. It
can increase engine idle speed to generate more
power, whenever needed. It can temporarily
reduce the power demands of some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels,
without being noticeable. In rare cases at the
highest levels of corrective action, this action may
be noticeable to the driver. If so, the Driver
Information Center (DIC) message might display
Battery Saver Active. If this message is displayed,
it is recommended that the driver reduce the
electrical loads as much as possible. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 208.Battery Run-Down Protection
This helps prevent the vehicle’s battery from
draining in case the interior courtesy lamps,
reading lamps, trunk lamp, underhood lamp, glove
box lamps, or sun visor vanity lamps, if equipped,
are accidently left on. If any of these lamps
are left on while the ignition is off, they will
automatically turn off after 10 minutes. The lamps
will not come back on again until one of the
following occurs:
The ignition is turned on.
The interior lamps control is turned off, then to
door or on.
Ultrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA)
Your vehicle may be equipped with Ultrasonic Rear
Parking Assist (URPA). URPA is designed to help
you park while in REVERSE (R) and operates only
at speeds less than 3 mph (5 km/h). URPA can help
you avoid colliding with objects such as parked
vehicles. The system can detect objects 5 feet
(1.5 m) behind your vehicle and tell you how close
those objects are to your rear bumper.
164

The rst time an object is detected while in
REVERSE (R), a chime will sound and the
following will occur in sequence, depending on the
distance from the object:
At 5 feet (1.5 m) a chime will sound and
one amber light will be lit.
At 40 inches (1.0 m) both amber lights will
be lit.
At 20 inches (0.5 m) a continuous chime will
sound and all three lights (amber/amber/red)
will be lit.
At 1 foot (0.3 m) a continuous chime will
sound and all three lights (amber/amber/red)
will ash.
URPA can detect objects 3 inches (7.6 cm) and
wider, and at least 10 inches (25.4 cm) tall,
but it cannot detect objects that are above trunk
level. In order for the rear sensors to recognize an
object, it must be within operating range.
If the URPA system is not functioning properly, the
display will ash red, indicating that there is a
problem. The light will also ash red while driving if
a trailer is attached to your vehicle, or a bicycle or
object is on the back of, or hanging out of yourtrunk. The light will continue to ash until the trailer
or the object is removed and your vehicle is driven
forward at least 15 mph (25 km/h).
It may also ash red if the ultrasonic sensors are
not kept clean. So be sure to keep your rear
bumper free of mud, dirt, snow, ice and slush or
materials such as paint or the system may
not work properly. If after cleaning the rear bumper
and driving forward at least 15 mph (25 km/h),
the display continues to ash red, see your
GM dealer. For cleaning instructions, seeWashing
Your Vehicle on page 442.
It may also ash red if your vehicle is moving in
REVERSE (R) at a speed greater than 3 mph
(5 km/h). Other conditions that may affect system
performance include things like the vibrations
from a jackhammer or the compression of
airbrakes on a very large truck.
As always, drivers should use care when backing
up a vehicle. Always look behind you, being
sure to check for other vehicles, obstructions and
blind spots.
166

If the Light is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed
Avoiding hard accelerations
Avoiding steep uphill grades
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible
If the light stops ashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do
so, stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park
your vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at least
10 seconds and restart the engine. If the light
remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On Steady”
following. If the light is still ashing, follow the
previous steps, and see your dealer for service as
soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully
install the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 346.
The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap
has been left off or improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. A few driving trips with the cap
properly installed should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle
of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The
condition will usually be corrected when the
electrical system dries out. A few driving trips
should turn the light off.
192

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle.... 286
Defensive Driving...................................... 286
Drunken Driving........................................ 287
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 290
Braking...................................................... 290
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 291
Braking in Emergencies............................. 293
Traction Control System (TCS).................. 294
Enhanced Traction System (ETS).............. 295
StabiliTrak
®System................................... 296
Steering.................................................... 297
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 300
Passing..................................................... 300
Loss of Control.......................................... 302
Driving at Night......................................... 303
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 305City Driving............................................... 308
Freeway Driving........................................ 309
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 310
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 311
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 312
Winter Driving........................................... 314
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow ................................. 318
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 319
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 319
Towing........................................................ 325
Towing Your Vehicle ................................. 325
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 326
Towing a Trailer........................................ 327
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
285