BUICK LACROSSE 2008 Owner's Manual

Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you cannot see
or smell. It can cause unconsciousness and
death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
The exhaust system sounds strange or
different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
Your vehicle was damaged when driving
over high points on the road or over road
debris.
Repairs were not done correctly.
Your vehicle or the exhaust system has
been modied improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and
Have your vehicle xed immediately.
Running the Vehicle 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 under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-37.
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. See
Winter Driving on page 4-17.
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{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 the 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 2-33.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a trailer,
also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-28.
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
When you are sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind your
vehicle. Grip the mirror in the center to move it up
or down and side to side. The day/night adjustment
allows you to adjust the mirror to avoid glare from the
lamps behind you. Push the tab forward for daytime use
and pull it for nighttime use.
Manual Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®
The vehicle may have a mirror with Onstar®. While sitting
in a comfortable driving position, adjust the mirror so you
can see clearly behind your vehicle. Hold the mirror in the
center to move it up and down and side to side.
The mirror has a day/night control located at the bottom.
Turn the control to the right for the night position to
reduce glare from other vehicles’ headlamps. Turn the
control to the front for the day position.
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There are also three OnStar®buttons located at the
bottom of the mirror. See your dealer/retailer for more
information on the system and how to subscribe to
OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-43for more
information about the services OnStar®provides.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
While sitting in a comfortable driving position, adjust
the mirror so you can see clearly behind your vehicle.
Hold the mirror in the center to move it up or down
and side to side.
The vehicle may have an automatic dimming rearview
mirror that darkens gradually to reduce the glare of
headlamps from behind. Press the AUTO button located
in the lower center of the mirror to turn automatic
dimming on and the
((off) button located next to the
AUTO button to turn automatic dimming off.
One photocell on the front of the mirror senses when it
is becoming dark outside. Another photocell, facing
rearward, senses headlamps behind you.
To keep the photocells operating well, occasionally
clean them with a cotton swab and glass cleaner.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®
While sitting in a comfortable driving position, adjust
the mirror so you can see clearly behind your vehicle.
Hold the mirror in the center to move it up or down
and side to side.
The vehicle may have an automatic dimming rearview
mirror with the OnStar
®System. The automatic dimming
feature is turned on or off by pressing the left button,
located on the lower part of the mirror, for up to
three seconds. When turned on, this mirror functions
like the automatic dimming rearview mirror described
previously. SeeAutomatic Dimming Rearview Mirror on
page 2-39.
There are also three OnStar
®buttons located at the
bottom of the mirror. See your dealer/retailer for more
information on the system and how to subscribe to
OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-43for more
information about the services OnStar®provides.
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Outside Power Mirrors
The controls for the
outside power mirrors, are
located on the driver’s
door armrest.
Move the selector switch located below the four-way
control pad to the left or right to choose either the
driver’s side or passenger’s side mirror. To adjust a
mirror, use the arrows located on the four-way control
pad to move the mirror in the desired direction.
Adjust each outside mirror so that a little of the vehicle
and the area behind it can be seen while sitting in a
comfortable driving position. Keep the selector switch in
the center position when not adjusting either outside
mirror.
Outside Power Heated Mirrors
For information on the operation of the outside power
mirrors seeOutside Power Mirrors on page 2-40.
If the vehicle has heated mirrors, they will warm up to
melt ice and snow, and remove condensation when the
defroster is turned on. SeeDual Automatic Climate
Control System on page 3-24orClimate Control System
on page 3-20.
Outside Convex Mirror
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.
The passenger side mirror is convex. A convex mirror’s
surface is curved so more can be seen from the
driver seat. It also makes things, like other vehicles,
look farther away than they really are.
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Object Detection Systems
Ultrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA)
If your vehicle has the Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist
(URPA) system, it helps you park easier and avoid other
vehicles while in REVERSE (R). It operates at speeds
less than 3 mph (5 km/h). It can determine how
close objects are to the rear bumper, up to 5 feet (1.5 m)
behind your vehicle. The distance sensors are located
on the rear bumper.
{CAUTION:
The Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)
system does not replace driver vision. It
cannot detect:
objects that are below the bumper,
underneath the vehicle, or if they are too
close or far from the vehicle
children, pedestrians, bicyclists, or pets.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
If you do not use proper care before and while
backing; vehicle damage, injury, or death
could occur. Even with URPA, always check
behind your vehicle before backing up. While
backing, be sure to look for objects and check
your vehicle’s mirrors.
The display is located
above the rear window and
can be seen by looking
over your right shoulder.
URPA uses three color-coded lights to provide distance
and system information.
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How the System Works
URPA comes on automatically when the shift lever is
moved into REVERSE (R). The rear display will
then briey illuminate to let you know the system is
working.
URPA operates only at speeds less than 3 mph
(5 km/h). If you are above this speed, the red light on
the rear display will ash.
To be detected, objects must be at least 10 inches
(25.4 cm) off the ground and below trunk level. Objects
must also be within 5 feet (1.5 m) from your rear
bumper. This distance may be less during warmer or
humid weather.
A single beep will sound the rst time an object is
detected between 20 inches (0.5 m) and 5 feet (1.5 m)
away. Repeated beeping will occur when you are
closer than 20 inches (0.5 m) from the object.The following describes what will occur with the URPA
display as you get closer to a detected object:
Description English Metric
amber light 5 ft 1.5 m
amber/amber lights 40 in 1.0 m
amber/amber/red
lights/continuous beep20 in 0.5 m
amber/amber/red
lights ashing and
continuous beep1 ft 0.3 m
When the System Does Not Seem to
Work Properly
The ultrasonic sensors are not clean, a red URPA
display light may illuminate when the vehicle is in
REVERSE (R). Keep your rear bumper free of mud,
dirt, snow, ice and slush. For cleaning instructions,
seeWashing Your Vehicle on page 5-102.
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A trailer was attached to your vehicle, or a bicycle
or an object was hanging out of your trunk during
your last drive cycle, the red light may illuminate.
Once the attached object is removed, URPA
will return to normal operation.
A tow bar is attached to your vehicle.
The vehicle’s bumper is damaged. Take the vehicle
to your dealer/retailer to repair the system.
Other conditions may affect system performance,
such as vibrations from a jackhammer or the
compression of air brakes on a very large truck.
If the system is still disabled, after driving forward at
least 15 mph (25 km/h), take your vehicle to your
dealer/retailer.
OnStar®System
OnStar uses several innovative technologies and live
advisors to provide you with a wide range of safety,
security, information, and convenience services. If your
airbags deploy, the system is designed to make an
automatic call to OnStar Emergency advisors who can
request emergency services be sent to your location.
If you lock your keys in the vehicle, call OnStar at
1-888-4-ONSTAR and they can send a signal to unlock
your doors. If you need roadside assistance, press
the OnStar button and they can contact Roadside
Service for you.
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OnStar service is provided to you subject to the OnStar
Terms and Conditions. You may cancel your OnStar
service at any time by contacting OnStar. A complete
OnStar Owner’s Guide and the OnStar Terms and
Conditions are included in the vehicle’s OnStar
Subscriber glove box literature. For more information,
visit onstar.com or onstar.ca, contact OnStar at
1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827) or TTY
1-877-248-2080, or press the OnStar button to speak
with an OnStar advisor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Not all OnStar features are available on all vehicles.
To check if your vehicle is equipped to provide the
services described below, or for a full description of
OnStar services and system limitations, see the OnStar
Owner’s Guide in your glove box or visit onstar.com.OnStar Services
For new vehicles with OnStar, the Safe & Sound Plan,
or the Directions & Connections Plan is included for
one year from the date of purchase. You can extend this
plan beyond the rst year, or upgrade to the Directions
& Connections Plan. For more information, press
the OnStar button to speak with an advisor. Some
OnStar services (such as Remote Door Unlock or Stolen
Vehicle Location Assistance) may not be available
until you register with OnStar.
2-44

Available Services with Safe & Sound Plan

Automatic Notication of Airbag Deployment
Advanced Automatic Crash Notication (AACN)
(If equipped)
Link to Emergency Services
Roadside Assistance
Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance
AccidentAssist
Remote Door Unlock/Vehicle Alert
OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics
GM Goodwrench®On Demand Diagnostics
OnStar Hands-Free Calling with 30 complimentary
minutes
OnStar Virtual Advisor (U.S. Only)
Available Services included with Directions
& Connections Plan

All Safe and Sound Plan Services
Driving Directions - Advisor delivered or OnStar
Turn-by-Turn Navigation (If equipped)
RideAssist
Information and Convenience Services
OnStar Hands-Free Calling
OnStar Hands-Free Calling allows eligible OnStar
subscribers to make and receive calls using voice
commands. Hands-Free Calling is fully integrated into
the vehicle, and can be used with OnStar Pre-Paid
Minute Packages. Hands-Free Calling may also
be linked to a Verizon Wireless service plan in the U.S.
or a Bell Mobility service plan in Canada, depending
on eligibility. To nd out more, refer to the OnStar
Owner’s Guide in the vehicle’s glove box, visit
www.onstar.com or www.onstar.ca, or speak with an
OnStar advisor by pressing the OnStar button or calling
1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827).
OnStar Virtual Advisor
OnStar Virtual Advisor is a feature of OnStar
Hands-Free Calling that uses your minutes to access
location-based weather, local traffic reports, and
stock quotes. By pressing the phone button and giving
a few simple voice commands, you can browse
through the various topics. See the OnStar Owner’s
Guide for more information (Only available in the
continental U.S.).
2-45

OnStar Steering Wheel Controls
Your vehicle may have a Talk/Mute button that can be
used to interact with OnStar Hands-Free Calling.
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-102for
more information.
On some vehicles, you may have to hold the button for
a few seconds and give the command “ONSTAR” to
activate the OnStar Hands-Free Calling.
On some vehicles, the mute button can be used to dial
numbers into voicemail systems, or to dial phone
extensions. See the OnStar Owner’s Guide for more
information.
How OnStar Service Works
Your vehicle’s OnStar system has the capability of
recording and transmitting vehicle information. This
information is automatically sent to an OnStar Call
Center at the time of an OnStar button press,
Emergency button press or if your airbags or AACN
system deploys. The vehicle information usually includes
your GPS location and, in the event of a crash,
additional information regarding the accident that your
vehicle has been involved in (e.g. the direction from
which your vehicle was hit). When you use the VirtualAdvisor feature of OnStar Hands-Free Calling, your
vehicle also sends OnStar your GPS location so that we
can provide you with location-based services.
OnStar service cannot work unless your vehicle is in a
place where OnStar has an agreement with a wireless
service provider for service in that area. OnStar
service also cannot work unless you are in a place
where the wireless service provider OnStar has hired for
that area has coverage, network capacity and reception
when the service is needed, and technology that is
compatible with the OnStar service. Not all services are
available everywhere, particularly in remote or
enclosed areas, or at all times.
Location information about your vehicle is only available
if the GPS satellite signals are unobstructed and
available.
Your vehicle must have a working electrical system
(including adequate battery power) for the OnStar
equipment to operate. There are other problems OnStar
cannot control that may prevent OnStar from providing
OnStar service to you at any particular time or place.
Some examples are damage to important parts of your
vehicle in an accident, hills, tall buildings, tunnels,
weather or wireless phone network congestion.
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