steering BUICK LACROSSE 2008 User Guide

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-28.
B. Interior Lamps Control. SeeInterior Lamps on
page 3-16.
C. Exterior Lamps Control. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 3-13. Fog Lamp Control. SeeFog Lamps on
page 3-15.
D. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
E. Cruise Controls. SeeCruise Control on page 3-10.
F. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-31.
G. DIC Buttons (If Equipped) and Hazard Warning
Flasher Button. SeeDIC Operation and Displays on
page 3-50andHazard Warning Flashers on
page 3-6.
H. Passenger Airbag Status Indicator. SeePassenger
Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-34.
I. Audio System Controls. SeeAudio System(s) on
page 3-84.J. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-11.
K. Parking Brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-32.
L. Tilt Lever (If Equipped) and Telescoping Column
Lever (If Equipped). SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-6.
M. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
N. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped). See
Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-102.
O. Shift Lever. SeeShifting Into PARK (P) on
page 2-33.
P. Accessory Power Outlet. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 3-19.
Q. Climate Controls. SeeClimate Control System on
page 3-20orDual Automatic Climate Control System
on page 3-24.
R. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-52.
3-5

Hazard Warning Flashers
The hazard warning ashers let you warn the police and
others that you have a problem. The front and rear
turn signal lamps will ash on and off.
The hazard warning
asher button is on the
instrument panel.
Press the button to make the front and rear turn signal
lamps ash on and off. Press again to turn the
ashers completely off.
The hazard warning ashers work even if the key is not
in the ignition switch.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reective triangles, you can set them up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Horn
Press near or on the horn symbols on the steering
wheel pad to sound the horn.
Tilt Wheel
If the vehicle has a tilt wheel the steering wheel can be
adjusted to a higher or lower position. Do not adjust
the tilt wheel while driving.
The lever used to tilt the
steering wheel is located
on the left side of the
steering column.
To tilt the wheel, pull the lever towards you, move the
wheel to a comfortable position, and then release
the lever to lock the wheel in place.
3-6

Telescoping Column
If the vehicle has a telescoping column on the steering
wheel it adjusts the distance of the steering wheel
to the driver without having to move the driver’s seat.
The lever that makes this
adjustment is located on
the left side of the steering
column and behind the
tilt lever, if the vehicle has
this feature.
To adjust the steering wheel, pull the steering wheel
column lever down and push or pull the steering wheel
to a comfortable position. Then pull the lever up to
lock the wheel in place.
Do not drive the vehicle unless the telescoping column
is locked.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
GTurn and Lane Change Signals. SeeTurn and
Lane-Change Signals on page 3-8.
2Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer. See
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on page 3-8.
Flash-to-Pass. SeeFlash-to-Pass on page 3-8.
NWindshield Wipers. SeeWindshield Wipers on
page 3-9.
LQWindshield Washer. SeeWindshield Washer
on page 3-9.
For information on the headlamps, seeExterior Lamps
on page 3-13.
3-7

Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This can really help on long
trips. Cruise control does not work at speeds below
about 25 mph (40 km/h).
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use your cruise control on winding roads
or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle has the Traction Control System (TCS)
and the cruise control is on, TCS will begin to limit wheel
spin and the cruise control automatically turns off.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6. When
road conditions allow you to safely use it again, the
cruise control can be turned back on.The cruise control buttons
are located on outboard
side of the steering wheel.
T(On/Off):Press this button to turn cruise control
on and off. The indicator is lit when cruise control is on.
+ RES (Resume/Accelerate):Press this button to
make the vehicle accelerate or resume to a previously
set speed.
SET–:Press this button to set the speed or make the
vehicle decelerate.
[(Cancel):Press this button to cancel cruise control.
3-10

Setting Cruise Control
Cruise control will not work if the parking brake is set, or
if the master cylinder brake uid level is low.
The cruise control light on the instrument panel cluster
comes on after the cruise control has been set to
the desired speed. SeeInstrument Panel Cluster on
page 3-31.
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when you
are not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even lose control.
Keep the cruise control switch off until you
want to use cruise control.
1. Press the cruise control on/off button.
2. Get up to the desired speed.
3. Press and release the SET– button located on the
steering wheel.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator.
Resuming a Set Speed
If cruise control is set at a desired speed and the
brakes are applied, this shuts off the cruise control.
However, it does not need to be reset.
Once your vehicle reaches a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more, press the +RES button
on the steering wheel. The vehicle goes back to
the previously selected speed and stays there.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
To increase the cruise speed while using cruise control:
Press and hold the +RES button on the steering
wheel until you reach your new desired speed,
then release it.
To increase vehicle speed in small increments,
press the +RES button. Each time this is done,
the vehicle will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
3-11

Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
To reduce your speed while using cruise control:
Press and hold the SET– button on the steering
wheel until you reach the desired lower speed,
then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, press
the SET– button on the steering wheel briey.
Each time this is done, the vehicle will go about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase vehicle
speed. When you take your foot off the pedal,
the vehicle will slow down to the cruise speed you
set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control will work on hills depends
upon the vehicle speed, load and the steepness of
the hills. When going up steep hills, you might have to
step on the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed.
When going downhill, you might have to brake or shift to
a lower gear to keep your speed down. If the brakes
are applied the cruise control will turn off. Many drivers
nd this to be too much trouble and do not use
cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to end cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal.
Press the[button on the steering wheel.
Press theTbutton on the steering wheel.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory is erased by
turning off the cruise control or the ignition.
3-12

When it is dark enough outside, the DRL will turn off
and the vehicle’s headlamps and parking lamps will turn
on. The other lamps that come on with the headlamps
will also come on.
When it is bright enough outside, the headlamps will go
off and the DRL will come on.
To idle the vehicle with the DRL off, turn the exterior
lamp control off and then do one of the following:
Turn the exterior lamp control to the parking lamp
position.
Turn the exterior lamp control to the headlamp
position.
Turn the exterior lamp control from AUTO to off and
back to AUTO.
This feature is not available for vehicles rst sold in
Canada.
To turn off the automatic headlamp feature when it is
dark outside, move the exterior lamp control to the
parking lamp position. The parking lamps remain on and
the headlamps turn off. The fog lamps also go on if
they were on previously.
As with any vehicle, the regular headlamp system
should be turned on when needed.
Fog Lamps
If your vehicle has fog
lamps, the button is
located in the center of the
exterior lamps control
on the left side of
the steering column.
Press the fog lamps button to turn the lamps on or off.
While the high-beam headlamps are on, the fog
lamps are off.
Some localities have laws that require the headlamps to
be on along with the fog lamps.
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver
If the parking lamps or headlamps have been left on
after the ignition has been turned to off, the exterior
lamps will turn off after about 10 minutes. This protects
the battery from being drained.
Use the exterior lamp control to turn the lamps back on,
if they are still needed.
3-15

Interior Lamps
Your interior lamps
control is located next to
the exterior lamps
control and to the left of
the steering wheel on
the instrument panel.
9(Off):Turn the control to this position to disable
courtesy lamps, entry lighting, delayed entry lighting, and
delayed exit lighting.
1(Door):Turn the control to this position to turn the
interior lamps on when any door is open and when
the ignition key is removed from the ignition.
+(On):Turn the control to this position to turn on
the interior lamps.
The interior lamps can be controlled, or automatically
turned on or off under certain conditions. They are
explained in the following text.
Instrument Panel Brightness
The instrument panel lights can be brightened or
dimmed by pressing the center knob of the interior lamp
controls until it pops out. Turn the knob clockwise to
brighten the lights or counterclockwise to dim them.
Courtesy Lamps
Courtesy lamps come on to make it easier to enter and
exit the vehicle. These lamps will come on when the
interior lamp control is in the door position and any door
is opened.
Entry Lighting
The courtesy lamps come on and stay on for a set time
whenever the interior lamp control is in the door
position and the UNLOCK button on the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter is pressed.
The lamps stay on while a door is opened and then turn
off automatically about 25 seconds after it is closed. If
the UNLOCK button is pressed and a door is not
opened, the lamps will turn off after about 25 seconds.
The courtesy lamps turn off when the ignition key is
turned to ON/RUN or START. They will come on again
when a door is opened.
3-16

SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM
This message displays when the traction system is not
functioning properly. A warning light also appears
on the instrument panel cluster. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) Warning Light on page 3-38. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-6orEnhanced
Traction System (ETS) on page 4-7for more
information. Have the system serviced by your
dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
This message displays only while the ignition is in
ON/RUN. 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.
SERVICE VARIABLE EFFORT
STEERING
If your vehicle has variable effort steering, this message
displays when if this system is not functioning properly.
SeeSteering on page 4-9for more information.
Have the system serviced by your dealer/retailer as
soon as possible.
This message displays only while the ignition is in
ON/RUN. 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.
3-73

Audio System(s)
Determine which radio your vehicle has and then read
the pages following to familiarize yourself with its
features.
{CAUTION:
This system provides you with far greater
access to audio stations and song listings.
Giving extended attention to entertainment
tasks while driving can cause a crash and you
or others can be injured or killed. Always keep
your eyes on the road and your mind on the
drive — avoid engaging in extended searching
while driving.Keeping your mind on the drive is important for safe
driving. SeeDefensive Driving on page 4-2. Here
are some ways in which you can help avoid distraction
while driving.
While your vehicle is parked:
Familiarize yourself with all of its controls.
Familiarize yourself with its operation.
Set up your audio system by presetting your
favorite radio stations, setting the tone, and
adjusting the speakers. Then, when driving
conditions permit, you can tune to your favorite
radio stations using the presets and steering wheel
controls if the vehicle has them.
3-84