light BUICK LACROSSE 2008 Manual Online

CONTENT THEFT
If your vehicle has the content theft-deterrent system,
once this feature is turned on, the system will activate
if someone tries to enter the vehicle without using
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter or the
correct key.
Press the option button until CONTENT THEFT appears
on the DIC display. Press the set/reset button to
scroll through the following settings:
OFF:The content theft-deterrent system will be
turned off.
ON (default):The content theft-deterrent system will be
turned on.
When ON is selected, the content theft-deterrent system
will be armed when the vehicle is locked by pressing
the lock button on the RKE transmitter or by pressing the
power door lock switch. SeeContent Theft-Deterrent
on page 2-20andPower Door Locks on page 2-11for
more information.
To select a setting and move on to the next feature,
press the option button while the desired setting
is displayed on the DIC.
FOB LOCK FEEDBACK
This feature allows you to select the type of feedback
you will receive when locking the vehicle with the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
Press the option button until FOB LOCK FEEDBACK
appears on the DIC display. Press the set/reset button to
scroll through the following settings:
OFF:There will be no feedback when locking the
vehicle.
LIGHTS:The exterior lamps will ash when you press
the lock button on the RKE transmitter.
LIGHTS and HORN (default):The exterior lamps will
ash when you press the lock button on the RKE
transmitter, and the horn will sound when the lock button
is pressed again within ve seconds of the previous
command.
To select a setting and move on to the next feature,
press the option button while the desired setting
is displayed on the DIC.
3-80

Playing a CD
Insert a CD partway into the slot, label side up. The
player pulls it in and the CD begins playing. To insert a
CD while the ignition is off, rst press the
Zbutton
or the DISP knob.
If the ignition or radio is turned off while a CD is in the
player, it stays in the player. While the ignition or
radio is turned on, the CD starts to play where it
stopped, if it was the last selected audio source.
When the CD is inserted, the CD symbol displays. As
each new track starts to play, the track number displays.
The CD player can play the smaller 3 inch (8 cm)
single CDs with an adapter ring. Full-size CDs and the
smaller CDs are loaded in the same manner.
Care of Your CDs
If playing a CD, the sound quality can be reduced due
to CD quality, the method of recording, the quality of the
music that has been recorded, and the way the CD
has been handled. Handle them carefully. Store CD(s)
in their original cases or other protective cases and
away from direct sunlight and dust. The CD player scans
the bottom surface of the disc. If the surface of a CD
is damaged, such as cracked, broken, or scratched, the
CD does not play properly or not at all.Do not touch the bottom side of a CD while handling it;
this could damage the surface. Pick up CDs by
grasping the outer edges or the edge of the hole and
the outer edge.
If the surface of a CD is soiled, take a soft, lint free cloth
or dampen a clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent
solution mixed with water, and clean it. Make sure the
wiping process starts from the center to the edge.
Care of Your CD Player
Do not add any label to a CD, it could get caught in the
CD player. If a CD is recorded on a personal computer
and a description label is needed, try labeling the top of
the recorded CD with a marking pen.
The use of CD lens cleaners for CDs is not advised,
due to the risk of contaminating the lens of the CD optics
with lubricants internal to the CD player mechanism.
Notice:If a label is added to a CD, or more than one
CD is inserted into the slot at a time, or an attempt
is made to play scratched or damaged CDs, the
CD player could be damaged. While using the CD
player, use only CDs in good condition without any
label, load one CD at a time, and keep the CD
player and the loading slot free of foreign materials,
liquids, and debris.
If an error displays, see “CD Messages” later in this
section.
3-91

For vehicles that have a radio with a Six-Disc CD
player, see the following:
LOAD:Press to load CDs into the CD player. This CD
player holds up to six CDs.
To insert one CD:
1. Turn the ignition on.
2. Press and release the LOAD button.
3. Wait for the indicator light, located to the right of the
slot, to turn green.
4. Load a CD. Insert the CD partway into the slot,
label side up. The player pulls the CD in.
To insert multiple CDs:
1. Turn the ignition on.
2. Press and hold the LOAD button for two seconds.
The radio beeps once and the indicator light,
located to the right of the slot, begins to ash and
MULTI LOAD # displays.
3. Once the light stops ashing and turns green,
INSERT CD # displays, load a CD. Insert the
CD partway into the slot, label side up. The player
pulls the CD in.Once the CD is loaded, the indicator light begins
ashing again. Once the light stops ashing and turns
green, another CD can be loaded. The CD player takes
up to six CDs.
To load more than one CD but less than six, complete
Steps 1 through 3. When nished loading CDs,
press the LOAD button to cancel the loading function.
The radio begins to play the last CD loaded.
If more than one CD has been loaded, a number for
each CD displays.
Playing a Specic Loaded CD
For every CD loaded, a number displays. To play a
specic CD, press the numbered pushbutton that
corresponds to the CD. A small bar appears under the
CD number that is playing and the track number displays.
Z(Eject):Press to eject CD(s).
To eject the CD that is currently playing, press and
release.
3-92

To eject multiple CDs, do the following:
1. Press and hold this button for two seconds.
The radio beeps once and the indicator light, located
to the right of the slot, begins to ash and EJECT
ALL displays.
2. Once the light stops ashing, REMOVE CD #
displays. The CD ejects and can be removed.
Once the CD is removed, the indicator light begins
ashing again and another CD ejects.
To stop ejecting the CDs, press the LOAD or the
Zbutton.
If the CD is not removed, after 25 seconds, the CD is
automatically pulled back into the player. If a CD is
pushed back into the player, before the 25 second time
period is complete, the player senses an error and
tries to eject the CD several times before stopping.
Do not repeatedly press the
Zbutton to eject a CD
after trying to push it in manually. The player’s
25-second eject timer resets at each press of the eject
button, causing the player to not eject the CD until
the 25-second time period has elapsed.1
s(Reverse):Press to reverse within the
current track.
2
\(Fast Forward):Press to fast forward within the
current track.
3
N(Repeat):Depending on the radio, press to hear
a track over again. REPEAT TRACK displays. The
current track continues to repeat.
For the radio with a Six-Disc CD player, press to repeat
one track or an entire CD.
To use repeat, do the following:
To repeat playing a track, press and release this
button. RPT # displays. Press this button again
to turn off repeat play.
To repeat playing a CD, press and hold this button
for two seconds. REPEAT CD # displays. Press
this button again to turn off repeat play.
3-93

Alcohol affects four things that anyone needs to drive a
vehicle: judgment, muscular coordination, vision, and
attentiveness.
Police records show that almost 40 percent of all motor
vehicle-related deaths involve alcohol. In most cases,
these deaths are the result of someone who was
drinking and driving. In recent years, more than
17,000 annual motor vehicle-related deaths have been
associated with the use of alcohol, with about
250,000 people injured.
For persons under 21, it is against the law in every
U.S. state to drink alcohol. There are good medical,
psychological, and developmental reasons for
these laws.
The obvious way to eliminate the leading highway
safety problem is for people never to drink alcohol and
then drive.
Medical research shows that alcohol in a person’s
system can make crash injuries worse, especially
injuries to the brain, spinal cord, or heart. This means
that when anyone who has been drinking — driver
or passenger — is in a crash, that person’s chance of
being killed or permanently disabled is higher than if the
person had not been drinking.Control of a Vehicle
The following three systems help to control your vehicle
while driving — brakes, steering, and accelerator. At
times, as when driving on snow or ice, it is easy to ask
more of those control systems than the tires and
road can provide. Meaning, you can lose control of your
vehicle. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 4-6,Enhanced Traction System (ETS) on
page 4-7, andStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-8.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-37.
Braking action involves perception time and reaction
time. First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to bring
up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.
4-3

If there is a problem with
ABS, this warning light will
stay on. SeeAntilock
Brake System Warning
Light on page 3-38.
Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If
one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure faster than any
driver could. The computer is programmed to make the
most of available tire and road conditions. This can
help you steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, the computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls braking pressure
accordingly.Remember: ABS does not change the time you need to
get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle
in front of you, you will not have time to apply the brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you
have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let antilock work for you. You might hear
the antilock pump or motor operate, and feel the
brake pedal pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same time.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.
4-5

Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle may have a Traction Control System (TCS)
that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in
slippery road conditions. The system operates only if it
senses that one or both of the front wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, the system works the front brakes and reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin. It may also upshift
the transmission to limit wheel spin. You may feel
or hear the system working, but this is normal.
The TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE message on the
Driver Information Center (DIC) will be displayed
when the system is limiting wheel spin.
If the vehicle is in cruise control when the TCS begins
to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. When road conditions allow safe use of
the cruise control, it can be used again. SeeCruise
Control on page 3-10.
The TCS operates in all transmission shift lever
positions. But the system can upshift the transmission
only as high as the shift lever position that was chosen,
so use the lower gears only when necessary. See
Automatic Transmission Operation on page 2-29.This light, along with the
TRACTION CONTROL
OFF message, will display
on the DIC for three
seconds when the TCS is
not on.
If there is a problem with the system, the SERVICE
TRACTION SYSTEM message will also come on in the
DIC. When this warning light is on, the system will
not limit wheel spin. Adjust driving accordingly.
To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road
conditions, you should always leave the TCS on. But
you can turn the system off if you ever need to. The TCS
should be turned off if the vehicle ever gets stuck in
sand, mud or snow and rocking the vehicle is required.
SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 4-21
andIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
on page 4-20.
To turn the TCS on or off, press the TCS button located
above the radio.
4-6

When the TCS is turned off, the TCS warning light will
come on along with the TRACTION CONTROL OFF
message on the DIC. It will disappear when the TCS is
turned back on. If the TCS is limiting wheel spin
when the TCS button is pressed, the TCS warning light
will come on and the TCS will turn off right away.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3for more information.
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
Your vehicle may have an Enhanced Traction
System (ETS) that limits wheel spin. This is especially
useful in slippery road conditions. The system operates
only if it senses that one or both of the front wheels
are spinning or beginning to lose traction. When
this happens, the system reduces engine power and
may also upshift the transmission to limit wheel
spin. You may feel or hear the system working, but this
is normal.
The TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE message on the
Driver Information Center (DIC) will be displayed
when the system is limiting wheel spin.If the vehicle is in cruise control when ETS begins to
limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. When road conditions allow safe use of it,
the cruise control can be used again. SeeCruise Control
on page 3-10.
The ETS operates in all transmission shift lever
positions. But the system can upshift the transmission
only as high as the chosen shift lever position, so
use the lower gears only when necessary. See
Automatic Transmission Operation on page 2-29.
This warning light, along
with the TRACTION
CONTROL OFF message,
will display on the DIC
for three seconds when the
ETS is not on.
If there is a problem with the system, the SERVICE
TRACTION SYSTEM message will also come on in the
DIC. When this warning light is on, the system will
not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
4-7

To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road
conditions, you should always leave the ETS on. But
you can turn the system off if you ever need to. The ETS
should be turned off if the vehicle ever gets stuck in
sand, mud or snow and rocking the vehicle is required
To turn the ETS on or off, press the Traction Control
button located above the radio.
When the ETS is turned off, the ETS warning light will
come on along with the TRACTION CONTROL OFF
message on the DIC. It will disappear when the ETS is
turned back on. If the ETS is limiting wheel spin when the
traction control button is pressed, the ETS warning light
will come on and the ETS will turn off right away.
StabiliTrak®System
Your vehicle may be equipped with a vehicle stability
enhancement system called StabiliTrak®.Itisan
advanced computer controlled system that assists you
with directional control of the vehicle in difficult
driving conditions.
StabiliTrak
®activates when the computer senses a
discrepancy between your intended path and the
direction the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak
®selectively applies braking pressure at any
one of the vehicle’s brakes to help steer the vehicle
in the direction which you are steering.When the system activates, a STABILITY CONTROL
ACTIVE message will be displayed on the Driver
Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-58. You may also hear a noise or
feel vibration in the brake pedal. This is normal. Continue
to steer the vehicle in the direction you want it to go.
If there is a problem detected with StabiliTrak
®,a
SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM or STABILITY
CONTROL OFF message will be displayed on the
Driver Information Center (DIC). A warning light will also
appear on the instrument panel cluster. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-58. When this
message is displayed, the system is not operational.
Driving should be adjusted accordingly.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the StabiliTrak
®
activates, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. When road conditions allow you to safely
use it again, you may reengage the cruise control. See
Cruise Control on page 3-10for more information.
For vehicles with the 5.3L V8 engine, StabiliTrak
®can
be turned off by pressing and holding the traction control
button, located above the radio, for approximately ve
seconds. A STABILITY CONTROL OFF message will be
displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC)
when StabiliTrak
®is turned off. StabiliTrak®will remain
off until the traction control button is pressed once to
turn it back on, or until the engine is started.
4-8

Off-Road Recovery
You may nd that your vehicle’s right wheels have
dropped off the edge of a road onto the shoulder while
you are driving.
If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the
pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off the
accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way,
steer so that your vehicle straddles the edge of
the pavement. You can turn the steering wheel up to
one-quarter turn until the right front tire contacts
the pavement edge. Then turn the steering wheel to go
straight down the roadway.
Passing
Passing another vehicle on a two-lane road can be
dangerous. To reduce the risk of danger while passing,
we suggest the following tips:
Look down the road, to the sides, and to crossroads
for situations that might affect a successful pass. If
in doubt, wait.
Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings, and
lines that could indicate a turn or an intersection.
Never cross a solid or double-solid line on your side
of the lane.
Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to
pass. Doing so can reduce your visibility.
Wait your turn to pass a slow vehicle.
When you are being passed, ease to the right.
4-11