mirror BUICK LACROSSE 2008 Owner's Manual

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-8
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-9
Child Restraints
.......................................1-29
Airbag System
.........................................1-54
Restraint System Check
............................1-68
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
......................................2-11
Windows
.................................................2-17
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-20
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-24
Mirrors
....................................................2-38
Object Detection Systems
..........................2-41
OnStar
®System
......................................2-43
Universal Home Remote System
................2-47
Storage Areas
.........................................2-52
Sunroof
..................................................2-54
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-20
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-30
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-49
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-84Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-27
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-56
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-58
Windshield Replacement
...........................5-62
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-62
Tires
......................................................5-63
Appearance Care
.....................................5-99
Vehicle Identication
...............................5-107
Electrical System
....................................5-108
Capacities and Specications
...................5-116
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-15
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy
...........7-17
Index................................................................ 1
2008 Buick LaCrosse Owner ManualM

Keys...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System................2-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation...................................................2-5
Remote Vehicle Start......................................2-8
Doors and Locks............................................2-11
Door Locks..................................................2-11
Power Door Locks........................................2-11
Delayed Locking...........................................2-12
Automatic Door Lock.....................................2-12
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock.............2-12
Rear Door Security Locks..............................2-12
Lockout Protection........................................2-13
Trunk..........................................................2-14
Windows........................................................2-17
Power Windows............................................2-18
Sun Visors...................................................2-19
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-20
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-20
PASS-Key
®III ..............................................2-22
PASS-Key®III Operation...............................2-22Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-24
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-24
Ignition Positions..........................................2-24
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)...................2-25
Starting the Engine.......................................2-26
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-27
Active Fuel Management™.............................2-28
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-29
Parking Brake..............................................2-32
Shifting Into PARK (P)...................................2-33
Shifting Out of PARK (P)...............................2-35
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-36
Engine Exhaust............................................2-37
Running the Vehicle While Parked..................2-37
Mirrors...........................................................2-38
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-38
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®..............2-38
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror................2-39
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®............................................2-39
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-40
Outside Power Heated Mirrors........................2-40
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-40
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

Express-Down Window
The driver’s window switch has an express-down
feature labeled AUTO. This lets you lower the window
completely without holding the switch. Press the front of
the switch to the second position and release.
To stop the window while it is lowering, briey pull up
on the switch.
Window Lockout
o
(Window Lockout):The driver’s window switches
also include a lockout switch. Press the right side of the
switch to prevent the rear passengers from using
their window switches. The driver can still control all the
windows and the front passenger can control their
own window with the lockout on. Press the left side of
the switch to return to normal window operation. A
red bar on the right side of the switch indicates that the
lockout is off.
Sun Visors
To block out glare, swing down the sun visors. They
can be detached from the center retainer and slid along
the rod to cover different areas of the front window
and turned to cover the side windows.
Visor Vanity Mirror
Swing down the sun visors and lift the cover to expose
the vanity mirror. Do not drive with the cover lifted
due to possible glare impeding other drivers behind or
to the side of the vehicle.
2-19

{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.
2-38

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.
2-39

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.
2-40

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.
2-41

While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or
braking, including reducing vehicle speed by shifting to a
lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause the tires to
slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery until
your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues — such as enough water, ice, or packed snow on
the road to make a mirrored surface — and slow down
when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Antilock Brake System (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving because
some drivers are likely to be impaired — by alcohol or
drugs, with night vision problems, or by fatigue.
Night driving tips include:
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Reduce headlamp glare by adjusting the inside
rearview mirror.
Slow down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles because your headlamps can only
light up so much road ahead.
Watch for animals.
When tired, pull off the road.
Do not wear sunglasses.
Avoid staring directly into approaching headlamps.
Keep the windshield and all glass on your vehicle
clean — inside and out.
Keep your eyes moving, especially during turns or
curves.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But,
as we get older, these differences increase. A
50-year-old driver might need at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
4-13

Before Leaving on a Long Trip
To prepare your vehicle for a long trip, consider having
it serviced by your dealer/retailer before departing.
Things to check on your own include:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Reservoir full? Windows
clean — inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:In good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:All levels checked?
Lamps:Do they all work and are lenses clean?
Tires:Are treads good? Are tires inated to
recommended pressure?
Weather and Maps:Safe to travel? Have up-to-date
maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to your surroundings
while driving. If you become tired or sleepy, nd a
safe place to park your vehicle and rest.
Other driving tips include:
Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
Keep interior temperature cool.
Keep your eyes moving — scan the road ahead
and to the sides.
Check the rearview mirror and vehicle instruments
often.
4-15

Trailer Brakes
Does your trailer have its own brakes? Be sure to read
and follow the instructions for the trailer brakes so
you’ll be able to install, adjust and maintain them
properly.
If your vehicle has antilock brakes, do not try to tap
into your vehicle’s brake system. If you do, both
brake systems will not work well, or at all.
Even if your vehicle does not have antilock
brakes, do not tap into your vehicle’s brake system
if the trailer’s brake system will use more than
0.02 cubic inch (0.3 cc) of uid from your vehicle’s
master cylinder. If it does, both braking systems
will not work well. You could even lose your brakes.
Will the trailer brake parts take 3,000 psi
(20 650 kPa) of pressure? If not, the trailer brake
system must not be used with your vehicle.
If everything checks out this far, then make the
brake uid tap at the upper rear master cylinder
port. But do not use copper tubing for this. If you do,
it will bend and break off. Use steel brake tubing.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, get to know the rig.
Acquaint yourself with the feel of handling and braking
with the added weight of the trailer. And always keep in
mind that the vehicle is now a good deal longer and not
nearly as responsive as the vehicle is by itself.
Before starting, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connector, lamps,
tires, and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start the vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets you check the
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.
4-32