traction control BUICK LACROSSE 2008 Owner's Manual

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-8
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Windshield Washer.........................................3-9
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-13
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)/
Automatic Headlamp System.......................3-14
Fog Lamps..................................................3-15
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver........................3-15
Interior Lamps..............................................3-16
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-16
Courtesy Lamps...........................................3-16
Entry Lighting...............................................3-16
Delayed Entry Lighting...................................3-17
Theater Dimming..........................................3-17
Delayed Exit Lighting.....................................3-17
Perimeter Lighting.........................................3-17
Overhead Console Reading Lamps.................3-18
Rear Assist Handle Reading Lamps................3-18Electric Power Management...........................3-18
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-19
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-19
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-20
Climate Controls............................................3-20
Climate Control System.................................3-20
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-24
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-28
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-29
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-30
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-31
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-32
Tachometer.................................................3-32
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-32
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-33
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-34
Charging System Light..................................3-36
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-37
Antilock Brake System
Warning Light...........................................3-38
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light...........................................3-38
Enhanced Traction System
Warning Light...........................................3-39
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light......3-40
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-40
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

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

Antilock Brake System
Warning Light
For vehicles with
the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), this light
comes on briey when the
engine is started.
That is normal. If the light does not come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready to warn you if there
is a problem.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off, if the light
comes on when you are driving, stop as soon as it is
safely possible and turn the ignition off. Then start
the engine again to reset the system. If the ABS light
still stays on, or comes on again while you are driving,
your vehicle needs service. If the regular brake
system warning light is not on, your vehicle still has
brakes, but not antilock brakes. If the regular brake
system warning light is also on, your vehicle does not
have antilock brakes and there is a problem with
the regular brakes. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-37.For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC), see
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-58for all
brake related DIC messages.Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
Your vehicle has a Traction
Control System (TCS)
warning light.
If this warning light comes on and stays on, there may
be a problem with the TCS and, if your vehicle has
this feature, the StabiliTrak
®system.
3-38

The TCS warning light will come on briey when the
engine is started. If it does not come on then, have
it xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is
a problem. This light will also come on when the traction
control button is pressed disabling the system.
If the TCS warning light stays on or comes on while you
are driving, pull off the road as soon as possible and
stop carefully. Try resetting the system by turning
the ignition off then back on. If the light still stays on or
comes back on again while you are driving, your
vehicle needs service. Have the traction control system
and, if your vehicle has this feature, the StabiliTrak
®
system inspected as soon as possible. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-6andStabiliTrak®
System on page 4-8for more information.
Enhanced Traction System
Warning Light
For vehicles with the
Enhanced Traction
System (ETS), this light
may come on for the
following reasons:
If the traction control button located on the center
console is pressed, turning the system off. This
light will come on and stay on. To turn the system
back on, press the button again and the warning
light should turn off. SeeEnhanced Traction
System (ETS) on page 4-7.
If the system is affected by an engine-related
problem, the system will turn off and the warning
light will come on.
If the light comes on and stays on for an extended
period of time when the system is turned on, the vehicle
needs service.
3-39

2(Gages)*:Press this button to display the battery
voltage, oil life, and tire pressure readings.
r(Set/Reset)*:Press this button to set or reset
certain functions and to turn off or acknowledge
messages on the DIC.
4(Option)*:Press this button to display the units,
language, personalization, compass zone, and compass
calibration. SeeDIC Vehicle Personalization on
page 3-76andDIC Compass (Uplevel Only) on
page 3-56for more information.
t(Traction Control):Press this button to turn
traction control on or off. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 4-6for more information.
Press and hold this button to turn StabiliTrak
®off, for
vehicles with this feature. Press this button again to turn
both traction control and StabiliTrak
®on. See
StabiliTrak®System on page 4-8for more information.
|(Hazard):Press this button to turn the hazard
warning ashers on and off. SeeHazard Warning
Flashers on page 3-6for more information.
*These buttons are only available on vehicles with the
uplevel DIC.
**This button is only available on vehicles with the base
level DIC.
Trip/Odometer Menu Items
TRIP/ODO (Trip Odometer):Press this button to scroll
through the following menu items:
Odometer
Press the trip/odometer button until the odometer
displays. This mode shows the distance the vehicle has
been driven in either miles or kilometers.
Trip A and Trip B
Press the trip/odometer button until A or B displays.
This mode shows the current distance traveled in either
miles or kilometers since the last reset for each trip
odometer. Both trip odometers can be used at the
same time.
The display will show the odometer on the top line and
the trip odometer information, either A or B, on the
bottom line.
Each trip odometer can be reset to zero separately by
briey pressing the set/reset button on vehicles with the
uplevel DIC or by briey pressing and holding the trip
odometer button on vehicles with the base level
DIC while the desired trip odometer is displayed.
3-51

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 PARK LAMPS
This message displays when there is a problem with the
park lamps. Check to see if the park lamp fuse is
blown and replace the fuse if necessary. SeeFuses and
Circuit Breakers on page 5-109andInstrument Panel
Fuse Block on page 5-110for more information. If
changing the fuse does not correct the problem, see
your dealer/retailer.
This message only displays 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 STABILITY SYSTEM
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak®, this message displays if
there has been a problem detected with StabiliTrak®.
A warning light also appears on the instrument
panel cluster. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light on page 3-38. SeeStabiliTrak
®System
on page 4-8for more information.
If this message turns on while you are driving, pull off
the road as soon as possible and stop carefully.
Try resetting the system by turning the ignition off and
then back on. If this message still stays on or turns back
on again while you are driving, your vehicle needs
service. Have the StabiliTrak
®System inspected 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.
3-71

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

SERVICE VEHICLE SOON
This message displays when a non-emissions related
malfunction occurs. Have the vehicle 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.
STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVE
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak®, this message displays
when StabiliTrak®is actively assisting you with
directional control of the vehicle. Slippery road
conditions may exist when this message is displayed,
so adjust your driving accordingly. SeeStabiliTrak
®
System on page 4-8.This message displays only while the ignition is in
ON/RUN. This message stays on until road conditions
change and StabiliTrak
®is not active.
This message cannot be acknowledged and cleared
from the screen.
STABILITY CONTROL OFF
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak®, this message displays
any time the system turns off. When this message
has been displayed, StabiliTrak
®is no longer available
to assist you with directional control of the vehicle.
Adjust your driving accordingly. SeeStabiliTrak
®System
on page 4-8.
This message displays only while the ignition is in
ON/RUN.
Any of the following conditions may cause the
StabiliTrak
®system to turn off:
The system is turned off by pressing and holding
the traction control button for ve seconds. See
StabiliTrak
®System on page 4-8.
The battery is low.
There is a StabiliTrak®system failure. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
3-74

STARTING DISABLED
This message displays if the starting of the engine is
disabled due to the electronic throttle control system or
vehicle theft-deterrent system. Have your vehicle
serviced by your dealer/retailer immediately.
This message only appears while the ignition is in
ON/RUN and will not disappear until the problem is
resolved.
This message cannot be acknowledged.
TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE
This message displays when the traction system is on.
Slippery road conditions may exist if this message is
displayed, so adjust your driving accordingly. See
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6orEnhanced
Traction System (ETS) on page 4-7for more information.
This message only displays while the ignition is in
ON/RUN and will not disappear until driving conditions
change and the system is no longer active.
This message cannot be acknowledged or cleared from
the screen.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
This message displays when the traction system turns
off. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6
orEnhanced Traction System (ETS) on page 4-7
for more information.
This message only displays while the ignition is in
ON/RUN and disappears after two seconds.
Any of the following conditions may cause the system to
turn off:
The system is turned off by pressing the traction
control button located on the center of the instrument
panel. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 4-6orEnhanced Traction System (ETS) on
page 4-7.
The battery is low.
There is a system failure. See your dealer/retailer for
service.
3-75

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