towing BUICK LACROSSE 2005 Owner's Guide

Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your vehicle can
affect the airow around it. This may cause wind
noise and affect windshield washer performance. Check
with your dealer before adding equipment to the
outside of your vehicle.
Fuel
The 8th digit of your vehicle identication number (VIN)
shows the code letter or number that identies your
engine. You will nd the VIN at the top left of the
instrument panel. SeeVehicle Identication Number
(VIN) on page 5-86.
Gasoline Octane
If your vehicle has the 3800 V6 engine, use regular
unleaded gasoline with a posted octane of 87 or higher.
If the octane is less than 87, you may get a heavy
knocking noise when you drive. If this occurs, use a
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as
possible. Otherwise, you might damage your engine. A
little pinging noise when you accelerate or drive
uphill is considered normal. This does not indicate a
problem exists or that a higher-octane fuel is necessary.
If you are using 87 octane or higher-octane fuel and
hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service.
If your vehicle has the 3.6L V6 engine, use regular
unleaded gasoline with a posted octane of 87 or higher.
However, for best performance and for trailer towing,
you may wish to use middle grade or premium unleaded
gasoline. If the octane is less than 87, you may get a
heavy knocking noise when you drive. If this occurs, use
a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as
possible. Otherwise, you might damage your engine.
5-5

Automatic Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transmission uid level.
A transmission uid leak is the only reason for uid
loss. If a leak occurs, take your vehicle to the dealership
service department and have it repaired as soon as
possible.
Change both the uid and lter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the uid and lter do not require changing.
Notice:Use of automatic transmission uid labeled
other than DEXRON
®-III, Approved for the
H-Specication, may damage your vehicle, and the
damages may not be covered by your warranty.
Always use automatic transmission uid labeled
DEXRON
®-III, Approved for the H-Specication.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in the vehicle for ve years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if only
DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant is added.
The following explains the cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If there is a problem
with engine overheating or if coolant needs to be added
to the radiator, seeEngine Overheating on page 5-24.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®engine coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-21

Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode allows your vehicle to
be driven to a safe place in an emergency situation. If an
overheated engine condition exists, an overheat
protection mode which alternates ring groups of
cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this mode, you
will notice a signicant loss in power and engine
performance. The REDUCED POWER STOP WHEN
SAFE message will come on in the Driver Information
Center (DIC), along with the engine coolant temperature
warning light on the instrument panel, to indicate the
vehicle has entered overheated engine protection
operating mode. The temperature gage will also indicate
an overheat condition exists. Driving extended miles (km)
and/or towing a trailer in the overheat protection mode
should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any repair.
The engine oil will be severely degraded. Repair the
cause of coolant loss, change the oil and reset the oil
life system. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-15.
Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is what
you will see:
A. Coolant Recovery Tank
B. Radiator Pressure Cap
C. Electric Engine Cooling Fans3.8L V6 engine
5-26

(h)Change automatic transaxle uid and lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
(i)Drain, ush and rell cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer perform
this service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-21 for
what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap and ller neck. Pressure test the cooling
system and pressure cap.
(j)Check throttle system for interference or binding and
for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any components that have high effort
or excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator or
cruise control cables.
(k)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired
and the uid level checked. Add uid if needed.
(l)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, inspect
the lter at each engine oil change.Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specied to help ensure the safety,
dependability and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your GM Goodwrench
®dealer can assist
you with these checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks at
each fuel ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-15for further
details.
Notice:It is important to check your oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level. Failure to keep your
engine oil at the proper level can cause damage
to your engine not covered by your warranty.
6-8

Power (cont.)
Lumbar Controls........................................... 1-4
Reduced Engine Light..................................3-44
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-22
Six-Way Seats.............................................. 1-4
Steering Fluid.............................................5-33
Windows....................................................2-16
Pretensioners, Safety Belt................................1-30
Programming the HomeLink
®Transmitter...........2-36
Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-14
R
Radiator Pressure Cap....................................5-24
Radios..........................................................3-79
Care of Your CD Player..............................3-119
Care of Your CDs......................................3-119
Radio with CD............................3-79, 3-84, 3-92
Radio with Six-Disc CD..............................3-105
Setting the Time..........................................3-79
Theft-Deterrent..........................................3-117
Understanding Reception............................3-119
Rear Assist Handle Reading Lamps...................3-18
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-27
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-25Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming..................2-32
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming
with OnStar
®..............................................2-33
Rearview Mirror with OnStar®...........................2-32
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-32
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-5
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-12
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-34
Reduced Engine Power Light............................3-44
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation............ 2-4
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-71
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-69
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-50
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-11
General Motors...........................................7-11
United States Government............................7-10
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems....................1-65
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash..........................................1-65
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-22
Right Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts......1-23
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-6
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out....................4-28
Running the Engine While Parked.....................2-31
10

Top Strap......................................................1-41
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-43
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-34
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-35
Your Vehicle...............................................4-34
Traction
Control System (TCS).................................... 4-8
Control System Warning Light.......................3-37
StabiliTrak
®System....................................... 4-9
Transaxle Operation, Automatic.........................2-24
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-21
Trunk............................................................2-13
Trunk Ajar Light..............................................3-45
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-8
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
U
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)...............3-18
Understanding Radio Reception.......................3-119
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-63
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-5
Damage Warnings........................................... ivVehicle (cont.)
Loading......................................................4-29
Service Soon Light......................................3-45
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data
Recorders.................................................... 7-9
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN).............................................5-86
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-86
Vehicle Personalization
DIC ...........................................................3-71
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-28
Visors...........................................................2-17
W
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators................3-30
Warnings
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-53
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-6
Other Warning Devices.................................. 3-6
Safety and Symbols......................................... iii
Vehicle Damage.............................................. iv
Washer Fluid, Low Warning Light......................3-45
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-64
Replacement...............................................5-65
Where to Put the Restraint...............................1-40
13