BUICK LACROSSE 2005 Owner's Manual

Notice:Do not cover a headlamp to improve beam
cut-off when aiming. Covering a headlamp may
cause excessive heat build-up which may cause
damage to the headlamp.
5. Turn the vertical aiming screw until the headlamp
beam is aimed to the horizontal tape line. The top
edge of the cut-off should be positioned at the
bottom edge of the horizontal tape line.
6. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 for the opposite headlamp.Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement bulbs, see
Replacement Bulbs on page 5-50.
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact your dealer.
Halogen Bulbs
{CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
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Headlamps and Sidemarker Lamps
A. Sidemarker Lamp
B. Low-Beam Headlamp
C. High-Beam Headlamp
Low-Beam Headlamp and
Sidemarker Bulbs
To replace a low-beam headlamp or sidemarker bulb,
do the following:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on page 5-11
for more information.
2. Remove the fastener from the front fascia. The
fastener is located inboard of the headlamp
assembly, near the high-beam headlamp.3. Pull up on the plastic retaining clip (C) while
pushing rearward on the headlamp. Align the square
cut-out on the retaining clip with the notch on the
headlamp.
4. Remove the screw (A) from the metal headlamp
retainer to pull up and release the headlamp
assembly.
5. Remove the push pin (B) retaining the front fascia.
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6. Pull back on the front fascia and then pull the
headlamp assembly out from the vehicle. Moving
the headlamp up and down slightly may help with
its removal.
You may have someone assist you with this step.
7. Remove the access cover from behind the bulb
being replaced.
8. Turn the bulb socket one-quarter of a turn to
remove it from the headlamp assembly.
9. Holding the base of the socket, pull the old bulb
from the socket.
10. Replace with a new bulb.
11. Reverse all the steps to reassemble the headlamp
assembly.
When replacing the plastic retaining clip, push down
on it while pushing rearward on the headlamp,
making sure the headlamp assembly is secure.
High-Beam Headlamp Bulbs
To replace the high-beam headlamp bulb, do the
following:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on page 5-11
for more information.
2. Locate the high-beam headlamp bulb socket.3. Remove the access cover from behind the bulb
being replaced.
4. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and pull it
from the headlamp assembly.
5. Holding the base of the socket, pull the old bulb
from the socket.
6. Replace with a new bulb.
7. Reverse Steps 2 through 4 to reinstall.
Front Turn Signal and
Parking Lamps
To replace a front turn signal/parking lamp bulb in the
front fascia, do the following:
1. Locate the front turn signal/parking bulb socket by
reaching behind the front bumper.
2. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and pull it
out of the assembly.
3. Holding the base of the socket, pull the old bulb
from the socket.
4. Push the new bulb into the socket.
5. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 to reinstall.
5-47

Fog Lamps
Your vehicle may have fog lamps. To replace a fog
lamp bulb, do the following:
1. Locate the access door in the splash shield. It is
located behind the front fascia. To do this, reach
up under and behind the front fascia.
2. Open the access door.
3. Locate the fog lamp bulb socket.
4. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise one-quarter
of a turn while pressing the socket in rmly.
5. Pull the socket rearward until the bulb socket clears
the fog lamp housing.
6. Disconnect the wire
connector from the
bulb by lifting the lock
tab and pulling it
away from the
plastic base.7. Remove the bulb assembly and replace it with the
appropriate bulb.
8. Reverse the steps to reinstall the fog lamp
bulb socket.
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps
To replace a taillamp, turn signal, sidemarker, stoplamp
or back-up lamp bulb, do the following:
1. Open the trunk. SeeTrunk on page 2-13for more
information.
2. Remove the convenience net if the vehicle has one.
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3. Remove the four plastic wing nuts retaining the
trunk trim. There are two wing nuts located on
the driver’s side (shown) and two located on the
passenger’s side of the vehicle.
4. Pull back the trunk trim.5. Remove the two wing nuts holding the taillamp
assembly in place.
6. Pull out the taillamp assembly and disconnect the
wiring harness.
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A. Taillamp
B. Back-up
C. TaillampD. Stoplamp/Taillamp/Turn
Signal
E. Sidemarker
7. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise to remove it.
8. Replace with a new bulb.
9. Turn the bulb socket clockwise to reinstall.
10. Reverse these steps to reinstall the
taillamp assembly.
Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Lamps Bulb Number
Back-Up Lamps 921
Fog Lamp H11
Front Turn Signal and
Parking Lamps3157NAK
Headlamps
High-Beam H9
Low-Beam H11
Front/Rear Sidemarker and
Taillamp194
Stoplamps and Taillamps 3057
For replacement bulbs not listed here, contact
your dealer.
5-50

Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected for wear
or cracking each time maintenance is performed.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
1. Lift the wiper arm and turn the blade until is facing
away from the windshield.
2. Push the release lever under the windshield
wiper arm, and slide the wiper assembly off of the
wiper arm.
3. Slide the new wiper blade securely on the
wiper arm until you hear the release clip click into
place.
For wiper blade type and length, seeNormal
Maintenance Replacement Parts on page 6-13.
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Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service,
see your GM Warranty booklet for details. For additional
information refer to the tire manufacturer’s booklet
included with your vehicle’s Owner Manual.
{CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much
friction. You could have an air-out and a
serious accident. SeeLoading Your
Vehicle on page 4-29.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Underinated tires pose the same danger
as overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold. SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 5-58.
Overinated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured or broken by a sudden
impact — such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your
tread is badly worn, or if your tires have
been damaged, replace them.
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Tire Sidewall Labelling
Useful information about a tire is molded into its
sidewall. The examples below show a typical passenger
vehicle tire and a compact spare tire sidewall.
(A) Tire Size:The tire size is a combination of letters
and numbers used to dene a particular tire’s width,
height, aspect ratio, construction type and service
description. See the “Tire Size” illustration later in this
section for more detail.(B) TPC Spec (Tire Performance Criteria
Specication):Original equipment tires designed to
GM’s specic tire performance criteria have a TPC
specication code molded onto the sidewall. GM’s TPC
specications meet or exceed all federal safety
guidelines.
(C) DOT (Department of Transportation):The
Department of Transportation (DOT) code indicates that
the tire is in compliance with the U.S. Department of
Transportation Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
(D) Tire Identication Number (TIN):The letters and
numbers following DOT (Department of Transportation)
code is the Tire Identication Number (TIN). The
TIN shows the manufacturer and plant code, tire size,
and date the tire was manufactured. The TIN is molded
onto both sides of the tire, although only one side
may have the date of manufacture.
(E) Tire Ply Material:The type of cord and number of
plies in the sidewall and under the tread.
(F) Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG):Tire
manufacturers are required to grade tires based on
three performance factors: treadwear, traction and
temperature resistance. For more information see
Uniform Tire Quality Grading on page 5-63.
(G) Maximum Cold Ination Load Limit:Maximum
load that can be carried and the maximum pressure
needed to support that load. Passenger (P-Metric) Tire Example
5-53

(A) Temporary Use Only:The compact spare tire or
temporary use tire has a tread life of approximately
3,000 miles (5 000 km) and should not be driven
at speeds over 65 mph (105 km/h). The compact spare
tire is for emergency use when a regular road tire
has lost air and gone at. If your vehicle has a compact
spare tire, seeCompact Spare Tire on page 5-77
andIf a Tire Goes Flat on page 5-67.(B) Tire Ply Material:The type of cord and number of
plies in the sidewall and under the tread.
(C) Tire Identication Number (TIN):The letters and
numbers following the DOT (Department of
Transportation) code is the Tire Identication Number
(TIN). The TIN shows the manufacturer and plant code,
tire size, and date the tire was manufactured. The
TIN is molded onto both sides of the tire, although only
one side may have the date of manufacture.
(D) Maximum Cold Ination Load Limit:Maximum
load that can be carried and the maximum pressure
needed to support that load.
(E) Tire Ination:The temporary use tire or compact
spare tire should be inated to 60 psi (420 kPa).
For more information on tire pressure and ination see
Ination - Tire Pressure on page 5-58.
(F) Tire Size:A combination of letters and numbers
dene a tire’s width, height, aspect ratio, construction
type and service description. The letter T as the
rst character in the tire size means the tire is for
temporary use only.
(G) TPC Spec (Tire Performance Criteria
Specication):Original equipment tires designed to
GM’s specic tire performance criteria have a TPC
specication code molded onto the sidewall. GM’s TPC
specications meet or exceed all federal safety
guidelines. Compact Spare Tire Example
5-54