lights BUICK LACROSSE 2005 Owner's Manual

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-3
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-8
Safety Belts
.............................................1-10
Child Restraints
.......................................1-31
Airbag System
.........................................1-51
Restraint System Check
............................1-65
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
......................................2-10
Windows
.................................................2-15
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-17
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-21
Mirrors
....................................................2-32
OnStar
®System
......................................2-34
HomeLink®Transmitter
.............................2-36
Storage Areas
.........................................2-40
Sunroof
..................................................2-42
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-21
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-30
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-47
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-79Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-34
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-43
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-45
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-51
Tires
......................................................5-52
Appearance Care
.....................................5-78
Vehicle Identication
.................................5-86
Electrical System
......................................5-87
Capacities and Specications
.....................5-92
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-10
Index................................................................ 1
2005 Buick LaCrosse Owner ManualM

Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this manual you will nd these notices:
Notice:These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.
A notice tells about something that can damage the
vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be covered
by your vehicle’s warranty, and it could be costly. But
the notice will tell what to do to help avoid the damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see
CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different colors
or in different words.
There are also warning labels on the vehicle. They use
the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
Vehicle Symbols
The vehicle has components and labels that use
symbols instead of text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or information
relating to a specic component, control, message,
gage, or indicator.
If you need help guring out a specic name of a
component, gage, or indicator, reference the
following topics:
Seats and Restraint Systems in Section 1
Features and Controls in Section 2
Instrument Panel Overview in Section 3
Climate Controls in Section 3
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators in Section 3
Audio System(s) in Section 3
Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5
iv

Heated Seats
If your vehicle has this
feature, the buttons are
located on the climate
control panel.
Press the button once to activate a high heat setting.
Both indicator lights above the button will come on.
Press the button again to select a lower temperature
setting. Only one indicator light will come on. Press the
button a third time to turn the heat off.
This feature only works when the ignition is on.
Reclining Seatbacks
Lift the lever located on the outboard side of the seat to
release the seatback, then move the seatback to the
desired position. Release the lever to lock the seatback
in place.
1-5

Do not use the remote start feature if your vehicle is low
on fuel. Your vehicle may run out of fuel.
Your vehicle’s remote keyless entry transmitter, with the
remote start button, provides an increased range of
operation. However, the range may be less while
the vehicle is running and as a result, you may need to
be closer to your vehicle to turn it off, than you were
to turn it on.
There are other conditions which can affect the
performance of the transmitter, seeRemote Keyless
Entry System on page 2-3for additional information.
The remote vehicle start feature needs to be reset after
your vehicle’s engine is started two times using the
transmitter’s remote start button. The remote start
system is reset by Inserting the vehicle’s key into the
ignition lock cylinder and turning it to RUN and then to
OFF. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-21for
information regarding the ignition positions on
your vehicle.
/(Remote Start):If your vehicle has the remote start
feature, the keyless entry transmitter will have a
button with this symbol on it.To start the vehicle using the remote start feature, do
the following:
1. Aim the transmitter at the vehicle.
2. Press and release the transmitter’s lock button,
then immediately press and hold the transmitter’s
remote start button until the turn signal lamps ash
or for four seconds, if the vehicle’s lights are not
visible. The vehicle’s doors will lock.
3. When the vehicle starts, the parking lamps will turn
on and remain on while the engine is running.
The engine will shut off automatically after
10 minutes, unless a time extension has been done
or the vehicle’s key is inserted into the ignition
lock cylinder and turned to RUN.
4. To manually shut off a remote start, do any of the
following:
Aim the remote keyless entry transmitter at the
vehicle and press the remote start button until
the parking lamps turn off.
Turn on the hazard warning ashers.
Turn the ignition switch to RUN and then to OFF.
2-8

C (RUN):This position is where the key returns to after
the vehicle is started. This position displays some of
the warning and indicator lights.
D (START):This position starts the engine.
A warning chime will sound and the Driver Information
Center will display a warning message when the driver’s
door is opened if the ignition is in OFF, LOCK or
ACCESSORY and the key is in the ignition. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-53for more
information.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
If the vehicle has Retained Accessory Power (RAP),
certain features will continue to operate for up to
10 minutes after the ignition key is turned to OFF unless
a door is opened.
Starting the Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
The engine will not start in any other position — that is
a safety feature. To restart when you are already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Shifting into PARK (P) with the vehicle
moving could damage the transaxle. Shift into
PARK (P) only when your vehicle is stopped.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as the
engine gets warm.
Notice:Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining
your battery or damaging your starter.
2-22

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.........................................3-18Overhead Console Reading Lamps.................3-18
Rear Assist Handle Reading Lamps................3-18
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-18
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)............3-18
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-20
Climate Controls............................................3-21
Climate Control System.................................3-21
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-24
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-28
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-28
Steering Wheel Climate Controls.....................3-30
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-30
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-31
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-32
Tachometer.................................................3-32
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-32
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-33
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-34
Charging System Light..................................3-35
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-36
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-37
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light...........................................3-37
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light......3-38
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Exterior Lamps
The control located to the
left of the cluster on the
instrument panel, operates
the exterior lamps.
P(On/Off):Turn the control to this position to
manually turn the headlamps on and off. This is a
momentary control that will spring back to AUTO
when released.
AUTO (Automatic):Turn the control to this position to
set your headlamps in automatic mode. AUTO mode,
if enabled, will turn the exterior lamps on and off
automatically depending on how much light is available
outside the vehicle.Due to the momentary switch design, your automatic
lights may be disabled even if the control is in the
AUTO position.
To enable automatic lighting, do any of the following:
Turn the headlamp control from AUTO to off
and release the control. It will return back to
the AUTO position by itself.
Turn the headlamp control from the parking lamp
position to AUTO.
Turn the headlamp control from the headlamp
position to AUTO.
To disable automatic lighting, do any of the following:
Turn the headlamp control from AUTO to off
and release the control. It will return back to
the AUTO position by itself.
Turn the headlamp control from AUTO to the
parking lamp position.
Turn the headlamp control from AUTO to the
headlamp position.
3-13

<(Parking Lamps):Turn the control to this
position to turn on the parking lamps together with
the following:
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Sidemarker Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
2(Headlamps):Turn the control to this position to
turn your headlamps on, together with the previously
listed lamps and lights.
A warning chime will sound if the driver’s door is
opened when the ignition switch is turned to OFF or
ACCESSORY and the headlamps are on.
-(Foglamps):Press this button to turn the
foglamps on and off. SeeFog Lamps on page 3-15
for additional information.
Daytime Running Lamps
(DRL)/Automatic Headlamp System
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier
for others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving conditions,
but they can be especially helpful in the short periods
after dawn and before sunset. Daytime running
lamps are required to function at all times on all vehicles
rst sold in Canada.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the
DRL work, so be sure it is not covered.
The DRL system will make the low-beam headlamps
come on at reduced brightness when the following
conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamps control is off.
The parking brake is released.
While the DRL are on, only the vehicle’s low-beam
headlamps will be on at reduced brightness. The turn
signal, taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps will not be
on. The instrument panel will not be lit up either.
When it is dark enough outside, the DRL will turn off
and the vehicle’s headlamps and parking lamps will turn
on. The other lamps that come on with the headlamps
will also come on.
3-14

Interior Lamps
Your interior lamps control
is located next to the
exterior lamps control
and to the left of the
steering wheel on the
instrument panel.
9(Off):Turn the control to this position to disable
courtesy lamps, entry lighting, delayed entry lighting, and
delayed exit lighting.
1(Door):Turn the control to this position to turn the
interior lamps on when any door is open and when
the ignition key is removed from the ignition.
+(On):Turn the control to this position to turn the
interior lamps on.
The interior lamps can be controlled, or automatically
turned on or off under certain conditions. They are
explained in the following text.
Instrument Panel Brightness
The instrument panel lights can be brightened or
dimmed by pressing the center knob of the interior lamp
controls until it pops out. Turn the knob clockwise to
brighten the lights or counterclockwise to dim them.
Courtesy Lamps
Courtesy lamps come on to make it easier to enter and
exit the vehicle. These lamps will come on when the
interior lamp control is in the door position and any door
is opened.
Entry Lighting
The courtesy lamps will come on and stay on for a set
time whenever the interior lamp control is in the door
position and the UNLOCK button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter is pressed.
The lamps will stay on while a door is opened and then
turn off automatically about 25 seconds after it is
closed. If the UNLOCK button is pressed and a door is
not opened, the lamps will turn off after about
25 seconds.
3-16

Entry lighting includes a feature called theater dimming.
With theater dimming, the lamps do not turn off at
the end of the delay time. Instead, they slowly dim after
the delay time and then turn off.
The courtesy lamps turn off when the ignition key is
turned to RUN or START. They will come on again when
a door is opened.
Delayed Entry Lighting
Delayed entry lighting lights the vehicle’s interior for a
period of time after all the doors have been closed.
After all the doors have been closed, the delayed entry
lighting feature will continue to work until one of the
following occurs:
The ignition is in run.
The doors are locked.
Twenty-ve seconds has elapsed.
If during the illumination period a door is opened, the
timed illumination period will be canceled and the interior
lamps will remain on.
Theater Dimming
This feature allows for a three to ve-second fade out of
the courtesy lamps instead of immediate turn off.
Delayed Exit Lighting
This feature can be programmed either on or off using
the Driver Information Center. SeeDIC Vehicle
Personalization on page 3-71under INT LIGHTS KEYS
REMOVED. When activated, this feature illuminates
the interior for a period of time after the ignition key is
removed from the ignition.
The ignition must be off and the interior lamp control
must be in the door position for delayed exit lighting to
work. When the ignition key is removed, interior
illumination will activate and remain on until one of the
following occurs:
The ignition is in run.
The power door locks are activated.
Twenty-ve seconds has elapsed.
If during the illumination period a door is opened, the
timed illumination period will be canceled and the interior
lamps will remain on.
3-17