mirror BUICK LACROSSE 2006 User Guide

Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways — also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes, or superhighways — are the
safest of all roads. But they have their own special rules.The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep
up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the
same speed most of the other drivers are driving.
Too-fast or too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic ow.
Treat the left lane on a freeway as a passing lane.
At the entrance, there is usually a ramp that leads to
the freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as
you drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin
to check traffic. Try to determine where you expect
to blend with the ow. Try to merge into the gap at close
to the prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal,
check your mirrors, and glance over your shoulder as
often as necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the
traffic ow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it is slower.
Stay in the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use
your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your
shoulder to make sure there is not another vehicle in
your blind spot.
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance.
Expect to move slightly slower at night.
4-21

Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as highway hypnosis?
Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on
the road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of
the wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy.
Do not let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle
can leave the road in less than a second, and you
could crash and be injured.What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service, or parking area and take a nap, get some
exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness
on the highway as an emergency.
4-23

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.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
when driving the vehicle without a trailer. This can
help avoid situations that require heavy braking
and sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed up ahead when
towing a trailer. And, because the vehicle is a good deal
longer with the trailer, you will need to go much farther
beyond the vehicle you have passed before you
can return to the proper lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do this so the trailer will not strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees, or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
4-42

Fuses Usage
STR/WHL/
ILLUMSteering Wheel Controls Illumination
ONSTAR/ALDL OnStar
®, Data Link
INT/ILLUM Interior Lamps
PWR/SEAT Power Seat
S/ROOF Sunroof
CNSTR Canister Vent
HVAC Climate Control System
HAZRD Turn Signal, Hazard
PRK/LAMP Park Lamps
CHMSL/BKUPCenter-High-Mounted
Stoplamp/Back-up Lamps
PWR/MIR Power Mirrors
CRUISE Cruise Control
RDO/AMP Radio, Amplier
HTD/SEAT Heated Seats
HTD/MIR Heated Mirrors
PWR/WNDW Power Window
Relays Usage
RAP Retained Accessory Power
PRK/LAMP Park Lamp Relay
R/DEFOG Rear Defogger Relay
Underhood Fuse Block
Some fuses and relays are located in the underhood
fuse block on the passenger’s side of the vehicle in
the engine compartment. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for more information on location.
Mini-Fuses Usage
1 Left High Beam
2 Right High Beam
3 Left Low Beam
4 Right Low Beam
5-95

Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview........................2-36
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
®.....2-37
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-36
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®.............2-36
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-38
Outside Power Heated Mirrors.......................2-38
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-37
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-4
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-22
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............6-13
O
Odometer......................................................3-33
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-13
Oil
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-45
Engine.......................................................5-15
Pressure Light.............................................3-44
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-18
Older Children, Restraints................................1-30
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-4
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-38
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-29Outlet(s), Accessory Power...............................3-20
Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-38
Power Heated Mirrors..................................2-38
Power Mirrors.............................................2-37
Overhead Console Reading Lamps....................3-18
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode.....5-29
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-8
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage...............................................5-90
Park Aid........................................................3-18
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-31
Shifting Out of............................................2-33
Parking
Assist........................................................3-18
Brake........................................................2-30
Over Things That Burn.................................2-34
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-35
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-30
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-65
Passing.........................................................4-14
PASS-Key
®III ................................................2-20
PASS-Key®III Operation..................................2-21
Perimeter Lighting...........................................3-18
9

Power
Accessory Outlet(s)......................................3-20
Door Locks.................................................2-11
Electrical System.........................................5-93
Lumbar Controls........................................... 1-3
Reduced Engine Light..................................3-46
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-23
Six-Way Seats.............................................. 1-3
Steering Fluid.............................................5-37
Windows....................................................2-17
Pretensioners, Safety Belt................................1-29
Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-14
R
Radiator Pressure Cap....................................5-27
Radios..........................................................3-84
Care of Your CD Player..............................3-129
Care of Your CDs......................................3-128
Radio with CD............................3-86, 3-90, 3-99
Radio with Six-Disc CD..............................3-113
Setting the Time..........................................3-85
Theft-Deterrent..........................................3-126
Understanding Reception............................3-128
Rear Assist Handle Reading Lamps...................3-18Rear Door Security Locks................................2-12
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-27
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-25
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming..................2-36
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming
with OnStar
®..............................................2-37
Rearview Mirror with OnStar®...........................2-36
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-36
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-4
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-12
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-36
Reduced Engine Power Light............................3-46
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation............ 2-4
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-76
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-74
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-56
Replacement, Windshield.................................5-56
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-14
General Motors...........................................7-15
United States Government............................7-14
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems....................1-71
Replacing Restraint System Parts After
a Crash..................................................1-72
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-23
Right Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts......1-23
10