5-21 BUICK LACROSSE 2006 Owner's Manual

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-15
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-20
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-21
Engine Coolant.............................................5-24
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-27
Engine Overheating.......................................5-27
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-29Cooling System............................................5-30
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-37
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-38
Brakes........................................................5-39
Battery........................................................5-42
Jump Starting...............................................5-42
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-48
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-51
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-51
Headlamps and Sidemarker Lamps.................5-51
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps..............5-53
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps...................5-54
Replacement Bulb..........................................5-56
Windshield Replacement.................................5-56
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-56
Tires..............................................................5-57
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-58
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-60
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-63
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-64
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-66
Buying New Tires.........................................5-66
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................5-68
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-68
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-38.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-42.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-42.
D. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-95.
E. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. SeePassenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 3-30.
F. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System
on page 5-30.
G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-37.
H. Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure Cap on
page 5-27.I. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
J. Electric Engine Cooling Fans. SeeCooling System
on page 5-30.
K. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
L. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. See “Checking
the Fluid Level” underAutomatic Transaxle Fluid
on page 5-21.
M. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-39.
N. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20.
5-13

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-38.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-42.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-42.
D. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. SeePassenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 3-30.
E. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-95.
F. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System
on page 5-30.
G. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure Cap
on page 5-27.
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Out of View). See
Power Steering Fluid on page 5-37.
I. Electric Engine Cooling Fans. SeeCooling System
on page 5-30.
J. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
K. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
L. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. See “Checking
the Fluid Level” underAutomatic Transaxle Fluid
on page 5-21.M. Engine Coolant Bleed Valve. See “How to Add
Coolant to the Radiator” underCooling System on
page 5-30.
N. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-39.
O. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20.
Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and check the level.
5-15

5. To reinstall the cover, position the tabs through the
slots on the housing. A notch on the sides of the
lter cover will indicate the correct engagement.
6. Push the cover tabs on top of the housing to lock
the cover in place.
{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/lter
off can cause you or others to be burned.
The air cleaner not only cleans the air; it helps
to stop ames if the engine backres. If it is
not there and the engine backres, you could
be burned. Do not drive with it off, and be
careful working on the engine with the air
cleaner/lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre
can cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt can
easily get into your engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/lter in place when you
are driving.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transaxle Fluid
A good time to check the automatic transaxle uid level
is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
Additional Required Services on page 6-6, and be sure
to use the transaxle uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
5-21

Audio System(s) (cont.)
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-126
Understanding Radio Reception...................3-128
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-130
Automatic Door Lock.......................................2-12
Automatic Transaxle
Fluid..........................................................5-21
Operation...................................................2-26
B
Backglass Antenna........................................3-129
Battery..........................................................5-42
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver......................3-15
Run-Down Protection...................................3-18
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-22
Brake
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................ 4-7
Emergencies................................................ 4-9
Parking......................................................2-30
System Warning Light..................................3-38
Brakes..........................................................5-39
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-9
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-22
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-51
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps.............5-53
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-51
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-48Bulb Replacement (cont.)
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-56
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps,
and Back-Up Lamps.................................5-54
Buying New Tires...........................................5-66
C
Calibration.....................................................3-57
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications............................5-98
Carbon Monoxide...................2-13, 2-34, 4-26, 4-38
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-87
Your CD Player.........................................3-129
Your CDs .................................................3-128
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-46
Center Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts....1-24
Center Seat..................................................... 1-8
Chains, Tire...................................................5-72
Charging System Light....................................3-37
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-41
Check Gas Cap Light......................................3-49
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-90
2

E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-93
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-93
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-93
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-94
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-93
Underhood Fuse Block.................................5-95
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-93
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-20
Battery.......................................................5-42
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-45
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-41
Coolant......................................................5-24
Coolant Heater............................................2-25
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-41
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-40
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-34
Oil .............................................................5-15
Oil Life System...........................................5-18
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-29
Overheating................................................5-27
Reduced Power Light...................................3-46
Starting......................................................2-24
Entry Lighting.................................................3-16Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................7-10
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-30
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-13
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver..........................3-15
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-20
Finish Damage...............................................5-90
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-72
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-73
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-82
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-21
Power Steering...........................................5-37
Windshield Washer......................................5-38
Fog Lamps....................................................3-15
Folding Rear Seat............................................ 1-8
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Check Gas Cap Light...................................3-49
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
5

Tires (cont.)
Installing the Spare Tire................................5-76
Removing the Flat Tire.................................5-76
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...............5-74
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools............5-82
Tire Sidewall Labeling..................................5-58
Tire Terminology and Denitions....................5-60
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-68
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-70
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-70
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-66
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-36
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-38
Your Vehicle...............................................4-36
Traction
Control System (TCS)..................................4-10
Control System Warning Light.......................3-40
StabiliTrak
®System.....................................4-11
Transaxle
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-21
Transaxle Operation, Automatic.........................2-26
Trunk............................................................2-13
Trunk Ajar Light..............................................3-48
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-8
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
U
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)...............3-18
Understanding Radio Reception.......................3-128
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-68
Universal Home Remote System.......................2-40
Operation...................................................2-41
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-6
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-31
Service Soon Light......................................3-48
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data
Recorders..................................................7-10
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN).............................................5-92
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-92
Vehicle Personalization
DIC ...........................................................3-75
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-29
Visors...........................................................2-18
13