ignition BUICK LACROSSE 2007 Owner's Guide

Starting the Engine
Place the transaxle in the proper gear.
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N). Your engine will not start in
any other position — this 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.
Starting Procedure
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 your engine gets warm. Do not
race the engine immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and transaxle gently
to allow the oil to warm up and lubricate all
moving parts.Your vehicle has a Computer-Controlled
Cranking System. This feature assists in
starting the engine and protects components. If
the ignition key is turned to the START position,
and then released when the engine begins
cranking, the engine will continue cranking for a
few seconds or until the vehicle starts. If the
engine does not start and the key is held in
START for many seconds, cranking will be
stopped after 15 seconds to prevent cranking
motor damage. To prevent gear damage, this
system also prevents cranking if the engine is
already running. Engine cranking can be
stopped by turning the ignition switch to the
ACCESSORY or OFF position.
Notice:Cranking the engine for long periods
of time, by returning the key to the START
position immediately after cranking has ended,
can overheat and damage the cranking
motor, and drain the battery. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try, to allow
the cranking motor to cool down.
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Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P)
before starting the engine. The vehicle has
an electronic shift lock release system. You must
fully apply the regular brakes before shifting
from PARK (P) when the ignition is in RUN. If you
cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever by pushing it all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application.
Then move the shift lever into another gear.
SeeShifting Out of Park (P) on page 120
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving forward could damage the
transaxle. The repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Shift to REVERSE (R) only after
your vehicle is stopped.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
To rock the vehicle back and forth in order to get
it out of snow, ice, or sand without damaging
the transaxle, seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 318.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, the engine does
not connect with the wheels. To restart when
you are already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Also, use NEUTRAL (N) when the vehicle is
being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine
is running at high speed is dangerous.
Unless your foot is rmly on the brake
pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into a
drive gear while your engine is running
at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while the engine is running at
high speed may damage the transaxle.
The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Be sure the engine is not running at
high speeds when shifting your vehicle.
Notice:Driving your vehicle if you notice that
it is moving slowly or not shifting gears as
you increase speed may damage the transaxle.
Have your vehicle serviced right away. You
can drive in SECOND (2) when you are driving
less than 35 mph (55 km/h) and DRIVE (D)
for higher speeds until then.
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Parking Brake
To set the parking
brake, hold the regular
brake pedal down
with your right foot.
Push down the parking
brake pedal with
your left foot.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular
brake pedal down with your right foot and push the
parking brake pedal with your left foot. While
you lift your left foot, the parking brake pedal will
follow it to the released position.A warning chime will sound and PARKING
BRAKE ON will display in the DIC if the parking
brake is set, the ignition is on, and the vehicle
speed is greater than 5 mph (8km/h). For more
information seeBrake System Warning Light
on page 186andDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 208.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system and cause
premature wear or damage to brake system
parts. Verify that the parking brake is fully
released and the brake warning light is
off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and parking on any
hill, seeTowing a Trailer on page 327. That
section shows what to do rst to keep the trailer
from moving.
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Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
Your vehicle can roll. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, use
the steps that follow. If you are pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 327.
Steering Column Shift Lever
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the
parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into the PARK (P)
like this:
Pull the lever toward you.
Move the lever up as far as it will go.3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Console Shift Lever
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the
parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into the PARK (P)
position by holding in the button on the
shift lever and pushing it all the way toward
the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
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Shifting Out of Park (P)
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock
This vehicle has an electronic shift lock release
system. The shift lock release is designed to:
Prevent ignition key removal unless the
shift lever is in PARK (P)
Prevent movement of the shift lever out of
PARK (P) unless the ignition is in a position
other than OFF.
The shift lock is always functional except in
the case of a an uncharged or low voltage
(less than 9 volt) battery.
If your vehicle has an uncharged battery or a
battery with low voltage, try charging or jump
starting the battery. SeeJump Starting on
page 385.
Console Shift
If your console shift cannot be moved out of
PARK (P)
1. Apply and maintain the regular brakes.
2. Turn the ignition to the ACESSORY or RUN
position. SeeIgnition Positions on page 109
for more information.3. Let up on the shift lever and make sure the shift
lever is pushed all the way into PARK (P).
4. Then, move the shift into the desired gear.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from
PARK (P), consult your dealer or a professional
towing service.
Column Shift
If your park lock cable cannot be moved out of
PARK (P)
1. Apply and maintain the regular brakes.
2. Turn the ignition key to the ACCESSORY or
RUN position. SeeIgnition Positions on
page 109for more information.
3. Shift out of the PARK (P) position to the
NEUTRAL (N) position.
4. Move the vehicle to a safe location.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from
PARK (P), consult your dealer or a professional
towing service.
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Sunroof
The vehicle may have a sunroof. It includes a
sliding glass panel and a sunshade.
The sunroof control is
on the headliner, by the
map lamps.
The sunroof control works only when the ignition
is on or in ACCESSORY, or when Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) is active. SeeRetained
Accessory Power (RAP) on page 110.To raise the sunroof to the vent position, open the
sunshade by hand, then press the back of the
control. Push and hold the front of the control to
close the sunroof from the vent position.
With the sunroof in the vent position, press and
release the back of the control to express-open the
sunroof. The sunshade will automatically open
with the sunroof. To stop the express-open
function, press the back of the control again.
To close the sunroof, press and hold the front of
the control. To stop the sunroof, release the
control. The sunshade must be closed manually.
The sunroof panel cannot be opened or closed
if your vehicle has an electrical failure.
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Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning ashers let you warn others.
They also let police know you have a problem.
Your front and rear turn signal lamps will ash on
and off.
The hazard warning
asher button is located
in the center of the
instrument panel.
Your hazard warning ashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even if the key is
not in the ignition switch.Press the button to make the front and rear turn
signal lamps ash on and off. Press the button
again to turn the ashers off.
When the hazard warning ashers are on, your
turn signals will not work.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reective triangles, you can set them
up at the side of the road about 300 feet
(100 m) behind your vehicle.
Horn
Press near or on the horn symbols on your
steering wheel pad to sound the horn.
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Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to
high beam, push the turn signal/multifunction
lever away from you.
When the high beams
are on, a light on the
instrument panel cluster
also will be on if the
ignition is on.
To change the headlamps from high beam to low
beam, pull the turn signal lever toward you.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use your high-beam
headlamps momentarily to signal a driver in
front of you that you want to pass.
To use it, pull the turn signal/multifunction lever
toward you until the high-beam headlamps
come on, then release the lever to turn them off.
Windshield Wipers
Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper
blades before using them. If they are frozen to the
windshield, gently loosen or thaw them. Damaged
wiper blades may not clear the windshield well,
making it harder to see and drive safely. If the
blades do become damaged, install new blades or
blade inserts. For more information, seeWindshield
Wiper Blade Replacement on page 401.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the wiper motor. A
circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools down.
Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.
You control the windshield wipers by turning the
band with the wiper symbol on it.
8(Mist):For a single wiping cycle, turn the
band to mist. Hold it there until the wipers
start. Then let go. The wipers will stop after
one wipe. If you want more wipe cycles, hold
the band on mist longer.
153

Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
To reduce your speed while using cruise control:
Press and hold the SET– button on the
steering wheel until you reach the lower speed
you want, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, press
the SET– button on the steering wheel
briey. Each time this is done, you will go
about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase vehicle
speed. When you take your foot off the pedal, the
vehicle will slow down to the cruise speed you
set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control will work on hills
depends upon the vehicle speed, load and the
steepness of the hills. When going up steep hills,
you may have to step on the accelerator pedal
to maintain your speed. When going downhill, you
may have to brake or shift to a lower gear to
keep your speed down. Of course, applying the
brake ends the cruise control. Many drivers
nd this to be too much trouble and do not use
cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to end cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal.
Press the[(cancel) button on the
steering wheel.
Press theT(on/off) button on the
steering wheel.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory is erased by
turning off the cruise control or the ignition.
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<(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 or
parking lamps are on.
-(Foglamps):If your vehicle has fog lamps,
press this button to turn them on and off. SeeFog
Lamps on page 160for 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. DRL 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.
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