tow BUICK LACROSSE 2007 Owner's Guide

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
The vehicle has a gage
that shows the engine
coolant temperature.
If the gage pointer moves towards the H, the
engine is too hot.This reading indicates the same thing as the
warning light. It means that the engine coolant has
overheated. If the vehicle has been operating
under normal driving conditions, pull off the road,
stop the vehicle, and turn off the engine as
soon as possible. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 367.
Low Coolant Warning Light
If your vehicle has this
light, it comes on briey
when you turn your
ignition on as a
bulb check only.
189

If the Light is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed
Avoiding hard accelerations
Avoiding steep uphill grades
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible
If the light stops ashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do
so, stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park
your vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at least
10 seconds and restart the engine. If the light
remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On Steady”
following. If the light is still ashing, follow the
previous steps, and see your dealer for service as
soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully
install the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 346.
The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap
has been left off or improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. A few driving trips with the cap
properly installed should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle
of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The
condition will usually be corrected when the
electrical system dries out. A few driving trips
should turn the light off.
192

Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)
e
(Balance/Fade):To adjust the balance
between the right and the left speakers, push and
release this knob until BAL appears on the
display. Turn the knob to move the sound toward
the right or the left speakers.
To adjust the fade between the front and the rear
speakers, push and release the speaker knob until
FAD appears on the display. Turn the knob to move
the sound toward the front or the rear speakers.
To adjust the balance and the fade to the middle
position, push the speaker knob, then push it again
and hold it until you hear one beep.
To adjust all tone and speaker controls to the
middle position, push and hold the speaker knob
when no tone or speaker control is displayed. CEN
will appear on the display and you will hear a beep.
Radio Messages
CAL (Calibration):The audio system has been
calibrated for your vehicle from the factory. If CAL
appears on the display it means that the radio has
not been congured properly for your vehicle and it
must be returned to your dealer for service.
LOC (Locked):This message is displayed when
the THEFTLOCK
®system has locked up the
radio. Take your vehicle to your dealer for service.
If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error
cannot be corrected, contact your dealer.
Playing a CD
Insert a CD partway into the slot, label side up. The
player will pull it in and the CD should begin playing.
If you want to insert a CD with the ignition off, rst
press the eject button or the DISP knob.
If the ignition or radio is turned off with a CD in
the player it will stay in the player. When the
ignition or radio is turned on, the CD will start to
play where it stopped, if it was the last selected
audio source.
242

EQ (Equalization):Press this button to select
customized equalization settings designed
for country/western, jazz, talk, pop, rock, classical,
and custom.
To return the bass and treble to the manual mode,
push and release the tone knob until BASS or
TREBLE appears on the display.
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)
e
(Balance/Fade):To adjust the balance
between the right and the left speakers, push and
release this knob until BAL appears on the
display. Turn the knob to move the sound toward
the right or the left speakers.
To adjust the fade between the front and the rear
speakers, push and release the speaker knob until
FAD appears on the display. Turn the knob to move
the sound toward the front or the rear speakers.
To adjust the balance and the fade to the middle
position, push the speaker knob, then push it again
and hold it until you hear one beep.
To adjust all tone and speaker controls to the
middle position, push and hold the speaker knob
when no tone or speaker control is displayed.
ALL CENTERED will appear on the display and you
will hear a beep.
Finding a Category (CAT) Station
(XM™ Satellite Radio Service Only)
To select and nd a desired category perform the
following:
1. Press the CAT button to activate category
select mode. The current category will
appear on the display.
2. Turn the tune knob to select a category.
3. Once the desired category is displayed, press
either SEEK arrow to take you to the
categories rst station.
4. To go to another station within that category
and the category is displayed, press either
SEEK arrow again. If CAT times out and is no
longer on the display, go back to Step 1.
5. Press CAT to exit category select mode or
wait for CAT to time out.
If the radio cannot nd the desired category,
NOT FOUND will appear on the display and the
radio will return to the last station you were
listening to.
248

Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)
e
(Balance/Fade):To adjust the balance
between the right and the left speakers, push and
release this knob until BAL appears on the
display. Turn the knob to move the sound toward
the right or the left speakers.
To adjust the fade between the front and the rear
speakers, push and release the speaker knob
until FAD (fade) appears on the display. Turn the
knob to move the sound toward the front or
the rear speakers.
To adjust the balance and the fade to the middle
position, push the speaker knob, then push it
again and hold it until you hear one beep.
To adjust all tone and speaker controls to the
middle position, push and hold the speaker knob
when no tone or speaker control is displayed.
ALL CENTERED will appear on the display and
you will hear a beep.
Finding a Category (CAT) Station
(XM™ Satellite Radio Service Only)
To select and nd a desired category perform the
following:
1. Press the CAT button to activate category
select mode. The current category will
appear on the display.
2. Turn the tune knob to select a category.
3. Once the desired category is displayed, press
either SEEK arrow to take you to the
categories rst station.
4. To go to another station within that category
and the category is displayed, press either
SEEK arrow again. If CAT times out and is no
longer on the display, go back to Step 1.
5. Press CAT to exit category select mode or
wait for CAT to time out.
If the radio cannot nd the desired category,
NOT FOUND will appear on the display and the
radio will return to the last station you were
listening to.
256

Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)
e
(Balance/Fade):To adjust the balance
between the right and the left speakers, push and
release this knob until BAL appears on the
display. Turn the knob to move the sound toward
the right or the left speakers.
To adjust the fade between the front and the rear
speakers, push and release the speaker knob
until FADE appears on the display. Turn the knob
to move the sound toward the front or the rear
speakers.
To adjust the balance and the fade to the middle
position, push the speaker knob, then push it
again and hold it until you hear one beep.
To adjust all tone and speaker controls to the
middle position, push and hold the speaker knob
when no tone or speaker control is displayed. CEN
will appear on the display and you will hear a beep.
Finding a Category (CAT) Station
(XM™ Satellite Radio Service Only)
To select and nd a desired category perform
the following:
1. Press the CAT button to activate category
select mode. The current category will
appear on the display.
2. Turn the tune knob to select a category.
3. Once the desired category is displayed, press
either SEEK arrow to take you to the
categories rst station.
4. To go to another station within that category
and the category is displayed, press either
SEEK arrow again. If CAT times out and is no
longer on the display, go back to Step 1.
5. Press CAT to exit category select mode or
wait for CAT to time out.
If the radio cannot nd the desired category,
NOT FOUND will appear on the display and the
radio will return to the last station you were
listening to.
264

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle.... 286
Defensive Driving...................................... 286
Drunken Driving........................................ 287
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 290
Braking...................................................... 290
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 291
Braking in Emergencies............................. 293
Traction Control System (TCS).................. 294
Enhanced Traction System (ETS).............. 295
StabiliTrak
®System................................... 296
Steering.................................................... 297
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 300
Passing..................................................... 300
Loss of Control.......................................... 302
Driving at Night......................................... 303
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 305City Driving............................................... 308
Freeway Driving........................................ 309
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 310
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 311
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 312
Winter Driving........................................... 314
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow ................................. 318
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 319
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 319
Towing........................................................ 325
Towing Your Vehicle ................................. 325
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 326
Towing a Trailer........................................ 327
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
285

Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and right.
That will clear the area around the front wheels. If
your vehicle has traction control, you should
turn the traction control system off. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 294. Then
shift back and forth between REVERSE (R) and a
forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as
possible. Release the accelerator pedal while you
shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transaxle is in gear. By slowly spinning
the wheels in the forward and reverse directions,
you will cause a rocking motion that may free your
vehicle. If that does not get your vehicle out
after a few tries, it may need to be towed out. If
your vehicle does need to be towed out, see
Towing Your Vehicle on page 325.
Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. Two labels on your vehicle
show how much weight it may properly carry, the
Tire and Loading Information label and the
Vehicle Certication label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do,
parts on your vehicle can break, and it
can change the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten
the life of your vehicle.
319

Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined
weight of occupants and cargo should never
exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs” on your
vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver
and passengers that will be riding in your
vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4. The resulting gure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals
1400 lbs and there will be ve 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs (1400−750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).5. Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in
Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load
from your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage
load capacity for your vehicle.
If your vehicle can tow a trailer, seeTowing a
Trailer on page 327for important information
on towing a trailer, towing safety rules, and
trailering tips.
321

{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can
strike and injure people in a sudden stop
or turn, or in a crash.
Put things in the trunk of your vehicle.
In a trunk, put them as far forward as
you can. Try to spread the weight
evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above the tops of
the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded down
unless you need to.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing
service if you need to have your disabled vehicle
towed. SeeRoadside Assistance Program on
page 484.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another
vehicle for recreational purposes (such as behind
a motorhome), see “Recreational Vehicle
Towing” following.
325