3-1 BUICK LACROSSE 2008 Owner's Guide

Scanning Categories (CAT) (XM™
Satellite Radio Service Only)
To scan a desired category by doing the following:
1. Press the CAT button to enter the category select
mode. The current category displays.
2. Turn the
eknob to select a category.
3. Press either SEEK arrow for two seconds once the
desired category is displayed, to scan the stations
in that category.
4. Press either SEEK arrow again to stop scanning.
If the radio cannot nd the desired category, NOT
FOUND displays and the radio returns to the last station
you were listening to.
Radio Messages
CALIBRATE:The audio system has been calibrated for
your vehicle from the factory. If CALIBRATE displays,
it means that the radio has not been congured properly
for your vehicle and it must be returned to your
dealer/retailer for service.LOCKED:If LOCKED displays, it means the
THEFTLOCK
®system has locked up. Take your vehicle
to your dealer/retailer for service.
If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error cannot be
corrected, contact your dealer/retailer.
XM™ Satellite Radio Service
XM™ is a satellite radio service that is based in the
48 contiguous United States and 10 Canadian provinces.
XM™ Satellite Radio has a wide variety of programming
and commercial-free music, coast-to-coast, and in
digital-quality sound. During your trial or when you
subscribe, you will get unlimited access to XM™ Radio
Online for when you are not in your vehicle. A service fee
is required to receive the XM™ service. For more
information, contact XM™ at www.xmradio.com or call
1-800-929-2100 in the U.S. and www.xmradio.ca or call
1-877-438-9677 in Canada.
Radio Messages for XM™ Only
SeeXM Radio Messages on page 3-100later in this
section for further detail.
3-90

5!(Previous Folder):Press this button to go to the
rst track in the previous folder. Press this button
while in random folder mode to go to the previous folder
and randomly play the tracks in that folder.
6
#(Next Folder):Press this button to go to the
rst track in the next folder. Press this button while in
random folder mode to go to the next folder and
randomly play the tracks in that folder.
DISP (Display):Press this button to chance between
track mode, folder/playlist mode, and ID3 tag. The display
shows only eight characters, but there can be up to four
pages of text. If there are more than eight characters in
the song, folder, or playlist name, pressing this knob
within two seconds goes to the next page of text. If there
are no other pages to be shown, pressing this button
within two seconds goes to the next display mode.
Song name and time of day mode displays the
current song name and time of day.
Folder/playlist mode displays the current folder or
playlist number the track number and the elapsed
time of the track.
Song name and track number mode displays the
current song name and track number.
ID3 Tag and folder mode displays the ID3 tag
information and the folder number.
Song and folder mode displays the number of songs
in the folder and the folder number.
INFO (Information):INFO displays when a current
track has ID3 tag information. Press this button to
display the artist name and album contained in the tag.
BAND:Press this button to listen to the radio when
a CD is playing. The inactive CD remains inside
the radio for future listening.
XM Radio Messages
XL (Explicit Language Channels):These channels, or
any others, can be blocked at a customer’s request,
by calling 1-800-852-XMXM (9696).
Updating:The encryption code in the receiver is being
updated, and no action is required.
3-100

No Signal:The vehicle is in a location that is blocking
the XM™ signal. When the vehicle is moved into an
open area, the signal should return.
Loading XM:The radio is processing audio and text
data received. No action is needed. This message
should disappear shortly.
CH Off Air:This channel is not currently in service.
CH Unavail:This previously assigned channel is
no longer assigned. Tune to another station. If this
station was one of the presets, choose another station
for that preset button.
No Info:No artist, song title, category, or text
information is available at this time on this channel. The
system is working properly.
Not Found:There are no channels available for the
selected category. The system is working properly.
XM Locked:The XM™ receiver may have previously
been in another vehicle. For security purposes,
XM™ receivers cannot be swapped between vehicles.
If this message is received after having your vehicle
serviced, check with your dealer/retailer.Radio ID:If tuned to channel 0, this message will
alternate with the XM™ Radio eight-digit radio ID label.
This label is needed to activate the service.
Unknown:If this message is received when tuned to
channel 0, there may be a receiver fault. Consult
with your dealer/retailer.
Chk XMRcvr:If this message does not clear within a
short period of time, the receiver may have a fault.
Consult with your dealer/retailer.
Theft-Deterrent Feature
THEFTLOCK®is designed to discourage theft of
your vehicle’s radio. The feature works automatically
by learning a portion of the Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN). If the radio is moved to a different
vehicle, it does not operate and LOC, LOCK, or
LOCKED could display.
With THEFTLOCK
®activated, the radio does not
operate if stolen.
3-101

Audio Steering Wheel Controls
If your vehicle has this
feature, some audio
controls can be adjusted at
the steering wheel. They
include the following:
xw(Seek):Press the seek arrows to go to the next or
to the previous radio station. The radio seeks stations
only with a strong signal that are in the selected band.
To scan stations, press and hold either arrow for
two seconds until a beep sounds. The radio goes to a
station, play for a few seconds, then goes to the next
station. Press either seek arrow again to stop scanning.
While a CD is playing, press the seek arrows to go to the
next or previous track.
>(Mute/OnStar®):Press this button to silence the
system. Press this button again, or any other radio
button, to turn the sound on.
If your vehicle has OnStar
®, press and hold this button
for more than two seconds to interact with the
OnStar
®system. See theOnStar®System on page 2-43
in this manual for more information.
BAND:Press this button to switch between FM1, FM2,
AM, or XM1™ or XM2™ (if equipped).
1–6 (Preset Pushbuttons):Press this button to play
stations that are programmed on the radio preset
pushbuttons. The radio seeks preset stations only with a
strong signal that are in the selected band.
When a CD is playing in the six-disc CD changer, press
this button to go to the next available CD, if multiple
CDs are loaded.
+
x/−x(Volume):Press the plus or minus volume
button to increase or to decrease the volume.
3-102

Radio Reception
Frequency interference and static during normal radio
reception can occur if items such as cellphone chargers,
vehicle convenience accessories, and external
electronic devices are plugged into the accessory power
outlet. If there is interference or static, unplug the
item from the accessory power outlet.
AM
The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM,
especially at night. The longer range can cause
station frequencies to interfere with each other. For
better radio reception, most AM radio stations boost the
power levels during the day, and then reduce these
levels during the night. Static can also occur when things
like storms and power lines interfere with radio
reception. When this happens, try reducing the treble on
your radio.
FM Stereo
FM stereo gives the best sound, but FM signals reach
only about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km). Tall buildings or
hills can interfere with FM signals, causing the sound
to fade in and out.
XM™ Satellite Radio Service
XM™ Satellite Radio Service gives digital radio
reception from coast-to-coast in the 48 contiguous
United States, and in Canada. Just as with FM,
tall buildings or hills can interfere with satellite radio
signals, causing the sound to fade in and out. In
addition, traveling or standing under heavy foliage,
bridges, garages, or tunnels may cause loss of the XM™
signal for a period of time. The radio may display NO
SIGNAL to indicate interference.
3-103

Backglass Antenna
The AM-FM antenna is integrated with the rear window
defogger, located in the rear window. Make sure that the
inside surface of the rear window is not scratched and
that the lines on the glass are not damaged. If the inside
surface is damaged, it could interfere with radio
reception. Also, for proper radio reception, the antenna
connector at the top-center of the rear window needs to
be properly attached to the post on the glass.
Notice:Using a razor blade or sharp object to clear
the inside rear window may damage the rear
window antenna and/or the rear window defogger.
Repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Do
not clear the inside rear window with sharp
objects.
Notice:Do not apply aftermarket glass tinting with
metallic lm. The metallic lm in some tinting
materials will interfere with or distort the incoming
radio reception. Any damage caused to your
backglass antenna due to metallic tinting materials
will not be covered by your warranty.Because this antenna is built into the rear window, there
is a reduced risk of damage caused by car washes
and vandals.
If static is heard on the radio, when the rear window
defogger is turned on, it could mean that a defogger grid
line has been damaged and the grid line must be
repaired.
If adding a cellular telephone to your vehicle, and the
antenna needs to be attached to the glass, make
sure that you do not damage the grid lines for the
AM-FM antenna. There is enough space between the
lines to attach a cellular telephone antenna without
interfering with radio reception.
3-104

XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System
The XM™ Satellite Radio antenna is located on the roof
of your vehicle. Keep this antenna clear of snow and
ice build up for clear radio reception.
If your vehicle has a sunroof, the performance of the
XM™ system may be affected if the sunroof is open.
Loading items onto the roof of your vehicle can interfere
with the performance of the XM™ system. Make sure
the XM™ Satellite Radio antenna is not obstructed.
Chime Level Adjustment
The radio is used to adjust the vehicle’s chime level.
To change the volume level of the chime, press and hold
pushbutton 6 with the ignition on and the radio power
off. The volume level will change from the normal
level to loud, and LOUD will appear on the radio display.
To change back to the default or normal setting,
press and hold pushbutton 6 again. The volume level
will change from the loud level to normal, and NORMAL
will appear on the radio display. Removing the radio
and not replacing it with a factory radio or chime module
will disable vehicle chimes.
3-105

✍NOTES
3-106

Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle may have a Traction Control System (TCS)
that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in
slippery road conditions. The system operates only if it
senses that one or both of the front wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, the system works the front brakes and reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin. It may also upshift
the transmission to limit wheel spin. You may feel
or hear the system working, but this is normal.
The TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE message on the
Driver Information Center (DIC) will be displayed
when the system is limiting wheel spin.
If the vehicle is in cruise control when the TCS begins
to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. When road conditions allow safe use of
the cruise control, it can be used again. SeeCruise
Control on page 3-10.
The TCS operates in all transmission shift lever
positions. But the system can upshift the transmission
only as high as the shift lever position that was chosen,
so use the lower gears only when necessary. See
Automatic Transmission Operation on page 2-29.This light, along with the
TRACTION CONTROL
OFF message, will display
on the DIC for three
seconds when the TCS is
not on.
If there is a problem with the system, the SERVICE
TRACTION SYSTEM message will also come on in the
DIC. When this warning light is on, the system will
not limit wheel spin. Adjust driving accordingly.
To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road
conditions, you should always leave the TCS on. But
you can turn the system off if you ever need to. The TCS
should be turned off if the vehicle ever gets stuck in
sand, mud or snow and rocking the vehicle is required.
SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 4-21
andIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
on page 4-20.
To turn the TCS on or off, press the TCS button located
above the radio.
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When the TCS is turned off, the TCS warning light will
come on along with the TRACTION CONTROL OFF
message on the DIC. It will disappear when the TCS is
turned back on. If the TCS is limiting wheel spin
when the TCS button is pressed, the TCS warning light
will come on and the TCS will turn off right away.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3for more information.
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
Your vehicle may have an Enhanced Traction
System (ETS) that limits wheel spin. This is especially
useful in slippery road conditions. The system operates
only if it senses that one or both of the front wheels
are spinning or beginning to lose traction. When
this happens, the system reduces engine power and
may also upshift the transmission to limit wheel
spin. You may feel or hear the system working, but this
is normal.
The TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE message on the
Driver Information Center (DIC) will be displayed
when the system is limiting wheel spin.If the vehicle is in cruise control when ETS begins to
limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. When road conditions allow safe use of it,
the cruise control can be used again. SeeCruise Control
on page 3-10.
The ETS operates in all transmission shift lever
positions. But the system can upshift the transmission
only as high as the chosen shift lever position, so
use the lower gears only when necessary. See
Automatic Transmission Operation on page 2-29.
This warning light, along
with the TRACTION
CONTROL OFF message,
will display on the DIC
for three seconds when the
ETS is not on.
If there is a problem with the system, the SERVICE
TRACTION SYSTEM message will also come on in the
DIC. When this warning light is on, the system will
not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
4-7