headlamp BUICK LACROSSE 2008 Owner's Guide

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-3
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....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.......................................................5-7
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...................................................5-18
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-21
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-23
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-25
Engine Coolant.............................................5-27
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-29
Pressure Cap...............................................5-30Engine Overheating.......................................5-30
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-32
Cooling System............................................5-33
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-43
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-44
Brakes........................................................5-46
Battery........................................................5-49
Jump Starting...............................................5-50
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-56
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-58
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-58
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps
and Back-up Lamps...................................5-59
License Plate Lamp......................................5-61
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-61
Windshield Replacement.................................5-62
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-62
Tires..............................................................5-63
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-64
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-67
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-70
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-71
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................5-73
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-75
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-77
Buying New Tires.........................................5-78
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................5-80
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-80
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-82
Wheel Replacement......................................5-82
Tire Chains..................................................5-84
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-86
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-87
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools................5-88
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire................................................5-89
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools
(Base Model)............................................5-95
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools
(Super Only).............................................5-97
Compact Spare Tire......................................5-98
Appearance Care............................................5-99
Interior Cleaning...........................................5-99
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-100
Leather......................................................5-101
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-101
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-102
Weatherstrips.............................................5-102Washing Your Vehicle..................................5-102
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-103
Finish Care................................................5-103
Windshield and Wiper Blades.......................5-104
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels
and Trim................................................5-104
Tires.........................................................5-105
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-105
Finish Damage...........................................5-105
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-106
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-106
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-106
Vehicle Identication.....................................5-107
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)................5-107
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-108
Electrical System..........................................5-108
Add-On Electrical Equipment.........................5-108
Headlamp Wiring........................................5-109
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-109
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-109
Fuses and Circuit Breakers..........................5-109
Instrument Panel Fuse Block........................5-110
Underhood Fuse Block................................5-112
Capacities and Specications........................5-116
Capacities and Specications........................5-116
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

Headlamp Aiming
The vehicle has a visual optical headlamp aiming
system. The aim has been preset at the factory and
should need no further adjustment
However, if the vehicle is damaged in a crash, the
headlamp aim may be affected and adjustment may be
necessary.
If oncoming vehicles ash their high beams at you, this
may also mean the vertical aim needs to be adjusted.
It is recommended that the vehicle is taken to your
dealer/retailer for service if the headlamps need to be
re-aimed. It is possible however, to re-aim the
headlamps as described.
The vehicle should:
Be placed so the headlamps are 25 ft. (7.6 m) from
a light colored wall.
Have all four tires on a perfectly level surface which
is level all the way to the wall.
Be placed so it is perpendicular to the wall.
Not have any snow, ice or mud on it.
Be fully assembled and all other work stopped while
headlamp aiming is being done.
Be normally loaded with a full tank of fuel and one
person or 160 lbs (75 kg) on the driver seat.
Have all tires properly inated.Headlamp aiming is done with the vehicle’s low-beam
headlamps. The high-beam headlamps will be correctly
aimed if the low-beam headlamps are aimed properly.
Locate the vertical headlamp aiming screws under
the hood near the headlamps.
The adjustment screw can be turned with a 6 mm
male hex.
5-56

To adjust the vertical aim on the headlamps:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on page 5-11
for more information.
2. Locate the aim dot on the lens of the low-beam
headlamp.
3. Measure the distance from the ground to the aim
dot on the low-beam headlamp. Record the
distance.4. At the wall measure from the ground upward (A) to
the recorded distance from Step 3 and mark it.
Notice:Do not cover a headlamp to improve beam
cut-off when aiming. Covering a headlamp may
cause excessive heat build-up which may cause
damage to the headlamp.
5. Draw or tape a horizontal line (B) on the wall the
width of the vehicle at the height of the mark
in Step 4.
6. Turn on the low-beam headlamps and place a
piece of cardboard or equivalent in front of the
headlamp not being adjusted. Do not place directly
on the headlamp. This allows only the beam of light
from the headlamp being adjusted to be seen on the
at surface.
5-57

7. Locate the vertical headlamp aiming screws, which
are under the hood near each headlamp assembly.
The adjustment screw can be turned with a 6 mm
male hex.
8. Turn the vertical aiming screw until the headlamp
beam is aimed to the horizontal tape line. Turn it
clockwise or counterclockwise to raise or lower the
angle of the beam.
9. Make sure that the light from the headlamp is
positioned at the bottom edge of the horizontal tape
line. The lamp on the left (A) shows the correct
headlamp aim. The lamp on the right (B) shows the
incorrect headlamp aim.
10. Repeat Steps 7 through 9 for the opposite
headlamp.Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement bulbs, see
Replacement Bulbs on page 5-61.
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact your dealer/retailer.
Halogen Bulbs
{CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside
and can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb.
You or others could be injured. Be sure to read
and follow the instructions on the bulb
package.
5-58

{CAUTION:
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel
bolts, or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be
dangerous. It could affect the braking and
handling of your vehicle, make your tires lose
air and make you lose control. You could have
a collision in which you or others could be
injured. Always use the correct wheel, wheel
bolts, and wheel nuts for replacement.Notice:The wrong wheel can also cause problems
with bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper height,
vehicle ground clearance, and tire or tire chain
clearance to the body and chassis.
SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-87for more
information.
5-83

Headlamp Wiring
The headlamp wiring is protected by a circuit breaker.
An electrical overload will cause the lamps to go on and
off, or in some cases to remain off. If this happens, have
your headlamp wiring checked right away.
Windshield Wiper Fuses
The windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuit
breaker and a fuse. If the motor overheats due to heavy
snow, etc., the wiper will stop until the motor cools. If the
overload is caused by some electrical problem, have
it xed.
Power Windows and Other Power
Options
Circuit breakers in the fuse block protect the power
windows and other power accessories. When the current
load is too heavy, the circuit breaker opens and
closes, protecting the circuit until the problem is xed or
goes away.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in the vehicle are protected from
short circuits by a combination of fuses, circuit breakers
and in the fuse block wiring itself. This greatly reduces
the chance of res caused by electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse. If the
band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Make sure a
bad fuse is replaced with a new one of the identical
size and rating.
5-109

Mini-Fuses Usage
22 Fuel Pump
23 Antilock Brake System
24 Ignition
J-Style Fuses Usage
25 Air Pump
26 Battery Main 1
27 Battery Main 2
28 Battery Main 3
29 Fan 1
30 Battery Main 4
31 Antilock Brake System Motor
32 Fan 2
33 Starter
Micro-Relays Usage
34 Headlamp High-Beam
35 Headlamp Driver Module
36 Fog Lamp
37 Ignition 1
Micro-Relays Usage
38 Air Conditioning Compressor
39 Horn
40 Powertrain
41 Fuel Pump
Mini-Relays Usage
42 Fan 1
43 Fan 3
44 Windshield Wiper High
45 Windshield Wiper
46 Fan 2
48 Crank
Fuse Puller Usage
55 Fuse Puller
Diodes Usage
§Air Conditioner Compressor Clutch
Diode
5-113

Fuses Usage
HVAC Climate Control System
FUEL/PUMP Fuel Pump
AIRBAG/
DISPLAYAirbag, Display
COMPASS Compass
ABS Antilock Brake System
Fuses Usage
ETC/ECMElectronic Throttle Control, Engine
Control Module
A/C CMPRSR Air Conditioning Compressor
INJ 1 Injectors 1
ECM/TCMEngine Control Module,
Transmission Control Module
TRANS Transmission
EMISSIONS1 Emissions 1
ABS SOL Antilock Brake Solenoid
ECM IGN Engine Control Module, Ignition
INJ 2 Injectors 2
EMISSIONS2 Emissions 2
WPR Windshield Wipers
AUX PWR Auxiliary Power
WSW/RVCWindshield Washer, Regulated
Voltage Control
LT LO BEAM Driver Side Low-Beam Headlamp
RT LO BEAMPassenger Side Low-Beam
Headlamp
FOG LAMPS Fog Lamps
LT HI BEAM Driver Side High-Beam Headlamp 5.3L V8 Engine
5-114

Fuses Usage
HORN Horn
RT HI BEAMPassenger Side High-Beam
Headlamp
BATT 4 Battery 4
BATT 1 Battery 1
STRTR Starter
ABS MTR Antilock Brake System Motor
BATT 3 Battery 3
BATT 2 Battery 2
FAN 2 Cooling Fan 2
FAN 1 Cooling Fan 1Relays Usage
FUEL/PUMP Fuel Pump
A/C CMPRSR Air Conditioning Compressor
PWR/TRN Powertrain
STRTR Starter
FAN 3 Cooling Fan 3
FAN 2 Cooling Fan 2
FAN 1 Cooling Fan 1
HDM Headlamp Driver Module
5-115