warning BUICK LACROSSE 2008 Owner's Guide

If, after several seconds, both status indicator lights
remain on, or if there are no lights at all, there may be a
problem with the lights or the passenger sensing
system. See your dealer/retailer for service.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the instrument
panel cluster ever comes on and stays on, it
means that something may be wrong with the
airbag system. If this ever happens, have the
vehicle serviced promptly, because an
adult-size person sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat may not have the protection
of the airbag(s). SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-33for more on this, including
important safety information.
Charging System Light
This light will come on
briey when you turn on
the ignition key, but
the engine is not running,
as a check to show
you it is working.
It should go out once the engine is running. If it stays
on, or comes on while driving, there could be a problem
with the charging system. A charging system Driver
Information Center (DIC) message may also appear.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-58
for more information. This light could indicate that there
are problems with a generator drive belt, or that
there is an electrical problem. Have it checked right
away. If you must drive a short distance with the light on,
be certain to turn off all the accessories, such as the
radio and air conditioner.
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Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two
parts. If one part is not working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on and the parking brake is
not applied, there is a brake problem. Have your
brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on
briey when you turn the
ignition key to ON/RUN.
If it does not come on then, have it xed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake.
The light will stay on if your parking brake does
not release fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is
fully released, it means you have a brake problem.If the light comes on while you are driving, a chime will
sound and you should pull off the road and stop
carefully. You may notice that the pedal is harder to
push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the oor. It
may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle
on page 4-27.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light is
on. Driving with the brake system warning light
on can lead to an accident. If the light is still
on after you have pulled off the road and
stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed for
service.
3-37

Antilock Brake System
Warning Light
For vehicles with
the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), this light
comes on briey when the
engine is started.
That is normal. If the light does not come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready to warn you if there
is a problem.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off, if the light
comes on when you are driving, stop as soon as it is
safely possible and turn the ignition off. Then start
the engine again to reset the system. If the ABS light
still stays on, or comes on again while you are driving,
your vehicle needs service. If the regular brake
system warning light is not on, your vehicle still has
brakes, but not antilock brakes. If the regular brake
system warning light is also on, your vehicle does not
have antilock brakes and there is a problem with
the regular brakes. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-37.For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC), see
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-58for all
brake related DIC messages.Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
Your vehicle has a Traction
Control System (TCS)
warning light.
If this warning light comes on and stays on, there may
be a problem with the TCS and, if your vehicle has
this feature, the StabiliTrak
®system.
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The TCS warning light will come on briey when the
engine is started. If it does not come on then, have
it xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is
a problem. This light will also come on when the traction
control button is pressed disabling the system.
If the TCS warning light stays on or comes on while you
are driving, pull off the road as soon as possible and
stop carefully. Try resetting the system by turning
the ignition off then back on. If the light still stays on or
comes back on again while you are driving, your
vehicle needs service. Have the traction control system
and, if your vehicle has this feature, the StabiliTrak
®
system inspected as soon as possible. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-6andStabiliTrak®
System on page 4-8for more information.
Enhanced Traction System
Warning Light
For vehicles with the
Enhanced Traction
System (ETS), this light
may come on for the
following reasons:
If the traction control button located on the center
console is pressed, turning the system off. This
light will come on and stay on. To turn the system
back on, press the button again and the warning
light should turn off. SeeEnhanced Traction
System (ETS) on page 4-7.
If the system is affected by an engine-related
problem, the system will turn off and the warning
light will come on.
If the light comes on and stays on for an extended
period of time when the system is turned on, the vehicle
needs service.
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Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
The engine coolant
temperature warning light
will come on when the
engine has overheated.
If this happens you should pull over and turn off the
engine as soon as possible. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-30for more information.
Notice:Driving with the engine coolant temperature
warning light on could cause your vehicle to
overheat. SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-30.
Your vehicle could be damaged, and it might not be
covered by your warranty. Never drive with the
engine coolant temperature warning light on.
This light will also come on briey when starting your
vehicle. If it does not, have your vehicle serviced.
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 5-30.
3-40

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.
Tire Pressure Light
Your vehicle has a tire
pressure light.
This light comes on briey when the engine is started
and provides information about tire pressures and
the Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
When the Light is Solid
This indicates that one or more of your tires are
signicantly underinated.
A tire pressure message in the Driver Information
Center (DIC), may accompany the light. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-58for more
information. Stop and check your tires as soon as it is
safe to do so. If underinated, inate to the proper
pressure. SeeTires on page 5-63for more information.
When the Light Flashes First and Then
is Solid
This indicates that there may be a problem with the Tire
Pressure Monitor System. The light ashes for about
a minute and stays on solid for the remainder of
the ignition cycle. This sequence will repeat with every
ignition cycle. SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on
page 5-71for more information.
3-41

Headlamps Suggested Light
This light will come on
when the use of
headlamps is suggested.
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
This light will come on
briey when the ignition is
on. If the light stays on,
a chime will sound
indicating your windshield
washer uid is low.
SeeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 5-44for more
information.
Door Ajar Light
When the ignition is on,
this light will stay on until
all doors are closed
and completely latched.
You will hear a chime if a door is unlatched after the
engine is started and the vehicle is not in PARK (P).
Trunk Ajar Light
This light will come on and
a chime will sound if the
trunk is ajar and the
vehicle is not in PARK (P).
Try closing the trunk again. Never drive with the
trunk open.
3-47

Service Vehicle Soon Light
For vehicles with this light,
it will come on if a
condition exists that may
require the vehicle to
be taken in for service.
If the light comes on, see your dealer/retailer for service
as soon as possible.
Fuel Gage
The fuel gage indicates
about how much fuel is left
in the fuel tank when the
ignition is on.
When the indicator nears empty, there is still a little fuel
left, but you should get more fuel soon.Here are four things that some owners ask about.
All these things are normal and do not indicate that
anything is wrong with the fuel gage:
At the gas station, the pump shuts off before the
gage reads full.
It takes more, or less, fuel to ll up than the gage
reads. For example, the gage reads half full, but
it took more, or less, than half of the tank’s capacity
to ll it.
The gage pointer may move while cornering,
braking or accelerating.
The gage may not indicate empty when the ignition
is turned off.
Low Fuel Warning Light
Your vehicle may have a low fuel light. It is a circle
located on the fuel gage and will come on and a chime
will sound periodically when the vehicle is low on fuel.
The light will go off when fuel is added to the fuel tank.
It will also come on for a few seconds when the ignition
is turned on as a check to indicate it is working. If it
does not come on then, have it xed.
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC), a
LOW FUEL message will appear. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-58for more information.
3-48

Check Gas Cap Light
If your vehicle has this
light, it will come on if your
gas cap is not securely
fastened.
SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on page 3-42for more
information.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
Your vehicle may have a Driver Information Center (DIC).
All messages will appear in the DIC display located in
the instrument panel cluster, below the speedometer.
The DIC buttons are located on the center of the
instrument panel, below the center outlets.
The DIC comes on when the ignition is on. After a short
delay, the uplevel DIC will display the WELCOME
DRIVER (1 or 2) if a personalized key 1 or 2 is used,
and then the information that was last displayed before
the engine was turned off.The base level DIC displays the odometer and trip
odometers only.
The uplevel DIC displays the odometer, trip odometers,
fuel economy, trip computer, vehicle system, and
compass display information. It also displays warning
messages if a system problem is detected. In addition,
the uplevel DIC displays phone numbers that are
called using the OnStar
®system, if equipped. See
OnStar®System on page 2-43.
The outside air temperature automatically appears in
the bottom right corner of the uplevel DIC display when
viewing the trip/odometer screens, fuel screens and
some of the gages screens. If the outside air
temperature is at or below 37°F (3°C), the temperature
reading will toggle between displaying the outside
temperature and the word ICE for two minutes. If there
is a problem with the system that controls the
temperature display, the letters OC (open circuit) or SC
(short circuit) will appear on the display. If this occurs,
have the vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer.
The uplevel DIC also allows some features to be
customized or personalized. SeeDIC Vehicle
Personalization on page 3-76for more information.
3-49

2(Gages)*:Press this button to display the battery
voltage, oil life, and tire pressure readings.
r(Set/Reset)*:Press this button to set or reset
certain functions and to turn off or acknowledge
messages on the DIC.
4(Option)*:Press this button to display the units,
language, personalization, compass zone, and compass
calibration. SeeDIC Vehicle Personalization on
page 3-76andDIC Compass (Uplevel Only) on
page 3-56for more information.
t(Traction Control):Press this button to turn
traction control on or off. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 4-6for more information.
Press and hold this button to turn StabiliTrak
®off, for
vehicles with this feature. Press this button again to turn
both traction control and StabiliTrak
®on. See
StabiliTrak®System on page 4-8for more information.
|(Hazard):Press this button to turn the hazard
warning ashers on and off. SeeHazard Warning
Flashers on page 3-6for more information.
*These buttons are only available on vehicles with the
uplevel DIC.
**This button is only available on vehicles with the base
level DIC.
Trip/Odometer Menu Items
TRIP/ODO (Trip Odometer):Press this button to scroll
through the following menu items:
Odometer
Press the trip/odometer button until the odometer
displays. This mode shows the distance the vehicle has
been driven in either miles or kilometers.
Trip A and Trip B
Press the trip/odometer button until A or B displays.
This mode shows the current distance traveled in either
miles or kilometers since the last reset for each trip
odometer. Both trip odometers can be used at the
same time.
The display will show the odometer on the top line and
the trip odometer information, either A or B, on the
bottom line.
Each trip odometer can be reset to zero separately by
briey pressing the set/reset button on vehicles with the
uplevel DIC or by briey pressing and holding the trip
odometer button on vehicles with the base level
DIC while the desired trip odometer is displayed.
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