Driver info BUICK LACROSSE 2008 Owner's Guide

DRIVER’S REAR DOOR AJAR
This message displays when the driver side rear door is
not closed properly. Make sure that the door is closed
completely.
This message displays while the ignition is in ON/RUN.
A chime sounds when the gear position is shifted out of
PARK (P). Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge
this message and to clear it from the screen.
This message continues to display for two seconds if it
has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It also re-displays for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still
exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
ENGINE COOLANT HOT
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine is
overheating, severe engine damage may occur. If
an overheat warning appears on the instrument
panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the vehicle as soon
as possible. Do not increase the engine speed above
normal idling speed. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-30for more information.This message displays when the engine coolant
temperature is too hot. The engine coolant temperature
warning light also appears on the instrument panel
cluster. SeeEngine Coolant Temperature Warning Light
on page 3-40andEngine Coolant Temperature Gage
on page 3-40for more information.
To avoid added strain on the engine, turn off the air
conditioner if it is on. When the coolant temperature
returns to normal, the air conditioner can be turned
back on.
This message displays only when the ignition is in
ON/RUN. A chime sounds continuously when this
message is displayed. Press any of the DIC buttons
to acknowledge this message and to clear it from
the screen.
This message continues to display for two seconds if it
has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It also re-displays for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still
exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
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HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED
This message displays when the amount of available
light outside of the vehicle is low, or the windshield
wipers have been on for about 30 seconds, and
the exterior lamps control is off or in the parking lamps
position. This message informs the driver that turning
on the exterior lamps is recommended. SeeExterior
Lamps on page 3-13for more information.
This message displays while the ignition is in ON/RUN.
Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this
message and to clear it from the screen.
This message continues to display for two seconds if it
has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It also re-displays for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still
exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
HOOD AJAR
If your vehicle has the remote start feature, this
message displays when the hood is not closed properly.
Make sure that the hood is closed completely. See
Hood Release on page 5-11.
This message displays while the ignition is in ON/RUN.
Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this
message and to clear it from the screen.This message continues to display for two seconds if it
has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It also re-displays for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still
exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
HOT TRANS (Transmission) FLUID
This message displays when the transmission uid in
your vehicle is too hot. Stop the vehicle and allow
it to idle until it cools down. If the warning message
continues to display, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
This message displays and a chime sounds only while
the ignition is in ON/RUN. Press any of the DIC
buttons to acknowledge this message and to clear it
from the screen.
This message continues to display for two seconds if it
has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It also re-displays for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still
exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
3-63

PARKING BRAKE ON
This message displays to alert the driver when the
vehicle’s parking brake is on, the ignition is in ON/RUN,
and the vehicle speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h).
Release the parking brake before driving. SeeParking
Brake on page 2-32for more information.
The brake system warning light also appears on the
instrument panel cluster when this message appears on
the DIC. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-37.
A chime sounds continuously while this message is
displayed if driving above 5 mph (8 km/h). Press any of
the DIC buttons to acknowledge this message and
to clear it from the screen.
This message continues to display for two seconds if it
has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It also re-displays for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still
exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
PARK LAMPS ON
This message displays to alert the driver when the
headlamps or parking lamps are on while the ignition is
off and the driver’s door is opened. SeeExterior
Lamps on page 3-13for more information. A chime
sounds continuously while this message is displayed.
Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this
message and to clear it from the screen.
PASSENGER’S DOOR AJAR
This message displays when the front passenger door
is not closed properly. Make sure that the door is closed
completely.
This message displays while the ignition is in ON/RUN.
A chime sounds when the gear position is shifted out of
PARK (P). Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge
this message and to clear it from the screen.
This message continues to display for two seconds if it
has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It also re-displays for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still
exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
3-67

DELAYED LOCKING
This feature allows the locking of the vehicle to be
delayed until all of the doors have been closed for about
ve seconds.
When the delayed locking feature is enabled, it may be
activated when the key is out of the ignition by doing
one of the following:
Pressing the driver’s door power lock switch one
time while the driver’s door is open.
Pressing the passenger’s door power lock switch
one time while the passenger’s door is open.
Pressing the lock button on the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter one time while any door
is open.
Two chimes will sound to signal that delayed locking is
active.
The doors may be locked immediately by repeating one
of the above actions more than one time.If a door remains open, without any other door being
opened or closed, the vehicle will lock after about
45 seconds.
If a key is in the ignition, this feature will not lock the
doors. SeeDelayed Locking on page 2-12for more
information.
Press the option button until DELAYED LOCKING
appears on the DIC display. Press the set/reset button
to scroll through the following settings:
OFF:There will be no delayed locking of the
vehicle’s doors.
ON (default):The locking of the vehicle’s doors will be
delayed by ve seconds while a door is open after a
power door lock switch is pressed, or the lock button on
the RKE transmitter is pressed while a door is open.
To select a setting and move on to the next feature,
press the option button while the desired setting
is displayed on the DIC.
3-79

REMOTE START
If your vehicle has remote start, this feature allows the
remote start to be turned off or on. The remote start
feature allows you to start the engine from outside of the
vehicle using the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter. SeeRemote Vehicle Start on page 2-8for
more information.
Press the option button until REMOTE START appears
on the DIC display. Press the set/reset button to
scroll through the following settings:
OFF:The remote start feature will be disabled.
ON (default):The remote start feature will be enabled.
To select a setting and move on to the next feature,
press the option button while the desired setting
is displayed on the DIC.
Personalization Menu Items
The following are personalization features that allow you
to program setting for up to two drivers:
PERSONALIZE KEY
This feature allows you to personalize a key to be
recognized as key 1 or 2. A personalized key allows you
to program personalization features to a preferred
setting to correspond to key 1 or 2. If you are using a
key that has already been personalized, this screen will
not display.
Press the option button until PERSONALIZE KEY
appears on the DIC display. Press the set/reset button
to scroll through the following settings:
NO (default):The key will not be personalized.
YES:The key will be personalized.
To select a setting and move on to the next feature,
press the option button while the desired setting
is displayed on the DIC.
3-81

AUTO UNLOCK ON
This feature displays only if DRIVER or ALL was
selected for the AUTO DOOR UNLOCK feature. This
feature allows the selection of when the vehicle’s doors
will unlock.
Press the option button until AUTO UNLOCK ON
appears on the DIC display. Press the set/reset button
to scroll through the following settings:
KEY-OUT:The door(s) will unlock when the key is
taken out of the ignition.
PARK (default):The door(s) will unlock when the
vehicle is shifted into PARK (P).
To select a setting and move on to the next feature,
press the option button while the desired setting
is displayed on the DIC.
FOB UNLOCK ON 1ST PRESS
This feature allows the selection of which doors will
unlock on the rst press of the unlock button on
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation
on page 2-5for more information.Press the option button until FOB UNLOCK ON 1ST
PRESS appears on the DIC display. Press the set/reset
button to scroll through the following settings:
DRIVER (default):The driver’s door will unlock on the
rst press of the unlock button on the RKE transmitter.
ALL:All of the doors will unlock on the rst press of the
unlock button on the RKE transmitter.
To select a setting, press the option button while the
desired setting is displayed on the DIC. The DIC
will then display PRESS UNLOCK SWITCH ON KEY
FOB. Press the unlock button on the RKE transmitter
and the setting will be saved for that RKE transmitter.
After programming the last option, the message
PERSONAL OPTIONS SAVED appears on the DIC
display for a few seconds, then the display returns to the
PERSONAL PROGRAM main screen.
Exiting the Personal Program Menu
The personal program menu will be exited when any of
the following occurs:
The vehicle is shifted out of PARK (P).
The vehicle is no longer in ON/RUN.
The end of the personal program menu is reached.
3-83

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.
4-6

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

To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road
conditions, you should always leave the ETS on. But
you can turn the system off if you ever need to. The ETS
should be turned off if the vehicle ever gets stuck in
sand, mud or snow and rocking the vehicle is required
To turn the ETS on or off, press the Traction Control
button located above the radio.
When the ETS is turned off, the ETS warning light will
come on along with the TRACTION CONTROL OFF
message on the DIC. It will disappear when the ETS is
turned back on. If the ETS is limiting wheel spin when the
traction control button is pressed, the ETS warning light
will come on and the ETS will turn off right away.
StabiliTrak®System
Your vehicle may be equipped with a vehicle stability
enhancement system called StabiliTrak®.Itisan
advanced computer controlled system that assists you
with directional control of the vehicle in difficult
driving conditions.
StabiliTrak
®activates when the computer senses a
discrepancy between your intended path and the
direction the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak
®selectively applies braking pressure at any
one of the vehicle’s brakes to help steer the vehicle
in the direction which you are steering.When the system activates, a STABILITY CONTROL
ACTIVE message will be displayed on the Driver
Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-58. You may also hear a noise or
feel vibration in the brake pedal. This is normal. Continue
to steer the vehicle in the direction you want it to go.
If there is a problem detected with StabiliTrak
®,a
SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM or STABILITY
CONTROL OFF message will be displayed on the
Driver Information Center (DIC). A warning light will also
appear on the instrument panel cluster. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-58. When this
message is displayed, the system is not operational.
Driving should be adjusted accordingly.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the StabiliTrak
®
activates, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. When road conditions allow you to safely
use it again, you may reengage the cruise control. See
Cruise Control on page 3-10for more information.
For vehicles with the 5.3L V8 engine, StabiliTrak
®can
be turned off by pressing and holding the traction control
button, located above the radio, for approximately ve
seconds. A STABILITY CONTROL OFF message will be
displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC)
when StabiliTrak
®is turned off. StabiliTrak®will remain
off until the traction control button is pressed once to
turn it back on, or until the engine is started.
4-8

Tire and Loading Information Label
A vehicle specic Tire and Loading Information
label is attached to the vehicle’s center pillar
(B-pillar). With the driver’s door open, you will nd
the label attached below the door lock post
(striker).The Tire and Loading Information label lists the
number of occupant seating positions (A), and the
maximum vehicle capacity weight (B) in kilograms
and pounds. The vehicle capacity weight
includes the weight of all occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options.
The Tire and Loading Information label also lists the
tire size of the original equipment tires (C) and the
recommended cold tire ination pressures (D). For
more information on tires and ination, seeTires on
page 5-63andInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-70.
There is also important loading information on the
Certication label. It tells you the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) for the front and rear axle, see
“Certication Label” later in this section.
Label Example
4-22