fuel BUICK LACROSSE 2008 Workshop Manual

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P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy
Your GM vehicle has a number of sophisticated
computers that record information about the vehicle’s
performance and how it is driven. For example, your
vehicle uses computer modules to monitor and control
engine and transmission performance, to monitor the
conditions for airbag deployment and deploy airbags in a
crash and, if so equipped, to provide antilock braking to
help the driver control the vehicle. These modules may
store data to help your dealer/retailer technician service
your vehicle. Some modules may also store data about
how you operate the vehicle, such as rate of fuel
consumption or average speed. These modules may also
retain the owner’s personal preferences, such as radio
pre-sets, seat positions, and temperature settings.
7-17

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-3
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-67
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-7
Add-On Electrical Equipment...........................5-108
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-23
Air Conditioning......................................3-20, 3-24
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-34
Readiness Light..........................................3-33
Airbag System................................................1-54
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-60
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-59
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-57
Airbag Systems
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-67
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-60
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-62
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-66
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-60
Antenna, Backglass.......................................3-104
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System.....................................................3-105
Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 4-4
Antilock Brake, System Warning Light................3-38Appearance Care
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.............5-104
Care of Safety Belts...................................5-102
Chemical Paint Spotting..............................5-106
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses..................5-103
Fabric/Carpet............................................5-100
Finish Care...............................................5-103
Finish Damage..........................................5-105
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces...............................................5-101
Interior Cleaning..........................................5-99
Leather....................................................5-101
Sheet Metal Damage..................................5-105
Tires........................................................5-105
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-106
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials...............5-106
Washing Your Vehicle.................................5-102
Weatherstrips............................................5-102
Windshield and Wiper Blades......................5-104
Appointments, Scheduling Service.....................7-10
Ashtray.........................................................3-20
Audio System.................................................3-84
Audio Steering Wheel Controls....................3-102
Backglass Antenna.....................................3-104
Chime Level Adjustment.............................3-105
Radio Reception........................................3-103
Setting the Clock.........................................3-85
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-101
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-105
1

Audio System(s).............................................3-86
Automatic Door Lock.......................................2-12
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-25
Operation...................................................2-29
B
Backglass Antenna........................................3-104
Battery..........................................................5-49
Electric Power Management..........................3-18
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver......................3-15
Run-Down Protection...................................3-19
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-5
Brakes..........................................................5-46
System Warning Light..................................3-37
Braking........................................................... 4-3
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-5
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-24
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-58
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-58
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-56
License Plate Lamps....................................5-61
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-61
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps,
and Back-Up Lamps.................................5-59
Buying New Tires...........................................5-78
C
Calibration.....................................................3-56
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements....... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-3
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-116
Carbon Monoxide...................2-14, 2-37, 4-17, 4-28
Care of
Safety Belts..............................................5-102
CD, MP3 .......................................................3-97
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-53
Center Seat..................................................... 1-7
Chains, Tire...................................................5-84
Charging System Light....................................3-36
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-42
Check Gas Cap Light......................................3-49
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-106
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-37
Infants and Young Children...........................1-33
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-41
Older Children.............................................1-29
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-47
2

D
Daytime Running Lamps/Automatic
Headlamp System.......................................3-14
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Delayed Entry Lighting.....................................3-17
Delayed Exit Lighting.......................................3-17
Delayed Locking.............................................2-12
DIC Compass.................................................3-56
Diesel
Running Out of Fuel....................................2-37
Disc, MP3......................................................3-97
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Door
Ajar Light...................................................3-47
Automatic Door Lock....................................2-12
Delayed Locking..........................................2-12
Locks........................................................2-11
Power Door Locks.......................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock............2-12
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-12
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-49
DIC Operation and Displays..........................3-50
DIC Vehicle Personalization..........................3-76
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-58Driving
At Night.....................................................4-13
Before a Long Trip......................................4-15
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Highway Hypnosis.......................................4-15
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-16
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-14
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-21
Winter........................................................4-17
Dual Automatic Climate Control System.............3-24
E
EDR .............................................................7-17
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment.....................................5-108
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-109
Headlamp Wiring.......................................5-109
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................5-110
Power Windows and Other Power Options....5-109
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-112
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-109
4

Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-23
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-45
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-42
Coolant......................................................5-27
Coolant Heater............................................2-27
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-40
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-40
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-14
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-37
Oil .............................................................5-18
Oil Life System...........................................5-21
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-32
Overheating................................................5-30
Reduced Power Light...................................3-46
Starting......................................................2-26
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)........................ 4-7
Warning Light.............................................3-39
Entry Lighting.................................................3-16
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-18
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-29
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-13
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver..........................3-15F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-23
Finish Damage.............................................5-105
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-86
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-87
Flat Tire, Storing.....................................5-95, 5-97
Fluid.............................................................5-25
Power Steering...........................................5-43
Windshield Washer......................................5-44
Fog Lamp
Fog ...........................................................3-15
Folding Rear Seat............................................ 1-8
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-7
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Check Gas Cap Light...................................3-49
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling the Tank............................................. 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-48
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-6
Low Warning Light.......................................3-48
Running Out of...........................................2-37
5

Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-109
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................5-110
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-112
Windshield Wiper.......................................5-109
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-40
Fuel..........................................................3-48
Speedometer..............................................3-32
Tachometer.................................................3-32
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-47
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-6
Glove Box.....................................................2-52
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-7
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-6
Headlamp
Aiming.......................................................5-56
Headlamp Wiring...........................................5-109Headlamps
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-58
Daytime Running Lamps/Automatic
Headlamp System....................................3-14
Exterior Lamps............................................3-13
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-58
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
Suggested Light..........................................3-47
Heated Seats................................................... 1-3
Heater...........................................................3-20
Heater...........................................................3-24
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-46
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-15
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-16
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn............................................................... 3-6
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-14I
Ignition Positions.............................................2-24
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-33
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-70
Instrument Panel
Overview..................................................... 3-4
6

Instrument Panel (I/P)
Brightness..................................................3-16
Cluster.......................................................3-31
Interior Lamps................................................3-16
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-50
K
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-4
Keys............................................................... 2-3
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall.....................................5-64
Lamps
Courtesy....................................................3-16
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver......................3-15
Overhead Console Reading..........................3-18
Rear Assist Handle Reading..........................3-18
Lap Belt........................................................1-28
Lap-Shoulder Belt...........................................1-22
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-41
License Plate Lamps.......................................5-61Light
Airbag Readiness........................................3-33
Antilock Brake System Warning.....................3-38
Brake System Warning.................................3-37
Change Engine Oil......................................3-45
Charging System.........................................3-36
Check Gas Cap..........................................3-49
Cruise Control.............................................3-46
Door Ajar...................................................3-47
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning.............3-40
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
Warning Light..........................................3-39
Headlamps Suggested.................................3-47
Highbeam On.............................................3-46
Low Coolant Warning...................................3-41
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-48
Low Washer Fluid Warning...........................3-47
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-42
Oil Pressure...............................................3-45
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator..................3-34
Reduced Engine Power................................3-46
Safety Belt Reminders..................................3-32
Security.....................................................3-45
Service Vehicle Soon...................................3-48
TCS Warning Light......................................3-38
Tire Pressure..............................................3-41
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning..........3-38
Trunk Ajar..................................................3-47
7

Lighting
Delayed Entry.............................................3-17
Delayed Exit...............................................3-17
Entry.........................................................3-16
Perimeter...................................................3-17
Theater Dimming.........................................3-17
Lights
Exterior Lamps............................................3-13
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
Interior Lamps.............................................3-16
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-21
Lockout Protection..........................................2-13
Locks
Automatic Door Lock....................................2-12
Delayed Locking..........................................2-12
Door..........................................................2-11
Lockout Protection.......................................2-13
Power Door................................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock............2-12
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-12
Loss of Control...............................................4-12
Low Coolant Warning Light..............................3-41
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-48
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light.......................3-47
Lumbar
Power Controls............................................. 1-3M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-8
At Least Once a Month.................................. 6-9
At Least Once a Year.................................... 6-9
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-7
Maintenance Record....................................6-16
Maintenance Replacement Parts....................6-13
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-8
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-12
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using.......................................................... 6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-42
Manual, Using.................................................... iii
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-58
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview........................2-39
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
®.....2-39
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-38
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®.............2-38
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-40
Outside Power Heated Mirrors.......................2-40
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-40
8

Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-8
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out....................4-21
Routing, Engine Drive Belt...............................6-14
Running Out of Fuel........................................2-37
S
Safety Belt
Reminder Light............................................3-32
Safety Belts
Care of....................................................5-102
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-14
Lap Belt.....................................................1-28
Lap-Shoulder Belt........................................1-22
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-29
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-27
Safety Belts Are for Everyone......................... 1-9
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-4
Seats
Center Seat.................................................. 1-7
Head Restraints............................................ 1-6
Heated Seats............................................... 1-3
Power Lumbar.............................................. 1-3
Power Seats................................................. 1-2
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-4
Split Folding Rear Seat.................................. 1-8Securing a Child Restraint
Center Front Seat Position............................1-50
Rear Seat Position......................................1-47
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-50
Security Light.................................................3-45
Service........................................................... 5-3
Accessories and Modications......................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle..................................................... 5-5
California Pershlorate Materials
Requirements............................................ 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning.................... 5-3
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-4
Engine Soon Light.......................................3-42
Publications Ordering Information...................7-16
Vehicle Soon Light.......................................3-48
Service, Scheduling Appointments.....................7-10
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..............1-66
Sheet Metal Damage.....................................5-105
Shifting Into Park (P).......................................2-33
Shifting Out of Park (P)...................................2-35
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change.......................... 3-8
Spare Tire
Compact....................................................5-98
Installing....................................................5-89
Removing...................................................5-88
Storing...............................................5-95, 5-97
Specications, Capacities...............................5-116
Speedometer..................................................3-32
Split Folding Rear Seat..................................... 1-8
11