service indicator BUICK LACROSSE 2010 User Guide

8-18 Driving and Operating
Ignition Positions (Key
Access)
The ignition switch has four different
positions.
Notice:Using a tool to force the
key to turn in the ignition could
cause damage to the switch or
break the key. Use the correct
key, make sure it is all the way in,
and turn it only with your hand.
If the key cannot be turned by
hand, see your dealer/retailer. To shift out of P (Park), turn the
ignition to ON/RUN and apply the
brake pedal.
A (LOCK/OFF):
This is the only
position from which the key can be
removed. This locks the ignition and
automatic transmission.
The shift lever must be in P (Park)
to turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK/OFF position.
The ignition switch can bind in the
LOCK/OFF position with the wheels
turned off center. If this happens,
move the steering wheel from right
to left while turning the key to ACC/
ACCESSORY. If this does not work,
then the vehicle needs service.
B (ACC/ACCESSORY) : This
position provides power to some of
the electrical accessories. It unlocks
the ignition. The transmission is
also unlocked in this position on
automatic transmission vehicles.
To move the key from ACC/
ACCESSORY to LOCK/OFF, the
shift lever must be in P (Park). C (ON/RUN):
The ignition switch
stays in this position when the
engine is running. This position can
be used to operate the electrical
accessories, including the
ventilation fan and 12 volt power
outlet, as well as to display some
warning and indicator lights.
The battery could be drained if the
key is left in the ACC/ACCESSORY
or ON/RUN position with the engine
off. The vehicle might not restart if
the battery is allowed to drain for an
extended period of time.
D (START) : This position starts
the engine. When the engine starts,
release the key. The ignition switch
will return to ON/RUN for normal
driving.
A warning tone sounds when the
driver door is opened when the
ignition is still in ACC/ACCESSORY
and the key is in the ignition.

8-52 Driving and Operating
Gasolines containing oxygenates,
such as ethers and ethanol, and
reformulated gasolines might be
available in your area. We
recommend that you use these
gasolines, if they comply with the
specifications described earlier.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and
other fuels containing more than
10% ethanol must not be used in
vehicles that were not designed for
those fuels.
Notice:This vehicle was not
designed for fuel that contains
methanol. Do not use fuel
containing methanol. It can
corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic
and rubber parts. That damage
would not be covered under the
vehicle warranty.
Some gasolines that are
not reformulated for low
emissions can contain an
octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT); ask the attendant
where you buy gasoline whether the
fuel contains MMT. We recommend
against the use of such gasolines.
Fuels containing MMT can reduce
the life of spark plugs and the
performance of the emission control
system could be affected. The
malfunction indicator lamp might
turn on. If this occurs, return to your
dealer/retailer for service.
Filling the Tank
{WARNING
Fuel vapor burns violently and a
fuel fire can cause bad injuries.
To help avoid injuries to you and
others, read and follow all the
instructions on the fuel pump
island. Turn off the engine when
refueling. Do not smoke near fuel
or when refueling the vehicle.
Do not use cellular phones. Keep
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
sparks, flames, and smoking
materials away from fuel. Do not
leave the fuel pump unattended
when refueling the vehicle. This is
against the law in some places.
Do not re-enter the vehicle while
pumping fuel. Keep children away
from the fuel pump; never let
children pump fuel.
The tethered fuel cap is behind the
fuel door on the vehicle's passenger
side. Turn the fuel cap
counterclockwise to remove. While
refueling, hang the tethered fuel cap
from the disk on the end of the fuel
cap to the mating feature on the fuel
door hinge. Reinstall the cap by
turning it clockwise until it clicks.

9-20 Vehicle Care
3. Fill the coolant surge tank withthe proper mixture to the mark
pointed to on the front of the
coolant surge tank.
4. With the coolant surge tank cap off, start the engine and let it run
until the upper radiator hose
starts getting hot. Watch out for
the engine cooling fan(s). By this
time, the coolant level inside the
coolant surge tank may be
lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper mixture to the
coolant surge tank until the level reaches the mark pointed to on
the front of the coolant
surge tank.
5. Replace the cap. Be sure the cap is hand–tight and full
seated.
Notice: If the pressure cap is not
tightly installed, coolant loss and
possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
If coolant is needed, add the proper
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture at the
coolant recovery tank.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has several indicators
to warn of engine overheating.
There is a coolant temperature gage
and a warning light on the
instrument panel cluster that
indicate an overheated engine
condition. See Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage
on page 4‑15for more information. You may decide not to lift the hood
when this warning appears, but
instead get service help right away.
See
Roadside Assistance Program
(US, Can) on page 12‑6.
If you do decide to lift the hood ,
make sure the vehicle is parked on
a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine
cooling fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, the fan(s)
should be running. If they are not,
do not continue to run the engine
and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Engine damage from
running the engine without
coolant is not covered by the
warranty.
If Steam Is Coming From The
Engine Compartment
See Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Modeon page 9‑21for
information on driving to a safe
place in an emergency.

9-24 Vehicle Care
Brakes
This vehicle has disc brakes. Disc
brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or be
heard all the time the vehicle is
moving, except when applying the
brake pedal firmly.
{WARNING
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
an accident. When the brake
wear warning sound is heard,
have the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Continuing to drive with
worn-out brake pads could result
in costly brake repair. Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and
evenly tighten wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to torque
specifications in
Capacities and
Specifications on page 11‑2.
Brake linings should always be
replaced as complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer/retailer if the brake
pedal does not return to normal
height, or if there is a rapid increase
in pedal travel. This could be a sign
that brake service might be
required.
Brake Adjustment
Every time the brakes are applied,
with or without the vehicle moving,
the brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is
complex. Its many parts have to be
of top quality and work well together
if the vehicle is to have really good
braking. The vehicle was designed
and tested with top-quality brake
parts. When parts of the braking
system are replaced, be sure to get
new, approved replacement parts.
If this is not done, the brakes might
not work properly. For example,
installing disc brake pads that are
wrong for the vehicle, can change
the balance between the front and
rear brakes —for the worse. The
braking performance expected can
change in many other ways if the
wrong replacement brake parts are
installed.

i-4 INDEX
Dual Automatic ClimateControl System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4
DVD Rear Seat EntertainmentSystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-34
DVD/CD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-22
E
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . 4-20
Electrical Equipment, Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-60
Electrical System Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-39
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-41
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-43
Electronic Stability Control . . . . . 8-35
Electronic Stability Control Indicator Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-22 Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-15
Check and Service Engine
Soon Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . 9-6
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-18
Coolant Temperature Gage . . . 4-15
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-17
Cooling System Messages . . . 4-34
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-26
Overheated Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-35
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-23
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 8-26
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-20
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-13
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-35
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-59
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . 12-15
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6 Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . 2-23
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 5-2
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 9-15
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 5-4
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-67
Flat Tire, Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-69
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 9-15
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Fog Lamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . 5-5, 9-35
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-24
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Heated and Ventilated . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Front Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

INDEX i-5
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-49Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-51
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-53
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-52
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . 8-51
Gage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . . 8-50
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 4-24
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-50
Requirements, California . . . . . 8-51
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-36
Fuses Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-39
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-41
Rear Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-43G
GagesEngine CoolantTemperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Warning Lights and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . 4-45
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-45
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-50
General Information Service and Maintenance . . . . . 10-1
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-54
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-5
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . 5-4
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Head-Up Display (HUD) . . . . . . . 4-28
HeadlampsAdaptive Forward
Lighting (AFL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 4-24
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . . 5-2
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7

i-10 INDEX
Seats (cont.)Heated Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Lumbar Adjustment, Front . . . . . 2-5
Power Adjustment, Front . . . . . . 2-4
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Securing Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-55, 2-57
Security
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-24
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Selective Ride Control . . . . . . . . . 8-36
Service Accessories and
Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Doing Your Own Work . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Engine Soon Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17
Maintenance Records . . . . . . 10-10
Maintenance, General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
Parts Identification Label . . . . . 11-1
Publications Ordering Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-12
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . 12-8 Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . 2-37
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-23
Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-25
Side Blind Zone Alert . . . . . . . . . . 8-43
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Spare Tire Compact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-74
Specifications and
Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-2
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Start Vehicle, Remote . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-20
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5 Fluid, Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Heated Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
Stoplamps and Back-Up Lamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Storage Mass Media (MEM) . . . . . . . . . . . 6-25 Storage Areas
Center Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-11
Sun Visor Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .v
System Check Automatic TransmissionShiftlock Control . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
T
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Taillamp Indicator Light . . . . . . . . 4-25
TaillampsBulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . 12-4
Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13, 1-14
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9

i-12 INDEX
Vehicle IdentificationNumber (VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Service Parts Identification
Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Ventilation, Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
W
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv Cautions and Danger . . . . . . . . . . . .iv
Hazard Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Wheels Alignment and TireBalance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-65
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-63
Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-66 When It Is Time for New
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-60
Where to Put the Child Restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-46
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17 Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-38
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-46
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . 9-29