towing BUICK LACROSSE 2010 Owner's Guide

Vehicle Care 9-21
If No Steam Is Coming From
The Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem might not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbing a long hill on a hot day.
.Stopping after high-speed
driving.
.Idling for long periods in traffic.
.Towing a trailer.
If the overheat warning displays with
no sign of steam:
1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the highest
fan speed. Open the windows as
necessary. 3. In heavy traffic, let the engine
idle in N (Neutral) while stopped.
If it is safe to do so, pull off the
road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral) and let the
engine idle.
If the temperature overheat gage is
no longer in the overheat zone or an
overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven.
Continue to drive the vehicle slow
for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
vehicle distance from the vehicle in
front. If the warning does not come
back on, continue to drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle
right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for three minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it
cools down. Also, see “Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode”
later in this section.
Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode
allows the vehicle to be driven to a
safe place in an emergency
situation. If an overheated engine
condition exists, an overheat
protection mode which alternates
firing groups of cylinders helps
prevent engine damage. In this
mode, there is significant loss in
power and engine performance. The
engine coolant temperature warning
light comes on the instrument panel,
to indicate the vehicle has entered
overheated engine protection
operating mode. The temperature
gage also indicates an overheat
condition exists. Driving
extended km (miles) and/or towing a
trailer in the overheat protection
mode should be avoided.

Vehicle Care 9-79
Towing
Towing the Vehicle
To avoid damage, the disabled
vehicle should be towed with all four
wheels off the ground. Consult your
dealer/retailer or a professional
towing service if the disabled
vehicle must be towed. See
Roadside Assistance Program (US,
Can) on page 12‑6.
To tow the vehicle behind another
vehicle for recreational
purposes—such as behind a
motorhome, see Recreational
Vehicle Towing following.
Recreational Vehicle
Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle –such as behind a
motorhome. The two most common
types of recreational vehicle towing
are known as dinghy towing and
dolly towing. Dinghy towing is
towing the vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground. Dolly towing
is towing the vehicle with two
wheels on the ground and two
wheels up on a device known as a
dolly.
Here are some important things to
consider before recreational vehicle
towing:
.What is the towing capacity of
the towing vehicle? Be sure to
read the tow vehicle
manufacturer's
recommendations.
.What is the distance that will be
travelled? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how
long they can tow.
.Is the proper towing equipment
going to be used? See your
dealer/retailer or trailering
professional for additional advice
and equipment
recommendations.
.Is the vehicle ready to be
towed? Just as preparing the
vehicle for a long trip, make sure
the vehicle is prepared to be
towed.

9-80 Vehicle Care
Dinghy Towing From the Front
When dinghy towing, the vehicle
should be run at the beginning of
each day and at each RV fuel stop
for about five minutes. This will
ensure proper lubrication of
transmission components.
Use the following procedure to
dinghy tow the vehicle from the front
with all four wheels on the ground:
1. Position the vehicle being towedbehind the tow vehicle and shift
the transmission to P (Park). 2. Turn the engine off and firmly set
the parking brake.
3. Following the manufacturer's instructions, securely attach the
vehicle being towed to the tow
vehicle.
4. Turn the ignition to ACC/ ACCESSORY and shift the
transmission to N (Neutral).
5. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle being towed is
firmly attached to the towing
vehicle.
When towing the vehicle for
extended periods of time, start the
vehicle as often as possible to
prevent battery drain. This should
be done when the tow vehicle is
parked.
Dinghy Towing From the Rear
The vehicle was not designed to be
towed from the rear with all four
wheels on the ground.

Vehicle Care 9-81
Dolly Towing From the Front
.Vehicles with front-wheel drive
can be dolly towed from the
front.
.Vehicles with all-wheel drive can
be dolly towed from the front
with a maximum speed not to
exceed the legal limit or
50 km/h (30 mph).Use the following procedure to dolly
tow the vehicle from the front:
1. Attach the dolly to the tow
vehicle following the dolly
manufacturer's instructions.
2. Drive the front wheels onto the dolly.
3. Shift the transmission to P (Park).
4. Firmly set the parking brake.
5. Use an adequate clamping device designed for towing to
ensure that the front wheels are
locked into the straight ahead
position.
6. Secure the vehicle to the dolly following the manufacturer's
instructions.
7. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle being towed is
firmly attached to the towing
vehicle.
8. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
Dolly Towing From the Rear
The vehicle cannot be dolly towed
from the rear.

Service and Maintenance 10-5
.SeeIgnition Transmission Lock
Check on page 9‑28.
.See Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Checkon
page 9‑28.
.Engine cooling system and
pressure cap pressure check.
Radiator and air conditioning
condenser outside cleaning.
See Cooling System
on
page 9‑17.
.Exhaust system and nearby heat
shields inspection for loose or
damaged components.
.Accelerator pedal check for
damage, high effort, or binding.
Replace if needed.
First Engine Oil Change After
Every 40 000 km/25,000 Miles
.Fuel system inspection for
damage or leaks. First Engine Oil Change After
Every 80 000 km/50,000 Miles
.Engine air cleaner filter
replacement. See
Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 9‑15.
.Automatic transmission fluid
change (severe service) for
vehicles mainly driven in heavy
city traffic in hot weather,
in hilly or mountainous terrain,
when frequently towing a
trailer, or used for taxi,
police, or delivery service.
See Automatic Transmission
Fluid on page 9‑15.
First Engine Oil Change After
Every 160 000 km/100,000 Miles
.Automatic transmission fluid
change (normal service).
See Automatic Transmission
Fluid on page 9‑15.
.Spark plug replacement and
spark plug wires inspection.
An Emission Control Service. First Engine Oil Change After
Every 240 000 km/150,000 Miles
.Engine cooling system drain,
flush, and refill, cooling system
and cap pressure check, and
cleaning of outside of radiator
and air conditioning condenser
(or every 5 years, whichever
occurs first). See
Cooling
System
on page 9‑17.
An Emission Control Service.
.Engine accessory drive belt
inspection for fraying, excessive
cracks, or obvious damage
and replacement, if needed.
An Emission Control Service.

Customer Information 12-7
Services Provided
.Emergency Fuel Delivery:
Delivery of enough fuel for the
vehicle to get to the nearest
service station.
.Lock-Out Service:Service is
provided to unlock the vehicle if
you are locked out. A remote
unlock may be available if you
have OnStar
®. For security
reasons, the driver must present
identification before this service
is given.
.Emergency Tow From a Public
Road or Highway: Tow to
the nearest Buick dealer for
warranty service, or if the vehicle
was in a crash and cannot be
driven. Assistance is also given
when the vehicle is stuck in
sand, mud, or snow.
.Flat Tire Change: Service is
provided to change a flat tire
with the spare tire. The spare
tire, if equipped, must be in good
condition and properly inflated.
It is the owner's responsibility for
the repair or replacement of the
tire if it is not covered by the
warranty.
.Battery Jump Start: Service is
provided to jump start a dead
battery.
Services Not Included in
Roadside Assistance
.Impound towing caused by
violation of any laws.
.Legal fines.
.Mounting, dismounting or
changing of snow tires, chains,
or other traction devices.
.Towing or services for vehicles
driven on a non-public road or
highway.
Services Specific to Canadian
Purchased Vehicles
.Fuel delivery: Reimbursement
is approximately $5 Canadian.
Diesel fuel delivery may be
restricted. Propane and other
fuels are not provided through
this service.
.Lock-Out Service: Vehicle
registration is required.
.Trip Routing Service: Detailed
maps of North America are
provided when requested either
with the most direct route or the
most scenic route. There is a
six request limit per year.
Additional travel information
is also available. Allow
three weeks for delivery.

Customer Information 12-11
any vehicle failure related to such
parts are not covered by that
warranty.
Repair Facility
We recommend that you choose a
collision repair facility that meets
your needs before you ever need
collision repairs. Your dealer/retailer
may have a collision repair center
with GM-trained technicians and
state of the art equipment, or be
able to recommend a collision repair
center that has GM-trained
technicians and comparable
equipment.
Insuring Your Vehicle
Protect your investment in your GM
vehicle with comprehensive and
collision insurance coverage. There
are significant differences in the
quality of coverage afforded by
various insurance policy terms.
Many insurance policies provide
reduced protection to your GM
vehicle by limiting compensation for
damage repairs by usingaftermarket collision parts. Some
insurance companies will not
specify aftermarket collision parts.
When purchasing insurance, we
recommend that you assure your
vehicle will be repaired with GM
original equipment collision parts.
If such insurance coverage is not
available from your current
insurance carrier, consider switching
to another insurance carrier.
If your vehicle is leased, the leasing
company may require you to have
insurance that assures repairs with
Genuine GM Original Equipment
Manufacturer (OEM) parts or
Genuine Manufacturer replacement
parts. Read your lease carefully, as
you may be charged at the end of
your lease for poor quality repairs.
If a Crash Occurs
If there has been an injury, call
emergency services for help. Do not
leave the scene of a crash until all
matters have been taken care of.
Move the vehicle only if its position
puts you in danger, or you are
instructed to move it by a police
officer.
Give only the necessary information
to police and other parties involved
in the crash.
For emergency towing see
What
Will You See After an Airbag
Inflates? on page 2‑30.
Gather the following information:
.Driver's name, address, phone
number
.Driver's license number
.Owner's name, address, phone
number
.Vehicle license plate
.Vehicle make, model and
model year
.Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN)
.Insurance company and policy
number
.General description of the
damage to the other vehicle

INDEX i-3
Climate Control SystemsAutomatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Dual Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
Cluster, IP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . 12-10
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . 9-74
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
Compass Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 4-33
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Coolant Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-18
Engine Temperature Gage . . . . 4-15
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-17 Engine Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-34
Courtesy Transportation Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-8
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-37 Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-25
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-34
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1 Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . 12-4
Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-3
Text Telephone (TTY)
Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-4
Customer Information Service PublicationsOrdering Information . . . . . . 12-12
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . 12-10
Danger, Warnings, andCautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . 12-15
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
Devices, Auxiliary . . . . . . . 6-28, 6-31
Displays
Head-Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-28
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5 Door
Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-34
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Drive Systems All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-30
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-25
Driving Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-54
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . 8-9
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 8-11
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-7
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 8-12
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9

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