fuel BUICK LACROSSE 2011 User Guide

Black plate (11,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-11
Speedometer
The speedometer shows the
vehicle's speed in either kilometers
per hour (km/h) or miles per
hour (mph).
Odometer
The odometer shows how far the
vehicle has been driven, in either
kilometers or miles.
This vehicle has a tamper-resistant
odometer. If the vehicle needs a
new odometer installed, the new
one is set to the mileage of the old
odometer. If this is not possible, it is
set at zero and a label is put on the
driver door to show the old mileage
reading.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the
engine speed in revolutions
per minute (rpm).
Notice:If the engine is operated
with the tachometer in the shaded
warning area, the vehicle could
be damaged, and the damages
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Do not operate
the engine with the tachometer
in the shaded warning area.
Fuel Gauge
English

Black plate (12,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
5-12 Instruments and Controls
Metric
When the ignition is on, the fuel
gauge indicates about how much
fuel is left in the tank. An arrow on the fuel gauge
indicates the side of the vehicle
the fuel door is on.
When the indicator nears empty,
the low fuel light comes on. There is
still a little fuel left, but the fuel tank
should be filled soon.
Here are four things that some
owners ask about. None of these
show a problem with the fuel gauge:
.At the service station, the fuel
pump shuts off before the gauge
reads full.
.It takes a little more or less
fuel to fill up than the gauge
indicated. For example, the
gauge indicated the tank was
half full, but it actually took a
little more or less than half the
tank's capacity to fill the tank.
.The gauge moves a little while
turning a corner or speeding up.
.The gauge takes a few seconds
to stabilize after the ignition is
turned on, and goes back to
empty when the ignition is
turned off.

Black plate (17,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-17
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp
A computer system called OBD II
(On-Board Diagnostics-Second
Generation) monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition, and emission
control systems. It ensures that
emissions are at acceptable levels
for the life of the vehicle, helping
to produce a cleaner environment.
This light should come on when the
ignition is on, but the engine is not
running, as a check to show it is
working. If it does not, have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.If the malfunction indicator lamp
comes on and stays on while the
engine is running, this indicates
that there is an OBD II problem
and service is required.
Malfunctions often are indicated by
the system before any problem is
apparent. Being aware of the light
can prevent more serious damage
to the vehicle. This system assists
the service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:
If the vehicle is
continually driven with this
light on, after a while, the
emission controls might not
work as well, the vehicle fuel
economy might not be as good,
and the engine might not run
as smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs that might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Notice:
Modifications made
to the engine, transmission,
exhaust, intake, or fuel system
of the vehicle or the replacement
of the original tires with other
than those of the same Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC)
can affect the vehicle's
emission controls and can
cause this light to come on.
Modifications to these systems
could lead to costly repairs not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
This could also result in a failure
to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test.
See Accessories and
Modifications on page 10‑3.
This light comes on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing: A misfire condition
has been detected. A misfire
increases vehicle emissions and
could damage the emission control
system on the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.

Black plate (18,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
5-18 Instruments and Controls
To prevent more serious damage to
the vehicle:
.Reduce vehicle speed.
.Avoid hard accelerations.
.Avoid steep uphill grades.
.If towing a trailer, reduce the
amount of cargo being hauled
as soon as it is possible.
If the light continues to flash,
when it is safe to do so, stop the
vehicle. Find a safe place to park
the vehicle. Turn the vehicle off,
wait at least 10 seconds, and
restart the engine. If the light is
still flashing, follow the previous
steps and see your dealer for
service as soon as possible.
Light On Steady: An emission
control system malfunction has
been detected on the vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might
be required. The following may correct an
emissions system malfunction:
.Make sure the fuel cap is
fully installed. See
Filling
the Tank on page 9‑53.
The diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel cap has
been left off or improperly
installed. A loose or missing
fuel cap allows fuel to evaporate
into the atmosphere. A few
driving trips with the cap
properly installed should
turn the light off.
.Make sure the electrical
system is not wet. The system
could be wet if the vehicle was
driven through a deep puddle of
water. The condition is usually
corrected when the electrical
system dries out. A few driving
trips should turn the light off.
.Make sure to fuel the vehicle
with quality fuel. Poor fuel quality
causes the engine not to run as
efficiently as designed and can
cause: stalling after start-up,
stalling when the vehicle is
changed into gear, misfiring,
hesitation on acceleration,
or stumbling on acceleration.
These conditions might go away
once the engine is warmed up.
If one or more of these
conditions occurs, change the
fuel brand used. It will require at
least one full tank of the proper
fuel to turn the light off.
See Recommended Fuel on
page 9‑50.
If none of the above have made
the light turn off, your dealer can
check the vehicle. The dealer
has the proper test equipment
and diagnostic tools to fix any
mechanical or electrical problems
that might have developed.

Black plate (24,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
5-24 Instruments and Controls
Low Fuel Warning Light
This light, below the fuel gauge,
comes on briefly when the engine
is started.
If it does not come on have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally,
the indicator light then goes off.
This light also comes on when the
fuel tank is low on fuel. When fuel
is added the light should go off.
If it does not, have your vehicle
serviced.
For vehicles with the uplevel cluster,
this telltale displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) screen.
Security Light
This light flashes when the security
system is activated.
For more information, seeVehicle
Security on page 2‑14.
For vehicles with the uplevel cluster,
this telltale displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) screen.
High-Beam On Light
This light comes on when the
high-beam headlamps are in use.
See Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer on page 6‑2 for more
information.

Black plate (26,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
5-26 Instruments and Controls
DIC Operation and Displays
The DIC has different displays
which can be accessed by using
the DIC buttons located on the
turn signal lever located on the left
side of the steering wheel. The DIC
displays trip, fuel, vehicle system
information, and warning messages
if a system problem is detected.
The bottom of the DIC display
shows what position the shift lever
is in, the odometer, and the direction
the vehicle is driving.
In cold weather the DIC display
may change slowly. This is normal
and will move more quickly as the
vehicle's interior temperature rises.DIC Buttons
MENU:
Press to get to the
Trip/Fuel Menu and the Vehicle
Information Menu.
w x(Thumbwheel): Use to scroll
through the items in each menu.
A small marker will move across the
bottom of the page as you scroll
through the items. This shows
where each page is in the menu.
SET/CLR (Set/Clear): Press to set
or clear the menu item when it is
displayed.
Trip/Fuel Menu Items
Press MENU on the turn signal
lever until Trip/Fuel Information
Menu is displayed. Use
w xto
scroll through the following menu
items:
.Digital Speedometer
.Trip 1
.Trip 2
.Fuel Range
.Average Fuel Economy
.Average Vehicle Speed
.Timer
.Turn-by-Turn

Black plate (27,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-27
Digital Speedometer
The speedometer shows how fast
the vehicle is moving in either
kilometers per hour (km/h) or miles
per hour (mph). The speedometer
cannot be reset.
Trip 1 and Trip 2
This display shows the current
distance traveled, in either
kilometers (km) or miles (mi), since
the last reset for the trip odometer.
The trip odometer can be reset to
zero by pressing SET/CLR while
the trip odometer display is
showing.
Fuel Range
This display shows the approximate
distance the vehicle can be driven
without refueling. The fuel range
estimate is based on an average
of the vehicle's fuel economy
over recent driving history and the
amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank. Fuel range cannot be reset.Average Fuel Economy
This display shows the
approximate average liters per
100 kilometers (L/100 km) or miles
per gallon (mpg). This number is
calculated based on the number
of L/100 km (mpg) recorded since
the last time this menu item was
reset. The fuel economy can be
reset by pressing SET/CLR while
the Average Fuel Economy display
is showing.
Average Vehicle Speed
This display shows the average
speed of the vehicle in miles
per hour (mph) or kilometers
per hour (km/h). This average is
calculated based on the various
vehicle speeds recorded since
the last reset of this value.
The average speed can be reset
by pressing SET/CLR while the
Average Vehicle Speed display
is showing.
Timer
This display can be used as
a timer. To start the timer, press
SET/CLR while Timer is displayed.
The display will show the amount of
time that has passed since the timer
was last reset, not including time the
ignition is off. Time will continue to
be counted as long as the ignition is
on, even if another display is being
shown on the DIC. The timer will
record up to 99 hours, 59 minutes
and 59 seconds (99:59:59) after
which the display will return to zero.
To stop the timer, press SET/CLR
briefly while Timer is displayed.
To reset the timer to zero, press
and hold SET/CLR.
Turn-by-Turn
This display is used for the OnStar
or Navigation System Turn-by-Turn
guidance. See the OnStar manual
or the Navigation manual, if the
vehicle has navigation, for more
information.

Black plate (30,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
5-30 Instruments and Controls
HUD Display on the VehicleWindshield
The HUD information appears as an
image focused out toward the front
of the vehicle.
When the ignition key is turned to
ON/RUN, the HUD will display an
introductory message for a short
time, until the HUD is ready. The following indicator lights come
on the instrument panel when
activated and also appear on
the HUD:
.Turn Signal Indicators
.High-Beam Indicator Symbol
The HUD temporarily displays
some vehicle warnings, such as
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE and
FUEL LEVEL LOW when these
messages are on the DIC trip
computer.
The HUD also displays the following
messages on vehicles with these
systems, when they are active:
.TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE
.STABILITRAK ACTIVE
When the HUD is on, the
speedometer reading is continually
displayed. The current radio
station or CD track number will
display for a short period of time after the radio or CD track status
changes. This happens whenever
radio information is changed.
The speedometer size is reduced
when radio, CD information,
warnings, or turn-by-turn navigation
information are displayed on
the HUD.
The HUD control is located to the
left of the steering wheel.

Black plate (36,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
5-36 Instruments and Controls
ENGINE OIL HOT, IDLE
ENGINE
This message displays when the
engine oil temperature is too hot.
Stop and allow the vehicle to idle
until it cools down.
ENGINE OIL LOW—ADD OIL
This message displays when the
engine oil level is too low. Check
the oil level. See Engine Oil on
page 10‑9.
OIL PRESSURE LOW —STOP
ENGINE
This message displays if low oil
pressure levels occur. Stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible
and do not operate it until the cause
of the low oil pressure has been
corrected. Check the oil as soon
as possible and have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer.
Engine Power Messages
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message displays when the
vehicle's engine power is reduced.
Reduced engine power can affect
the vehicle's ability to accelerate.
If this message is on, but there
is no reduction in performance,
proceed to your destination.
The performance may be reduced
the next time the vehicle is driven.
The vehicle may be driven at a
reduced speed while this message
is on, but maximum acceleration
and speed may be reduced.
Anytime this message stays on,
the vehicle should be taken to
your dealer for service as soon
as possible.
Fuel System Messages
FUEL LEVEL LOW
This message displays when the
vehicle is low on fuel. Refuel as
soon as possible.
TIGHTEN GAS CAP
This message displays when the
fuel cap is not on tight. Tighten the
fuel cap.
Key and Lock Messages
NO REMOTE DETECTED
This message displays when the
transmitter battery is weak on
vehicles with keyless access.
See “Starting the Vehicle with
a Low Transmitter Battery” under
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2‑4
for more information.
REPLACE BATTERY IN
REMOTE KEY
This message displays when the
battery in the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter needs
to be replaced.

Black plate (2,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
9-2 Driving and Operating
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-50
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . 9-50
Gasoline Specifications(U.S. and Canada Only) . . . . 9-51
California Fuel
Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-51
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 9-52
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-52
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-53
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-55
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-56
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-60
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 9-61
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-62
Driving Information
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always
expect the unexpected.” The first
step in driving defensively is to wear
the safety belt. See Safety Belts on
page 3‑13.
{WARNING
Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and other
drivers) are going to be careless
and make mistakes. Anticipate
what they might do and be ready.
In addition:
.Allow enough following
distance between you and
the driver in front of you.
.Focus on the task of driving.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
Driver distraction can cause
collisions resulting in injury or
possible death. These simple
defensive driving techniques
could save your life.
Drunk Driving
{WARNING
Drinking and then driving is
very dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by
even a small amount of alcohol.
You can have a serious —or
even fatal —collision if you drive
after drinking. Do not drink and
drive or ride with a driver who has
been drinking. Ride home in a
cab; or if you are with a group,
designate a driver who will not
drink.