BUICK LACROSSE 2011 Owner's Guide

Black plate (15,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-15
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
A. Power
B. Driver Temperature Control
C. Defrost
D. Fan Control
E. Air Delivery Mode Control
F. Recirculation/AutomaticRecirculation
G. Passenger Temperature Control
H. AUTO I. Rear Window Defogger
J. Heated Steering Wheel
K. Air Conditioning
L. ZONE
See
Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8‑1 (If Equipped)
or Dual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8‑4 (If Equipped).
Transmission
Automatic Transmission
Driver Shift Control (DSC)
Driver Shift Control (DSC) allows
shifting an automatic transmission
similar to a manual transmission.
DSC can be enabled through the
shift lever. SeeManual Mode on
page 9‑30.

Black plate (16,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
1-16 In Brief
Vehicle Features
Radio(s)
VOL/O:Press to turn the system
on and off. Turn to increase or
decrease the volume.
RADIO/BAND: Press to choose
between FM, AM, or XM™,
if equipped.
TUNE: Turn to select radio
stations.
g: Press to seek the previous
station or track.
l: Press to seek the next station
or track.
Buttons 1‐6: Press to save and
select favorite stations
INFO: Press to show available
information about the current station
or track.
For more information about
these and other radio features,
see Operation on page 7‑7.
Storing a Favorite Station
Stations from all bands can be
stored in the favorite lists in any
order. Up to six stations can be
stored in each favorite page and
the number of available favorite
pages can be set.
To store the station to a position
in the list, press the corresponding
numeric button 1-6 until the station
can be heard again.
For more information, see “Storing
and Retrieving Favorites” inAM-FM
Radio on page 7‑12.
Setting the Clock
Adjusting the Time
1. Press the CONFIG button and select Time Settings,
or press
H.
2. Select Set Time. 3. Turn the Menu knob to adjust
the highlighted number.
4. Press the SELECT button to select the next number.
5. To save the time and return to the Time Settings menu, press
the BACK button at any time or
press the SELECT button after
adjusting the minutes.
Setting the 12/24 Hour Format
1. Press the CONFIG button and select Time Settings,
or press
H.
2. Highlight 12/24 Hour Format.
3. Press the SELECT button to select the 12 hour or 24 hour
display format.
For detailed instructions on setting
the clock, see Clock (Without Date
Display) on page 5‑5 orClock (With
Date Display) on page 5‑6.

Black plate (17,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-17
Satellite Radio
Vehicles with an XM™Satellite
Radio tuner and a valid XM Satellite
Radio subscription can receive XM
programming.
XM Satellite Radio Service
XM is a satellite radio service
based in the 48 contiguous
United States and 10 Canadian
provinces. XM Satellite Radio has
a wide variety of programming and
commercial-free music, coast to
coast, and in digital-quality sound.
A fee is required to receive the XM
service.
For more information refer to:
.www.xmradio.com or call
1-800-929-2100 (U.S.).
.www.xmradio.ca or call
1-877-438-9677 (Canada).
For more information, see Satellite
Radio on page 7‑15.
Portable Audio Devices
This vehicle has a 3.5 mm (1/8 in)
auxiliary input and a USB port
located in the center console.
External devices such as iPods
®,
laptop computers, MP3 players,
CD changers, and USB storage
devices may be connected,
depending on the audio system.
For more information, see Auxiliary
Devices (Radio with CD) on
page 7‑31 orAuxiliary Devices
(Radio with CD/DVD and MEM) on
page 7‑34.
Bluetooth®
The Bluetooth®system allows
users with a Bluetooth-enabled
cell phone to make and receive
hands-free calls using the vehicle
audio system, microphone, and
controls.
The Bluetooth-enabled cell phone
must be paired with the in-vehicle
Bluetooth system before it can be
used in the vehicle. Not all phones
will support all functions.
See Bluetooth (Overview) on
page 7‑46 orBluetooth
(Infotainment Controls) on
page 7‑48 orBluetooth (Voice
Recognition) on page 7‑53.

Black plate (18,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
1-18 In Brief
Steering Wheel Controls
For vehicles with audio steering
wheel controls, some audio controls
can be adjusted at the steering
wheel.
bg: Press to interact with
the available Bluetooth, OnStar,
or navigation system.
$ i: Press to silence the
vehicle speakers only. Press again
to turn the sound on. For vehicles
with OnStar or Bluetooth systems,
press to reject an incoming call,
or to end a current call.
_SRC^: Turn_or^to select a
radio band or audio source.
Turn
_or^to select the next or
previous favorite radio station, CD,
DVD track/chapter (with navigation),
or MP3 track.
Press SRC to change between
radio and CD or DVD.
+
x−: Press + to increase or −to
decrease the volume.
For more information, see Steering
Wheel Controls on page 5‑2.
Cruise Control
The cruise control buttons are
located on the steering wheel.
5: Press to turn the cruise control
system on and off. An indicator light
will turn on or off in the instrument
panel cluster.

Black plate (19,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-19
\:Press to disengage cruise
control without erasing the set
speed from memory.
RES/+ : Move the thumbwheel
up to make the vehicle resume
to a previously set speed or to
accelerate.
SET/− :Move the thumbwheel
down to set the speed and activate
cruise control or make the vehicle
decelerate.
See Cruise Control on page 9‑39.
Navigation System
If the vehicle has a navigation
system, there is a separate
Navigation System Manual that
includes information on the radio,
audio players, and navigation
system. The navigation system provides
detailed maps of most major
freeways and roads. After a
destination has been set, the
system provides turn-by-turn
instructions for reaching the
destination. In addition, the system
can help locate a variety of points
of interest (POIs), such as banks,
airports, restaurants, and more.
See the Navigation System Manual
for more information.
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
The DIC display is located in the
center of the instrument panel
cluster. It shows the status of many
vehicle systems. The controls for
the DIC are located on the turn
signal lever.
A.
SET/CLR: Press to set or
clear the menu item when
it is displayed.
B.
w x: Use the thumbwheel
to scroll through the items in
each menu.
C. MENU: Press to get to the
Trip/Fuel Menu and the Vehicle
Information Menu. This button
is also used to return to or exit
the last screen displayed on
the DIC.
For more information, see Driver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑25.

Black plate (20,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
1-20 In Brief
Vehicle Personalization
Some vehicle features can be
programmed by using the audio
system controls. These features
include:
.Climate and Air Quality
.Comfort and Convenience
.Collision/Detection Systems
.Language
.Lighting
.Power Door Locks
.Remote Lock/Unlock/Start
See Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑39.
Power Outlets
The accessory power outlets can be
used to plug in electrical equipment,
such as a cell phone or MP3 player.
There are two accessory power
outlets. One is located under the
armrest inside the center console
storage and the other is on the rear
of the center floor console.
Remove the cover to access and
replace when not in use.
See Power Outlets on page 5‑7.
Universal Remote System
This system provides a way
to replace up to three remote
control transmitters used to
activate devices such as garage
door openers, security systems,
and home automation devices.
Read the instructions completely
before attempting to program
the Universal Home Remote.
Because of the steps involved,
it may be helpful to have another
person available to assist you with
programming the Universal Home
Remote.
SeeUniversal Remote System on
page 5‑45.

Black plate (21,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-21
Sunroof
On vehicles with a sunroof, the
switch is located on the overhead
console.
The sunroof only operates
when the ignition is in ON/RUN
or ACC/ACCESSORY, or in
Retained Accessory Power (RAP).
SeeRetained Accessory Power
(RAP) on page 9‑24 Vent:
The sunroof has an
express-vent open feature.
From the closed position, press
the rear of the sunroof switch (B) to
the first detent to vent the sunroof.
To close the sunroof, press the front
of the sunroof switch (A) to the
second detent.
Express-open/Express-close:
To express-open the sunroof from
the closed or vent position, fully
press and release the rear of the
switch (B). The sunroof opens
automatically. To stop the sunroof
partway, press the switch a second
time. To express-close the sunroof,
fully press and release the front of
the switch (A). The sunroof closes
automatically. To stop the sunroof
partway, press the switch a
second time.
If the sunshade is closed, it opens
automatically with the sunroof
but can also be express-opened/
express-closed by using the
sunshade control (C) or (D).
The sunshade cannot be fully
closed with the sunroof open. To express-open the sunshade from
the closed position, fully press and
release the rear of the switch (C).
The sunshade opens automatically.
To stop the sunshade partway,
press the switch a second time.
To express-close the sunshade
fully press and release the front
of the switch (D). The sunshade
closes automatically. To stop the
sunshade partway, press the switch
a second time.
Notice:
Forcing the sunshade
forward of the sliding glass
panel may cause damage and
the sunroof may not operate
properly. Always close the
glass panel before closing
the sunshade.
The sunroof glass panel cannot be
opened or closed if the vehicle has
an electrical failure.
See Sunroof on page 2‑21.

Black plate (22,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
1-22 In Brief
Performance and
Maintenance
Traction Control
System (TCS)
The traction control system limits
wheel spin. The system turns on
automatically every time the vehicle
is started.
.To turn off traction control,
press and release
glocated
on the console to the right of
the shifter.
iilluminates and
the appropriate DIC message
is displayed. See Electronic
Stability Control (ESC)/Traction
Control System (TCS) Indicator/
Warning Light on page 5‑22.
.Press and release the button
again to turn on traction control.
For more information, see Traction
Control System (TCS) on
page 9‑36.
Electronic Stability
Control (ESC)
The Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) system assists
with directional control of the
vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
The system turns on automatically
every time the vehicle is started.
.To turn off both traction control
and ESC, press and hold
g,
located on the console to
the right of the shifter, until
g
illuminates and the appropriate
DIC message is displayed.
See Electronic Stability Control
(ESC)/Traction Control System
(TCS) Indicator/Warning Light on
page 5‑22.
.Press and release the button to
turn on both systems.
For more information, see Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) on
page 9‑37.
Tire Pressure Monitor
This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The TPMS warning light alerts you
to a significant loss in pressure
of one of the vehicle's tires. If the
warning light comes on, stop as
soon as possible and inflate the
tires to the recommended pressure
shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label. See Vehicle Load
Limits on page 9‑12. The warning
light will remain on until the tire
pressure is corrected.
During cooler conditions, the low tire
pressure warning light may appear
when the vehicle is first started and
then turn off. This may be an early

Black plate (23,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-23
indicator that the tire pressures are
getting low and the tires need to be
inflated to the proper pressure.
The TPMS does not replace normal
monthly tire maintenance. It is the
driver’s responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressures.
See Tire Pressure Monitor System
on page 10‑56.
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit
This vehicle may come with a jack
and spare tire or a tire sealant and
compressor kit. The kit can be used
to temporarily seal small punctures
in the tread area of the tire.
See Tire Sealant and Compressor
Kit on page 10‑72 for complete
operating information.
If the vehicle came with a jack and
spare tire, see If a Tire Goes Flat on
page 10‑70.
Engine Oil Life System
The engine oil life system calculates
engine oil life based on vehicle use
and displays the CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message when it is time
to change the engine oil and filter.
The oil life system should be reset
to 100% only following an oil
change.
Resetting the Oil Life System
1. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with the engine off.
2. Press the DIC menu button on the turn signal lever to enter
the Vehicle Information Menu.
Use the thumbwheel to scroll
through the menu items until you
reach REMAINING OIL LIFE.
3. Press the SET/CLR button to reset the oil life at 100%.
4. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
See Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑13.
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving
tips to get the best fuel economy
possible.
.Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoid
abrupt stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
.When road and weather
conditions are appropriate,
use cruise control.
.Always follow posted speed
limits or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly
inflated.
.Combine several trips into a
single trip.

Black plate (24,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
1-24 In Brief
.Replace the vehicle's tires with
the same TPC Spec number
molded into the tire's sidewall
near the size.
.Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Roadside Assistance
Program
U.S.:1-800-252-1112
TTY Users (U.S.): 1-888-889-2438
Canada: 1-800-268-6800
Mexico: 01-800-466-0818
As the owner of a new Buick, you
are automatically enrolled in the
Roadside Assistance program.
See Roadside Assistance Program
(U.S. and Canada) on page 13‑8
or Roadside Assistance Program
(Mexico) on page 13‑10 for more
information. Roadside Service and OnStar
(U.S. and Canada)
If you have an active OnStar
subscription, press the
Qbutton
and the current GPS location will
be sent to an OnStar Advisor who
will assess your problem, contact
Roadside Assistance, and relay
your exact location to get the help
you need.
Online Owner Center
(U.S. and Canada)
The Online Owner Center is a
complimentary service that includes
online service reminders, vehicle
maintenance tips, online owner
manual, special privileges,
and more.
Sign up today at:
www.buickownercenter.com
(U.S.) or www.gm.ca (Canada).
OnStar®
For vehicles with an active OnStar
subscription, OnStar uses several
innovative technologies and live
Advisors to provide a wide range
of safety, security, navigation,
diagnostics, and calling services.
Automatic Crash Response
In a crash, built‐in sensors can
automatically alert an OnStar
Advisor who is immediately
connected to the vehicle to
see if you need help.