mirror BUICK LACROSSE 2011 Owner's Guide

Black plate (42,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
9-42 Driving and Operating
Object Detection
Systems
Ultrasonic Parking Assist
For vehicles with the Ultrasonic
Rear Parking Assist (URPA)
system, it assists the driver with
parking and avoiding objects while
in R (Reverse). URPA operates at
speeds less than 8 km/h (5 mph),
and the sensors on the rear bumper
detect objects up to 2.5 m (8 ft)
behind the vehicle, and at least
20 cm (8 in) off the ground.
{WARNING
The Ultrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA) system does not
replace driver vision. It cannot
detect:
.Objects that are below the
bumper, underneath the
vehicle, or too close or far
from the vehicle.
.Children, pedestrians,
bicyclists, or pets.
If you do not use proper care
before and while backing, vehicle
damage, injury, or death could
occur. Even with URPA, always
check behind the vehicle before
backing up. While backing, be
sure to look for objects and check
the vehicle's mirrors.
How the System Works
URPA comes on automatically
when the shift lever is moved into
R (Reverse). A single tone sounds
to indicate the system is working.
URPA operates only at speeds less
than 8 km/h (5 mph).
An obstacle is indicated by audible
beeps. The interval between
the beeps becomes shorter as
the vehicle gets closer to the
obstacle. When the distance is
less than 30 cm (12 in) the beeps
are continuous.
To be detected, objects must be at
least 20 cm (8 in) off the ground and
below trunk level. Objects must also
be within 2.5 m (8 ft) from the rear
bumper. The distance objects can
be detected may be less during
warmer or humid weather.

Black plate (44,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
9-44 Driving and Operating
Side Blind Zone
Alert (SBZA)
The vehicle may have a Side
Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) system.
Read this entire section before
using the system.
{WARNING
SBZA is only a lane changing
aid and does not replace driver
vision. SBZA does not detect:
.Vehicles outside the side
blind zones which may be
rapidly approaching.
.Pedestrians, bicyclists,
or animals.
Failure to use proper care when
changing lanes may result in
damage to the vehicle, injury,
or death. Always check the
outside and rearview mirrors,
glance over your shoulder,
and use the turn signal before
changing lanes. When the system detects a vehicle
in the side blind zone, amber
SBZA displays will light up in the
side mirrors. This indicates that it
may be unsafe to change lanes.
Before making a lane change,
always check the SBZA display,
check the outside and rearview
mirrors, look over your shoulder
for vehicles and hazards, and use
the turn signal.
SBZA Detection Zones
The SBZA sensor covers a
zone of approximately one lane
over from both sides of the vehicle,
or 3.5 m (11 ft). This zone starts
at each side mirror and goes
back approximately 5.0 m (16 ft.).
The height of the zone is
approximately between 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
and 2.0 m (6 ft) off the ground.
The SBZA detection zones do not
change if the vehicle is towing a
trailer. So be extra careful when
changing lanes while towing a
trailer.
How the System Works
Left Side Mirror
DisplayRight Side Mirror Display
When the vehicle is started, both
outside mirror displays will briefly
come on to indicate that the system
is operating. While driving forward,
the left or right side mirror SBZA
display will light up if a vehicle is
detected in that blind zone. If you
activate a turn signal and a vehicle
has been detected on the same
side, the SBZA display will flash
to give you extra warning not to
change lanes.

Black plate (45,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-45
SBZA displays do not come on
while the vehicle is approaching or
passing other vehicles. At speeds
greater than 32 km/h (20 mph),
SBZA displays may come on
when a vehicle you have passed
remains in or drops back into the
detection zone.
SBZA can be disabled through
Vehicle Personalization.
SeeVehicle Personalization on
page 5‑39 for more information.
If the SBZA is disabled by the
driver, the SBZA mirror displays will
not light up during normal driving.
When the System Does Not Seem
To Work Properly
Occasional missed alerts can
occur under normal circumstances
and will increase in wet conditions.
The system does not need to be
serviced due to an occasional
missed alert. The number of missed
alerts will increase with increased
rainfall or road spray. If the SBZA displays do not light up
when the system is on and vehicles
are in the blind zone, the system
may need service. Take the vehicle
to your dealer.
SBZA is designed to ignore
stationary objects; however, the
system may occasionally light up
due to guard rails, signs, trees,
shrubs, and other stationary objects.
This is normal system operation;
the vehicle does not need service.
SBZA does not operate when the
left or right corners of the rear
bumper are covered with mud,
dirt, snow, ice, or slush, or in
heavy rainstorms. For cleaning
instructions, see
Exterior Care on
page 10‑92. If the infotainment
display still shows the SIDE
BLIND ZONE SYS. UNAVAILABLE
message after cleaning the bumper,
see your dealer. The SBZA displays may remain on
if a trailer is attached to the vehicle,
or a bicycle or object is extending
out to either side of the vehicle.
When SBZA is disabled for any
reason other than the driver turning
it off, the driver will not be able to
turn SBZA back on using Vehicle
Personalization. The SIDE BLIND
ZONE ALERT ON option will not
be selectable if the conditions
for normal system operation are
not met. Until normal operating
conditions for SBZA are met, you
should not rely upon SBZA while
driving.

Black plate (57,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-57
.Do not use the Fuel Saver Mode
when towing.
.Obey speed limit restrictions.
Do not drive faster than the
maximum posted speed for
trailers, or no more than 90 km/h
(55 mph), to reduce wear on the
vehicle.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires experience.
Get familiar with handling and
braking with the added trailer
weight. The vehicle is now longer
and not as responsive as the
vehicle is by itself.
Check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains,
electrical connectors, lamps, tires
and mirror adjustments. If the trailer
has electric brakes, start the vehicle
and trailer moving and then apply
the trailer brake controller by hand
to be sure the brakes are working.During the trip, check regularly to be
sure that the load is secure, and the
lamps and trailer brakes are working
properly.
Towing with a Stability Control
System
When towing, the sound of the
stability control system might be
heard. The system is reacting to
the vehicle movement caused by
the trailer, which mainly occurs
during cornering. This is normal
when towing heavier trailers.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving the vehicle without a trailer.
This can help to avoid situations
that require heavy braking and
sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed
when towing a trailer. Because the
rig is longer, it is necessary to go
farther beyond the passed vehicle
before returning to the lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. To move the
trailer to the left, move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to
the right, move your hand to the
right. Always back up slowly and,
if possible, have someone
guide you.

Black plate (41,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-41
Mini Fuses Usage10 Engine Control
Module
11 Post Catalytic
Converter Oxygen
Sensor Heater
13 Trans Ignition/Fuel
System Control
Module
16 MAF
17 Airbag Module
18 SBZ Ignition
23 Variable Effort
Steering
29 Power Lumbar, Left
32 Body Control
Module
33 Heated Seat
34 Antilock Brake
System Valves
35 Amplifier Mini Fuses Usage
36 AFL Ignition
37 Right High Beam
38 Left High Beam
46 Cooling Fan Relay
47 Pre Catalytic
Converter Oxygen
Sensor Heater
48 Fog Lamps
49 Right High Intensity
Discharge
Headlamp
50 Left High Intensity
Discharge
Headlamp
51 Horn
52 Cluster Ignition
53 Inside Rearview
Mirror, Rear
Vision Camera,
Vacuum Pump Mini Fuses Usage
54 Heating, Ventilation
and Air Conditioning
55 Outside Rearview
Mirror, Universal
Garage Door
Opener, Window
Switch
56 Windshield Washer
60 Heated Mirror
62 Canister Vent
64 AFL Battery
65 Theft‐Deterrent Horn
67 Fuel System Control
Module
69 Regulated Voltage
Control Sensor
70 Ultrasonic Parking
Assist/Side
Blind Zone

Black plate (5,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
INDEX i-5
Electronic Stability ControlIndicator Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Check and Service EngineSoon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 10-6
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18
Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-17
Cooling System Messages . . . 5-35
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-4
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Overheated Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 9-28
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20 Engine Oil
Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-61
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . 13-18
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 6-2
F
Features Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 6-4
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-70 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-79
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-100 Fluid
Automatic Transmission . . . . 10-15
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Fog Lamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Front Fog Lamps Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Front Seats
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Heated and Ventilated . . . . . . . . 3-10
Front Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-50 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-52
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-53
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . 9-52
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . . 9-51

Black plate (7,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
INDEX i-7
Heated and Ventilated FrontSeats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Heater Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Heating and Air Conditioning . . . 8-1
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-8
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 9-8
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-17I
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . 9-17, 9-19
Ignition Transmission LockCheck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Infants and Young Children, Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-46
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
J
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-86
K
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . . . 5-36
Keyless Entry Remote (RKE) System . . . . . . . . 2-4
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . 10-48
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-37
Lamps Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . . 6-3
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lamps OffReminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
License Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Malfunction Indicator . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Sun Visor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22

Black plate (9,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
INDEX i-9
Messages (cont.)Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-37
Object Detection System . . . . . 5-37
Ride Control System . . . . . . . . . . 5-37
Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-38
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-38
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-33
Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-39
Mirrors
Folding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Manual Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Park Tilt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Monitor System, Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-56
N
NavigationVehicle Data Recording
and Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-19
Net, Convenience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . 9-16
O
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-37
Object Detection, Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . 9-44
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Oil Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-9
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . 10-13
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Older Children, Restraints . . . . . 3-44
Online Owner Center . . . . . . . . . . 13-7
OnStar
®System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Operation, Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7
Outlets Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Overheating, Engine . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Overview, Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3, 7-5
P
ParkShifting Into . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Shifting Out of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Park Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Parking Assist, Ultrasonic . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-29
Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . 9-27
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Passenger Compartment Air Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8
Passenger Sensing System . . . 3-37
Perchlorate Materials
Requirements, California . . . . . 10-3
Personalization Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-39
Phone Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . 7-46, 7-48, 7-53

Black plate (10,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
i-10 INDEX
PowerDoor Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Protection, Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . . 9-24
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
Pregnancy, Using Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
Privacy Radio FrequencyIdentification (RFID) . . . . . . . 13-19
Program Courtesy Transportation . . . . .13-11
Proposition 65 Warning, California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3R
Radio FrequencyIdentification (RFID) . . . . . . . . 13-19
Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-20
Radios AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12
CD/DVD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-23
Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-19
Satellite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Rear Seat Entertainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-36
Rear Seat Pass-Through Door . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . 9-46
Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8 Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-7
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . 9-50
Records Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-10
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-89
Reimbursement Program, GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-8
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3, 2-4
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Replacement Parts Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-43
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-9
Replacing Airbag System . . . . . . 3-43
Replacing LATCH System Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . 3-61