battery BUICK LACROSSE 2011 Owner's Guide

Black plate (1,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . 10-3
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-9
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . 10-13
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-15 Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-17
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-21
Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . 10-23
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-27
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-29
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
High Intensity Discharge(HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Headlamps, Front Turn
Signal and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . 10-36
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44

Black plate (7,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-7
A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑15.
B. Engine Cover.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑9.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑9.
E. Transmission Fluid Cap and Dipstick. See Automatic
Transmission Fluid on
page 10‑15.
F. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See Brakes on
page 10‑24. G. Power Steering Reservoir and
Cap. See Power Steering Fluid
on page 10‑23.
H. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant on page 10‑18.
I. Battery Cover. See Battery on
page 10‑27.
J. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10‑39.
K. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer
Fluid on page 10‑24.

Black plate (9,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-9
A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑15.
B. Power Steering Reservoir and Cap. See Power Steering Fluid
on page 10‑23.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑9.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑9.
E. Engine Cover.
F. Transmission Fluid Cap and Dipstick. See Automatic
Transmission Fluid on
page 10‑15. G. Brake Master Cylinder
Reservoir. See Brakes on
page 10‑24.
H. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant on page 10‑18.
I. Battery Cover. See Battery on
page 10‑27.
J. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10‑39.
K. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑24.Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life,
careful attention must be paid
to engine oil. Following these
simple, but important steps will
help protect your investment:
.Always use engine oil approved
to the proper specification and
of the proper viscosity grade.
See “Selecting the Right Engine
Oil” in this section.
.Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
.Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine
Oil Life System on page 10‑13.
.Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.

Black plate (27,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-27
Battery
Refer to the replacement number
on the original battery label when a
new battery is needed.
{DANGER
Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California
to cause cancer and reproductive
harm. Wash hands after handling.
If the battery has a very low charge
or is dead, it might not be possible
to remove the ignition key from
the ignition switch or shift out of
P (Park). See Shifting Out of Park
on page 9‑26.
Vehicle Storage
{WARNING
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful. See Jump Starting on
page 10‑86 for tips on working
around a battery without
getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: Remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery to keep the battery from
running down.
Extended Storage: Remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery or use a battery trickle
charger.
Starter Switch Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular brake.
See Parking Brake on
page 9‑33.
Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn
off the engine immediately
if it starts.

Black plate (40,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
10-40 Vehicle Care
Engine Compartment Fuse Block
The vehicle may not be equipped
with all of the fuses, relays, and
features shown. J-CaseFuses Usage
6 Wiper
12 Starter J-Case
Fuses Usage
21 Rear Power
Windows
22 Sunroof
24 Front Power
Windows J-Case
Fuses Usage
26 Antilock Brake
System Pump
27 Electric Park Brake
28 Rear Window
Defogger
41 Brake
Vacuum Pump
42 Cooling Fan K2
45 Cooling Fan K1
Mini Fuses Usage 1 Transmission
Control Module
2 Engine Control
Module Battery
5 Engine Control
Module Ignition
8 Ignition Coils ‐Even
9 Ignition Coils ‐Odd

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 (86,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
10-86 Vehicle Care
Jump Starting
For more information about the
vehicle battery, seeBattery on
page 10‑27.
If the battery has run down, try to
use another vehicle and some
jumper cables to start your vehicle.
Be sure to use the following steps
to do it safely.
{WARNING
Batteries can hurt you. They can
be dangerous because:
.They contain acid that can
burn you.
.They contain gas that can
explode or ignite.
.They contain enough
electricity to burn you.
If you do not follow these steps
exactly, some or all of these
things can hurt you. Notice:
Ignoring these steps
could result in costly damage
to the vehicle that would not
be covered by the warranty.
Trying to start the vehicle by
pushing or pulling it will not
work, and it could damage the
vehicle.
The jump start positive (A) is
located under a trim cover in the
engine compartment on the driver
side of the vehicle.
This post is used instead of a direct
connection to the battery.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must
have a 12-volt battery with a
negative ground system.
Notice: Only use a vehicle
that has a 12-volt system with
a negative ground for jump
starting. If the other vehicle does
not have a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles
can be damaged.
2. Position the two vehicles so that they are not touching.

Black plate (87,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-87
3. Set the parking brake firmly andput the shift lever in P (Park).
See Shifting Into Park on
page 9‑25.
Notice: If the radio or other
accessories are left on during
the jump starting procedure, they
could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by the
warranty. Always turn off the
radio and other accessories
when jump starting the vehicle.
4. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF
and switch off all lights and
accessories in both vehicles,
except the hazard warning
flashers if needed.
{WARNING
An electric fan can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{WARNING
Using a match near a battery can
cause battery gas to explode.
People have been hurt doing
this, and some have been
blinded. Use a flashlight if you
need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough
water. You do not need to add
water to the battery installed in
your new vehicle. But if a battery
has filler caps, be sure the right
amount of fluid is there. If it is low,
add water to take care of that
first. If you don't, explosive gas
could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that
can burn you. Do not get it on
you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
{WARNING
Fans or other moving engine
parts can injure you badly. Keep
your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
5. Connect one end of the redpositive (+) cable to the jump
start positive (+) post (A). Use a
remote positive (+) terminal if the
vehicle has one.

Black plate (88,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
10-88 Vehicle Care
6. Do not let the other endof the red positive (+) cable
touch metal. Connect it to
the positive (+) terminal of the
good battery (B). Use a remote
positive (+) terminal if the vehicle
has one.
7. Connect one end of the black negative (–) cable to
the negative (–) terminal of
the good battery (C). Use a
remote negative (−) terminal
if the vehicle has one.
Do not let the other end touch
anything until the next step.
The other end of the negative (–)
cable does not go to the dead
battery. It goes to a heavy,
unpainted metal engine part or
to a remote negative (–) terminal
on the vehicle with the dead
battery. 8. Connect the other end of the
black negative (–) cable to an
unpainted heavy metal engine
part (D) away from the dead
battery, but not near engine
parts that move.
9. Start the engine in the vehicle with the good battery and run
the engine at idle speed for at
least four minutes.
10. Try to start the vehicle that had the dead battery. If it will
not start after a few tries,
it probably needs service.
Notice: If the jumper cables
are connected or removed in
the wrong order, electrical
shorting may occur and damage
the vehicle. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always connect and
remove the jumper cables in the
correct order, making sure that
the cables do not touch each
other or other metal.
Jumper Cable Removal
A. Heavy, Unpainted Metal Engine Part or Remote Negative (–)
Terminal
B. Good Battery or Remote Positive (+) and Remote
Negative (–) Terminals
C. Dead Battery or Remote Positive (+) Terminal

Black plate (89,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-89
To disconnect the jumper cables
from both vehicles:
1. Disconnect the blacknegative (−) cable from the
vehicle that had the dead
battery.
2. Disconnect the black negative (−) cable from the
vehicle with the good battery.
3. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the vehicle with the
good battery.
4. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the other vehicle.
5. Return the caps over the positive (+) and negative (–)
terminals to their original
positions.Towing
Towing the Vehicle
Notice: To avoid damage,
the disabled vehicle should
be towed with all four wheels
off the ground. Care must be
taken with vehicles that have
low ground clearance and/or
special equipment. Always
flatbed on a car carrier.
Consult your dealer or a
professional towing service if the
disabled vehicle must be towed.
See Roadside Assistance Program
(U.S. and Canada) on page 13‑8
or Roadside Assistance Program
(Mexico) on page 13‑10.
To tow the vehicle behind another
vehicle for recreational purposes,
such as behind a motor home, see
“Recreational Vehicle Towing” in this
section.
Recreational Vehicle
Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle such as a motor home.
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.