mirror BUICK LACROSSE 2012 User Guide

Black plate (9,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2012
Seats and Restraints 3-9
Recalling RKE Memory Positions
(Memory Remote Recall)
The Memory Remote Recall feature
can recall the driver seat and
outside mirrors to previously stored
RKE Memory positions when
entering the vehicle.
Every time the ignition is placed in
OFF, the positions of the driver seat
and outside mirrors are
automatically stored to the RKE
transmitter that was used to start
the vehicle. These positions are
called RKE Memory positions and
may be different than the previously
mentioned Button Memory positions
saved to the“1”or“2” buttons. To
automatically recall RKE Memory
positions, unlock the driver door
with the RKE transmitter, and open
the driver door. On vehicles with
Keyless Access, opening the driver
door when an RKE transmitter is
present will activate the RKE
Memory recall. If the driver door is
already open, pressing the RKE
transmitter Kbutton will also
activate the RKE Memory recall. The driver seat and outside mirrors
will move to the previously saved
RKE Memory positions.
This feature is turned on or off using
the vehicle personalization menu.
See
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑43 for more information.
To stop recall movement, press one
of the memory, power mirror,
or power seat controls.
If something has blocked the driver
seat while recalling a memory
position, the recall may stop.
Remove the obstruction; then press
and hold the appropriate manual
control for the memory item that is
not recalling for two seconds. Try
recalling the memory position again
by opening the driver door and
pressing the RKE transmitter K
button. If the memory position is still
not recalling, see your dealer for
service. Easy Exit Driver Seat
This feature moves the seat
rearward allowing the driver more
room to exit the vehicle.
To activate, place the ignition in
OFF and open the driver door. If the
driver door is already open, placing
the ignition in OFF will activate the
easy exit driver seat.
This feature is turned on or off using
the vehicle personalization menu.
See
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑43 for more information.
To stop recall movement, press one
of the memory or power seat
controls.
If something has blocked the driver
seat while recalling the exit position,
the recall may stop. Remove the
obstruction; then press and hold the
power seat control rearward for
two seconds. Try recalling the exit
position again. If the exit position is
still not recalling, see your dealer for
service.

Black plate (45,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-45
Auto Defog
This will allow you to turn the auto
defog on or off. Only vehicles with
the dual zone climate control will
have this option.
Press SELECT when Auto Defog is
highlighted to open the menu. Turn
the Menu knob to highlight On or
Off. Press SELECT to confirm the
selection. Press
/BACK to move to
the last menu.
Auto Rear Defog
If equipped, this will allow you to
turn the auto rear defog on or off.
This feature will automatically turn
on the rear defogger when it is cold
outside.
Press SELECT when Auto Rear
Defog is highlighted to open the
menu. Turn the Menu knob to
highlight On or Off. Press SELECT
to confirm the selection. Press
/BACK to move to the last menu.
Comfort and Convenience
Select the Comfort and
Convenience menu and the
following will be displayed:
.Chime Volume
.Driver Seat Easy Exit
.Park Tilt Mirrors
Chime Volume
This allows selection of the chime
volume level.
Press SELECT when Chime Volume
is highlighted. Turn the Menu knob
to select Normal or High. Press
SELECT to confirm the selection.
Press
/BACK to move to the
last menu.
Driver Seat Easy Exit
When on, this feature will move the
driver seat rearward upon turning
the ignition off and opening the
driver door. This may be performed
to make it easier to exit the vehicle. See
“Easy Exit Driver Seat” under
Power Seat Adjustment on page 3‑5
for more information.
This allows you to turn the easy exit
seat feature on or off.
Press SELECT when Driver Seat
Easy Exit is highlighted. Turn the
Menu knob to select On or Off.
Press SELECT to confirm the
selection. Press
/BACK to move to
the last menu.
Park Tilt Mirrors
When on, both the driver and
passenger mirrors will tilt downward
when the vehicle is shifted to
R (Reverse) to improve visibility of
the ground near the rear wheels.
They will return to their previous
driving position when the vehicle is
shifted out of R (Reverse), the
ignition is turned to OFF, or the
vehicle is left in R (Reverse). See
Park Tilt Mirrors on page 2‑18 for
more information.

Black plate (46,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2012
5-46 Instruments and Controls
This allows you to turn the park tilt
mirrors feature on or off.
Press SELECT when Park Tilt
Mirrors is highlighted. Turn the
Menu knob to select Driver &
Passenger or Off. Press SELECT to
confirm the selection. Press
/BACK to move to the last menu.
Collision/Detection Systems
Select the Collision/Detection
Systems menu and the following will
be displayed:
.Side Blind Zone Alert System
Side Blind Zone Alert System
If equipped, this feature allows the
Side Blind Zone Alert System
feature to be turned on or off.
Press SELECT when Side Blind
Zone Alert System is highlighted.
Turn the Menu knob to select On or
Off. Press SELECT to confirm the
selection. Press
/BACK to move to
the last menu.
Language
Select the Language menu and the
following will be displayed:
.English
.French
.Spanish
Turn the Menu knob to select the
language. Press SELECT to confirm
the selection. Press
/BACK to
move to the last menu.
Lighting
Select the Lighting menu and the
following will be displayed:
.Exit Lighting
.Vehicle Locator Lights
Exit Lighting
This allows selection of how long
the exterior lamps stay on when
leaving the vehicle and it is dark
outside. Press SELECT when Exit Lighting is
highlighted. Turn the Menu knob to
select Off, 30 Seconds, 1 Minute,
or 2 Minutes. Press SELECT to
confirm the selection. Press
/BACK to move to the last menu.
Vehicle Locator Lights
This allows the vehicle locator lights
to be turned on or off. The vehicle
locator lights come on when
unlocking the vehicle with the RKE
transmitter.
Press SELECT when Vehicle
Locator Lights is highlighted. Turn
the Menu knob to select On or Off.
Press SELECT to confirm the
selection. Press
/BACK to move to
the last menu.

Black plate (48,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2012
5-48 Instruments and Controls
Locking Feedback
This allows selection of what type of
feedback is given when locking the
vehicle with the RKE transmitter.
Press SELECT when Locking
Feedback is highlighted. Turn the
Menu knob to select Lights and
Horn, Lights Only, Horn Only, or Off.
Press SELECT to confirm the
selection. Press
/BACK to move to
the last menu.
Door Unlock Options
This allows selection of which doors
will unlock when pressing
Kon the
RKE transmitter.
Press SELECT when Door Unlock
Options is highlighted. Turn the
Menu knob to select All Doors or
Driver Door Only. When set to
Driver Door Only, the driver door will
unlock the first time the unlock
button is pressed and all doors will
unlock when the button is pressed a
second time. When set to All Doors,
all of the doors will unlock at the first press of
K. Press SELECT to
confirm the selection. Press
/BACK to move to the last menu.
Remote Recall
When on, this feature will recall the
current driver's last seat and outside
mirror positions upon unlocking the
driver door with the RKE, and
opening that door. The current driver
is identified when the RKE is used
to unlock the driver door. If keyless
access equipped, the recall will
occur upon opening the driver door.
See “Memory Remote Recall” under
Power Seat Adjustment on page 3‑5
for more information.
This allows the Remote Recall
feature to be turned on or off.
Remote Recall is when the
memorized settings will be recalled
as you unlock and enter the vehicle.
Press SELECT when Remote Recall
is highlighted. Turn the Menu knob
to select On or Off. Press SELECT
to confirm the selection. Press
/BACK to move to the last menu. Passive Entry
This allows the Passive Entry
feature to be turned on or off.
Press SELECT when Passive Entry
is highlighted. Turn the Menu knob
to select On or Off. Press SELECT
to confirm the selection. Press
/BACK to move to the last menu.
Remote Left In Vehicle
This allows the Remote Left In
Vehicle reminder feature to be
turned on or off. If on, the horn will
chirp if a remote is left in the
vehicle.
Press SELECT when Remote Left In
Vehicle is highlighted. Turn the
Menu knob to select On or Off.
Press SELECT to confirm the
selection. Press
/BACK to move to
the last menu.

Black plate (4,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2012
8-4 Climate Controls
For vehicles with heated outside
rearview mirrors, they turn on when
the rear window defogger button is
on and help to clear fog or frost from
the surface of the mirror. See
Heated Mirrors on page 2‑18.
Notice:Do not try to clear frost
or other material from the inside
of the front windshield and rear
window with a razor blade or
anything else that is sharp. This
may damage the rear window
defogger grid and affect your
radio's ability to pick up stations
clearly. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Remote Start Climate Control
Operation (If Equipped):
When
the vehicle is started remotely, the
climate control system will use the
last setting before the vehicle shut
off. If automatic operation was set,
the fan speed will adjust to
maximize heating or cooling.
If manual operation was set, the fan
speed will be limited to the last
setting. In extreme temperatures,
the system may not be able to heat
or cool the vehicle to the preset
temperature during the remote start
run time.
The rear window defogger turns on
if it is cold outside.Sensor
The solar sensor, located on top of
the instrument panel near the
windshield, monitors the solar heat.
The climate control system uses the
sensor information to adjust the
temperature, fan speed,
recirculation, and air delivery mode
for best comfort.
Do not cover the sensor; otherwise
the automatic climate control system
may not work properly.

Black plate (10,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2012
8-10 Climate Controls
For vehicles with heated outside
rearview mirrors, they turn on when
the rear window defogger button is
on and help to clear fog or frost from
the surface of the mirror. See
Heated Mirrors on page 2‑18.
Notice:Do not try to clear frost
or other material from the inside
of the front windshield and rear
window with a razor blade or
anything else that is sharp. This
may damage the rear window
defogger grid and affect your
radio's ability to pick up stations
clearly. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
((Heated Steering Wheel): For
vehicles with this feature, press to
turn on or off. See Heated Steering
Wheel on page 5‑3.
Remote Start Climate Control
Operation (If Equipped): When
the vehicle is started remotely, the
climate control system will use the
last setting before the vehicle shut
off. If automatic operation was set,
the fan speed will adjust to maximize heating or cooling.
If manual operation was set, the fan
speed will be limited to the last
setting. In extreme temperatures,
the system may not be able to heat
or cool the vehicle to the preset
temperature during the remote start
run time.
The rear window defogger turns on
if it is cold outside.
Sensor
The solar sensor, located on top of
the instrument panel near the
windshield, monitors the solar heat.
The climate control system uses the
sensor information to adjust the
temperature, fan speed,
recirculation, and air delivery mode
for best comfort.
Do not cover the sensor; otherwise
the automatic climate control system
may not work properly.
Air Vents
Use the louvers located on the air
vents to change the direction of the
airflow.
To open the vent, move the
thumbwheel to
t. To close the vent,
move the thumbwheel to
l.
For vehicles with eAssist, there is a
battery cooling air vent located on
the shelf behind the rear passenger
seats below the rear window. Keep
this air inlet clear from items that
may block air flow. Proper airflow is
required to keep the eAssist battery
and control system cool.

Black plate (6,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2012
9-6 Driving and Operating
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can drop
off the edge of a road onto the
shoulder while driving. Follow
these tips:
1. Ease off the accelerator andthen, if there is nothing in the
way, steer the vehicle so that it
straddles the edge of the
pavement. 2. Turn the steering wheel about
one-eighth of a turn, until the
right front tire contacts the
pavement edge.
3. Then turn the steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.
Loss of Control
Skidding
There are three types of skids that
correspond to the vehicle's three
control systems:
.Braking Skid —wheels are not
rolling.
.Steering or Cornering Skid —
too much speed or steering in a
curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force.
.Acceleration Skid —too much
throttle causes the driving
wheels to spin. Defensive drivers avoid most skids
by taking reasonable care suited to
existing conditions, and by not
overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible.
If the vehicle starts to slide, follow
these suggestions:
.Ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly
steer the way you want the
vehicle to go. The vehicle may
straighten out. Be ready for a
second skid if it occurs.
.Slow down and adjust your
driving according to weather
conditions. Stopping distance
can be longer and vehicle
control can be affected when
traction is reduced by water,
snow, ice, gravel, or other
material on the road. Learn to
recognize warning clues
—such
as enough water, ice, or packed
snow on the road to make a
mirrored surface —and slow
down when you have any doubt.

Black plate (8,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2012
9-8 Driving and Operating
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
.Pass with caution.
.Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
.Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
.Have good tires with proper
tread depth. SeeTires on
page 10‑47.
.Turn off cruise control.
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to
your surroundings while driving.
If you become tired or sleepy, find a
safe place to park the vehicle
and rest.
Other driving tips include:
.Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
.Keep the interior
temperature cool.
.Keep your eyes moving —scan
the road ahead and to the sides.
.Check the rearview mirror and
vehicle instruments often.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for
driving in these conditions include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
.Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{WARNING
If you do not shift down, the
brakes could get so hot that they
would not work well. You would
then have poor braking or even
none going down a hill. You could
crash. Shift down to let the engine
assist the brakes on a steep
downhill slope.

Black plate (10,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2012
9-10 Driving and Operating
Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be a
serious situation. Stay with the
vehicle unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use theRoadside
Assistance Program (U.S. and
Canada) on page 13‑7 orRoadside
Assistance Program (Mexico) on
page 13‑10. To get help and keep
everyone in the vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{WARNING
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may
cause exhaust gases to get
inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO) which
cannot be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and even
death.
If the vehicle is stuck in the snow:
.Clear away snow from around
the base of your vehicle,
especially any that is blocking
the exhaust pipe.
.Check again from time to
time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
.Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the side of the
vehicle that is away from the
wind to bring in fresh air.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
.Adjust the climate control
system to a setting that
circulates the air inside the
vehicle and set the fan speed
to the highest setting. See
“Climate Control Systems” in
the Index.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9‑30.
Run the engine for short periods
only as needed to keep warm, but
be careful.

Black plate (45,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-45
{WARNING
The URPA system does not
detect pedestrians, bicyclists,
animals, or any other objects
located below the bumper or that
are too close or too far from the
vehicle. To prevent injury, death,
or vehicle damage, even with
URPA, always check behind the
vehicle and check all mirrors
before backing.
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 beeping is a
continuous tone for five seconds.
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 at which
objects can be detected may be
less during warmer or humid
weather.
Turning the System On and Off
The URPA system can be turned on
and off using the park assist button
located next to the shift lever.
The LED next to the park assist
button lights up when the system is
on and turns off when it has been
disabled.
When the system is off, PARK
ASSIST OFF displays on the Driver
Information Center (DIC). The
message disappears after a short
period of time.
URPA defaults to the on setting
each time the vehicle is started.