air condition BUICK LACROSSE 2013 Owner's Guide

Black plate (41,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Driving and Operating 9-41
When the System Does Not
Seem to Work Properly
The following messages may be
displayed on the DIC:
SERVICE PARK ASSIST:If this
message occurs, take the vehicle to
your dealer to repair the system.
PARK ASSIST OFF: If the URPA
system does not activate due to a
temporary condition, this message
displays on the DIC. This can occur
under the following conditions:
.The driver has disabled the
system.
.The ultrasonic sensors are not
clean. Keep the vehicle's rear
bumper free of mud, dirt, snow,
ice, and slush. For cleaning
instructions, see Exterior Care
on page 10‑92.
.The park assist sensors are
covered by frost or ice. Frost or
ice can form around and behind
the sensors and may not always
be seen; this can occur after
washing the vehicle in cold weather. The message may not
clear until the frost or ice has
melted.
.An object was hanging out of the
trunk during the last drive cycle.
Once the object is removed,
URPA will return to normal
operation.
.The bumper is damaged. Take
the vehicle to your dealer to
repair the system.
.Other conditions, such as
vibrations from a jackhammer or
the compression of air brakes on
a very large truck, are affecting
system performance.
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 does not detect vehicles
rapidly approaching outside of the
side blind zones, pedestrians,
bicyclists, or animals. Failure to
use proper care when changing
lanes may result in injury, death,
or vehicle damage. Before
making a lane change, always
check mirrors, glance over your
shoulder, and use the turn
signals.
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.

Black plate (47,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Driving and Operating 9-47
The eighth digit of the Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) shows
the code letter or number that
identifies the vehicle's engine. The
VIN is at the top left of the
instrument panel. SeeVehicle
Identification Number (VIN) on
page 12‑1.
Recommended Fuel
Use regular unleaded gasoline with
a posted octane rating of 87 or
higher. If the octane rating is less
than 87, an audible knocking noise,
commonly referred to as spark knock, might be heard when driving.
If this occurs, use a gasoline rated
at 87 octane or higher as soon as
possible. If heavy knocking is heard
when using gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher, the engine
needs service.
Gasoline Specifications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet
ASTM specification D 4814. Some
gasolines contain an
octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend
against the use of gasolines
containing MMT. See
Fuel Additives
on page 9‑48.
California Fuel
Requirements
If the vehicle is certified to meet
California Emissions Standards, it is
designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specifications. See
the underhood emission control
label. If this fuel is not available in states adopting California Emissions
Standards, the vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specifications, but emission
control system performance might
be affected. The malfunction
indicator lamp could turn on and the
vehicle might fail a smog‐check test.
See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 5‑16. If this occurs, return to
your authorized dealer for diagnosis.
If it is determined that the condition
is caused by the type of fuel used,
repairs might not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Fuels in Foreign
Countries
Never use leaded gasoline or any
other fuel not recommended in the
previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use of improper fuel
would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.

Black plate (15,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Vehicle Care 10-15
Change the fluid and filter at the
intervals listed inMaintenance
Schedule on page 11‑2, and be sure
to use the fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑12.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/filter is
located in the engine compartment
on the driver side of the vehicle.
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6 for more information
on location.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/filter at the
scheduled maintenance intervals
and replace it at the first oil change
after each 80 000 km (50,000 mi)
interval. See Maintenance Schedule
on page 11‑2 for more information.
If you are driving in dusty/dirty
conditions, inspect the filter at each
engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/filter,
remove the filter from the vehicle
and lightly shake the filter to release
loose dust and dirt. If the filter
remains covered with dirt, a new
filter is required.
2.4L L4 Engine
1. Screws
2. Air Duct Clamp
3. Electrical Connector To inspect or replace the engine air
cleaner/filter:
1. Open the hood. See
Hood on
page 10‑5.
2. Disconnect the outlet duct by loosening the air duct clamp (2).
3. Disconnect the electrical connector (3).
4. Remove the screws (1) on top of the engine air cleaner/filter
housing.
5. Lift the filter cover housing away from the engine air cleaner/filter
housing.
6. Pull out the filter.
7. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/filter.
8. Reverse Steps 2–4 to reinstall the filter cover housing.

Black plate (22,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
10-22 Vehicle Care
.Tows a trailer.
If the overheat warning displays with
no sign of steam:
1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the highest
fan speed. Open the windows as
necessary.
3. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in N (Neutral) while stopped.
If it is safe to do so, pull off the
road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral), and let the
engine idle.
2.4L L4 Engine
If the engine coolant temperature
warning light no longer displays, the
vehicle can be driven. Continue to
drive the vehicle slowly for about
10 minutes. Keep a safe vehicle
distance from the vehicle in front.
If the warning does not come back
on, continue to drive normally. 3.6L V6 Engine
If the temperature overheat gauge is
no longer in the overheat zone or an
engine coolant temperature warning
light no longer displays, the vehicle
can be driven. Continue to drive the
vehicle slowly for about 10 minutes.
Keep a safe vehicle distance from
the vehicle in front. If the warning
does not come back on, continue to
drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle
right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for three minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it
cools down. Also, see
Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode
on page 10‑22.Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode
allows the vehicle to be driven to a
safe place in an emergency
situation. If an overheated engine
condition exists, an overheat
protection mode which alternates
firing groups of cylinders helps
prevent engine damage. In this
mode, there is significant loss in
power and engine performance.
2.4L L4 Engine
The engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on the
instrument panel, to indicate the
vehicle has entered overheated
engine protection operating mode.
Driving extended distances and/or
towing a trailer in the overheat
protection mode should be avoided.

Black plate (23,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Vehicle Care 10-23
3.6L V6 Engine
The engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on the
instrument panel, to indicate the
vehicle has entered overheated
engine protection operating mode.
The temperature gauge also
indicates an overheat condition
exists. Driving extended distances
and/or towing a trailer in the
overheat protection mode should be
avoided.
Power Steering Fluid
(2.4L L4 Engine and 3.6L
V6 Engine with FWD)
The vehicle has electric power
steering and does not use power
steering fluid.
Power Steering Fluid
(3.6L V6 Engine
with AWD)
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6 for information on the
location of the power steering fluid
reservoir.
When to Check Power Steering
Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly
check power steering fluid unless a
leak is suspected in the system or
an unusual noise is heard. A fluid
loss in this system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering
Fluid
Check the level when the engine
is cool.
To check the power steering fluid:
1. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.
2. Unscrew the cap and pull it straight up.
3. Wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
4. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
5. Remove the cap again and look at the fluid level on the dipstick.

Black plate (25,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Vehicle Care 10-25
Brakes
This vehicle has disc brakes. Disc
brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or be
heard all the time the vehicle is
moving, except when applying the
brake pedal firmly.
{WARNING
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
a crash. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.
Notice: Continuing to drive with
worn-out brake pads could result
in costly brake repair. Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and
evenly tighten wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to torque
specifications in
Capacities and
Specifications on page 12‑2.
Brake linings should always be
replaced as complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal
does not return to normal height,
or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign
that brake service might be
required.
Brake Adjustment
Every time the brakes are applied,
with or without the vehicle moving,
the brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is
complex. Its many parts have to be
of top quality and work well together
if the vehicle is to have really good
braking. The vehicle was designed
and tested with top-quality brake
parts. When parts of the braking
system are replaced, be sure to get
new, approved replacement parts.
If this is not done, the brakes might
not work properly. For example,
installing disc brake pads that are
wrong for the vehicle, can change
the balance between the front and
rear brakes —for the worse. The
braking performance expected can
change in many other ways if the
wrong replacement brake parts are
installed.

Black plate (37,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Vehicle Care 10-37
J-CaseFuses Usage
25 Rear Heated Seats
26 Antilock Brake System Pump
27 Electric Park Brake
28 Rear Window Defogger
41 Brake Vacuum Pump
42 Cooling Fan K2
43 Not Used
44 Transmission Auxiliary Oil Pump
(eAssist)
45 Cooling Fan K1
59 AIR Pump
Mini Fuses Usage 1 Transmission Control Module —
Battery Mini Fuses Usage
2 Engine Control Module Battery
3 Air Conditioning Compressor Clutch
5 Engine Control Module Run/Crank
8 Ignition Coils —
Even (Six Cylinder
Engine), Ignition
Coils —All (Four
Cylinder Engine)
9 Ignition Coils —Odd
(Six Cylinder
Engine)
10 Engine Control Module—Switched
Battery (from Engine
Control Module
Relay) Mini Fuses Usage
11 Six Cylinder Engine: Post Catalytic
Converter Oxygen
Sensor Heater,
Mass Air Flow
Sensor, Flex Fuel
Sensor, Secondary
Air Induction
Solenoid
13 Run/Crank for Transmission
Control Module and
Fuel System Control
Module/Chassis
Control Module
(eAssist)
14 Cabin Heater Coolant Pump
(eAssist)
15 Motor Generator Unit Coolant Pump
(eAssist)

Black plate (39,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Vehicle Care 10-39
Mini Fuses Usage53 Run/Crank for Inside Rearview Mirror,
Rear Vision Camera,
Air Quality Sensor,
Aero Shutter Motor
54 Run/Crank for: Heating, Ventilation
and Air
Conditioning,
Headlamp Switch
55 Outside Rearview Mirror, Universal
Garage Door
Opener, Front
Window Switches
56 Windshield Washer
60 Heated Mirror
62 Canister Vent
64 Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL)
Module—Battery
65 Not Used Mini Fuses Usage
66 AIR Solenoid (eAssist)
67 Fuel System Control Module
69 Regulated Voltage Control Sensor
70 Ultrasonic Parking Assist/Side Blind
Zone/Lane
Departure Warning/
Rain Sensor
71 Passive Entry/ Passive Start
Mini Relays Usage 7 Engine Control Module
9 Cooling Fan
13 Cooling Fan
15 Run/Crank
16 AIR Pump Mini Relays Usage
17 Rear Window Defogger
Micro
Relays Usage
1 Air Conditioning Compressor Clutch
2 Starter
4 Wiper Speed
5 Wiper Control
6 Cabin Heater Coolant Pump
(eAssist)
10 Cooling Fan
14 Headlamp Low Beam
Ultra Micro Relays Usage
11 Transmission Auxiliary Oil Pump
(eAssist)

Black plate (41,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Vehicle Care 10-41
FusesUsage
11 Front Heater Ventilation Air
Conditioning/Blower
(J-Case Fuse)
12 Passenger Seat (Circuit Breaker)
13 Driver Seat (Circuit Breaker)
14 Diagnostic Link Connector
15 Airbag/Automatic Occupant Sensing
16 Trunk
17 Heater Ventilation Air Conditioning
Controller
18 Pre-Fuse for Fuses 4 and 5 Fuses
Usage
19 Infotainment and Center Stack
Displays, Head-Up
Display, Preferred
Device Interface
Module, Rear Seat
Infotainment
(eAssist)
20 Rear Seat Entertainment
Display/Rear Seat
Audio
21 Instrument Panel Cluster
22 Discrete Logic Ignition Switch
23 Body Control Module 3 Fuses
Usage
24 Body Control Module 2
25 Rear Heater Ventilation Air
Conditioning/Blower
26 AC/DC Inverter
Relays Usage
R1 Trunk Relay
R2 Not Used
R3 Power Outlet Relay

Black plate (47,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Vehicle Care 10-47
is certified to carry. The speed
rating is the maximum speed a
tire is certified to carry a load.
Tire Terminology and
Definitions
Air Pressure:The amount of
air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of
the tire. Air pressure is
expressed in kPa (kilopascal)
or psi (pounds per square inch).
Accessory Weight
:The
combined weight of optional
accessories. Some examples of
optional accessories are
automatic transmission, power
steering, power brakes, power
windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio
:The relationship
of a tire's height to its width. Belt
:A rubber coated layer of
cords between the plies and the
tread. Cords may be made from
steel or other reinforcing
materials.
Bead
:The tire bead contains
steel wires wrapped by steel
cords that hold the tire onto
the rim.
Bias Ply Tire
:A pneumatic tire
in which the plies are laid at
alternate angles less than
90 degrees to the centerline of
the tread.
Cold Tire Pressure
:The
amount of air pressure in a tire,
measured in kPa (kilopascal)
or psi (pounds per square inch)
before a tire has built up heat
from driving. See Tire Pressure
on page 10‑49.
Curb Weight
:The weight of a
motor vehicle with standard and
optional equipment including the maximum capacity of fuel, oil,
and coolant, but without
passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings
:A code molded
into the sidewall of a tire
signifying that the tire is in
compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation
(DOT) Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards. The DOT code
includes the Tire Identification
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric
designator which can also
identify the tire manufacturer,
production plant, brand, and
date of production.
GVWR
:Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating. See Vehicle Load Limits
on page 9‑10.
GAWR FRT
:Gross Axle Weight
Rating for the front axle. See
Vehicle Load Limits on
page 9‑10.