BUICK LACROSSE 2013 Service Manual

Black plate (11,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-11
Presso{to activate the safety
locks on the rear doors. The
indicator light comes on when
activated.
The rear door power windows are
also disabled.
Press
o {again to deactivate the
lockout switch.
If a rear door handle is pulled when
the safety lock is deactivated, that
door will remain locked and the
indicator light may flash. Release
the handle, then press the safety
lock twice to deactivate the safety
locks.
Doors
Trunk
{WARNING
Exhaust gases can enter the
vehicle if it is driven with the
liftgate, trunk/hatch open, or with
any objects that pass through the
seal between the body and the
trunk/hatch or liftgate. Engine
exhaust contains carbon
monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle must be driven with
the liftgate, or trunk/hatch open:
.Close all of the windows.
.Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Adjust the climate control
system to a setting that
brings in only outside air and
set the fan speed to the
highest setting. See “Climate
Control Systems” in the
Index.
.If the vehicle has a power
liftgate, disable the power
liftgate function.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9‑26.

Black plate (12,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
2-12 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Remote Trunk Release
To open the trunk from outside the
vehicle, press
Von the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter,
or press the touch pad above the
license plate.
Emergency Trunk Release
Handle
Notice: Do not use the
emergency trunk release handle
as a tie-down or anchor point
when securing items in the trunk
as it could damage the handle.
The emergency trunk release
handle is only intended to aid a person trapped in a latched trunk,
enabling them to open the trunk
from the inside.
There is an emergency trunk
release handle located inside the
trunk on the trunk latch. On some
vehicles, the release handle can be
accessed by folding the rear seat
center seatback. See
Rear Seats on
page 3‑10. Pull the release handle
to open the trunk from the inside.
Vehicle Security
This vehicle has theft-deterrent
features; however, they do not make
the vehicle impossible to steal.
Vehicle Alarm System
This vehicle has an anti-theft alarm
system.
Arming the System
To arm the system, pressQon the
RKE transmitter, lock the doors
using the keyless access system,
or lock the doors using the power
lock switch with the door open.
The alarm automatically arms after
about 30 seconds. The security
light, located on the instrument
panel, flashes.
Press
Von the RKE transmitter to
open the trunk without setting off the
alarm. The system rearms when the
trunk is closed.

Black plate (13,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-13
Disarming the System
To disarm the system, do one of the
following:
.PressKon the RKE transmitter.
.Unlock the vehicle with the RKE
transmitter (keyless access).
.Start the engine.
The alarm automatically disarms.
How to Detect a Tamper
Condition
IfKis pressed and the horn
sounds, an attempted break-in
occurred while the system was
armed.
If the alarm has been activated, a
message will appear on the DIC.
See Security Messages on
page 5‑37.
Immobilizer
See Radio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑20 for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-GEN/210/220/310.
Immobilizer Operation
(Key Access)
This vehicle has a passive
theft-deterrent system.
The system does not have to be
manually armed or disarmed.
The vehicle is automatically
immobilized when the key is
removed from the ignition.
The system is automatically
disarmed when the vehicle is
started with the correct key. The key
uses a transponder that matches an
immobilizer control unit in the
vehicle and automatically disarms
the system. Only the correct key
starts the vehicle. The vehicle may
not start if the key is damaged.The security light in the instrument
cluster comes on if there is a
problem with arming or disarming
the theft-deterrent system.
When trying to start the vehicle, the
security light comes on briefly when
the ignition is turned on.
If the engine does not start and the
security light stays on, there is a
problem with the system. Turn the
ignition off and try again.
If the engine still does not start, and
the key appears to be undamaged
or the light continues to stay on, try
another ignition key.
If the engine still does not start with
the other key, the vehicle needs
service. If the vehicle does start, the
first key may be damaged. See your

Black plate (14,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
2-14 Keys, Doors, and Windows
dealer who can service the
theft-deterrent system and have a
new key made.
Do not leave the key or device that
disarms or deactivates the
theft-deterrent system in the vehicle.
Immobilizer Operation
(Keyless Access)
This vehicle has a passive
theft-deterrent system.
The system does not have to be
manually armed or disarmed.
The vehicle is automatically
immobilized when the transmitter
leaves the vehicle.
The immobilization system is
disarmed when the ignition button is
pushed in and a valid transmitter is
found in the vehicle.
The security light in the instrument
cluster comes on When there is a
problem with arming or disarming
the theft-deterrent system.
The system has one or more
transmitters matched to an
immobilizer control unit in your
vehicle. Only a correctly matched
transmitter will start the vehicle.
If the transmitter is ever damaged,
you may not be able to start your
vehicle.
When trying to start the vehicle, the
security light comes on briefly when
the ignition is turned on.
If the engine does not start and the
security light stays on, there is a
problem with the system. Turn the
vehicle off and try again.If the RKE transmitter appears to be
undamaged, try another transmitter.
Or, you may try placing the
transmitter in the transmitter pocket
in the center console. See
“Starting
the Vehicle with a Low Transmitter
Battery” underRemote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation on
page 2‑3.
If the engine does not start with the
other transmitter or when the
transmitter is in the pocket in the
center console, your vehicle needs
service. See your dealer who can
service the theft-deterrent system
and have a new transmitter
programmed to the vehicle.
Do not leave the transmitter or
device that disarms or deactivates
the theft-deterrent system in the
vehicle.

Black plate (15,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-15
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors
{WARNING
A convex mirror can make things,
like other vehicles, look farther
away than they really are. If you
cut too sharply into the right lane,
you could hit a vehicle on the
right. Check the inside mirror or
glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
The passenger side mirror is convex
shaped. A convex mirror's surface is
curved so more can be seen from
the driver seat.
Power Mirrors
To adjust the mirrors:
1. Turn the control knob to the L (Left) or R (Right) selecting the
driver or passenger mirror.
2. Push the control knob to the left, right, up, or down to adjust the
mirror.
Vehicles with the memory feature
can store a preferred mirror position.
See Memory Seats on page 3‑6.
Folding Mirrors
Manual Folding Mirrors
These mirrors can be folded inward
to prevent damage when going
through an automatic car wash. To
fold, pull the mirror toward the
vehicle. Push the mirror outward to
return it to the original position.
Automatic Dimming Feature
The vehicle may have a driver
outside mirror that automatically
adjusts for the glare of the
headlamps behind.
Turn Signal Indicator
The vehicle may have a turn signal
indicator lamp built into the mirror
housing. The turn signal lamp
flashes when the turn signals or
hazard flashers are used.

Black plate (16,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
2-16 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Heated Mirrors
For vehicles with heated mirrors:
1(Rear Window Defogger):
Press to heat the mirrors.
See “Rear Window Defogger” under
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8‑1.
Park Tilt Mirrors
If the vehicle is equipped with
memory mirrors, there is an option
to have the mirrors tilt down, when
in R (Reverse), to more easily see
the ground near the vehicle. When the vehicle is shifted to
R (Reverse), both the driver and
passenger mirrors will tilt downward.
They will return to their previous
position when the vehicle is shifted
out of R (Reverse), the ignition is
turned to OFF, or the vehicle is left
in R (Reverse) for an extended
period of time.
This feature can be turned on or off.
See
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑39.
Interior Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Adjust the inside rearview mirror for
a clear view of the area behind your
vehicle. To avoid glare of the
headlamps from behind, push the
tab forward for daytime and pull it
for nighttime use.
Vehicles with OnStar have three
control buttons at the bottom of the
mirror. See your dealer for more
information about OnStar and how
to subscribe to it. See OnStar
Overview on page 14‑1.
Automatic Dimming
Rearview Mirror
On vehicles with an automatic
dimming inside rearview mirror the
automatic dimming reduces the
glare from the headlamps of the
vehicle behind you.

Black plate (17,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-17
Adjust this mirror for a clear view of
the area behind the vehicle. Hold
the mirror in the center to move it
up, down, or side to side. To reduce
headlamp glare from behind, push
the tab forward for daytime and pull
it for nighttime use.
Cleaning the Mirror
Do not spray glass cleaner directly
on the mirror. Use a soft towel
dampened with water.
Windows
{WARNING
Never leave a child, a helpless
adult, or a pet alone in a vehicle,
especially with the windows
closed in warm or hot weather.
They can be overcome by the
extreme heat and suffer
permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke.
The vehicle aerodynamics are
designed to improve fuel economy
performance. This may result in a
pulsing sound when either rear
window is down and the front
windows are up. To reduce the
sound, open either a front window
or the sunroof, if equipped.
Power Windows
{WARNING
Children could be seriously
injured or killed if caught in the
path of a closing window. Never
leave keys in a vehicle with
children. When there are children
in the rear seat, use the window
lockout button to prevent
operation of the windows. See
Keys on page 2‑1.

Black plate (18,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
2-18 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Press the switch to lower the
window. Pull the switch up to
raise it.
The switches work when the ignition
is in ON/RUN or ACC/
ACCESSORY, or in Retained
Accessory Power (RAP). See
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
on page 9‑24.
Express Window Operation
Windows with an express-up or
down feature allow the front
windows to be lowered or raised
without holding the switch. Rearwindows only have express-down.
Pull a window switch up or push it
down all the way, release it, and the
window goes down or up
automatically. Stop the window by
pushing or pulling the switch.
Rear Window Lockout
This feature prevents the rear
passenger windows from operating,
except from the driver position.
Press
o
{to activate the rear
window lockout switch.
The indicator light comes on when
activated.
The rear door locks are also
disabled. See Safety Locks on
page 2‑10.
Press
o {again to deactivate the
lockout switch.
Programming the Power
Windows
If the battery on the vehicle has
been recharged, disconnected, or is
not working, you will need to
reprogram each front power window
for the express-up feature to work.
Before reprogramming, replace or
recharge the vehicle's battery.
To program each front window:
1. With the ignition in ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY, or in
Retained Accessory Power
(RAP), close all doors.
2. Press and hold the power window switch until the window
is fully open.

Black plate (19,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-19
3. Pull the power window switch upuntil the window is fully closed.
4. Continue holding the switch up for approximately two seconds
after the window is completely
closed.
The window is now reprogrammed.
Repeat the process for the other
windows.
Sun Visors
Pull the sun visor down to block
glare. Detach the sun visor from the
center mount to pivot to the side
window, or to extend along the rod,
if available.
Rear Window Sunshade
On vehicles with a rear window
sunshade, the switch is on the
console to the right of the shift lever.
The sunshade only operates when
the ignition is in ON/RUN or ACC/
ACCESSORY.
To open the sunshade, press and
release the switch. The sunshade
will fully extend. To close the
sunshade, press and release the
switch again. The sunshade will fully
close.
If the vehicle is shifted into
R (Reverse) when the sunshade is
extended, it will automatically close.
Roof
Sunroof
On vehicles with a sunroof, the
switch is on the overhead console.
The ignition must be in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY, or Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) must be
active. See Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) on page 9‑24.

Black plate (20,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
2-20 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Vent:Press the rear of the
switch (2) to the first detent to vent
the sunroof. Press the front of the
switch (1) to the second detent to
close the sunroof.
Express-Open/Express-Close: To
express-open the sunroof, fully
press and release the rear of the
switch (2). To express-close, fully
press and release the front of the
switch (1). To stop the sunroof
partway, press either switch a
second time.
The sunshade opens automatically
with the sunroof.
To express-open the sunshade, fully
press and release the rear of the
switch (3). To stop the sunshade
partway, press the switch a second
time. To express-close, fully press
and release the front of the
switch (4). To stop the sunshade
partway, press the switch a
second time.Anti-Pinch Feature
If an object is in the path of the
sunroof while it is closing, the
anti-pinch feature will detect the
object and stop the sunroof from
closing at the point of the
obstruction. The sunroof and
sunshade will then return to the
open or vent position. To close the
sunroof once the obstruction has
been removed, refer to
"Express-Open/Express-Close"
earlier in this section.
Dirt and debris may collect on the
sunroof seal or in the track. This
could cause issues with sunroof
operation and noise. It could also
plug the water drainage system. Periodically open the sunroof and
remove any obstacles or loose
debris. Wipe the sunroof seal and
roof sealing area using a clean
cloth, mild soap, and water. Do not
remove grease from the sunroof.