repair BUICK LACROSSE 2013 Service Manual

Black plate (94,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
10-94 Vehicle Care
Windshield and Wiper Blades
Clean the outside of the windshield
with glass cleaner.
Clean rubber blades using a lint-free
cloth or paper towel soaked with
windshield washer fluid or a mild
detergent. Wash the windshield
thoroughly when cleaning the
blades. Bugs, road grime, sap, and
a buildup of vehicle wash/wax
treatments may cause wiper
streaking.
Replace the wiper blades if they are
worn or damaged. Damage can be
caused by extreme dusty
conditions, sand, salt, heat, sun,
snow, and ice.
Weatherstrips
Apply silicone grease on
weatherstrips to make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or
squeak. Lubricate weatherstrips
once a year. Black marks from
rubber material on painted surfaces
can be removed by rubbing with aclean cloth. See
Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on
page 11‑12.
Tires
Use a stiff brush with tire cleaner to
clean the tires.
Notice: Using petroleum-based
tire dressing products on the
vehicle may damage the paint
finish and/or tires. When applying
a tire dressing, always wipe off
any overspray from all painted
surfaces on the vehicle.
Wheels and Trim —Aluminum
or Chrome
Use a soft, clean cloth with mild
soap and water to clean the wheels.
After rinsing thoroughly with clean
water, dry with a soft, clean towel.
A wax may then be applied.
Notice: Chrome wheels and other
chrome trim may be damaged if
the vehicle is not washed after
driving on roads that have been
sprayed with magnesium, calcium, or sodium chloride.
These chlorides are used on
roads for conditions such as ice
and dust. Always wash the
chrome with soap and water after
exposure.
Notice:
To avoid surface damage,
do not use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes,
cleaners, brushes, or cleaners
that contain acid on aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels. Use only
approved cleaners. Also, never
drive a vehicle with aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels through an
automatic car wash that uses
silicone carbide tire cleaning
brushes. Damage could occur
and the repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Steering, Suspension, and
Chassis Components
Visually inspect the front and rear
suspension and steering system for
damaged, loose, or missing parts or
signs of wear. Inspect the power
steering for proper hook-up, binding,

Black plate (95,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Vehicle Care 10-95
leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Visually
check constant velocity joints,
rubber boots, and axle seals for
leaks.
Body Component Lubrication
Lubricate all key lock cylinders,
hood hinges, liftgate hinges, and the
steel fuel door hinge unless the
components are plastic. Applying
silicone grease on weatherstrips
with a clean cloth will make them
last longer, seal better, and not stick
or squeak.
Underbody Maintenance
Use plain water to flush dirt and
debris from the vehicle's underbody.
Your dealer or an underbody car
washing system can do this. If not
removed, rust and corrosion can
develop.
Sheet Metal Damage
If the vehicle is damaged and
requires sheet metal repair or
replacement, make sure the body
repair shop applies anti-corrosionmaterial to parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion
protection.
Original manufacturer replacement
parts will provide the corrosion
protection while maintaining the
vehicle warranty.
Finish Damage
Quickly repair minor chips and
scratches with touch-up materials
available from your dealer to avoid
corrosion. Larger areas of finish
damage can be corrected in your
dealer's body and paint shop.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Airborne pollutants can fall upon
and attack painted vehicle surfaces
causing blotchy, ring-shaped
discolorations, and small, irregular
dark spots etched into the paint
surface.
Interior Care
To prevent dirt particle abrasions,
regularly clean the vehicle's interior.
Immediately remove any soils. Note
that newspapers or dark garments
that can transfer color to home
furnishings can also permanently
transfer color to the vehicle's
interior.
Use a soft bristle brush to remove
dust from knobs and crevices on the
instrument cluster. Using a mild
soap solution, immediately remove
hand lotions, sunscreen, and insect
repellent from all interior surfaces or
permanent damage may result.
Your dealer may have products for
cleaning the interior. Use cleaners
specifically designed for the
surfaces being cleaned to prevent
permanent damage. Apply all
cleaners directly to the cleaning
cloth. Do not spray cleaners directly
on any switches or controls.
Cleaners should be removed
quickly. Never allow cleaners to

Black plate (1,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Service and Maintenance 11-1
Service and
Maintenance
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Maintenance Schedule
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . 11-2
Special Application Services
Special ApplicationServices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8
Additional Maintenance
and Care
Additional Maintenanceand Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-9
Recommended Fluids,
Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids andLubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-12
Maintenance Replacement Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-13
Maintenance Records
Maintenance Records . . . . . . 11-15
General Information
Your vehicle is an important
investment. This section describes
the required maintenance for the
vehicle. Follow this schedule to help
protect against major repair
expenses resulting from neglect or
inadequate maintenance. It may
also help to maintain the value of
the vehicle if it is sold. It is the
responsibility of the owner to have
all required maintenance performed.
Your dealer has trained technicians
who can perform required
maintenance using genuine
replacement parts. They have up‐to‐
date tools and equipment for fast
and accurate diagnostics. Many
dealers have extended evening and
Saturday hours, courtesy
transportation, and online
scheduling to assist with service
needs.
Your dealer recognizes the
importance of providing
competitively priced maintenance
and repair services. With trained technicians, the dealer is the place
for routine maintenance such as oil
changes and tire rotations and
additional maintenance items like
tires, brakes, batteries, and wiper
blades.
Notice:
Damage caused by
improper maintenance can lead to
costly repairs and may not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Maintenance intervals, checks,
inspections, recommended fluids,
and lubricants are important to
keep the vehicle in good working
condition.
The Tire Rotation and Required
Services are the responsibility of the
vehicle owner. It is recommended to
have your dealer perform these
services every 12 000 km/7,500 mi.
Proper vehicle maintenance helps to
keep the vehicle in good working
condition, improves fuel economy,
and reduces vehicle emissions.

Black plate (9,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Service and Maintenance 11-9
Additional
Maintenance and Care
Your vehicle is an important
investment and caring for it properly
may help to avoid future costly
repairs. To maintain vehicle
performance, additional
maintenance services may be
required. It is recommended that
your dealer perform these services
—their trained dealer technicians
know your vehicle best. Your dealer
can also perform a thorough
assessment with a multi-point
inspection to recommend when your
vehicle may need attention. The
following list is intended to explain
the services and conditions to look
for that may indicate services are
required. Battery
The battery supplies power to start
the engine and operate any
additional electrical accessories.
.To avoid break-down or failure to
start the vehicle, maintain a
battery with full cranking power.
.Trained dealer technicians have
the diagnostic equipment to test
the battery and ensure that the
connections and cables are
corrosion-free.
Belts
.Belts may need replacing if they
squeak or show signs of
cracking or splitting.
.Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the belts and
recommend adjustment or
replacement when necessary. Brakes
Brakes stop the vehicle and are
crucial to safe driving.
.Signs of brake wear may include
chirping, grinding, or squealing
noises, or difficulty stopping.
.Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the brakes and
recommend quality parts
engineered for the vehicle.
Fluids
Proper fluid levels and approved
fluids protect the vehicle’s systems
and components. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑12 for GM
approved fluids.
.Engine oil and windshield
washer fluid levels should be
checked at every fuel fill.
.Instrument cluster lights may
come on to indicate that fluids
may be low and need to be
filled.

Black plate (1,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Customer Information 13-1
Customer
Information
Customer Information
Customer SatisfactionProcedure (U.S. and
Canada) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-1
Customer Satisfaction Procedure (Mexico) . . . . . . . . 13-3
Customer Assistance Offices (U.S. and Canada) . . . . . . . . . 13-4
Customer Assistance Offices (Mexico) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-5
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users (U.S.
and Canada) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-5
Online Owner Center . . . . . . . . 13-6
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program (U.S. and
Canada) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-7
Roadside Assistance Program (U.S. and Canada) . . . . . . . . . 13-7
Roadside Assistance Program (Mexico) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-9
Scheduling Service Appointments (U.S. and
Canada) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-12 Courtesy Transportation
Program (U.S. and
Canada) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-12
Collision Damage Repair (U.S. and Canada) . . . . . . . . 13-14
Service Publications Ordering Information . . . . . . 13-16
Reporting Safety Defects
Reporting Safety Defects tothe United States
Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-17
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-18
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . 13-18
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-18
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . 13-19
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-19
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . 13-20
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) . . . . . . . 13-20
Radio Frequency Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-20
Customer Information
Customer Satisfaction
Procedure (U.S. and
Canada)
Your satisfaction and goodwill are
important to your dealer and to
Buick. Normally, any concerns with
the sales transaction or the
operation of the vehicle will be
resolved by your dealer's sales or
service departments. Sometimes,
however, despite the best intentions
of all concerned, misunderstandings
can occur. If your concern has not
been resolved to your satisfaction,
the following steps should be taken:
STEP ONE: Discuss your concern
with a member of dealership
management. Normally, concerns
can be quickly resolved at that level.
If the matter has already been
reviewed with the sales, service,
or parts manager, contact the owner
of your dealership or the general
manager.

Black plate (2,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
13-2 Customer Information
STEP TWO:If after contacting a
member of dealership management,
it appears your concern cannot be
resolved by your dealership without
further help, in the U.S., call
1-800-521-7300. In Canada, contact
General Motors of Canada
Customer Care Centre at
1‐800-263-3777 (English) or
1-800-263-7854 (French).
We encourage you to call the
toll-free number in order to give the
inquiry prompt attention. Have the
following information available to
give the Customer Assistance
representative:
.Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN). This is available
from the vehicle registration or
title, or the plate at the top left of
the instrument panel and visible
through the windshield.
.Dealership name and location.
.Vehicle delivery date and
present mileage. When contacting Buick, remember
that your concern will likely be
resolved at a dealer's facility. That is
why we suggest following Step One
first.
STEP THREE
—U.S. Owners:
Both General Motors and your
dealer are committed to making
sure you are completely satisfied
with the new vehicle. However,
if you continue to remain unsatisfied
after following the procedure
outlined in Steps One and Two, you
can file with the Better Business
Bureau (BBB) Auto Line
®Program
to enforce your rights.
The BBB Auto Line Program is an
out-of-court program administered
by the Council of Better Business
Bureaus to settle automotive
disputes regarding vehicle repairs or
the interpretation of the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty. Although you may
be required to resort to this informal
dispute resolution program prior to
filing a court action, use of the
program is free of charge and your
case will generally be heard within 40 days. If you do not agree with the
decision given in your case, you
may reject it and proceed with any
other venue for relief available
to you.
You may contact the BBB Auto Line
Program using the toll-free
telephone number or write them at
the following address:
BBB Auto Line Program
Council of Better Business Bureaus,
Inc.
4200 Wilson Boulevard
Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203-1838
Telephone: 1-800-955-5100
www.dr.bbb.org/goauto
This program is available in all
50 states and the District of
Columbia. Eligibility is limited by
vehicle age, mileage, and other
factors. General Motors reserves
the right to change eligibility
limitations and/or discontinue its
participation in this program.

Black plate (8,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
13-8 Customer Information
Buick and General Motors of
Canada Limited reserve the right to
limit services or payment to an
owner or driver if they decide the
claims are made too often, or the
same type of claim is made many
times.
Services Provided
.Emergency Fuel Delivery:
Delivery of enough fuel for the
vehicle to get to the nearest
service station.
.Lock-Out Service:Service to
unlock the vehicle if you are
locked out. A remote unlock may
be available if you have
OnStar
®. For security reasons,
the driver must present
identification before this service
is given.
.Emergency Tow from a Public
Road or Highway: Tow to the
nearest Buick dealer for
warranty service, or if the vehicle
was in a crash and cannot be driven. Assistance is also given
when the vehicle is stuck in
sand, mud, or snow.
.Flat Tire Change:
Service to
change a flat tire with the spare
tire. The spare tire, if equipped,
must be in good condition and
properly inflated. It is the owner's
responsibility for the repair or
replacement of the tire if it is not
covered by the warranty.
.Battery Jump Start: Service to
jump start a dead battery.
Services Not Included in
Roadside Assistance
.Impound towing caused by
violation of any laws.
.Legal fines.
.Mounting, dismounting,
or changing of snow tires,
chains, or other traction devices.
.Towing or services for vehicles
driven on a non-public road or
highway.
Services Specific to
Canadian-Purchased Vehicles
.Fuel delivery: Reimbursement
is approximately $5 Canadian.
Diesel fuel delivery may be
restricted. Propane and other
fuels are not provided through
this service.
.Lock-Out Service: Vehicle
registration is required.
.Trip Interruption Benefits and
Assistance: Must be over
250 kilometers from where your
trip was started to qualify.
General Motors of Canada
Limited requires
pre-authorization, original
detailed receipts, and a copy of
the repair orders. Once
authorization has been received,
the Roadside Assistance advisor
will help you make arrangements
and explain how to receive
payment.

Black plate (9,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Customer Information 13-9
.Alternative Service:If
assistance cannot be provided
right away, the Roadside
Assistance advisor may give
permission to get local
emergency road service. You will
receive payment, up to $100,
after sending the original receipt
to Roadside Assistance.
Mechanical failures may be
covered, however any cost for
parts and labor for repairs not
covered by the warranty are the
owner responsibility.
Roadside Assistance
Program (Mexico)
As a new owner, your vehicle is
automatically enrolled in the
Roadside Assistance program. The
services are available at no cost
under the terms and conditions of
the program. The Roadside
Assistance program is not part of,
or included, in the coverage
provided by the new vehicle limited
warranty. Roadside Assistance provides
assistance to the driver and
passengers while driving the vehicle
within your city of residence or on
any passable road in Mexico, the
United States, and Canada.
Services are subject to the
limitations described in the following
pages. Program coverage varies by
country.
Roadside Assistance is available
24 hours a day, 365 days of
the year.
This program expires two years
from the date of the invoice for the
vehicle, regardless of vehicle
mileage and changes in vehicle
ownership.
For more information about the
renewal of this program at the end
of its term, contact the Buick
Customer Assistance Center at
01-800-466-0818.
Services Provided
.Flat Tire Change: If unable to
change a flat tire, Roadside
Assistance will provide towing
service to the nearest authorized
Buick dealership. It is the
owner's responsibility for the
repair or replacement of the tire.
This service is limited to the
transfer of the vehicle to the
repair facility.
.Emergency Fuel Delivery:
Delivery of enough fuel for the
vehicle to get to the nearest
service station.
.Lock-Out Service: Service to
unlock the vehicle if you are
locked out.
.Battery Jump Start: Service to
jump start a dead battery.
.*Emergency Messages:
Transmission of urgent phone
messages.
.*Emergency Calls: Call for
emergency services.

Black plate (10,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
13-10 Customer Information
.*Dealership Location
Assistance: Information
regarding addresses and
telephone numbers for Buick
dealers.
.Emergency Towing: Tow to the
nearest dealer for warranty
service if the vehicle cannot be
driven.
If the vehicle is involved in an
accident during the commission
of a crime, administrative
violation, or breach of traffic
regulations, Roadside
Assistance will not provide
service. When the vehicle is not
accessible to be towed, all
maneuvers required to access it
will be at the owner's expense.
If the vehicle is in another city
outside of your residence,
Roadside Assistance is limited
to moving the vehicle to the
nearest dealer. If you would like
the vehicle moved to a different
dealer, you will be asked to
cover the difference in cost at
the time of the move.If the vehicle cannot be received
by the nearest Buick dealer due
to scheduling conflicts, the
vehicle will be taken to a safe
place where it will remain for up
to 48 hours until it can be taken
to the dealer. If the storage costs
exceed the amount authorized,
the owner is responsible to pay
the difference at the time of
service. Contact Roadside
Assistance for more information
on authorized amounts.
.*Trip Interruption: This service
is provided if you are prevented
from further usage of your
vehicle while traveling and it is
not possible for the nearest
Buick dealership to repair the
vehicle the same day, requiring
the vehicle to stay at the
dealership for a night or more.
If this happens, in addition to the
previously listed services and
prior to confirmation by the
dealership, you are entitled to
choose one of the following
alternatives, within the limits of
existing Roadside Assistance
program guidelines. If the costs
exceed the amount authorized
for these services, you must pay
the difference at the time of
service.
Roadside Assistance will
coordinate hotel
accommodations for all vehicle
travelers for up to two nights.
A rental car will be provided for
up to two days and the vehicle
must be returned to its original
destination, excluding vehicles
with a carrying capacity greater
than 3.5 tons.
Complimentary Transportation: If
you prefer to continue your trip
to the intended destination or
return to your place of
residence, and the trip requires
more than eight hours driving on
the road, transportation for the
driver and passengers by first
class bus or coach commercial
airline will be provided to a
location chosen by Roadside

Black plate (11,1)Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 9/7/12
Customer Information 13-11
Assistance, depending on
availability at the chosen
destination. Restrictions apply
based on vehicle specifications.
If you are on the road, taxi
service to the nearest bus
station or airport will be
provided.
.*Complimentary
Transportation for Vehicle Pick
Up: Transportation to pick up
your vehicle after repairs are
complete. Once the dealer has
reported that the vehicle has
been repaired, Roadside
Assistance will provide bus or
commercial airline one-way
service (subject to availability)
for the person designated by you
to collect your vehicle at the
dealership's location if you or the
designated person are not in the
same town or city as the
dealership.
*These services are not provided for
U.S. or Canada residents. All
services provided in the U.S. and Canada are at the owner's expense
and will be reimbursed by Roadside
Assistance.
Services Not Included in Roadside
Assistance
Roadside Assistance does not
cover or reimburse services for the
following:.Events caused by fraud or bad
faith by the driver.
.Vehicle immobilization situations
due to a major force or
unforeseen circumstances, such
as natural phenomena of an
extraordinary nature,
earthquakes, volcanic eruptions,
and other cyclonic storms.
.Vehicle immobilization situations
arising from car accidents
caused by the driver of the
vehicle or third parties. This
means any occurrence that
causes physical injury to the
occupants and/or the vehicle
caused by external forces.
.Acts of terrorism, riot or uproar,
armed forces or police actions
which prevent timely delivery of
assistance services.
.Food service, beverages,
telephone calls, or other extra
costs. Accommodation costs
apply only to Mexico per the
terms and conditions of the
Roadside Assistance program.
.Any damage to the vehicle
without intent, derived from the
services provided.
.Cost of towing a trailer when
choosing a Buick dealer that is
nearest to the temporary storage
facility for the disabled vehicle.
.Cost of all maneuvers required
to access the vehicle when it is
not available to be towed.
.Cost of fuel provided.
Routine vehicle repair costs are not
covered by the Roadside
Assistance program. For more
information, see your new vehicle
warranty.