power steering BUICK LACROSSE 2017 User Guide

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
2017 - crc - 9/7/16
148 Lighting
Lighting
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . 148
Exterior Lamps OffReminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Automatic Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . 150
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Sun Visor Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Battery Load Management . . . 153
Battery Power Protection . . . . . 154
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls
The exterior lamp control is on the
instrument panel to the left of the
steering column.
There are four positions.
O: Turns off the automatic
headlamps and daytime running
lamps (DRL). Turn to the off position
again to turn the automatic
headlamps or DRL back on.
AUTO : Turns the exterior lamps on
and off automatically depending on
outside lighting.
;: Turns on the parking lamps
including all lamps, except the
headlamps.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
2017 - crc - 9/7/16
162 Driving and Operating
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 166
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 167
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 169
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 173
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Retained AccessoryPower (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180 Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Running the Vehicle While
Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 181
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . 187
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Automatic Vehicle Hold (AVH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/ElectronicStability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Selective Ride Control . . . . . . . . 192
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . 194
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 202 Assistance Systems for
Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 203
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Forward Automatic Braking (FAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . 213
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . 215
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
California Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 218
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Trailer Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
2017 - crc - 9/7/16
164 Driving and Operating
Refer to the infotainment manual for
more information on using that
system, including pairing and using
a cell phone
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means“always
expect the unexpected.” The first
step in driving defensively is to wear
the safety belt. See Safety Belts
0 59.
. Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and
other drivers) are going to be
careless and make mistakes.
Anticipate what they might do
and be ready.
. Allow enough following distance
between you and the driver in
front of you.
. Focus on the task of driving.
Drunk Driving
Death and injury associated with
drinking and driving is a global
tragedy.
{Warning
Drinking and then driving is very
dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even
a small amount of alcohol. You
can have a serious —or even
fatal —collision if you drive after
drinking.
Do not drink and drive or ride with
a driver who has been drinking.
Ride home in a cab; or if you are
with a group, designate a driver
who will not drink.
Control of a Vehicle
Braking, steering, and accelerating
are important factors in helping to
control a vehicle while driving.
Braking
Braking action involves perception
time and reaction time. Deciding to
push the brake pedal is perception
time. Actually doing it is
reaction time. Average driver reaction time is
about three-quarters of a second. In
that time, a vehicle moving at
100 km/h (60 mph) travels 20 m
(66 ft), which could be a lot of
distance in an emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in mind
include:
.
Keep enough distance between
you and the vehicle in front
of you.
. Avoid needless heavy braking.
. Keep pace with traffic.
If the engine ever stops while the
vehicle is being driven, brake
normally but do not pump the
brakes. Doing so could make the
pedal harder to push down. If the
engine stops, there will be some
power brake assist but it will be
used when the brake is applied.
Once the power assist is used up, it
can take longer to stop and the
brake pedal will be harder to push.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
2017 - crc - 9/7/16
Driving and Operating 165
Steering
Electric Power Steering
The vehicle has electric power
steering, so it does not have power
steering fluid. Regular maintenance
is not required.
If power steering assist is lost due
to a system malfunction, the vehicle
can be steered, but may require
increased effort.
See your dealer if there is a
problem.
If the steering wheel is turned until it
reaches the end of its travel and is
held against that position for an
extended period of time, power
steering assist may be reduced.
If the steering assist is used for an
extended period of time, power
assist may be reduced.
Normal use of the power steering
assist should return when the
system cools down.
See specific vehicle steering
messages underVehicle Messages
0 128.
Variable Effort Steering
The steering system varies the
amount of effort required to steer
the vehicle in relation to the speed
of the vehicle.
The amount of steering effort
required is less at slower speeds to
make the vehicle more
maneuverable and easier to park. At
faster speeds, the steering effort
increases to provide a sport-like feel
to the steering. This provides
maximum control and stability.
Curve Tips
.
Take curves at a reasonable
speed.
. Reduce speed before entering a
curve.
. Maintain a reasonable, steady
speed through the curve.
. Wait until the vehicle is out of
the curve before accelerating
gently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
.
There are some situations when
steering around a problem may
be more effective than braking.
. Holding both sides of the
steering wheel allows you to turn
180 degrees without removing
a hand.
. Antilock Brake System (ABS)
allows steering while braking.
Off-Road Recovery

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
2017 - crc - 9/7/16
174 Driving and Operating
If the pushbutton start is not
working, the vehicle may be near a
strong radio antenna signal causing
interference to the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) system. SeeRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation 027.
To shift out of P (Park), the vehicle
must be in ON/RUN mode and the
brake pedal must be applied.
Stopping the Engine/OFF (No
Indicator Light) : When the vehicle
is stopped, press ENGINE START/
STOP once to turn the engine off.
The transmission will shift to
P (Park) automatically.
If the vehicle is in P (Park), the
ignition will turn off, and Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) will remain
active. See Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) 0178.
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of power
assist in the brake and steering
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
systems and disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the
vehicle off in an emergency.
If the vehicle must be shut off in an
emergency: 1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the
brakes repeatedly. This may
deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be done while the
vehicle is moving. After shifting
to N (Neutral), firmly apply the
brakes and steer the vehicle to
a safe location.
3. Come to a complete stop, shift to P (Park), and press ENGINE
START/STOP.
4. Set the parking brake. See Electric Parking Brake 0187. If the vehicle cannot be pulled over
and must be shut off while driving,
press and hold ENGINE START/
STOP for longer than two seconds,
or press twice in five seconds.
ACC/ACCESSORY (Amber
Indicator Light) :
This mode allows
you to use some electrical
accessories when the engine is off.
With the ignition off, pressing
ENGINE START/STOP once without
the brake pedal applied will place
the ignition system in ACC/
ACCESSORY.
The ignition will switch from ACC/
ACCESSORY to OFF after
10 minutes to prevent battery
rundown.
ON/RUN/START (Green Indicator
Light) : This mode is for driving and
starting. With the ignition off and the
brake pedal applied, pressing
ENGINE START/STOP once will
place the ignition system in ON/
RUN/START. Once engine cranking
begins, release the button. Engine
cranking will continue until the

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
2017 - crc - 9/7/16
Driving and Operating 185
Caution
Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill
using only the accelerator pedal
may damage the transmission.
The repair will not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. If you are
stuck, do not spin the tires. When
stopping on a hill, use the brakes
to hold the vehicle in place.
Manual Mode
Tap ShiftCaution
Driving with the engine at a high
rpm without upshifting while using
Tap Shift, could damage the
vehicle. Always upshift when
necessary while using Tap Shift.
Vehicles with Tap Shift have
controls on the back of the steering
wheel to manually shift the
automatic transmission.
To enter Permanent Tap Shift Mode:1. With the shift lever in D (Drive), pull back on the shift lever to
activate M (Manual Mode). The
M in the shift pattern will
illuminate in red, and the D will
switch to white.
2. Tap the left steering wheel control to downshift, and the
right control to upshift. To shift
to the lowest available gear,
press and hold the left control. 3. To exit, pull back on the shift
lever a second time. The D in
the shift pattern will illuminate
in red, and the M will switch to
white.
With the transmission in D (Drive)
and not in Permanent Tap Shift
Mode, the Tap Shift controls will
activate a temporary tap manual
shift mode, allowing the
transmission to be manually shifted.
Automatic shifts return after no
manual shifts have been done for
seven to 10 seconds. The
Temporary Tap Shift Mode can also
be deactivated by holding the right
upshift control briefly.
While using Tap Shift, the vehicle
will have firmer, quicker shifting.
This can be used for sport driving or
when climbing or descending hills,
to stay in gear longer, or to
downshift for more power or engine
braking.
The transmission will only allow
shifting into gears appropriate for
the vehicle speed and engine
revolutions per minute (rpm). The
transmission will not automatically

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
2017 - crc - 9/7/16
Driving and Operating 187
If driving safely on a wet road and it
becomes necessary to slam on the
brakes and continue braking to
avoid a sudden obstacle, a
computer senses the wheels are
slowing down. If one of the wheels
is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at
each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
you steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls
braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to
stop, even with ABS.Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly and let
ABS work. You may hear the ABS
pump or motor operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsate. This is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows you to steer and brake
at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
more than even the very best
braking.
Electric Parking Brake
The Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
can always be activated, even if the
ignition is off. To prevent draining
the battery, avoid repeated cycles of
the EPB when the engine is not
running.
The system has a red parking brake
status light and an amber parking
brake warning light. There are also
parking brake-related Driver
Information Center (DIC) messages.
In case of insufficient electrical
power, the EPB cannot be applied
or released.
Before leaving the vehicle, check
the red parking brake status light to
ensure that the parking brake is
applied.
EPB Apply
To apply the EPB:1. Be sure the vehicle is at a complete stop.
2. Press the EPB switch momentarily.
The red parking brake status light
will flash and then stay on once the
EPB is fully applied. If the red

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
2017 - crc - 9/7/16
Vehicle Care 251
FusesUsage
29 Rear vision camera/ Ventilation
30 Malfunction indicator lamp/Shift solenoid
32 Canister vent solenoid
33 Front heated seats
34 Rear heated seat/ Vehicle body safety
module/Energy
storage system fan
35 Fog lamps
36 Fuel module
38 –
39 –
40 Steering columnn lock
41 –
43 Heated steering wheel
44 Headlamp leveling/ Rear seat ventilation
45 – Fuses
Usage
46 Engine control module/Ignition
47 –
48 Engine boost/Left cooling fan
49 DC DC battery 2/AWD
50 –
51 –
52 –
53 –
54 –
55 –
56 –
57 Transmission auxiliary pump
58 TRCM
59 High-beam headlamps
60 Cooling fan
61 –
62 – Fuses
Usage
63 –
65 A/C HEV
67 –
68 –
69 Right HID low-beam headlamps
70 Left HID low-beam headlamps
72 Starter pinion
74 Starter motor
75 Engine control module
76 Powertrain –off
engine
77 –
78 Horn
79 Washer pump
81 Transmission control module/ Engine
control module
82 –
83 Ignition coils

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
2017 - crc - 9/7/16
254 Vehicle Care
FusesUsage
F29 Body control module 8
F30 Overhead console
F31 Steering wheel control
F32 –
F33 HVAC
F34 Center gateway module
F35 Integrated chassis control module
F36 Charger
F37 Auxiliary power outlet/Cigar lighter
F38 OnStar
F39 Monitor
F40 Object detection
F41 Body control module 1 On/Off
F42 Radio
F43 Rear accessory power outlet Fuses
Usage
F44 Front accessory power outlet
Relays Usage
K1 –
K2 Retained accessory power
K3 –
K4 –
K5 LogisticsWheels and Tires
Tires
Every new GM vehicle has
high-quality tires made by a
leading tire manufacturer. See
the warranty manual for
information regarding the tire
warranty and where to get
service. For additional
information refer to the tire
manufacturer.
{Warning
.Poorly maintained and
improperly used tires are
dangerous.
.Overloading the tires can
cause overheating as a
result of too much
flexing. There could be a
blowout and a serious
crash. See Vehicle Load
Limits 0170.
(Continued)

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
2017 - crc - 9/7/16
290 Vehicle Care
Caution
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.
Caution
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(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
brushes. Damage could occur
and the repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Brake System
Visually inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding,
leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect
disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Inspect drum
brake linings/shoes for wear or
cracks. Inspect all other brake parts.
Steering, Suspension, and
Chassis Components
Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damaged, loose,
or missing parts or signs of wear at
least once a year.
Inspect power steering for proper
attachment, connections, binding,
leaks, cracks, chafing, etc.
Visually check constant velocity joint
boots and axle seals for leaks.
Body Component Lubrication
Lubricate all key lock cylinders,
hood hinges, liftgate hinges, and the
steel fuel door hinges, 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
At least twice a year, spring and fall,
use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from the
underbody. Take care to thoroughly
clean any areas where mud and
other debris can collect.
Do not directly power wash the
transfer case and/or front/rear axle
output seals. High pressure water
can overcome the seals and
contaminate the fluid. Contaminated
fluid will decrease the life of the
transfer case and/or axles and
should be replaced.