brake BUICK LACROSSE 2017 Owner's Guide

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
2017 - crc - 9/7/16
182 Driving and Operating
The shift lever always starts from a
center position, represented by an
amber dot on the shift pattern. After
releasing the shift lever, it will return
to the center position.
The transmission does not operate
when the vehicle is off.
If the vehicle is in ACC/
ACCESSORY, the transmission can
be shifted into P (Park).
If the vehicle is turned to LOCK/OFF
while at a relatively high vehicle
speed, the transmission will
automatically shift to N (Neutral).
Once the vehicle is stopped,
P (Park) can be selected.P :This position locks the front
wheels. It is the best position to use
when you start the engine because
the vehicle cannot move easily.
{Warning
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the transmission is not
fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake firmly set. The vehicle
can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
place the transmission into
P (Park).
See Shifting Into Park 0179 and
Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips 0220.
This vehicle is equipped with an
electronic transmission. The shift
lever unlock button is designed to
prevent inadvertent shifting out of
P (Park) unless the ignition is in ON/
RUN, the brake pedal is applied,
and the shift lever unlock button is
pressed.
When the vehicle is stopped, press
ENGINE START/STOP to turn off
the vehicle. The transmission will
shift to P (Park) automatically.
The vehicle will not shift into
P (Park) if it is moving too fast. Stop
the vehicle and shift into P (Park).

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
2017 - crc - 9/7/16
Driving and Operating 183
To shift in and out of P (Park), see
Shifting Into Park0179 andShifting
out of Park 0179.
R : Use this gear to back up.
If the vehicle is shifted from either
R (Reverse) to D (Drive),
or D (Drive) to R (Reverse) while the
speed is too high, the vehicle will
shift to N (Neutral). Reduce the
vehicle speed and try the shift
again.
To shift into R (Reverse): 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Press the shift lever unlock button on the side of the shift
lever.
3. From the center position, move the shift lever forward, and
then to the left. R is illuminated
in red.
4. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center
position.
To shift out of R (Reverse): 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop. 2. Shift to the desired gear.
3. After releasing the shift lever, it
will return to the center
position.
At low vehicle speeds, R (Reverse)
can be used to rock the vehicle
back and forth to get out of snow,
ice, or sand without damaging the
transmission. See If the Vehicle Is
Stuck 0169.
N : In this position, the engine does
not connect with the wheels. To
restart when the vehicle is already
moving, use N (Neutral) only.
{Warning
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift
into a drive gear while the engine
is running at high speed.
Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the
engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle.
Caution
The vehicle is not designed to
stay in N (Neutral) for extended
periods of time. It will
automatically shift into P (Park).
To shift into N (Neutral): 1. From the center position, move the shift lever forward. If the
vehicle is in P (Park) press the
shift lever unlock button while
moving the shift lever back. N
is illuminated in red.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
2017 - crc - 9/7/16
184 Driving and Operating
2. After releasing the shift lever, itwill return to the center
position.
To shift out of N (Neutral): 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear.
3. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center
position.
Car Wash Mode (Engine Off)
To place the vehicle in N (Neutral)
with the engine off: 1. Put the ignition in OFF.
2. Put the ignition in Service Only Mode. See Ignition Positions
0 173.
3. Open the door while pressing the brake, and then shift to
N (Neutral).
4. The indicator should now show N. If it does not, repeat the
procedure.
5. When N (Neutral) is no longer needed, shift into P (Park) and
turn the ignition to OFF. Car Wash Mode (Engine On)
To place the vehicle in N (Neutral)
with the engine running:
1. Open the door while pressing the brake, then shift to
N (Neutral).
2. The indicator should now show N. If it does not, select
N (Neutral) again.
3. Shift into P (Park) upon returning to the vehicle.
D : This position is for normal
driving. It provides the best fuel
economy. If you need more power
for passing, and you are:
. Going less than 35 mph
(55 km/h), push the accelerator
pedal about halfway down.
. Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or
more, push the accelerator all
the way down.
The transmission will shift down
to a lower gear and have more
power. To shift into D (Drive):
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. From the center position, move the shift lever back. If the
vehicle is in P (Park) press the
shift lever unlock button while
moving the shift lever back. D
is illuminated in red.
3. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center
position.
To shift out of D (Drive):
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear.
3. After releasing the shift lever, it will return to the center
position.
Downshifting the transmission in
slippery road conditions could result
in skidding. See “Skidding”under
Loss of Control 0166.

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
186 Driving and Operating
shift to the next lower gear if the
engine rpm is too high, nor to the
next higher gear when the maximum
engine rpm is reached.
If shifting is prevented for any
reason, a SHIFT DENIED message
will be displayed in the instrument
cluster. SeeTransmission
Messages 0136.
When accelerating the vehicle from
a stop in snowy and icy conditions,
it is suggested to shift into second
gear. A higher gear allows the
vehicle to gain more traction on
slippery surfaces.Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive
Vehicles with this feature always
send engine power to all four
wheels. It is fully automatic, and
adjusts itself as needed for road
conditions.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system
performance will be automatically
reduced when the compact spare
tire is in use. To restore full AWD
performance, and prevent excessive
wear to the AWD system, replace
the compact spare tire with a
full-size tire as soon as possible.
See Compact Spare Tire 0280.
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has an Antilock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that helps
prevent a braking skid.
When the vehicle begins to drive
away, ABS checks itself.
A momentary motor or clicking noise
may be heard while this test is going
on, and it may even be noticed that
the brake pedal moves a little. This
is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. See Antilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
0 117.

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
188 Driving and Operating
parking brake status light flashes
continuously, then the EPB is only
partially applied or there is a
problem with the EPB. A DIC
message will display. Release the
EPB and try to apply it again. If the
light does not come on, or keeps
flashing, have the vehicle serviced.
Do not drive the vehicle if the red
parking brake status light is flashing.
See your dealer.
If the amber parking brake warning
light is on, press the EPB switch.
Continue to hold the switch until the
red parking brake status light
remains on. If the amber parking
brake warning light is on, see your
dealer.
If the EPB is applied while the
vehicle is moving, the vehicle will
decelerate as long as the switch is
pressed. If the switch is pressed
until the vehicle comes to a stop,
the EPB will remain applied.
The vehicle may automatically apply
the EPB in some situations when
the vehicle is not moving. This isnormal, and is done to periodically
check the correct operation of the
EPB system.
If the EPB fails to apply, block the
rear wheels to prevent vehicle
movement.
EPB Release
To release the EPB:
1. Place the ignition in the ACC/ ACCESSORY or ON/RUN
position.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Press the EPB switch momentarily .
The EPB is released when the red
parking brake status light is off.
If the amber parking brake warning
light is on, release the EPB by
pressing and holding the EPB
switch. Continue to hold the switch
until the red parking brake status
light is off. If either light stays on
after release is attempted, see your
dealer.
Caution
Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system
and cause premature wear or
damage to brake system parts.
Make sure that the parking brake
is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
Automatic EPB Release
The EPB will automatically release if
the vehicle is running, placed into
gear, and an attempt is made to
drive away. Avoid rapid acceleration
when the EPB is applied, to
preserve parking brake lining life.
Brake Assist
The Brake Assist feature is
designed to assist the driver in
stopping or decreasing vehicle
speed in emergency driving
conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake
control module to supplement the
power brake system under
conditions where the driver has

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
2017 - crc - 9/7/16
Driving and Operating 189
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle. The
stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates.
Minor brake pedal pulsation or
pedal movement during this time is
normal and the driver should
continue to apply the brake pedal as
the driving situation dictates. The
Brake Assist feature will
automatically disengage when the
brake pedal is released or brake
pedal pressure is quickly
decreased.
Automatic Vehicle
Hold (AVH)
The Automatic Vehicle Hold (AVH)
feature provides Hill Start Assist
(HSA). This feature will activate
when the vehicle is stopped on a
moderate to steep grade to help
prevent it from rolling in an
unintended direction. After the brake
pedal has been released and before
the accelerator pedal has been
pressed, AVH uses brakingpressure to hold the vehicle
stationary. If AVH is holding the
vehicle, a DIC message displays.
AVH will not activate in a forward
drive gear when facing downhill,
or in R (Reverse) when facing uphill.
Select the duration of the AVH
feature on the center stack
touchscreen by choosing the
submenu for Automatic Vehicle
Hold. See
“Comfort and
Convenience” inVehicle
Personalization 0138. When Short
and Auto Park Brake Off is selected,
the vehicle is held stationary for up
to two seconds after the brake pedal
is released. When Long and Auto
Park Brake On is selected, the
vehicle is held stationary for up to
five minutes after the brake pedal is
released. In either case, override
the hold feature by pressing the
accelerator pedal and attempting to
drive away.
If Short and Auto Park Brake Off is
selected in the Settings menu, it will
hold the vehicle for two seconds
unless the driver door is opened or
the driver safety belt is unbuckled
after releasing the brake pedal. If Long and Auto Park Brake On is
selected, it will hold the vehicle for
five minutes unless the driver door
is opened and the driver safety belt
is unbuckled prior to releasing the
brake pedal. When deactivated after
five minutes, or if it is deactivated
when the driver safety belt is
unlatched or the driver door is
opened, the Electric Parking Brake
will engage to prevent vehicle
movement.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
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190 Driving and Operating
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and StabiliTrak®, an
electronic stability control system.
These systems help limit wheel slip
and assist the driver in maintaining
control, especially on slippery road
conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any
of the drive wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, TCS applies the brakes to
the spinning wheels and reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak activates when the
vehicle senses a difference between
the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak selectively applies
braking pressure to any one of the vehicle wheel brakes to assist the
driver in keeping the vehicle on the
intended path.
If cruise control is being used and
traction control or StabiliTrak begins
to limit wheel spin, cruise control will
disengage. Cruise control may be
turned back on when road
conditions allow.
Both systems come on
automatically when the vehicle is
started and begins to move. The
systems may be heard or felt while
they are operating or while
performing diagnostic checks. This
is normal and does not mean there
is a problem with the vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both
systems on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn TCS off if the vehicle gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
See
If the Vehicle Is Stuck 0169
and “Turning the Systems Off and
On” later in this section.
The indicator light for both systems
is in the instrument cluster. This
light will:
.
Flash when TCS is limiting
wheel spin.
. Flash when StabiliTrak is
activated.
. Turn on and stay on when either
system is not working.
If either system fails to turn on or to
activate, a message displays in the
Driver Information Center (DIC),
and
dcomes on and stays on to
indicate that the system is inactive
and is not assisting the driver in
maintaining control. The vehicle is
safe to drive, but driving should be
adjusted accordingly.
If
dcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9803782) -
2017 - crc - 9/7/16
Driving and Operating 191
2. Turn the engine off and wait15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
Drive the vehicle. If
dcomes on
and stays on, the vehicle may need
more time to diagnose the problem.
If the condition persists, see your
dealer.
Turning the Systems Off
and On
Vehicle with Sport Mode Shown,
Vehicle without Sport Mode Similar
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or
accelerate heavily when TCS is
off. The vehicle driveline could be
damaged.
To turn off only TCS, press and
release
g. The traction off lighti
displays in the instrument cluster. The appropriate DIC message
displays. See
Ride Control System
Messages 0134.
To turn TCS on again, press and
release
g. The traction off lighti
displayed in the instrument cluster
will turn off.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
g
is pressed, the system will not turn
off until the wheels stop spinning.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak,
press and hold
guntil the traction
off light
iand StabiliTrak OFF
light
gcome on and stay on in the
instrument cluster. The appropriate
DIC message displays. See Ride
Control System Messages 0134.
To turn TCS and StabiliTrak on
again, press and release
g. The
traction off light
iand StabiliTrak
OFF light
gin the instrument cluster
turn off.
Adding accessories can affect the
vehicle performance. See
Accessories and Modifications
0 228.