engine overheat BUICK LACROSSE 2018 User Guide

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
240 Vehicle Care
3.6L V6 Engine
1. Engine Cooling Fans (Outof View)
2. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
{Warning
An underhood electric fan can
start up even when the engine is
not running and can cause injury.
Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood
electric fan.
{Warning
Do not touch heater or radiator
hoses, or other engine parts.
They can be very hot and can
burn you. Do not run the engine if
there is a leak; all coolant could
leak out. That could cause an
engine fire and can burn you. Fix
any leak before driving the
vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is
filled with DEX-COOL engine
coolant. This coolant needs to be
checked and replaced at
appropriate intervals. See
Maintenance Schedule 0311.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
see Engine Overheating 0243.
What to Use
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such
as alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will. With
plain water or the wrong mixture,
the engine could get too hot but
there would not be an overheat
warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be
burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. If using this mixture,
nothing else needs to be added.
This mixture:
. Gives freezing protection down
to−37 °C (−34 °F), outside
temperature
. Gives boiling protection up to
129 °C (265 °F), engine
temperature
. Protects against rust and
corrosion
. Will not damage aluminum parts

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Vehicle Care 241
.Helps keep the proper engine
temperature
Caution
Do not use anything other than a
mix of DEX-COOL coolant that
meets GM Standard
GMW3420 and clean, drinkable
water. Anything else can cause
damage to the vehicle’ s engine
cooling system and vehicle, which
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on
the ground, or into sewers, streams,
or bodies of water. Have the coolant
changed by an authorized service
center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used
coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
2.5L L4 Engine Coolant Surge Tank
3.6L V6 Engine CoolantSurge Tank
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant surge tank. If the coolant
inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until
it cools down. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level mark is not
visible, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL coolant at the coolant
surge tank to the top rib on the
middle of the tank, but be sure the
cooling system is cool before this is
done. See Engine Overheating
0 243.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
242 Vehicle Care
The coolant surge tank is in the
engine compartment on the driver
side of the vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview 0231.
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank
If no problem is found, check to see
if coolant is visible in the coolant
surge tank. If coolant is visible but
the coolant level is not at the
indicated level mark, add a 50/
50 mixture of clean, drinkable water
and DEX-COOL coolant at the
coolant surge tank, but be sure the
cooling system, including the
coolant surge tank pressure cap, is
cool before you do it.
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system are under
pressure. Turning the pressure
cap, even a little, can cause them
to come out at high speed and
you could be burned. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
including the pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
pressure cap to cool.
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such
as alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will. With
plain water or the wrong mixture,
the engine could get too hot but
there would not be an overheat
warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be
burned.
{Warning
Spilling coolant on hot engine
parts can burn you. Coolant
contains ethylene glycol and it will
burn if the engine parts are hot
enough.
Caution
Failure to follow the specific
coolant fill procedure could cause
the engine to overheat and could
cause system damage. If coolant
is not visible in the surge tank,
contact your dealer.
1. Remove the coolant surge tankpressure cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is no
longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about
one-quarter of a turn. If you
hear a hiss, wait for that to
stop. This will allow any
pressure still left to be vented
out the discharge hose.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Vehicle Care 243
2. Keep turning the pressure capslowly and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture to the
indicated level mark.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until you
can feel the upper radiator
hose getting hot. Watch out for
the engine cooling fan.
By this time, the coolant level
inside the coolant surge tank
may be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper
mixture to the coolant surge
tank until the level reaches the
indicated level mark.
5. Replace the pressure cap tightly.
6. Verify coolant level after the engine is shut off and the
coolant is cold. If necessary,
repeat coolant fill procedure
Steps 1–6. If the coolant still is not at the
proper level when the system
cools down again, see your
dealer.
Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and engine
damage may occur. Be sure the
cap is properly and tightly
secured.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has several indicators
to warn of the engine overheating.
The instrument cluster has an
engine coolant temperature gauge
and an engine coolant temperature
warning light.
See
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge 0114 and Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light 0122.
The vehicle may also display a
message on the Driver Information
Center (DIC). If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when this warning appears,
get service help right away. See
Roadside Assistance Program
0
329.
If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface. Then
check to see if the engine cooling
fans are running. If the engine is
overheating, the fans should be
running. If they are not, do not
continue to run the engine. Have the
vehicle serviced.Caution
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak in the engine cooling system.
This can cause a loss of all
coolant and can damage the
system and vehicle. Have any
leaks fixed right away.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
244 Vehicle Care
If Steam Is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system are under
pressure. Turning the pressure
cap, even a little, can cause them
to come out at high speed and
you could be burned. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
pressure cap to cool.
See Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode 0244 for
information on driving to a safe
place in an emergency.
If No Steam Is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle: .
Climbs a long hill on a hot day
. Stops after high-speed driving
. Idles for long periods in traffic
If the overheat warning is displayed
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. When it is safe to do so, pull off the road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral), and let the
engine idle.
If the engine coolant temperature
gauge is no longer in the
overheated area or 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 distance from the vehicle in
front. If the warning does not come
back on, continue to drive normally
and have the cooling system
checked for proper fill and function. 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
0 244.
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.
The engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on the
instrument panel, to indicate the
vehicle has entered overheated

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Vehicle Care 245
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.
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When windshield washer fluid is
needed, be sure to read the
manufacturer's instructions before
use. If operating the vehicle in an
area where the temperature may fall
below freezing, use a fluid that has
sufficient protection against
freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer fluid until
the tank is full. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview 0231 for
reservoir location.
Caution
. Do not use washer fluid that
contains any type of water
repellent coating. This can
cause the wiper blades to
chatter or skip.
. Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the
windshield washer. It can
damage the windshield
washer system and paint.
. Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the
solution to freeze and
damage the washer fluid
tank and other parts of the
washer system.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
.When using concentrated
washer fluid, follow the
manufacturer instructions for
adding water.
. Fill the washer fluid tank
only three-quarters full when
it is very cold. This allows
for fluid expansion if
freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is
completely full.
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 can
be heard all the time when the
vehicle is moving, except when
applying the brake pedal firmly.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Index 353
DrivingAssistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 207
Characteristics and
Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
For Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 26
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 164
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 166
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
E
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . 188
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . 119
Electrical Equipment,
Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Electrical System Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 253
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 Emergency
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Energy Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Check Light (MalfunctionIndicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 231
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Coolant Temperature
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Overheated Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 180
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 337
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 144
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 145
Exterior Lighting Battery
Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
F
FeaturesMemory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 146
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Fluid
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 238
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Forward Automatic Braking . . . . . 210
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
356 Index
Lights (cont'd)Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Traction Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Locks Automatic Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Power Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . 123
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH
System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
M
Maintenance
Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Maintenance and Care Additional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . 311 Recommended Fluids andLubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319 Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . 117
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Massage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Memory Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Messages
Engine Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Vehicle Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Mirrors Automatic Dimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Automatic Dimming
Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Convex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Folding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Tilt in Reverse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Mirrors, Interior Rearview . . . . . . . . 46
Monitor System, Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
N
Navigation
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Net, Convenience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . 170
O
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Off-Road
Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Oil
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 237
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Older Children, Restraints . . . . . . . 81
Online Owner Center . . . . . . . . . . . 328
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
OnStar Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
OnStar Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
OnStar Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
OnStar Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
OnStar Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
OnStar Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
OnStar Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Operating Mode
Overheated EngineProtection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Operation Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Ordering Service Publications . . . . . . . . . . 334
Outlets Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Index 357
Overheated EngineProtection Operating Mode . . . . 244
Overheating, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
P
Park Shifting Into . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Shifting Out of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Parking Extended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . 179
Parking Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Parking or Backing
Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 204
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Passenger Compartment Air
Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . 75
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California . . . . . . 229
Personalization Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Protection, Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 Power (cont'd)
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . . 176
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . . . . 66
Privacy Vehicle Data Recording . . . . . . . 336
Program Courtesy Transportation . . . . . . 331
Proposition 65 Warning,
California . . . . . . . . . 228, 247, 293, 294,
Back Cover
R
Radio Frequency Statement . . . . 335
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Rear Seat Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . 204
Rear Window Sunshade . . . . . . . . . 49
Rearview Mirrors Automatic Dimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Records
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321 Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . 298
Reimbursement Program,
GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Replacement Parts Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Replacing Airbag System . . . . . . . . 80
Replacing LATCH System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Replacing Seat Belt System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Reporting Safety Defects Canadian Government . . . . . . . . 336
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Restraints Where to Put . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Reverse Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Ride Control Systems Selective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Roads Driving, Wet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163