cooling BUICK LACROSSE 2018 Owner's Manual

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
In Brief 17
Climate Controls
Dual Automatic Climate control System
The climate control buttons on the center stack and on the climate control
display are used to adjust the heating, cooling, and ventilation.
Center Stack Climate Controls
1. Driver and Passenger Temperature Displays
2. Driver and Passenger Temperature Controls
3. Driver and Passenger Heated and Ventilated Seats (If
Equipped)
4. Fan Controls
5. CLIMATE 6. MAX Defrost
7. Recirculation
8. Rear Window Defogger and
Heated Outside Mirrors (If
Equipped)
9. Power (ON/OFF)
10. AUTO (Automatic Operation)
Climate Control Display
1. Outside Temperature Display
2. Driver and Passenger Temperature Controls
3. Fan Control
4. Sync (Synchronized Temperature)
5. A/C (Air Conditioning)
6. Climate Control Selection (Application Tray Button)
7. Air Delivery Mode Control
See Dual Automatic Climate Control
System 0152.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
150 Lighting
voltage move up or down. This is
normal. If there is a problem, an
alert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at
idle if the electrical loads are very
high. This is true for all vehicles.
This is because the generator
(alternator) may not be spinning fast
enough at idle to produce all of the
power needed for very high
electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when
several of the following are on, such
as: headlamps, high beams, rear
window defogger, climate control fan
at high speed, heated seats, engine
cooling fans, trailer loads, and loads
plugged into accessory power
outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive
discharge of the battery. It does this
by balancing the generator's output
and the vehicle's electrical needs.
It can increase engine idle speed to
generate more power whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce
the power demands of some
accessories.Normally, these actions occur in
steps or levels, without being
noticeable. In rare cases at the
highest levels of corrective action,
this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a DIC message might
be displayed and it is recommended
that the driver reduce the electrical
loads as much as possible.
Battery Power Protection
The battery saver feature is
designed to protect the vehicle's
battery.
If the exterior lamps or any interior
lamp is left on and the ignition is
turned off, the battery rundown
protection system automatically
turns the lamp off after about
10 minutes.
Exterior Lighting Battery
Saver
The exterior lamps turn off about
10 minutes after the ignition is
turned off, if the parking lamps or
headlamps have been manually left
on. This protects against draining
the battery. To restart the 10-minute
timer, turn the exterior lamp control
to the off position and then back to
the parking lamp or headlamp
position.
To keep the lamps on for more than
10 minutes, the ignition must be on
or in ACC/ACCESSORY.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
152 Climate Controls
Climate Controls
Climate Control Systems
Dual Automatic ClimateControl System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Air Vents
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Maintenance
Air Intake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Passenger Compartment AirFilter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Climate Control Systems
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
The climate control buttons on the center stack and on the climate control
display are used to adjust the heating, cooling, and ventilation.
Center Stack Climate Controls
1. Driver and Passenger Temperature Displays
2. Driver and Passenger Temperature Controls
3. Driver and Passenger Heated and Ventilated Seats
(If Equipped)
4. Fan Controls 5. CLIMATE
6. MAX Defrost
7. Recirculation
8. Rear Window Defogger and
Heated Outside Mirrors
(If Equipped)
9. Power (ON/OFF)

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
164 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car/vehicle
wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work
normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
flowing water could cause the
vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be
very cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water
can build up under the vehicle's
tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is
wet enough and you are going fast
enough. When the vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to
slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
.
Allow extra following distance.
. Pass with caution.
. Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
. Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
. Have good tires with proper
tread depth. See Tires0259.
. Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips include:
.
Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
. Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission. .
Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill slope
can cause brake overheating, can
reduce brake performance, and
could result in a loss of braking.
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. This can cause
overheating of the brakes and
loss of steering. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle
in gear.
. Drive at speeds that keep the
vehicle in its own lane. Do not
swing wide or cross the
center line.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
224 Driving and Operating
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See
Maintenance Schedule0311.
Things that are especially important
in trailer operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle
lubricant, belts, cooling system, and
brake system. It is a good idea to
inspect these before and during
the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Trailer Towing
Before pulling a trailer, three
important considerations have to do
with weight:
. Weight of the trailer
. Weight of the trailer tongue
. Total weight on your vehicle's
tires
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than
454 kg (1,000 lb). But even that can
be too heavy.
It depends on how the rig is used.
For example, speed, altitude, road
grades, outside temperature, the
dimensions of the front of the trailer,
and how much the vehicle is used
to pull a trailer are all important.
It can depend on any special
equipment on the vehicle, and the
amount of tongue weight the vehicle
can carry. See “Weight of the Trailer
Tongue” following.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated
assuming the tow vehicle has the
driver, a front seat passenger, all the
required tow equipment, and all the
required trailering equipment. The
weight of additional optional
equipment, passengers, and cargo
in the tow vehicle must be
subtracted from the maximum trailer
weight. Ask your dealer for trailering
information or advice, or write us at
our Customer Assistance Offices.
See
Customer Assistance Offices
0 327.
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (1) of any trailer is
an important weight to measure
because it affects the total gross
weight of the vehicle. The Gross
Vehicle Weight (GVW) includes the
curb weight of the vehicle, any
cargo carried in it, and the people
who will be riding in the vehicle.
If there are a lot of options,
equipment, passengers, or cargo in
the vehicle, it will reduce the tongue
weight the vehicle can carry, which
will also reduce the trailer weight the
vehicle can tow. If towing a trailer,
the tongue load must be added to
the GVW because the vehicle will
be carrying that weight, too. See
Vehicle Load Limits 0166.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Vehicle Care 227
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 228
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 229
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 237
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 238
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 243
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Battery - North America . . . . . . 247 All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 248
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 249
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 249
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
High Intensity Discharge (HID)
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 252
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 253
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 253
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 261 Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Tire Terminology and
Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 277
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 292

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
232 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0238.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0234.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See Engine Oil0234.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 239.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0246.
6. Power Electronics.
7. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0239.
8. Remote Negative (-) Battery Terminal.
See Jump Starting - North
America (with or without
eAssist) 0294 orJump Starting
- North America (On-board with
eAssist Only) 0293.
9. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 245.
10. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0254. 11. Remote Positive (+) Battery
Terminal (Under Cover).
SeeJump Starting - North
America (with or without
eAssist) 0294 orJump Starting
- North America (On-board with
eAssist Only) 0293.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
234 Vehicle Care
1. Windshield Washer FluidReservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 245.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0234.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0234.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 239.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0246.
6. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0238.
7. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0239.
8. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal (Under Cover).
See Jump Starting - North
America (with or without
eAssist) 0294 orJump Starting
- North America (On-board with
eAssist Only) 0293.
9. Remote Negative (-) Battery Terminal.
See Jump Starting - North
America (with or without eAssist)
0293 orJump Starting
- North America (On-board with
eAssist Only) 0293.
10. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0254.
Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.
Use engine oil approved to the
proper specification and of the
proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
. Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
. Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System 0237. .
Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly,
every 650 km (400 mi), especially
prior to a long trip. The engine oil
dipstick handle is a loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0231 for the location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
If a low oil Driver Information Center
(DIC) message displays, check the
oil level.
Follow these guidelines:
. To get an accurate reading, park
the vehicle on level ground.
Check the engine oil level after
the engine has been off for at
least two hours. Checking the
engine oil level on steep grades

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Vehicle Care 239
3.6L V6 Engine
1. Remove the seven screws and lift the cover out of the
assembly.
2. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/filter.
3. Lower the cover and secure with the seven screws.
{Warning
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/filter off can cause you or
others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air; it
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
helps to stop flames if the engine
backfires. Use caution when
working on the engine and do not
drive with the air cleaner/filter off.
Caution
If the air cleaner/filter is off, dirt
can easily get into the engine,
which could damage it. Always
have the air cleaner/filter in place
when driving.
Cooling System
The cooling system allows the
engine to maintain the correct
working temperature.
2.5L L4 Engine
1. Engine Cooling Fans (Outof View)
2. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap

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