The names, logos, emblems,
slogans, vehicle model names, and
vehicle body designs appearing in
this manual including, but not limited
to, GM, the GM logo, BUICK, the
BUICK Emblem, and LACROSSE
are trademarks and/or service
marks of General Motors LLC, its
subsidiaries, affiliates, or licensors.
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 20867287 A First Printing
This manual describes features that
may or may not be on your specific
vehicle either because they are
options that you did not purchase or
due to changes subsequent to the
printing of this owner manual.
Please refer to the purchase
documentation relating to your
specific vehicle to confirm each of
the features found on your vehicle.
For vehicles first sold in Canada,
substitute the name “General
Motors of Canada Limited” for
Buick Motor Division wherever it
appears in this manual.
Keep this manual in the vehicle for
quick reference.
A French language copy of this
manual can be obtained from your
dealer or from:
On peut obtenir un exemplaire de
ce guide en français auprès du
concessionnaire ou à l'adresse
suivante:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
Numéro de poste 6438 de langue
française
www.helminc.com
Page 4
Blackplate(4,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
ivIntroduction
Using this Manual
To quickly locate information about
the vehicle, use the Index in the
back of the manual. It is an
alphabetical list of what is in the
manual and the page number where
it can be found.
Danger, Warnings, and
Cautions
Warning messages found on vehicle
labels and in this manual describe
hazards and what to do to avoid or
reduce them.
Danger indicates a hazard with a
high level of risk which will result in
serious injury or death.
Warning or Caution indicates a
hazard that could result in injury
or death.
WARNING
{
These mean there is something
that could hurt you or other
people.
Notice: This means there is
something that could result in
property or vehicle damage. This
would not be covered by the
vehicle's warranty.
A circle with a slash through it
is a safety symbol which means
“Do Not,” “Do not do this,” or
“Do not let this happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead of
text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or
information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gauge, or indicator.
M : This symbol is shown when
you need to see your owner manual
for additional instructions or
information.
* : This symbol is shown when
you need to see a service manual
for additional instructions or
information.
Page 5
Blackplate(5,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
Introductionv
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the Index.
9 : Airbag Readiness Light# : Air Conditioning
! : Antilock Brake System (ABS)% : Audio Steering Wheel Controls
Driver Information Center
Buttons. See Driver InformationCenter (DIC) on page 5‑25.
D. Instrument Cluster on page 5‑9.
Driver Information Center
Display. See Driver InformationCenter (DIC) on page 5‑25.
E. Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5‑3.
F.Infotainment Display Screen.
G. Infotainment on page 7‑2.
H. Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 6‑2.
Fog Lamps on page 6‑5
(If Equipped).
Instrument Panel Illumination
Control on page 6‑6.
I.Front Storage on page 4‑2.
J. Data Link Connector (DLC)
(Out of View). See MalfunctionIndicator Lamp on page 5‑16.
K. Cruise Control on page 9‑40.
L. Steering Wheel Adjustment on
page 5‑2.
M. Horn on page 5‑3.
N. Steering Wheel Controls on
page 5‑2 (If Equipped).
O. Ignition Positions (Key Access)
on page 9‑16 or Ignition
Positions (Keyless Access) on
page 9‑18.
P. Heated and Ventilated Front
Seats on page 3‑10
(If Equipped).
Q. Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8‑1
(If Equipped).
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8‑4
(If Equipped).
R. Power Door Locks on
page 2‑11.
Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 6‑4.
Passenger Sensing System on
page 3‑27.
S. Parking Brake on page 9‑34.
T. Shift Lever Position Indicator.
See Automatic Transmission onpage 9‑29.
U. Shift Lever. See Shifting Into
Park on page 9‑25.
V. Traction Control System (TCS)
on page 9‑36.
StabiliTrak
®
System on
page 9‑37 (If Equipped).
Ultrasonic Parking Assist on
page 9‑42.
Rear Window Sunshade on
page 2‑20 (If Equipped).
Page 10
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BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
1-4In Brief
Initial Drive
Information
This section provides a brief
overview about some of the
important features that may or may
not be on your specific vehicle.
For more detailed information, refer
to each of the features which can be
found later in this owner manual.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System
The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter will work up to 20 m
(65 ft) away from the vehicle. On
vehicles with remote start the
distance will be greater.
Press the button to extend the key.
The key can be used for all locks.
This key is also used for the
ignition, if the vehicle does not have
pushbutton start.
K : Press to unlock the driver door
or all doors.
Q : Press to lock all doors.
Lock and unlock feedback can be
personalized.
V : Press and hold to open
the trunk.
7 : Press and release one time to
locate the vehicle. Press and hold
for at least two seconds to sound
the panic alarm. Press again to
cancel the panic alarm.
See Keys on page 2‑2 and Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 2‑3.
Remote Vehicle Start
For vehicles with this feature, the
engine can be started from outside
the vehicle.
Starting the Vehicle
1. Aim the RKE transmitter at the
vehicle.
2. Press and release
3. Immediately after completing
Step 2, press and hold
the turn signal lamps flash, or for
about two seconds if the vehicle
is not in view.
Q.
/ until
Page 11
Blackplate(5,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
In Brief1-5
When the engine starts, the parking
lamps will turn on and remain on as
long as the engine is running. The
doors will be locked and the climate
control system may come on.
The engine will continue to run for
10 minutes. Repeat the steps for a
10-minute time extension. Remote
start can be extended only once.
Canceling a Remote Start
To cancel a remote start, do one of
the following:
.
Aim the RKE transmitter at the
vehicle and press and hold
until the parking lamps turn off.
.
Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.
Turn the vehicle on and then off.
See Remote Vehicle Start onpage 2‑8.
/
Door Locks
To lock or unlock the doors:
.
From inside the vehicle, use the
door lock knob or the power
door lock controls, pull once on
the door handle to unlock it, and
a second time to open it.
.
From outside, use the key,
or press
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
See Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation on
page 2‑3.
See Door Locks on page 2‑10.
Q or K on the Remote
Power Door Locks
K : Press to unlock the doors.
Q : Press to lock the doors.
See Power Door Locks onpage 2‑11.
Page 12
Blackplate(6,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
1-6In Brief
Trunk Release
The trunk may be opened by
pressing
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter or
the touch pad located on the rear of
the trunk above the license plate.
See Trunk on page 2‑12 for more
information.
V on the Remote
Windows
Press the switch to lower the
window. Pull the switch up to
raise it.
For more information, see PowerWindows on page 2‑19.
Seat Adjustment
Manual Seats
A. Seatback Recline Lever
B. Height Adjustment Switch
C. Seat Position Handle
To adjust the seat position:
1. Pull the handle (C) under the
front of the seat cushion.
2. Slide the seat to the desired
position and release the handle.
3. Try to move the seat back and
forth to be sure it is locked in
place.
Press and hold the top or bottom of
the switch (B) to raise or lower the
seat. Release the switch when the
desired height is reached.
To raise or recline the seatback, use
the lever (A) on the outboard side of
the seat.
See Seat Adjustment on page 3‑4
and Reclining Seatbacks onpage 3‑6 for more information.
Page 13
Blackplate(7,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
In Brief1-7
Power Seats
To adjust the seat:
.
Move the seat forward or
rearward by moving the
horizontal control forward or
rearward.
.
Raise or lower the front or rear
part of the seat cushion by
moving the front or rear of the
horizontal control up or down.
.
Raise or lower the entire seat by
moving the control up or down.
See Power Seat Adjustment onpage 3‑5.
Power Reclining Seatbacks
To raise or recline the seatback, tilt
the top of the vertical control
forward or rearward. See RecliningSeatbacks on page 3‑6.
Lumbar Adjustment
To adjust the lumbar support,
if available:
.
Press and hold the front or rear
of the control to increase or
decrease lumbar support.
.
Press and hold the top or bottom
of the control to raise or lower
lumbar support.
See Lumbar Adjustment onpage 3‑5.
Page 14
Blackplate(8,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
1-8In Brief
Memory Features
On vehicles with the memory
feature, the “1” and “2” buttons on
the outboard side of the driver seat
are used to manually save and
recall the driver seat and outside
mirror positions. These manually
stored positions are referred to as
Button Memory positions.
The vehicle will also automatically
save driver seat and outside mirror
positions to the current driver
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter when the ignition is
placed in OFF. These automatically
stored positions are referred to as
RKE Memory positions.
Storing Button Memory Positions
To save positions into Button
Memory:
1. Adjust the driver seat, seatback
recliner, and both outside mirrors
to the desired driving positions.
2. Press and hold MEM (Memory)
and “1” at the same time until a
beep sounds.
3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for a
second driver using “2.”
To recall the manually saved
Button Memory positions, press and
hold “1” or “2.” The driver seat and
outside mirrors move to the
positions stored to those buttons
when pressed. Releasing “1” or “2”
before the stored positions are
reached stops the recall.
To automatically recall RKE Memory
positions, unlock the driver door
with the RKE transmitter, and open
the driver door. On vehicles with
Keyless Access, opening the driver
door when an RKE transmitter is
present will activate the RKE
Memory recall. If the driver door is
already open, pressing the RKE
transmitter K button will also
activate the RKE Memory recall.
The driver seat and outside mirrors
will move to the previously saved
RKE Memory positions.
See Memory Seats on page 3‑7 for
more information.
Page 15
Blackplate(9,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
In Brief1-9
Easy Exit Driver Seat
This feature moves the seat
rearward allowing the driver more
room to exit the vehicle.
To activate, place the ignition in
OFF and open the driver door. If the
driver door is already open, placing
the ignition in OFF will activate the
easy exit driver seat.
This feature is turned on or off using
the vehicle personalization menu.
See “Driver Seat Easy Exit” under
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑40 for more information.
Heated and Ventilated
Seats
Heated and Ventilated Seat
Buttons Shown, Heated Seat
Buttons Similar
If available, the buttons are on the
climate control panel. To operate,
the ignition must be on.
Press
L to heat the seat cushion
and seatback or
ventilate the seat.
{, if equipped, to
Press the button once for the
highest setting. With each press of
the button, the seat will change to
the next lower setting, and then to
the off setting. The lights indicate
three for the highest setting and
one for the lowest.
For more information, see Heated
and Ventilated Front Seats on
page 3‑10.
Head Restraint
Adjustment
Do not drive until the head restraints
for all occupants are installed and
adjusted properly.
To achieve a comfortable seating
position, change the seatback
recline angle as little as necessary
while keeping the seat and the head
restraint height in the proper
position.
For more information see Head
Restraints on page 3‑2 and Seat
Adjustment on page 3‑4.
Page 16
Blackplate(10,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
1-10In Brief
Safety Belts
Refer to the following sections for
important information on how to use
safety belts properly:
.
Safety Belts on page 3‑13.
.
How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly on page 3‑14.
.
Lap-Shoulder Belt on page 3‑15.
.
Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children (LATCH System) on
page 3‑42.
Passenger Sensing
System
The passenger sensing system
turns off the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag under
certain conditions. No other airbag
is affected by the passenger
sensing system.
The passenger airbag status
indicator will be visible on the
instrument panel when the vehicle is
started. See Passenger SensingSystem on page 3‑27 for important
information.
Mirror Adjustment
Exterior
To adjust the mirrors:
1. Turn the control knob to the
L (left) or R (right) selecting the
driver or passenger mirror.
2. Push the control knob to the left,
right, up, or down to adjust the
mirror.
Page 17
Blackplate(11,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
In Brief1-11
Vehicles with the memory feature
can store a preferred mirror position.
See “Memory Seats” under PowerSeat Adjustment on page 3‑5 for
more information.
See Power Mirrors on page 2‑16.
Manual Foldaway Mirrors
These mirrors can be folded inward
to prevent damage when going
through an automatic car wash.
To fold, pull the mirror toward the
vehicle. Push the mirror outward to
return it to the original position.
See Folding Mirrors on page 2‑16.
Automatic Dimming Feature
The vehicle may have an automatic
dimming driver outside mirror.
Automatic dimming reduces the
glare of the headlamps behind you.
See Power Mirrors on page 2‑16.
Interior
Adjust this mirror for a clear view of
the area behind the vehicle. Hold
the mirror in the center to move it
up, down, or side to side. To reduce
headlamp glare from behind, push
the tab forward for daytime and pull
it for nighttime use.
Vehicles with OnStar
control buttons at the bottom of the
mirror. See your dealer for more
information on the system and how
to subscribe to OnStar. See OnStarOverview on page 14‑1.
See Manual Rearview Mirror onpage 2‑17.
®
have three
Steering Wheel
Adjustment
To adjust the steering wheel:
1. Pull the lever (A) down.
2. Move the steering wheel up
or down.
3. Pull or push the steering wheel
closer or away from you.
4. Pull the lever (A) up to lock the
steering wheel in place.
Do not adjust the steering wheel
while driving.
Page 18
Blackplate(12,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
1-12In Brief
Interior Lighting
Dome Lamps
The interior lamps control located in
the overhead console controls both
the front and rear interior lamps.
( : Turns the lamps off.
H : Turns the lamps on when any
door is opened.
' : Keeps the lamps on all
the time.
Reading Lamps
There are front and rear reading
lamps.
The front reading lamps are located
in the overhead console.
# or $ : Press to turn each lamp
on or off.
The rear reading lamps are located
in the headliner.
For more information, see:
.
Instrument Panel Illumination
Control on page 6‑6.
.
Dome Lamps on page 6‑6.
Exterior Lighting
The exterior lamp control is located
on the instrument panel on the
outboard side of the steering wheel.
Page 19
Blackplate(13,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
In Brief1-13
Turn the control to the following
positions:
O : Turns off the exterior lamps.
The knob returns to the AUTO
position after it is released. Turn to
off again to reactivate the
AUTO mode.
AUTO: Automatically turns the
exterior lamps on and off,
depending on outside lighting.
; : Turns on the parking lamps,
together with the sidemarker lamps,
taillamps, license plate lamps, and
instrument panel lights.
2 : Turns on the headlamps,
together with the parking lamps,
sidemarker lamps, taillamps,
license plate lamps, and instrument
panel lights.
For more information, see:
.
Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 6‑2.
.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
on page 6‑3.
.
Fog Lamps on page 6‑5.
Windshield Wiper/Washer
The windshield wiper lever is on the
right side of the steering column.
With the ignition in ACC/
ACCESSORY or ON/RUN, move
the windshield wiper lever to
select the wiper speed.
2: Use for fast wipes.
1: Use for slow wipes.
3 : Turn the band up for more
frequent wipes or down for less
frequent wipes.
9 : Use to turn the windshield
wipers off.
3 : Briefly move the wiper lever
down for a single wipe or hold down
for several wipes.
Windshield Washer
Pull the windshield wiper lever to
spray windshield washer fluid and
activate the wipers.
See Windshield Wiper/Washer onpage 5‑3.
Page 20
Blackplate(14,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
1-14In Brief
Climate Controls
The heating, cooling, and ventilation for the vehicle can be controlled with
these systems.
Automatic Climate Control System
A. Power
B. Temperature Control
C. Fan Control
D. Air Delivery Mode Control
E. Recirculation
F. AUTO (Automatic Operation)
G. Defrost
H. Air Conditioning
I.Rear Window Defogger
Page 21
Blackplate(15,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
Dual Automatic Climate Control System for Non‐eAssist Vehicles
In Brief1-15
A. Power
B. Driver Temperature Control
C. Defrost
D. Fan Control
E. Air Delivery Mode Control
F. Recirculation/Automatic
Recirculation
G. Passenger Temperature Control
H. AUTO (Automatic Operation)
I.Rear Window Defogger
J. Heated Steering Wheel
K. Air Conditioning
L. ZONE
Page 22
Blackplate(16,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
1-16In Brief
Dual Automatic Climate Control System for eAssist Vehicles
Transmission
Automatic Transmission
Driver Shift Control (DSC)
Driver Shift Control (DSC) allows
shifting an automatic transmission
similar to a manual transmission.
DSC can be enabled through the
shift lever. See Manual Mode onpage 9‑31.
A. Power
B. Driver Temperature Control
C. Defrost
D. Fan Control
E. Air Delivery Mode Control
F. Recirculation/Automatic
Recirculation
G. Passenger Temperature Control
H. AUTO (Automatic Operation)
I.Rear Window Defogger
J. Eco Air Conditioning
K. Comfort Air Conditioning
L. ZONE
See Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8‑1 (If Equipped) or
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8‑4 (If Equipped).
Page 23
Blackplate(17,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
In Brief1-17
Vehicle Features
Radio(s)
VOL/O : Press to turn the system
on and off. Turn to increase or
decrease the volume.
SOURCE: Press to choose
between FM, AM, or XM™,
if equipped.
Menu Knob: Turn to select radio
stations.
g : Press to seek the previous
station or track.
l : Press to seek the next station
or track.
Buttons 1‐6: Press to save and
select favorite stations.
INFO: Press to show available
information about the current station
or track.
See Overview (Radio with CD) on
page 7‑4 or Overview (Radio with
CD/DVD and MEM) on page 7‑6 or
Overview (Radio with CD and
Touchscreen) on page 7‑8 for more
information about these and other
radio features.
Storing a Favorite Station
Stations from all bands can be
stored in the favorite lists in any
order. Up to six stations can be
stored in each favorite page and the
number of available favorite pages
can be set.
To store the station to a position in
the list, press the corresponding
numeric button 1 to 6 until a beep
is heard.
See “Storing a Station as a
Favorite” in AM-FM Radio (Radio
with CD/DVD/MEM) on page 7‑17 or
AM-FM Radio (Radio with CD and
Touchscreen) on page 7‑19
Setting the Clock
Adjusting the Time
1. Press the CONFIG button and
select Time and Date.
2. Press + or ‐ to increase or
decrease hour and minute.
3. To save the time and return to
the Time Settings menu, press
/ BACK button at any time
the
or press SELECT after adjusting
the minutes.
Setting the 12/24 Hour Format
1. Press the CONFIG button and
select Time and Date.
2. Press the 12/24 Hour button.
See Clock (With Date Display) on
page 5‑5 or Clock (Without Date
Display) on page 5‑6 or Clock
(Color Radio) on page 5‑6
Page 24
Blackplate(18,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
1-18In Brief
Satellite Radio
Vehicles with an XM™ satellite radio
tuner and a valid XM satellite radio
subscription can receive XM
programming.
XM Satellite Radio Service
XM is a satellite radio service based
in the 48 contiguous United States
and 10 Canadian provinces. XM
satellite radio has a wide variety of
programming and commercial-free
music, coast to coast, and in
digital-quality sound. A fee is
required to receive the XM service.
For more information refer to:
.
www.xmradio.com or call
1-800-929-2100 (U.S.).
.
www.xmradio.ca or call
1-877-438-9677 (Canada).
For more information, see SatelliteRadio on page 7‑23.
Portable Audio Devices
Some vehicles have a 3.5 mm
(1/8 in) auxiliary input and a
USB port located in the center
console. External devices such
as iPods
MP3 players, CD changers, and
USB storage devices may be
connected, depending on the
audio system.
For more information, see Auxiliary
Devices (Radio with CD) on
page 7‑38 or Auxiliary Devices
(Radio with CD/DVD and MEM) on
page 7‑41 or Auxiliary Devices
(Radio with CD and Touchscreen)
on page 7‑44.
®
, laptop computers,
Bluetooth
The Bluetooth system allows users
with a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone
to make and receive hands-free
calls using the vehicle audio
system, microphone, and controls.
The Bluetooth-enabled cell phone
must be paired with the in-vehicle
Bluetooth system before it can be
used in the vehicle. Not all phones
will support all functions.
See Bluetooth (Overview) on
page 7‑57 or Bluetooth
(Infotainment Controls) on
page 7‑59 or Bluetooth (Voice
Recognition) on page 7‑64 or
Bluetooth (UHP Mexico Only) on
page 7‑70.
®
Page 25
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BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
In Brief1-19
Steering Wheel Controls
For vehicles with audio steering
wheel controls, some audio controls
can be adjusted at the steering
wheel.
b / g : Press to interact with the
available Bluetooth, OnStar,
or navigation system.
$ / i : Press to silence the
vehicle speakers only. Press again
to turn the sound on. For vehicles
with OnStar or Bluetooth systems,
press to reject an incoming call,
or to end a current call.
_ SRC ^ : Turn _ or ^ to select a
radio band or audio source.
Turn
_ or ^ to select the next or
previous favorite radio station, CD,
or MP3 track.
Press SRC to change between
radio and CD or DVD.
x −: Press + to increase or − to
+
decrease the volume.
For more information, see SteeringWheel Controls on page 5‑2.
Cruise Control
5 : Press to turn the cruise control
system on and off.
* : Press to disengage cruise
control without erasing the set
speed from memory.
Page 26
Blackplate(20,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
1-20In Brief
RES/+: Move the thumbwheel up to
make the vehicle resume to a
previously set speed or to
accelerate.
SET/− : Move the thumbwheel
down toward SET/- to set a speed
and activate cruise control, or to
make the vehicle decelerate.
See Cruise Control on page 9‑40.
Navigation System
If the vehicle has a navigation
system, there is a separate
navigation system manual that
includes information on the
radio, audio players, and
navigation system.
The navigation system provides
detailed maps of most major
freeways and roads. After a
destination has been set, the
system provides turn-by-turn
instructions for reaching the
destination. In addition, the system
can help locate a variety of points of
interest (POIs), such as banks,
airports, restaurants, and more.
See the navigation system manual
for more information.
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
The DIC display is located in the
center of the instrument panel
cluster. It shows the status of many
vehicle systems. The controls for
the DIC are located on the turn
signal lever.
A. SET/CLR: Press to set or
clear the menu item when it is
displayed.
B.
w x: Use the thumbwheel to
scroll through the items in
each menu.
C. MENU: Press to display the
Trip/Fuel menu and the Vehicle
Information menu. This button is
also used to return to or exit the
last screen displayed on
the DIC.
For more information, see Driver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑25.
Page 27
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BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
In Brief1-21
Vehicle Personalization
Some vehicle features can be
programmed by using the audio
system controls. These features
include:
.
Climate and Air Quality
.
Comfort and Convenience
.
Collision/Detection Systems
.
Language
.
Lighting
.
Power Door Locks
.
Remote Lock/Unlock
.
Return to Factory Settings
See Vehicle Personalization onpage 5‑40.
Ultrasonic Parking Assist
If available, Ultrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA) uses sensors on the
rear bumper to detect objects while
parking the vehicle. It operates at
speeds less than 8 km/h (5 mph).
URPA uses audible beeps to
provide distance and system
information.
Keep the sensors on the vehicle's
rear bumper clean to ensure proper
operation.
See Ultrasonic Parking Assist onpage 9‑42 for more information.
Power Outlets
The accessory power outlets can be
used to plug in electrical equipment,
such as a cell phone or MP3 player.
There are two accessory power
outlets. One is located under the
armrest inside the center console
storage and the other is on the rear
of the center floor console.
Remove the cover to access and
replace when not in use.
See Power Outlets on page 5‑6.
Universal Remote System
This system provides a way to
replace up to three remote control
transmitters used to activate
devices such as garage door
openers, security systems, and
home automation devices.
Read the instructions completely
before attempting to program the
Universal Remote System. Because
of the steps involved, it may be
helpful to have another person
available to assist you with
programming the Universal Remote
System.
See Universal Remote System onpage 5‑46.
Page 28
Blackplate(22,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
1-22In Brief
Sunroof
On vehicles with a sunroof, the
switches are located on the
overhead console.
The ignition must be in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY, or in Retained
Accessory Power (RAP). See
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
on page 9‑25.
Vent: Press the rear of the
switch (B) to the first detent to vent
the sunroof. Press the front of the
switch (A) to the second detent to
close the sunroof.
Express-open/Express-close:
To express-open the sunroof, fully
press and release the rear of the
switch (B). To express-close, fully
press and release the front of the
switch (A). To stop the sunroof
partway, press either switch a
second time.
The sunshade opens automatically
with the sunroof.
To express-open the sunshade, fully
press and release the rear of the
switch (C). To stop the sunshade
partway, press the switch a second
time. To express-close, fully press
and release the front of the
switch (D). To stop the sunshade
partway, press the switch a
second time.
See Sunroof on page 2‑21.
eAssist Features
eAssist®Overview
If the vehicle has eAssist, there are
several additional features which
contribute to increased efficiency.
Vehicles with eAssist have an
automatic engine start/stop feature.
This feature saves fuel by shutting
the engine off when the vehicle is
stopped. When the engine shuts off
automatically, all the accessories
will continue to operate normally.
In very hot or cold conditions,
the engine will only shut off
automatically part of the time. See
Starting the Engine on page 9‑20.
There are two air conditioning
settings available. The comfort
setting maximizes cabin comfort.
The eco setting maximizes the
efficiency allowing more frequent,
and longer engine stops than the
comfort setting. See Dual Automatic
Climate Control System on
page 8‑4.
Page 29
Blackplate(23,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
In Brief1-23
This vehicle has a Hill Start Assist
(HSA) feature, which may be useful
when the vehicle is stopped on a
grade. See Hill Start Assist (HSA)on page 9‑36.
Vehicles with eAssist have a slightly
different instrument cluster, which
includes an efficiency gauge, and
an AUTO STOP indicator on the
tachometer. See Instrument Clusteron page 5‑9. There is also a
Power Flow Gauge in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See
Driver Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑25.
The eAssist system uses a high
voltage battery, which is cooled with
air drawn from the vehicle interior.
The cold air intake for the battery is
located behind the rear seat, on the
filler panel. Do not cover the intake.
See Battery on page 10‑25.
High Voltage Safety
Information
eAssist vehicles have a standard
12-volt battery and a high voltage
battery. Only a trained service
technician with the proper
knowledge and tools should inspect,
test, or replace the high voltage
battery. See your dealer if the high
voltage battery needs service.
The negative 12-volt battery cable
and the high voltage cable in the
engine compartment are clearly
labeled. In emergency situations,
first responders can cut those
cables to disable the high voltage
battery system.
Driver Efficiency Gauge
This gauge assists the driver in
operating the vehicle more
efficiently and will vary based on
driver input.
See Driver Efficiency Gauge onpage 5‑12 for more information.
Page 30
Blackplate(24,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
1-24In Brief
Automatic Engine Start/
Stop Feature
Vehicles with eAssist have an
automatic engine start/stop feature.
After the engine is started and has
reached operating temperature, the
auto stop feature may cause the
engine to turn off when the brake
pedal is applied and the vehicle
comes to a complete stop. When
the brake pedal is released, or the
accelerator pedal is applied, the
engine will restart. The engine will
continue to run until the next
auto stop.
To restart the engine during the auto
stop, release the brake pedal or
press the accelerator pedal. The
engine starts immediately. The
vehicle continues to run until the
next stop.
AUTO STOP on the tachometer
signifies that the engine is in auto
stop mode. See Tachometer onpage 5‑11 for more information.
A chime will sound when the driver
door is opened while in auto stop
mode. Remember to shift to P (Park)
and turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF
before exiting the vehicle.
See Starting the Engine onpage 9‑20.
Regenerative Braking
Regenerative braking takes some of
the energy from the moving vehicle
and turns it into electrical energy.
This energy is then stored in the
vehicle's high voltage battery
system, contributing to increased
fuel efficiency.
The system works whenever the
accelerator pedal is released, and
increases the energy captured as
more brake pedal is applied.
Battery
eAssist vehicles have a standard
12-volt battery and a high voltage
battery. When a new standard
12-volt battery is needed, see your
dealer for one that has the
replacement number shown on the
original battery's label. Only a
trained service technician with the
proper knowledge and tools should
inspect, test, or replace the high
voltage battery. See your dealer if
the high voltage battery needs
service. See Battery on page 10‑25.
Page 31
Blackplate(25,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
In Brief1-25
Service
Never try to do your own service on
eAssist components. You can be
injured and the vehicle can be
damaged if you try to do your own
service work. Service and repair of
these high voltage components
should only be performed by a
trained service technician with the
proper knowledge and tools. See
Doing Your Own Service Work on
page 10‑4.
Performance and
Maintenance
Traction Control
System (TCS)
The traction control system limits
wheel spin. The system turns on
automatically every time the vehicle
is started.
.
To turn off traction control,
press and release the Traction
Control System (TCS)/
StabiliTrak button located on the
console to the right of the shift
lever.
i illuminates and the
appropriate DIC message is
displayed. See Ride ControlSystem Messages on page 5‑37.
.
Press and release the TCS/
StabiliTrak button again to turn
on traction control.
For more information, see Traction
Control System (TCS) on
page 9‑36.
StabiliTrak®System
The StabliTrak system assists with
directional control of the vehicle in
difficult driving conditions. The
system turns on automatically every
time the vehicle is started.
.
To turn off both TCS and
StabiliTrak, press and hold the
TCS/StabiliTrak button, located
on the console to the right of
the shift lever, until
illuminate and the appropriate
DIC message is displayed. See
Ride Control System Messages
on page 5‑37.
.
Press and release the TCS/
StabiliTrak button to turn on both
systems.
For more information, see
StabiliTrak
®
System on page 9‑37.
i and g
Page 32
Blackplate(26,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
1-26In Brief
Tire Pressure Monitor
This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The TPMS warning light alerts you
to a significant loss in pressure of
one of the vehicle's tires. If the
warning light comes on, stop as
soon as possible and inflate the
tires to the recommended pressure
shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label. See Vehicle LoadLimits on page 9‑10. The warning
light will remain on until the tire
pressure is corrected.
During cooler conditions, the low tire
pressure warning light may appear
when the vehicle is first started and
then turn off. This may be an early
indicator that the tire pressures are
getting low and the tires need to be
inflated to the proper pressure.
The TPMS does not replace normal
monthly tire maintenance. It is the
driver’s responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressures.
See Tire Pressure Monitor Systemon page 10‑53.
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit
This vehicle may come with a spare
tire and tire changing equipment or
a tire sealant and compressor kit.
The kit can be used to temporarily
seal small punctures in the tread
area of the tire.
See Tire Sealant and Compressor
Kit (With Pressure Relief Button) on
page 10‑67 or Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit (With Pressure
Deflation Button) on page 10‑74 for
complete operating information.
If the vehicle came with a spare tire
and tire changing equipment, see
If a Tire Goes Flat on page 10‑64.
Engine Oil Life System
The engine oil life system calculates
engine oil life based on vehicle use
and displays the CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message when it is time
to change the engine oil and filter.
The oil life system should be reset
to 100% only following an oil
change.
Resetting the Oil Life System
1. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with
the engine off.
2. Press the DIC MENU button on
the turn signal lever to enter the
Vehicle Information Menu. Use
the thumbwheel to scroll through
the menu items until you reach
REMAINING OIL LIFE.
3. Press the SET/CLR button to
reset the oil life at 100%.
4. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
See Engine Oil Life System onpage 10‑12.
Page 33
Blackplate(27,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving tips
to get the best fuel economy
possible.
.
Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
.
Brake gradually and avoid
abrupt stops.
.
Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
.
When road and weather
conditions are appropriate, use
cruise control.
.
Always follow posted speed
limits or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
.
Keep vehicle tires properly
inflated.
.
Combine several trips into a
single trip.
.
Replace the vehicle's tires with
the same TPC Spec number
molded into the tire's sidewall
near the size.
.
Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
In Brief1-27
Roadside Assistance
Program
U.S.: 1-800-252-1112
TTY Users (U.S.): 1-888-889-2438
Canada: 1-800-268-6800
Mexico: 01-800-466-0818
As the owner of a new Buick, you
are automatically enrolled in the
Roadside Assistance program.
See Roadside Assistance Program
(U.S. and Canada) on page 13‑7 or
Roadside Assistance Program
(Mexico) on page 13‑9 for more
information.
Page 34
Blackplate(28,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
1-28In Brief
Roadside Service and OnStar
(U.S. and Canada)
If you have an active OnStar
subscription, press the
and the current GPS location will be
sent to an OnStar Advisor who will
assess your problem, contact
Roadside Assistance, and relay
your exact location to get the
help you need.
Q button
Online Owner Center
(U.S. and Canada)
The Online Owner Center is a
complimentary service that includes
online service reminders, vehicle
maintenance tips, online owner
manual, special privileges,
and more.
Sign up today at:
www.buickownercenter.com
(U.S.) or www.gm.ca (Canada).
OnStar
If equipped, this vehicle has a
comprehensive, in-vehicle system
that can connect to a live Advisor
for Emergency, Security, Navigation,
Connection, and Diagnostic
Services. See OnStar Overview onpage 14‑1 for more information.
Leaving children in a vehicle with
the ignition key is dangerous for
many reasons. Children or others
could be badly injured or even
killed. They could operate the
power windows or other controls
or even make the vehicle move.
The windows will function with the
keys in the ignition and children
could be seriously injured or killed
if caught in the path of a closing
window. Do not leave the keys in
a vehicle with children.
WARNING
{
Leaving children in a vehicle with
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter is dangerous for many
reasons; children or others could
be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate the power
windows or other controls or even
make the vehicle move. The
windows will function with the
RKE transmitter in the vehicle
and they could be seriously
injured or killed if caught in the
path of a closing window. Do not
leave the RKE transmitter in a
vehicle with children.
The key that is part of the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter can
be used for the ignition and all locks
if the vehicle is a key access
vehicle. If the vehicle has the
keyless ignition, the key can be
used for the locks.
Page 37
Blackplate(3,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows2-3
With an active OnStar subscription,
an OnStar Advisor may remotely
unlock the vehicle. See OnStarOverview on page 14‑1.
.
If the transmitter is still not
working correctly, see your
dealer or a qualified technician
for service.
Press the button on the RKE
transmitter to extend the key. Press
the button and the key blade to
retract the key.
See your dealer if a new key is
needed.
Notice: If the keys get locked in
the vehicle, it may have to be
damaged to get them out. Always
carry a spare key.
If locked out of the vehicle, see
Roadside Assistance Program (U.S.
and Canada) on page 13‑7 or
Roadside Assistance Program
(Mexico) on page 13‑9.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System
See Radio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑20 for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-GEN/210/220/310.
If there is a decrease in the RKE
operating range:
.
Check the distance. The
transmitter may be too far from
the vehicle.
.
Check the location. Other
vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal.
.
Check the transmitter's battery.
See “Battery Replacement” later
in this section.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation
The transmitter functions will work
up to 20 m (65 ft) away from the
vehicle. On vehicles with remote
start the distance will be greater.
Keep in mind that other conditions,
such as those previously stated, can
impact the performance of the
transmitter.
Page 38
Blackplate(4,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
2-4Keys, Doors, and Windows
RKE without Remote Start Shown
Q (Lock): Press to lock all doors.
The turn signal indicators may flash
and/or the horn may sound to
indicate locking, see “Locking
Feedback” under VehiclePersonalization on page 5‑40.
If the driver door is open when
pressed, all doors lock except the
driver door, if enabled through the
vehicle personalization.
If the passenger door is open when
Q is
Q is pressed, all doors lock.
Pressing
theft-deterrent system. See
Anti-theft Alarm System on
page 2‑13.
Q may also arm the
K (Unlock): Press to unlock the
driver door or all doors. See “Door
Unlock Options” under VehiclePersonalization on page 5‑40.
The turn signal indicators may flash
and/or the horn may sound to
indicate unlocking. See “Unlock
Feedback” under VehiclePersonalization on page 5‑40.
Pressing
theft-deterrent system. See
Anti-theft Alarm System on
page 2‑13.
Memory seat positions may be
recalled when unlocking the vehicle.
See “Memory Seats” under PowerSeat Adjustment on page 3‑5 and
“Remote Recall” under Vehicle
Personalization on page 5‑40 for
more information.
K will disarm the
V (Remote Trunk Release):
Press and hold to unlock the trunk.
7 (Vehicle Locator/Panic
Alarm): Press and release
one time to locate the vehicle.
The exterior lamps flash and the
horn chirps.
Press and hold
two seconds to sound the panic
alarm. The horn sounds and the
turn signals flash until
again or the vehicle is started.
7 for at least
7 is pressed
/ (Remote Vehicle Start): For
vehicles with this feature, press
and then press and hold / within
five seconds to start the engine from
outside the vehicle using the RKE
transmitter. See Remote VehicleStart on page 2‑8 for additional
information.
The buttons on the keys are
disabled when there is a key is in
the ignition, if equipped.
Q
Page 39
Blackplate(5,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows2-5
Keyless Access Operation
Some vehicles have a keyless
access system that lets you lock
and unlock the doors and access
the trunk without removing the RKE
transmitter from your pocket, purse,
briefcase, etc. The RKE transmitter
should be within 1 m (3 ft) of the
door or trunk being opened.
Keyless Unlocking
With the RKE transmitter within
1 m (3 ft), approach the front door
and pull the handle to unlock and
open the door. If the transmitter is
recognized, the door will unlock
and open.
Entering any door other than the
driver door will always cause all of
the doors to unlock. This is not
customizable.
To customize which doors unlock
when the driver door is opened, see
“Door Unlock Options” under
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑40.
Lock Sensor
When all doors are closed and the
ignition is off, the vehicle can be
locked by pressing this area on the
door handle. This feature will be
available for several minutes after
the vehicle has been turned off.
Keyless Trunk Opening
Lift up on the touch pad located
above the license plate to open
the trunk if the RKE transmitter is
within range.
Programming Transmitters to
the Vehicle
Only RKE transmitters programmed
to the vehicle will work. If a
transmitter is lost or stolen, a
replacement can be purchased and
programmed through your dealer.
The vehicle can be reprogrammed
so that lost or stolen transmitters
no longer work. Any remaining
transmitters will need to be
reprogrammed. Each vehicle
can have up to five transmitters
matched to it.
Page 40
Blackplate(6,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
2-6Keys, Doors, and Windows
Programming with a Recognized
Transmitter (Keyless Access
Vehicles Only)
A new transmitter can be
programmed to the vehicle when
there is one recognized transmitter.
To program, the vehicle must be off
and all of the transmitters, both
currently recognized and new, must
be with you.
1. Place the recognized
transmitter(s) in the cupholder.
2. Insert the vehicle key of the
new transmitter into the key lock
cylinder located on the outside
of the driver door and turn
the key to the unlock position
five times within 10 seconds.
The Driver Information Center
(DIC) displays READY FOR
REMOTE #2, 3, 4 or 5.
3. Place the new transmitter into
the transmitter pocket. The
transmitter pocket is located
inside the center console
storage area under the
cupholder. The cupholder will
need to be pulled out to access
the transmitter pocket.
4. Press the ignition. When the
transmitter is learned, the DIC
will show that it is ready to
program the next transmitter.
5. Remove the transmitter from the
transmitter pocket and press
To program additional
transmitters, repeat Steps 3
through 5.
When all additional transmitters
are programmed, press and hold
the ignition for 10 seconds to
exit programming mode.
K.
Programming without a
Recognized Transmitter
(Keyless Access Vehicles Only)
If there are no currently recognized
transmitters available, follow this
procedure to program up to five
transmitters. This feature is not
available in Canada. This procedure
will take approximately 30 minutes
to complete. The vehicle must be off
and all of the transmitters you wish
to program must be with you.
1. Insert the vehicle key of the
transmitter into the key lock
cylinder located on the outside
of the driver door and turn
the key to the unlock position
five times within 10 seconds.
The Driver Information
Center (DIC) displays
REMOTE LEARN PENDING,
PLEASE WAIT.
Page 41
Blackplate(7,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows2-7
2. Wait for 10 minutes until the
DIC displays PRESS ENGINE
START BUTTON TO LEARN
and then press the ignition.
The DIC displays will again
show REMOTE LEARN
PENDING, PLEASE WAIT.
3. Repeat Step 2 two additional
times. After the third time, all
previously known transmitters
will no longer work with the
vehicle. Remaining transmitters
can be relearned during the
next steps.
The DIC display should
now show READY FOR
REMOTE # 1.
4. Place the new transmitter into
the transmitter pocket. The
transmitter pocket is located
inside the center console
storage area under the
cupholder. The cupholder will
need to be pulled out to access
the transmitter pocket.
5. Press the ignition. When the
transmitter is learned the
DIC will show that it is ready to
program the next transmitter.
6. Remove the transmitter from the
transmitter pocket and press
To program additional
transmitters, repeat Steps 4
through 6.
When all additional transmitters
are programmed, press and hold
the ignition for 10 seconds to
exit programming mode.
K.
Starting the Vehicle with a Low
Transmitter Battery
If the transmitter battery is weak, the
DIC may display NO REMOTE
DETECTED when you try to start
the vehicle. The REPLACE
BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY
message may also be displayed
at this time.
To start the vehicle:
1. Remove the cupholder from the
center console storage area.
2. Place the transmitter in the
transmitter pocket with the
buttons facing up.
3. With the vehicle in P (Park) or
N (Neutral), press the brake
pedal and the START/STOP
button. See Starting the Engineon page 9‑20 for additional
information about the
vehicle's keyless ignition
with pushbutton start.
Replace the transmitter battery
as soon as possible.
Page 42
Blackplate(8,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
2-8Keys, Doors, and Windows
Battery Replacement
Replace the battery if the REPLACE
BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY
message displays in the DIC.
See “REPLACE BATTERY IN
REMOTE KEY” under Key and LockMessages on page 5‑36.
The battery is not rechargeable.
To replace the battery:
1. Push the button on the
transmitter to extend the key.
2. Remove the battery cover by
prying it with a finger.
3. Remove the battery by pushing
on the battery and sliding it
toward the key blade.
4. Insert the new battery, positive
side facing up. Push the battery
down until it is held in place.
Replace with a CR2032 or
equivalent battery.
5. Snap the battery cover back on
to the transmitter.
Remote Vehicle Start
If available, this feature allows the
engine to be started from outside
the vehicle.
The
/ button will be on the
RKE transmitter if the vehicle has
remote start.
Laws in some local communities
may restrict the use of remote
starters. For example, some laws
may require a person using remote
start to have the vehicle in view.
Check local regulations for any
requirements.
Starting the Engine Using
Remote Start
To start the engine using the remote
start feature:
1. Aim the Remote Keyless Entry
transmitter at the vehicle.
2. Press and release
Q.
3. Immediately after completing
Step 2, press and hold
the turn signal lamps flash, or for
about two seconds if the vehicle
is not in view.
When the vehicle starts, the
parking lamps will turn on and
remain on as long as the engine
is running. The doors will be
locked and the climate control
system may come on.
Turn the ignition to ON/RUN
(key access), or select the ON/RUN/
START ignition position (keyless
access), to drive the vehicle.
The engine will shut off after
10 minutes unless a time extension
is done or the ignition is put in ON/
RUN (key access) or ON/RUN/
START (keyless access).
When the vehicle is started
remotely, the climate control system
will use the last setting before the
vehicle was shut off. See “Remote
Start Climate Control Opertation” in
Automatic Climate Control System
on page 8‑1 or Dual Automatic
/ until
Page 43
Blackplate(9,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows2-9
Climate Control System on
page 8‑4. Vehicles with heated or
heated and ventilated front seats
can have this feature turn on
automatically during a remote start.
See “Remote Start Heated Seats”
and “Remote Start Cooled Seats”
under Vehicle Personalization onpage 5‑40 for more information.
Extending Engine Run Time
For a 10-minute extension, repeat
Steps 1 and 2 while the engine is
still running. The remote start can
only be extended once.
When the remote start is extended,
the second 10 minutes will start
immediately.
For example, if the vehicle has
been running for five minutes, and
10 minutes are added, the engine
will run for a total of 15 minutes.
A maximum of two remote starts or
remote start attempts are allowed
between ignition cycles.
The vehicle's ignition must be
turned on and then back off before
the remote start procedure can be
used again.
Canceling a Remote Start
To cancel a remote start, do any of
the following:
.
Aim the RKE transmitter at the
vehicle and press and hold
/
until the parking lamps turn off.
.
Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.
Turn the vehicle on and then off.
Conditions in Which Remote Start
Will Not Work
The remote start will not operate if:
.
The key is in the ignition (key
access) or the ignition is in any
position other than OFF (keyless
access).
.
The transmitter is in the vehicle
(keyless access).
.
The hood is not closed.
.
The hazard warning flashers
are on.
.
There is an emission control
system malfunction.
.
The engine coolant temperature
is too high.
.
The oil pressure is low.
.
Two remote vehicle starts have
already been used.
.
The vehicle is not in P (Park).
Page 44
Blackplate(10,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
2-10Keys, Doors, and Windows
Door Locks
WARNING
{
Unlocked doors can be
dangerous.
.
Passengers, especially
children, can easily open the
doors and fall out of a moving
vehicle. The chance of being
thrown out of the vehicle in a
crash is increased if the
doors are not locked. So, all
passengers should wear
safety belts properly and the
doors should be locked
whenever the vehicle is
driven.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.
Young children who get into
unlocked vehicles may be
unable to get out. A child can
be overcome by extreme heat
and can suffer permanent
injuries or even death from
heat stroke. Always lock the
vehicle whenever leaving it.
.
Outsiders can easily enter
through an unlocked door
when slowing or stopping the
vehicle. Lock the doors to
help prevent this from
happening.
To lock and unlock the doors from
the outside, use the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter or
the key.
To lock the doors from inside, use
the power door lock switch or door
lock knob. To unlock the doors, use
the power door lock switch or pull
once on the door handle to unlock it,
and a second time to open it.
Manually locking the driver door
also automatically locks all
other doors.
For more information see:
.
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2‑3.
.
Power Door Locks on page 2‑11.
.
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑40.
Page 45
Blackplate(11,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows2-11
Power Door Locks
K (Unlock): Press to unlock all
doors.
Q (Lock): Press to lock all doors.
See “Power Door Locks” in VehiclePersonalization on page 5‑40.
Delayed Locking
When locking the doors with the
power lock switch and a door is
open, the doors will lock
five seconds after the last door is
closed. You will hear three chimes
to signal that the delayed locking
feature is in use.
Pressing the power lock switch
twice or the lock button on the RKE
transmitter twice will override the
delayed locking feature and
immediately lock all the doors.
This feature will not operate if the
key is in the ignition.
This feature can be programmed by
using the Driver Information Center
(DIC). See “Delayed Door Lock”
under Vehicle Personalization onpage 5‑40.
Safety Locks
Press o { to activate the safety
locks on the rear doors. The
LED (A) comes on when activated.
The rear door power windows are
also disabled.
o { again to deactivate the
Press
lockout switch.
If the light flashes, the feature may
not be working properly.
Page 46
Blackplate(12,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
2-12Keys, Doors, and Windows
Doors
Trunk
WARNING
{
Exhaust gases can enter the
vehicle if it is driven with the
liftgate, trunk/hatch open, or with
any objects that pass through the
seal between the body and the
trunk/hatch or liftgate. Engine
exhaust contains carbon
monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle must be driven with
the liftgate, or trunk/hatch open:
.
Close all of the windows.
.
Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.
Adjust the Climate Control
system to a setting that
brings in only outside air and
set the fan speed to the
highest setting. See “Climate
Control Systems” in the
Index.
.
If the vehicle has a power
liftgate, disable the power
liftgate function.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see EngineExhaust on page 9‑28.
Remote Trunk Release
To open the trunk from outside the
vehicle, press
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter,
or press the touch pad above the
license plate.
V on the Remote
Page 47
Blackplate(13,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows2-13
Emergency Trunk Release
Handle
Notice: Do not use the
emergency trunk release handle
as a tie-down or anchor point
when securing items in the trunk
as it could damage the handle.
The emergency trunk release
handle is only intended to aid a
person trapped in a latched trunk,
enabling them to open the trunk
from the inside.
There is an emergency trunk
release handle located inside the
trunk on the trunk latch. On some
vehicles, the release handle can be
accessed by folding the rear seat
center seatback. See Rear Seats onpage 3‑11. Pull the release handle
to open the trunk from the inside.
Vehicle Security
This vehicle has theft-deterrent
features; however, they do not make
it impossible to steal.
Anti-theft Alarm System
This vehicle has an anti-theft alarm
system.
Arming the System
To arm the system, press Q on the
RKE transmitter.
The alarm automatically arms after
about 30 seconds. The security
light, located on the instrument
panel, flashes.
V on the RKE transmitter to
Press
open the trunk without setting off the
alarm. The system rearms when the
trunk is closed.
Page 48
Blackplate(14,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
2-14Keys, Doors, and Windows
Disarming the System
To disarm the system, do one of the
following:
.
Press K on the RKE transmitter.
.
Approach the vehicle with the
RKE transmitter (keyless
access).
.
Start the engine.
The alarm automatically disarms.
How to Detect a Tamper
Condition
If K is pressed and the horn
sounds, an attempted break-in has
occurred while the system was
armed.
If the alarm has been activated, the
THEFT ATTEMPTED message will
appear on the DIC. See Anti-theft
Alarm System Messages on
page 5‑38 for additional information.
Immobilizer
See Radio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑20 for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-GEN/210/220/310.
Immobilizer Operation
(Key Access)
This vehicle has a passive
theft-deterrent system.
The system does not have to be
manually armed or disarmed.
The vehicle is automatically
immobilized when the key is
removed from the ignition.
The system is automatically
disarmed when the vehicle is
started with the correct key. The key
uses a transponder that matches an
immobilizer control unit in the
vehicle and automatically disarms
the system. Only the correct key
starts the vehicle. The vehicle may
not start if the key is damaged.
The security light, located in the
instrument panel cluster, comes on
if there is a problem with arming or
disarming the theft-deterrent
system.
When trying to start the vehicle, the
security light comes on briefly when
the ignition is turned on.
If the engine does not start and the
security light stays on, there is a
problem with the system. Turn the
ignition off and try again.
If the engine still does not start, and
the key appears to be undamaged
or the light continues to stay on, try
another ignition key.
Page 49
Blackplate(15,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows2-15
If the engine still does not start with
the other key, the vehicle needs
service. If the vehicle does start, the
first key may be damaged. See your
dealer who can service the
theft-deterrent system and have a
new key made.
Do not leave the key or device that
disarms or deactivates the
theft-deterrent system in the vehicle.
Immobilizer Operation
(Keyless Access)
This vehicle has a passive
theft-deterrent system.
The system does not have to be
manually armed or disarmed.
The vehicle is automatically
immobilized when the transmitter
leaves the vehicle.
The immobilization system is
disarmed when the ignition button is
pushed in and a valid transmitter is
found in the vehicle.
The security light, located in the
instrument panel cluster, comes on
if there is a problem with arming or
disarming the theft-deterrent
system.
The system has one or more
transmitters that are matched to an
immobilizer control unit in your
vehicle. Only a correctly matched
transmitter will start the vehicle.
If the transmitter is ever damaged,
you may not be able to start your
vehicle.
When trying to start the vehicle, the
security light comes on briefly when
the ignition is turned on.
If the engine does not start and the
security light stays on, there is a
problem with the system. Turn the
ignition off and try again.
If the RKE appears to be
undamaged, try another transmitter.
Or, you may try placing the
transmitter in the transmitter pocket
located in the center console. See
“No Remote Detected” under Key
and Lock Messages on page 5‑36.
If the engine does not start with the
other transmitter or when the
transmitter is in the pocket in the
center console, your vehicle needs
service. See your dealer who can
service the theft-deterrent system
and have a new transmitter
programmed to the vehicle.
Do not leave the key or device that
disarms or deactivates the
theft-deterrent system in the vehicle.
Page 50
Blackplate(16,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
2-16Keys, Doors, and Windows
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors
WARNING
{
A convex mirror can make things,
like other vehicles, look farther
away than they really are. If you
cut too sharply into the right lane,
you could hit a vehicle on the
right. Check the inside mirror or
glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
The passenger side mirror is convex
shaped. A convex mirror's surface is
curved so more can be seen from
the driver seat.
Power Mirrors
To adjust the mirrors:
1. Turn the control knob to the
L (left) or R (right) selecting the
driver or passenger mirror.
2. Push the control knob to the left,
right, up, or down to adjust the
mirror.
Vehicles with the memory feature
can store a preferred mirror position.
See “Memory Seats” under PowerSeat Adjustment on page 3‑5 for
more information.
Folding Mirrors
Manual Foldaway Mirrors
These mirrors can be folded inward
to prevent damage when going
through an automatic car wash.
To fold, pull the mirror toward the
vehicle. Push the mirror outward to
return it to the original position.
Automatic Dimming Feature
The vehicle may have a driver
outside mirror that automatically
adjusts for the glare of the
headlamps behind you.
Turn Signal Indicator
The vehicle may have a turn signal
indicator lamp built into the mirror
housing. The turn signal lamp
flashes with the use of the vehicle's
turn signal and hazard flashers.
Page 51
Blackplate(17,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows2-17
Heated Mirrors
For vehicles with heated mirrors:
1 (Rear Window Defogger):
Press to heat the mirrors.
See “Rear Window Defogger” under
Automatic Climate Control System
on page 8‑1 for more information.
Park Tilt Mirrors
If the vehicle is equipped with
memory mirrors, there is an option
to have the mirrors tilt down, when
in R (Reverse), to more easily see
the ground near the vehicle.
When the vehicle is shifted to
R (Reverse), both the driver and
passenger mirrors will tilt downward.
They will return to their previous
position when the vehicle is shifted
out of R (Reverse), the ignition is
turned to OFF, or the vehicle is left
in R (Reverse) for an extended
period of time.
This feature can be turned on or off.
See Vehicle Personalization onpage 5‑40.
Interior Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Adjust the inside rearview mirror for
a clear view of the area behind your
vehicle. To avoid glare of the
headlamps from behind, push the
tab forward for daytime and pull it
for nighttime use.
Vehicles with OnStar have three
control buttons at the bottom of the
mirror. See your dealer for more
information about OnStar and how
to subscribe to it. See OnStarOverview on page 14‑1.
Page 52
Blackplate(18,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
2-18Keys, Doors, and Windows
Automatic Dimming
Rearview Mirror
On vehicles with an automatic
dimming inside rearview mirror the
automatic dimming reduces the
glare from the headlamps of the
vehicle behind you.
Vehicles with OnStar have three
control buttons located at the
bottom of the mirror. See your
dealer for more information about
OnStar and how to subscribe to it.
See OnStar Overview on page 14‑1.
Cleaning the Mirror
Do not spray glass cleaner directly
on the mirror. Use a soft towel
dampened with water.
Windows
WARNING
{
Leaving children, helpless adults,
or pets in a vehicle with the
windows closed is dangerous.
They can be overcome by the
extreme heat and suffer
permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke. Never leave a
child, a helpless adult, or a pet
alone in a vehicle, especially with
the windows closed in warm or
hot weather.
The vehicle aerodynamics are
designed to improve fuel economy
performance. This may result in a
pulsing sound when either rear
window is down and the front
windows are up. To reduce the
sound, open either a front window
or the sunroof (if equipped).
Page 53
Blackplate(19,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows2-19
Power Windows
Press the switch to lower the
window. Pull the switch up to
raise it.
The switches work when the
ignition is in ON/RUN or ACC/
ACCESSORY, or in Retained
Accessory Power (RAP). See
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
on page 9‑25.
Express Window Operation
Windows with an express-up or
down feature allow the front
windows to be lowered or raised
without holding the switch. Rear
windows only have express-down.
Pull a window switch up or push it
down all the way, release it, and
the window goes down or up
automatically. Stop the window by
pushing or pulling the switch.
Rear Window Lockout
This feature prevents the rear
passenger windows from operating,
except from the driver position.
Press
o { to activate the rear
window lockout switch. The LED (A)
comes on when activated.
The rear door locks are also
disabled. See Safety Locks onpage 2‑11.
o { again to deactivate the
Press
lockout switch.
Page 54
Blackplate(20,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
2-20Keys, Doors, and Windows
Programming the Power
Windows
If the battery on the vehicle has
been recharged, disconnected, or
is not working, you will need to
reprogram each front power window
for the express-up feature to work.
Before reprogramming, replace or
recharge the vehicle's battery.
To program each front window:
1. With the ignition in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY, or in
Retained Accessory Power
(RAP), close all doors.
2. Press and hold the power
window switch until the window
is fully open.
3. Pull the power window switch up
until the window is fully closed.
4. Continue holding the switch up
for approximately two seconds
after the window is completely
closed.
The window is now reprogrammed.
Repeat the process for the other
windows.
Sun Visors
Pull the sun visor down to block
glare. Detach the sun visor from the
center mount to pivot to the side
window, or to extend along the rod,
if available.
Rear Window Sunshade
On vehicles with a rear window
sunshade, the switch is on the
console to the right of the shift lever.
The sunshade only operates when
the ignition is in ON/RUN or ACC/
ACCESSORY.
To open the sunshade, press and
release the switch. The sunshade
will fully extend. To close the
sunshade, press and release the
switch again. The sunshade will
fully close.
If the vehicle is shifted into
R (Reverse) when the sunshade is
extended, it will automatically close.
Page 55
Blackplate(21,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows2-21
Roof
Sunroof
On vehicles with a sunroof, the
switch is located on the overhead
console.
The sunroof only operates when the
ignition is in ON/RUN or ACC/
ACCESSORY, or in Retained
Accessory Power (RAP). See
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
on page 9‑25.
Vent
The sunroof has an express-vent
open feature. From the closed
position, press the rear of the
sunroof switch (B) to the first detent
to vent the sunroof. To close the
sunroof, press the front of the
sunroof switch (A) to the second
detent.
Express-Open/Express-Close
To express-open the sunroof from
the closed or vent position, fully
press and release the rear of the
switch (B). The sunroof opens
automatically. To stop the sunroof
partway, press the switch a second
time. To express-close the sunroof,
fully press and release the front of
the switch (A). The sunroof closes
automatically. To stop the sunroof
partway, press the switch a
second time.
If the sunshade is closed, it opens
automatically with the sunroof but
can also be express-opened/
express-closed by using the
sunshade control (C) or (D). The
sunshade cannot be fully closed
with the sunroof open.
To express-open the sunshade from
the closed position, fully press and
release the rear of the switch (C).
The sunshade opens automatically.
To stop the sunshade partway,
press the switch a second time.
To express-close the sunshade fully
press and release the front of the
switch (D). The sunshade closes
automatically. To stop the sunshade
partway, press the switch a
second time.
Notice: Forcing the sunshade
forward of the sliding glass panel
may cause damage and the
sunroof may not operate properly.
Always close the glass panel
before closing the sunshade.
The sunroof glass panel cannot be
opened or closed if the vehicle has
an electrical failure.
Page 56
Blackplate(22,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
2-22Keys, Doors, and Windows
Anti-Pinch Feature
If an object is in the path of the
sunroof while it is closing, the
anti-pinch feature will detect the
object and stop the sunroof from
closing at the point of the
obstruction. The sunroof and
sunshade will then return to the
open or vent position. To close the
sunroof once the obstruction
has been removed, refer to
"Express-Open/Express-Close"
earlier in this section.
Periodically open the sunroof and
remove any obstacles or loose
debris. Wipe the sunroof seal and
roof sealing area using a clean
cloth, mild soap, and water. Do not
remove grease from the sunroof.
Dirt and debris may collect on the
sunroof seal or in the track. This
could cause issues with sunroof
operation and noise. It could also
plug the water drainage system.
The vehicle's front and rear seats
have adjustable head restraints in
the outboard seating positions.
WARNING
{
With head restraints that are not
installed and adjusted properly,
there is a greater chance that
occupants will suffer a neck/
spinal injury in a crash. Do not
drive until the head restraints for
all occupants are installed and
adjusted properly.
Adjust the head restraint so that the
top of the restraint is at the same
height as the top of the occupant's
head. This position reduces the
chance of a neck injury in a crash.
Page 59
Blackplate(3,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
Seats and Restraints3-3
Front Seat
To raise or lower the head restraint,
press the release button located on
the side of the head restraint and
pull up or push the head restraint
down and release the button.
Pull and push on the head restraint
after the button is released to make
sure that it is locked in place.
The front head restraints are not
designed to be removed.
Rear Seat
Pull the head restraint up to raise it.
To lower the head restraint, press
the release button, located on the
head restraint post on the top of the
seatback, while you push the head
restraint down.
Push down on the head restraint
after the button is released to make
sure that it is locked in place.
If you are installing a child restraint
in the rear seat, see “Securing a
Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System” under Lower
Anchors and Tethers for Children
(LATCH System) on page 3‑42.
Page 60
Blackplate(4,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
3-4Seats and Restraints
Front Seats
Seat Adjustment
Seat Position
WARNING
{
You can lose control of the
vehicle if you try to adjust a
manual driver seat while the
vehicle is moving.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
The sudden movement could
startle and confuse you, or make
you push a pedal when you do
not want to. Adjust the driver seat
only when the vehicle is not
moving.
To adjust the seat position:
1. Pull the handle under the front
of the seat cushion.
2. Slide the seat to the desired
position and release the handle.
3. Try to move the seat back
and forth to be sure it is locked
in place.
Height Adjustment
Press and hold the top or bottom of
the switch to raise or lower the seat.
Release the switch when the
desired height is reached.
Page 61
Blackplate(5,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
Seats and Restraints3-5
Power Seat Adjustment
To adjust a power seat:
.
Move the seat forward or
rearward by sliding the control
forward or rearward.
.
Raise or lower the front or rear
part of the seat cushion by
moving the front or rear of the
control up or down.
.
Raise or lower the entire seat by
moving the entire control up
or down.
Lumbar Adjustment
If available, press and hold the front
or rear of the control to increase or
decrease lumbar support.
To raise or lower lumbar support,
press and hold the top or bottom of
the control.
Release the control when the
seatback reaches the desired level
of lumbar support.
See Power Seat Adjustment onpage 3‑5 for more information.
Page 62
Blackplate(6,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
3-6Seats and Restraints
Reclining Seatbacks
WARNING
{
Sitting in a reclined position when
the vehicle is in motion can be
dangerous. Even when buckled
up, the safety belts cannot do
their job when reclined like this.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
The shoulder belt cannot do its
job because it will not be against
your body. Instead, it will be in
front of you. In a crash, you
could go into it, receiving neck or
other injuries.
The lap belt cannot do its job
either. In a crash, the belt could
go up over your abdomen. The
belt forces would be there, not at
your pelvic bones. This could
cause serious internal injuries.
For proper protection when the
vehicle is in motion, have the
seatback upright. Then sit well
back in the seat and wear the
safety belt properly.
Manual Reclining Seatbacks
WARNING
{
You can lose control of the
vehicle if you try to adjust a
manual driver seat while the
vehicle is moving. The sudden
movement could startle and
confuse you, or make you push a
pedal when you do not want to.
Adjust the driver seat only when
the vehicle is not moving.
WARNING
{
If either seatback is not locked,
it could move forward in a sudden
stop or crash. That could cause
injury to the person sitting there.
Always push and pull on the
seatbacks to be sure they
are locked.
Page 63
Blackplate(7,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
Seats and Restraints3-7
To recline the seatback:
1. Lift the recline lever.
2. Move the seatback to the
desired position, and then
release the lever to lock the
seatback in place.
3. Push and pull on the seatback to
make sure it is locked.
To return the seatback to the
upright position:
1. Lift the lever fully without
applying pressure to the
seatback, and the seatback will
return to the upright position.
2. Push and pull on the seatback to
make sure it is locked.
Power Reclining Seatbacks
To adjust a power seatback,
if equipped:
.
Tilt the top of the control
rearward to recline.
.
Tilt the top of the control forward
to raise.
Memory Seats
On vehicles with the memory
feature, the “1” and “2” buttons on
the outboard side of the driver seat
are used to manually save and
recall the driver seat and outside
mirror positions. These manually
stored positions are referred to as
Button Memory positions.
Page 64
Blackplate(8,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
3-8Seats and Restraints
The vehicle will also automatically
save driver seat and outside mirror
positions to the current driver
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter when the ignition is
placed in OFF. These automatically
stored positions are referred to as
RKE Memory positions. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2‑3 for
more information.
Storing Button Memory Positions
To save positions into Button
Memory:
1. Adjust the driver seat, seatback
recliner, and both outside mirrors
to the desired driving positions.
2. Press and hold MEM (Memory)
and “1” at the same time until a
beep sounds.
3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for a
second driver using “2.”
Recalling Button Memory
Positions
To recall the manually saved Button
Memory positions, press and hold
“1” or “2.” The driver seat and
outside mirrors move to the
positions stored to those buttons
when pressed. Releasing “1” or “2”
before the stored positions are
reached stops the recall.
If something has blocked the driver
seat while recalling a memory
position, the recall may stop.
Remove the obstruction; then press
and hold the appropriate manual
control for the memory item that is
not recalling for two seconds. Try
recalling the memory position again
by pressing the appropriate memory
button. If the memory position is still
not recalling, see your dealer for
service.
The Memory Remote Recall feature
can recall the driver seat and
outside mirrors to previously stored
RKE Memory positions when
entering the vehicle.
Every time the ignition is placed in
OFF, the positions of the driver seat
and outside mirrors are
automatically stored to the RKE
transmitter that was used to start
the vehicle. These positions are
called RKE Memory positions and
may be different than the previously
mentioned Button Memory positions
saved to the “1” or “2” buttons. To
automatically recall RKE Memory
positions, unlock the driver door
with the RKE transmitter, and open
the driver door. On vehicles with
Keyless Access, opening the driver
door when an RKE transmitter is
present will activate the RKE
Memory recall. If the driver door is
already open, pressing the RKE
transmitter K button will also
activate the RKE Memory recall.
Page 65
Blackplate(9,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
Seats and Restraints3-9
The driver seat and outside mirrors
will move to the previously saved
RKE Memory positions.
This feature is turned on or off using
the vehicle personalization menu.
See “Remote Recall” under VehiclePersonalization on page 5‑40 for
more information.
To stop recall movement, press one
of the memory, power mirror,
or power seat controls.
If something has blocked the driver
seat while recalling a memory
position, the recall may stop.
Remove the obstruction; then press
and hold the appropriate manual
control for the memory item that is
not recalling for two seconds. Try
recalling the memory position again
by opening the driver door and
pressing the RKE transmitter
K button. If the memory position is
still not recalling, see your dealer
for service.
Easy Exit Driver Seat
This feature moves the seat
rearward allowing the driver more
room to exit the vehicle.
To activate, place the ignition in
OFF and open the driver door. If the
driver door is already open, placing
the ignition in OFF will activate the
easy exit driver seat.
This feature is turned on or off using
the vehicle personalization menu.
See “Driver Seat Easy Exit” under
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑40 for more information.
To stop recall movement, press one
of the memory or power seat
controls.
If something has blocked the driver
seat while recalling the exit position,
the recall may stop. Remove the
obstruction; then press and hold the
power seat control rearward for
two seconds. Try recalling the exit
position again. If the exit position is
still not recalling, see your dealer for
service.
Page 66
Blackplate(10,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
3-10Seats and Restraints
Heated and Ventilated
Front Seats
WARNING
{
If you cannot feel temperature
change or pain to the skin, the
seat heater may cause burns
even at low temperatures. To
reduce the risk of burns, people
with such a condition should use
care when using the seat heater,
especially for long periods of
time. Do not place anything on
the seat that insulates against
heat, such as a blanket, cushion,
cover, or similar item. This may
cause the seat heater to
overheat. An overheated seat
heater may cause a burn or may
damage the seat.
Heated and Ventilated Seat
Buttons Shown, Heated Seat
Buttons Similar
If available, the buttons are on the
climate control panel. To operate,
the ignition must be on.
Press
L to heat the seat cushion
and seatback or
ventilate the seat.
{, if equipped, to
Press the button once for the
highest setting. With each press of
the button, the seat will change to
the next lower setting, and then to
the off setting. The lights indicate
three for the highest setting and one
for the lowest.
The passenger seat may take
longer to heat up.
Remote Start Heated and
Ventilated Seats
During a remote start, the heated or
ventilated seats, if equipped, can be
turned on automatically. They are
canceled when the ignition is turned
on. Press the button to use the
heated or ventilated seats after the
vehicle is started.
The heated or ventilated seat
indicator lights on the button do not
turn on during a remote start.
Page 67
Blackplate(11,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
Seats and Restraints3-11
The heated seat temperature
performance of an unoccupied seat
may be reduced. This is normal.
The heated or ventilated seats will
not turn on during a remote start
unless they are enabled in the
vehicle personalization menu. See
Remote Vehicle Start on page 2‑8
and “Remote Start Heated Seats” or
“Remote Start Cooled Seats” under
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑40 for more information.
Rear Seats
Folding the Seatback
Either side of the seatback can be
folded down for more cargo space.
Fold a seatback only when the
vehicle is not moving.
Notice: Folding a rear seat with
the safety belts still fastened may
cause damage to the seat or the
safety belts. Always unbuckle the
safety belts and return them to
their normal stowed position
before folding a rear seat.
To fold the seatback down:
Rear Seat with Safety Belt
Retainer Clip Shown
1. Before folding the seatback,
make sure the safety belt is in
the retainer clip (if equipped).
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3-12Seats and Restraints
Rear Seat with Safety Belt Guide
Loop Shown
2. Pull on the lever on the top of
the seatback to unlock it.
A tab near the seatback lever
raises when the seatback is
unlocked.
3. Fold the seatback down.
Repeat the steps to fold the
other seatback, if desired.
Raising the Seatback
WARNING
{
If either seatback is not locked, it
could move forward in a sudden
stop or crash. That could cause
injury to the person sitting there.
Always push and pull on the
seatbacks to be sure they are
locked.
WARNING
{
A safety belt that is improperly
routed, not properly attached,
or twisted will not provide the
protection needed in a crash. The
person wearing the belt could be
seriously injured. After raising the
rear seatback, always check to be
sure that the safety belts are
properly routed and attached, and
are not twisted.
To raise a seatback:
1. Lift the seatback up and push it
rearward to lock it in place.
Make sure the safety belt is in
the retainer clip (if equipped)
and is not twisted or caught in
the seatback.
A tab near the seatback lever
retracts when the seatback is
locked in place.
2. Push and pull the top of the
seatback to be sure it is locked
into position.
3. Repeat the steps to raise the
other seatback, if necessary.
When the seat is not in use, it
should be kept in the upright, locked
position.
Page 69
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Seats and Restraints3-13
Safety Belts
This section of the manual
describes how to use safety belts
properly. It also describes some
things not to do with safety belts.
WARNING
{
Do not let anyone ride where a
safety belt cannot be worn
properly. In a crash, if you or your
passenger(s) are not wearing
safety belts, injuries can be much
worse than if you are wearing
safety belts. You can be seriously
injured or killed by hitting things
inside the vehicle harder or by
being ejected from the vehicle.
In addition, anyone who is not
buckled up can strike other
passengers in the vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
It is extremely dangerous to ride
in a cargo area, inside or outside
of a vehicle. In a collision,
passengers riding in these areas
are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed. Do not allow
passengers to ride in any area of
the vehicle that is not equipped
with seats and safety belts.
Always wear a safety belt, and
check that all passenger(s) are
restrained properly too.
This vehicle has indicators as a
reminder to buckle the safety belts.
See Safety Belt Reminders onpage 5‑14 for additional information.
Why Safety Belts Work
When riding in a vehicle, you travel
as fast as the vehicle does. If the
vehicle stops suddenly, you keep
going until something stops you.
It could be the windshield, the
instrument panel, or the safety belts!
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3-14Seats and Restraints
When you wear a safety belt, you
and the vehicle slow down together.
There is more time to stop because
you stop over a longer distance and,
when worn properly, your strongest
bones take the forces from the
safety belts. That is why wearing
safety belts makes such good
sense.
Questions and Answers About
Safety Belts
Q: Will I be trapped in the vehicle
after a crash if I am wearing a
safety belt?
A: You could be — whether you are
wearing a safety belt or not.
Your chance of being conscious
during and after a crash, so you
can unbuckle and get out, is
much greater if you are belted.
Q: If my vehicle has airbags, why
should I have to wear safety
belts?
A: Airbags are supplemental
systems only; so they work with
safety belts — not instead of
them. Whether or not an airbag
is provided, all occupants still
have to buckle up to get the
most protection.
Also, in nearly all states and in
all Canadian provinces, the law
requires wearing safety belts.
How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly
This section is only for people of
adult size.
There are special things to know
about safety belts and children. And
there are different rules for smaller
children and infants. If a child will be
riding in the vehicle, see Older
Children on page 3‑34 or Infants
and Young Children on page 3‑36.
Follow those rules for everyone's
protection.
It is very important for all occupants
to buckle up. Statistics show that
unbelted people are hurt more often
in crashes than those who are
wearing safety belts.
There are important things to know
about wearing a safety belt properly.
.
Sit up straight and always keep
your feet on the floor in front
of you.
Page 71
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BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
.
Always use the correct buckle
for your seating position.
.
Wear the lap part of the belt low
and snug on the hips, just
touching the thighs. In a crash,
this applies force to the strong
pelvic bones and you would be
less likely to slide under the lap
belt. If you slid under it, the belt
would apply force on your
abdomen. This could cause
serious or even fatal injuries.
.
Wear the shoulder belt over the
shoulder and across the chest.
These parts of the body are best
able to take belt restraining
forces. The shoulder belt locks if
there is a sudden stop or crash.
WARNING
{
You can be seriously injured,
or even killed, by not wearing
your safety belt properly.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.
Never allow the lap or
shoulder belt to become
loose or twisted.
.
Never wear the shoulder belt
under both arms or behind
your back.
.
Never route the lap or
shoulder belt over an
armrest.
Lap-Shoulder Belt
All seating positions in the vehicle
have a lap-shoulder belt.
The following instructions explain
how to wear a lap-shoulder belt
properly.
1. Adjust the seat, if the seat is
adjustable, so you can sit up
straight. To see how, see
“Seats” in the Index.
Seats and Restraints3-15
2. Pick up the latch plate and pull
the belt across you. Do not let it
get twisted.
The lap-shoulder belt may lock if
you pull the belt across you very
quickly. If this happens, let the
belt go back slightly to unlock it.
Then pull the belt across you
more slowly.
If the shoulder portion of a
passenger belt is pulled out all
the way, the child restraint
locking feature may be engaged.
If this happens, let the belt go
back all the way and start again.
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3-16Seats and Restraints
3. Push the latch plate into the
buckle until it clicks.
Pull up on the latch plate to
make sure it is secure. If the belt
is not long enough, see SafetyBelt Extender on page 3‑19.
Position the release button on
the buckle so that the safety belt
could be quickly unbuckled if
necessary.
If equipped with a shoulder belt
height adjuster, move it to the
height that is right for you. See
“Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster”
later in this section for
instructions on use and
important safety information.
4. To make the lap part tight, pull
up on the shoulder belt.
It may be necessary to pull
stitching on the safety belt
through the latch plate to fully
tighten the lap belt on smaller
occupants.
To unlatch the belt, push the button
on the buckle. The belt should
return to its stowed position. Slide
the latch plate up the safety belt
webbing, when the safety belt is not
in use. The latch plate should rest
on the stitching on the safety belt,
near the guide loop on the side wall.
Before a door is closed, be sure the
safety belt is out of the way. If a
door is slammed against a safety
belt, damage can occur to both the
safety belt and the vehicle.
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster
The vehicle has a shoulder belt
height adjuster for the driver and
right front passenger seating
positions.
Adjust the height so the shoulder
portion of the belt is on the shoulder
and not falling off of it. The belt
should be close to, but not
contacting, the neck. Improper
shoulder belt height adjustment
could reduce the effectiveness of
the safety belt in a crash. See How
to Wear Safety Belts Properly on
page 3‑14.
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BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
Seats and Restraints3-17
Press the release button (A) and
move the height adjuster to the
desired position. The adjuster can
be moved up by pushing the slide/
trim up. After the adjuster is set to
the desired position, try to move it
down without pushing the release
button to make sure it has locked
into position.
Safety Belt Pretensioners
This vehicle has safety belt
pretensioners for front outboard
occupants. Although the safety belt
pretensioners cannot be seen, they
are part of the safety belt assembly.
They can help tighten the safety
belts during the early stages of a
moderate to severe frontal and
near frontal crash if the threshold
conditions for pretensioner
activation are met.
Pretensioners work only once. If the
pretensioners activate in a crash,
the pretensioners and probably
other parts of the vehicle's safety
belt system will need to be replaced.
See Replacing Safety Belt SystemParts after a Crash on page 3‑20.
Rear Safety Belt Comfort
Guides
This vehicle may have rear shoulder
belt comfort guides. If not, they are
available through your dealer. The
guides may provide added safety
belt comfort for older children who
have outgrown booster seats and
for some adults. When installed and
properly adjusted, the comfort guide
positions the belt away from the
neck and head.
There is one guide for each outside
passenger position in the rear seat.
Here is how to install a comfort
guide to the safety belt:
1. Remove the guide from its
storage pocket on the side of
the seat.
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3-18Seats and Restraints
WARNING (Continued)
and across the chest. These parts
of the body are best able to take
belt restraining forces.
2. Place the guide over the belt,
and insert the two edges of the
belt into the slots of the guide.
3. Be sure that the belt is not
twisted and it lies flat. The
elastic cord must be under the
belt and the guide on top.
WARNING
{
A safety belt that is not properly
worn may not provide the
protection needed in a crash. The
person wearing the belt could be
seriously injured. The shoulder
belt should go over the shoulder
(Continued)
4. Buckle, position, and release
the safety belt as described
previously in this section. Make
sure the shoulder portion of the
belt is on the shoulder and not
falling off of it. The belt should
be close to, but not contacting,
the neck.
Page 75
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BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
Seats and Restraints3-19
Safety Belt Use During
Pregnancy
Safety belts work for everyone,
including pregnant women. Like all
occupants, they are more likely to
be seriously injured if they do not
wear safety belts.
A pregnant woman should wear a
lap-shoulder belt, and the lap
portion should be worn as low as
possible, below the rounding,
throughout the pregnancy.
The best way to protect the fetus is
to protect the mother. When a safety
belt is worn properly, it is more likely
that the fetus will not be hurt in a
crash. For pregnant women, as for
anyone, the key to making safety
belts effective is wearing them
properly.
Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle's safety belt will fasten
around you, you should use it.
But if a safety belt is not long
enough, your dealer will order you
an extender. When you go in to
order it, take the heaviest coat you
will wear, so the extender will be
long enough for you. To help avoid
personal injury, do not let someone
else use it, and use it only for the
seat it is made to fit. The extender
has been designed for adults. Never
use it for securing child seats. To
wear it, attach it to the regular safety
belt. For more information, see the
instruction sheet that comes with
the extender.
Safety System Check
Now and then, check that the safety
belt reminder light, safety belts,
buckles, latch plates, retractors, and
anchorages are all working properly.
Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts
that might keep a safety belt system
from doing its job. See your dealer
to have it repaired. Torn or frayed
safety belts may not protect you in
a crash. They can rip apart under
impact forces. If a belt is torn or
frayed, get a new one right away.
Make sure the safety belt reminder
light is working. See Safety BeltReminders on page 5‑14 for more
information.
Keep safety belts clean and dry.
See Safety Belt Care on page 3‑20.
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3-20Seats and Restraints
Safety Belt Care
Keep belts clean and dry.
WARNING
{
Do not bleach or dye safety belts.
It may severely weaken them. In
a crash, they might not be able to
provide adequate protection.
Clean safety belts only with mild
soap and lukewarm water.
Replacing Safety Belt
System Parts after a
Crash
WARNING
{
A crash can damage the safety
belt system in the vehicle.
A damaged safety belt system
may not properly protect the
person using it, resulting in
serious injury or even death in a
crash. To help make sure the
safety belt systems are working
properly after a crash, have them
inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon
as possible.
After a minor crash, replacement of
safety belts may not be necessary.
But the safety belt assemblies that
were used during any crash may
have been stressed or damaged.
See your dealer to have the safety
belt assemblies inspected or
replaced.
New parts and repairs may be
necessary even if the safety belt
system was not being used at the
time of the crash.
Have the safety belt pretensioners
checked if the vehicle has been in a
crash, or if the airbag readiness light
stays on after you start the vehicle
or while you are driving. See AirbagReadiness Light on page 5‑14.
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Seats and Restraints3-21
Airbag System
The vehicle has the following
airbags:
.
A frontal airbag for the driver.
.
A frontal airbag for the front
outboard passenger.
.
A seat-mounted side impact
airbag for the driver.
.
A seat-mounted side impact
airbag for the front outboard
passenger.
.
A roof-rail airbag for the driver
and the passenger seated
directly behind the driver.
.
A roof-rail airbag for the front
outboard passenger and the
passenger seated directly
behind the front outboard
passenger.
The vehicle may have the following
airbags:
.
Seat-mounted side impact
airbags for the second row
outboard passengers.
All of the airbags have the word
AIRBAG embossed on the trim or
on a label near the deployment
opening.
For frontal airbags, the word
AIRBAG is on the center of the
steering wheel for the driver and on
the instrument panel for the front
outboard passenger.
For seat-mounted side impact
airbags, the word AIRBAG is on the
side of the seatback closest to
the door.
For roof-rail airbags, the word
AIRBAG is on the ceiling or trim.
Airbags are designed to supplement
the protection provided by safety
belts. Even though today's airbags
are also designed to help reduce
the risk of injury from the force of an
inflating bag, all airbags must inflate
very quickly to do their job.
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3-22Seats and Restraints
Here are the most important things
to know about the airbag system:
WARNING
{
You can be severely injured or
killed in a crash if you are not
wearing your safety belt, even
with airbags. Airbags are
designed to work with safety
belts, not replace them. Also,
airbags are not designed to inflate
in every crash. In some crashes
safety belts are the only restraint.
See When Should an AirbagInflate? on page 3‑24.
Wearing your safety belt during a
crash helps reduce the chance of
hitting things inside the vehicle or
being ejected from it. Airbags are
“supplemental restraints” to the
safety belts. Everyone in the
vehicle should wear a safety belt
properly, whether or not there is
an airbag for that person.
WARNING
{
Because airbags inflate with great
force and faster than the blink of
an eye, anyone who is up
against, or very close to any
airbag when it inflates can be
seriously injured or killed. Do not
sit unnecessarily close to any
airbag, as you would be if sitting
on the edge of the seat or leaning
forward. Safety belts help keep
you in position before and during
a crash. Always wear a safety
belt, even with airbags. The driver
should sit as far back as possible
while still maintaining control of
the vehicle.
Occupants should not lean on or
sleep against the door or side
windows in seating positions with
seat-mounted side impact airbags
and/or roof-rail airbags.
WARNING
{
Children who are up against,
or very close to, any airbag when
it inflates can be seriously injured
or killed. Airbags plus
lap-shoulder belts offer protection
for adults and older children, but
not for young children and infants.
Neither the vehicle's safety belt
system nor its airbag system is
designed for them. Young
children and infants need the
protection that a child restraint
system can provide. Always
secure children properly in the
vehicle. To read how, see Older
Children on page 3‑34 or Infants
and Young Children on
page 3‑36.
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BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
There is an airbag readiness light
on the instrument panel cluster,
which shows the airbag symbol. The
system checks the airbag electrical
system for malfunctions. The light
tells you if there is an electrical
problem. See Airbag ReadinessLight on page 5‑14 for more
information.
Where Are the Airbags?
The driver frontal airbag is in the
center of the steering wheel.
The front outboard passenger
frontal airbag is in the passenger
side instrument panel.
Seats and Restraints3-23
Driver Side Shown, Passenger
Side Similar
The driver and front outboard
passenger seat-mounted side
impact airbags are in the side of the
seatbacks closest to the door.
The roof-rail airbags for the driver,
front outboard passenger, and
second row outboard passengers
are in the ceiling above the side
windows.
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BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
3-24Seats and Restraints
Rear Seat Driver Side Shown,
Passenger Side Similar
On vehicles with second row seat‐
mounted side impact airbags, they
are in the sides of the rear seatback
closest to the door.
WARNING
{
If something is between an
occupant and an airbag, the
airbag might not inflate properly
or it might force the object into
that person causing severe injury
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
or even death. The path of an
inflating airbag must be kept
clear. Do not put anything
between an occupant and an
airbag, and do not attach or put
anything on the steering wheel
hub or on or near any other
airbag covering.
Do not use seat accessories that
block the inflation path of a
seat-mounted side impact airbag.
Never secure anything to the roof
of a vehicle with roof-rail airbags
by routing a rope or tie‐down
through any door or window
opening. If you do, the path of an
inflating roof-rail airbag will be
blocked.
When Should an Airbag
Inflate?
Frontal airbags are designed to
inflate in moderate to severe frontal
or near frontal crashes to help
reduce the potential for severe
injuries, mainly to the driver's or
front outboard passenger's head
and chest. However, they are only
designed to inflate if the impact
exceeds a predetermined
deployment threshold. Deployment
thresholds are used to predict how
severe a crash is likely to be in time
for the airbags to inflate and help
restrain the occupants.
Whether the frontal airbags will or
should inflate is not based primarily
on how fast the vehicle is traveling.
It depends on what is hit, the
direction of the impact, and how
quickly the vehicle slows down.
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Seats and Restraints3-25
Frontal airbags may inflate at
different crash speeds depending on
whether the vehicle hits an object
straight on or at an angle, and
whether the object is fixed or
moving, rigid or deformable,
narrow or wide.
Thresholds can also vary with
specific vehicle design.
Frontal airbags are not intended to
inflate during vehicle rollovers, rear
impacts, or in many side impacts.
In addition, the vehicle has
dual-stage frontal airbags.
Dual-stage airbags adjust the
restraint according to crash severity.
The vehicle has electronic frontal
sensors, which help the sensing
system distinguish between a
moderate frontal impact and a more
severe frontal impact. For moderate
frontal impacts, dual-stage airbags
inflate at a level less than full
deployment.
For more severe frontal impacts, full
deployment occurs.
The vehicle has seat-mounted side
impact airbags and roof-rail airbags.
See Airbag System on page 3‑21.
Seat-mounted side impact and
roof-rail airbags are intended to
inflate in moderate to severe side
crashes depending on the location
of the impact. In addition, these
roof‐rail airbags are intended to
inflate during a rollover or in a
severe frontal impact. Seat-mounted
side impact and roof-rail airbags will
inflate if the crash severity is above
the system's designed threshold
level. The threshold level can vary
with specific vehicle design.
Roof‐rail airbags are not intended to
inflate in rear impacts.
A seat-mounted side impact airbag
is intended to inflate on the side
of the vehicle that is struck. Both
roof‐rail airbags will inflate when
either side of the vehicle is struck or
if the sensing system predicts that
the vehicle is about to roll over on
its side, or in a severe frontal
impact.
In any particular crash, no one can
say whether an airbag should have
inflated simply because of the
vehicle damage or repair costs.
What Makes an Airbag
Inflate?
In a deployment event, the sensing
system sends an electrical signal
triggering a release of gas from the
inflator. Gas from the inflator fills the
airbag causing the bag to break out
of the cover. The inflator, the airbag,
and related hardware are all part of
the airbag module.
For airbag location, see Where Arethe Airbags? on page 3‑23.
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3-26Seats and Restraints
How Does an Airbag
Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or
near frontal collisions, even belted
occupants can contact the steering
wheel or the instrument panel. In
moderate to severe side collisions,
even belted occupants can contact
the inside of the vehicle.
Airbags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts by
distributing the force of the impact
more evenly over the
occupant's body.
But airbags would not help in many
types of collisions, primarily
because the occupant's motion is
not toward those airbags. See When
Should an Airbag Inflate? on
page 3‑24 for more information.
Airbags should never be regarded
as anything more than a supplement
to safety belts.
What Will You See after
an Airbag Inflates?
After the frontal airbags and
seat-mounted side impact airbags
inflate, they quickly deflate, so
quickly that some people may not
even realize an airbag inflated.
Roof-rail airbags may still be at least
partially inflated for some time after
they inflate. Some components of
the airbag module may be hot for
several minutes. For location of the
airbags, see Where Are theAirbags? on page 3‑23.
The parts of the airbag that come
into contact with you may be warm,
but not too hot to touch. There may
be some smoke and dust coming
from the vents in the deflated
airbags. Airbag inflation does not
prevent the driver from seeing out of
the windshield or being able to steer
the vehicle, nor does it prevent
people from leaving the vehicle.
WARNING
{
When an airbag inflates, there
may be dust in the air. This dust
could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of
asthma or other breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as
it is safe to do so. If you have
breathing problems but cannot
get out of the vehicle after an
airbag inflates, then get fresh air
by opening a window or a door.
If you experience breathing
problems following an airbag
deployment, you should seek
medical attention.
The vehicle has a feature that may
automatically unlock the doors, turn
on the interior lamps, turn on the
hazard warning flashers, and
shut off the fuel system after the
airbags inflate.
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BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
Seats and Restraints3-27
You can lock the doors, turn off the
interior lamps, and turn off the
hazard warning flashers by using
the controls for those features.
WARNING
{
A crash severe enough to inflate
the airbags may have also
damaged important functions in
the vehicle, such as the fuel
system, brake and steering
systems, etc. Even if the vehicle
appears to be drivable after a
moderate crash, there may be
concealed damage that could
make it difficult to safely operate
the vehicle.
Use caution if you should attempt
to restart the engine after a crash
has occurred.
In many crashes severe enough to
inflate the airbag, windshields are
broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may
also occur from the front outboard
passenger airbag.
.
Airbags are designed to inflate
only once. After an airbag
inflates, you will need some new
parts for the airbag system.
If you do not get them, the
airbag system will not be there
to help protect you in another
crash. A new system will include
airbag modules and possibly
other parts. The service manual
for the vehicle covers the need
to replace other parts.
.
The vehicle has a crash sensing
and diagnostic module which
records information after a
crash. See Vehicle Data
Recording and Privacy on
page 13‑18 and Event Data
Recorders on page 13‑19.
.
Let only qualified technicians
work on the airbag systems.
Improper service can mean that
an airbag system will not work
properly. See your dealer for
service.
Passenger Sensing
System
The vehicle has a passenger
sensing system for the front
outboard passenger position. The
passenger airbag status indicator
will light on the instrument panel
when the vehicle is started.
The words ON and OFF will be
visible during the system check.
If you use remote start, if equipped,
to start the vehicle from a distance
you may not see the system check.
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3-28Seats and Restraints
When the system check is
complete, either the word ON or
the word OFF will be visible. See
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
on page 5‑15.
The passenger sensing system
turns off the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag under
certain conditions. No other airbag
is affected by the passenger
sensing system.
The passenger sensing system
works with sensors that are part of
the front outboard passenger seat.
The sensors are designed to detect
the presence of a properly-seated
occupant and determine if the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag
should be allowed to inflate or not.
According to accident statistics,
children are safer when properly
secured in a rear seat in the correct
child restraint for their weight
and size.
We recommend that children be
secured in a rear seat, including: an
infant or a child riding in a
rear-facing child restraint; a child
riding in a forward-facing child seat;
an older child riding in a booster
seat; and children, who are large
enough, using safety belts.
Never put a rear-facing child seat in
the front. This is because the risk to
the rear-facing child is so great,
if the airbag inflates.
WARNING
{
A child in a rear-facing child
restraint can be seriously injured
or killed if the passenger frontal
airbag inflates. This is because
the back of the rear-facing child
restraint would be very close to
the inflating airbag. A child in a
forward-facing child restraint can
be seriously injured or killed if the
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
passenger frontal airbag inflates
and the passenger seat is in a
forward position.
Even if the passenger sensing
system has turned off the
passenger frontal airbag, no
system is fail-safe. No one can
guarantee that an airbag will not
inflate under some unusual
circumstance, even though the
airbag is off.
Secure rear-facing child restraints
in a rear seat, even if the airbag
is off. If you secure a
forward-facing child restraint in
the front outboard passenger
seat, always move the seat as far
back as it will go. It is better to
secure the child restraint in a
rear seat.
Page 85
Blackplate(29,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
Seats and Restraints3-29
The passenger sensing system is
designed to turn off the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag if:
.
The front outboard passenger
seat is unoccupied.
.
The system determines that an
infant is present in a child
restraint.
.
A front outboard passenger
takes his/her weight off of the
seat for a period of time.
.
Or, if there is a critical problem
with the airbag system or the
passenger sensing system.
When the passenger sensing
system has turned off the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag,
the off indicator will light and stay lit
as a reminder that the airbags are
off. See Passenger Airbag StatusIndicator on page 5‑15.
The passenger sensing system is
designed to turn on the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag
anytime the system senses that a
person of adult size is sitting
properly in the front outboard
passenger seat. When the
passenger sensing system has
allowed the airbags to be enabled,
the on indicator will light and stay
lit as a reminder that the airbags
are active.
For some children, including
children in child restraints and for
very small adults, the passenger
sensing system may or may not turn
off the front outboard passenger
frontal airbag, depending upon the
person's seating posture and body
build. Everyone in the vehicle who
has outgrown child restraints
should wear a safety belt
properly — whether or not there
is an airbag for that person.
WARNING
{
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others,
have the vehicle serviced right
away. See Airbag ReadinessLight on page 5‑14 for more
information, including important
safety information.
If the On Indicator Is Lit for a
Child Restraint
If a child restraint has been installed
and the on indicator is lit:
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Remove the child restraint from
the vehicle.
3. Remove any additional items
from the seat such as blankets,
cushions, seat covers, seat
heaters, or seat massagers.
Page 86
Blackplate(30,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
3-30Seats and Restraints
4. Reinstall the child restraint
following the directions provided
by the child restraint
manufacturer and refer to
Securing Child Restraints (Rear
Seat) on page 3‑50 or Securing
Child Restraints (Front
Passenger Seat) on page 3‑52.
5. If, after reinstalling the child
restraint and restarting the
vehicle, the on indicator is still lit,
turn the vehicle off. Then slightly
recline the vehicle seatback and
adjust the seat cushion,
if adjustable, to make sure that
the vehicle seatback is not
pushing the child restraint into
the seat cushion.
Also make sure the child
restraint is not trapped under the
vehicle head restraint. If this
happens, adjust the head
restraint. See Head Restraintson page 3‑2.
6. Restart the vehicle.
The passenger sensing system may
or may not turn off the airbag for a
child in a child restraint depending
upon the child's seating posture and
body build. It is better to secure the
child restraint in a rear seat.
If the Off Indicator Is Lit for an
Adult-Size Occupant
If a person of adult-size is sitting in
the front outboard passenger seat,
but the off indicator is lit, it could be
because that person is not sitting
properly in the seat. Use the
following steps to allow the system
to detect that person and enable
the front outboard passenger
frontal airbag :
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Remove any additional material
from the seat, such as blankets,
cushions, seat covers, seat
heaters, or seat massagers.
3. Place the seatback in the fully
upright position.
4. Have the person sit upright in
the seat, centered on the seat
cushion, with legs comfortably
extended.
5. Restart the vehicle and have the
person remain in this position for
two to three minutes after the on
indicator is lit.
Page 87
Blackplate(31,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
Seats and Restraints3-31
Additional Factors Affecting
System Operation
Safety belts help keep the
passenger in position on the seat
during vehicle maneuvers and
braking, which helps the passenger
sensing system maintain the
passenger airbag status. See
“Safety Belts” and “Child Restraints”
in the Index for additional
information about the importance of
proper restraint use.
A thick layer of additional material,
such as a blanket or cushion,
or aftermarket equipment such as
seat covers, seat heaters, and seat
massagers can affect how well the
passenger sensing system
operates. We recommend that you
not use seat covers or other
aftermarket equipment except when
approved by GM for your specific
vehicle. See Adding Equipment to
the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 3‑32 for more information
about modifications that can affect
how the system operates.
A wet seat can affect the
performance of the passenger
sensing system. Here is how:
.
The passenger sensing system
may turn off the passenger
frontal airbag when liquid is
soaked into the seat. If this
happens, the off indicator will be
lit, and the airbag readiness light
on the instrument panel will also
be lit.
.
Liquid pooled on the seat that
has not soaked in may make it
more likely that the passenger
sensing system will turn on the
passenger frontal airbag while a
child restraint or child occupant
is on the seat. If the passenger
frontal airbag is turned on, the
on indicator will be lit.
If the passenger seat gets wet, dry
the seat immediately. If the airbag
readiness light is lit, do not install a
child restraint or allow anyone to
occupy the seat. See AirbagReadiness Light on page 5‑14 for
important safety information.
The on indicator may be lit if an
object, such as a briefcase,
handbag, grocery bag, laptop or
other electronic device, is put on an
unoccupied seat. If this is not
desired remove the object from
the seat.
WARNING
{
Stowing of articles under the
passenger seat or between the
passenger seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the
proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle
should be serviced. There are parts
of the airbag system in several
places around the vehicle. Your
dealer and the service manual have
information about servicing the
vehicle and the airbag system.
Page 88
Blackplate(32,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
3-32Seats and Restraints
To purchase a service manual, see
Service Publications Ordering
Information on page 13‑16.
WARNING
{
For up to 10 seconds after the
vehicle is turned off and the
battery is disconnected, an airbag
can still inflate during improper
service. You can be injured if you
are close to an airbag when it
inflates. Avoid yellow connectors.
They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow
proper service procedures, and
make sure the person performing
work for you is qualified to do so.
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Adding accessories that change the
vehicle's frame, bumper system,
height, front end or side sheet
metal, may keep the airbag system
from working properly.
The operation of the airbag system
can also be affected by changing or
moving any parts of the front seats,
safety belts, the airbag sensing and
diagnostic module, steering wheel,
instrument panel, roof-rail airbag
modules, ceiling headliner or pillar
garnish trim, front sensors, side
impact sensors, or airbag wiring.
Your dealer and the service manual
have information about the location
of the airbag sensors, sensing
and diagnostic module, and
airbag wiring.
In addition, the vehicle has a
passenger sensing system for the
front outboard passenger position,
which includes sensors that are
part of the passenger seat. The
passenger sensing system may not
operate properly if the original seat
trim is replaced with non-GM
covers, upholstery or trim, or with
GM covers, upholstery or trim
designed for a different vehicle.
Any object, such as an aftermarket
seat heater or a comfort enhancing
pad or device, installed under or on
top of the seat fabric, could also
interfere with the operation of the
passenger sensing system.
This could either prevent proper
deployment of the passenger
airbag(s) or prevent the passenger
sensing system from properly
turning off the passenger airbag(s).
See Passenger Sensing System onpage 3‑27.
If your vehicle needs to be modified
because you have a disability and
you have questions about whether
the modifications will affect the
vehicle's airbag system, or if you
have questions about whether the
airbag system will be affected if the
vehicle is modified for any other
reason, call Customer Assistance.
See Customer Assistance Offices
(U.S. and Canada) on page 13‑4 or
Customer Assistance Offices
(Mexico) on page 13‑5.
Page 89
Blackplate(33,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
Seats and Restraints3-33
Airbag System Check
The airbag system does not need
regularly scheduled maintenance or
replacement. Make sure the airbag
readiness light is working. See
Airbag Readiness Light on
page 5‑14 for more information.
Notice: If an airbag covering is
damaged, opened, or broken, the
airbag may not work properly. Do
not open or break the airbag
coverings. If there are any
opened or broken airbag covers,
have the airbag covering and/or
airbag module replaced. For the
location of the airbags, see
Where Are the Airbags? on
page 3‑23. See your dealer for
service.
Replacing Airbag System
Parts after a Crash
WARNING
{
A crash can damage the
airbag systems in the vehicle.
A damaged airbag system may
not work properly and may
not protect you and your
passenger(s) in a crash, resulting
in serious injury or even death.
To help make sure the airbag
systems are working properly
after a crash, have them
inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon
as possible.
If an airbag inflates, you will
need to replace airbag system
parts. See your dealer for service.
If the airbag readiness light stays on
after the vehicle is started or comes
on when you are driving, the airbag
system may not work properly.
Have the vehicle serviced right
away. See Airbag Readiness Lighton page 5‑14 for more information.
Vehicles with eAssist have a
high voltage battery and a standard
12‐volt battery. If an airbag inflates
or the vehicle has been in a crash,
the vehicle's sensing system may
shut down the high voltage system.
When this occurs, the high voltage
battery is disconnected and the
vehicle is not charging the 12‐volt
battery or the electrical system.
The vehicle may start but it shuts
down once the 12‐volt battery is
depleted. When the 12‐volt battery
is depleted, the vehicle will not start
and the on‐board jump start feature
is disabled. The airbag readiness
light and/or the 12‐volt battery
warning light are displayed. Before
the vehicle can be operated again, it
must be serviced at your dealer.
Page 90
Blackplate(34,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
3-34Seats and Restraints
Child Restraints
Older Children
Older children who have outgrown
booster seats should wear the
vehicle's safety belts.
The manufacturer's instructions that
come with the booster seat, state
the weight and height limitations for
that booster. Use a booster seat
with a lap-shoulder belt until the
child passes the below fit test:
.
Sit all the way back on the seat.
Do the knees bend at the seat
edge? If yes, continue. If no,
return to the booster seat.
.
Buckle the lap-shoulder belt.
Does the shoulder belt rest on
the shoulder? If yes, continue.
If no, then return to the
booster seat.
.
Does the lap belt fit low and
snug on the hips, touching the
thighs? If yes, continue. If no,
return to the booster seat.
.
Can proper safety belt fit be
maintained for the length of the
trip? If yes, continue. If no,
return to the booster seat.
Q: What is the proper way to
wear safety belts?
A: An older child should wear a
lap-shoulder belt and get the
additional restraint a shoulder
belt can provide. The shoulder
belt should not cross the face or
neck. The lap belt should fit
snugly below the hips, just
touching the top of the thighs.
This applies belt force to the
child's pelvic bones in a crash.
It should never be worn over the
abdomen, which could cause
severe or even fatal internal
injuries in a crash.
According to accident statistics,
children and infants are safer when
properly restrained in a child
restraint system or infant restraint
system secured in a rear seating
position.
Page 91
Blackplate(35,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
Seats and Restraints3-35
In a crash, children who are not
buckled up can strike other people
who are buckled up, or can be
thrown out of the vehicle. Older
children need to use safety belts
properly.
WARNING
{
Never do this.
Never allow two children to wear
the same safety belt. The safety
belt cannot properly spread the
impact forces. In a crash, the two
children can be crushed together
and seriously injured. A safety
belt must be used by only one
person at a time.
WARNING
{
Never do this.
Never allow a child to wear the
safety belt with the shoulder belt
behind their back. A child can be
seriously injured by not wearing
the lap-shoulder belt properly. In a
crash, the child would not be
restrained by the shoulder belt.
The child could move too far
forward increasing the chance of
head and neck injury.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
The child might also slide under
the lap belt. The belt force would
then be applied right on the
abdomen. That could cause
serious or fatal injuries. The
shoulder belt should go over the
shoulder and across the chest.
Page 92
Blackplate(36,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
3-36Seats and Restraints
Infants and Young
Children
Everyone in a vehicle needs
protection! This includes infants and
all other children. Neither the
distance traveled nor the age and
size of the traveler changes the
need, for everyone, to use safety
restraints. In fact, the law in every
state in the United States and in
every Canadian province says
children up to some age must be
restrained while in a vehicle.
WARNING
{
Children can be seriously injured
or strangled if a shoulder belt is
wrapped around their neck and
the safety belt continues to
tighten. Never leave children
unattended in a vehicle and
never allow children to play with
the safety belts.
Airbags plus lap‐shoulder belts offer
protection for adults and older
children, but not for young children
and infants. Neither the vehicle's
safety belt system nor its airbag
system is designed for them.
Every time infants and young
children ride in vehicles, they should
have the protection provided by
appropriate child restraints.
Children who are not restrained
properly can strike other people,
or can be thrown out of the vehicle.
Page 93
Blackplate(37,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
Seats and Restraints3-37
WARNING
{
Never do this.
Never hold an infant or a child
while riding in a vehicle. Due to
crash forces, an infant or a child
will become so heavy it is not
possible to hold it during a crash.
For example, in a crash at only
40 km/h (25 mph), a 5.5 kg (12 lb)
infant will suddenly become a
110 kg (240 lb) force on a
person's arms. An infant should
be secured in an appropriate
restraint.
WARNING
{
Never do this.
Children who are up against,
or very close to, any airbag when
it inflates can be seriously injured
or killed. Never put a rear-facing
child restraint in the right front
seat. Secure a rear-facing child
restraint in a rear seat.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
It is also better to secure a
forward-facing child restraint in a
rear seat. If you must secure a
forward-facing child restraint in
the right front seat, always move
the front passenger seat as far
back as it will go.
Page 94
Blackplate(38,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
3-38Seats and Restraints
Q: What are the different types of
add-on child restraints?
A: Add-on child restraints, which
are purchased by the vehicle
owner, are available in four basic
types. Selection of a particular
restraint should take into
consideration not only the child's
weight, height, and age but also
whether or not the restraint will
be compatible with the motor
vehicle in which it will be used.
For most basic types of child
restraints, there are many
different models available. When
purchasing a child restraint, be
sure it is designed to be used in
a motor vehicle. If it is, the
restraint will have a label saying
that it meets federal motor
vehicle safety standards.
The restraint manufacturer's
instructions that come with the
restraint state the weight and
height limitations for a particular
child restraint. In addition, there
are many kinds of restraints
available for children with
special needs.
WARNING
{
To reduce the risk of neck and
head injury during a crash, infants
need complete support. This is
because an infant's neck is not
fully developed and its head
weighs so much compared with
the rest of its body. In a crash, an
infant in a rear-facing child
restraint settles into the restraint,
so the crash forces can be
distributed across the strongest
part of an infant's body, the back
and shoulders. Infants should
always be secured in rear-facing
child restraints.
WARNING
{
A young child's hip bones are still
so small that the vehicle's regular
safety belt may not remain low on
the hip bones, as it should.
Instead, it may settle up around
the child's abdomen. In a crash,
the belt would apply force on a
body area that is unprotected by
any bony structure. This alone
could cause serious or fatal
injuries. To reduce the risk of
serious or fatal injuries during a
crash, young children should
always be secured in appropriate
child restraints.
Page 95
Blackplate(39,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
Child Restraint Systems
Seats and Restraints3-39
(A) Rear‐Facing Infant Seat
A rear-facing infant seat (A)
provides restraint with the seating
surface against the back of the
infant.
The harness system holds the infant
in place and, in a crash, acts to
keep the infant positioned in the
restraint.
(B) Forward-Facing Child Seat
A forward-facing child seat (B)
provides restraint for the child's
body with the harness.
(C) Booster Seats
A booster seat (C) is a child restraint
designed to improve the fit of the
vehicle's safety belt system.
A booster seat can also help a
child to see out the window.
Page 96
Blackplate(40,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
3-40Seats and Restraints
Securing an Add-On Child
Restraint in the Vehicle
WARNING
{
A child can be seriously injured
or killed in a crash if the child
restraint is not properly secured
in the vehicle. Secure the child
restraint properly in the vehicle
using the vehicle safety belt or
LATCH system, following the
instructions that came with that
child restraint and the instructions
in this manual.
To help reduce the chance of injury,
the child restraint must be secured
in the vehicle. Child restraint
systems must be secured in vehicle
seats by lap belts or the lap belt
portion of a lap-shoulder belt, or by
the LATCH system. See Lower
Anchors and Tethers for Children
(LATCH System) on page 3‑42 for
more information.
Children can be endangered in a
crash if the child restraint is not
properly secured in the vehicle.
When securing an add-on child
restraint, refer to the instructions
that come with the restraint which
may be on the restraint itself or in a
booklet, or both, and to this manual.
The child restraint instructions are
important, so if they are not
available, obtain a replacement
copy from the manufacturer.
Keep in mind that an unsecured
child restraint can move around in a
collision or sudden stop and injure
people in the vehicle. Be sure to
properly secure any child restraint
in the vehicle — even when no child
is in it.
In some areas, Certified Child
Passenger Safety Technicians
(CPSTs) are available to inspect
and demonstrate how to correctly
use and install child restraints.
In the U.S., refer to the
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) website to
locate the nearest child safety seat
inspection station. For CPST
availability in Canada, check with
Transport Canada or the Provincial
Ministry of Transportation office.
Securing the Child within the
Child Restraint
WARNING
{
A child can be seriously injured or
killed in a crash if the child is not
properly secured in the child
restraint. Secure the child
properly following the instructions
that came with that child restraint.
Page 97
Blackplate(41,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
Seats and Restraints3-41
Where to Put the
Restraint
According to accident statistics,
children and infants are safer when
properly restrained in a child
restraint system or infant restraint
system secured in a rear seating
position.
We recommend that children and
child restraints be secured in a rear
seat, including: an infant or a child
riding in a rear-facing child restraint;
a child riding in a forward-facing
child seat; an older child riding in a
booster seat; and children, who are
large enough, using safety belts.
A label on your sun visor says,
“Never put a rear-facing child seat in
the front.” This is because the risk to
the rear-facing child is so great if the
airbag deploys.
WARNING
{
A child in a rear-facing child
restraint can be seriously injured
or killed if the right front
passenger airbag inflates.
This is because the back of the
rear-facing child restraint would
be very close to the inflating
airbag. A child in a forward-facing
child restraint can be seriously
injured or killed if the right front
passenger airbag inflates and the
passenger seat is in a forward
position.
Even if the passenger sensing
system has turned off the right
front passenger frontal airbag, no
system is fail-safe. No one can
guarantee that an airbag will not
deploy under some unusual
circumstance, even though it is
turned off.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
Secure rear-facing child
restraints in a rear seat, even
if the airbag is off. If you secure a
forward-facing child restraint in
the right front seat, always move
the front passenger seat as far
back as it will go. It is better to
secure the child restraint in a
rear seat.
See Passenger Sensing Systemon page 3‑27 for additional
information.
When securing a child restraint in a
rear seating position, study the
instructions that came with your
child restraint to make sure it is
compatible with this vehicle.
Child restraints and booster seats
vary considerably in size, and some
may fit in certain seating positions
better than others. Always make
sure the child restraint is properly
secured.
Page 98
Blackplate(42,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
3-42Seats and Restraints
Depending on where you place the
child restraint and the size of the
child restraint, you may not be able
to access adjacent safety belt
assemblies or LATCH anchors for
additional passengers or child
restraints. Adjacent seating
positions should not be used if the
child restraint prevents access to or
interferes with the routing of the
safety belt.
Wherever a child restraint is
installed, be sure to secure the
child restraint properly.
Keep in mind that an unsecured
child restraint can move around in a
collision or sudden stop and injure
people in the vehicle. Be sure to
properly secure any child restraint in
your vehicle — even when no child
is in it.
Lower Anchors and
Tethers for Children
(LATCH System)
The LATCH system holds a child
restraint during driving or in a crash.
This system is designed to make
installation of a child restraint easier.
The LATCH system uses anchors in
the vehicle and attachments on the
child restraint that are made for use
with the LATCH system.
Make sure that a LATCH-compatible
child restraint is properly installed
using the anchors, or use the
vehicle's safety belts to secure the
restraint, following the instructions
that came with that restraint, and
also the instructions in this manual.
When installing a child restraint with
a top tether, you must also use
either the lower anchors or the
safety belts to properly secure the
child restraint. A child restraint must
never be installed using only the
top tether and anchor.
In order to use the LATCH system in
the vehicle, you need a child
restraint that has LATCH
attachments. The child restraint
manufacturer will provide you with
instructions on how to use the child
restraint and its attachments. The
following explains how to attach a
child restraint with these
attachments in the vehicle.
Not all vehicle seating positions or
child restraints have lower anchors
and attachments or top tether
anchors and attachments.
Page 99
Blackplate(43,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
Seats and Restraints3-43
Lower Anchors
Lower anchors (A) are metal bars
built into the vehicle. There are
two lower anchors for each
LATCH seating position that will
accommodate a child restraint with
lower attachments (B).
Top Tether Anchor
A top tether (A, C) anchors the top
of the child restraint to the vehicle.
A top tether anchor is built into the
vehicle. The top tether
attachment (B) on the child restraint
connects to the top tether anchor in
the vehicle in order to reduce the
forward movement and rotation of
the child restraint during driving or
in a crash.
The child restraint may have a
single tether (A) or a dual tether (C).
Either will have a single
attachment (B) to secure the
top tether to the anchor.
Some child restraints that have a
top tether are designed for use
with or without the top tether being
attached. Others require the
top tether always to be attached.
In Canada, the law requires that
forward-facing child restraints have
a top tether, and that the tether be
attached. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions for the
child restraint.
Page 100
Blackplate(44,1)
BuickLaCrosseOwnerManual-2012
3-44Seats and Restraints
Lower Anchor and Top Tether
Anchor Locations
Rear Seat
I (Top Tether Anchor): Seating
positions with top tether anchors.
H (Lower Anchor): Seating
positions with two lower anchors.
To assist in locating the lower
anchors, each rear anchor position
has a label, near the crease
between the seatback and the
seat cushion.
To assist in locating the top tether
anchors, the top tether anchor
symbol is on the cover.
The top tether anchors are under
the covers, behind the rear seat, on
the filler panel. Be sure to use an
anchor on the same side of the
vehicle as the seating position
where the child restraint will
be placed.
Do not secure a child restraint in a
position without a top tether anchor
if a national or local law requires
that the top tether be attached, or if
the instructions that come with the
child restraint say that the top tether
must be attached.
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