Buick LaCrosse: Automatic Transmission

Buick LaCrosse: Automatic Transmission

The automatic transmission has a shift lever located on the console between the seats.

P (Park): This position locks the front wheels. It is the best position to use when starting the engine because the vehicle cannot move easily.

WARNING!
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the engine is running unless you have to. If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be sure the vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly level ground, always set the parking brake and move the shift lever to P (Park).
See Shifting Into Park. If you are pulling a trailer, see Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips.

Make sure the shift lever is fully in P (Park) before starting the engine.

The vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock control system.

The regular brake must be fully applied first and then the shift lever button pressed before shifting from P (Park) when the ignition key is in ON/RUN. If you cannot shift out of P (Park), ease pressure on the shift lever, then push the shift lever all the way into P (Park) as you maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever button and move the shift lever into another gear. See Shifting out of Park.

R (Reverse): Use this gear to back up.

Notice:
Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is moving forward could damage the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle is stopped.

To rock the vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice, or sand without damaging the transmission, see If the Vehicle Is Stuck.

N (Neutral): In this position, the engine does not connect with the wheels. To restart the engine when the vehicle is already moving, use N (Neutral) only. Also, use N (Neutral) when the vehicle is being towed.

WARNING!
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could move very rapidly.

You could lose control and hit people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear while the engine is running at high speed.

Notice:
Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with the engine running at high speed may damage the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is not running at high speed when shifting the vehicle.

D (Drive): This position is for normal driving. It provides the best fuel economy. If more power is needed for passing, and the vehicle is:

• Going less than 56 km/h (35 mph), push the accelerator pedal about halfway down.

• Going about 56 km/h (35 mph) or more, push the accelerator all the way down.

Notice:
If the vehicle seems to accelerate slowly or not shift gears when you go faster, and you continue to drive the vehicle that way, you could damage the transmission. Have the vehicle serviced right away. You can drive in L (Low) when you are driving less than 56 km/h (35 mph) and D (Drive) for higher speeds until then.

Manual Mode: This position is shown on the shift lever as a +/−.

It allows the driver to select the gears appropriate for current driving conditions. See Manual Mode for more information.

• Manual Mode

Manual Mode

Driver Shift Control (DSC)

Notice:
Driving with the engine at a high rpm without upshifting while using Driver Shift Control (DSC), could damage the vehicle.
Always upshift when necessary while using DSC.

DSC allows you to shift an automatic transmission similar to a manual transmission. To use the DSC feature:

With Selective Ride Control

1. Move the shift lever to the left from D (Drive).

The vehicle will be in Sport Mode. The gear indicator in the DIC will still display a D for Drive, and the SPORT MODE ON message will be displayed momentarily. See Driver Information Center (DIC). When you are in Sport Mode, the vehicle will still shift automatically, but chassis tuning is modified. See Selective Ride Control.

If you move the shift lever forward or rearward, the transmission will enter Manual Mode, and the DIC gear indicator will change to an M followed by a number representing the gear the vehicle is currently in.

2. In Manual Mode, press the shift lever forward to upshift or rearward to downshift.

Without Selective Ride Control

1. Move the shift lever to the left from D (Drive).

The transmission will enter Manual Mode. The DIC gear indicator will change to an M followed by a number representing the gear the vehicle is currently in.

2. In Manual Mode, press the shift lever forward to upshift or rearward to downshift.

Uplevel Display Shown, Base Model Similar

The display on the instrument panel cluster will show which gear the vehicle is in. The number indicates the requested gear range when moving the shift lever forward or rearward.

The transmission will only allow you to shift into gears appropriate for the vehicle speed and engine revolutions per minute (rpm). The transmission will not automatically shift to the next lower gear if the engine rpm is too high, nor to the next higher gear when the maximum engine rpm is reached.

While in the DSC mode, the transmission will automatically downshift when the vehicle comes to a stop. This will allow for more power during take-off.

When accelerating the vehicle from a stop in snowy and icy conditions, you may want to shift into second gear. A higher gear allows you to gain more traction on slippery surfaces.

Engine ExhaustDrive Systems