Buick LaCrosse: Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators

Buick LaCrosse: Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators

Warning lights and gauges can signal that something is wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to the warning lights and gauges could prevent injury.

Warning lights come on when there could be a problem with a vehicle function. Some warning lights come on briefly when the engine is started to indicate they are working.

Gauges can indicate when there could be a problem with a vehicle function. Often gauges and warning lights work together to indicate a problem with the vehicle.

When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on while driving, or when one of the gauges shows there may be a problem, check the section that explains what to do. Follow this manual's advice.

Waiting to do repairs can be costly and even dangerous.

• Instrument Cluster
• Speedometer
• Odometer
• Tachometer
• Fuel Gauge
• Driver Efficiency Gauge
• Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
• Safety Belt Reminders
• Airbag Readiness Light
• Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
• Charging System Light
• Malfunction Indicator Lamp
• Brake System Warning Light
• Electric Parking Brake Light
• Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
• Traction Off Light
• StabiliTrak® OFF Light
• Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak® Light
• Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light
• Tire Pressure Light
• Engine Oil Pressure Light
• Low Fuel Warning Light
• Security Light
• High-Beam On Light
• Front Fog Lamp Light
• Lamps On Reminder
• Cruise Control Light
• Door Ajar Light

Instrument Cluster

English Shown, Metric Similar

English eAssist Shown, Metric eAssist Similar

Speedometer

The speedometer shows the vehicle's speed in either kilometers per hour (km/h) or miles per hour (mph).

Odometer

The odometer shows how far the vehicle has been driven, in either kilometers or miles.

This vehicle has a tamper-resistant odometer. If the vehicle needs a new odometer installed, the new one is set to the mileage of the old odometer. If this is not possible, it is set at zero and a label is put on the driver door to show the old mileage reading.

Tachometer

The tachometer displays the engine speed in revolutions per minute (rpm).

For eAssist vehicles, when the ignition is in ON/RUN, the tachometer indicates the vehicle status. When pointing to AUTO, the engine is off but the vehicle is on and can move. The engine could auto start at any time. When the indicator points to OFF, the vehicle is off.

When the engine is on, the tachometer will indicate the engine’s revolutions per minute (rpm). The tachometer may vary by several hundred rpm’s, during auto stop mode, when the engine is shutting off and restarting.

A slight bump may be felt when the transmission is determining the most fuel efficient operating range.

Fuel Gauge

Metric

English

When the ignition is on, the fuel gauge indicates about how much fuel is left in the tank.

An arrow on the fuel gauge indicates the side of the vehicle the fuel door is on.

When the indicator nears empty, the low fuel light comes on. There is still a little fuel left, but the fuel tank should be filled soon.

Here are four things that some owners ask about. None of these show a problem with the fuel gauge:

• At the service station, the fuel pump shuts off before the gauge reads full.

• It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the gauge indicated. For example, the gauge indicated the tank was half full, but it actually took a little more or less than half the tank's capacity to fill the tank.

• The gauge moves a little while turning a corner or speeding up.

• The gauge takes a few seconds to stabilize after the ignition is turned on, and goes back to empty when the ignition is turned off.

Driver Efficiency Gauge

For eAssist vehicles, this gauge assists in driving efficiently and will vary based on driver input.

To maximize efficiency, keep the gauge pointed in the solid green zone in the center of the gauge.

The gauge moves to the left when braking and to the right when accelerating. When either is done aggressively, the vehicle is being driven less efficiently and the gauge will move further from the center.

Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge

Metric

English

This gauge shows the engine coolant temperature.

If the gauge pointer moves toward the shaded area, the engine is too hot.

In eAssist vehicles, the engine coolant warning light comes on when the engine is too hot. See Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light in this section.

This reading indicates the same thing as the warning light. It means that the engine coolant has overheated. If the vehicle has been operating under normal driving conditions, pull off the road, stop the vehicle, and turn off the engine as soon as possible. See Engine Overheating for more information.

Safety Belt Reminders

Driver Safety Belt Reminder Light

There is a driver safety belt reminder light on the instrument panel cluster.

When the vehicle is started, this light flashes and a chime may come on to remind the driver to fasten their safety belt. Then the light stays on solid until the belt is buckled.

This cycle may continue several times if the driver remains or becomes unbuckled while the vehicle is moving.

If the driver safety belt is buckled, neither the light nor the chime comes on.

Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light

When the vehicle is started, this light flashes and a chime may come on to remind front passengers to fasten their safety belt. Then the light stays on solid until the belt is buckled.

For more information see Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.

This cycle continues several times if the front passenger remains or becomes unbuckled while the vehicle is moving.

If the front passenger safety belt is buckled, neither the chime nor the light comes on.

The front passenger safety belt reminder light and chime may turn on if an object is put on the seat such as a briefcase, handbag, grocery bag, laptop, or other electronic device. To turn off the reminder light and/or chime, remove the object from the seat or buckle the safety belt.

Airbag Readiness Light

This light shows if there is an electrical problem. The system check includes the airbag sensor(s), passenger sensing system, the pretensioners, the airbag modules, the wiring, and the crash sensing and diagnostic module. For more information on the airbag system, see Airbag System.

The airbag readiness light comes on and stays on for several seconds when the vehicle is started. Then the light goes out.

WARNING!
If the airbag readiness light stays on after the vehicle is started or comes on while driving, it means the airbag system might not be working properly. The airbags in the vehicle might not inflate in a crash, or they could even inflate without a crash. To help avoid injury, have the vehicle serviced right away.

Passenger Airbag Status Indicator

The vehicle has a passenger sensing system. See Passenger Sensing System for important safety information. The instrument panel has a passenger airbag status indicator.

When the vehicle is started, the passenger airbag status indicator will light ON and OFF for several seconds as a system check.

If you are using remote start, if equipped, to start the vehicle from a distance, you may not see the system check. Then, after several more seconds, the status indicator will light either ON or OFF to let you know the status of the front outboard passenger frontal airbag.

If the word ON is lit on the passenger airbag status indicator, it means that the front outboard passenger frontal airbag is allowed to inflate.

If the word OFF is lit on the airbag status indicator, it means that the passenger sensing system has turned off the front outboard passenger frontal airbag.

If, after several seconds, both status indicator lights remain on, or if there are no lights at all, there may be a problem with the lights or the passenger sensing system. See your dealer for service.

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 Readiness Light for more information, including important safety information.

Charging System Light

The charging system light comes on briefly when the ignition is turned on, but the engine is not running, as a check to show the light is working.

The light turns off when the engine is started. If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer.

If the light stays on, or comes on while driving, there could be a problem with the electrical charging system. Have it checked by your dealer. Driving while this light is on could drain the battery.

If a short distance must be driven with the light on, be sure to turn off all accessories, such as the radio and air conditioner.

Malfunction Indicator Lamp

A computer system called OBD II (On-Board Diagnostics-Second Generation) monitors the operation of the vehicle to ensure emissions are at acceptable levels, to produce a cleaner environment.

This light comes on when the vehicle is placed in ON/RUN for key access or Service Only Mode for keyless access, as a check to show it is working. If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer. See Ignition Positions (Key Access) or Ignition Positions (Keyless Access) for more information.

If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on and stays on while the engine is running, this indicates that there is an OBD II problem and service is required.

Malfunctions often are indicated by the system before any problem is apparent. Being aware of the light can prevent more serious damage to the vehicle. This system assists the dealer technician in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.

Notice:
If the vehicle is continually driven with this light on, the emission controls might not work as well, the vehicle fuel economy might not be as good, and the engine might not run as smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs that might not be covered by the vehicle warranty.

Notice:
Modifications made to the engine, transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of the vehicle or the replacement of the original tires with other than those of the same Tire Performance Criteria (TPC) can affect the vehicle's emission controls and can cause this light to come on. Modifications to these systems could lead to costly repairs not covered by the vehicle warranty. This could also result in a failure to pass a required Emission Inspection/Maintenance test. See Accessories and Modifications.

This light comes on during a malfunction in one of two ways:

Light Flashing: A misfire condition has been detected. A misfire increases vehicle emissions and could damage the emission control system on the vehicle. Diagnosis and service might be required.

To prevent more serious damage to the vehicle:

• Reduce vehicle speed.

• Avoid hard accelerations.

• Avoid steep uphill grades.

• If the vehicle is towing a trailer, reduce the amount of cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.

If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so, stop the vehicle.

Find a safe place to park. Turn the vehicle off, wait at least 10 seconds, and restart the engine. If the light is still flashing, follow the previous steps and see your dealer for service as soon as possible.

Light On Steady: An emission control system malfunction has been detected on the vehicle.

Diagnosis and service might be required.

The following may correct an emissions system malfunction:

• Check that the fuel cap is fully installed. See Filling the Tank. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel cap allows fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere.

A few driving trips with the cap properly installed should turn the light off.

• Check that good quality fuel is used. Poor fuel quality causes the engine not to run as efficiently as designed and may cause stalling after start-up, stalling when the vehicle is changed into gear, misfiring, hesitation on acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration.

These conditions might go away once the engine is warmed up.

If one or more of these conditions occurs, change the fuel brand used.

It will require at least one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.

See Recommended Fuel.

If none of the above have made the light turn off, your dealer can check the vehicle. The dealer has the proper test equipment and diagnostic tools to fix any mechanical or electrical problems that might have developed.

Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Programs

Some local governments may have programs to inspect the on-vehicle emission control equipment. For the inspection, the emission system test equipment is connected to the vehicle’s Data Link Connector (DLC).

The DLC is under the instrument panel next to the steering wheel.

See your dealer if assistance is needed.

The vehicle may not pass inspection if:

• The malfunction indicator lamp is on while the vehicle is running.

The vehicle is in ON/RUN for keyed access, or service only mode for keyless access and the malfunction indicator lamp does not come on. See your dealer for assistance in verifying proper operation of the malfunction indicator lamp.

• The OBD II (On-Board Diagnostics) system determines that critical emission control systems have not been completely diagnosed. The vehicle would be considered not ready for inspection. This can happen if the 12-volt battery has recently been replaced or run down. The diagnostic system is designed to evaluate critical emission control systems during normal driving. This can take several days of routine driving.

If this has been done and the vehicle still does not pass the inspection for lack of OBD II system readiness, your dealer can prepare the vehicle for inspection.

Brake System Warning Light

The vehicle brake system consists of two hydraulic circuits. If one circuit is not working, the remaining circuit can still work to stop the vehicle. For normal braking performance, both circuits need to be working.

If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.

If the vehicle has antilock brakes, this light should come on when the vehicle is placed in START. If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer.

If the light comes on while driving, pull off the road and stop carefully.

The pedal may be harder to push or it can go closer to the floor. It may take longer to stop. Try turning off and restarting the vehicle one or two times. If the light is still on, have the vehicle towed for service. See Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light and Towing the Vehicle.

WARNING!
The brake system might not be working properly if the brake system warning light is on.
Driving with the brake system warning light on can lead to a crash. If the light is still on after the vehicle has been pulled off the road and carefully stopped, have the vehicle towed for service.

Electric Parking Brake Light

For vehicles with the Electric Parking Brake (EPB), the parking brake status light comes on when the parking brake is applied. If the light continues flashing after the parking brake is released, or while driving, there is a problem with the Electric Parking Brake system.

A message may also display in the Driver Information Center (DIC).

See Brake System Messages for more information.

If the light does not come on, or remains flashing, see your dealer.

For vehicles with the Electric Parking Brake (EPB), the parking brake warning light should come on briefly when ignition is placed in ON/RUN. If it does not come on, then have it fixed so it will be ready to warn if there is a problem.

If this light comes on, there is a problem with a system on the vehicle that is causing the parking brake system to work at a reduced level. The vehicle can still be driven, but should be taken to a dealer as soon as possible. See Parking Brake for more information.

For vehicles with the uplevel or eAssist cluster, this telltale displays in the Driver Information Center (DIC) screen.

Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light

This light comes on briefly when the engine is started.

If the light does not come on, have it fixed so it will be ready to warn if there is a problem.

If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off.

If the light comes on while driving, stop as soon as it is safely possible and turn off the vehicle. Then start the engine again to reset the system. If the ABS light stays on, or comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs service. A chime may also sound when the light comes on steady.

If the ABS light is the only light on, the vehicle has regular brakes, but the antilock brakes are not functioning.

If both the ABS and the brake system warning light are on, the vehicle's antilock brakes are not functioning and there is a problem with the regular brakes. See your dealer for service.

See Brake System Warning Light.

See Brake System Messages for all brake related DIC messages.

Traction Off Light

This light comes on briefly while starting the engine. If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer.

This light comes on when the Traction Control System (TCS) has been turned off by pressing and releasing the TCS/StabiliTrak button.

This light also comes on and the system turns off if there is a problem with the traction control system.

If the light comes on and stays on for an extended period of time while the system is turned on, the vehicle needs service.

See Traction Control System (TCS) and StabiliTrak® System for more information.

StabiliTrak® OFF Light

This light comes on briefly while starting the engine. If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer.

This light comes on when the StabiliTrak system is turned off.

If the Traction Control System (TCS) is off, wheel spin is not limited.

If StabiliTrak is off, the system does not assist in controlling the vehicle.

Turn on the TCS and the StabiliTrak system and the warning light turns off.

See Traction Control System (TCS) and StabiliTrak® System for more information.

Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak® Light

The Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak light comes on briefly when the engine is started.

If the light does not come on, have the vehicle serviced by the dealer.

If the system is working normally, the indicator light turns off.

If the light is on while certain DIC messages display, this indicates that the TCS and StabiliTrak systems are not working or are disabled.

If the light is on and not flashing, the TCS and potentially the StabiliTrak system have been disabled. Check the DIC messages to determine which feature(s) is no longer functioning and whether it is because of the driver turning off the feature(s), or because the system is not working properly and the vehicle requires service.

If the TCS is disabled, wheel spin is not limited. If the StabiliTrak system is disabled, the system does not aid in maintaining directional control of the vehicle.

If the indicator/warning light is on and flashing, the TCS or the StabiliTrak system is actively working. Check the DIC messages for details to determine which system is working. If a message appears in the DIC, the system may be limiting wheel spin and aiding in maintaining directional control of the vehicle.

See StabiliTrak® System and Traction Control System (TCS) for more information.

See Ride Control System Messages for more information on the messages associated with this light.

For vehicles with an uplevel cluster, this light comes on in the Driver information Center (DIC).

Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light

For eAssist vehicles, this light comes on briefly while starting the vehicle.

If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by the dealer. If the system is working normally, the indicator light goes off.

Notice:
Driving with the engine coolant temperature warning light on could cause the vehicle to overheat. See Engine Overheating. The vehicle's engine could be damaged, and it might not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Never drive with the engine coolant temperature warning light on.

The engine coolant temperature warning light comes on when the engine has overheated.

If this happens pull over and turn off the engine as soon as possible. See Engine Overheating for more information.

Tire Pressure Light

For vehicles with the Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS), this light comes on briefly when the engine is started. It provides information about tire pressures and the TPMS.

When the Light Is On Steady

This indicates that one or more of the tires are significantly underinflated.

A Driver Information Center (DIC) tire pressure message may also display. See Vehicle Messages for more information.

Stop as soon as possible, and inflate the tires to the pressure value shown on the Tire and Loading Information label. See Tire Pressure for more information.

When the Light Flashes First and Then Is On Steady

If the light flashes for about a minute and then stays on, there may be a problem with the TPMS. If the problem is not corrected, the light will come on at every ignition cycle.

See Tire Pressure Monitor Operation for more information.

Engine Oil Pressure Light

WARNING!
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low. The engine can become so hot that it catches fire.

Someone could be burned. Check the oil as soon as possible and have the vehicle serviced.

Notice:
Lack of proper engine oil maintenance can damage the engine. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always follow the maintenance schedule for changing engine oil.

The oil pressure light should come on briefly as the engine is started.

If it does not come on have the vehicle serviced by your dealer.

If the light comes on and stays on, it means that oil is not flowing through the engine properly. The vehicle could be low on oil and might have some other system problem. See your dealer.

For vehicles with the uplevel or eAssist cluster, this telltale displays in the Driver Information Center (DIC) screen.

Low Fuel Warning Light

This light, below the fuel gauge, comes on briefly when the engine is started.

If it does not come on have the vehicle serviced by your dealer.

If the system is working normally, the indicator light then goes off.

This light also comes on when the fuel tank is low on fuel. When fuel is added the light should go off. If it does not, have your vehicle serviced.

For vehicles with an uplevel or eAssist cluster, this telltale displays in the Driver Information Center (DIC) screen.

Security Light

The immobilizer light should come on briefly as the engine is started.

If it does not come on, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer.

If the system is working normally, the indicator light turns off.

If the light stays on and the engine does not start, there could be a problem with the theft-deterrent system. See Immobilizer Operation (Key Access) or Immobilizer Operation (Keyless Access) for more information.

For eAssist vehicles, this light displays in the Driver Information Center (DIC).

High-Beam On Light

This light comes on when the high-beam headlamps are in use.

See Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer for more information.

Front Fog Lamp Light

For vehicles with fog lamps, this light comes on when the fog lamps are on.

The light goes out when the fog lamps are turned off. See Fog Lamps for more information.

Lamps On Reminder

The lamps on reminder light comes on when the lights are in use.

Cruise Control Light

This light is white whenever the cruise control is set and turns green when the cruise control is active.

The light goes out when the cruise control is turned off. See Cruise Control for more information.

For vehicles with the uplevel or eAssist cluster, this telltale will be shown in the Driver Information Center (DIC) screen.

Door Ajar Light

This light comes on in the Driver Information Center (DIC) when a door is open or not securely latched.

Before driving, check that all doors are properly closed.