Buick 2012 LaCrosse User manual

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2012 - 2016 Buick LaCrosse eAssist
2012 - 2016 Buick Regal eAssist
GM Service Technical College provides First Responder Guides (FRG) and Quick Reference (QR) Sheets free of charge to First Responders.
FRGs and QRs can be displayed in a classroom as long as they are represented as GM information and are not modified in any way.
GM’s First Responder Guides are available at www.gmstc.com

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The intent of this guide is to provide information to help you respond to emergency situations involving the Buick
LaCrosse and Regal eAssist vehicles in the safest manner possible. This guide contains a general description of
how the Buick LaCrosse and Regal eAssist vehicle systems operate and includes illustrations of the unique
components. The guide also describes methods of disabling the high voltage system and identifies cut zone
information.

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Vehicle Specifications
The Buick LaCrosse and Regal
eAssist vehicles are front-wheel
drive, five passenger hybrid electric
vehicles. The eAssist system utilizes
a high voltage battery, located in the
trunk, as a supplemental power
source. The system assists the
engine utilizing a high torque belt
driven starter / generator.

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Vehicle Identification
The Buick LaCrosse and Regal eAssist do NOT use
exterior badging to identify them as eAssist vehicles.
To differentiate between standard and eAssist Buick
LaCrosse and Regal vehicles, look in the following
places to determine if high voltage exists:
Under the hood features:
•Large orange cable connected to generator
•Yellow First Responder Cut Tape Label
Instrument panel cluster features:
•Economy gauge
•Auto stop position on tachometer
Trunk features:
•Battery label
Economy
Gauge
Auto Stop
on
Tachometer

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Low Voltage System
High Voltage
3-Phase Cables
High Voltage
Battery
There are two separate electrical
systems within the eAssist vehicles:
low voltage (12V) and high voltage
(130V). The low voltage system is
similar to a conventional vehicle.
The low voltage system provides the
energy needed to enable the high
voltage system, therefore, when
approaching an emergency
situation, the low voltage system
must be disabled.

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The Buick LaCrosse and Regal eAssist system is
composed of the following components:
•High voltage starter / generator
•3-phase electric power cables
•High voltage lithium-ion battery
System Components
High Voltage
Lithium-Ion Battery
3–Phase Electric Power
Cables
High Voltage
Starter / Generator

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High Voltage Lithium-Ion Battery
The Buick LaCrosse and Regal eAssist system features a 130 volt lithium-ion battery, which provides electrical
energy to the starter / generator. The high voltage battery assembly is located in the trunk behind the rear
passenger seats. The assembly includes several internal components that operate together to provide and control
the high voltage for the eAssist system.

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3-Phase Electric Power Cables
3-Phase Electric Power
Cables
The 3-phase electric power cables connect the high voltage battery assembly to the starter /
generator. These cables are housed in a labeled protective metal tubing under the vehicle.

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High Voltage Starter Generator
High Voltage
Starter / Generator
The eAssist system is designed to restart the engine after an auto stop and supplement engine torque on
various powertrain configurations which improves fuel economy.

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System Operation
The eAssist system is designed to shut the engine off or auto stop when the vehicle is NOT in motion, restart the
engine after an auto stop, and supplement engine torque.
The eAssist system provides an electric boost to the powertrain system during heavy acceleration and grade
driving. This boost enables the transmission to operate more efficiently. The added functionality of the electric
boost, engine auto stop, and early deceleration fuel shut-off results in fuel savings.

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High Voltage Labels
The Buick LaCrosse and Regal
eAssist system features a series
of labels that enable quick
identification of potential electrical
hazards.

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High Voltage Labels (Continued)
The first responder label located under the hood
indicates the locations of the high voltage and
low voltage batteries, as well as steps a first
responder should take to disable the high
voltage system.

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High Voltage Labels (Continued)
The high voltage warning labels are orange and
indicate a potential shock hazard if high voltage
is not properly disabled. The labels are located
underneath the vehicle on all high voltage
components with the exception of the high
voltage battery which utilizes red danger labels.
This tag will be visible if approaching a roll over
incident.

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High Voltage Labels (Continued)
The manual service disconnect
label located on the cover of the
high voltage battery illustrates how
to operate the manual service
disconnect switch.

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High Voltage Labels (Continued)
The high voltage danger labels are red
and indicate that high voltage is present at
all times. These labels are located on the
high voltage battery in the trunk.

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GM has implemented the labels shown here to help First Responders safely disable the air bags and high voltage
system in an emergency situation. The yellow first responder cut tape labels are wrapped around the low voltage
(12V) cables to indicate where emergency responders are to cut to disable air bags and the high voltage system.
Cable Cut Labels
Important:
Cut through the low voltage cables on each side of the yellow labels to remove a section of the cable to ensure
the cables cannot inadvertently reconnect.
Yellow Tape Cut Labels

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To Disable the eAssist System
Important:
To avoid accidental reconnection of the cut
cable, remove a section of each cable to
ensure they cannot inadvertently reconnect.
To avoid personal injury in an emergency
situation the eAssist system must be disabled.
To disable high voltage:
1. Turn ignition to “OFF” position
2. Cut the black 12 volt battery cable
at yellow tape
3. Cut the auxiliary power module
cable located rearward of the 12
volt battery at yellow tape
Note: After disabling 12 volt power, wait 1
minute to allow any un-deployed airbag
reserve energy to dissipate.
Use key or
push button to
turn off ignition
12 volt battery cable
Auxiliary Power
Module Cable

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HighVoltageCables-DONOTCUTZONES
DANGER: Do NOT cut the
orange high voltage cables.
Cutting these cables can result
in serious injury or death. No
matter what disable method you
have performed, always assume
the high voltage cables and
components contain high
voltage.
The high voltage cables in the Buick LaCrosse
and Regal eAssist vehicles are routed to
minimize interaction with any extraction
procedures. However, performing the high
voltage disabling procedure prior to extrication
work eliminates electrical current flow through
the 12 volt system and disables the high
voltage electrical system. No further action is
required.

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Buick LaCrosse and Regal eAssist Airbags
The LaCrosse and Regal are equipped with six
standard airbags to protect the occupant in front,
side and rollover crashes. There are two optional
thorax airbags located within the rear seat back of
the LaCrosse.
There are also dual pretensioner
seatbelts that work together with
the airbag system to protect the
occupant in the event of a crash.

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Airbag Deployment
The contactor within the high voltage battery
is commanded open whenever one or more
airbags deploy. This interrupts the 130 volt
electrical system and discontinues current
flow through the high voltage cables.
This vehicle is equipped with dual-stage
airbags and the appearance of deployed
airbags does NOT ensure all stages of the
airbags have deployed.