GM Parts Club
The Fourth is peak heat and peak traffic, which is a bad combination for a cooling system nobody looked at. Here is what to actually look at, using a 2017-2019 Buick LaCrosse as the example.
Cooling System
Watch for a heater that blows cool at idle and warm at speed. GM’s long-life coolant is generally rated for 5 years or 150,000 miles on the first fill and 5 years or 100,000 miles after that. Hoses and the surge tank should be inspected annually once past 80,000 miles.
Aftermarket radiators frequently use fewer rows or thinner tanks than the original, which shows up as a heat problem only when you tow.
Heating and Air Conditioning
Watch for a clicking or ticking behind the dash when you change temperature. Cabin air filter every 12,000 to 15,000 miles, or annually. In North Texas with construction dust and cedar season, annually is the honest number.
R-1234yf systems on newer GM vehicles use different oils and fittings than older R-134a systems.
Electrical and Charging
Watch for warning lights that appear in clusters and then clear themselves. Batteries in Texas heat routinely give up between three and five years. Test annually after year three, before the first cold snap.
Many recent GM vehicles need the new battery registered to the module or the charging system will keep undercharging it.
The Short Checklist
- Radiators: Engine, tow package and rear-A/C content all change the radiator and hose part numbers. Have the VIN ready.
- Cabin air filters: Rear climate content, heated and cooled seats, and tri-zone systems all change the parts list.
- Batteries: Vehicles with stop-start often use two batteries. Confirm which one you are replacing before ordering.
We stock genuine GM parts for every nameplate on this list and ship nationwide from Dallas. Start at our Buick OEM parts catalog, or search for LaCrosse parts if you already know what you need.
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