mirror BUICK LUCERNE 2006 Owner's Guide

Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to be
impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or
by fatigue.
Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Adjust the inside rearview mirror to reduce the glare
from headlamps behind you.
Since you cannot see as well, you may need to
slow down and keep more space between you
and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
vehicle’s headlamps can light up only so much
road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But
as we get older these differences increase. A
50-year-old driver may require at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.What you do in the daytime can also affect your night
vision. For example, if you spend the day in bright
sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your eyes
will have less trouble adjusting to night. But if you
are driving, do not wear sunglasses at night. They may
cut down on glare from headlamps, but they also
make a lot of things invisible.
You can be temporarily blinded by approaching
headlamps. It can take a second or two, or even several
seconds, for your eyes to re-adjust to the dark. When
you are faced with severe glare, as from a driver
who does not lower the high beams, or a vehicle with
misaimed headlamps, slow down a little. Avoid
staring directly into the approaching headlamps.
Keep the windshield and all the glass on your vehicle
clean — inside and out. Glare at night is made much
worse by dirt on the glass. Even the inside of the glass
can build up a lm caused by dust. Dirty glass makes
lights dazzle and ash more than clean glass would,
making the pupils of your eyes contract repeatedly.
Remember that the headlamps light up far less of a
roadway when you are in a turn or curve. Keep
your eyes moving; that way, it is easier to pick out dimly
lighted objects. Just as the headlamps should be
checked regularly for proper aim, so should your eyes
be examined regularly. Some drivers suffer from
night blindness — the inability to see in dim light — and
are not even aware of it.
4-16

Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways — also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes, or superhighways — are the
safest of all roads. But they have their own special rules.The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep
up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the
same speed most of the other drivers are driving.
Too-fast or too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic ow.
Treat the left lane on a freeway as a passing lane.
At the entrance, there is usually a ramp that leads to the
freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as you
drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to check
traffic. Try to determine where you expect to blend with
the ow. Try to merge into the gap at close to the
prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check your
mirrors, and glance over your shoulder as often as
necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the traffic ow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it is slower.
Stay in the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use
your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your
shoulder to make sure there is not another vehicle in
your blind spot.
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance.
Expect to move slightly slower at night.
4-20

Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as highway hypnosis?
Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the
wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Do
not let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can
leave the road in less than a second, and you could
crash and be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service, or parking area and take a nap, get some
exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness
on the highway as an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in at or rolling terrain.
If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you are
planning to visit there, here are some tips that can
make your trips safer and more enjoyable.
Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all uid
levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system,
and transaxle. These parts can work hard on
mountain roads.
4-22

Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you will want to
get to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.
And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connector, lamps,
tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and then
apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You will need more passing distance up ahead when
you are towing a trailer. And, because the vehicle
is a good deal longer, you will need to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before you can return
to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you are turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do this so your trailer will not strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid
jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
4-40

Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-29
Lockout Protection..........................................2-14
Locks
Delayed Locking..........................................2-12
Door ..........................................................2-11
Lockout Protection.......................................2-14
Power Door ................................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-13
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-13
Loss of Control...............................................4-15
Lumbar
Power Controls............................................. 1-3
M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-9
At Least Once a Month.................................. 6-9
At Least Once a Year..................................6-10
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-7
Maintenance Record....................................6-14
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........6-13Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-9
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-12
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using.......................................................... 6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-44
Manual Passenger Seat.................................... 1-2
Memory Mirrors..............................................2-47
Memory Seat.................................................2-47
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-56
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview........................2-33
Automatic Dimming Rearview with
Compass................................................2-33
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-33
Manual Rearview Mirror with Compass
and Temperature......................................1-10
Memory .....................................................2-47
Outside Automatic Dimming Heated Mirror......2-37
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-37
Outside Curb View Assist Mirror....................2-36
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-36
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
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N
Navigation/Radio System,
see Navigation Manual.................................3-98
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-21
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............6-13
O
Odometer......................................................3-35
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-35
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-13
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-15
Pressure Light.............................................3-47
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-18
Older Children, Restraints................................1-30
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-38
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-31
Outlet(s), Accessory Power...............................3-21
Outside
Automatic Dimming Heated Mirror..................2-37
Convex Mirror.............................................2-37
Curb View Assist Mirror................................2-36
Power Mirrors.............................................2-36Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode.....5-28
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-9
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage...............................................5-89
Panic Brake Assist..........................................4-10
Park Aid........................................................3-18
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-29
Shifting Out of............................................2-30
Parking
Assist........................................................3-18
Brake........................................................2-28
Over Things That Burn.................................2-31
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-37
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-31
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-63
Passing.........................................................4-13
PASS-Key
®III+..............................................2-19
PASS-Key®III+ Operation................................2-20
Perimeter Lighting...........................................3-17
Power
Accessory Outlet(s)......................................3-21
Door Locks.................................................2-11
Electrical System.........................................5-93
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Power (cont.)
Inadvertent Battery Saver.............................3-18
Lumbar Controls........................................... 1-3
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-22
Seat ............................................................ 1-2
Steering Fluid.............................................5-38
Windows....................................................2-17
Pretensioners, Safety Belt................................1-29
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................2-13
Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-15
R
Radiator Pressure Cap....................................5-27
Radios..........................................................3-74
Care of Your CD Player..............................3-101
Care of Your CDs ......................................3-100
Navigation/Radio System,
see Navigation Manual..............................3-98
Radio with CD....................................3-77, 3-82
Setting the Time..................................3-75, 3-76
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-98
Understanding Reception............................3-100
Rainsense™ II Wipers....................................... 3-9Rear Door Security Locks................................2-13
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-27
Rear Seat Armrest..........................................2-46
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-25
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming..................2-33
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
Compass....................................................2-33
Rearview Mirror with Compass and
Temperature...............................................1-10
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-33
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-6
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-12
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-34
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-5
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation............ 2-6
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-75
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-74
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-55
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-14
General Motors...........................................7-14
United States Government............................7-13
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems....................1-69
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash..........................................1-70
10

Tires (cont.)
Ination - Tire Pressure................................5-62
Inspection and Rotation................................5-65
Installing the Spare Tire................................5-75
Removing the Flat Tire.................................5-75
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...............5-74
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools............5-81
Tire Sidewall Labeling..................................5-57
Tire Terminology and Denitions....................5-59
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-68
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-70
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-70
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-66
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-34
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-36
Your Vehicle...............................................4-34
Traction
Control System (TCS).................................... 4-9
Control System Warning Light.......................3-41
StabiliTrak
®System.....................................4-10
Transaxle
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-21
Transaxle Operation, Automatic.........................2-25
Trip Odometer................................................3-35
Trunk............................................................2-14
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
U
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)...............3-18
Understanding Radio Reception.......................3-100
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-68
Universal Home Remote System.......................2-40
Operation...................................................2-41
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-6
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-29
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Customization, DIC..............................3-65
Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data
Recorders.................................................... 7-9
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN).............................................5-92
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-92
Vehicle Personalization....................................2-46
Memory Seat and Mirrors.............................2-47
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-31
Visors...........................................................2-18
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