traction control BUICK LUCERNE 2006 Owner's Guide

Different Size Tires and Wheels
If you add wheels or tires that are a different size than
your original equipment wheels and tires, this may
affect the way your vehicle performs, including its
braking, ride and handling characteristics, stability and
resistance to rollover. Additionally, if your vehicle
has electronic systems such as, anti-lock brakes,
traction control, and electronic stability control, the
performance of these systems can be affected.
{CAUTION:
If you add different sized wheels, your vehicle
may not provide an acceptable level of
performance and safety if tires not
recommended for those wheels are selected.
You may increase the chance that you will
crash and suffer serious injury. Only use GM
specic wheel and tire systems developed for
your vehicle, and have them properly installed
by a GM certied technician.
SeeBuying New Tires on page 5-66andAccessories
and Modications on page 5-3for additional information.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which grades
tires by treadwear, traction, and temperature
performance. This applies only to vehicles sold in the
United States. The grades are molded on the sidewalls
of most passenger car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality
Grading (UTQG) system does not apply to deep
tread, winter-type snow tires, space-saver, or temporary
use spare tires, tires with nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm), or to some
limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
5-68

Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specied government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1.5) times as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart signicantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices, and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specied government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
Warning:The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does
not include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
Temperature – A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation
of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested
under controlled conditions on a specied indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Warning:The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underination, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
5-69

Used Replacement Wheels
{CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You cannot know how it has been
used or how far it has been driven. It could fail
suddenly and cause a crash. If you have to
replace a wheel, use a new GM original
equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has P235/55R17, or P245/50R18
size tires, do not use tire chains. There is not
enough clearance.
Tire chains used on a vehicle without the proper
amount of clearance can cause damage to the
brakes, suspension, or other vehicle parts. The
area damaged by the tire chains could cause
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
you to lose control of your vehicle and you or
others may be injured in a crash.
Use another type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if it is contacting your vehicle, and do
not spin your vehicle’s wheels.
If you do nd traction devices that will t,
install them on the front tires.
Notice:If your vehicle has P225/60R16 size tires,
use tire chains only where legal and only when you
must. Use only SAE Class S-type chains that are
the proper size for your tires. Install them on
the front tires and tighten them as tightly as
possible with the ends securely fastened. Drive
slowly and follow the chain manufacturer’s
instructions. If you can hear the chains contacting
your vehicle, stop and retighten them. If the contact
continues, slow down until it stops. Driving too
fast or spinning the wheels with chains on will
damage your vehicle.
5-71

Instrument Panel
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Instrument Panel (I/P)
Brightness..................................................3-16
Cluster.......................................................3-34
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-44
K
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-5
Keys............................................................... 2-3
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall.....................................5-57
Lamps
Battery Load Management............................3-18
Cornering...................................................3-16
Courtesy....................................................3-17
Exterior......................................................3-14
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver......................3-16
Fog ...........................................................3-16
Front Reading.............................................3-18
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver....................3-18LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-41
Light
Airbag Readiness........................................3-36
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-41
Brake System Warning.................................3-40
Charging System.........................................3-39
Cruise Control.............................................3-48
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning.............3-43
Fog Lamp ..................................................3-48
Highbeam On.............................................3-48
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-44
Oil Pressure...............................................3-47
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator..................3-37
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder....................3-36
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-35
Security.....................................................3-48
StabiliTrak
®Indicator....................................3-42
TCS Warning Light......................................3-41
Tire Pressure..............................................3-44
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning..........3-41
Lighting
Delayed Entry.............................................3-17
Delayed Exit...............................................3-17
Entry.........................................................3-17
Perimeter...................................................3-17
Theater Dimming.........................................3-17
7

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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