engine BUICK LUCERNE 2007 User Guide

To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
On vehicles with the 3.8L V6 engine,
the coolant heater cord is located on the
passenger’s side of the vehicle, above the
headlamp assembly. On vehicles with the 4.6L
V8 engine, the cord is located on the driver’s
side of the vehicle on the right side of the
engine air cleaner. It is between the engine
cover and the engine air cleaner.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded
outlet could cause an electrical shock.
Also, the wrong kind of extension cord
could overheat and cause a re. You
could be seriously injured. Plug the cord
into a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will not
reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.3. Plug the cord into a normal, grounded
110-volt AC outlet.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug
and store the cord as it was before to keep it
away from moving engine parts. If you do
not, it could be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater
plugged in? The answer depends on the outside
temperature, the kind of oil you have, and some
other things. Instead of trying to list everything here,
we ask that you contact your dealer in the area
where you will be parking your vehicle. The dealer
can give you the best advice for that particular area.
118

Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your vehicle may have a shift lever located either
on the steering column or on the console between
the seats.
PARK (P):This position locks your front wheels.
It is the best position to use when you start your
engine because your vehicle cannot move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake rmly set. Your
vehicle can roll.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle will not
move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, always set your parking brake
and move the shift lever to PARK (P). See
Shifting Into Park (P) on page 123.Ifyou
are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 315.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system. You have to fully
apply your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P) while the ignition is in RUN. If you cannot
shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift
lever and push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application.
Then move the shift lever into the gear you want.
SeeShifting Out of Park (P) on page 125.
119

REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving forward could damage
the transaxle. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Shift to
REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle
is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out
of snow, ice, or sand without damaging your
transaxle, seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 306.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does
not connect with the wheels. To restart when
you are already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Also, use NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is
being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is rmly on
the brake pedal, your vehicle could move
very rapidly. You could lose control and
hit people or objects. Do not shift into a
drive gear while your engine is running at
high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while the engine is running at
high speed may damage the transaxle. The
repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Be sure the engine is not running at high
speeds when shifting your vehicle.
120

Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly
set. Your vehicle can roll. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground,
use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 315.
Steering Column Shift Lever
If your vehicle has a steering column shift lever,
use the following procedure to shift the vehicle into
PARK (P):
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pulling
the shift lever toward you and moving it up as
far as it will go.
3. With your right foot still holding the brake
pedal down, set the parking brake. See
Parking Brake on page 122for more
information.
4. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
123

Console Shift Lever
If your vehicle is equipped with a console shift
lever, use the following procedure to shift
the vehicle into PARK (P):
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pushing
the lever all the way toward the front of your
vehicle and then to the left.
3. With your right foot still holding the brake
pedal down, set the parking brake. See
Parking Brake on page 122for more
information.
4. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle
with the engine running. Your vehicle could
move suddenly if the shift lever is not fully
in PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly
set. And, if you leave the vehicle with the
engine running, it could overheat and even
catch re. You or others could be injured.
Do not leave your vehicle with the engine
running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P)
and your parking brake is rmly set before you
leave it. SeeParking Brake on page 122for more
information.
124

Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the
gas carbon monoxide (CO), which you
cannot see or smell. It can cause
unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
Your exhaust system sounds strange
or different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a
collision.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Your vehicle was damaged when
driving over high points on the road
or over road debris.
Repairs were not done correctly.
Your vehicle or exhaust system has
been modied improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows
down to blow out any CO; and
Have your vehicle xed immediately.
127

Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust
into your vehicle. See the earlier caution
underEngine Exhaust on page 127.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let
deadly carbon monoxide (CO) into your
vehicle even if the climate control fan is
at the highest setting. One place this can
happen is a garage. Exhaust — with
CO — can come in easily. NEVER park
in a garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 302.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly
set. Your vehicle can roll. Do not leave
your vehicle when the engine is running
unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground,
always set your parking brake and move
the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle
will not move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on
page 123.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 315.
128

Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light....... 197
Airbag Readiness Light............................. 197
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator............. 198
Charging System Light.............................. 200
Brake System Warning Light..................... 201
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light...... 202
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light........................................ 202
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light......................... 203
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light........................................ 204
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage............ 204
Tire Pressure Light.................................... 205
Malfunction Indicator Lamp........................ 206
Oil Pressure Light..................................... 209
Security Light............................................ 210
Fog Lamp Light......................................... 210
Cruise Control Light.................................. 210
Highbeam On Light................................... 210
Fuel Gage................................................. 211Driver Information Center (DIC).................. 212
DIC Controls and Displays........................ 212
DIC Compass............................................ 218
DIC Warnings and Messages.................... 221
DIC Vehicle Customization........................ 231
Audio System(s)......................................... 241
Setting the Time (Without Date Display).... 242
Setting the Time (With Date Display)......... 243
Radio with CD (Base)............................... 245
Radio with CD (MP3)................................ 251
Using an MP3........................................... 262
XM Radio Messages................................. 269
Navigation/Radio System........................... 271
Theft-Deterrent Feature............................. 271
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.................. 271
Radio Reception........................................ 272
Care of Your CDs..................................... 273
Care of the CD Player.............................. 274
Backglass Antenna.................................... 274
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System....... 274
Section 3 Instrument Panel
156

Electric Power Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management
(EPM) that estimates the battery’s temperature and
state of charge. It then adjusts the voltage for
best performance and extended life of the battery.
When the battery’s state of charge is low, the
voltage is raised slightly to quickly put the charge
back in. When the state of charge is high, the
voltage is lowered slightly to prevent overcharging.
If the vehicle has a voltmeter gage or voltage
display on the Driver Information Center (DIC),
you may see the voltage move up or down. This
is normal. If there is a problem, an alert will
be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the
electrical loads are very high. This is true for all
vehicles. This is because the generator (alternator)
may not be spinning fast enough at idle to produce
all the power that is needed for very high electrical
loads.A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following loads are on: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger, climate control fan at
high speed, heated seats, engine cooling fans,
trailer loads, and loads plugged into accessory
power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator’s
output and the vehicle’s electrical needs. It can
increase engine idle speed to generate more
power, whenever needed. It can temporarily
reduce the power demands of some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels,
without being noticeable. In rare cases at the
highest levels of corrective action, this action
may be noticeable to the driver. If so, a Driver
Information Center (DIC) message might be
displayed, such as Battery Saver Active or Service
Battery Charging System. If this message is
displayed, it is recommended that the driver
reduce the electrical loads as much as possible.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 221.
176

#(Air Conditioning):Press this button to turn
the air conditioning system on or off. When this
button is pressed, an indicator light below the
button will come on to let you know the air
conditioning is activated. Air conditioning can
be selected in any mode as long as the fan knob
is not in the off position.
On hot days during the vehicle’s initial start-up,
open the windows to let hot inside air escape; then
close them. This helps to reduce the time it takes
for the vehicle to cool down. It also helps the
system to operate more efficiently.
For quicker cool down on hot days, do the
following:
1. Select the vent air mode.
2. Select the recirculation mode.
3. Select the air conditioner.
4. Select the coolest temperature.
5. Select the highest fan speed.
The air-conditioning system removes moisture
from the air, so you may sometimes notice a
small amount of water dripping underneath your
vehicle while idling or after turning off the
engine. This is normal.Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of the vehicle is a result of high
humidity causing moisture to condense on the cool
window glass. This can be minimized if the climate
control system is used properly. There are two
modes to clear frost or fog from the windshield.
Use the oor/defog mode to clear the windows of
condensation and to warm the vehicle’s occupants.
Use the defrost mode to remove frost or
condensation from the windshield quickly.
See “Rear Window Defogger” later in this section
for information on clearing the rear window of
fog or ice.
Turn the right knob to select the defog or defrost
mode. The recirculation mode cannot be selected
while in these modes.
-(Floor/Defog):This mode directs half of the air
to the windshield and the side window outlets and
half to the oor outlets. The system runs the air
conditioning compressor unless the outside
temperature is near or below freezing.
0(Defrost):This mode directs most of the air to
the windshield and the side window outlets. The
system runs the air conditioning compressor unless
the outside temperature is near or below freezing.
184