tires BUICK LUCERNE 2007 Owner's Manual

Tires
..................................................... 385
Appearance Care
.................................. 418
Vehicle Identication
............................. 427
Electrical System
.................................. 428
Capacities and Specications
................ 436Maintenance Schedule
............................... 439
Maintenance Schedule
.......................... 440
Customer Assistance Information
............. 459
Customer Assistance and Information
..... 460
Reporting Safety Defects
...................... 477
Index
........................................................... 481
2

DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving. It
provides the best fuel economy for your vehicle. If
you need more power for passing, and you are:
Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push
your accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push
the accelerator all the way down.
You will shift down to the next gear and have
more power.
Downshifting the transaxle in slippery road
conditions could result in skidding, see “Skidding”
underLoss of Control on page 290.
THIRD (3):This position is also used for normal
driving. It reduces vehicle speed more than
DRIVE (D) without using your brakes. You might
choose THIRD (3) instead of DRIVE (D) when
driving on hilly, winding roads, when towing
a trailer, so there is less shifting between gears
and when going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2):This position reduces vehicle speed
even more than THIRD (3) without using your
brakes. You can use SECOND (2) on hills. It can
help control your speed as you go down steep
mountain roads, but then you would also want to
use your brakes off and on.Notice:Driving in SECOND (2) for more than
25 miles (40 km) or at speeds over 55 mph
(90 km/h) may damage the transaxle. Also,
shifting into SECOND (2) at speeds above
65 mph (105 km/h) can cause damage. Drive in
THIRD (3) or DRIVE (D) instead of SECOND (2).
FIRST (1):This position reduces vehicle speed
even more than SECOND (2) without using your
brakes. You can use it on very steep hills, or in
deep snow or mud. If the shift lever is put in
FIRST (1) while going forward, the transaxle will
not shift into rst gear until the vehicle is going
slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill using only the
accelerator pedal may damage the transaxle.
If you are stuck, do not spin the tires. When
stopping on a hill, use the brakes, or parking
brake to hold the vehicle in place.
121

Tire Pressure Light
This light comes on
briey when you turn
the ignition to RUN.
It will also come on when one or more of your
tires are signicantly underinated.If your vehicle has a Driver Information Center
(DIC), a CHECK TIRE PRESSURE message will
accompany the light. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 221for more information.
Stop and check your tires as soon as it is safe to do
so. If underinated, inate to the proper pressure.
SeeTires on page 385for more information.
This light will ash for about 60 seconds and then
stay on if a problem is detected with the Tire
Pressure Monitor system.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 393
for more information.
205

Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle has a
computer which
monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition,
and emission control
systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for
the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The check engine light comes on to
indicate that there is a problem and service is
required. Malfunctions often will be indicated by
the system before any problem is apparent. This
may prevent more serious damage to your vehicle.
This system is also designed to assist your service
technician in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with
this light on, after awhile, your emission
controls may not work as well, your fuel
economy may not be as good, and your engine
may not run as smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs that may not be covered by your
warranty.
Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transaxle, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of
your vehicle or the replacement of the original
tires with other than those of the same Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) can affect your
vehicle’s emission controls and may cause
this light to come on. Modications to these
systems could lead to costly repairs not
covered by your warranty. This may also
result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 325.
206

Units
Press the vehicle information button until UNITS
displays. This display allows you to select between
English or Metric units of measurement. Once in
this display, press the set/reset button to select
between ENGLISH or METRIC units.
Tire Pressure
The pressure for each tire can be viewed in the
DIC. The tire pressure will be shown in either
pounds per square inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa).
Press the vehicle information button until the
DIC displays FRONT TIRES PSI (kPa) LEFT ##
RIGHT ##. Press the vehicle information button
again until the DIC displays REAR TIRES
PSI (kPa) LEFT ## RIGHT ##.
If a low or high tire pressure condition is detected by
the system while driving, a message advising you
to check the pressure in a specic tire will appear
in the display. SeeInation - Tire Pressure on
page 392andDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 221for more information.
If the tire pressure display shows dashes instead of
a value, there may be a problem with your vehicle.
If this consistently occurs, see your dealer for
service.
Learn Tire Positions
To access this display, the vehicle must be in
PARK (P). After rotating the tires or after replacing
a tire or sensor, the Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
system must re-learn the tire positions. To re-learn
the tire positions, seeTire Pressure Monitor System
on page 393. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 398andDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 221for more information.
Compass Zone
Your vehicle may have this feature. Under
certain circumstances, such as during a long
distance cross-country trip, it will be necessary to
compensate for compass variance and reset the
zone. To change the compass zone through the
DIC, seeDIC Compass on page 218.
Compass Calibration
The compass can be manually calibrated. To
calibrate the compass through the DIC, seeDIC
Compass on page 218.
217

CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
This message displays when service is required for
the vehicle. See your dealer. SeeEngine Oil on
page 337andScheduled Maintenance on
page 442for more information.
Acknowledging the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message will not reset the OIL LIFE REMAINING.
That must be done at the OIL LIFE screen
under the vehicle information menu. See “Oil Life”
underDIC Controls and Displays on page 212
andEngine Oil Life System on page 340.
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
This message displays when the tire pressure in
one of the tires needs to be checked. This message
also displays LEFT FRONT, RIGHT FRONT, LEFT
REAR, or RIGHT REAR to indicate which tire needs
to be checked. You can receive more than one tire
pressure message at a time. To read the other
messages that may have been sent at the same
time, press the set/reset button. If a tire pressure
message appears on the DIC, stop as soon as you
can. Have the tire pressures checked and set to
those shown on the Tire Loading Information Label.SeeTires on page 385,Loading Your Vehicle
on page 307, andInation - Tire Pressure on
page 392. The DIC display also shows the tire
pressure values for the front and rear tires by
pressing the vehicle information button. SeeDIC
Controls and Displays on page 212. If the tire
pressure is low, the low tire pressure warning light
comes on. SeeTire Pressure Light on page 205.
DRIVER DOOR OPEN
This message displays when the driver’s door is
not closed properly. When this message appears,
make sure that the driver’s door is closed
completely.
ENGINE HOT A/C
(Air Conditioning) OFF
This message displays when the engine coolant
becomes hotter than the normal operating
temperature. To avoid added strain on a hot engine,
the air conditioning compressor is automatically
turned off. When the coolant temperature returns to
normal, the A/C operation automatically resumes.
You can continue to drive your vehicle. If this
message continues to appear, have the system
repaired by your dealer as soon as possible to
avoid compressor damage.
222

THEFT ATTEMPTED
This message displays if the content theft-deterrent
system has detected a break-in attempt while
you were away from your vehicle. SeeContent
Theft-Deterrent on page 110for more information.
TIGHTEN GAS CAP
This message may be displayed if the gas cap is
not on, or is not fully tightened. Check the gas
cap to ensure that it is on properly. SeeFilling the
Tank on page 330for more information.
TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
This message displays when the Tire Pressure
Monitor (TPM) system is re-learning the tire
positions. SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on
page 393. The tire positions must be re-learned
after rotating the tires or after replacing a tire
or sensor. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 398andInation - Tire Pressure on page 392
for more information.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
This message displays when the Traction Control
System (TCS) is turned off. Adjust your driving
accordingly. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 283for more information.
TRACTION CONTROL ON
This message displays when the Traction Control
System (TCS) is turned on. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 283for more information.
TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE ENGINE
This message displays when the transaxle uid in
your vehicle is too hot. Stop the vehicle and
allow it to idle until it cools down. If the warning
message continues to display, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer as soon as possible.
TRUNK OPEN
This message displays when the trunk is not
closed completely. Make sure that the trunk is
closed completely. SeeTrunk on page 106.
230

Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your
vehicle go where you want it to go. They are the
brakes, the steering, and the accelerator. All
three systems have to do their work at the places
where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or
ice, it is easy to ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can provide. That means
you can lose control of your vehicle. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 283.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 325.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 201.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to
bring up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds
or more with another. Age, physical condition,
alertness, coordination, and eyesight all play a part.
So do alcohol, drugs, and frustration. But even in
three-fourths of a second, a vehicle moving at
60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m). That
could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so
keeping enough space between your vehicle and
others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary
greatly with the surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of the road,
whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the
condition of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force applied.
280

The SERVICE STABILITRAK message will be
displayed and the traction control system
and StabiliTrak
®warning light on the instrument
panel cluster will come on if there is a problem with
the system. When this light and the SERVICE
STABILITRAK message are on, the system is not
operational. Adjust your driving accordingly.
Panic Brake Assist
Your vehicle may have a panic brake assist system
that monitors the intention of the driver while
braking. If the system senses that the driver has
applied hard/fast pressure to the brake pedal, the
system will generate additional pressure, making it
easier for the driver to maintain brake application.
When this happens the brake pedal will feel easier
to push. Just hold the brake pedal down rmly and
let the system work for you. You may feel the
brakes vibrate, or you may notice some noise but
this is normal. The brakes will return to normal
operation after the brake pedal has been released.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the
engine stops or the system is not functioning,
you can steer but it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable
speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned
on the news happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is
subject to the same laws of physics when driving on
curves. The traction of the tires against the road
surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change
its path when you turn the front wheels. If there is
no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the
same direction. If you have ever tried to steer a
vehicle on wet ice, you will understand this.
285

The traction you can get in a curve depends on
the condition of your tires and the road surface,
the angle at which the curve is banked, and
your speed. While you are in a curve, speed is
the one factor you can control.
Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems — steering and acceleration — have
to do their work where the tires meet the road.
Adding the sudden acceleration can demand
too much of those places. You can lose control.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 283
andStabiliTrak
®System on page 284.
What should you do if this ever happens?
Ease up on the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle
the way you want it to go, and slow down.Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds
are based on good weather and road conditions.
Under less favorable conditions you will want to go
slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach
a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while
your front wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive”
through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady
speed. Wait to accelerate until you are out of
the curve, and then accelerate gently into
the straightaway.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 325.
286