towing BUICK LUCERNE 2007 Owner's Manual

Seats and Restraint Systems
........................ 7
Front Seats
.............................................. 9
Rear Seats
............................................. 19
Safety Belts
............................................ 19
Child Restraints
...................................... 43
Airbag System
........................................ 70
Restraint System Check
......................... 88
Features and Controls
................................. 91
Keys
....................................................... 93
Doors and Locks
.................................. 102
Windows
............................................... 108
Theft-Deterrent Systems
....................... 110
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
..... 113
Mirrors
.................................................. 129
OnStar
®System
................................... 135
Universal Home Remote System
.......... 139
Storage Areas
...................................... 151
Sunroof
................................................ 153Instrument Panel
........................................ 155
Instrument Panel Overview
................... 158
Climate Controls
................................... 182
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
.... 194
Driver Information Center (DIC)
............ 212
Audio System(s)
................................... 241
Driving Your Vehicle
.................................. 275
Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle
..................................... 276
Towing
................................................. 313
Service and Appearance Care
................... 323
Service
................................................. 325
Fuel
...................................................... 327
Checking Things Under the Hood
......... 332
Headlamp Aiming
................................. 377
Bulb Replacement
................................ 380
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.... 383
2007 Buick Lucerne Owner ManualM
1

{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the
instrument panel cluster ever comes on
and stays on, it means that something
may be wrong with the airbag system. If
this ever happens, have the vehicle
serviced promptly, because an adult-size
person sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat may not have the
protection of the frontal airbag. See
Airbag Readiness Light on page 197for
more on this, including important safety
information.Aftermarket equipment, such as seat covers, can
affect how well the passenger sensing system
operates. You may want to consider not using seat
covers or other aftermarket equipment if your
vehicle has the passenger sensing system. See
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 87for more information about
modications that can affect how the system
operates.
{CAUTION:
Stowing of articles under the passenger’s
seat or between the passenger’s seat
cushion and seatback may interfere with
the proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
85

To program the new key do the following:
1. Verify that the new key has a
1stamped on it.
2. Insert the already programmed key in the
ignition and start the engine. If the engine
will not start, see your dealer for service.
3. After the engine has started, turn the key to
OFF, and remove the key.
4. Insert the key to be programmed and turn it to
the RUN position within ve seconds of the
original key being turned to the OFF position.
5. The security light will turn off once the key has
been programmed.
6. Repeat Steps 1 through 5 if additional keys
are to be programmed.
If you are ever driving and the security light comes
on and stays on, you may be able to restart your
engine if you turn it off. Your PASS-Key
®III+
system, however, is not working properly and must
be serviced by your dealer. Your vehicle is not
protected by the PASS-Key
®III+ system at
this time.
If you lose or damage your PASS-Key
®III+ key,
see your dealer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key
®III+ to have a new key made.
Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an
elaborate break-in. But it will perform better in
the long run if you follow these guidelines:
Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast
or slow, for the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not make full-throttle starts. Avoid
downshifting to brake, or slow, the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings are not yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. See
Towing a Trailer on page 315for the trailer
towing capabilities of your vehicle and more
information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can
be gradually increased.
113

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

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

Parking Brake
The parking brake pedal
is located to the left of
the regular brake pedal,
near the driver’s door.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot and push the
parking brake pedal down with your left foot.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
on the instrument panel cluster should come
on. If it does not, you need to have your vehicle
serviced.A warning chime will sound if the parking brake is
set, the ignition is on, and the vehicle speed is
greater than 5 mph (8 km/h). The brake light will
come on and stay on until the parking brake is
released. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 201for more information.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular
brake pedal down with your right foot and push
the parking brake pedal down with your left
foot. When you lift your left foot, the parking
brake pedal will follow it to the released position.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system and cause
premature wear or damage to brake system
parts. Verify that the parking brake is fully
released and the brake warning light is
off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any
hill, seeTowing a Trailer on page 315.
122

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

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

Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided
into two parts. If one part is not working, the other
part can still work and stop you. For good braking,
though, you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected
right away.
This light should come on briey when you turn the
ignition key to RUN. If it does not come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready to warn you if there’s
a problem.When the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will also come on when you set your parking
brake. The light will stay on if your parking brake
does not release fully. If it stays on after your
parking brake is fully released, it means you
have a brake problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off
the road and stop carefully. You may notice that the
pedal is harder to push, or the pedal may go closer
to the oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is
still on, have the vehicle towed for service. See
Towing Your Vehicle on page 313.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light
is on. Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still on after you have pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.United StatesCanada
201

This light should come on, as a check to show you it
is working, when the ignition is on and the engine is
not running. If the light does not come on, have it
repaired. This light will also come on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has been
detected. A misre increases vehicle emissions
and may damage the emission control system
on your vehicle. Diagnosis
and service may be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control
system malfunction has been detected on
your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may be
required.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed
Avoiding hard accelerations
Avoiding steep uphill grades
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possibleIf the light stops ashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do
so, stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park
your vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at least
10 seconds and restart the engine. If the light
remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On Steady”
following. If the light is still ashing, follow the
previous steps, and see your dealer for service
as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully
install the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 330.
The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap
has been left off or improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. A few driving trips with the cap
properly installed should turn the light off.
207