service BUICK LUCERNE 2008 Owner's Manual

Reporting Safety Defects to
General Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, please notify General Motors.
Call 1-800-521-7300, or write:
Buick Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33136
Detroit, MI 48232-5136
In Canada, call 1-800-263-3777 (English) or
1-800-263-7854 (French), or write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, CA1-163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins’ give additional technical service
information needed to knowledgeably service General
Motors cars and trucks. Each bulletin contains
instructions to assist in the diagnosis and service of
your vehicle.
Owner Information
Owner publications are written specically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner manual includes the
Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner Manual, and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Without Portfolio: Owner Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Current and Past Model Order Forms
Technical Service Bulletins and Manuals are available
for current and past model GM vehicles. To request
an order form, specify year and model name of
the vehicle.
7-16

ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the
World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy
Your GM vehicle has a number of sophisticated
computers that record information about the vehicle’s
performance and how it is driven. For example,
your vehicle uses computer modules to monitor and
control engine and transmission performance, to monitor
the conditions for airbag deployment and deploy
airbags in a crash and, if so equipped, to provide
antilock braking to help the driver control the vehicle.
These modules may store data to help your
dealer/retailer technician service your vehicle. Some
modules may also store data about how you operate the
vehicle, such as rate of fuel consumption or average
speed. These modules may also retain the owner’s
personal preferences, such as radio pre-sets, seat
positions, and temperature settings.
7-17

OnStar®
If your vehicle has OnStar®and you subscribe to the
OnStar®services, please refer to the OnStar®
Terms and Conditions for information on data collection
and use. See alsoOnStar®System on page 2-46in
this manual for more information.
Navigation System
If your vehicle has a navigation system, use of the
system may result in the storage of destinations,
addresses, telephone numbers, and other trip
information. Refer to the navigation system operating
manual for information on stored data and for deletion
instructions.
Radio Frequency
Identication (RFID)
RFID technology is used in some vehicles for functions
such as tire pressure monitoring and ignition system
security, as well as in connection with conveniences
such as key fobs for remote door locking/unlocking and
starting, and in-vehicle transmitters for garage door
openers. RFID technology in GM vehicles does not use
or record personal information or link with any other
GM system containing personal information.
7-19

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-3
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-72
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-7
Add-On Electrical Equipment...........................5-105
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-20
Air Conditioning......................................3-21, 3-24
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-36
Readiness Light..........................................3-35
Airbag System................................................1-58
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-66
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-63
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-60
Airbag Systems
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-72
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-65
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-67
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-72
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-65
Antenna, Backglass.........................................3-97
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System . . 3-97
Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 4-4
Antilock Brake, System Warning Light................3-40Appearance Care
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.............5-100
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-97
Chemical Paint Spotting..............................5-102
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-98
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-96
Finish Care.................................................5-99
Finish Damage..........................................5-102
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-97
Interior Cleaning..........................................5-94
Leather......................................................5-96
Sheet Metal Damage..................................5-101
Tires........................................................5-101
Underbody Maintenance.............................
5-102
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials...............5-103
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-98
Weatherstrips..............................................5-97
Windshield and Wiper Blades......................5-100
Appointments, Scheduling Service.....................7-10
Ashtray(s)......................................................3-21
Audio System.................................................3-75
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-95
Backglass Antenna......................................3-97
Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation
Manual...................................................3-94
Radio Reception..........................................3-96
Setting the Time..........................................3-76
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-94
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-97
1

Child Restraints (cont.)
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Front
Seat Position...........................................1-53
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-54
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-42
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.............5-100
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-98
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-96
Finish Care.................................................5-99
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-97
Interior.......................................................5-94
Leather......................................................5-96
Tires........................................................5-101
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-102
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-98
Weatherstrips..............................................5-97
Windshield and Wiper Blades......................5-100
Climate Control System...................................3-21
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-30
Dual Automatic............................................3-24
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-30
Clock............................................................3-76
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-12
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-94
Compass...............................1-11, 2-34, 2-36, 3-54
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-17Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-3
Convenience Net............................................2-57
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-43
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-42
Heater, Engine............................................2-24
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-28
Cooled Seats................................................... 1-5
Cooling System......................................5-30, 5-36
Cornering Lamps
............................................3-17
Courtesy Lamps.............................................3-17
Cruise Control................................................3-12
Cruise Control Light........................................3-47
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-56
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation................................7-10
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users............................... 7-6
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-6
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program............... 7-7
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-16
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-15
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States
Government............................................7-15
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-8
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-16
3

DDaytime Running Lamps..................................3-16
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Delayed Entry Lighting.....................................3-18
Delayed Exit Lighting.......................................3-18
Delayed Locking.............................................2-11
DIC Compass.................................................3-54
Disc, MP3......................................................3-89
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Door
Delayed Locking..........................................2-11
Locks........................................................2-10
Power Door Locks.......................................2-10
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-11
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-12
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-48
DIC Operation and Displays..........................3-49
DIC Vehicle Customization............................3-66
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-56
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-11
Before a Long Trip......................................4-13
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Highway Hypnosis.......................................4-13
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-14
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-12
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-19
Winter........................................................4-15
Dual Automatic Climate Control System.............3-24E
EDR .............................................................7-17
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment.....................................5-105
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-105
Power Windows and Other Power Options....5-105
Rear Underseat Fuse Block.........................5-108
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-106
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-20
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-44
Coolant......................................................5-24
Coolant Heater............................................2-24
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-43
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-42
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-14
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-32
Oil .............................................................5-15
Oil Life System...........................................5-18
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-30
Overheating................................................5-28
Running While Parked..................................2-33
Starting......................................................2-22
Entry Lighting.................................................3-18
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-18
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-32
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver..........................3-17
4

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....................................6-15
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........6-13
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-8
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-12
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using.......................................................... 6-3
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-44
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Manual, Using.................................................... iii
Memory Seat and Mirrors.................................. 1-6
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-56Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview with Compass....2-36
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar®
and Compass..........................................2-34
Manual Rearview Mirror with Compass and
Temperature............................................1-11
Outside Automatic Dimming Heated Mirror......2-38
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-38
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-37
Park Tilt.....................................................2-38
MP3 .............................................................3-89
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-5
N
Navigation System, Privacy..............................7-19
Navigation/Radio System,
see Navigation Manual.................................3-94
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-20
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............6-13
8

O
Odometer......................................................3-34
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-34
Off-Road Recovery........................................... 4-9
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-15
Pressure Light.............................................3-46
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-18
Older Children, Restraints................................1-33
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-5
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-19
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-46
Operation, Universal Home Remote System........2-50
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-30
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-20
Outside
Automatic Dimming Heated Mirror..................2-38
Convex Mirror.............................................2-38
Power Mirrors.............................................2-37
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . 5-30
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-8
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage..............................................5-102
Panic Brake Assist............................................ 4-7
Park Aid........................................................2-39
Park Brake....................................................2-27
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-28
Shifting Out of............................................2-31
Park Tilt Mirrors..............................................2-38
Parking
Assist........................................................2-39
Over Things That Burn.................................2-32
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-36
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-30
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-67
Passing........................................................... 4-9
PASS-Key
®III+..............................................2-18
PASS-Key®III+ Operation................................2-19
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California...... 5-4
Perimeter Lighting...........................................3-18
Power
Door Locks.................................................2-10
Electrical System.......................................5-105
Inadvertent Battery Saver.............................3-19
Lumbar Controls........................................... 1-3
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-22
9

S
Safety Belt
Reminder Light............................................3-34
Safety Belts
Care of......................................................5-97
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-17
Lap Belt.....................................................1-31
Lap-Shoulder Belt........................................1-25
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-32
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-31
Safety Belts Are for Everyone.......................1-12
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-4
Seats
Center Seat................................................1-11
Head Restraints..........................................1-10
Heated and Cooled Seats.............................. 1-5
Heated Seats............................................... 1-4
Memory, Mirrors............................................ 1-6
Power Lumbar.............................................. 1-3
Power Seats................................................. 1-3
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-7
Securing a Child Restraint
Center Front Seat Position............................1-53
Rear Seat Position......................................1-50
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-54
Security Light.................................................3-47Service........................................................... 5-3
Accessories and Modications......................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle..................................................... 5-5
California Pershlorate Materials
Requirements............................................ 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning.................... 5-4
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-4
Engine Soon Light.......................................3-44
Publications Ordering Information...................7-16
Service, Scheduling Appointments.....................7-10
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..............1-72
Sheet Metal Damage.....................................5-101
Shifting Into Park (P).......................................2-28
Shifting Out of Park (P)...................................2-31
Side Blind Zone Alert......................................2-41
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change
.......................... 3-8
Spare Tire
Compact....................................................5-94
Installing....................................................5-86
Removing...................................................5-85
Storing.......................................................5-92
Specications, Capacities...............................5-113
Speedometer..................................................3-34
StabiliTrak
®System.......................................... 4-6
StabiliTrak®Indicator Light................................3-41
Start Vehicle, Remote....................................... 2-8
Starting the Engine.........................................2-22
11

Tires (cont.)
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-80
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-80
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-75
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-25
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-26
Your Vehicle...............................................4-25
Traction
Control System (TCS).................................... 4-5
Control System Warning Light.......................3-40
StabiliTrak
®System....................................... 4-6
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-21
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-25
Trip Odometer................................................3-34
Trunk............................................................2-13
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-8
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-8
U
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)...............2-39
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-78
Universal Home Remote System.......................2-49
Operation...................................................2-50
Using this Manual............................................... iii
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-3
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-19
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Customization, DIC..............................3-66
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy..................7-17
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN)............................................5-104
Service Parts Identication Label..................5-104
Vehicle, Remote Start....................................... 2-8
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-30
Visors...........................................................2-17
13