service indicator BUICK LUCERNE 2009 User Guide

StabiliTrak®Indicator Light
This light comes on briey
while starting the engine.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light will then go off.
This light may come on while the vehicle is rst driven
and the STABILITRAK NOT READY message will appear
in the Driver Information Center (DIC). SeeStabiliTrak
®
System on page 4-6for more information.
If the light stays on, or comes on while driving a
SERVICE STABILITRAK message will appear in
the DIC. This indicates that there may be a problem
with the StabiliTrak
®system and the vehicle may need
service. When this warning light is on and the SERVICE
STABILITRAK message appears on the DIC, the system
will not assist with controlling the vehicle.
When the system is active, the light will ash while the
system is assisting with controlling the vehicle.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6andDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-56for more information.
Lane Departure Warning Light
For vehicles with the lane
departure warning system,
this light briey comes
on green, while starting
the vehicle, to indicate
that it is working.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally
the indicator light will then go off.
This light also comes on green if the system detects a
left or right lane marking. It ashes, changes to amber
and three beeps sound if a detected lane marking is
crossed without using a turn signal. For more information,
see the Index in the Navigation Manual.
3-41

Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
This light comes on briey
while starting the vehicle.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by the
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally
the indicator light goes off.
Notice:Driving with the engine coolant temperature
warning light on could cause the vehicle to overheat.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-35. The vehicle’s
engine could be damaged, and it might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Never drive with
the engine coolant temperature warning light on.
The engine coolant temperature warning light comes on
when the engine has overheated.
If this happens pull over and turn off the engine as soon
as possible. SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-35
for more information.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature. If the
pointer moves towards the H (United States) or shaded in
thermostat symbol area (Canada), the engine is too hot.
A temperature indicator light will turn on and a chime
will sound.
If the vehicle has been operating under normal driving
conditions, and the temperature indicator light comes
on, pull off the road, stop the vehicle and turn off
the engine as soon as possible.
United StatesCanada
3-42

Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with a tire
pressure light, this light
comes on briey when
the engine is started and
provides information about
tire pressures and the
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System.
When the Light is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of the tires is signicantly
underinated.
A tire pressure message in the Driver Information
Center (DIC), can accompany the light. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-56for more
information. Stop and check the tires as soon as
it is safe to do so. If a tire is underinated, inate
to the proper pressure. SeeTires on page 5-59
for more information.
When the Light Flashes First and Then is
On Steady
This indicates that there could be a problem with the
Tire Pressure Monitor System. The light ashes for about
a minute and stays on steady for the remainder of the
ignition cycle. This sequence repeats with every ignition
cycle. SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 5-67
for more information.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
A computer system called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition, and emission control systems.
It ensures that emissions are at acceptable levels
for the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment.
This light should come on
when the ignition is on, but
the engine is not running,
as a check to show it
working. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer/retailer.
3-43

Oil Pressure Light
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low.
The engine can become so hot that it catches re.
Someone could be burned. Check the oil as soon
as possible and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance
can damage the engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Always follow
the maintenance schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil.This light comes on briey while starting the engine.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally
the indicator light then goes off.
If the light comes on and stays on, it means that oil
is not owing through the engine properly. The vehicle
could be low on oil and it might have some other system
problem.
Security Light
For information regarding
this light and the vehicle’s
security system, see
Content Theft-Deterrent
on page 2-17.
3-46

Fuel Gage
The fuel gage shows about how much fuel is in
the tank.
An arrow on the fuel gage indicates the side of the
vehicle the fuel door is on.The gage works only when the ignition is on. When the
indicator moves to the edge of the low fuel warning band,
the low fuel warning light comes on and a chime sounds.
The vehicle still has a little fuel left, but the vehicles fuel
tank should be lled soon.
Here are some things that some owners ask about.
None of these show a problem with the fuel gage:
At the service station, the gas pump shuts off before
the gage reads full.
It takes more (or less) fuel to ll up than the gage
indicated. For example, the gage may have indicated
half full, but it took more (or less) than half the tank’s
capacity to ll it.
The gage moves up a little while turning a corner,
speeding up or making a hard stop.
The gage does not go back to empty when the
ignition is turned off. United States
Canada
3-48

Driver Information Center (DIC)
Your vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC).
All messages will appear in the DIC display located
below the speedometer in the instrument panel cluster.
The DIC buttons are located on the instrument panel,
to the left of the instrument panel cluster.
The DIC comes on when the ignition is on. After a short
delay, the DIC will display the information that was last
displayed before the engine was turned off.
The DIC displays trip, fuel, and vehicle system
information, and warning messages if a system problem
is detected. The bottom line of the DIC shows the shift
lever position indicator. SeeAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-25for more information.
If your vehicle’s DIC has these features, the compass
direction and the outside air temperature may also
display on the DIC when viewing the trip and fuel
information. The compass direction appears on the
top right corner of the DIC display. The outside air
temperature automatically appears in the bottom right
corner of the DIC display. If there is a problem with
the system that controls the temperature display,
the numbers will be replaced with dashes. If this occurs,
have the vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer.
The DIC also allows some features to be customized.
SeeDIC Vehicle Customization on page 3-66for
more information.
DIC Operation and Displays
The DIC has different displays which can be accessed
by pressing the DIC buttons located on the instrument
panel, to the left of the instrument panel cluster.
DIC Buttons
The buttons are the trip/fuel, vehicle information,
customization, and set/reset buttons. The button
functions are detailed in the following pages.
3(Trip/Fuel):Press this button to display the
odometer, trip odometers, fuel range, average economy,
instantaneous economy, and average speed.
T(Vehicle Information):Press this button to display
the oil life, units, park assist on vehicles with this feature,
side blind zone alert on vehicles with this feature, tire
pressure readings on vehicles with this feature, compass
zone and compass calibration on vehicles with this
feature, and Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter
programming.
3-49

The TCS/StabiliTrak warning light on the instrument
panel cluster will ash when the system is operating.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light
on page 3-40andStabiliTrak
®Indicator Light on
page 3-41for more information. The system may be
heard or felt while it is working. This is normal.
The SERVICE STABILITRAK message is displayed and
the TCS/StabiliTrak warning light on the instrument panel
cluster comes on if there is a problem with the system.
When this light and the SERVICE STABILITRAK
message are on, the system is not working. Adjust
your driving accordingly.
Traction Control System (TCS)
The vehicle has a Traction Control System (TCS) that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery road
conditions. The system operates only if it senses that the
front wheels are spinning too much or beginning to lose
traction. When this happens, the system works the front
brakes and reduces engine power (by closing the throttle
and managing engine spark) to limit wheel spin.The TCS and StabiliTrak
®
light will ash when the
system is limiting
wheel spin.
The system may be heard or felt while it is working, but
this is normal. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light on page 3-40for more information.
If the vehicle is in cruise control when TCS begins to
limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. The cruise control may be re-engaged when
road conditions allow. SeeCruise Control on page 3-12.
The SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL message in
the DIC and the TCS/StabiliTrak warning light comes on
if there is a problem with the traction control system.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-56.
When this light and the SERVICE TRACTION
CONTROL message are on, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
4-7

Gasoline Octane
If the vehicle has the 3.9L V6 engine (VIN Code 1) or the
3.9L V6 engine (VIN Code M), use regular unleaded
gasoline with a posted octane rating of 87 or higher. If the
octane rating is less than 87, you might notice an audible
knocking noise when you drive, commonly referred to
as spark knock. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher as soon as possible. If you are using
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher and you hear heavy
knocking, the engine needs service.
If the vehicle has the 4.6L V8 engine (VIN Code 9), use
premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating
of 91 or higher. You can also use regular unleaded
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, but the vehicle’s
acceleration could be slightly reduced, and you might
notice a slight audible knocking noise, commonly referred
to as spark knock. If the octane is less than 87, you might
notice a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If this
occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as
soon as possible. Otherwise, you could damage the
engine. If you are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher and you hear heavy knocking, the engine needs
service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM specication
D 4814 in the United States or CAN/CGSB-3.5 or 3.511 in
Canada. Some gasolines contain an octane-enhancing
additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend against the use of
gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives on page 5-7
for additional information.
California Fuel
If the vehicle is certied to meet California Emissions
Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that meet
California specications. See the underhood emission
control label. If this fuel is not available in states adopting
California emissions standards, the vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal specications, but
emission control system performance might be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp could turn on and the
vehicle might fail a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 3-43. If this occurs, return to your
authorized dealer/retailer for diagnosis. If it is determined
that the condition is caused by the type of fuel used,
repairs might not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
5-6

Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that help prevent
engine and fuel system deposits from forming, allowing
the emission control system to work properly. In most
cases, you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the minimum
amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regulations. To help keep fuel injectors
and intake valves clean, or if the vehicle experiences
problems due to dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline
that is advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. Also,
your dealer/retailer has additives that will help correct and
prevent most deposit-related problems.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines might be available in
your area. We recommend that you use these gasolines,
if they comply with the specications described earlier.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and other fuels containing
more than 10% ethanol must not be used in vehicles that
were not designed for those fuels.Notice:This vehicle was not designed for fuel
that contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be covered under the
vehicle warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions can contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. We recommend against
the use of such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT can
reduce the life of spark plugs and the performance of
the emission control system could be affected. The
malfunction indicator lamp might turn on. If this occurs,
return to your dealer/retailer for service.
5-7

Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)
The 8th digit of the Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)
shows the code letter or number that identies the
vehicle’s engine. The VIN is at the top left of the
instrument panel. SeeVehicle Identification Number
(VIN) on page 5-100.
If the vehicle has the 3.9L V6 engine (VIN Code M),
you can use either unleaded gasoline or ethanol
fuel containing up to 85% ethanol (E85). SeeFuel on
page 5-5. In all other engines, use only the unleaded
gasoline described underGasoline Octane on page 5-6.
Only vehicles that have the 3.9L V6 engine
(VIN Code M) can use 85% ethanol fuel (E85).
We encourage the use of E85 in vehicles that are
designed to use it. The ethanol in E85 is a “renewable”
fuel, meaning it is made from renewable sources such
as corn and other crops.Many service stations will not have an 85% ethanol fuel
(E85) pump available. The U. S. Department of Energy
has an alternative fuels website (www.eere.energy.gov/
afdc/infrastructure/locator.html) that can help you nd
E85 fuel. Those stations that do have E85 should have a
label indicating ethanol content. Do not use the fuel if the
ethanol content is greater than 85%.
At a minimum, E85 should meet ASTM Specication
D 5798. By denition, this means that fuel labeled E85
will have an ethanol content between 70% and 85%.
Filling the fuel tank with fuel mixtures that do not meet
ASTM specications can affect driveability and could
cause the malfunction indicator lamp to come on.
5-8