ignition BUICK LUCERNE 2009 Owner's Guide

Battery Run-Down Protection
This feature helps prevent the battery from
being drained, if the interior courtesy lamps,
reading/map lamps, visor vanity lamps or trunk
lamp are accidentally left on. If any of these lamps
are left on, they automatically turn off after 10 minutes,
if the ignition is off. The lamps will not come back on
again until one of the following occurs:
The ignition is turned on.
The exterior lamps control is turned off, then on
again.
The headlamps will time-out after 10 minutes, if they are
manually turned on before the ignition is off.
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
The accessory power outlets can be used to plug in
electrical equipment, such as a cellular telephone.
The vehicle may have up to three power outlets
depending on the type of front seat installed. If the
vehicle has front bucket seats with a center console,
there are two outlets inside the rear storage
compartment. An extra power outlet can be found
under the climate control system next to the ashtray.
The vehicle may have a small cap that must be pulled
down to access the accessory power outlet. Cover the
outlet with the protective cap when it is not being used.Notice:Leaving electrical equipment on for
extended periods will drain the battery. Always
turn off electrical equipment when not in use and
do not plug in equipment that exceeds the maximum
amperage rating.
Certain electrical accessories may not be compatible to
the accessory power outlets and could result in blown
vehicle or adapter fuses. If you experience a problem
see your dealer/retailer for additional information on the
accessory power outlets.
Notice:Adding any electrical equipment to the
vehicle can damage it or keep other components
from working as they should. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Do not use
equipment exceeding maximum amperage rating
of 20 amperes. Check with your dealer/retailer before
adding electrical equipment.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow
the proper installation instructions included with the
equipment.
Notice:Improper use of the power outlet can cause
damage not covered by the warranty. Do not hang
any type of accessory or accessory bracket from the
plug because the power outlets are designed for
accessory power plugs only.
3-20

Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
<(Rear Window Defogger):Press to turn the rear
window defogger on or off. An indicator light below the
button comes on to show that the rear window defogger is
on. Be sure to clear as much snow from the rear window
as possible.
The rear window defogger only works when the ignition is
in ON/RUN. The rear window defogger stays on for about
20 minutes after the button is pressed if traveling at slow
speeds. At higher vehicle speeds, the rear defogger may
stay on continuously. If turned on again, the defogger
only runs for about 10 minutes before turning off. The
defogger can be turned off by pressing the button again,
by turning the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN,
or by turning off the engine.
If the vehicle has heated outside rearview mirrors, the
mirrors heat to help clear fog or frost from the surface
of the mirror when the rear window defogger is on.
SeeOutside Heated Mirrors on page 2-37for more
information.Notice:Do not use anything sharp on the inside of
the rear window. If you do, you could cut or damage
the warming grid, and the repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Do not attach a
temporary vehicle license, tape, a decal or anything
similar to the defogger grid.
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System
The heating, cooling, and ventilation for the vehicle can
be controlled with this system.
For vehicles with the remote start feature and it is
activated, the climate control system heats or cools the
inside of the vehicle, with the settings used before the
vehicle was turned off. The heated seats, if the vehicle
has them, and the rear window defogger will be turned
on by the climate control system when it is cold outside.
The cooled seat setting is not activated during a remote
start. Normal operation of the system will return after
the key is turned to the ON/RUN position. SeeRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation on page 2-5for
more information.
3-24

There is also an interior temperature sensor located
next to the steering wheel that measures the
temperature of the air inside the vehicle.
There is also an exterior temperature sensor located
behind the front grille. This sensor reads the outside air
temperature and helps maintain the temperature inside
the vehicle. Any cover on the front of the vehicle could
cause a false temperature reading to display.
In order to prevent false temperature readings at
startup, the displayed temperature will not change
until the following occurs:
Vehicle speed is above 10 mph (16 km/h) for
ve minutes.
Vehicle speed is above 32 mph (51 km/h) for
two and a half minutes.
The climate control system uses the information
from these sensors to maintain your comfort setting by
adjusting the outlet temperature, fan speed, and the air
delivery mode. The system may also supply cooler air to
the side of the vehicle facing the sun. The recirculation
mode will also be used as needed to maintain cool outlet
temperatures.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog or frost from the rear window.
<(Rear Defogger):Press to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. An indicator light below the button
comes on to show that the rear window defogger is on.
Be sure to clear as much snow from the rear window
as possible.
The rear window defogger only works when the ignition
is in ON/RUN. The rear window defogger stays on
for about 20 minutes after the button is pressed if the
vehicle is traveling at slower vehicle speeds. At higher
vehicle speeds the rear window defogger may stay on
continuously. If turned on again, the defogger only runs
for about 10 minutes before turning off. The defogger can
be turned off by pressing the button again, by turning the
ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN, or by turning
off the engine.
The heated outside rearview mirrors will heat to help
clear fog or frost from the surface of the mirror when
the rear window defogger is on. SeeOutside Heated
Mirrors on page 2-37for more information.
Notice:Do not use a razor blade or sharp object to
clear the inside rear window. Do not adhere anything
to the defogger grid lines in the rear glass. These
actions may damage the rear defogger. Repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
3-29

Charging System Light
This light comes on briey
when the ignition key is
turned to START, but the
engine is not running, as a
check to show it is working.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer.
The light should go out once the engine starts. If it stays
on, or comes on while driving, there could be a problem
with the charging system. A charging system message
in the Driver Information Center (DIC) can also appear.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-56for
more information. This light could indicate that there are
problems with a generator drive belt, or that there is an
electrical problem. Have it checked right away. If the
vehicle must be driven a short distance with the light
on, turn off accessories, such as the radio and air
conditioner.
Brake System Warning Light
The vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part is not working, the other part can
still work and stop the vehicle. For good braking both
parts need to be working.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have the brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on briey when the engine is
started. If it does not come on then, have it xed so it
will be ready to warn if there is a problem.
United StatesCanada
3-38

When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
also comes on when the parking brake is set. The light
will stay on if the parking brake does not fully release.
If it stays on after the parking brake is fully released,
it means there is a brake problem.
{CAUTION:
The brake system might not be working properly if
the brake system warning light is on. Driving with
the brake system warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after the vehicle has
been pulled off the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for service.
If the light comes on while driving, pull off the road and
stop carefully. The pedal can be harder to push, or the
pedal could go closer to the oor. It could take longer to
stop. Try turning off and restarting the vehicle one or two
times, if the light is still on, have the vehicle towed for
service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-23.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
For vehicles with
the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), this light
comes on briey when
the engine is started.
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 ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off. If the
light comes on while driving, stop as soon as it is safely
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the ABS light stays on, or
comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs service.
If the regular brake system warning light is not on, the
vehicle still has brakes, but not antilock brakes. If the
regular brake system warning light is also on, the vehicle
does not have antilock brakes and there is a problem with
the regular brakes. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-38.
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC),
seeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-56for
all brake related DIC messages.
3-39

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

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

U(Customization):Press this button to customize
the feature settings on your vehicle. SeeDIC Vehicle
Customization on page 3-66for more information.
V(Set/Reset):Press this button to set or reset certain
functions and to turn off or acknowledge messages
on the DIC.
Trip/Fuel Menu Items
3
(Trip/Fuel):Press this button to scroll through the
following menu items:
Odometer
Press the trip/fuel button until ODOMETER displays.
This display shows the distance the vehicle has
been driven in either miles (mi) or kilometers (km).
Trip A and Trip B
Press the trip/fuel button until TRIP A or TRIP B
displays. This display shows the current distance traveled
in either miles (mi) or kilometers (km) since the last reset
for each trip odometer. Both trip odometers can be used
at the same time.Each trip odometer can be reset to zero separately by
pressing the set/reset button while the desired trip
odometer is displayed.
The trip odometer has a feature called the retro-active
reset. This can be used to set the trip odometer to the
number of miles (kilometers) driven since the ignition was
last turned on. This can be used if the trip odometer is not
reset at the beginning of the trip.
To use the retro-active reset feature, press and
hold the set/reset button for at least four seconds.
The trip odometer will display the number of miles (mi)
or kilometers (km) driven since the ignition was last
turned on and the vehicle was moving. Once the vehicle
begins moving, the trip odometer will accumulate
mileage. For example, if the vehicle was driven 5 miles
(8 km) before it is started again, and then the retro-active
reset feature is activated, the display will show 5 miles
(8 km). As the vehicle begins moving, the display will then
increase to 5.1 miles (8.2 km), 5.2 miles (8.4 km), etc.
If the retro-active reset feature is activated after the
vehicle is started, but before it begins moving, the display
will show the number of miles (mi) or kilometers (km) that
were driven during the last ignition cycle.
3-50

SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
This message displays if the ignition is on to inform
the driver that the brake uid level is low. Have the
brake system serviced by your dealer/retailer as soon
as possible. The brake system warning light also appears
on the instrument panel cluster when this message
appears on the DIC. SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 3-38.
SERVICE LANE DEPARTURE SYSTEM
If your vehicle has the Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
system, this message may display to indicate that the
LDW system is not working properly. If this message
remains on after continued driving, the system needs
service. See your dealer/retailer. SeeLane Departure
Warning (LDW) on page 2-44for more information.
SERVICE PARK ASSIST
If your vehicle has this feature, this message displays
if there is a problem with the Ultrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA) system. Do not use this system to help
you park. SeeUltrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)
on page 2-38for more information. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
SERVICE POWER STEERING
Your vehicle may have a speed variable assist steering
system. SeeSteering on page 4-8.
This message displays if a problem is detected with
the speed variable assist steering system. When this
message is displayed, you may notice that the effort
required to steer the vehicle decreases or feels lighter,
but you will still be able to steer the vehicle.
SERVICE SIDE BLIND ZONE ALERT
SYSTEM
If your vehicle has the Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)
system and this message displays, both SBZA displays
will remain on indicating there is a problem with the
SBZA system. If these displays remain on after
continued driving, the system needs service. See your
dealer/retailer. SeeSide Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) on
page 2-40for more information.
3-62