windshield wipers BUICK LUCERNE 2009 Owner's Manual

Ignition Positions
The ignition has four
different positions:
In order to shift out of P (Park), ignition must be in the
ON/RUN and the regular brake pedal must be applied.
Notice:Using a tool to force the key to turn in the
ignition could cause damage to the switch or break
the key. Use the correct key, make sure it is all the
way in, and turn it only with your hand. If the key
cannot be turned by hand, see your dealer/retailer.
A (LOCK/OFF):This position locks the ignition. It also
locks the transmission and steering column. This is the
only position in which the ignition key can be inserted or
removed.The steering can bind with the wheels turned off center.
If this happens, move the steering wheel from right to left
while turning the key to ACC/ACCESSORY. If this
doesn’t work, then the vehicle needs service.
B (ACC/ACCESSORY):This position lets the radio
and windshield wipers operate while the engine is off.
To use ACC/ACCESSORY, turn the key clockwise.
C (ON/RUN):This position can be used to operate
electrical accessories and to display some of the
warning and indicator lights. The switch stays in this
position when the engine is running.
If you leave the key in the ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN position with the engine off, the battery could
be drained. You may not be able to start the vehicle
if the battery is allowed to drain for an extended period
of time.
D (START):This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch
returns to ON/RUN for driving.
A warning tone will sound and the Driver Information
Center (DIC) will display DRIVER DOOR OPEN
when the driver door is opened if the ignition is in
LOCK/OFF, ACC/ACCESSORY and the key is in the
ignition. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-56
for more information.
2-21

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Horn .............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Power Tilt Wheel and Telescopic Steering
Column......................................................3-7
Heated Steering Wheel...................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-8
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-9
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-9
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Rainsense™ II Wipers...................................3-10
Windshield Washer.......................................3-11
Cruise Control..............................................3-12
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-15
Wiper Activated Headlamps............................3-16
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-16
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-16
Fog Lamps ..................................................3-17
Cornering Lamps..........................................3-17
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver........................3-17
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-17
Courtesy Lamps...........................................3-18
Entry Lighting...............................................3-18
Delayed Entry Lighting...................................3-18
Theater Dimming..........................................3-18Delayed Exit Lighting.....................................3-18
Perimeter Lighting.........................................3-18
Front Reading Lamps....................................3-18
Electric Power Management...........................3-19
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver.....................3-19
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-20
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-20
Ashtray(s)....................................................3-21
Climate Controls............................................3-21
Climate Control System.................................3-21
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-24
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-30
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-30
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-32
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-33
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-34
Trip Odometer..............................................3-34
Tachometer.................................................3-34
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-35
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-36
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-37
Charging System Light..................................3-38
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-38
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light.....3-39
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light . . .3-40
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light.............................3-41
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
G:Turn and Lane-Change Signals
23:Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
N:Windshield Wipers
L:Windshield Washer
_:Heated Washer Fluid
Flash-To-Pass Feature.
Information for these features is on the pages following.
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster ashes in the
direction of the turn or
lane change.
You may also have an arrow in the outside mirror that
ashes when the turn signal is used. SeeOutside Power
Mirrors on page 2-36for more information.
Move the lever all the way up or down to signal a turn.
Raise or lower the lever until the arrow starts to ash
to signal a lane change. Hold it there until the lane
change is complete. If you momentarily press and
release the lever, the turn signal will ash three times.
If after signaling a turn or lane change the arrow ashes
rapidly or does not come on, a signal bulb may be
burned out.
Have the bulbs replaced. If the bulb is not burned out,
check the fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 5-101.
Turn Signal On Chime
If your turn signal is left on for more than 0.8 miles
(1.3 km), a chime will sound at each ash of the turn
signal. To turn off the chime, move the turn signal lever
to the off position.
3-8

Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high
beam, push the turn signal lever away from you.
To change from high beam to low beam, pull the
turn signal lever toward you.
While the high beams are
on, this light located on the
instrument panel cluster
will also be on.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use the high-beam headlamps to
signal the driver in front of you that you want to pass.
It works even if your headlamps are off.
Pull the turn signal lever toward you briey to
ash-to-pass.
If the headlamps are off or on low beam, the high-beam
headlamps will turn on. They will stay on as long as you
hold the lever toward you and the high-beam indicator on
the instrument panel cluster will come on.
Windshield Wipers
Turn the band with the wiper symbol on it to control the
windshield wipers.
8(Mist):For a single wiping cycle, hold it on mist
until the wipers start, then release. The wipers stop after
one wipe. For more wipe cycles, hold the band longer.
6(Delay):Use to set the delay time between wipe
cycles. The wiper speed can be set for a long or short
delay between wipes. The closer the band is set to
the top of the lever, the shorter the delay.
6(Low Speed):For steady wiping at low speed.
1(High Speed):For high-speed wiping.
9(Off):Turns the wipers off.
Clear ice and snow from the wiper blades before
using them. If the wipers are frozen to the windshield,
carefully loosen or thaw them. If they become worn
or damaged, replace with new blades or blade inserts.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the wiper motor.
A circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools.
The vehicle has wiper-activated headlamps. After the
windshield wipers have completed eight wipe cycles
within four minutes, the headlamps automatically
turn on. SeeWiper Activated Headlamps on page 3-16
for more information.
3-9

Rainsense™ II Wipers
If the vehicle has this feature, the moisture sensor is
mounted on the interior of the windshield beside the
rearview mirror and is used to automatically operate the
wipers. This system operates by monitoring the amount
of moisture build-up on the windshield. Wipes occur as
needed to clear the windshield depending on the driving
conditions and the sensitivity setting. In light rain or snow,
fewer wipes will occur. In heavy rain or snow, wipes will
occur more frequently. The system operates in the delay
mode. If the system is left on for long periods of time,
occasional wipes may occur without any moisture on
the windshield. This is normal and indicates that the
Rainsense™ system is active.
The Rainsense™ system is activated by turning the
wiper control band to one of the ve sensitivity levels
within the delay area. The position closest to off is the
lowest sensitivity setting, level one. This allows more
rain or snow to collect on the windshield between wipes.Turning the wiper band away from you to higher
sensitivity levels increases the sensitivity of the system
and frequency of wipes. The highest sensitivity setting,
level ve is closest to low. A single wipe will occur each
time you turn the wiper stalk to a higher sensitivity level
to indicate that the sensitivity level has been increased.
Notice:Going through an automatic car wash with
the wipers on can damage them. Turn the wipers
off when going through an automatic car wash.
The MIST and wash cycles operate as normal and are
not affected by the Rainsense™ function. The system
can be overridden at any time by manually changing the
wiper control to low or high speed.
Notice:Do not place stickers or other items on the
exterior glass surface directly in front of the rain
sensor. Doing this could cause the rain sensor
to malfunction.
3-10

Windshield Washer
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
uid can form ice on the windshield, blocking your
vision.
J(Washer Fluid):Press and release this paddle,
located at the top of the turn signal/multifunction lever,
to spray washer uid on the windshield. The wipers will
clear the windshield and either stop or return to the preset
speed. For more washer cycles, press and hold the
paddle.
_(Heated Washer Fluid):The heated windshield
washer uid system, if the vehicle has this feature,
may be used to help clear ice, snow, tree sap, or bugs
from the windshield. Slide the control on the turn signal/
multifunction lever to this position and then release,
to activate the heated windshield washer uid system.
This activation initiates four heated wash/wipe cycles.
The rst heated wash/wipe cycle may take up to
40 seconds to occur, depending on outside temperature.
After the rst wash/wipe cycle, it may take up to
20 seconds for each of the remaining cycles. The heated
windshield washer uid system may be turned off at any
time by sliding the control on the turn signal/multifunction
lever to this position again.
When the heated windshield washer uid system is
activated under certain outside temperature conditions,
steam may ow out of the washer nozzles for a short
period of time before washer uid is sprayed. This is
a normal condition.
WASHER FLUID LOW ADD FLUID will be displayed on
the Driver Information Center (DIC) when the washer
uid is low. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-56.
3-11

Wiper Activated Headlamps
This feature activates the headlamps and parking lamps
after the windshield wipers are turned on and have
completed eight wipe cycles within four minutes.
When the ignition is turned to LOCK/OFF, the
wiper-activated headlamps immediately turn off.
The wiper-activated headlamps also turn off if the
windshield wipers are turned off.
Headlamps on Reminder
If you leave the exterior lamp buttons for the headlamps
or parking lamps on, remove the key from the ignition
and open the driver’s door, you will hear a continuous
warning chime. The chime will turn off when the
lamps are turned off.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
Fully functional daytime running lamps are required
on all vehicles rst sold in Canada.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel monitors
the exterior light level for the operation of DRL, so
be sure it is not covered.The DRL system makes the low-beam headlamps
turn on at reduced brightness in daylight when
the following conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamp button for the headlamps is off.
The automatic transmission is not in P (Park).
When the DRL are on, only the low-beam headlamps
will be on. The parking lamps, taillamps, sidemarker and
other lamps will not be on.
When it is dark enough outside, the low-beam
headlamps will come on. The other lamps that turn
on with the headlamps will also turn on. When it is bright
enough outside, the regular lamps will go off, and the
low-beam headlamps change to the reduced brightness
of DRL.
To turn off all exterior lighting at night when the vehicle
is parked, turn the exterior lamp control to the off position.
The exterior lamps will turn back on automatically when
the transmission is moved out of P (Park). SeeExterior
Lamps on page 3-15for more information.
The regular headlamp system should be turned on
when needed.
3-16

Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap,
bird droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys,
etc., can damage the vehicle’s nish if they remain on
painted surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as possible.
If necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that are
marked safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign
matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a
period of years. To help keep the paint nish looking
new, keep the vehicle garaged or covered whenever
possible.
Protecting Exterior Bright Metal Parts
Bright metal parts should be cleaned regularly to keep
their luster. Washing with water is all that is usually
needed. However, chrome polish may be used on
chrome or stainless steel trim, if necessary.
Use special care with aluminum trim. To avoid damaging
protective trim, never use auto or chrome polish, steam or
caustic soap to clean aluminum. A coating of wax, rubbed
to high polish, is recommended for all bright metal parts.
Windshield and Wiper Blades
Clean the outside of the windshield with glass cleaner.
Clean the rubber blades using a lint free cloth or
paper towel soaked with windshield washer uid or
a mild detergent. Wash the windshield thoroughly when
cleaning the blades. Bugs, road grime, sap, and a
buildup of vehicle wash/wax treatments may cause wiper
streaking. Replace the wiper blades if they are worn
or damaged.
Wipers can be damaged by:
Extreme dusty conditions
Sand and salt
Heat and sun
Snow and ice, without proper removal
5-97

W
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators...............3-32
Warnings
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-56
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-6
Safety and Symbols......................................... iii
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-78
Different Size..............................................5-76
Replacement...............................................5-79
Where to Put the Restraint...............................1-44
Windows.......................................................2-15
Power ........................................................2-16
Windshield
Rainsense™ II Wipers..................................3-10
Washer......................................................3-11Windshield (cont.)
Washer Fluid..............................................5-39
Wiper Blade Replacement.............................5-57
Wiper Blades, Cleaning................................5-97
Wipers......................................................... 3-9
Winter Driving................................................4-15
Wiper Activated Headlamps..............................3-16
X
XM Radio Messages.......................................3-92
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System..............3-106
Y
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................... 6-2
14