Page 4 BUICK LUCERNE 2010 Owner's Manual

Headlamp aiming is done with the vehicle's low-beam
headlamps. The high-beam headlamps will be correctly
aimed if the low-beam headlamps are aimed properly.
To adjust the vertical aim:1. Open the hood. See Hood Release
on page 6‑13for more information.
2. Locate the aim dot on the lens of the low‐beam
headlamp.
3. Record the distance from the ground to the aim dot on the low‐beam headlamp.
4. At a wall, measure from the ground upward (A) tothe recorded distance from Step 3 and mark it.
5. Draw or tape a horizontal line (B) on the wall the width of the vehicle at the height of the mark in
Step 4.
Notice: Do not cover a headlamp to improve beam
cut-off when aiming. Covering a headlamp may
cause excessive heat build-up which may cause
damage to the headlamp.
6. Turn on the low-beam headlamps and place a piece of cardboard or equivalent in front of the
headlamp not being adjusted. Do not place directly
on the headlamp. This allows only the beam of
light from the headlamp being adjusted to be seen
on the flat surface.
6-50

Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement bulbs, see
Replacement Bulbs on page 6‑55.
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact your dealer.
Halogen Bulbs
{WARNING:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps
and Sidemarker Lamps
A. Sidemarker Lamp
B. Stoplamp/Taillamp/Turn Signal Lamp
6-52

To replace one of these bulbs:1. Open the trunk. See Trunk on page 3‑12.
2. Remove the convenience net.
3. Remove the plastic wing nuts retaining the trunk trim.
4. Pull back the trunk trim.
5. Remove the three hex nuts holding the taillamp assembly in place.
6. Pull the taillamp assembly straight out. 7. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and pull it
straight out to remove it.
8. Pull the old bulb straight out of the socket.
9. Push the new bulb straight in until it clicks.
10. Push the bulb socket in and turn it clockwise to secure it in the taillamp assembly.
11. Push the taillamp assembly straight in to its original location.
When reinstalling the taillamp assembly, make
sure the plastic pin on the taillamp assembly lines
up and is inserted correctly into the opening of the
vehicle.
12. Reinstall the three hex nuts holding the taillamp assembly in place.
13. Put the trunk trim back into place.
14. Reinstall the plastic wing nuts that retain the trunk trim.
15. Put the convenience net back in its original location.
6-53

Taillamps and Back-Up Lamps
A. Taillamp
B. Back-up Lamp
To replace an auxiliary taillamp or back-up lamp bulb: 1. Open the trunk. See Trunk on page 3‑12.
2. Remove the three fasteners from the trunk trim.
3. Pull back the trunk trim to access the bulbs.
4. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise to
remove it.
5. Pull the bulb straight out.
6. Push the bulb straight in until it clicks.
7. Push the bulb socket in and turn it clockwise to secure it.
8. Put the trunk trim and three fasteners back into place.
6-54

License Plate Lamp
To replace one of these bulbs:1. Remove the license plate.
2. Reach up through the opening above the license plate to access the two license plate lamps.
3. Turn the socket counterclockwise to remove.
4. Grasp the bulb in the socket and pull straight out.
5. Push the bulb straight into the socket until it clicks to secure it.
6. Push the socket in and turn it clockwise to secure it.
7. Reinstall the license plate in its original location.
Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Lamps Bulb Number
Back-up Lamp 921
Sidemarker, License Plate Lamp,
and Auxiliary Taillamp 194
Stoplamp, Taillamp, and Turn
Signal Lamp 3057K
For replacement bulbs not listed here, contact your
dealer.
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected for wear
or cracking. See
Scheduled Maintenance on page 7‑3.
It is a good idea to clean or replace the wiper blade
assembly on a regular basis or when worn. For
proper windshield wiper blade length and type, see
Maintenance Replacement Parts on page 7‑11.
To replace the wiper blade assembly: 1. Turn the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY with the engine off.
2. Pull the windshield wiper assembly away from the windshield.
6-55

Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires
made by a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever
have questions about your tire warranty and
where to obtain service, see your vehicle
Warranty booklet for details. For additional
information refer to the tire manufacturer.
{WARNING:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
.Overloading your vehicle's tires can
cause overheating as a result of too
much flexing. You could have an air-out
and a serious accident. SeeLoading the
Vehicle
on page 5‑19.
(Continued)
WARNING: (Continued)
.Underinflated tires pose the same danger
as overloaded tires. The resulting
accident could cause serious injury.
Check all tires frequently to maintain the
recommended pressure. Tire pressure
should be checked when your vehicle's
tires are cold. See Inflation - Tire
Pressure
on page 6‑65.
.Overinflated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured, or broken by a sudden
impact —such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
.Worn, old tires can cause accidents.
If the tire's tread is badly worn, or if your
vehicle's tires have been damaged,
replace them.
6-57

(E) Tire Ply Material:The type of cord and
number of plies in the sidewall and under the
tread.
(F) Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
:Tire
manufacturers are required to grade tires based
on three performance factors: treadwear, traction,
and temperature resistance. For more information
see Uniform Tire Quality Grading
on page 6‑76.
(G) Maximum Cold Inflation Load Limit
:
Maximum load that can be carried and the
maximum pressure needed to support that load.
Compact Spare Tire Example
(A) Temporary Use Only:The compact spare
tire or temporary use tire has a tread life of
approximately 3,000 miles (5 000 km) and should
not be driven at speeds over 65 mph (105 km/h).
The compact spare tire is for emergency use
when a regular road tire has lost air and gone flat.
If your vehicle has a compact spare tire, see
Compact Spare Tire
on page 6‑100and If a Tire
Goes Flat
on page 6‑81.
6-59

(B) Tire Ply Material:The type of cord and
number of plies in the sidewall and under the
tread.
(C) Tire Identification Number (TIN)
:The letters
and numbers following the DOT (Department of
Transportation) code is the Tire Identification
Number (TIN). The TIN shows the manufacturer
and plant code, tire size, and date the tire was
manufactured. The TIN is molded onto both sides
of the tire, although only one side may have the
date of manufacture.
(D) Maximum Cold Inflation Load Limit
:
Maximum load that can be carried and the
maximum pressure needed to support that load. (E) Tire Inflation
:The temporary use tire or
compact spare tire should be inflated to 60 psi
(420 kPa). For more information on tire pressure
and inflation see Inflation - Tire Pressure
on
page 6‑65
.
(F) Tire Size
:A combination of letters and
numbers define a tire's width, height, aspect ratio,
construction type, and service description. The
letter T as the first character in the tire size means
the tire is for temporary use only.
(G) TPC Spec (Tire Performance Criteria
Specification)
:Original equipment tires designed
to GM's specific tire performance criteria have a
TPC specification code molded onto the sidewall.
GM's TPC specifications meet or exceed all
federal safety guidelines.
6-60

Tire Terminology and Definitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the tire
pressing outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per square
inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight
:This means the combined
weight of optional accessories. Some examples of
optional accessories are, automatic transmission,
power steering, power brakes, power windows,
power seats, and air conditioning.
Aspect Ratio
:The relationship of a tire's height to
its width.
Belt
:A rubber coated layer of cords that is
located between the plies and the tread. Cords
may be made from steel or other reinforcing
materials.
Bead
:The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire
:A pneumatic tire in which the plies
are laid at alternate angles less than 90 degrees
to the centerline of the tread. Cold Tire Pressure
:The amount of air pressure
in a tire, measured in pounds per square inch (psi)
or kilopascals (kPa) before a tire has built up heat
from driving. See Inflation - Tire Pressure
on
page 6‑65
.
Curb Weight
:The weight of a motor vehicle with
standard and optional equipment including the
maximum capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, but
without passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings
:A code molded into the sidewall
of a tire signifying that the tire is in compliance
with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
motor vehicle safety standards. The DOT code
includes the Tire Identification Number (TIN), an
alphanumeric designator which can also identify
the tire manufacturer, production plant, brand, and
date of production.
GVWR
:Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. See
Loading the Vehicle
on page 5‑19.
GAWR FRT
:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the
front axle. See Loading the Vehicle
on page 5‑19.
6-62

GAWR RR:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the rear
axle. See Loading the Vehicle
on page 5‑19.
Intended Outboard Sidewall
:The side of an
asymmetrical tire, that must always face outward
when mounted on a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa)
:The metric unit for air pressure.
Light Truck (LT‐Metric) Tire
:A tire used on light
duty trucks and some multipurpose passenger
vehicles.
Load Index
:An assigned number ranging from
1 to 279 that corresponds to the load carrying
capacity of a tire.
Maximum Inflation Pressure
:The maximum
air pressure to which a cold tire can be inflated.
The maximum air pressure is molded onto the
sidewall.
Maximum Load Rating
:The load rating for a tire
at the maximum permissible inflation pressure for
that tire. Maximum Loaded Vehicle Weight
:The sum of
curb weight, accessory weight, vehicle capacity
weight, and production options weight.
Normal Occupant Weight
:The number of
occupants a vehicle is designed to seat multiplied
by 150 lbs (68 kg). See Loading the Vehicle
on
page 5‑19
.
Occupant Distribution
:Designated seating
positions.
Outward Facing Sidewall
:The side of an
asymmetrical tire that has a particular side that
faces outward when mounted on a vehicle. The
side of the tire that contains a whitewall, bears
white lettering, or bears manufacturer, brand, and/
or model name molding that is higher or deeper
than the same moldings on the other sidewall of
the tire.
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire
:A tire used on
passenger cars and some light duty trucks and
multipurpose vehicles.
6-63