lights BUICK LUCERNE 2006 User Guide

{CAUTION:
Even with the Ultrasonic Rear Park Assist
system, the driver must check carefully before
backing up. The system does not operate above
speeds of 5 mph (8 km/h). The system does not
detect objects more than 8 feet (2.5 meters)
behind the vehicle. Also, the system does not
detect objects that are below your bumper,
underneath your vehicle, or some objects very
close to the vehicle. The system is not designed
to detect children, pedestrians, bicyclists,
or pets.
So, unless you check carefully behind your
vehicle while you are backing up, they could be
injured or killed.
Whether or not you are using rear park assist,
always check carefully behind your vehicle
before backing up and then watch closely
as you do.The display is located near
the rear window and can
be seen by looking
over your right shoulder.
The display has three color-coded lights. The URPA
lights are used to provide distance and system
information, along with beeps played out the speakers.
How the System Works
When the shift lever is moved into REVERSE (R),
the rear display will briey illuminate to let you know
the display is operating correctly. URPA comes on
automatically when the shift lever is moved into
REVERSE (R). The system also does not work at a
reverse speed greater than 5 mph (8 km/h). To remind
you of this, the red light on the rear display will ash.
The system can be disabled using the Driver Information
Center (DIC). SeeDIC Controls and Displays on
page 3-50.
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How the System Works when Backing
If the shift lever is in REVERSE (R), URPA detects
objects close to the rear bumper. The rst time an object
is detected a single beep will sound. If an object is
detected at a REVERSE (R) speed between 0 mph
(0 km/h) and 5 mph (8 km/h), the following describes
what will occur based on your distance to a detected
object located behind the vehicle:
At distances between 40 inches (1 m) and
8 ft (2.5 m), a single amber light will be lit.
At distances between 23 inches (0.6 m) and
40 inches (1 m), both amber lights will be lit.
At distances between 12 inches (0.3 m) and
23 inches (0.6 m), all three lights (amber/amber/red)
will be lit.
At distances less than 12 inches (0.3 m), a beeping
sound will repeat for a short time and all three lights
(amber/amber/red) will be lit and ashing.
When the System Does Not Seem to
Work Properly
If the URPA system will not activate due to a temporary
condition, the message PARK ASSIST OFF will be
displayed on the DIC and a red light will be shown on the
rear URPA display when the shift lever is moved into
REVERSE (R). This occurs under the following conditions:
The driver disables the system. SeeDIC Controls
and Displays on page 3-50.
The parking brake pedal is depressed.
A trailer was attached to your vehicle, or a bicycle
or an object was hanging out of your trunk during
your last drive when you turned off the vehicle.
If the attached objects are removed from your
vehicle before the start of your next drive,
the system will return to normal operation unless
an object is detected when the vehicle is shifted into
REVERSE (R). If this occurs, URPA assumes the
object is still attached, so you will have to wait until
the vehicle is driven forward above 15 mph (25 km/h)
before URPA will return to normal operation.
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Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you
will see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briey when you start the engine
just to let you know they are working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together to let you know when
there is a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages
shows there may be a problem, check the section that
tells you what to do about it. Please follow this manual’s
advice. Waiting to do repairs can be costly — and
even dangerous. So please get to know your warning
lights and gages. They are a big help.
Your vehicle may also have a DIC that works along with
the warning lights and gages. SeeDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 3-50.
3-33

Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You will know how
fast you are going, how much fuel you have, and many other things you will need to drive safely and economically.
Your vehicle has this cluster or one very similar to it. It includes indicator warning lights and gages that are explained
on the following pages. Be sure to read about them.
United States shown, Canada similar
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If the word OFF or the off symbol is lit on the airbag
status indicator, it means that the passenger sensing
system has turned off the right front passenger’s
frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag.
SeePassenger Sensing System on page 1-63for more
on this, including important safety information.
If, after several seconds, all status indicator lights
remain on, or if there are no lights at all, there may be
a problem with the lights or the passenger sensing
system. See your dealer for service.
{CAUTION:
If the off indicator and the airbag readiness
light ever come on together, it means that
something may be wrong with the airbag
system. If this ever happens, have the vehicle
serviced promptly, because an adult-size
person sitting in the right front passenger seat
may not have the protection of the airbags.
SeeAirbag Readiness Light on page 3-36.
Charging System Light
When you turn the key to
RUN or START, this light
will come on briey to
show that the generator
and battery charging
systems are working
properly.
If this light stays on, your vehicle needs service.
You should take your vehicle to the dealer at once.
To save your battery until you get there, turn off
all accessories.
3-39

AUTO DOOR UNLOCK
This feature allows you to select whether or not the
door(s) will automatically unlock. It also allows you to
select which doors and when they will automatically
unlock. SeeProgrammable Automatic Door Locks on
page 2-13for more information.
Press the customization button until AUTO DOOR
UNLOCK appears on the DIC display. Press the
set/reset button to access the settings for this feature.
Then press the customization button to scroll through
the following choices:
OFF:None of the doors will automatically unlock.
DRIVER AT KEY OUT:Only the driver’s door will
unlock when the key is taken out of the ignition.
DRIVER IN PARK:Only the driver’s door will unlock
when the vehicle is shifted into PARK (P).
ALL AT KEY OUT:All of the doors will unlock when
the key is taken out of the ignition.
ALL IN PARK (default):All of the doors will unlock
when the vehicle is shifted into PARK (P).
NO CHANGE:No change will be made to this feature.
The current setting will remain.
Select one of the available choices and press the
set/reset button while it is displayed on the DIC to
select it.
REMOTE DOOR LOCK
This feature allows you to select the type of feedback
you will receive when locking the vehicle with the remote
keyless entry transmitter. You will not receive feedback
when locking the vehicle with the remote keyless
entry transmitter if any of the doors are open.
SeeRemote Keyless Entry System Operation on
page 2-6for more information.
Press the customization button until REMOTE DOOR
LOCK appears on the DIC display. Press the set/reset
button to access the settings for this feature. Then
press the customization button to scroll through
the following choices:
HORN & LIGHTS OFF:There will be no feedback
when you press the lock button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter.
LIGHTS ONLY:The exterior lamps will ash when you
press the lock button on the remote keyless entry
transmitter.
HORN ONLY:The horn will sound on the second press
of the lock button on the remote keyless entry transmitter.
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HORN & LIGHTS ON (default):The exterior lamps will
ash when you press the lock button on the remote
keyless entry transmitter, and the horn will sound when
the lock button is pressed again within ve seconds
of the previous command.
NO CHANGE:No change will be made to this feature.
The current setting will remain.
Select one of the available choices and press the
set/reset button while it is displayed on the DIC to
select it.
REMOTE DOOR UNLOCK
This feature allows you to select the type of feedback
you will receive when unlocking the vehicle with
the remote keyless entry transmitter. You will not receive
feedback when unlocking the vehicle with the remote
keyless entry transmitter if the doors are open.
SeeRemote Keyless Entry System Operation on
page 2-6for more information.Press the customization button until REMOTE DOOR
UNLOCK appears on the DIC display. Press the
set/reset button to access the settings for this feature.
Then press the customization button to scroll through
the following choices:
LIGHTS OFF:The exterior lamps will not ash when
you press the unlock button on the remote keyless entry
transmitter.
LIGHTS ON (default):The exterior lamps will ash
when you press the unlock button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter.
NO CHANGE:No change will be made to this feature.
The current setting will remain.
Select one of the available choices and press the
set/reset button while it is displayed on the DIC to
select it.
3-68

APPROACH LIGHTING
This feature allows you to select whether or not to have
the exterior lights turn on briey during low light
periods after unlocking the vehicle using the remote
keyless entry transmitter.
Press the customization button until APPROACH
LIGHTING appears on the DIC display. Press the
set/reset button to access the settings for this feature.
Then press the customization button to scroll through
the following choices:
OFF:The exterior lights will not turn on when you
unlock the vehicle with the remote keyless entry
transmitter.
ON (default):If it is dark enough outside, the exterior
lights will turn on briey when you unlock the vehicle
with the remote keyless entry transmitter.
The lights will remain on for 20 seconds or until the lock
button on the remote keyless entry transmitter is
pressed, or the vehicle is no longer off. SeeRemote
Keyless Entry System Operation on page 2-6for more
information.
NO CHANGE:No change will be made to this feature.
The current setting will remain.
Select one of the available choices and press the
set/reset button while it is displayed on the DIC to
select it.
CHIME VOLUME
This feature allows you to select the volume level of
the chime.
Press the customization button until CHIME VOLUME
appears on the DIC display. Press the set/reset button to
access the settings for this feature. Then press the
customization button to scroll through the following
choices:
NORMAL (default):The chime volume will be set to a
normal level.
LOUD:The chime volume will be set to a loud level.
NO CHANGE:No change will be made to this feature.
The current setting will remain.
Select one of the available choices and press the
set/reset button while it is displayed on the DIC to
select it.
PARK TILT MIRRORS
If your vehicle has this feature, it allows you to select
whether or not the outside mirror(s) will automatically tilt
down when the vehicle is shifted into REVERSE (R).
SeeOutside Curb View Assist Mirror on page 2-36
for more information.
3-70

Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to be
impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or
by fatigue.
Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Adjust the inside rearview mirror to reduce the glare
from headlamps behind you.
Since you cannot see as well, you may need to
slow down and keep more space between you
and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
vehicle’s headlamps can light up only so much
road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But
as we get older these differences increase. A
50-year-old driver may require at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.What you do in the daytime can also affect your night
vision. For example, if you spend the day in bright
sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your eyes
will have less trouble adjusting to night. But if you
are driving, do not wear sunglasses at night. They may
cut down on glare from headlamps, but they also
make a lot of things invisible.
You can be temporarily blinded by approaching
headlamps. It can take a second or two, or even several
seconds, for your eyes to re-adjust to the dark. When
you are faced with severe glare, as from a driver
who does not lower the high beams, or a vehicle with
misaimed headlamps, slow down a little. Avoid
staring directly into the approaching headlamps.
Keep the windshield and all the glass on your vehicle
clean — inside and out. Glare at night is made much
worse by dirt on the glass. Even the inside of the glass
can build up a lm caused by dust. Dirty glass makes
lights dazzle and ash more than clean glass would,
making the pupils of your eyes contract repeatedly.
Remember that the headlamps light up far less of a
roadway when you are in a turn or curve. Keep
your eyes moving; that way, it is easier to pick out dimly
lighted objects. Just as the headlamps should be
checked regularly for proper aim, so should your eyes
be examined regularly. Some drivers suffer from
night blindness — the inability to see in dim light — and
are not even aware of it.
4-16

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal asher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your dealer. The arrows on your instrument
panel will ash whenever you signal a turn or lane
change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also
ash, telling other drivers you are about to turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not. It
is important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Your vehicle has bulb warning lights. When you plug a
trailer lighting system into your vehicle’s lighting
system, its bulb warning lights may not let you know if
one of your lamps goes out. So, when you have a trailer
lighting system plugged in, be sure to check your
vehicle and trailer lamps from time to time to be sure
they are all working. Once you disconnect the trailer
lamps, the bulb warning lights again can tell you if one
of your vehicle lamps is out.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforeyou start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you do not shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.On a long uphill grade, shift down to THIRD (3) and
reduce your speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce
the possibility of engine and transaxle overheating.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle, with a
trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People
can be injured, and both your vehicle and the
trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here is
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but do not shift into
PARK (P) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake, and then shift to PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
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