fuel BUICK LUCERNE 2007 User Guide

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 Transaxle Operation on page 119
for 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.
The DIC also allows some features to be
customized. SeeDIC Vehicle Customization on
page 231for more information.
DIC Controls 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.
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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, park assist on vehicles with
this feature, units, tire pressure readings and Tire
Pressure Monitor (TPM) system programming,
compass zone and compass calibration on vehicles
with this feature, and Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter programming.
U(Customization):Press this button to
customize the feature settings on your vehicle.
SeeDIC Vehicle Customization on page 231
for 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.
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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.Fuel Range
Press the trip/fuel button until FUEL RANGE
displays. This display shows the approximate
number of remaining miles (mi) or kilometers (km)
the vehicle can be driven without refueling.
The fuel range estimate is based on an average of
the vehicle’s fuel economy over recent driving
history and the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank. This estimate will change if driving conditions
change. For example, if driving in traffic and making
frequent stops, this display may read one number,
but if the vehicle is driven on a freeway, the number
may change even though the same amount of fuel
is in the fuel tank. This is because different driving
conditions produce different fuel economies.
Generally, freeway driving produces better fuel
economy than city driving.
If your vehicle is low on fuel, the FUEL LEVEL
LOW message will be displayed. See “FUEL
LEVEL LOW” underDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 221for more information.
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Average Economy
Press the trip/fuel button until AVG ECONOMY
displays. This display shows the approximate
average miles per gallon (mpg) or liters per
100 kilometers (L/100 km). This number is
calculated based on the number of mpg (L/100 km)
recorded since the last time this menu item was
reset. To reset AVG ECONOMY, press and hold
the set/reset button. The display will return to zero.
Instantaneous Economy
Press the trip/fuel button until INST ECONOMY
displays. This display shows the current fuel
economy at a particular moment and will change
frequently as driving conditions change. This
display shows the instantaneous fuel economy in
miles per gallon (mpg) or liters per 100 kilometers
(L/100 km). Unlike average economy, this screen
cannot be reset.
Average Speed
Press the trip/fuel button until AVERAGE SPEED
displays. This display shows the average speed of
the vehicle in miles per hour (mph) or kilometers per
hour (km/h). This average is calculated based on
the various vehicle speeds recorded since the last
reset of this value. To reset the value, press and
hold the set/reset button. The display will return
to zero.
Blank Display
This display shows no information.
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3. Press the set/reset button to scroll through
and select the appropriate variance zone.
Navigate to one of the trip/fuel menu screens
to view the direction the vehicle is moving.
This will be shown in the top right corner of the
DIC display.
4. If you need to calibrate the compass, use
the compass calibration procedure. See
“Compass Calibration Procedure” following.
Compass Calibration
The compass can be manually calibrated. Only
calibrate the compass in a safe location where
driving the vehicle in circles is not a problem. If
“CAL” should ever appear in the DIC display, the
compass may need calibration.To calibrate the compass, use the following
procedure:
Compass Calibration Procedure
1. Before calibrating the compass, make sure
the compass zone is set to the variance
zone in which the vehicle is traveling. See
“Compass Variance Procedure” earlier in this
section.
2. Press the vehicle information button until the
PRESS
VTO CALIBRATE COMPASS
screen is displayed.
3. Press the set/reset button to start the compass
calibration.
4. The DIC will display CALIBRATING: DRIVE
IN CIRCLES. Drive the vehicle in circles at
less than 5 mph (8 km/h) to complete the
calibration. The DIC will display CALIBRATION
COMPLETE when the calibration is complete.
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ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the
engine is overheating, severe engine damage
may occur. If an overheat warning appears
on the instrument panel cluster and/or
DIC, stop the vehicle as soon as possible.
Do not increase the engine speed above
normal idling speed. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 351for more information.
This message displays when the engine coolant
temperature is too hot. Stop and allow the vehicle
to idle until it cools down.
ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the
engine is overheating, severe engine damage
may occur. If an overheat warning appears on
the instrument panel cluster and/or DIC, stop
the vehicle as soon as possible. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 351for more information.
This message displays along with a continuous
chime when the engine has overheated. Stop and
turn the engine off immediately to avoid severe
engine damage. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 351.
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message displays when the vehicle’s engine
power is reduced. Reduced engine power can
affect the vehicle’s ability to accelerate. If this
message is on, but there is no reduction in
performance, proceed to your destination. The
performance may be reduced the next time the
vehicle is driven. The vehicle may be driven at a
reduced speed while this message is on, but
acceleration and speed may be reduced. Anytime
this message stays on, the vehicle should be taken
to your dealer for service as soon as possible.
ERROR
This message displays while viewing the odometer
or trip odometers if there is a problem with the
instrument panel cluster. See your dealer for
service.
FUEL LEVEL LOW
This message displays when your vehicle is low
on fuel. Rell the fuel tank as soon as possible.
SeeFuel Gage on page 211andFilling the Tank
on page 330for more information.
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FACTORY SETTINGS
This feature allows you to set all of the
customization features back to their factory
default settings.
Press the customization button until FACTORY
SETTINGS 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:
RESTORE ALL (default):The customization
features will be set to their factory default settings.
DO NOT RESTORE:The customization features
will not be set to their factory default settings.
Select one of the available choices and press
the set/reset button while it is displayed on the DIC
to select it.
EXIT FEATURE SETTINGS
This feature allows you to exit the FEATURE
SETTINGS menu.
Press the customization button until FEATURE
SETTINGS PRESS
VTO EXIT appears in the DIC
display. Press the set/reset button to exit the menu.
If you do not exit, pressing the customization
button again will return you to the beginning of
the FEATURE SETTINGS menu.
Exiting the Feature Settings Menu
The feature settings menu will be exited when any
of the following occurs:
The vehicle is shifted out of PARK (P).
The vehicle is no longer in RUN.
The trip/fuel or vehicle information DIC buttons
are pressed.
The end of the feature settings menu is
reached and exited.
A 40 second time period has elapsed with no
selection made.
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Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir full?
Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you
checked all levels?
Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses
clean?
Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inated
to the recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:What is the weather
outlook along your route? Should you delay
your trip a short time to avoid a major storm
system?
Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as highway
hypnosis? Or is it just plain falling asleep at the
wheel? Call it highway hypnosis, lack of
awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road
with the same scenery, along with the hum of the
tires on the road, the drone of the engine, and the
rush of the wind against the vehicle that can make
you sleepy. Do not let it happen to you! If it does,
your vehicle can leave the road in less than a
second, and you could crash and be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis?
First, be aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated,
with a comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead
and to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors
and your instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service, or parking area and take a nap, get
some exercise, or both. For safety, treat
drowsiness on the highway as an emergency.
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You can run the engine to keep warm, but be
careful.
{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under
your vehicle. This can cause deadly CO
(carbon monoxide) gas to get inside.
CO could overcome you and kill you.
You cannot see it or smell it, so you might
not know it is in your vehicle. Clear away
snow from around the base of your
vehicle, especially any that is blocking
your exhaust pipe. And check around
again from time to time to be sure snow
does not collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of
the vehicle that is away from the wind.
This will help keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This
saves fuel. When you run the engine, make it go
a little faster than just idle. That is, push the
accelerator slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat
that you get and it keeps the battery charged.
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You will need a well-charged battery to restart the
vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on with
your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window
almost all the way to preserve the heat. Start
the engine again and repeat this only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as
little as possible. Preserve the fuel as long as
you can. To help keep warm, you can get out of
the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck,
you will need to spin the wheels, but you do not
want to spin your wheels too fast. The method
known as rocking can help you get out when you
are stuck, but you must use caution.
{CAUTION:
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you or others
could be injured. And, the transaxle or
other parts of the vehicle can overheat.
That could cause an engine compartment
re or other damage. When you are stuck,
spin the wheels as little as possible. Do not
spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h) as
shown on the speedometer.
Notice:Spinning the wheels can destroy parts
of your vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin
the wheels too fast while shifting the transaxle
back and forth, you can destroy the transaxle.
SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on
page 307.
For information about using tire chains on your
vehicle, seeTire Chains on page 406.
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