light BUICK LUCERNE 2007 Repair Manual

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 has a DIC that works along with the
warning lights and gages. SeeDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 212.
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.
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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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Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both
miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour
(km/h). Your odometer shows how far your vehicle
has been driven, in either miles or kilometers.
Your vehicle has a tamper resistant odometer.
You may wonder what happens if your vehicle
needs a new odometer installed. If the new one
can be set to the mileage total of the old odometer,
then it must be. But if it cannot, then it is set at
zero and a label must be put on the driver’s door to
show the old mileage reading when the new
odometer was installed.
Trip Odometer
A trip odometer can tell you how far you have
driven since you last set it to zero. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 212for
information on resetting the trip odometer.
Tachometer
The tachometer tells you how fast the engine is
running. It displays engine speed in thousands of
revolutions per minute (rpm).
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime
will be provided for several seconds to remind
people to buckle their safety belts. The driver
safety belt light will also be provided and stay on
for several seconds, then it will ash for several
more. You should buckle your seat belt.
This chime and light will
be repeated if the driver
remains unbuckled and
the vehicle is in motion.
If the driver’s belt is buckled, neither the chime nor
the light will be provided.
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Passenger Safety Belt
Reminder Light
Several seconds after the key is turned to RUN or
START, a chime will sound for several seconds to
remind the front passenger to buckle their safety
belt. This would only occur if the passenger airbag
is enabled. SeePassenger Sensing System on
page 81for more information. The passenger
safety belt light will also come on and stay on for
several seconds, then it will ash for several more.
This chime and light
will be repeated if the
passenger remains
unbuckled and the
vehicle is in motion.
If the passenger’s safety belt is buckled, neither
the chime nor the light will come on.
Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the airbag symbol. The system
checks the airbag’s electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an
electrical problem. The system check includes the
airbag sensors, the airbag modules, the wiring and
the diagnostic module. For more information on the
airbag system, seeAirbag System on page 70.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash
for a few seconds. Then
the light should go out.
This means the system
is ready.
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If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start the vehicle or comes on when you are driving,
your airbag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after
you start your vehicle, it means the airbag
system may not be working properly. The
airbags in your vehicle may not inate in
a crash, or they could even inate without
a crash. To help avoid injury to yourself
or others, have your vehicle serviced right
away if the airbag readiness light stays on
after you start your vehicle.
The airbag readiness light should ash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to RUN.
If the light does not come on then, have it xed so
it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
If there is a problem with the airbag system in your
vehicle, the Service airbag message will appear
on the DIC display. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 221for more information.
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
Your vehicle has the passenger sensing system.
Your overhead console has a passenger airbag
status indicator.
When the ignition key is turned to RUN or START,
the passenger airbag status indicator will light ON
and OFF, or the symbol for on and off, for several
seconds as a system check. Then, after several
more seconds, the status indicator will light either
ON or OFF, or either the on or off symbol to let you
know the status of the right front passenger’s frontal
airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag.
If the word ON or the on symbol is lit on the
passenger airbag status indicator, it means that
the right front passenger’s frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag are enabled
(may inate).
United StatesCanada
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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 197.
Charging System Light
When you turn the key to
RUN or START, this light
will come on briey to
show that it is working.
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.
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Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided
into two parts. If one part is not working, the other
part can still work and stop you. For good braking,
though, you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected
right away.
This light should come on briey when you turn the
ignition key to RUN. If it does not come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready to warn you if there’s
a problem.When the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will also come on when you set your parking
brake. The light will stay on if your parking brake
does not release fully. If it stays on after your
parking brake is fully released, it means you
have a brake problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off
the road and stop carefully. You may notice that the
pedal is harder to push, or the pedal may go closer
to the oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is
still on, have the vehicle towed for service. See
Towing Your Vehicle on page 313.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light
is on. Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still on after you have pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.United StatesCanada
201

Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, the light(s) will
come on when your
engine is started and
may stay on for
several seconds.
That’s normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. Or, if
the light comes on when you’re driving, stop as
soon as possible and turn the ignition off. Then start
the engine again to reset the system. If the light still
stays on, or comes on again while you’re driving,
your vehicle needs service. If the regular brake
system warning light isn’t on, you still have brakes,
but you don’t have anti-lock brakes. If the regular
brake system warning light is also on, you don’t
have anti-lock brakes and there’s a problem with
your regular brakes. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 201.
The anti-lock brake system warning light will come
on briey when you turn the ignition key to RUN.This is normal. If the light doesn’t come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready to warn you if there
is a problem.Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
This warning light
should come on briey
when the engine is
started.
If the warning light does not come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a
problem. If it stays on, or comes on when you are
driving a SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL
message will appear in the Driver Information
Center (DIC). This indicates that there may be a
problem with your traction control system and your
vehicle may need service. When this warning light
is on and the SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL
message appears on the DIC, the system will not
limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
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If the traction control system is manually turned
off, this light will come on and the TRACTION
CONTROL OFF message will appear on the DIC.
When the system is active, the light will ash
while the system is limiting wheel spin or assisting
you in controlling the vehicle. You may also feel
or hear the system working. This is normal.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 283
andDIC Warnings and Messages on page 221
for more information.
StabiliTrak®Indicator Light
This warning light
should come on
briey when the
engine is started.If the warning light does not come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a
problem. This light may come on after you rst start
to drive and the STABILITRAK NOT READY
message will appear in the Driver Information
Center (DIC). SeeStabiliTrak
®System on
page 284for more information.
If the light stays on, or comes on when you are
driving a SERVICE STABILITRAK message
will appear in the DIC. This indicates that there
may be a problem with the StabiliTrak
®system
and your vehicle may need service. When
this warning light is on and the SERVICE
STABILITRAK message appears on the DIC,
the system will not assist you in controlling
the vehicle. Adjust your driving accordingly.
When the system is active, the light will ash
while the system is assisting you in controlling the
vehicle. You may also feel or hear the system
working. This is normal.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 284andDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 221for
more information.
203

Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
The engine coolant
temperature warning
light will come on
when the engine
has overheated.
If this happens you should pull over and turn off
the engine as soon as possible. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 351for more information.
Notice:Driving with the engine coolant
temperature warning light on could cause your
vehicle to overheat. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 351. Your vehicle could be damaged,
and it might not be covered by your warranty.
Never drive with the engine coolant
temperature warning light on.
This light will also come on briey when starting
your vehicle. If it does not, have your vehicle
serviced.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature. If
the pointer moves towards the H (United States) or
shaded in thermostat symbol area (Canada), the
engine is too hot.
A temperature indicator light will turn on and a
chime will sound.
If you have been operating your vehicle under
normal driving conditions, and the temperature
indicator light comes on, you should pull off
the road, stop your vehicle and turn off the
engine as soon as possible.
United StatesCanada
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