BUICK LUCERNE 2008 Owner's Manual

Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
This vehicle has an electronic shift lock release system.
The shift lock release is designed to:
Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift lever is
in PARK (P)
Prevent movement of the shift lever out of PARK (P),
unless the ignition is in ON/RUN and the regular
brake pedal is applied.
The shift lock is always functional except in the case of
a an uncharged or low voltage (less than 9 volt)
battery.
If your vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery
with low voltage, try charging or jump starting the
battery. SeeJump Starting on page 5-48.
Console Shift
If your console shift cannot be moved out of PARK (P)
1. Apply and maintain the regular brakes.
2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN position. SeeIgnition
Positions on page 2-21for more information.
3. Let up on the shift lever and make sure the shift
lever is pushed all the way into PARK (P).
4. Then, move the shift into the desired gear.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from PARK (P),
consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service.
Column Shift
If your park lock cable cannot be moved out of PARK (P)
1. Apply and maintain the regular brakes.
2. Turn the ignition key to the ON/RUN position. See
Ignition Positions on page 2-21for more information.
3. Shift out of the PARK (P) position to the
NEUTRAL (N) position.
4. Move the vehicle to a safe location.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from PARK (P),
consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service.
2-31

Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not
park over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other
things that can burn.
Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you cannot see
or smell. It can cause unconsciousness and
death.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
You might have exhaust coming in if:
The exhaust system sounds strange or
different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
Your vehicle was damaged when driving
over high points on the road or over road
debris.
Repairs were not done correctly.
Your vehicle or the exhaust system has
been modied improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and
Have your vehicle xed immediately.
2-32

Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-32.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard. See
Winter Driving on page 4-15.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To
be sure your vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground, always set the
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into PARK (P) on page 2-28.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a trailer,
also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-26.
2-33

Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®and Compass
Your vehicle may have an automatic-dimming rearview
mirror with a compass.
There may be three additional buttons for the OnStar
®
system. See your dealer/retailer for more information
on the system and how to subscribe to OnStar®.
SeeOnStar®System on page 2-46for more information
about the services OnStar®provides.
O(On/Off):This is the on/off button.
Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation
The automatic dimming mirror comes on each time the
ignition is turned to start. To turn the automatic
dimming feature off or back on, press the on/off button.
The indicator light on the mirror is lit when the
automatic dimming feature is on.
Compass Operation
Press the on/off button once to turn the compass
on or off.
There is a compass display in the window in the upper
right corner of the mirror face.
Compass Calibration
Press and hold the on/off button to activate the compass
calibration mode. CAL will be displayed in the compass
window on the mirror.
The compass can be calibrated by driving the vehicle in
circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the display
reads a direction.
If after a few seconds the display does not show a
compass direction, (N for North for example), there may
be a strong magnetic eld interfering with the compass.
Such interference may be caused by a magnetic
antenna mount, note pad holder, or similar object. If the
letter C or CAL appears in the compass window, the
compass may need to be reset or calibrated.
2-34

Compass Variance
Compass variance is the difference between earth’s
magnetic north and true geographic north. The mirror is
set to zone eight upon leaving the factory. It will be
necessary to adjust the compass to compensate
for compass variance if you live outside zone eight.
Under certain circumstances, such as during a
long distance cross-country trip, it will be necessary to
adjust for compass variance. If not adjusted to
account for compass variance, your compass could give
false readings.
To adjust for compass variance:
1. Find your current location and variance zone
number on the following zone map.
2. Press and hold the on/off button until the zone
number is displayed. The number shown is the
current zone number.
3. Scroll through the zone numbers that appear in the
window on the mirror by pressing the on/off button.
Once you nd your zone number, release the button.
After about four seconds, the mirror will return to the
compass display, and the new zone number will be
set. If C or CAL appears in the compass window, the
compass may need calibration. See “Compass
Calibration” listed previously.
2-35

Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with Compass
Your vehicle may have an automatic dimming rearview
mirror with a compass. This feature enables the
mirror to sense nighttime glare from vehicle headlamps
from behind and automatically dim to reduce the
glare to a safe level. The automatic dimming feature
turns on each time the vehicle is started.
O(On/Off):This is the on/off button.
Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation
The automatic dimming mirror function is turned
on automatically each time the ignition is started. To
operate the automatic dimming mirror, do the following:
1. Make sure the indicator light, located to the left of the
on/off button, is on. If it’s not, press and hold the
on/off button until the light comes on, indicating that
the mirror is in automatic dimming mode.
2. Turn off the automatic dimming mirror function by
pressing and holding the on/off button until the
indicator light turns off.
Compass Operation
Press the on/off button once to turn the compass
on or off.
When the ignition and the compass feature are on, the
compass will show two character boxes for a few
seconds. After a few seconds, the mirror will display the
current compass direction.
Compass Calibration
If after a few seconds the display does not show a
compass direction, (N for North for example), there may
be a strong magnetic eld interfering with the compass.
Such interference may be caused by a magnetic
antenna mount, note pad holder, or similar object. If the
letter C or CAL appears in the compass window, the
compass may need to be reset or calibrated.
The compass can be calibrated by driving the vehicle in
circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the display
reads a direction.
2-36

Compass Variance
Compass variance is the difference between earth’s
magnetic north and true geographic north. If the mirror
is not adjusted for compass variance, the compass
could give false readings.
The mirror is set in zone eight upon leaving the factory.
It will be necessary to adjust the compass to
compensate for compass variance if the vehicle is
driven outside zone eight. Under certain circumstances,
such as a long distance, cross-country trip, it will be
necessary to adjust the compass variance.
To adjust for compass variance, do the following:
1. Find your current location and variance zone
number on the zone map. SeeAutomatic Dimming
Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®and Compass on
page 2-34for map information.
2. Press and hold the on/off button until a zone
number appears on the display.
3. Once the zone number appears on the display,
press the on/off button quickly until you reach
the correct zone number. If C or CAL appears in
the compass window, the compass may need
calibration. See “Compass Calibration” listed
previously.
Outside Power Mirrors
The controls for the
outside power mirrors are
located on the driver’s
door armrest.
Press the left or right side of the selector switch located
beneath the control pad to choose the left or right
mirror.
To adjust the mirror, press one of the four arrows
located on the control pad to move the mirror in the
direction you want it to go. Adjust each outside mirror so
that you can see a little of your vehicle, and the area
behind your vehicle.
The mirrors may also have an arrow that ashes when
the turn signal is used. SeeTurn and Lane-Change
Signals on page 3-8.
2-37

Park Tilt Mirrors
If your vehicle has memory mirrors, the outside mirrors
have park tilt mirrors. This feature tilts the driver
side and passenger side mirror to a factory programmed
position when the vehicle is in REVERSE (R). This
feature may be useful in allowing you to view the curb
when you are parallel parking.
When the vehicle is shifted out of REVERSE (R) and
either a ve second delay has occurred, or the ignition is
turned to LOCK/OFF, the driver and passenger side
mirrors return to their original position.
SeeDIC Vehicle Customization on page 3-66for more
information.
Outside Convex Mirror
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.The passenger side mirror is convex. A convex mirror’s
surface is curved so more can be seen from the
driver seat. It also makes things, like other vehicles,
look farther away than they really are.
Outside Automatic Dimming Heated
Mirror
If your vehicle has this feature, the outside driver’s
mirror will adjust for the glare of headlamps behind you.
When you operate the rear window defogger, the
heated driver’s and passenger’s outside rearview mirrors
are warmed to help clear them of ice and snow. See
“Rear Window Defogger” underClimate Control System
on page 3-21orDual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 3-24for more information.
Your vehicle may also have a turn signal indicator on
the mirror. An arrow on the outside rearview mirror
will ash in the direction of the turn or lane change. See
Turn and Lane-Change Signals on page 3-8for more
information.
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)
If your vehicle has the Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)
system, seeSide Blind Zone Alert on page 2-41.
2-38

Object Detection Systems
Ultrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA)
If your vehicle has the Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist
(URPA) system, it helps you park easier and avoid other
vehicles while in REVERSE (R). It operates at speeds
less than 5 mph (8 km/h). It can determine how
close objects are to the rear bumper, up to 8 feet (2.5 m)
behind your vehicle. The distance sensors are located
on the rear bumper.
{CAUTION:
The Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)
system does not replace driver vision. It
cannot detect:
objects that are below the bumper,
underneath the vehicle, or if they are too
close or far from the vehicle
children, pedestrians, bicyclists, or pets.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
If you do not use proper care before and while
backing; vehicle damage, injury, or death
could occur. Even with URPA, always check
behind your vehicle before backing up. While
backing, be sure to look for objects and check
your vehicle’s mirrors.
The display is located on
the rear shelf, below the
rear window, and can
be seen by looking over
your right shoulder.
URPA uses three color-coded lights to provide distance
and system information.
2-39

How the System Works
URPA comes on automatically when the shift lever is
moved into REVERSE (R). The rear display will then
briey illuminate to let you know the system is working.
URPA operates only at speeds less than 5 mph
(8 km/h). If you are above this speed, the red light on
the rear display will ash.
To be detected, objects must be at least 10 inches
(25.4 cm) off the ground and below trunk level. Objects
must also be within 8 feet (2.5 m) from your rear
bumper. This distance may be less during warmer or
humid weather.
A single beep will sound the rst time an object is
detected between 20 inches (0.5 m) and 8 feet (2.5 m)
away. Beeping will occur for three seconds when
you are closer than 1 foot (0.3 m) from the object.
The following describes what will occur with the URPA
display as you get closer to a detected object:
Description English Metric
amber light 8 ft 2.5 m
amber/amber lights 40 in 1.0 m
amber/amber/red lights 23 in 0.6 m
amber/amber/red lights
ashing and beep for
three seconds1 ft 0.3 mThe system can be disabled through the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See “Park Assist” underDIC
Operation and Displays on page 3-49for more
information.
When the System Does Not Seem to
Work Properly
The driver disables the system.
The parking brake pedal is depressed.
The ultrasonic sensors are not clean. Keep your
vehicle’s rear bumper free of mud, dirt, snow,
ice and slush. For cleaning instructions, see
Washing Your Vehicle on page 5-98.
A trailer was attached to your vehicle, or a bicycle
or an object was hanging out of your trunk during
your last drive cycle, the red light may illuminate in
the rear display. Once the attached object is
removed, URPA will return to normal operation.
A tow bar is attached to your vehicle.
The vehicle’s bumper is damaged. Take the vehicle
to your dealer/retailer to repair the system.
Other conditions may affect system performance,
such as vibrations from a jackhammer or the
compression of air brakes on a very large truck.
If the system is still disabled, after driving forward at
least 15 mph (25 km/h), take your vehicle to your
dealer/retailer.
2-40