instrument panel BUICK LUCERNE 2008 Owner's Guide

Setting Cruise Control
Cruise control will not work if the parking brake is set, or
if the master cylinder brake uid level is low.
The cruise control light on the instrument panel cluster
comes on after the cruise control has been set to
the desired speed. SeeInstrument Panel Cluster on
page 3-33.
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when you
are not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even lose control.
Keep the cruise control switch off until you
want to use cruise control.
1. Press the cruise control on/off button.
2. Get up to the desired speed.
3. Press and release the SET– button located on the
steering wheel.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator.
Resuming a Set Speed
If cruise control is set at a desired speed and the
brakes are applied, this shuts off the cruise control.
However, it does not need to be reset.
Once your vehicle reaches a speed of about 25 mph
(40 km/h) or more, press the +RES button on the
steering wheel. The vehicle goes back to the previously
selected speed and stays there.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
To increase the cruise speed while using cruise control:
Press and hold the +RES button on the steering
wheel until you reach your new desired speed,
then release it.
To increase vehicle speed in small increments,
press the +RES button. Each time this is done,
the vehicle will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
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Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
To reduce your speed while using cruise control:
Press and hold the SET– button on the steering
wheel until you reach the desired lower speed,
then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, press the
SET– button on the steering wheel briey. Each
time this is done, the vehicle will go about 1 mph
(1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase vehicle speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, the vehicle
will slow down to the cruise speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control will work on hills depends
upon the vehicle speed, load and the steepness of
the hills. When going up steep hills, you might have to
step on the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed.
When going downhill, you might have to brake or shift to
a lower gear to keep your speed down. If the brakes
are applied the cruise control will turn off. Many drivers
nd this to be too much trouble and do not use
cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to end cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal.
Press the[button on the steering wheel.
Press theTbutton on the steering wheel.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory is erased by
turning off the cruise control or the ignition.
Exterior Lamps
The exterior lamps control
is located on the
instrument panel to the left
of the steering wheel.
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It controls the following systems:
Headlamps
Taillamps
Parking Lamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
Fog Lamps (If Equipped)
The exterior lamps control has four positions:
O(Off):Turn the control to this position to turn off the
exterior lamps.
AUTO (Automatic):Turn the control to this position to
automatically turn on the headlamps at normal
brightness, together with the following:
Parking Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
;(Parking Lamps):Turn the control to this position
to turn on the parking lamps together with the
following:
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
2(Headlamps):Turn the control to this position to
turn on the headlamps together with the following lamps
listed below. A warning chime sounds if the driver’s
door is opened while the ignition switch is off and the
headlamps are on.
Parking Lamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
-(Fog Lamps):Push the exterior lamps control in to
turn on the fog lamps.
SeeFog Lamps on page 3-17.
Wiper Activated Headlamps
This feature activates the headlamps and parking lamps
after the windshield wipers are turned on and have
completed eight wipe cycles within four minutes.
When the ignition is turned to LOCK/OFF, the
wiper-activated headlamps immediately turn off. The
wiper-activated headlamps also turn off if the windshield
wipers are turned off.
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Headlamps on Reminder
If you leave the exterior lamp buttons for the headlamps
or parking lamps on, remove the key from the ignition
and open the driver’s door, you will hear a continuous
warning chime. The chime will turn off when the
lamps are turned off.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short
periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional
daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles
rst sold in Canada.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel monitors
the exterior light level for the operation of DRL, so
be sure it is not covered.The DRL system makes the low-beam headlamps turn
on at reduced brightness in daylight when the
following conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamp button for the headlamps is off.
The automatic transmission is not in PARK (P).
When the DRL are on, only the low-beam headlamps
will be on. The parking lamps, taillamps, sidemarker and
other lamps will not be on.
When it is dark enough outside, the low-beam
headlamps will come on. The other lamps that turn on
with the headlamps will also turn on. When it is
bright enough outside, the regular lamps will go off, and
the low-beam headlamps change to the reduced
brightness of DRL.
To turn off all exterior lighting at night when the vehicle
is parked, turn the exterior lamp control to the off
position. The exterior lamps will turn back on
automatically when the transmission is moved out of
PARK (P). SeeExterior Lamps on page 3-14for
more information.
As with any vehicle, the regular headlamp system
should be turned on when needed.
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Fog Lamps
-(Fog Lamps):If your vehicle has fog lamps, the
button is located on the exterior lamps control. The
exterior lamps control is located on the instrument panel
to the left of the steering column.
The ignition must be in the ON/RUN position and the
parking lamps must be on for the fog lamps to illuminate.
To turn the fog lamps on, press the exterior lamps
button. A light comes on in the instrument panel cluster
to show that the fog lamps are on. SeeInstrument
Panel Cluster on page 3-33. Press the exterior lamps
button again to turn the fog lamps off.
The fog lamps will go off while you change to high-beam
headlamps.
Some localities have laws that require the headlamps to
be on along with the fog lamps.
Cornering Lamps
If your vehicle has this feature, the cornering lamps
come on when: the headlamps or parking lamps are on,
the vehicle is not in PARK (P), and you signal a turn
with the turn signal/multifunction lever. They provide
more light for cornering.
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver
If the exterior lamp button has been left on, the exterior
lamps will turn off about 10 minutes after the ignition is
turned to LOCK/OFF and a door has been opened. This
protects against draining the battery if the headlamps or
parking lamps are accidentally left on. If you need to
leave the lamps on for more than 10 minutes, use the
exterior lamp control to turn the lamps back on after the
ignition is turned to LOCK/OFF and any door is opened.
Instrument Panel Brightness
D(Instrument Panel Brightness):This feature
controls the brightness of the instrument panel lights.
The knob for this control is located next to the exterior
lamps control.
Push the knob in and release when it pops out. Turn
the knob clockwise to increase the brightness of
the instrument panel lights and counter clockwise to
decrease the brightness. Turning the knob completely
clockwise to the detent will turn on the courtesy lamps.
Courtesy Lamps
When any door is opened, several lamps turn on
making it easier for you to enter and exit the vehicle.
Turn the instrument panel brightness control completely
clockwise to manually turn on these lamps.
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Operation
(
(Off):Turn the left knob to this position to turn the
climate control system off. Outside air still enters the
vehicle and is directed to the oor. The airow direction
and temperature can be adjusted, as indicated below.
9(Fan):Turn the left knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan speed.
The fan speed is temporarily reduced between the
transition to a new mode. The fan will resume when the
new mode is complete.
If the airow seems low when the fan speed is at the
highest setting, the passenger compartment air lter may
need to be replaced. For more information, see
Passenger Compartment Air Filter on page 3-30and
Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
Temperature Control:Turn the center knob clockwise
or counterclockwise to warm or cool the air coming
through the outlets.
Mode Control:Turn the right knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to change the airow direction.
H(Vent):This mode directs outside air to the
instrument panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):This mode splits the air between the
instrument panel outlets and the oor outlets. Slightly
cooler air is directed to the instrument panel outlets and
warmer air is directed to the oor outlets.
6(Floor):This mode automatically uses outside air
and directs most to the oor outlets. Some air is directed
toward the side window outlets and to the windshield.
If recirculation is selected while in this mode, it stays on
for three minutes to reduce windshield fogging.
h(Recirculation):Press this button to recirculate
cabin air through the vehicle. An indicator light below the
button comes on to show that this mode is activated.
This mode can be used to prevent outside air and odors
from entering the vehicle or to help cool the air inside
the vehicle more quickly. This mode cannot be selected
while in the defog or defrost modes. If you try to
select the recirculation mode, the indicator light ashes
three times and turns off.
Operation in this mode during periods of high humidity
and cool outside temperatures may result in increased
window fogging. If window fogging is experienced, select
the defrost mode.
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Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic Fan):When AUTO is selected on
the fan control, the system automatically adjusts the fan
speed. If the OnStar
®system is activated when this
position is selected, the fan speed will lower.
AUTO (Automatic Mode)
1. Turn the fan control to AUTO.
2. Turn the mode control to AUTO.
3. Adjust the temperature to a comfortable setting
between 68°F (21°C) and 78°F (26°C).
Choosing the coldest or warmest temperature
setting will not cause the system to heat or cool any
faster. In cold weather, the system starts at
reduced fan speeds to avoid blowing cold air into
the vehicle until warmer air is available. The system
will start out blowing air to the oor, but may
change modes automatically as the vehicle warms
up to maintain the chosen temperature setting.
The length of time needed to warm the interior
depends on the outside temperature.
4. Wait a few minutes for the system to automatically
regulate. Then adjust the temperature as necessary
to nd your comfort setting.
Do not cover the solar sensor located in the center of
the instrument panel, near the windshield. For more
information on the solar sensor, see “Sensors” later in
this section.After the vehicle is started, the display shows the
interior temperature settings.
When the ENG/MET (English/metric) button on the
Driver Information Center (DIC) is pressed, the display
shows readings in Fahrenheit or Celsius. Use the
ENG/MET button to toggle between the readings.
AUTO (Automatic Air Conditioning):If AUTO is
selected on the fan or mode control, the system
automatically controls the air conditioning compressor.
The A/C compressor runs automatically even at cool
outside temperatures in order to dehumidify the air. The
A/C indicator light is lit when the system is operating
automatically. Press the A/C button on the fan control to
turn off the A/C. To clear windows better in defog or
defrost modes, the A/C compressor runs automatically
in damp cool conditions.
h(Auto Recirculation):If AUTO is selected on
either the fan or mode control, the system automatically
controls the supply of fresh outside air or recirculates
the interior air to cool the car faster. The indicator
light on the recirculation button will light whenever the
system switches to recirculation. You may force outside
air by pressing the outside air button. The next time
AUTO fan or mode is selected, it will reset back
to AUTO operation.
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Manual Operation
9(Fan):Turn the left knob either to the left or right to
adjust the fan speed. Turning this control completely
counterclockwise turns on the automatic fan operation.
If the airow seems low when the fan speed is at
the highest setting, the passenger compartment air lter
may need to be replaced. For more information, see
Passenger Compartment Air Filter on page 3-30
andScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
9(Off):Turn the left control to this position to turn
the climate control system off. Outside air still enters the
vehicle and is directed to the oor. The airow direction
and temperature can be adjusted, as indicated below.
If the temperature is adjusted while the system is off, the
display will light to show the current settings.
Mode Control:Turn the right knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to change the airow direction.
F(Vent):This mode directs outside air to the
instrument panel outlets.
*(Bi-Level):This mode splits the air between the
instrument panel outlets and the oor outlets. In
automatic operation, cooler air is directed to the upper
outlets and warmer air to the oor outlets.
7(Floor):This mode automatically uses outside air
and directs most to the oor outlets. Some air is directed
toward the side window outlets and to the windshield.
If recirculation is selected while in this mode, it stays on
for three minutes to reduce windshield fogging.
The mode control can also be used to select the
oor/defog mode. Information on defogging and
defrosting can be found later in this section.
#(Air Conditioning):Press the center of the left
control knob to override the automatic system and turn
the air conditioning system on or off. When this
button is pressed, an indicator light below the button
comes on to show that this mode is activated.
The air conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so a small amount of water might drip underneath
the vehicle while idling or after turning off the engine.
This is normal.
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Sensors
The solar sensor, located in the defrost grille, in the
middle of the instrument panel, monitors the solar
radiation. Do not cover the solar sensor or the system
will not work properly.
There is also an interior temperature sensor located
next to the steering wheel that measures the
temperature of the air inside the vehicle.There is also an exterior temperature sensor located
behind the front grille. This sensor reads the outside air
temperature and helps maintain the temperature
inside the vehicle. Any cover on the front of the vehicle
could cause a false temperature reading to display.
In order to prevent false temperature readings at startup,
the displayed temperature will not change until the
following occurs:
Vehicle speed is above 10 mph (16 km/h) for
ve minutes.
Vehicle speed is above 32 mph (51 km/h) for
two and a half minutes.
The climate control system uses the information from
these sensors to maintain your comfort setting by
adjusting the outlet temperature, fan speed, and the air
delivery mode. The system may also supply cooler
air to the side of the vehicle facing the sun. The
recirculation mode will also be used as needed to
maintain cool outlet temperatures.
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Instrument Panel Cluster
The 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 uplevel shown, Canada and base similar
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