wheel BUICK LUCERNE 2008 Owner's Guide

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.
3-28

Outlet Adjustment
Use the levers, located in the middle of the front outlets,
to change the direction of the airow. Use the
thumbwheel located between the outlets to turn them on
and off.
If your vehicle has rear seat outlets, adjust the direction of
the airow using the lever in the center of each outlet.
Operation Tips

Clear away any ice, snow, or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that could
block the ow of air into your vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood deectors can
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside the vehicle better.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
Outside air is routed through a passenger compartment
air lter before entering the vehicle. This lter removes
certain particles from the air, including pollen and
dust particles. The lter should be replaced as part of
routine scheduled maintenance. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4for when to replace the lter.
The access panel for the passenger compartment air
lter is located under the hood near the windshield,
on the passenger’s side of the vehicle.
3-30

Antilock Brake System
Warning Light
For vehicles with the
Antilock Brake System
(ABS), this light will come
on briey when you
start the engine.
That is normal. 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 the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off, if the light
comes on when you are driving, stop as soon as it
is safely possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the
engine again to reset the system. If the ABS light still
stays on, or comes on again while you are driving, your
vehicle needs service. If the regular brake system
warning light is not on, you still have brakes, but you do
not have antilock brakes. If the regular brake system
warning light is also on, you do not have antilock brakes
and there is a problem with your regular brakes. See
Brake System Warning Light on page 3-39
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC), see
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-56for all
brake related DIC messages.
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.
3-40

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 4-5and
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-56for
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 4-6for 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 4-6andDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-56for more information.
3-41

EASY EXIT SEAT
If your vehicle has this feature, it allows you to select
your preference for the automatic easy exit seat feature.
SeeMemory Seat and Mirrors on page 1-6for more
information.
Press the customization button until EASY EXIT SEAT
appears on the DIC display. Press the set/reset
button once to access the settings for this feature. Then
press the customization button to scroll through the
following settings:
OFF (default):No automatic seat exit recall will occur.
ON:The driver’s seat will move back, and if the
vehicle has the power tilt wheel and telescopic steering
feature, the power steering column will move up and
forward when the key is removed from the ignition.
The automatic easy exit seat movement will only occur
one time after the key is removed from the ignition.
If the automatic movement has already occurred, and
you put the key back in the ignition and remove it again,
the seat and steering column will stay in the original
exit position, unless a memory recall took place prior to
removing the key again.
NO CHANGE:No change will be made to this feature.
The current setting will remain.
To select a setting, press the set/reset button while the
desired setting is displayed on the DIC.
MEMORY SEAT RECALL
If your vehicle has this feature, it allows you to select
your preference for the remote memory seat recall
feature. SeeMemory Seat and Mirrors on page 1-6for
more information.
Press the customization button until MEMORY SEAT
RECALL appears on the DIC display. Press the set/reset
button once to access the settings for this feature.
Then press the customization button to scroll through
the following settings:
OFF (default):No remote memory seat recall will occur.
ON:The driver’s seat and outside mirrors will
automatically move to the stored driving position when
the unlock button on the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter is pressed. The steering column will
also move on vehicles with the power tilt and telescopic
steering feature. SeePower Tilt Wheel and Telescopic
Steering Column on page 3-7for more information.
See “Relearn Remote Key” underDIC Operation and
Displays on page 3-49for more information on matching
transmitters to driver ID numbers.
NO CHANGE:No change will be made to this feature.
The current setting will remain.
To select a setting, press the set/reset button while the
desired setting is displayed on the DIC.
3-72

Audio System(s)
Determine which radio your vehicle has and then read
the pages following to familiarize yourself with its
features.
{CAUTION:
This system provides you with far greater
access to audio stations and song listings.
Giving extended attention to entertainment
tasks while driving can cause a crash and you
or others can be injured or killed. Always keep
your eyes on the road and your mind on the
drive — avoid engaging in extended searching
while driving.
Keeping your mind on the drive is important for safe
driving. SeeDefensive Driving on page 4-2. Here
are some ways in which you can help avoid distraction
while driving.While your vehicle is parked:
Familiarize yourself with all of its controls.
Familiarize yourself with its operation.
Set up your audio system by presetting your
favorite radio stations, setting the tone, and
adjusting the speakers. Then, when driving
conditions permit, you can tune to your favorite
radio stations using the presets and steering wheel
controls if the vehicle has them.
Notice:Before adding any sound equipment to
your vehicle, such as an audio system, CD player,
CB radio, mobile telephone, or two-way radio, make
sure that it can be added by checking with your
dealer/retailer. Also, check federal rules covering
mobile radio and telephone units. If sound
equipment can be added, it is very important to do
it properly. Added sound equipment may interfere
with the operation of your vehicle’s engine, radio, or
other systems, and even damage them. Your
vehicle’s systems may interfere with the operation
of sound equipment that has been added.
Your vehicle has a feature called Retained Accessory
Power (RAP). With RAP, the audio system can be
played even after the ignition is turned off. SeeRetained
Accessory Power (RAP) on page 2-22for more
information.
3-75

Storing a Radio Station as a Favorite
Drivers are encouraged to set up their radio station
favorites while the vehicle is in PARK (P). Tune to your
favorite stations using the presets, favorites button,
and steering wheel controls if the vehicle has this
feature. SeeDefensive Driving on page 4-2.
If your vehicle has XM™ and has a FAV button, a
maximum of 36 stations can be programmed as favorites
using the six pushbuttons positioned below the radio
station frequency labels and by using the radio favorites
page button (FAV button).
FAV (Favorites):Press to go through up to six pages
of favorites, each having six favorite stations available
per page. Each page of favorites can contain any
combination of AM, FM, or XM™ (if equipped) stations.
To store a station as a favorite, perform the
following steps:
1. Tune to the desired radio station.
2. Press the FAV button to display the page where
you want the station stored.
3. Press and hold one of the six pushbuttons until a
beep sounds. When that pushbutton is pressed
and released, the station that was set, returns.
4. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton radio station
you want stored as a favorite.The number of favorites pages can be setup using the
MENU button. To setup the number of favorites
pages, perform the following steps:
1. Press the MENU button to display the radio
setup menu.
2. Press the pushbutton located below the
FAV 1-6 label.
3. Select the desired number of favorites pages by
pressing the pushbutton located below the
displayed page numbers.
4. Press the FAV button, or let the menu time out, to
return to the original main radio screen showing the
radio station frequency labels and to begin the
process of programming favorites for the chosen
amount of numbered pages.
3-81

Audio Steering Wheel Controls
Vehicles with audio
steering wheel controls
may be different depending
on your vehicle’s options.
Some audio controls
can be adjusted at the
steering wheel. They
include the following:
xw(Next/Previous):Press the down or up arrow to
go to the next or to the previous radio station stored
as a favorite.
When a CD is playing, press the down or up arrow to
go to the next or to the previous track.
If your vehicle has OnStar
®, press the down arrow
button to end an OnStar Hands-Free Call or the Advisor
Playback. It also cancels or hangs-up an incoming
Hands-Free Call.
g(Mute/Voice Recognition):Press and release this
button to silence the system. Press and release this
button again, to turn the sound on.
If your vehicle has the navigation system, press and
hold this button for longer than one second to initiate
voice recognition. See “Voice Recognition” in the
Navigation System manual for more information.
If your vehicle has OnStar, press and hold this button
for longer than one second to interact with the
OnStar system. If your vehicle also has the Navigation
System, press this button to initiate voice recognition
and say “OnStar” to enter OnStar mode. See the
OnStar
®System on page 2-46in this manual for more
information.
SRCE (Source):Press this button to switch between
AM, FM, XM™ (if equipped), CD, and auxiliary input jack.
+
e−e(Volume):Press the plus or minus volume
button to increase or to decrease the radio volume.
¨(Seek):Press the seek arrow to go to the next radio
station and stay there.
If you have the navigation system, some of the audio
steering wheel controls work when a CD is playing in the
navigation radio. See the Navigation System manual
for more information.
3-95

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is
a mistake. The brakes might not have time to cool
between hard stops. The brakes will wear out much
faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace
with the traffic and allow realistic following distances,
you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking.
That means better braking and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are driving,
brake normally but do not pump the brakes. If you do,
the pedal could get harder to push down. If the
engine stops, you will still have some power brake
assist. But you will use it when you brake. Once the
power assist is used up, it can take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Antilock Brake System (ABS), an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent a braking skid.
When you start the engine and begin to drive away,
ABS will check itself. You might hear a momentary
motor or clicking noise while this test is going on, and
you might even notice that the brake pedal moves
a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with
ABS, this warning light will
stay on. SeeAntilock
Brake System Warning
Light on page 3-40.
Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If
one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each front wheel
and at both rear wheels.
4-4

ABS can change the brake pressure faster than any
driver could. The computer is programmed to make the
most of available tire and road conditions. This can
help you steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, the computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls braking pressure
accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change the time you need to
get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle
in front of you, you will not have time to apply the brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you
have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let antilock work for you. You might hear
the antilock pump or motor operate, and feel the
brake pedal pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same time. In
many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle has a traction control system that limits
wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that the front wheels are spinning too much or beginning
to lose traction. When this happens, the system works
the front brakes and reduces engine power (by
closing the throttle and managing engine spark) to limit
wheel spin.
The traction control system and StabiliTrak
®warning
light will ash when the traction control system is limiting
wheel spin. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light on page 3-40for more information. You
may feel or hear the system working, but this is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
re-engage the cruise control. SeeCruise Control
on page 3-12for more information.
The SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL message, the
traction control system warning light and the StabiliTrak
®
warning light will come on to let you know if there is a
problem with the traction control system. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-56.
4-5