page 7 BUICK LUCERNE 2011 Owner's Manual

Black plate (24,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
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
five 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.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog or frost from the rear window.
<(Rear Defogger): Press to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. An indicator light below the button
comes on to show that the rear window defogger is on.
Be sure to clear as much snow from the rear window as
possible.
The rear window defogger only works when the ignition
is in ON/RUN. The rear window defogger stays on for
about 20 minutes after the button is pressed if the
vehicle is traveling at slower vehicle speeds. At higher
vehicle speeds the rear window defogger may stay on
continuously. If turned on again, the defogger only runs
for about 10 minutes before turning off. The defogger
can be turned off by pressing the button again, by
turning the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN,
or by turning off the engine.
The heated outside rearview mirrors will heat to help
clear fog or frost from the surface of the mirror when
the rear window defogger is on. See Outside Heated
Mirrors
on page 3‑34for more information.
Notice: Do not use a razor blade or sharp object
to clear the inside rear window. Do not adhere
anything to the defogger grid lines in the rear glass.
These actions may damage the rear defogger.
Repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
4-24

Black plate (25,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Outlet Adjustment
Use the levers, located in the middle of the front
outlets, to change the direction of the airflow. Use the
thumbwheel located between the outlets to turn them on
and off.
If the vehicle has rear seat outlets, adjust the direction
of the airflow 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 flow of air into the vehicle.
.Use of non-GM approved hood deflectors 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 filter before entering the vehicle. This filter removes
certain particles from the air, including pollen and dust
particles. The filter should be replaced as part of routine
scheduled maintenance. SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 7‑3for when to replace the filter. The access panel for the passenger compartment air
filter is located under the hood near the windshield, on
the passenger's side of the vehicle.
To access the passenger compartment air filter, do the
following:
1. Press the tabs back and left to remove the cover.
2. Insert a tool behind the push pin located on the inboard side of the air filter compartment to
carefully pry the pin out.
4-25

Black plate (29,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Speedometer and Odometer
The speedometer shows the vehicle speed in both
miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h).
The odometer shows how far the vehicle has been
driven, in either miles or kilometers.
This vehicle has a tamper resistant odometer.
If the vehicle needs a new odometer installed, the new
one can be set to the mileage total of the old odometer.
If this is not possible, it is set to 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 show how far the vehicle has been
driven since the odometer was last set to zero. See
Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 4‑42for
information on resetting the trip odometer.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine speed in
revolutions per minute (rpm).
Safety Belt Reminders
Driver Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the engine is started, a chime sounds for several
seconds to remind a driver to fasten the safety belt,
unless the driver safety belt is already buckled.
The safety belt light
comes on and stays on
for several seconds, then
flashes for several more.
This chime and light are repeated if the driver remains
unbuckled and the vehicle is in motion. If the driver
safety belt is already buckled, neither the chime nor the
light comes on.
4-29

Black plate (30,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light
For vehicles equipped with the passenger safety belt
reminder light, several seconds after the engine is
started, a chime sounds for several seconds to remind
the front passenger to buckle their safety belt. The
passenger safety belt light, located on the instrument
panel, comes on and stays on for several seconds and
then flashes for several more.
This chime and light are
repeated if the passenger
remains unbuckled and
the vehicle is in motion.
If the passenger safety belt is buckled, neither the
chime nor the light comes on.
The front passenger safety belt warning light and chime
may turn on if an object is put on the seat such as a
briefcase, handbag, grocery bag, laptop or other
electronic device. To turn off the warning light and or
chime, remove the object from the seat or buckle the
safety belt.
Airbag Readiness Light
The system checks the airbag's electrical system for
possible malfunctions. If the light stays on it indicates
there is an electrical problem. The system check
includes the airbag sensor, the pretensioners, the
airbag modules, the wiring and the crash sensing and
diagnostic module. For more information on the airbag
system, see Airbag System on page 2‑55.
The airbag readiness light
flashes for a few seconds
when the engine is
started. If the light does
not come on then, have it
fixed immediately.
{WARNING:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after the
vehicle is started or comes on while driving, it
means the airbag system might not be working
properly. The airbags in the vehicle might not
inflate in a crash, or they could even inflate
without a crash. To help avoid injury, have the
vehicle serviced right away.
4-30

Black plate (31,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
If there is a problem with the airbag system, an airbag
Driver Information Center (DIC) message can also
come on. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on
page 4‑49for more information.
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
The vehicle has the passenger sensing system.
See Passenger Sensing Systemon page 2‑64for
important safety information. The overhead console
has a passenger airbag status indicator.
United StatesCanada
When the vehicle is started, the passenger airbag
status indicator will light ON and OFF, or the symbol for
on and off, for several seconds as a system check. If you are using remote start to start the vehicle from
a distance, if equipped, you may not see the 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 frontal and seat-mounted side impact
airbags.
If the word ON or the on symbol is lit on the passenger
airbag status indicator, it means that the right front
passenger frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact
airbag are enabled (may inflate).
If the word OFF or the off symbol is lit on the passenger
airbag status indicator, it means that the passenger
sensing system has turned off the right front passenger
frontal and seat‐mounted side impact airbag.
4-31

Black plate (32,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
If, after several seconds, both 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.
{WARNING:
If the airbag readiness light ever comes on and
stays on, it means that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. To help avoid injury to
yourself or others, have the vehicle serviced right
away. SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 4‑30
for more information, including important safety
information.
Charging System Light
This light comes on briefly
when the ignition key is
turned to START, but the
engine is not running, as
a check to show it is
working. If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
The light should go out once the engine starts. If it stays
on, or comes on while driving, there could be a problem
with the charging system. A charging system message
in the Driver Information Center (DIC) can also appear.
See
DIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4‑49for
more information. This light could indicate that there are
problems with a generator drive belt, or that there is an
electrical problem. Have it checked right away. If the
vehicle must be driven a short distance with the light
on, turn off accessories, such as the radio and air
conditioner.
Brake System Warning Light
The vehicle brake system consists of two hydraulic
circuits. If one circuit is not working, the remaining
circuit can still work to stop the vehicle. For normal
braking performance, both circuits need to be working
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have the brake system inspected right away.
4-32

Black plate (33,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
EnglishMetric
This light should come on briefly when the engine is
started. If it does not come on then, have it fixed so it
will be ready to warn if there is a problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
also comes on when the parking brake is set. The light
will stay on if the parking brake does not fully release.
If it stays on after the parking brake is fully released, it
means there is a brake problem.
{WARNING:
The brake system might not be working properly if
the brake system warning light is on. Driving with
the brake system warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after the vehicle has
been pulled off the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for service. If the light comes on while driving, pull off the road and
stop carefully. The pedal can be harder to push, or the
pedal could go closer to the floor. It could take longer to
stop. Try turning off and restarting the vehicle one or
two times, if the light is still on, have the vehicle towed
for service. See
Towing Your Vehicle on page 5‑23.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
For vehicles with the
Antilock Brake System
(ABS), this light comes on
briefly when the engine is
started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally the indicator light then
goes off.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off. If the light
comes on while 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 stays on,
or comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light is not
on, the vehicle still has brakes, but not antilock brakes.
4-33

Black plate (34,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
If the regular brake system warning light is also on, the
vehicle does not have antilock brakes and there is a
problem with the regular brakes. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 4‑32.
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC), see
DIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4‑49for all
brake related DIC messages.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
The Traction Control
System (TCS) light comes
on briefly when the engine
is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally the indicator light then
goes off.
When the system is active, the light flashes while the
system is limiting wheel spin or assisting with controlling
the vehicle. If it stays on or comes on while driving a SERVICE
TRACTION CONTROL message appears in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). This indicates that there could
be a problem with the traction control system and the
vehicle may need service. When this warning light is
on and the SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL message
appears on the DIC, the system does not limit
wheel spin.
If the traction control system is manually turned off, this
light comes on and the TRACTION CONTROL OFF
message appears on the DIC.
See
Traction Control System (TCS)on page 5‑6and
DIC Warnings and Messageson page 4‑49for more
information.
StabiliTrak®Indicator Light
The StabiliTrak Indicator
Light comes on briefly
while starting the engine.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally the indicator light will
then go off.
4-34

Black plate (35,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
This light may come on while the vehicle is first driven
and the STABILITRAK NOT READY message will
appear in the Driver Information Center (DIC). See
StabiliTrak
®Systemon page 5‑5for more
information.
If the light stays on, or comes on while driving a
SERVICE STABILITRAK message will appear in the
DIC. This indicates that there may be a problem with
the StabiliTrak system and the vehicle may need
service. When this warning light is on and the SERVICE
STABILITRAK message appears on the DIC, the
system will not assist with controlling the vehicle.
When the system is active, the light will flash while the
system is assisting with controlling the vehicle.
See StabiliTrak
®Systemon page 5‑5andDIC
Warnings and Messageson page 4‑49for more
information.
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Light
For vehicles with the
lane departure warning
system, this light briefly
comes on green while
starting the vehicle.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally the indicator light then
goes off.
This light also comes on green if the system detects
a left or right lane marking. It flashes, changes to
amber, and three beeps sound, if a detected lane
marking is crossed without using a turn signal. See
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
on page 3‑40for
more information.
4-35

Black plate (36,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
This light comes on briefly
while starting the vehicle.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by the dealer.
If the system is working normally the indicator light
goes off.
Notice: Driving with the engine coolant temperature
warning light on could cause the vehicle to
overheat. See Engine Overheating
on page 6‑35.
The vehicle's engine could be damaged, and it
might not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Never
drive with the engine coolant temperature warning
light on.
The engine coolant temperature warning light comes on
when the engine has overheated.
If this happens pull over and turn off the engine as soon
as possible. See Engine Overheating
on page 6‑35for
more information.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
EnglishMetric
This gauge 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 the vehicle has been operating under normal driving
conditions, and the temperature indicator light comes
on, pull off the road, stop the vehicle and turn off the
engine as soon as possible.
4-36