2006 BUICK LUCERNE Owner's Manual

Sensors
The solar sensor, located in the defrost grille, 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 your 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 reading in the displayed
temperature.
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 k/mh) for
5 minutes.
Vehicle speed is above 32 mph (51 k/mh) for
2 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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Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity
(moisture) condensing on the cool window glass. This
can be minimized if the climate control system is
used properly. There are two modes to clear fog from
your windshield, defog and defrost.
W(Floor/Defog):Use this mode to clear the windows
of fog or moisture and to warm the passengers.
Turning the control to this mode directs approximately
half of the air to the oor outlets and the remaining air
is directed to the side window outlets and to the
windshield. When you select this mode, the system
turns off recirculation and runs the air-conditioning
compressor unless the outside temperature is at or
below freezing. The recirculation mode cannot be
selected while in the oor/defog mode.
0(Defrost):Use this mode to remove fog or frost
from the windshield more quickly. Turning the control to
this mode directs most of the air to the windshield
and the side window outlets. In this mode, the system
will automatically turn off recirculation and run the
air-conditioning compressor, unless the outside
temperature is at or below freezing. Recirculation cannot
be selected while in the defrost mode. Do not drive
the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog or frost from the rear window.
<(Rear Defogger):Press this button to turn the rear
window defogger on or off. An indicator light below
the button will come on to let you know that the rear
window defogger is activated. Be sure to clear as much
snow from the rear window as possible.
The rear window defogger will only work when the
ignition is in C (RUN). The rear window defogger will
stay on for approximately 20 minutes after the button is
pressed if you are traveling at slower vehicle speeds.
At higher vehicle speeds the rear window defogger may
stay on continuously. If turned on again, the defogger
will only run for approximately 10 minutes before turning
off. The defogger can be turned off by pressing the
button again, by turning the ignition to B (ACCESSORY)
or C (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. SeeOutside Automatic Dimming
Heated Mirror on page 2-37for 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.
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Outlet Adjustment
Use the levers located in the middle of the front outlets
to change the direction of the airow and use the
shutoff wheels to adjust the amount of airow.
You can adjust the rear seat outlet 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 may
block the ow of air into your vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood deectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside of your vehicle more
effectively.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
The passenger compartment air lter traps most of the
pollen from the air entering your vehicle. Like your
vehicle’s engine air cleaner/lter, it may need to
be changed periodically. For how often to change the
passenger compartment air lter, seeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4.
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.
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To access the passenger compartment air lter, do the
following:
1. Press the tabs back and left to remove the cover.
2. Then, insert a tool behind the push pin located on
the inboard side of the air lter compartment to
carefully pry the pin out.3. To remove the air lter, insert a tool between the
air lter and the compartment wall on the outboard
side of the vehicle. Then, push in to atten the
pin holding the air lter in place. Gently remove the
air lter and any loose debris that may be inside
the air lter compartment.
4. Insert the new air lter by pushing until you hear a
click. Then, reinstall the push pin and snap the
cover into place.
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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 may also have a DIC that works along with
the warning lights and gages. SeeDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 3-50.
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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.
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 3-50for 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 1-63
for 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, see
Airbag System on page 1-52.
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.
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.
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