2006 BUICK LUCERNE ignition

Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may nd it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat. To nd out how, seeShifting Into Park (P)
on page 2-29.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)beforeyou release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, so you
can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when
the ignition is RUN. SeeAutomatic Transaxle Operation
on page 2-25.
The shift lock control system is designed to do the
following:
Prevent the ignition key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in PARK (P).
Prevent movement of the console shift lever out of
PARK (P) unless the ignition is in a position other
than OFF.
The shift lock control system is always functional except
in the case of a dead battery or low voltage (less
than 9 V) battery.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease the pressure
on the shift lever. Push the shift lever all the way
into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you want.
If you are still having a problem shifting, then have your
vehicle serviced soon.
2-30

Mirror Operation
MIRROR:Press this button to turn the automatic
dimming feature on or off.
O(On/Off):For mirrors equipped with OnStar®
controls, press and hold this button for several seconds
to turn on the automatic dimming feature on or off.
The indicator light will come on when this feature is on.
The automatic dimming feature will go on each time
the vehicle is started.
Compass Operation
COMPASS:Press and hold this button to turn the
compass feature on or off.
For mirrors equipped with OnStar
®controls, briey
press the on/off button to turn the compass on or off.
When the ignition and the compass feature are on, the
compass will show two character boxes for about
two seconds. After two seconds, the compass will
display the direction of the vehicle.
Compass Calibration
When on, the compass automatically calibrates as the
vehicle is driven. If, after two 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, magnetic
note pad holder, or a similar magnetic item. If the letter
C should ever appear in the compass window, the
compass may need calibration.
The compass can be calibrated by driving the vehicle in
circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the display
shows a direction.
Mirrors equipped with OnStar
®controls can be placed
in calibration mode by pressing and holding the
on/off button until a C is shown in the compass display.
SeeDIC Controls and Displays on page 3-50for
more information regarding compass calibration and
compass variance.
2-34

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 3-7.
Outside Curb View Assist Mirror
If your vehicle is equipped with memory mirrors, it will
also be capable of performing the curb view assist mirror
feature. This feature will allow the driver’s and
passenger’s side mirror to tilt 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 thirty second delay has occurred, the vehicle
speed is greater than 8 mph (13 km/h), or the ignition is
turned to off, the driver’s and passenger’s side mirror
will return to its original position.
SeeDIC Vehicle Customization on page 3-65for more
information.
2-36

Easy Exit Seat
The control for this feature is located on the driver’s
door panel between buttons 1 and 2.
With the vehicle in PARK (P), the exit position can be
recalled by pressing the exit button. You will hear
a single beep. The driver’s seat will move back.
If the easy exit seat feature is on in the Driver
Information Center (DIC), automatic seat movement will
occur when the key is removed from the ignition.
See “EASY EXIT SEAT” underDIC Vehicle
Customization on page 3-65for more information.Further programming for automatic seat movement can
be done using the DIC. You can select or not select
the following:
The easy exit seat feature
The memory seat recall feature
For programming information, seeDIC Vehicle
Customization on page 3-65.
2-48

Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning ashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front
and rear turn signal lamps will ash on and off.
The hazard warning
asher button is located
in the center of the
instrument panel above
the radio.
Your hazard warning ashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even if the key is not in the
ignition.
Press the button to make the front and rear turn signal
lamps ash on and off. Press the button again to
turn the ashers off.
When the hazard warning ashers are on, your turn
signals will not work.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reective triangles, you can set them up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Horn
Press near or on the horn symbols on your steering
wheel pad to sound the horn.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel
before you drive. You can also raise it to the highest
level to give your legs more room when you exit
and enter the vehicle.
The lever that allows you to tilt the steering wheel is
located on the left side of the steering column.
To tilt the wheel, hold the
wheel and pull the lever
toward you. Then move the
wheel to a comfortable
position and release
the lever to lock the wheel
in place.
3-6

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 lower speed you want,
then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, press the
SET– button on the steering wheel briey.
Each time you do this, you 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, your vehicle will
slow down to the cruise speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the
hills. When going up steep hills, you may have to
step on the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed.
When going downhill, you may have to brake or shift to
a lower gear to keep your speed down. Of course,
applying the brake takes you out of cruise control.
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[(cancel) button on the steering wheel.
Press theT(on/off) button on the steering
wheel.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.
3-13

Exterior Lamps
The exterior lamps control
is located on the instrument
panel to the left of the
steering wheel.
It controls the following systems:
Headlamps
Taillamps
Parking Lamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
Fog LampsThe 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 will sound if you open
the driver’s door when 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 3-16.
3-14

Wiper Activated Headlamps
This feature turns on the low-beam headlamps,
instrument panel cluster backlighting and taillamps
when the windshield wipers have been in use for about
six seconds.
If the wiper activated headlamps are on and the ignition
switch is turned to C (RUN), the wiper activated
headlamps will continue. When you turn the key to
A (OFF), the wiper activated headlamps will immediately
turn off. The wiper activated headlamps will also turn
off if you turn off the windshield wipers.
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 will make your 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 transaxle is not in PARK (P).
When the DRL are on, only your low-beam headlamps
will be on. The parking lamps, taillamps, sidemarker
and other lamps will not be on.
When it is dark enough outside, your low-beam
headlamps will come on. The other lamps that turn on
with your headlamps will also turn on. When it is
bright enough outside, the regular lamps will go off, and
your low-beam headlamps change to the reduced
brightness of DRL.
To turn off all exterior lighting at night when you are
parked, turn the exterior lamp control to the off position.
The exterior lamps will turn back on automatically
when you move the transaxle out of PARK (P).
SeeExterior Lamps on page 3-14for more information.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
3-15