2006 BUICK LUCERNE oil temperature

Engine Coolant Heater
If your vehicle has this feature, in very cold weather, 0°F
(−18°C) or colder, the engine coolant heater can help.
You’ll get easier starting and better fuel economy during
engine warm-up. Usually, the coolant heater should be
plugged in a minimum of four hours prior to starting your
vehicle. At temperatures above 32°F (0°C), use of the
coolant heater is not required.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
On vehicles with the 3.8L V6 engine, the coolant
heater cord is located on the passenger’s side of the
vehicle, above the headlamp assembly. On
vehicles with the 4.6L V8 engine, the cord is located
on the driver’s side of the vehicle on the right
side of the engine air cleaner. It is between the
engine cover and the engine air cleaner.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord could overheat
and cause a re. You could be seriously
injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will
not reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.
3. Plug the cord into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC
outlet.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you do not, it could be
damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead
of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you will be parking
your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice
for that particular area.
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StabiliTrak®Indicator Light..............................3-42
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light......3-43
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-43
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-44
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-44
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-47
Security Light...............................................3-48
Fog Lamp Light............................................3-48
Cruise Control Light......................................3-48
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-48
Fuel Gage...................................................3-49
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-50
DIC Controls and Displays.............................3-50
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-56
DIC Vehicle Customization.............................3-65Audio System(s).............................................3-74
Setting the Time
(Without Date Display)...............................3-75
Setting the Time
(With Date Display)....................................3-76
Radio with CD (Base)...................................3-77
Radio with CD (MP3)....................................3-82
Navigation/Radio System...............................3-98
Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-98
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.......................3-99
Radio Reception.........................................3-100
Care of Your CDs.......................................3-100
Care of the CD Player.................................3-101
Backglass Antenna......................................3-101
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-101
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2

Driver Information Center (DIC)
Your vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC).
All messages will appear in the DIC display located
below the speedometer in the instrument panel cluster.
The DIC buttons are located on the instrument panel,
to the left of the instrument panel cluster.
The DIC comes on when the ignition is on. After a short
delay, the DIC will display the information that was
last displayed before the engine was turned off.
The DIC displays trip, fuel, and vehicle system
information, and warning messages if a system problem
is detected. The bottom line of the DIC shows the
shift lever position indicator. SeeAutomatic Transaxle
Operation on page 2-25for more information.
If your vehicle’s DIC has these features, the compass
direction and the outside air temperature may also
display on the DIC when viewing the trip and fuel
information. The compass direction appears on the
top right corner of the DIC display. The outside
air temperature automatically appears in the bottom
right corner of the DIC display. If there is a problem with
the system that controls the temperature display, the
numbers will be replaced with dashes. If this occurs,
have the vehicle serviced by your GM dealer.
The DIC also allows some features to be customized.
SeeDIC Vehicle Customization on page 3-65for
more information.
DIC Controls and Displays
The DIC has different displays which can be accessed
by pressing the DIC buttons located on the instrument
panel, to the left of the instrument panel cluster.
DIC Buttons
The buttons are the trip/fuel, vehicle information,
customization, and set/reset buttons. The button
functions are detailed in the following pages.
3(Trip/Fuel):Press this button to display the
odometer, trip odometers, fuel range, average economy,
instantaneous economy, and average speed.
T(Vehicle Information):Press this button to display
the oil life, units, park assist on vehicles with this
feature, tire pressure system reset, compass zone and
compass calibration on vehicles with this feature,
and remote keyless entry transmitter programming.
3-50

CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
This warning message and the tire pressure light on
the instrument panel cluster will appear when the
air pressure in one of the tires is too low or too high.
Check the vehicle’s tire pressure as soon as possible,
and ll or deate the affected tire to the appropriate
level. The correct tire ination pressure should be set to
those shown on the tire-loading information label on
the vehicle. SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-29and
Tire Pressure Light on page 3-44for more information.
This message is reset when it is acknowledged.
However, you must also reset the tire pressure system.
See “Reset Tire Pressure System” underDIC Controls
and Displays on page 3-50for more information.
DRIVER DOOR OPEN
This message will display when the driver’s door is not
closed properly. When this message appears, you should
make sure that the driver’s door is closed completely.
ENGINE HOT A/C (Air Conditioning) OFF
This message will display when the engine coolant
becomes hotter than the normal operating temperature.
To avoid added strain on a hot engine, the air
conditioning compressor is automatically turned off.
When the coolant temperature returns to normal,
the A/C operation will automatically resume. You can
continue to drive your vehicle. If this message continues
to appear, have the system repaired by your GM dealer
as soon as possible to avoid compressor damage.
ENGINE OIL LOW ADD OIL
This message will display when the vehicle’s engine oil
is low. Fill the oil to the proper level as soon as
possible. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for the engine oil ll location. Also, see
Engine Oil on page 5-15for information on the kind of
oil to use and the proper oil level.
3-57

HEATED WASH (Washer) FLUID
SYSTEM OFF
This message will display when you manually turn off
the heated windshield washer uid system or when the
system automatically turns off. See “Heated Washer
Fluid” underWindshield Washer on page 3-10for more
information.
HEATING WASH (Washer) FLUID
WASH (Washer) WIPES PENDING
This message will display when you turn on the heated
windshield washer uid system. See “Heated Washer
Fluid” underWindshield Washer on page 3-10for more
information.
HOOD OPEN
If your vehicle has the remote start feature, this message
will display when the hood is not closed properly.
When this message appears, you should make sure that
the hood is closed completely. SeeHood Release on
page 5-11.
ICE POSSIBLE DRIVE WITH CARE
This message will display when the outside air
temperature is cold enough to create icy road conditions.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
LEFT REAR DOOR OPEN
This message will display when the driver’s side rear
door is not closed properly. When this message
appears, you should make sure that the passenger’s
door is closed completely.
OIL PRESSURE LOW STOP ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine
oil pressure is low, severe engine damage may
occur. If a low oil pressure warning appears on the
instrument panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the
vehicle as soon as possible. Do not drive the vehicle
until the cause of the low oil pressure is corrected.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-15for more information.
This message will display when the vehicle’s engine oil
pressure is low. The oil pressure light will also appear
on the instrument panel cluster. SeeOil Pressure Light
on page 3-47.
Stop the vehicle immediately, as engine damage can
result from driving a vehicle with low oil pressure.
Have the vehicle serviced by your GM dealer as soon
as possible when this message is displayed.
3-59

If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below−20°F (−29°C), it is
recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol that meet GM Standard
GM6094M are all you will need for good performance
and engine protection.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and lter. This is
based on engine revolutions and engine temperature,
and not on mileage. Based on driving conditions,
the mileage at which an oil change will be indicated can
vary considerably. For the oil life system to work
properly, you must reset the system every time the oil is
changed.When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message
will come on. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-56. Change your oil as soon as possible within
the next 600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible that, if
you are driving under the best conditions, the oil
life system may not indicate that an oil change is
necessary for over a year. However, your engine oil and
lter must be changed at least once a year and at
this time the system must be reset. Your dealer has
GM-trained service people who will perform this
work using genuine GM parts and reset the system. It is
also important to check your oil regularly and keep it
at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your
last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed.
5-18

{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/lter
off can cause you or others to be burned. The
air cleaner not only cleans the air; it helps to
stop ames if the engine backres. If it is not
there and the engine backres, you could be
burned. Do not drive with it off, and be careful
working on the engine with the air
cleaner/lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre can
cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt can
easily get into your engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/lter in place when you
are driving.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transaxle Fluid
A good time to check your automatic transaxle uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4, and be sure to
use the transaxle uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
How to Check Automatic Transaxle
Fluid
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the dealership service
department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can damage the
transaxle. Too much can mean that some of the
uid could come out and fall on hot engine or
exhaust system parts, starting a re. Too little uid
could cause the transaxle to overheat. Be sure
to get an accurate reading if you check the
transaxle uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
uid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the uid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). If it is colder than 50°F (10°C), you may have to
drive longer.
5-21

How to Add Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
what kind of transaxle uid to use. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
If the uid level is low, add only enough of the proper
uid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on
the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough uid at the
dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It does not take much uid, generally less than
one pint (0.5 L). Do not overll.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic transaxle
uid may damage your vehicle, and the damages
may not be covered by your warranty. Always
use the automatic transaxle uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
3. After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check Automatic
Transaxle Fluid,” earlier in this section.
4. When the correct uid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for ve years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if you add only
DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-27.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at the rst maintenance
service after each 30,000 miles (50 000 km) or
24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-23