2007 BUICK LUCERNE climate control

Electric Power Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management
(EPM) that estimates the battery’s temperature and
state of charge. It then adjusts the voltage for
best performance and extended life of the battery.
When the battery’s state of charge is low, the
voltage is raised slightly to quickly put the charge
back in. When the state of charge is high, the
voltage is lowered slightly to prevent overcharging.
If the vehicle has a voltmeter gage or voltage
display on the Driver Information Center (DIC),
you may see the voltage move up or down. This
is normal. If there is a problem, an alert will
be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the
electrical loads are very high. This is true for all
vehicles. This is because the generator (alternator)
may not be spinning fast enough at idle to produce
all the power that is needed for very high electrical
loads.A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following loads are on: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger, climate control fan at
high speed, heated seats, engine cooling fans,
trailer loads, and loads plugged into accessory
power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator’s
output and the vehicle’s electrical needs. It can
increase engine idle speed to generate more
power, whenever needed. It can temporarily
reduce the power demands of some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels,
without being noticeable. In rare cases at the
highest levels of corrective action, this action
may be noticeable to the driver. If so, a Driver
Information Center (DIC) message might be
displayed, such as Battery Saver Active or Service
Battery Charging System. If this message is
displayed, it is recommended that the driver
reduce the electrical loads as much as possible.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 221.
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Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter
Push down on the front center tray to reveal the
front ashtray, cigarette lighter, and accessory
power outlet. The ashtray can be removed
for cleaning. Hold the sides of the ashtray
and then pull the ashtray up and out.
Notice:If you put papers, pins, or other
ammable items in the ashtray, hot cigarettes
or other smoking materials could ignite
them and possibly damage your vehicle.
Never put ammable items in the ashtray.
To use the lighter, push the center all the way in
and let it go. When it is ready, the center will
pop back out by itself. Pull out the entire unit to
use it.
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it
is heating will not allow the lighter to back
away from the heating element when it is hot.
Damage from overheating may occur to the
lighter or heating element, or a fuse could be
blown. Do not hold a cigarette lighter in
while it is heating.
Climate Controls
Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating,
cooling, and ventilation for your vehicle.
If your vehicle has the remote start feature and it is
activated, the climate control system will heat and
cool the inside of the vehicle, using the previous
system settings before the vehicle was turned off.
The rear window defogger will be turned on by the
climate control system when it is cold outside. If the
vehicle has heated seats, they will also turn on.
Cooled seats are not activated during a remote
start. Normal operation of the system will return
after the key is turned to the RUN position. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation on
page 95for more information.
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Operation
(
(Off):Turn the left knob to this position to turn
the climate control system off.
9(Fan):Turn the left knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan
speed. The fan speed will be temporarily reduced
between the transition to a new mode. The fan will
resume when the new mode is complete.
If the airow seems low when the fan speed is at
the highest setting, the passenger compartment
air lter may need to be replaced. For more
information, seePassenger Compartment Air
Filter on page 192andScheduled Maintenance
on page 442.
Temperature Control:Turn the center knob
clockwise or counterclockwise to warm or cool
the air coming through the outlets.
Use the right knob to select from the following
modes:
H(Vent):This mode directs outside air to the
instrument panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):This mode directs half of the air to
the instrument panel outlets, and the remaining
air to the oor outlets. Slightly cooler air is directed
to the instrument panel outlets and warmer air is
directed to the oor outlets.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to
the oor outlets with some air directed toward
the side window outlets and a little air directed to
the windshield.
In this mode, the system will automatically use
outside air.
You can also select modes by using the following
buttons:
h(Recirculate):Press this button to recirculate
cabin air through the vehicle. It can be used to
prevent outside air and odors from entering your
vehicle or to help heat or cool the air inside your
vehicle more quickly. An indicator light below the
button will come on in this mode. Operation in this
mode during periods of high humidity and cool
outside temperatures may result in increased
window fogging. If window fogging is experienced,
select the defrost mode.
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#(Air Conditioning):Press this button to turn
the air conditioning system on or off. When this
button is pressed, an indicator light below the
button will come on to let you know the air
conditioning is activated. Air conditioning can
be selected in any mode as long as the fan knob
is not in the off position.
On hot days during the vehicle’s initial start-up,
open the windows to let hot inside air escape; then
close them. This helps to reduce the time it takes
for the vehicle to cool down. It also helps the
system to operate more efficiently.
For quicker cool down on hot days, do the
following:
1. Select the vent air mode.
2. Select the recirculation mode.
3. Select the air conditioner.
4. Select the coolest temperature.
5. Select the highest fan speed.
The air-conditioning system removes moisture
from the air, so you may sometimes notice a
small amount of water dripping underneath your
vehicle while idling or after turning off the
engine. This is normal.Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of the vehicle is a result of high
humidity causing moisture to condense on the cool
window glass. This can be minimized if the climate
control system is used properly. There are two
modes to clear frost or fog from the windshield.
Use the oor/defog mode to clear the windows of
condensation and to warm the vehicle’s occupants.
Use the defrost mode to remove frost or
condensation from the windshield quickly.
See “Rear Window Defogger” later in this section
for information on clearing the rear window of
fog or ice.
Turn the right knob to select the defog or defrost
mode. The recirculation mode cannot be selected
while in these modes.
-(Floor/Defog):This mode directs half of the air
to the windshield and the side window outlets and
half to the oor outlets. The system runs the air
conditioning compressor unless the outside
temperature is near or below freezing.
0(Defrost):This mode directs most of the air to
the windshield and the side window outlets. The
system runs the air conditioning compressor unless
the outside temperature is near or below freezing.
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Dual Automatic Climate Control
System
With this system you can control the heating,
cooling, and ventilation for your vehicle.
If your vehicle has the remote start feature and it is
activated, the climate control system will heat and
cool the inside of the vehicle, using the previous
system settings before the vehicle was turned off.
The rear window defogger will be turned on by the
climate control system when it is cold outside. If the
vehicle has heated seats, they will also turn on.
Cooled seats are not activated during a remote
start. Normal operation of the system will return
after the key is turned to the RUN position. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation
on page 95for more information.
Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic Fan):When this position is
selected on the fan control, the system will adjust
the fan speed. If the OnStar
®system is activated
when this position is selected, the fan speed
will lower.
AUTO (Automatic Mode)
1. Turn the fan control to AUTO.
2. Turn the mode control to AUTO.
3. Adjust the temperature to a comfortable
setting between 68°F (21°C) and 78°F (26°C).
Choosing the coldest or warmest temperature
setting will not cause the system to heat or cool
any faster. In cold weather, the system will start
at reduced fan speeds to avoid blowing cold air
into your vehicle until warmer air is available.
The system will start out blowing air at the oor
but may change modes automatically as the
vehicle warms up to maintain the chosen
temperature setting. The length of time needed
to warm the interior will depend on the outside
temperature.
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9(Off):Turn the left control to this position to
turn the entire climate control system off.
To change the current mode, select one of the
following positions using the right control:
F(Vent):Turn the control to this mode to direct
air to the instrument panel outlets.
*(Bi-Level):Turn the control to this mode to
direct about half of the air to the instrument panel
outlets and most of the remaining air to the
oor outlets. In automatic operation, cooler air is
directed to the upper outlets and warmer air to the
oor outlets.
7(Floor):Turn the control to this mode to direct
most of the air to the oor outlets with some air
directed to the side window outlets and the
windshield.
The mode control can also be used to select the
oor/defog mode. Information on defogging
and defrosting can be found later in this section.
#(Air Conditioning):Press this button to
override the automatic system and turn the air
conditioning system on or off. When in AUTO,
the air conditioning compressor will come
on automatically, as necessary.
The air conditioning system removes moisture
from the air, so you may notice a small amount
of water dripping underneath your vehicle while
idling or after turning off the engine. This is normal.
:(Outside Air):This mode allows outside air
to enter the vehicle. It can be used to prevent
the inside from becoming too dry. Press this button
to turn outside air on. Pressing the recirculation
button will cancel this mode. When the button
is pressed, an indicator light will turn on.
?(Recirculation):Press this button to keep
outside air from coming in the vehicle. It can be
used to prevent outside air and odors from entering
your vehicle or to help cool the air inside your
vehicle more quickly. Press this button to turn the
recirculation mode on or off. When the button is
pressed, an indicator light will come on.
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wx(Driver’s Temperature Controls):Press
these buttons next to the fan control to manually
increase or decrease the temperature inside
your vehicle.
wx(Passenger’s Temperature Controls):
Press these buttons next to the mode control to
manually increase or decrease the temperature for
the front passenger. If the passenger’s climate
control system is off, pressing one of these buttons
will turn it on.
PASS (Passenger’s Climate Control):Press
this button to turn the passenger’s climate control
systems on or off.
If the PASS button is pressed to turn the
passenger temperature setting off, the driver’s
temperature setting will control the temperature
for the entire vehicle.
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.
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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.
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 about 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.
190