2007 BUICK LUCERNE engine

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 has a DIC that works along with the
warning lights and gages. SeeDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 212.
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.
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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 212for
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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Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, the light(s) will
come on when your
engine is started and
may stay on for
several seconds.
That’s normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. Or, if
the light comes on when you’re driving, stop as
soon as possible and turn the ignition off. Then start
the engine again to reset the system. If the light still
stays on, or comes on again while you’re driving,
your vehicle needs service. If the regular brake
system warning light isn’t on, you still have brakes,
but you don’t have anti-lock brakes. If the regular
brake system warning light is also on, you don’t
have anti-lock brakes and there’s a problem with
your regular brakes. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 201.
The anti-lock brake system warning light will come
on briey when you turn the ignition key to RUN.This is normal. If the light doesn’t come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready to warn you if there
is a problem.Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
This warning light
should come on briey
when the engine is
started.
If the warning light does not come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a
problem. If it stays on, or comes on when you are
driving a SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL
message will appear in the Driver Information
Center (DIC). This indicates that there may be a
problem with your traction control system and your
vehicle may need service. When this warning light
is on and the SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL
message appears on the DIC, the system will not
limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
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If the traction control system is manually turned
off, this light will come on and the TRACTION
CONTROL OFF message will appear on the DIC.
When the system is active, the light will ash
while the system is limiting wheel spin or assisting
you in controlling the vehicle. You may also feel
or hear the system working. This is normal.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 283
andDIC Warnings and Messages on page 221
for more information.
StabiliTrak®Indicator Light
This warning light
should come on
briey when the
engine is started.If the warning light does not come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a
problem. This light may come on after you rst start
to drive and the STABILITRAK NOT READY
message will appear in the Driver Information
Center (DIC). SeeStabiliTrak
®System on
page 284for more information.
If the light stays on, or comes on when you are
driving a SERVICE STABILITRAK message
will appear in the DIC. This indicates that there
may be a problem with the StabiliTrak
®system
and your vehicle may need service. When
this warning light is on and the SERVICE
STABILITRAK message appears on the DIC,
the system will not assist you in controlling
the vehicle. Adjust your driving accordingly.
When the system is active, the light will ash
while the system is assisting you in controlling the
vehicle. You may also feel or hear the system
working. This is normal.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 284andDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 221for
more information.
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Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
The engine coolant
temperature warning
light will come on
when the engine
has overheated.
If this happens you should pull over and turn off
the engine as soon as possible. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 351for more information.
Notice:Driving with the engine coolant
temperature warning light on could cause your
vehicle to overheat. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 351. Your vehicle could be damaged,
and it might not be covered by your warranty.
Never drive with the engine coolant
temperature warning light on.
This light will also come on briey when starting
your vehicle. If it does not, have your vehicle
serviced.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage 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 you have been operating your vehicle under
normal driving conditions, and the temperature
indicator light comes on, you should pull off
the road, stop your vehicle and turn off the
engine as soon as possible.
United StatesCanada
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Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle has a
computer which
monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition,
and emission control
systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for
the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The check engine light comes on to
indicate that there is a problem and service is
required. Malfunctions often will be indicated by
the system before any problem is apparent. This
may prevent more serious damage to your vehicle.
This system is also designed to assist your service
technician in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with
this light on, after awhile, your emission
controls may not work as well, your fuel
economy may not be as good, and your engine
may not run as smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs that may not be covered by your
warranty.
Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transaxle, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of
your vehicle or the replacement of the original
tires with other than those of the same Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) can affect your
vehicle’s emission controls and may cause
this light to come on. Modications to these
systems could lead to costly repairs not
covered by your warranty. This may also
result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 325.
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This light should come on, as a check to show you it
is working, when the ignition is on and the engine is
not running. If the light does not come on, have it
repaired. This light will also come on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has been
detected. A misre increases vehicle emissions
and may damage the emission control system
on your vehicle. Diagnosis
and service may be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control
system malfunction has been detected on
your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may be
required.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed
Avoiding hard accelerations
Avoiding steep uphill grades
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possibleIf the light stops ashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do
so, stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park
your vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at least
10 seconds and restart the engine. If the light
remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On Steady”
following. If the light is still ashing, follow the
previous steps, and see your dealer for service
as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully
install the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 330.
The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap
has been left off or improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. A few driving trips with the cap
properly installed should turn the light off.
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Did you just drive through a deep puddle of
water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The
condition will usually be corrected when the
electrical system dries out. A few driving trips
should turn the light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel.
SeeGasoline Octane on page 327. Poor fuel
quality will cause your engine not to run as
efficiently as designed. You may notice this as
stalling after start-up, stalling when you put
the vehicle into gear, misring, hesitation on
acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine is warmed
up.) This will be detected by the system and cause
the light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at
least one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the
light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn
off, your dealer can check the vehicle. Your dealer
has the proper test equipment and diagnostic tools
to x any mechanical or electrical problems that
may have developed.Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have
or may begin programs to inspect the emission
control equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass
this inspection could prevent you from getting a
vehicle registration.
Here are some things you need to know in order
to help your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
check engine light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the OBD
(on-board diagnostic) system determines that
critical emission control systems have not been
completely diagnosed by the system. The vehicle
would be considered not ready for inspection. This
can happen if you have recently replaced your
battery or if your battery has run down. The
diagnostic system is designed to evaluate critical
emission control systems during normal driving.
This may take several days of routine driving. If you
have done this and your vehicle still does not pass
the inspection for lack of OBD system readiness,
your dealer can prepare the vehicle for inspection.
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