2007 BUICK LUCERNE ignition

Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your vehicle may have a shift lever located either
on the steering column or on the console between
the seats.
PARK (P):This position locks your front wheels.
It is the best position to use when you start your
engine because your vehicle cannot move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake rmly set. Your
vehicle can roll.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle will not
move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, always set your parking brake
and move the shift lever to PARK (P). See
Shifting Into Park (P) on page 123.Ifyou
are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 315.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. 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) while the ignition is in RUN. If you cannot
shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift
lever and 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.
SeeShifting Out of Park (P) on page 125.
119

Parking Brake
The parking brake pedal
is located to the left of
the regular brake pedal,
near the driver’s door.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot and push the
parking brake pedal down with your left foot.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
on the instrument panel cluster should come
on. If it does not, you need to have your vehicle
serviced.A warning chime will sound if the parking brake is
set, the ignition is on, and the vehicle speed is
greater than 5 mph (8 km/h). The brake light will
come on and stay on until the parking brake is
released. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 201for more information.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular
brake pedal down with your right foot and push
the parking brake pedal down with your left
foot. When you lift your left foot, the parking
brake pedal will follow it to the released position.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system and cause
premature wear or damage to brake system
parts. Verify that the parking brake is fully
released and the brake warning light is
off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any
hill, seeTowing a Trailer on page 315.
122

Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly
set. Your vehicle can roll. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground,
use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 315.
Steering Column Shift Lever
If your vehicle has a steering column shift lever,
use the following procedure to shift the vehicle into
PARK (P):
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pulling
the shift lever toward you and moving it up as
far as it will go.
3. With your right foot still holding the brake
pedal down, set the parking brake. See
Parking Brake on page 122for more
information.
4. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
123

Console Shift Lever
If your vehicle is equipped with a console shift
lever, use the following procedure to shift
the vehicle into PARK (P):
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pushing
the lever all the way toward the front of your
vehicle and then to the left.
3. With your right foot still holding the brake
pedal down, set the parking brake. See
Parking Brake on page 122for more
information.
4. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle
with the engine running. Your vehicle could
move suddenly if the shift lever is not fully
in PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly
set. And, if you leave the vehicle with the
engine running, it could overheat and even
catch re. You or others could be injured.
Do not leave your vehicle with the engine
running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P)
and your parking brake is rmly set before you
leave it. SeeParking Brake on page 122for more
information.
124

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 123.
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 119.
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.
125

Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation
The automatic dimming mirror function is turned on
automatically each time the ignition is started. To
operate the automatic dimming mirror, do the
following:
1. Make sure the indicator light, located to the left
of the on/off button, is lit. If it’s not, press and
hold the on/off button until the light comes on,
indicating that the mirror is in automatic
dimming mode.
2. Turn off the automatic dimming mirror function
by pressing and holding the on/off button until
the indicator light turns off.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar®and Compass
Your vehicle may have an automatic-dimming
rearview mirror with a compass and the OnStar®
system.
There are three additional buttons for the OnStar®
system. See your dealer for more information on
the system and how to subscribe to OnStar®. See
OnStar®System on page 135for more information
about the services OnStar®provides.
O(On/Off):This is the on/off button.
Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation
The automatic dimming mirror function is turned on
automatically each time the ignition is started.
To operate the automatic dimming mirror, do the
following:
1. Make sure the indicator light, located to the
left of the on/off button, is lit. If it’s not, press
and hold the on/off button until the light
comes on, indicating that the mirror is in
automatic dimming mode.
2. Turn off the automatic dimming mirror function
by pressing and holding the on/off button until
the indicator light turns off.
Compass Operation
Press the on/off button once to turn the compass
on or off.
There is a compass display in the window in the
upper right corner of the mirror face. The compass
displays a maximum of two characters. For
example, “NE” is displayed for north-east.
130

Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with Compass
Your vehicle may have an automatic dimming
rearview mirror with a compass. This feature
enables the mirror to sense nighttime glare from
vehicle headlamps from behind and automatically
dim to reduce the glare to a safe level. The
automatic dimming feature turns on each time the
vehicle is started.
O(On/Off):This is the on/off button.
Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation
The automatic dimming mirror function is turned on
automatically each time the ignition is started. To
operate the automatic dimming mirror, do the
following:
1. Make sure the indicator light, located to the left
of the on/off button, is on. If it’s not, press and
hold the on/off button until the light comes on,
indicating that the mirror is in automatic
dimming mode.
2. Turn off the automatic dimming mirror function
by pressing and holding the on/off button until
the indicator light turns off.
Compass Operation
Press the on/off button once to turn the compass
on or off.
When the ignition and the compass feature are
on, the compass will show two character boxes for
a few seconds. After a few seconds, the mirror
will display the current compass direction.
Compass Calibration
If after a few 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, note pad holder, or
similar object. If the letter C or CAL appears in the
compass window, the compass may need to be
reset or calibrated.
The compass can be calibrated by driving the
vehicle in circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the
display reads a direction.
132

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)
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 231for
more information.
Outside Convex Mirror
The passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so more can be
seen from the driver’s seat.
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like
other vehicles) look farther away than
they really are. If you cut too sharply into
the right lane, you could hit a vehicle on
your right. Check your inside mirror or
glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
134