2007 BUICK LUCERNE instrument panel

The SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL message,
the traction control system warning light and
the StabiliTrak
®warning light will come on to let
you know if there is a problem with the traction
control system. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 221.
When this light and the SERVICE TRACTION
CONTROL message are on, the system will not
limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
The traction control system automatically
comes on whenever you start your vehicle.
To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road
conditions, you should always leave the system
on. But you can turn the traction control system off
if you ever need to.
You can turn the system on or off at any time by
pressing the traction control system button located
on the console. The DIC will display TRACTION
CONTROL OFF when you press the button.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 325for more information.
StabiliTrak®System
Your vehicle may have this feature. The
StabiliTrak®system is an advanced computer
controlled system that helps the driver maintain
directional control of the vehicle in difficult driving
conditions. This is accomplished by selectively
applying any one of the vehicle’s brakes and
reducing engine power. The StabiliTrak
®system
comes on automatically whenever you start
your vehicle. The system cannot be turned off.
The STABILITRAK NOT READY message may be
displayed in the DIC and the traction control system
and StabiliTrak
®warning light on the instrument
panel cluster will be on after rst driving the vehicle
and exceeding 19 mph (30 km/h) for 30 seconds.
The StabiliTrak
®system is off until the light has
turned off. This could take up to 15 minutes.
The traction control system and StabiliTrak
®
warning light on the instrument panel cluster will
ash when the system is operating. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) Warning Light on page 202,
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light on page 203andDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 221for more
information. You may also feel or hear the system
working. This is normal.
284

The SERVICE STABILITRAK message will be
displayed and the traction control system
and StabiliTrak
®warning light on the instrument
panel cluster will come on if there is a problem with
the system. When this light and the SERVICE
STABILITRAK message are on, the system is not
operational. Adjust your driving accordingly.
Panic Brake Assist
Your vehicle may have a panic brake assist system
that monitors the intention of the driver while
braking. If the system senses that the driver has
applied hard/fast pressure to the brake pedal, the
system will generate additional pressure, making it
easier for the driver to maintain brake application.
When this happens the brake pedal will feel easier
to push. Just hold the brake pedal down rmly and
let the system work for you. You may feel the
brakes vibrate, or you may notice some noise but
this is normal. The brakes will return to normal
operation after the brake pedal has been released.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the
engine stops or the system is not functioning,
you can steer but it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable
speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned
on the news happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is
subject to the same laws of physics when driving on
curves. The traction of the tires against the road
surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change
its path when you turn the front wheels. If there is
no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the
same direction. If you have ever tried to steer a
vehicle on wet ice, you will understand this.
285

Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with
one hand. Then, to move the trailer to the left,
just move that hand to the left. To move the
trailer to the right, move your hand to the right.
Always back up slowly and, if possible, have
someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while
trailering could cause the trailer to come in
contact with the vehicle. Your vehicle could be
damaged. Avoid making very sharp turns
while trailering.
When you are turning with a trailer, make wider
turns than normal. Do this so your trailer will
not strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees
or other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal asher and/or extra wiring.
Check with your dealer. The arrows on your
instrument panel will ash whenever you signal a
turn or lane change. Properly hooked up, the
trailer lamps will also ash, telling other drivers you
are about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your
instrument panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs
on the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may think
drivers behind you are seeing your signal when
they are not. It is important to check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still working.
Your vehicle has bulb warning lights. When you
plug a trailer lighting system into your vehicle’s
lighting system, its bulb warning lights may not
let you know if one of your lamps goes out.
So, when you have a trailer lighting system
plugged in, be sure to check your vehicle and
trailer lamps from time to time to be sure they are
all working. Once you disconnect the trailer
lamps, the bulb warning lights again can tell you if
one of your vehicle lamps is out.
320

Tire Inspection and Rotation...................... 398
When It Is Time for New Tires.................. 400
Buying New Tires...................................... 400
Different Size Tires and Wheels................ 402
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..................... 402
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance............ 404
Wheel Replacement.................................. 404
Tire Chains............................................... 406
If a Tire Goes Flat.................................... 407
Changing a Flat Tire................................. 408
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools.......... 409
Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire......................... 410
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...... 416
Compact Spare Tire.................................. 418
Appearance Care........................................ 418
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle.......... 418
Fabric/Carpet............................................. 420
Leather...................................................... 421
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and
Other Plastic Surfaces........................... 421
Care of Safety Belts.................................. 422
Weatherstrips............................................ 422Washing Your Vehicle............................... 422
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses................ 422
Finish Care............................................... 423
Windshield and Wiper Blades.................... 423
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels......... 424
Tires......................................................... 424
Sheet Metal Damage................................. 425
Finish Damage.......................................... 425
Underbody Maintenance............................ 425
Chemical Paint Spotting............................ 425
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials............ 426
Vehicle Identication.................................. 427
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)........... 427
Service Parts Identication Label............... 427
Electrical System........................................ 428
Add-On Electrical Equipment..................... 428
Power Windows and Other Power
Options.................................................. 428
Fuses and Circuit Breakers....................... 428
Underhood Fuse Block.............................. 428
Rear Underseat Fuse Block....................... 431
Capacities and Specications.................... 436
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
324

Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your
vehicle can affect the airow around it. This may
cause wind noise and affect windshield washer
performance. Check with your dealer before
adding equipment to the outside of your vehicle.
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an important part
of the proper maintenance of your vehicle. To
help keep your engine clean and maintain optimum
vehicle performance, GM recommends the use
of gasoline advertised as TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline.
The 8th digit of your Vehicle Identication Number
(VIN) shows the code letter or number that
identies your engine. You will nd the VIN at the
top left of the instrument panel. SeeVehicle
Identication Number (VIN) on page 427.
Gasoline Octane
If your vehicle has the 3.8L V6 engine (VIN
Code 2), use regular unleaded gasoline with a
posted octane rating of 87 or higher. If the octane
rating is less than 87, you may notice an audible
knocking noise when you drive, commonly referred
to as spark knock. If this occurs, use a gasoline
rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible.
If you are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher and you hear heavy knocking, your engine
needs service.
If your vehicle has the 4.6L V8 engine (VIN
Code Y), use premium unleaded gasoline with a
posted octane rating of 91 or higher. You may also
use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane
or higher, but your vehicle’s acceleration may
be slightly reduced, and you may notice a slight
audible knocking noise, commonly referred to
as spark knock. If the octane is less than 87, you
may notice a heavy knocking noise when you
drive. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher as soon as possible.
Otherwise, you might damage your engine. If you
are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher
and you hear heavy knocking, your engine needs
service.
327

Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture at the coolant surge
tank, but only when the engine is cool.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on
hot engine parts. Coolant contains
ethylene glycol, and it will burn if the
engine parts are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
Occasionally check the coolant level in the
radiator. For information on how to add coolant to
the radiator, see Index. When replacing the
pressure cap, make sure to turn cap until it clicks.
Radiator Pressure Cap
Notice:The radiator cap on your vehicle is a
pressure-type cap and must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss and possible
engine damage from overheating. Be sure
the arrows on the cap line up with the overow
tube on the radiator ller neck.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 334
for more information on location.
Engine Overheating
You will nd a warning light about a hot engine as
well as an engine coolant temperature gage on
your vehicle’s instrument panel cluster.
351

The TPMS is designed to alert the driver, if a low
tire pressure condition exists. If your vehicle
has the Driver Information Center (DIC), the driver
may also check tire pressure levels using the
DIC buttons located on the instrument panel.
When a low tire pressure condition is detected,
the TPMS will illuminate the low tire pressure
warning symbol, located on the instrument panel
cluster, and at the same time a message to check
the pressure in a specic tire will also appear on
the DIC display. The low tire pressure warning
symbol on the instrument panel cluster and
the CHECK TIRE PRESSURE warning message
on the DIC display will appear at each ignition
cycle until the tires are inated to the correct
ination pressure. For additional information and
details about the DIC operation and displays
seeDIC Controls and Displays on page 212and
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 221.
You may notice, during cooler weather conditions,
that the tire pressure monitor light, located on
the instrument panel cluster, and the CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE message will appear when the
vehicle is rst started and the turn off as you startto drive the vehicle. This could be an early
indicator that the tire pressures are getting low
and need to be inated to the proper pressure.
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should
be checked monthly when cold and inated to
the ination pressure recommended by the vehicle
manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire
ination pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of
a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire ination pressure label, you
should determine the proper tire ination
pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety
feature, your vehicle
has been equipped with
a tire pressure
monitoring system
(TPMS) that illuminates
a low tire pressure
telltale when one
or more of your tires is
signicantly
under-inated.
394

Leather
A soft cloth dampened with water may be used to
remove dust. If a more thorough cleaning is
necessary, a soft cloth dampened with a mild soap
solution can be used. Allow the leather to dry
naturally. Do not use heat to dry. Never use steam
to clean leather. Never use spot lifters or spot
removers on leather. Many commercial leather
cleaners and coatings that are sold to preserve
and protect leather may permanently change
the appearance and feel of your leather and are
not recommended. Do not use silicone or
wax-based products, or those containing organic
solvents to clean your vehicle’s interior because
they can alter the appearance by increasing
the gloss in a non-uniform manner. Never use
shoe polish on your leather.
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces
A soft cloth dampened with water may be used to
remove dust. If a more thorough cleaning is
necessary, a clean soft cloth dampened with a
mild soap solution can be used to gently remove
dust and dirt. Never use spot lifters or removers
on plastic surfaces. Many commercial cleaners and
coatings that are sold to preserve and protect
soft plastic surfaces may permanently change the
appearance and feel of your interior and are
not recommended. Do not use silicone or
wax-based products, or those containing organic
solvents to clean your vehicle’s interior because
they can alter the appearance by increasing
the gloss in a non-uniform manner.
Some commercial products may increase gloss on
your instrument panel. The increase in gloss
may cause annoying reections in the windshield
and even make it difficult to see through the
windshield under certain conditions.
421