2007 BUICK LUCERNE trans

Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and right.
That will clear the area around the front wheels.
If your vehicle has traction control, you should turn
the traction control system off. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 283. Then shift
back and forth between REVERSE (R) and
a forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as
possible. Release the accelerator pedal while you
shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transaxle is in gear. By slowly spinning
the wheels in the forward and reverse directions,
you will cause a rocking motion that may free
your vehicle. If that does not get your vehicle out
after a few tries, it may need to be towed out.
If your vehicle does need to be towed out,
seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 313.
Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight
your vehicle can carry. This weight is called the
vehicle capacity weight and includes the weight of
all occupants, cargo, and all nonfactory-installed
options. Two labels on your vehicle show how
much weight it may properly carry; the Tire
and Loading Information label and the
Certication label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do,
parts on your vehicle can break, and it
can change the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten
the life of your vehicle.
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4. The resulting gure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals
1400 lbs and there will be ve 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs (1400−750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in
Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load
from your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
If your vehicle can tow a trailer, seeTowing a
Trailer on page 315for important information
on towing a trailer, towing safety rules,
and trailering tips.
Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity
Weight for Example 1 =1,000 lbs (453 kg)
BSubtract
Occupant Weight
150 lbs (68 kg)×2=300 lbs (136 kg)
CAvailable Occupant
and Cargo Weight =700 lbs (317 kg) Example 1
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Towing a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you do not use the correct equipment
and drive properly, you can lose control
when you pull a trailer. For example, if the
trailer is too heavy, the brakes may not
work well — or even at all. You and your
passengers could be seriously injured.
You may also damage your vehicle; the
resulting repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Pull a trailer only if you
have followed all the steps in this section.
Ask your dealer for advice and
information about towing a trailer with
your vehicle.Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with
the proper trailer towing equipment. To identify the
trailering capacity of your vehicle, you should read
the information in “Weight of the Trailer” that
appears later in this section. Trailering is different
than just driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering
means changes in handling, acceleration, braking,
durability and fuel economy. Successful, safe
trailering takes correct equipment, and it has to be
used properly.
That is the reason for this part. In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety
rules. Many of these are important for your safety
and that of your passengers. So please read
this section carefully before you pull a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as the engine,
transaxle, wheel assemblies and tires are forced to
work harder against the drag of the added weight.
The engine is required to operate at relatively
higher speeds and under greater loads, generating
extra heat. Also, the trailer adds considerably to
wind resistance, increasing the pulling
requirements.
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Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbefore
you start down a long or steep downgrade. If you
do not shift down, you might have to use your
brakes so much that they would get hot and
no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down to THIRD (3)
and reduce your speed to around 45 mph
(70 km/h) to reduce the possibility of engine and
transaxle overheating.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your
vehicle, with a trailer attached, on a hill.
If something goes wrong, your rig could
start to move. People can be injured, and
both your vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged.But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here
is how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but do not shift into
PARK (P) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release
the regular brakes until the chocks absorb
the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake, and then shift to PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
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When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal
down while you:
Start your engine.
Shift into a gear.
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of
the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store
the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when
you’re pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance
Schedule for more on this. Things that are
especially important in trailer operation are
automatic transaxle uid (don’t overll), engine oil,
drive belt, cooling system and brake system.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and the
Index will help you nd them quickly. If you’re
trailering, it’s a good idea to review this information
before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and
bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat
during severe operating conditions. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 351.
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Service........................................................ 325
Accessories and Modications................... 325
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 326
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 326
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.......................................... 327
Fuel............................................................. 327
Gasoline Octane........................................ 327
Gasoline Specications.............................. 328
California Fuel........................................... 328
Additives................................................... 328
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 329
Filling the Tank......................................... 330
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 332
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 332
Hood Release........................................... 333
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 334
Engine Oil................................................. 337
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 340
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 342
Automatic Transaxle Fluid......................... 343
Engine Coolant.......................................... 347
Radiator Pressure Cap.............................. 351
Engine Overheating................................... 351Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 353
Cooling System (3.8L V6 Engine).............. 354
Cooling System (4.6L V8 Engine).............. 360
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 364
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 365
Brakes...................................................... 367
Battery...................................................... 370
Jump Starting............................................ 372
Headlamp Aiming........................................ 377
Bulb Replacement....................................... 380
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 380
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Sidemarker Lamps ................................. 380
Taillamps and Back-Up Lamps.................. 382
License Plate Lamp................................... 383
Replacement Bulbs................................... 383
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 383
Tires............................................................ 385
Tire Sidewall Labeling............................... 386
Tire Terminology and Denitions............... 389
Ination - Tire Pressure............................. 392
Tire Pressure Monitor System................... 393
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
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A. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure
Cap on page 351.
B. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 365.
C. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal. See
Jump Starting on page 372.
D. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 428.
E. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. See Index.
F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Out of View).
SeePower Steering Fluid on page 364.
G. Electric Engine Cooling Fans. See Index.H. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See
“Checking Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on
page 337.
I. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 337.
J. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid on page 343.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 367.
L. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 342.
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A. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 428.
B. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal. See
Jump Starting on page 372.
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 365.
D. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. See Index.
E. Power Steering Fluid. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 364.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 337.
G. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 337.
H. Brake Master Cylinder. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 367.
I. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Cap and Dipstick
(Out of View). SeeAutomatic Transaxle
Fluid on page 343.
J. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 342.Engine Oil
If the OIL LEVEL LOW ADD OIL message
appears in the Driver Information Center (DIC), it
means you need to check the engine oil level
right away. For more information, seeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 221. You should
check the engine oil level regularly; this is an
added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time
you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be
on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 334
for the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several
minutes to drain back into the oil pan. If you
do not do this, the oil dipstick might not
show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper
towel or cloth, then push it back in all the
way. Remove it again, keeping the tip down,
and check the level.
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