2007 BUICK LUCERNE battery

Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Airbags affect how your vehicle should be
serviced. There are parts of the airbag system in
several places around your vehicle. You do
not want the system to inate while someone is
working on your vehicle. Your dealer and the
service manual have information about servicing
your vehicle and the airbag system. To purchase a
service manual, seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 478.
{CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds, after the ignition is
turned off and the battery is disconnected,
an airbag can still inate during improper
service. You can be injured if you are
close to an airbag when it inates. Avoid
yellow connectors. They are probably part
of the airbag system. Be sure to follow
proper service procedures, and make sure
the person performing work for you is
qualied to do so.
The airbag system does not need regular
maintenance.
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At times you may notice a decrease in operating
range. This is normal for any RKE system. If the
transmitter does not work or if you have to stand
closer to your vehicle for the transmitter to work,
try this:
Check the distance. You may be too far from
your vehicle. You may need to stand closer
during rainy or snowy weather.
Check the location. Other vehicles or objects
may be blocking the signal. Take a few steps to
the left or right, hold the transmitter higher, and
try again.
Check to determine if battery replacement is
necessary. See “Battery Replacement” under
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 95.
If you are still having trouble, see your dealer or
a qualied technician for service.
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation
The vehicle’s doors can be locked and unlocked,
and the trunk can be unlatched from about
3 feet (1 m) up to 60 feet (18 m) away with the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
If your vehicle has the remote start feature you can
also start your vehicle with the RKE transmitter.
Your RKE transmitter, with the remote start button,
provides an increased range of 195 feet (60 m)
away. However, the range may be less while the
vehicle is running. As a result, you may need to be
closer to your vehicle to turn it off than you were to
turn it on.
There are other conditions which can affect the
performance of the transmitter. SeeRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System on page 94.
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Battery Replacement
Under normal use, the battery in your RKE
transmitter should last about four years.
You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter
will not work at the normal range in any location.
If you have to get close to your vehicle before
the transmitter works, it is probably time to change
the battery.
The REPLACE BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY
message in the vehicle’s DIC will display if the
RKE transmitter battery is low. See “REPLACE
BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY” underDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 221for additional
information.
Notice:When replacing the battery, use care
not to touch any of the circuitry. Static from
your body transferred to these surfaces may
damage the transmitter.To replace the battery in the RKE transmitter do
the following:
1. Insert a at object with a thin edge into the
notch, located below the trunk release button,
and separate the bottom half from the top half
of the transmitter.
2. Remove the old battery, but do not use a
metal object to do this.
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3. Slide the new battery into the transmitter with
the positive side of the battery facing down.
Use a type CR2032 battery, or equivalent
type. Make sure the cover is on tightly,
so water will not get in.
4. Snap the front and the back of the transmitter
together.
5. Test the operation of the transmitter with the
vehicle.
Remote Vehicle Start
Your vehicle may have a remote starting feature.
This feature allows you to start the engine from
outside the vehicle. It may also start the vehicle’s
heating or air conditioning systems, rear window
defogger, and heated seats. SeeHeated Seats on
page 11andHeated and Cooled Seats on page 12
for additional information. When the remote start
system is active, the climate control system will
heat or cool the inside of the vehicle at the setting
the vehicle was set to when the vehicle was last
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 may
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.Laws in some communities may restrict the use of
remote starters. For example, some laws may
require a person using the remote start to have
the vehicle in view when doing so. Check local
regulations for any requirements on remote starting
of vehicles.
Do not use the remote start feature if your vehicle
is low on fuel. Your vehicle may run out of fuel.
If your vehicle has remote start, the RKE transmitter
provides, an increased range of operation.
However, the range may be less while the vehicle is
running. As a result, you may need to be closer to
your vehicle to turn it off, than you were to turn it on.
There are other conditions which can affect the
performance of the transmitter, seeRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System on page 94for
additional information.
/(Remote Start):If your vehicle has the remote
start feature, the RKE transmitter will have a
button with this symbol on it.
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Ignition Positions
With the ignition key in the ignition, the key can be
turned to four different positions:
Notice:Using a tool to force the key from the
ignition switch could cause damage or break
the key. Use the correct key and turn the key
only with your hand. Make sure the key is in all
the way. If none of this works, then your vehicle
needs service.A (OFF):This is the only position in which the
ignition key can be inserted or removed. This
position locks the ignition and transaxle. It is a
theft-deterrent feature.
B (ACCESSORY):This position lets the radio
and windshield wipers operate while the engine is
off. To use ACCESSORY, turn the key clockwise.
C (RUN):This position is where the key returns
to after the vehicle is started. This position displays
some of the warning and indicator lights.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key in
the ACCESSORY or RUN position with the engine
off. You may not be able to start your vehicle if the
battery is allowed to drain for an extended period
of time.
D (START):This position starts the engine.
A warning chime will sound and the Driver
Information Center (DIC) will display DRIVER
DOOR OPEN when the driver’s door is opened if
the ignition is in OFF, ACCESSORY and the key is
in the ignition. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 221for more information.
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Key In the Ignition
Never leave your vehicle with the keys inside, as it
is an easy target for joy riders or thieves. If you
leave the key in the ignition and park your vehicle,
a chime will sound, when you open the driver’s
door. Always remember to remove your key from
the ignition and take it with you. This will lock
your ignition and transaxle. Also, always remember
to lock the doors.
The battery could be drained if you leave the
key in the ignition while your vehicle is parked.
You may not be able to start your vehicle after
it has been parked for an extended period of time.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
After you turn the ignition off and remove the key,
you will still have power to such accessories as the
power windows, clock, radio, and if equipped, audio
steering wheel controls and sunroof. The power
to the accessories can last up to 10 minutes. The
instrument panel cluster lights will stay on for a
few seconds, then will go out. Once you open the
driver’s door, the power will shut off. Your vehicle
has a feature designed to protect the battery
against drainage. For more information see
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver on page 177
andElectric Power Management on page 176.
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Starting the Engine
Place the transaxle in the proper gear.
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N). Your engine will not start in
any other position — this is a safety feature.
To restart when you are already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Shifting into PARK (P) with the vehicle
moving could damage the transaxle. Shift
into PARK (P) only when your vehicle is
stopped.
Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn
the ignition key to START. When the engine
starts, let go of the key. The idle speed will
go down as your engine gets warm. Do
not race the engine immediately after starting
it. Operate the engine and transaxle gently
to allow the oil to warm up and lubricate
all moving parts.Your vehicle has a Computer-Controlled
Cranking System. This feature assists in
starting the engine and protects components. If
the ignition key is turned to the START position,
and then released when the engine begins
cranking, the engine will continue cranking for
a few seconds or until the vehicle starts. If the
engine does not start and the key is held in
START for many seconds, cranking will be
stopped after 15 seconds to prevent cranking
motor damage. To prevent gear damage, this
system also prevents cranking if the engine is
already running. Engine cranking can be
stopped by turning the ignition switch to
the ACCESSORY or OFF position.
Notice:Cranking the engine for long periods
of time, by returning the key to the START
position immediately after cranking has ended,
can overheat and damage the cranking
motor, and drain the battery. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try, to allow
the cranking motor to cool down.
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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.
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