2007 BUICK LUCERNE sensor
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When Should an Airbag In ate?
The driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal
airbags are designed to in ate in moderate to
severe frontal or near-frontal crashes. But they are
designed to in ate only if the impact exceeds a
predetermined deployment threshold. Deployment
thresholds take into account a variety of desired
deployment and non-deployment events and are
used to predict how severe a crash is likely to be in
time for the airbags to in ate and help restrain the
occupants. Whether your frontal airbags will or
should deploy is not based on how fast your vehicle
is traveling. It depends largely on what you hit, the
direction of the impact, and how quickly your
vehicle slows down.
Your vehicle has a “dual stage” driver airbag,
which adjusts the restraint according to crash
severity using electronic frontal sensor(s) which
help the sensing system distinguish between
a moderate frontal impact and a more severe
frontal impact. The “dual stage” driver airbag
in ates to a level less than full deployment for
moderate frontal impacts and to a full deployment
for more severe frontal impacts.Your vehicle also has a “dual depth” passenger
airbag that adjusts the restraint according to crash
severity, seat location, and safety belt status
using electronic frontal sensor(s) and other special
sensors which enable the sensing system to
monitor the status of the front passenger safety
belt and the position of the front passenger
seat. The passenger airbag in ates to a reduced
depth when the passenger seat is in a forward
position. For more rearward front seating positions,
the passenger airbag may in ate to an increased
depth (a full deployment), based on safety
belt status and the crash severity measured early
in the event. (Always wear your safety belt,
even with frontal airbags.)
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If the front of your vehicle goes straight into a wall
that does not move or deform, the threshold
level for the reduced deployment is about
12 to 16 mph (19 to 26 km/h), and the threshold
level for a full deployment is about 17 to 22 mph
(27 to 35 km/h) if the other sensors do not
over-ride this. The threshold level can vary,
however, with speci c vehicle design, so that it
can be somewhat above or below this range.
Frontal airbags may in ate at different crash
speeds. For example:
If the vehicle hits a stationary object, the
airbags could in ate at a different crash speed
than if the vehicle hits a moving object.
If the vehicle hits an object that deforms, the
airbags could in ate at a different crash
speed than if the vehicle hits an object that
does not deform.
If the vehicle hits a narrow object (like a pole),
the airbags could in ate at a different crash
speed than if the vehicle hits a wide object
(like a wall).
If the vehicle goes into an object at an angle,
the airbags could in ate at a different crash
speed than if the vehicle goes straight into the
object.
Frontal airbags (driver and right front passenger)
are not intended to in ate during vehicle
rollovers, rear impacts, or in many side impacts.
Your vehicle has sensors which enable the
sensing system to monitor the position of the right
front passenger’s seat, whether the occupant is
buckled or unbuckled. The passenger seat position
sensor and passenger safety belt buckle switch
provide information which is used to determine if
the airbags should deploy at a reduced level or full
deployment.
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Let only quali ed technicians work on the
airbag systems. Improper service can
mean that an airbag system will not work
properly. See your dealer for service.
Passenger Sensing System
Your vehicle has a passenger sensing system.
The passenger airbag status indicator on the
overhead console will be visible when you turn
your ignition key to RUN or START.
The words ON and OFF or the symbol for on and
off, will be visible during the system check.
When the system check is complete, either the
word ON or the word OFF, or the symbol for on or
the symbol for off will be visible. SeePassenger
Airbag Status Indicator on page 198.The passenger sensing system will turn off the
right front passenger’s frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag under certain
conditions. The driver’s airbags are not part of the
passenger sensing system.
The passenger sensing system works with sensors
that are part of the right front passenger’s seat and
safety belt. The sensors are designed to detect the
presence of a properly-seated occupant and
determine if the right front passenger’s frontal
airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag should
be enabled (may in ate) or not.
Accident statistics show that children are safer if
they are restrained in the rear rather than the front
seat. We recommend that child restraints be
secured in a rear seat, including an infant riding in
a rear-facing infant seat, a child riding in a
forward-facing child seat and an older child riding
in a booster seat.
United StatesCanada
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Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to the front
or sides of the vehicle that could keep the
airbags from working properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that change your
vehicle’s frame, bumper system, height,
front end or side sheet metal, they may keep
the airbag system from working properly.
Also, the airbag system may not work properly
if you relocate any of the airbag sensors. If
you have any questions about this, you should
contact Customer Assistance before you
modify your vehicle. The phone numbers and
addresses for Customer Assistance are in
Step Two of the Customer Satisfaction
Procedure in this manual. SeeCustomer
Satisfaction Procedure on page 460.
Q:Because I have a disability, I have to get
my vehicle modi ed. How can I nd out
whether this will affect my airbag system?
A:Changing or moving any parts of the
front seats, safety belts, the airbag sensing
and diagnostic module, steering wheel,
instrument panel, ceiling headliner, ceiling and
pillar garnish trim, roof-mounted airbag
modules, or airbag wiring can affect the
operation of the airbag system. If you have
questions, call Customer Assistance. The
phone numbers and addresses for Customer
Assistance are in Step Two of the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure in this manual.
SeeCustomer Satisfaction Procedure
on page 460.
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Rainsense™ II Wipers
If your vehicle has this feature, the moisture sensor
is mounted on the interior of the windshield beside
the rearview mirror and is used to automatically
operate the wipers. This system operates by
monitoring the amount of moisture build-up on the
windshield. Wipes occur as needed to clear the
windshield depending on the driving conditions and
the sensitivity setting. In light rain or snow, fewer
wipes will occur. In heavy rain or snow, wipes will
occur more frequently. The system operates in the
delay mode. If the system is left on for long periods
of time, occasional wipes may occur without any
moisture on the windshield. This is normal and
indicates that the Rainsense™ system is active.
The Rainsense™ system is activated by turning
the wiper control band to one of the ve sensitivity
levels within the delay area. The position closest
to off is the lowest sensitivity setting, level one.This allows more rain or snow to collect on the
windshield between wipes. Turning the wiper band
away from you to higher sensitivity levels increases
the sensitivity of the system and frequency of
wipes. The highest sensitivity setting, level ve is
closest to low. A single wipe will occur each time
you turn the wiper stalk to a higher sensitivity level
to indicate that the sensitivity level has been
increased.
Notice:Going through an automatic car wash
with the wipers on can damage them. Turn the
wipers off when going through an automatic
car wash.
The MIST and wash cycles operate as normal and
are not affected by the Rainsense™ function. The
system can be overridden at any time by manually
changing the wiper control to low or high speed.
Notice:Do not place stickers or other items
on the exterior glass surface directly in front of
the rain sensor. Doing this could cause the
rain sensor to malfunction.
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Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier
for others to see the front of your vehicle during
the day. DRL can be helpful in many different
driving conditions, but they can be especially
helpful in the short periods after dawn and before
sunset. Fully functional daytime running lamps
are required on all vehicles rst sold in Canada.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel
monitors the exterior light level for the operation
of DRL, so be sure it is not covered.
The DRL system will make your low-beam
headlamps turn on at reduced brightness in
daylight when the following conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamp button for the headlamps
is off.
The automatic transaxle is not in PARK (P).When the DRL are on, only your low-beam
headlamps will be on. The parking lamps, taillamps,
sidemarker and other lamps will not be on.
When it is dark enough outside, your low-beam
headlamps will come on. The other lamps that turn
on with your headlamps will also turn on. When
it is bright enough outside, the regular lamps
will go off, and your low-beam headlamps change
to the reduced brightness of DRL.
To turn off all exterior lighting at night when you
are parked, turn the exterior lamp control to the
off position. The exterior lamps will turn back
on automatically when you move the transaxle out
of PARK (P). SeeExterior Lamps on page 170
for more information.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the
regular headlamp system when you need it.
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Ultrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA)
If your vehicle is equipped, the Ultrasonic Rear
Parking Assist (URPA) system is designed to help
you park while in REVERSE (R). It operates only at
speeds less than 5 mph (8 km/h). URPA helps
make parking easier and helps you avoid colliding
with objects such as parked vehicles. The URPA
system detects objects that are close to the rear of
the vehicle which are at least 10 inches (25.4 cm)
off the ground and below hood or trunk level. The
system detects objects up to 8 feet (2.5 m) behind
your vehicle. URPA determines how close these
objects are from your bumper within this area.
Ultrasonic sensors on the rear bumper are used
to detect the distance to the object.
{CAUTION:
The Ultrasonic Rear Park Assist (URPA)
system does not replace driver vision.
URPA does not:
Operate above speeds of
5 mph (8 km/h).
Detect objects more than 8 feet
(2.5 meters) behind the vehicle. This
distance may be less during warmer or
humid weather.
Detect objects that are below the
bumper, underneath the vehicle,
or that are very close to the vehicle.
Detect children, pedestrians, bicyclists,
or pets.
So if you do not use proper care before
backing up, you could hit a vehicle, child,
pedestrian, bicyclist, or pet, resulting in
vehicle damage, injury, or death. Even
though the vehicle has the URPA system,
always check carefully before backing up
by checking behind your vehicle.
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When the System Does Not Seem to
Work Properly
If the URPA system will not activate due to a
temporary condition, the message PARK ASSIST
OFF will be displayed on the DIC and a red light will
be shown on the rear URPA display when the shift
lever is moved into REVERSE (R). This occurs
under the following conditions:
The driver disables the system. SeeDIC
Controls and Displays on page 212.
The parking brake pedal is pressed.
A trailer was attached to your vehicle, or a
bicycle or an object was hanging out of your
trunk during your last drive when you turned off
the vehicle. If the attached objects are removed
from your vehicle before the start of your next
drive, the system will return to normal operation
unless an object is detected when the vehicle is
shifted into REVERSE (R). If this occurs, URPA
assumes the object is still attached, so you will
have to wait until the vehicle is driven forward
above 15 mph (25 km/h) before URPA will
return to normal operation.
The ultrasonic sensors are not kept clean. So,
be sure to keep your vehicle’s rear bumper free
of mud, dirt, snow, ice, and slush. For cleaning
instructions, seeWashing Your Vehicle on
page 422. If the DIC still displays the PARK
ASSIST OFF message after cleaning the
bumper and driving forward at a speed of at
least 15 mph (25 km/h), see your dealer.
Other conditions that may affect system
performance include vibrations from a
jackhammer or the compression of air brakes
on a very large truck or other mechanical
devices that interfere with URPA performance.
When URPA is disabled without driver action
and the driver attempts to turn URPA back on
using the Driver Information Center (DIC), the
PARK ASSIST ON option will not be selectable
if the necessary conditions stated above for
normal system operation are not met.
As always, drivers should use care when backing
up a vehicle. Always look behind you, being sure to
check for other vehicles, obstructions and blind
spots.
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