2008 BUICK LUCERNE transmission

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. See
Parking Brake on page 2-27for more information.
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transmission. 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 2-28.
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 transmission,
so you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
2-30

Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
This vehicle has an electronic shift lock release system.
The shift lock release is designed to:
Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift lever is
in PARK (P)
Prevent movement of the shift lever out of PARK (P),
unless the ignition is in ON/RUN and the regular
brake pedal is applied.
The shift lock is always functional except in the case of
a an uncharged or low voltage (less than 9 volt)
battery.
If your vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery
with low voltage, try charging or jump starting the
battery. SeeJump Starting on page 5-48.
Console Shift
If your console shift cannot be moved out of PARK (P)
1. Apply and maintain the regular brakes.
2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN position. SeeIgnition
Positions on page 2-21for more information.
3. Let up on the shift lever and make sure the shift
lever is pushed all the way into PARK (P).
4. Then, move the shift into the desired gear.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from PARK (P),
consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service.
Column Shift
If your park lock cable cannot be moved out of PARK (P)
1. Apply and maintain the regular brakes.
2. Turn the ignition key to the ON/RUN position. See
Ignition Positions on page 2-21for more information.
3. Shift out of the PARK (P) position to the
NEUTRAL (N) position.
4. Move the vehicle to a safe location.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from PARK (P),
consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service.
2-31

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-30.
B. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons (If
Equipped). SeeDIC Operation and Displays on
page 3-49.
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-8.
D. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-33.
E. Hazard Warning Flashers. SeeHazard Warning
Flashers on page 3-6.
F. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-75.
G. Exterior Lamp Buttons. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 3-14.
H. Trunk Release. SeeTrunk on page 2-13.
I. Instrument Panel Brightness Control. SeeInstrument
Panel Brightness on page 3-17.
J. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-11.
K. Lane Departure Warning Button. SeeLane
Departure Warning on page 2-44.L. Cruise Controls. SeeCruise Control on page 3-12.
Heated Steering Wheel Button (If Equipped).
SeeHeated Steering Wheel on page 3-7.
M. Parking Brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-27.
N. Audio Steering Wheel Controls. SeeAudio Steering
Wheel Controls on page 3-95.
O. Climate Controls. SeeClimate Control System on
page 3-21orDual Automatic Climate Control System
on page 3-24.
P. Traction Control/StabiliTrak
®Button. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-5andStabiliTrak®
System on page 4-6.
Q. Front Storage Area. SeeFront Storage Area on
page 2-56.
R. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-25.
S. Accessory Power Outlet. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 3-20.
T. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-56.
3-5

Headlamps on Reminder
If you leave the exterior lamp buttons for the headlamps
or parking lamps on, remove the key from the ignition
and open the driver’s door, you will hear a continuous
warning chime. The chime will turn off when the
lamps are turned off.
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 makes the 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 transmission is not in PARK (P).
When the DRL are on, only the low-beam headlamps
will be on. The parking lamps, taillamps, sidemarker and
other lamps will not be on.
When it is dark enough outside, the low-beam
headlamps will come on. The other lamps that turn on
with the headlamps will also turn on. When it is
bright enough outside, the regular lamps will go off, and
the low-beam headlamps change to the reduced
brightness of DRL.
To turn off all exterior lighting at night when the vehicle
is parked, turn the exterior lamp control to the off
position. The exterior lamps will turn back on
automatically when the transmission is moved out of
PARK (P). SeeExterior Lamps on page 3-14for
more information.
As with any vehicle, the regular headlamp system
should be turned on when needed.
3-16

Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
A computer system called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) monitors operation of
the fuel, ignition, and emission control systems. It makes
sure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the life of
the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner environment.
The check engine light
comes on to indicate that
there is an OBD II
problem and service is
required.
Malfunctions often are indicated by the system before
any problem is apparent. This can prevent more serious
damage to your vehicle. This system is also designed
to assist your service technician in correctly diagnosing
any malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with this
light on, after a while, the emission controls
might not work as well, your vehicle’s fuel economy
might not be as good, and the engine might not
run as smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs
that might not be covered by your warranty.Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of
your vehicle or the replacement of the original tires
with other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect your vehicle’s emission
controls and can cause this light to come on.
Modications to these systems could lead to costly
repairs not covered by your warranty. This could
also result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-3.
This light comes on, as a check to show it is working,
when the ignition is turned ON/RUN but the engine is not
running. If the light does not come on, have it repaired.
This light also comes on during a malfunction in
one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has been
detected. A misre increases vehicle emissions
and could damage the emission control system on
your vehicle. Diagnosis and service might be
required.
Light On Steady— An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be required.
3-44

The DIC displays trip, fuel, and vehicle system
information, and warning messages if a system problem
is detected. The bottom line of the DIC shows the shift
lever position indicator. SeeAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-25for more information.
If your vehicle’s DIC has these features, the compass
direction and the outside air temperature may also
display on the DIC when viewing the trip and fuel
information. The compass direction appears on the top
right corner of the DIC display. The outside air
temperature automatically appears in the bottom right
corner of the DIC display. If there is a problem with the
system that controls the temperature display, the
numbers will be replaced with dashes. If this occurs,
have the vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer.
The DIC also allows some features to be customized.
SeeDIC Vehicle Customization on page 3-66for
more information.
DIC Operation and Displays
The DIC has different displays which can be accessed
by pressing the DIC buttons located on the instrument
panel, to the left of the instrument panel cluster.
DIC Buttons
The buttons are the trip/fuel, vehicle information,
customization, and set/reset buttons. The button
functions are detailed in the following pages.
3(Trip/Fuel):Press this button to display the
odometer, trip odometers, fuel range, average economy,
instantaneous economy, and average speed.
T(Vehicle Information):Press this button to display
the oil life, units, park assist on vehicles with this
feature, side blind zone alert on vehicles with this
feature, tire pressure readings, compass zone and
compass calibration on vehicles with this feature, and
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter programming.
U(Customization):Press this button to customize
the feature settings on your vehicle. SeeDIC Vehicle
Customization on page 3-66for more information.
V(Set/Reset):Press this button to set or reset certain
functions and to turn off or acknowledge messages
on the DIC.
3-49

If this message turns on while you are driving, pull off
the road as soon as possible and stop carefully.
Try resetting the system by turning the ignition off and
then back on. If this message still stays on or turns back
on again while you are driving, your vehicle needs
service. Have the StabiliTrak
®System inspected by your
dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
SERVICE SUSPENSION SYSTEM
This message displays to indicate that the suspension
system is not operating properly. See your dealer/retailer
for service.
SERVICE THEFT SYSTEM
This message displays when there is a problem with the
theft-deterrent system programmed in the key. A fault
has been detected in the system which means that
the system is disabled and it is not protecting the
vehicle. The vehicle usually restarts; however, you may
want to take the vehicle to your dealer/retailer before
turning off the engine. SeePASS-Key
®III+ on page 2-18
for more information.
SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM
This message displays if a part on the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS) is not working properly. The tire
pressure light also ashes and then remains on during
the same ignition cycle. SeeTire Pressure Light on
page 3-43. Several conditions may cause this message
to appear. SeeTire Pressure Monitor Operation on
page 5-70for more information. If the warning comes on
and stays on, there may be a problem with the TPMS.
See your dealer/retailer.
SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL
This message displays when the Traction Control
System (TCS) is not functioning properly. A warning
light also appears on the instrument panel cluster. See
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light on
page 3-40. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 4-5for more information. Have the TCS serviced
by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
SERVICE TRANSMISSION
This message displays when there is a problem with the
transmission. See your dealer/retailer for service.
3-63

TIGHTEN GAS CAP
This message may be displayed if the gas cap is not
on, or is not fully tightened. Check the gas cap to ensure
that it is on properly. SeeFilling the Tank on page 5-8
for more information.
TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
This message displays when the Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS) is re-learning the tire positions on
your vehicle. The tire positions must be re-learned after
rotating the tires or after replacing a tire or sensor.
SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on page 5-74,
Tire Pressure Monitor System on page 5-69, and
Inflation - Tire Pressure on page 5-67for more
information.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
This message displays when the Traction Control
System (TCS) is turned off. Adjust your driving
accordingly. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 4-5for more information.
TRACTION CONTROL ON
This message displays when the Traction Control
System (TCS) is turned on. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 4-5for more information.
TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the
transmission uid is overheating and the
transmission temperature warning is displayed on
the instrument panel cluster and/or DIC, you
can damage the transmission. This could lead to
costly repairs that would not be covered by
your warranty. Do not drive your vehicle with
overheated transmission uid or while the
transmission temperature warning is displayed.
This message displays when the transmission uid in
your vehicle is too hot. Stop the vehicle and allow
it to idle until it cools down. If the warning message
continues to display, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
TRUNK OPEN
This message displays when the trunk is not closed
completely. Make sure that the trunk is closed
completely. SeeTrunk on page 2-13.
3-65