2008 BUICK LUCERNE check engine

Ignition Transmission Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition to LOCK/OFF in each shift lever position.
The ignition should turn to LOCK/OFF only
when the shift lever is in PARK (P).
The ignition key should come out only in
LOCK/OFF.
Contact your dealer/retailer if service is required.
Parking Brake and Automatic
Transmission Park (P) Mechanism Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in
case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle begin
to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding ability: With
the engine running and the transmission in
NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to PARK (P).
Then release the parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Contact your dealer/retailer if service is required.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to ush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
6-11

ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the
World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy
Your GM vehicle has a number of sophisticated
computers that record information about the vehicle’s
performance and how it is driven. For example,
your vehicle uses computer modules to monitor and
control engine and transmission performance, to monitor
the conditions for airbag deployment and deploy
airbags in a crash and, if so equipped, to provide
antilock braking to help the driver control the vehicle.
These modules may store data to help your
dealer/retailer technician service your vehicle. Some
modules may also store data about how you operate the
vehicle, such as rate of fuel consumption or average
speed. These modules may also retain the owner’s
personal preferences, such as radio pre-sets, seat
positions, and temperature settings.
7-17

Audio System(s).............................................3-78
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-21
Operation...................................................2-25
B
Backglass Antenna..........................................3-97
Battery..........................................................5-46
Electric Power Management..........................3-19
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver......................3-17
Inadvertent Power Saver..............................3-19
Run-Down Protection...................................3-20
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-5
Brakes..........................................................5-42
Panic Assist................................................. 4-7
System Warning Light..................................3-39
Braking........................................................... 4-3
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-5
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-20
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-56
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-56
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-53
License Plate Lamps....................................5-58
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-59
Taillamps and Back-Up Lamps.......................5-57
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Sidemarker Lamps...................................5-56
Buying New Tires...........................................5-76
C
Calibration.............................1-11, 2-34, 2-36, 3-54
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements....... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-113
Carbon Monoxide...................2-13, 2-32, 4-15, 4-26
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-97
CD, MP3 .......................................................3-89
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-56
Center Flex Storage Unit.................................2-57
Center Seat...................................................1-11
Chains, Tire...................................................5-82
Charging System Light....................................3-38
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-44
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-102
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-40
Infants and Young Children...........................1-36
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-43
Older Children.............................................1-33
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat
Position..................................................1-50
2

DDaytime Running Lamps..................................3-16
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Delayed Entry Lighting.....................................3-18
Delayed Exit Lighting.......................................3-18
Delayed Locking.............................................2-11
DIC Compass.................................................3-54
Disc, MP3......................................................3-89
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Door
Delayed Locking..........................................2-11
Locks........................................................2-10
Power Door Locks.......................................2-10
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-11
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-12
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-48
DIC Operation and Displays..........................3-49
DIC Vehicle Customization............................3-66
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-56
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-11
Before a Long Trip......................................4-13
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Highway Hypnosis.......................................4-13
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-14
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-12
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-19
Winter........................................................4-15
Dual Automatic Climate Control System.............3-24E
EDR .............................................................7-17
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment.....................................5-105
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-105
Power Windows and Other Power Options....5-105
Rear Underseat Fuse Block.........................5-108
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-106
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-20
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-44
Coolant......................................................5-24
Coolant Heater............................................2-24
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-43
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-42
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-14
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-32
Oil .............................................................5-15
Oil Life System...........................................5-18
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-30
Overheating................................................5-28
Running While Parked..................................2-33
Starting......................................................2-22
Entry Lighting.................................................3-18
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-18
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-32
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver..........................3-17
4

O
Odometer......................................................3-34
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-34
Off-Road Recovery........................................... 4-9
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-15
Pressure Light.............................................3-46
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-18
Older Children, Restraints................................1-33
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-5
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-19
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-46
Operation, Universal Home Remote System........2-50
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-30
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-20
Outside
Automatic Dimming Heated Mirror..................2-38
Convex Mirror.............................................2-38
Power Mirrors.............................................2-37
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . 5-30
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-8
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage..............................................5-102
Panic Brake Assist............................................ 4-7
Park Aid........................................................2-39
Park Brake....................................................2-27
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-28
Shifting Out of............................................2-31
Park Tilt Mirrors..............................................2-38
Parking
Assist........................................................2-39
Over Things That Burn.................................2-32
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-36
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-30
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-67
Passing........................................................... 4-9
PASS-Key
®III+..............................................2-18
PASS-Key®III+ Operation................................2-19
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California...... 5-4
Perimeter Lighting...........................................3-18
Power
Door Locks.................................................2-10
Electrical System.......................................5-105
Inadvertent Battery Saver.............................3-19
Lumbar Controls........................................... 1-3
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-22
9

Power (cont.)
Seat............................................................ 1-3
Steering Fluid.............................................5-40
Tilt Wheel and Telescopic Steering Column....... 3-7
Windows....................................................2-16
Privacy..........................................................7-17
Event Data Recorders..................................7-18
Navigation System.......................................7-19
OnStar.......................................................7-19
Radio Frequency Identication.......................7-19
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................2-11
R
Radiator Pressure Cap....................................5-28
Radio Frequency Identication (RFID), Privacy....7-19
Radios..........................................................3-75
Radio(s)........................................................3-78
Radios
Navigation/Radio System,
see Navigation Manual..............................3-94
Reception...................................................3-96
Setting the Time..........................................3-76
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-94
Rainsense™ II Wipers.....................................3-10
Rear Door Security Locks................................2-12
Rear Seat Armrest..........................................2-57
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
Compass....................................................2-36Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
OnStar
®and Compass.................................2-34
Rearview Mirror with Compass and
Temperature...............................................1-11
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-7
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-12
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-25
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System.................. 2-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System,
Operation..................................................... 2-5
Remote Vehicle Start........................................ 2-8
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-86
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-85
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-59
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-15
General Motors...........................................7-16
United States Government............................7-15
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems....................1-74
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash..........................................1-75
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-22
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-8
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out....................4-19
Routing, Engine Drive Belt...............................6-14
Running the Engine While Parked.....................2-33
10