2008 BUICK LUCERNE windshield wipers

Ignition Positions
With the ignition key in the ignition, the key can be
turned to four different positions:
In order to shift out of PARK (P), ignition must be in the
ON/RUN and the regular brake pedal must be applied.
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 (LOCK/OFF):This is the only position in which the
ignition key can be inserted or removed. This position
locks the ignition and transmission and steering column.
It is a theft-deterrent feature.
If the steering wheel is locked, move it from right to left
and turn the key to ACC/ACCESSORY. If none of
this works, then your vehicle needs service.
B (ACC/ACCESSORY):This position lets the radio and
windshield wipers operate while the engine is off. To
use ACC/ACCESSORY, turn the key clockwise.
C (ON/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
ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/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
LOCK/OFF, ACC/ACCESSORY and the key is in the
ignition. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-56
for more information.
2-21

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Power Tilt Wheel and Telescopic Steering
Column......................................................3-7
Heated Steering Wheel...................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-8
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-9
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-9
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Rainsense™ II Wipers...................................3-10
Windshield Washer.......................................3-11
Cruise Control..............................................3-12
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-14
Wiper Activated Headlamps............................3-15
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-16
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-16
Fog Lamps..................................................3-17
Cornering Lamps..........................................3-17
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver........................3-17
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-17
Courtesy Lamps...........................................3-17Entry Lighting...............................................3-18
Delayed Entry Lighting...................................3-18
Theater Dimming..........................................3-18
Delayed Exit Lighting.....................................3-18
Perimeter Lighting.........................................3-18
Front Reading Lamps....................................3-18
Electric Power Management...........................3-19
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver.....................3-19
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-20
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
.............................3-20
Ashtray(s)....................................................3-21
Climate Controls............................................3-21
Climate Control System.................................3-21
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-24
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-30
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-30
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-32
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-33
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-34
Trip Odometer..............................................3-34
Tachometer.................................................3-34
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-34
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-35
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-36
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
GTurn and Lane-Change Signals. SeeTurn and
Lane-Change Signals on page 3-8.
23Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer. See
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on page 3-9.
Flash-To-Pass Feature. SeeFlash-to-Pass
on page 3-9.
NWindshield Wipers. SeeWindshield Wipers on
page 3-9.
LWindshield Washer. SeeWindshield Washer
on page 3-11.
_Heated Washer Fluid. SeeWindshield Washer
on page 3-11.
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
To signal a turn, move the lever on the left side of the
steering wheel all the way up or down. The lever returns
automatically when the turn is complete.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will ash in
the direction of the
turn or lane change.
You may also have an arrow in the outside mirror that
ashes when the turn signal is used. SeeOutside Power
Mirrors on page 2-37for more information.
Raise or lower the lever until the arrow starts to ash to
signal a lane change. Hold it there until the lane
change is complete. If you momentarily press and
release the lever, the turn signal will ash three times.
If the arrows ash very fast as you signal a turn or
a lane change, a signal bulb may be burned out and
other drivers will not see your turn signal. If a bulb
is burned out, replace it to help avoid an accident.
If the arrows do not go on at all when you signal a turn,
check the fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 5-105.
3-8

Turn Signal On Chime
If your turn signal is left on for more than 0.8 miles
(1.3 km), a chime will sound at each ash of the turn
signal. To turn off the chime, move the turn signal lever
to the off position.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high
beam, push the turn signal lever away from you. To
change from high beam to low beam, pull the turn signal
lever toward you.
While the high beams are
on, this light located on the
instrument panel cluster
will also be on.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use the high-beam headlamps to
signal the driver in front of you that you want to pass. It
works even if your headlamps are off.Pull the turn signal lever toward you briey to
ash-to-pass.
If the headlamps are off or on low beam, the high-beam
headlamps will turn on. They will stay on as long as
you hold the lever toward you and the high-beam
indicator on the instrument panel cluster will come on.
Windshield Wipers
You control the windshield wipers by turning the band
with the wiper symbol on it.
8(Mist):Turn the band to mist for a single wiping
cycle. Hold it there until the wipers start. Then let
go. The wipers stop after one wipe. For more wipe
cycles, hold the band longer on mist.
6(Delay):Turn the band to choose the delay time
between wipe cycles. The wiper speed can be set for a
long or short delay between wipes. The closer the
band is set to the top of the lever, the shorter the delay.
6(Low Speed):Turn the band away from you
to the rst solid band past the delay settings for steady
wiping at low speed.
3-9

1(High Speed):For high-speed wiping, turn the
band further, to the second solid band past the
delay settings.
9(Off):To stop the wipers, move the band to off.
Clear ice and snow from the wiper blades before using
them. If they are frozen to the windshield, carefully
loosen or thaw them. If the blades become worn
or damaged, replace with new blades or blade inserts.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the wiper motor. A
circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools. Clear
away snow or ice to prevent an overload.
Your vehicle has wiper-activated headlamps. After the
windshield wipers have completed eight wipe cycles
within four minutes, the headlamps automatically
turn on. SeeWiper Activated Headlamps on page 3-15
for more information.
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 willoccur 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.
3-10

Windshield Washer
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
J(Washer Fluid):Press and release this paddle,
located at the top of the turn signal/multifunction lever, to
spray washer uid on the windshield. The wipers will
clear the windshield and either stop or return to
your preset speed. For more washer cycles, press and
hold the paddle.
_(Heated Washer Fluid):The heated windshield
washer uid system, if your vehicle has this feature, may
be used to help clear ice, snow, tree sap, or bugs
from your windshield. Sliding the switch on the turn
signal/multifunction lever to this position and thenreleasing it will activate the heated windshield washer
uid system. This activation will initiate four heated
wash/wipe cycles. The rst heated wash/wipe cycle may
take up to 40 seconds to occur, depending on outside
temperature. After the rst wash/wipe cycle, it may take
up to 20 seconds for each of the remaining cycles.
The heated windshield washer uid system may
be turned off at any time by sliding the switch on the
turn signal/multifunction lever to this position again.
When the heated windshield washer uid system
is activated under certain outside temperature
conditions, steam may ow out of the washer nozzles
for a short period of time before washer uid is sprayed.
This is a normal condition.
WASHER FLUID LOW ADD FLUID will be displayed on
the Driver Information Center (DIC) when the washer
uid is low. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-56.
3-11

It controls the following systems:
Headlamps
Taillamps
Parking Lamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
Fog Lamps (If Equipped)
The exterior lamps control has four positions:
O(Off):Turn the control to this position to turn off the
exterior lamps.
AUTO (Automatic):Turn the control to this position to
automatically turn on the headlamps at normal
brightness, together with the following:
Parking Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
;(Parking Lamps):Turn the control to this position
to turn on the parking lamps together with the
following:
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
2(Headlamps):Turn the control to this position to
turn on the headlamps together with the following lamps
listed below. A warning chime sounds if the driver’s
door is opened while the ignition switch is off and the
headlamps are on.
Parking Lamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
-(Fog Lamps):Push the exterior lamps control in to
turn on the fog lamps.
SeeFog Lamps on page 3-17.
Wiper Activated Headlamps
This feature activates the headlamps and parking lamps
after the windshield wipers are turned on and have
completed eight wipe cycles within four minutes.
When the ignition is turned to LOCK/OFF, the
wiper-activated headlamps immediately turn off. The
wiper-activated headlamps also turn off if the windshield
wipers are turned off.
3-15

Windshield and Wiper Blades
Clean the outside of the windshield with glass cleaner.
Clean the rubber blades using a lint free cloth or
paper towel soaked with windshield washer uid or a
mild detergent. Wash the windshield thoroughly
when cleaning the blades. Bugs, road grime, sap, and a
buildup of vehicle wash/wax treatments may cause
wiper streaking. Replace the wiper blades if they are
worn or damaged.
Wipers can be damaged by:
Extreme dusty conditions
Sand and salt
Heat and sun
Snow and ice, without proper removal
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels
and Trim
Your vehicle may have either aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels.
Keep the wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with mild
soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After rinsing
thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel. A wax may then
be applied.
Notice:Chrome wheels and other chrome trim may
be damaged if you do not wash your vehicle after
driving on roads that have been sprayed with
magnesium, calcium or sodium chloride. These
chlorides are used on roads for conditions such as
ice and dust. Always wash your vehicle’s chrome
with soap and water after exposure.
Notice:If you use strong soaps, chemicals,
abrasive polishes, cleaners, brushes, or cleaners
that contain acid on aluminum or chrome-plated
wheels, you could damage the surface of the
wheel(s). The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Use only approved cleaners on aluminum
or chrome-plated wheels.
5-100