2009 BUICK LUCERNE page 3

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.
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.
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 P (Park).
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 P (Park). SeeExterior
Lamps on page 3-15for more information.
The regular headlamp system should be turned on
when needed.
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Fog Lamps
For vehicles with fog lamps, the button is located on
the exterior lamps control. The exterior lamps control is
located on the instrument panel to the left of the steering
column.
#(Fog Lamps):Press the exterior lamps button
to turn the fog lamps on or off. A light comes on in the
instrument panel cluster to show that the fog lamps
are on. SeeInstrument Panel Cluster on page 3-33.
The ignition must be in the ON/RUN position and
the parking lamps must be on for the fog lamps to
illuminate.
The fog lamps will go off while you change to high-beam
headlamps.
Some localities have laws that require the headlamps to
be on along with the fog lamps.
Cornering Lamps
For vehicles with this feature, the cornering lamps come
on when: the headlamps or parking lamps are on, the
vehicle is not in P (Park), and you signal a turn with
the turn signal/multifunction lever. They provide
more light for cornering.
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver
If the exterior lamp button has been left on, the exterior
lamps will turn off about 10 minutes after the ignition is
turned to LOCK/OFF and a door has been opened. This
protects against draining the battery if the headlamps or
parking lamps are accidentally left on. If you need to
leave the lamps on for more than 10 minutes, use the
exterior lamp control to turn the lamps back on after the
ignition is turned to LOCK/OFF and any door is opened.
Instrument Panel Brightness
D(Instrument Panel Brightness):This feature
controls the brightness of the instrument panel lights.
The knob for this control is located next to the exterior
lamps control.
Push the knob in and release when it pops out.
Turn the knob clockwise to increase the brightness
of the instrument panel lights and counter clockwise to
decrease the brightness. Turning the knob completely
clockwise to the detent will turn on the courtesy lamps.
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Courtesy Lamps
When any door is opened, several lamps turn on
making it easier for you to enter and exit the vehicle.
Turn the instrument panel brightness control completely
clockwise to manually turn on these lamps.
Entry Lighting
If it is dark enough outside when you press the unlock
button on the remote keyless entry transmitter, the
interior courtesy lamps will turn on and stay on for about
40 seconds. The lamps can be turned off immediately by
pressing the lock button on the remote keyless entry
transmitter, turning the ignition key to ON/RUN or
activating the power door locks.
Delayed Entry Lighting
The interior lamps will turn on if you open the door when
it is dark enough outside. When you close the door with
the ignition off, the interior lamps will stay on for up to
25 seconds or until the ignition is turned to an on position.
When the lamps turn off as a result of the 25 second timer
or the ignition switch being turned on, the lighting will
deactivate by way of the theater dimming effect. Locking
the doors will override the delayed entry lighting feature
and the lamps will turn off right away.
Theater Dimming
This feature allows for a three to ve second fade out of
the courtesy lamps instead of immediate turn off.
Delayed Exit Lighting
If it is dark enough outside when you remove the key
from the ignition, the interior lamps will turn on and stay
on for about 25 seconds. This will give you time to nd
the door pull handle or lock switches. Once the key is
inserted into the ignition, the exit lighting will be cancelled
and the lighting will fade out.
Perimeter Lighting
If it is dark enough outside when the unlock button on
the remote keyless entry transmitter is pressed, the
DRL, parking lamps and back-up lamps will come on.
This feature can be programmed on for various amounts
of time in seconds for each transmitter.
SeeDIC Vehicle Customization on page 3-66for
information on programming.
Front Reading Lamps
The front reading lamps are located on the headliner.
Press the button near each lamp to turn them on or off.
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Electric Power Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management (EPM) that
estimates the battery’s temperature and state of charge.
It then adjusts the voltage for best performance and
extended life of the battery.
When the battery’s state of charge is low, the voltage is
raised slightly to quickly bring the charge back up. When
the state of charge is high, the voltage is lowered slightly
to prevent overcharging. If the vehicle has a voltmeter
gage or a voltage display on the Driver Information
Center (DIC), you may see the voltage move up or down.
This is normal. If there is a problem, an alert will be
displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the electrical
loads are very high. This is true for all vehicles.
This is because the generator (alternator) may not
be spinning fast enough at idle to produce all the
power that is needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following are on, such as: headlamps, high beams,
fog lamps, rear window defogger, climate control fan at
high speed, heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailer
loads, and loads plugged into accessory power outlets.EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the battery.
It does this by balancing the generator’s output and the
vehicle’s electrical needs. It can increase engine idle
speed to generate more power, whenever needed.
It can temporarily reduce the power demands of some
accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels, without
being noticeable. In rare cases at the highest levels of
corrective action, this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a Driver Information Center (DIC) message
might be displayed, such as BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE,
BATTERY VOLTAGE LOW, or LOW BATTERY. If this
message is displayed, it is recommended that the driver
reduce the electrical loads as much as possible. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-56.
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver
This feature is designed to protect your vehicle’s battery
against drainage from the interior lamps, or garage door
opener. When the ignition is turned off, the power to
these features will automatically turn off after 10 minutes.
Power will be restored for an additional 10 minutes if any
door is opened, the trunk is opened or the courtesy lamp
switch is turned on.
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Ashtray(s)
Notice:If papers, pins, or other ammable items
are put in the ashtray, hot cigarettes or other
smoking materials could ignite them and possibly
damage the vehicle. Never put ammable items
in the ashtray.
For vehicles without the oor console, pull the tray
located below the climate controls to reveal the ashtray.
The ashtray can be removed by pulling on the ledge
located at the top of the ashtray.
The vehicles with a full oor console do not have an
ashtray. There is a storage bin below the climate control
system. For more information, seeFront Storage Area on
page 2-57.
Climate Controls
Climate Control System
The heating, cooling, and ventilation for the vehicle can
be controlled with this system.
For vehicles with the remote start feature and it is
activated, the climate control system heats or cools the
inside of the vehicle, with the settings used before the
vehicle was turned off. The heated seats, if the vehicle
has them, and the rear window defogger will be turned
on by the climate control system when it is cold outside.
The cooled seat setting is not activated during a remote
start. Normal operation of the system will return after
the key is turned to the ON/RUN position. SeeRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation on page 2-5for
more information.
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A. Fan Control
B. Temperature Control
C. Air Delivery Mode
ControlD. Recirculation
E. Air Conditioning
F. Rear Window
Defogger
Operation
(
(Off):Turns the climate control system off. Outside
air still enters the vehicle and is directed to the oor.
The airow direction and temperature can be adjusted.
Temperature Control:Turn clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the
temperature.
9(Fan Control):Turn clockwise or counterclockwise
to increase or decrease the fan speed. The fan speed is
temporarily reduced between the transition to a new
mode. The fan will resume when the new mode is
complete.
If the airow seems low when the fan speed is at the
highest setting, the passenger compartment air lter
may need to be replaced. For more information, see
Passenger Compartment Air Filter on page 3-30and
Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
Air Delivery Mode Control:Turn clockwise or
counterclockwise to change the direction of the airow
in the vehicle.
To change the current mode, select one of the following:
H(Vent):Air is directed to the instrument panel
outlets.
)(Bi-Level):Air is divided between the instrument
panel outlets and the oor outlets. Slightly cooler air is
directed to the instrument panel outlets and warmer
air is directed to the oor outlets.
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Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
<(Rear Window Defogger):Press to turn the rear
window defogger on or off. An indicator light below the
button comes on to show that the rear window defogger is
on. Be sure to clear as much snow from the rear window
as possible.
The rear window defogger only works when the ignition is
in ON/RUN. The rear window defogger stays on for about
20 minutes after the button is pressed if traveling at slow
speeds. At higher vehicle speeds, the rear defogger may
stay on continuously. If turned on again, the defogger
only runs for about 10 minutes before turning off. The
defogger can be turned off by pressing the button again,
by turning the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN,
or by turning off the engine.
If the vehicle has heated outside rearview mirrors, the
mirrors heat to help clear fog or frost from the surface
of the mirror when the rear window defogger is on.
SeeOutside Heated Mirrors on page 2-37for more
information.Notice:Do not use anything sharp on the inside of
the rear window. If you do, you could cut or damage
the warming grid, and the repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Do not attach a
temporary vehicle license, tape, a decal or anything
similar to the defogger grid.
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System
The heating, cooling, and ventilation for the vehicle can
be controlled with this system.
For vehicles with the remote start feature and it is
activated, the climate control system heats or cools the
inside of the vehicle, with the settings used before the
vehicle was turned off. The heated seats, if the vehicle
has them, and the rear window defogger will be turned
on by the climate control system when it is cold outside.
The cooled seat setting is not activated during a remote
start. Normal operation of the system will return after
the key is turned to the ON/RUN position. SeeRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation on page 2-5for
more information.
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When the ENG/MET (English/metric) button on the
Driver Information Center (DIC) is pressed, the display
shows readings in Fahrenheit or Celsius. Use the
ENG/MET button to toggle between the readings.
AUTO (Automatic Air Conditioning):If AUTO
is selected on the fan or mode control, the system
automatically controls the air conditioning compressor.
The A/C compressor runs automatically even at cool
outside temperatures in order to dehumidify the air.
The A/C indicator light is lit when the system is operating
automatically. Press the A/C button on the fan control
to turn off the A/C. To clear windows better in defog or
defrost modes, the A/C compressor runs automatically
in damp cool conditions.
h(Auto Recirculation):If AUTO is selected on
either the fan or mode control, the system automatically
controls the supply of fresh outside air or recirculates the
interior air to cool the car faster. The indicator light on
the recirculation button will light whenever the system
switches to recirculation. You may force outside air by
pressing the outside air button. The next time AUTO fan
or mode is selected, it will reset back to AUTO operation.
Manual Operation
9(Off):Turns the climate control system off. Outside
air still enters the vehicle and is directed to the oor.
The airow direction and temperature can be adjusted.
If the temperature is adjusted while the system is
off, the display will light to show the current settings.
wx(Driver Temperature Controls):Press
these buttons next to the fan control to increase
or decrease the temperature inside the vehicle.
wx(Passenger Temperature Controls):Press
these buttons next to the mode control to increase
or decrease the temperature for the front passenger.
If the passenger climate control system is off, pressing
one of these buttons turns it on.
9(Fan Control):Turn clockwise or counterclockwise
to increase or decrease the fan speed. Turning this
control completely counterclockwise turns on the
automatic fan operation.
If the airow seems low when the fan speed is at the
highest setting, the passenger compartment air lter
may need to be replaced. For more information,
seePassenger Compartment Air Filter on page 3-30
andScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
3-26