2009 BUICK LUCERNE wheel

Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
The following accessories can be used for up to
10 minutes after the engine is turned off.
Audio System
Audio Steering Wheel (if equipped)
Clock
Power Windows
Sunroof (if equipped)
Power to these accessories works up to 10 minutes or
until the driver door is opened.The instrument panel cluster lights stay on for a
few seconds, then will go out. Once the driver door
is opened, the power shuts off to these accessories.
The vehicle has a feature designed to protect the battery
against drainage. For more information seeInadvertent
Power Battery Saver on page 3-19andElectric
Power Management on page 3-19.
Starting the Engine
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or N (Neutral). The
engine will not start in any other position. To restart
the engine when the vehicle is already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the vehicle
is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to P (Park) only when the
vehicle is stopped.
2-22

Automatic Transmission Operation
The vehicle may have a shift lever located either on the
steering column or on the console between the seats.
P (Park):This position locks the front wheels. It is
the best position to use when you start the engine
because the vehicle cannot move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift
lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake
rmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly
level ground, always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park). SeeShifting Into
Park on page 2-28. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-25.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in P (Park) before starting
the engine. The vehicle has an automatic transmission
shift lock control system. You have to fully apply the
regular brakes before you can shift from P (Park) while
the ignition is in ON/RUN. If you cannot shift out of
P (Park), ease pressure on the shift lever and push the
shift lever all the way into P (Park) as you maintain brake
application. Then move the shift lever into the gear you
want. SeeShifting Out of Park on page 2-31.
2-25

R (Reverse):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is
moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice,
or sand without damaging the transmission, seeIf Your
Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on
page 4-17.
N (Neutral):In this position, the engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart the engine when the
vehicle is already moving, use N (Neutral) only. Also,
use N (Neutral) when the vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your
foot is rmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear
while the engine is running at high speed.Notice:Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with
the engine running at high speed may damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is
not running at high speed when shifting the vehicle.
D (Drive):This position is for normal driving.
It provides the best fuel economy. If you need more
power for passing, and you are:
Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
The transmission will shift down to the next gear and
have more power.
Downshifting the transmission in slippery road conditions
could result in skidding, see “Skidding” underLoss of
Control on page 4-10
3 (Third):This position is also used for normal driving.
It reduces vehicle speed more than D (Drive) without
using the brakes. You might choose 3 (Third) instead of
D (Drive) when driving on hilly, winding roads, when
towing a trailer, so there is less shifting between gears
and when going down a steep hill.
2-26

OnStar Hands-Free Calling
OnStar Hands-Free Calling allows eligible OnStar
subscribers to make and receive calls using voice
commands. Hands-Free Calling is fully integrated into
the vehicle, and can be used with OnStar Pre-Paid
Minute Packages. Most vehicles include 30 trial minutes
good for 60 days. Hands-Free Calling can also be
linked to a Verizon Wireless service plan in the U.S.
or a Bell Mobility service plan in Canada, depending
on eligibility. To nd out more, refer to the OnStar
Owner’s Guide in the vehicle’s glove box, visit
onstar.com or onstar.ca, or speak with an OnStar
advisor by pressing the OnStar button or calling
1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827).
OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation
Vehicles with the OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation
system can provide voice-guided driving directions.
Press the OnStar button to have an OnStar advisor
locate a business or address and download driving
directions to the vehicle. Voice-guided directions to the
desired destination will play through the audio system
speakers. See the OnStar Owner’s Guide for more
information.
OnStar Virtual Advisor
OnStar Virtual Advisor is a feature of OnStar
Hands-Free Calling that uses minutes to access
location-based weather, local traffic reports, and stock
quotes. Press the phone button and give a few simple
voice commands to browse through the various topics.
See the OnStar Owner’s Guide for more information.
This feature is only available in the continental U.S.
OnStar Steering Wheel Controls
This vehicle may have a Talk/Mute button that can
be used to interact with OnStar Hands-Free Calling.
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-104for
more information.
On some vehicles, the mute button can be used to dial
numbers into voice mail systems, or to dial phone
extensions. See the OnStar Owner’s Guide for more
information.
2-48

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................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.............................................3-15
Wiper Activated Headlamps............................3-16
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...........................................3-18
Entry Lighting...............................................3-18
Delayed Entry Lighting...................................3-18
Theater Dimming..........................................3-18Delayed 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...................................3-35
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-36
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-37
Charging System Light..................................3-38
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-38
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light.....3-39
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light . . .3-40
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light.............................3-41
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Lane Departure Warning Light........................3-41
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light......3-42
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-42
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-43
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-43
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-46
Security Light...............................................3-46
Fog Lamp Light............................................3-47
Cruise Control Light......................................3-47
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-47
Fuel Gage...................................................3-48
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-49
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-49
DIC Compass..............................................3-54DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-56
DIC Vehicle Customization.............................3-66
Audio System(s).............................................3-75
Setting the Clock..........................................3-76
Radio(s)......................................................3-78
Using an MP3..............................................3-88
XM Radio Messages.....................................3-92
Navigation/Radio System...............................3-93
Bluetooth
®...................................................3-93
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-104
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-104
Radio Reception.........................................3-105
Backglass Antenna......................................3-106
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-106
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A.Outlet Adjustment on page 3-30.
B.DIC Operation and Displays on page 3-49
(If Equipped).
C.Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-8.
D.Instrument Panel Cluster on page 3-33.
E.Hazard Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
F.Audio System(s) on page 3-75.
G.Exterior Lamps on page 3-15.
H. Trunk Release. SeeTrunk on page 2-13.
I.Instrument Panel Brightness on page 3-17.
J.Hood Release on page 5-13.
K.Lane Departure Warning (LDW) on page 2-44
(If Equipped).
L.Cruise Control on page 3-12.Heated Steering Wheel
on page 3-7(If Equipped).M.Parking Brake on page 2-27.
N.Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-104
(If Equipped).
O.Climate Control System on page 3-21orDual
Automatic Climate Control System on page 3-24.
P.Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-7
andStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6.
Q.Front Storage Area on page 2-57.
R. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-25.
S.Accessory Power Outlet(s) on page 3-20.
T.Glove Box on page 2-57.
3-5

Hazard Warning Flashers
The hazard warning ashers let you warn others that
you have a problem.
The hazard warning asher button is located in the
center of the instrument panel above the radio.
|:Press to make the front and rear turn signal lamps
ash on and off. Press the button again to turn the
ashers off.
When the hazard warning ashers are on, the turn
signals will not work.
Horn
Press near or on the horn symbols on the steering
wheel pad to sound the horn.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt wheel allows the steering wheel to be adjusted.
The tilt lever is located on
the left side of the steering
column.
To tilt the wheel, hold the wheel and pull the lever
toward you. Then move the wheel to a comfortable
position and release the lever to lock the wheel in place.
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving.
3-6