2010 BUICK LUCERNE Owner's Manual

Leaving the Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{WARNING:
It can be dangerous to leave the vehicle with the
engine running. The vehicle could move suddenly
if the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the
parking brake firmly set. And, if you leave the
vehicle with the engine running, it could overheat
and even catch fire. You or others could be
injured. Do not leave the vehicle with the engine
running.If you have to leave the vehicle with the engine running,
be sure your vehicle is in P (Park) and the parking
brake is firmly set before you leave it. See
Parking
Brake
on page 3‑26for more information.
Torque Lock
Torque lock is when the weight of the vehicle puts too
much force on the parking pawl in the transmission.
This happens when parking on a hill and shifting the
transmission into P (Park) is not done properly and then
it is difficult to shift out of P (Park). To prevent torque
lock, set the parking brake and then shift into P (Park).
To find out how, see “Shifting Into Park”in this section.
If torque lock does occur, your vehicle may need to be
pushed uphill by another vehicle to relieve the parking
pawl pressure, so you can shift out of P (Park).
3-29

Shifting Out of Park
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 P (Park)
.Prevent movement of the shift lever out of P (Park),
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 the vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery with
low voltage, try charging or jump starting the battery.
See Jump Starting on page 6‑44.
Console Shift
If the console shifter cannot be moved out of P (Park)
1. Apply and maintain the regular brakes.
2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN position. See Ignition
Positions
on page 3‑20for more information.
3. Let up on the shift lever and make sure the shift lever is pushed all the way into P (Park).
4. Then, move the shift into the desired gear.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from P (Park),
consult your dealer or a professional towing service.
Column Shift
If the shifter cannot be moved out of P (Park) 1. Apply and maintain the regular brakes.
2. Turn the ignition key to the ON/RUN position. See Ignition Positions
on page 3‑20for more
information.
3. Shift out of the P (Park) position to the N (Neutral) position.
4. Then, move the shift into the desired gear.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from P (Park),
consult your dealer or a professional towing service.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{WARNING:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under the vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other things that
can burn.
3-30

Engine Exhaust
{WARNING:
Engine exhaust contains Carbon Monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled. Exposure to CO
can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Exhaust may enter the vehicle if:
.The vehicle idles in areas with poor ventilation
(parking garages, tunnels, deep snow that
may block underbody airflow or tail pipes).
.The exhaust smells or sounds strange or
different.
.The exhaust system leaks due to corrosion or
damage.(Continued)
WARNING: (Continued)
.The vehicle’s exhaust system has been
modified, damaged or improperly repaired.
.There are holes or openings in the vehicle
body from damage or after-market
modifications that are not completely sealed.
If unusual fumes are detected or if it is suspected
that exhaust is coming into the vehicle:
.Drive it only with the windows
completely down.
.Have the vehicle repaired immediately.
Never park the vehicle with the engine running in
an enclosed area such as a garage or a building
that has no fresh air ventilation.
3-31

Running the Vehicle While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{WARNING:
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed area with poor
ventilation is dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust contains
Carbon Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or
smelled. It can cause unconsciousness and even
death. Never run the engine in an enclosed area
that has no fresh air ventilation. For more
information, seeEngine Exhaust on page 3‑31.
{WARNING:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
automatic transmission shift lever is not fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake firmly 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).
Follow the proper steps to be sure the vehicle will not
move. See Shifting Into Park on page 3‑27.
If parking on a hill and pulling a trailer, see Towing a
Trailer on page 5‑27.
3-32

Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
The vehicle may have an automatic dimming inside
rearview mirror with OnStar®and/or a compass display.
Automatic dimming reduces the glare from the
headlamps of the vehicle behind you. The dimming
feature comes on and the indicator light illuminates
each time the vehicle is started.
Vehicles with OnStar have three additional control
buttons located at the bottom of the mirror. See your
dealer for more information on the system and how to
subscribe to OnStar. See the OnStar
®owners guide for
more information about the services OnStar provides.
O(On/Off): Press to turn the dimming feature and/or
compass display on or off.
Cleaning the Mirror
Do not spray glass cleaner directly on the mirror. Use a
soft towel dampened with water.
Compass
Compass Operation
There is a compass display in the upper right corner of
the mirror.
Compass Calibration
Press and holdOto activate the compass calibration
mode. CAL displays in the compass window on the
mirror.
If after a few seconds the display does not show a
compass direction, (N for North for example), there
may be a strong magnetic field interfering with the
compass. Interference can be caused by a magnetic
antenna mount, note pad holder, or similar object.
If CAL displays in the compass window, the compass
may need to be reset or calibrated.
The compass can be calibrated by driving the vehicle in
circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the display reads a
direction.
3-33

Compass Variance
The compass is set to zone eight. If you do not live
in zone eight or drive out of the area, the compass
variance needs to be changed to the appropriate zone.
To adjust for compass variance:1. Find your current location and variance zone number on the following zone map.
2. Press and holdOuntil the zone number displays.
The number shown is the current zone number.
3. Once the zone number displays, press
O
repeatedly until the correct zone number displays.
Stop pressing the button and the mirror returns to
normal operation. If CAL appears in the compass
window, the compass may need calibration. See
“Compass Calibration” listed previously.
3-34

Outside Power Mirrors
Controls for the outside
power mirrors are located
on the driver's door
armrest.
To adjust the mirror: 1. Press the left or right side of the selector switch located beneath the control pad to choose the
driver or passenger side mirror.
2. Press one of the four arrows located on the control pad to move the mirror in the desired direction.
3. Adjust each outside mirror so that a little of the vehicle and the area behind it can be seen. Manually fold the mirrors inward to prevent damage
when going through an automatic car wash. To fold,
push the mirror toward the vehicle. Push the mirror
outward, to return to its original position.
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror
If the vehicle has this feature, the driver side mirror
adjusts for the glare of headlamps behind you. This
feature is controlled by the on and off settings on the
automatic dimming rearview mirror. See
Automatic
Dimming Rearview Mirror
on page 3‑33for more
information.
Turn Signal Indicator
The vehicle may also have a turn signal indicator on the
mirror. An arrow on the outside rearview mirror flashes
in the direction of the turn or lane change. See Turn and
Lane-Change Signals
on page 4‑5for more
information.
3-35

Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)
If the vehicle has the Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)
system, seeSide Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)on
page 3‑39.
Park Tilt Mirrors
If the vehicle has memory mirrors, the outside mirrors
have park tilt mirrors . This feature tilts the driver's side
and passenger side mirror to a factory programmed
position when the vehicle is in R (Reverse). This feature
may be useful in allowing you to view the curb when
you are parallel parking.
When the vehicle is shifted out of R (Reverse) and
either a five second delay has occurred, or the ignition
is turned to LOCK/OFF, the driver and passenger side
mirrors return to their original position.
See DIC Vehicle Customization
on page 4‑65for more
information.
Outside Convex Mirror
{WARNING:
A convex mirror can make things, like other
vehicles, look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you could
hit a vehicle on the right. Check the inside mirror
or glance over your shoulder before changing
lanes.
The passenger side mirror is convex shaped. A convex
mirror's surface is curved so more can be seen from the
driver seat.
Outside Heated Mirrors
For vehicles with heated mirrors:
<(Rear Window Defogger): Press to heat the
mirrors.
See “Rear Window Defogger” underClimate Control
System
on page 4‑18or Dual Automatic Climate
Control Systemon page 4‑22for more information.
3-36